My favorite Chilean word that I’ve learned so far is ¿Cachai? which essentially means, “Did you catch what I was saying?” or “Do you understand me?” If you do understand, you would respond with, “Cacho,” essentially meaning, “Yes I caught that.”
For some reason, I just have a fascination with this word and love when people say it. Part of it is probably because it is entirely unique to Chilean Spanish and I think it adds so much character to the language and pulls people into the story, making them want to respond and interact.
The first person in Chile who explained this word to me was my host brother, Joaquín. One night, I decided to walk into his room while he was playing video games and noticed that he had FIFA 2022 downloaded. I joked with him, saying that the only games I know how to play are that game and 2K, not expecting anything except maybe a laugh from him. Not only did I get that, but he asked me if I wanted to play him in FIFA.
I lost many times. But sitting here writing this, I am so glad that I walked into his room that night because I have learned a surprising amount from playing video games with him. There are so many words involved in a video game that you don’t necessarily think about in everyday life. And it has been in an office chair with a controller in my hand that I have learned some of my favorite Chilean words and phrases, just like “Cachai.”
I wanted to highlight this experience that I have had because it has really made me realize that studying abroad isn’t just about the incredible sights that you get to go out and see. While I’m very grateful to have access to these experiences, I feel that studying abroad is also about seeing life from this whole new perspective. At the same time, I’ve realized that after spending time with the people and learning more of the language, underneath we are all the same.
This is why learning Spanish has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life because I’m able to break the language barrier and truly connect with people that I otherwise never would have known on a personal or friend level. My host siblings and I like the same types of TikToks, Joaquín has showed me more American music than I have discovered on my own, and we all have similar memories about songs we remember from the 2000s or Vines from 2012. Sometimes I think that being from the United States we are so focused on each other’s differences and what we disagree on, rather than the little things in life that really matter. The little things show us that we really aren’t all that different apart from the nation we call home.
Right around this time, I could have started getting homesick. And don’t get me wrong, I miss my friends and family. But sometimes, since I have been able to get to know my family more through the use of Spanish, it feels like I already have a piece of home with me. And I feel like this mirrors the reason why I love the first word Joaquín explained to me, “Cachai.” My host family is always trying to include me in conversations and teach me more of the slang so that I can more easily follow the conversation. It’s still very difficult to tell you the truth, but more and more often, I’m finding myself saying, “Sí, cacho.”
So while it may seem like the main thing that studying abroad offers is the amazing sights, there is also so much value in the downtime, or more “mundane” moments of life while living with a host family.
If anyone needs me tonight, chances are I’ll be playing video games.
Hasta luego,
Jordan