El canis = chav

Question

I have just returned from Spain (Granada = Increible! ) and when i was there I tried to pick up as much slang as I could. Some of it was quite common and i could understand the semantics quite easily, however, some of the terms I found quite difficult to understand the precise meanings. Maby some (perhaps more cool) members of the forum could help me

Canis: I think it translates as 'chav' or 'rudeboy' (teenage boys driving around town in noisy cars playing loud dance music). However, how vulgar is it? In England 'chav' is not offensive but after I learned 'canis' I repeated it to some other people and they seemed quite embarrassed, as if it were really rude. Is it offensive?

Thankyou! I want to improve my slang so answers would be chulisimo

Sí, Granada es verdaderamente increíble, como me gustaría estar ahí en este momento. - LuisCache, Feb 25, 2011

Claro. Es un sitio increible: la gente es abierta y generosa, las vistas espectaculares... Quiero volver! - harryliuba, Feb 25, 2011

Answer 1

Chav is rather offensive in England. It's worse than rude boys, it's a sort of breed of rather violent young people ( females are chavettes) that hang around in town centres, looking for trouble. They drink alot and are frequently taken to hospital in a blotto state. They wear jeans below their bottoms . This may be going out of fashion, however.

Canis look slimmer and fitter. They seem to be more dependent on drugs than alcohol , although further studies are needed to confirm this. Their culture and art are expressed in red spray paint on white buildings. They are very kind and often help people carry valuable items, such as handbags and wallets. They drive 'motos'. They do not wear helmets whilst doing so but frequently carry one or two friends on the moto, whilst having races..

Hahahahahaha, well described ;-) - mcl020, Jan 31, 2013

Answer 2

Nunca la había escuchado antes. Debe de ser un modismo andaluz.

encontré esta página:

http://www.frikipedia.es/friki/Cani

No hablan nada bien de los canis.

Quizá sean jóvenes, miembros de alguna tribu urbana, como los mods, skinheads, emos, o algo así.

Tenemos que esperar a que responda un español.

I had never heard this word before. Must be an Andalusian idiom. I found this page.

They don´t speak well of canis.

Perhaps they are young, urban members of a tribe, like mods, skinheads, emos, or the like.

They are just like chavs, really, uneducated, rude and drink and take drugs, you know, charming youngsters in both countries! - annierats, Jan 31, 2013

Answer 3

Hey, Spanish native over here! It is often offensive because the canis are an "urban tribe" characterized for being uneducated, rude and agressive. Of course they call themselves canis and do not feel offended, but other people (mostly young people) do

Yes, I agree. I've seen it used about ' chavs' in Frikipedia and elsewhere. - annierats, Jan 31, 2013

Answer 4

Check out this link

Yes thankyou, this seems to be the right thing :) I suppose 'cani' is simply a direct translation of 'chav' - harryliuba, Feb 25, 2011

probably comes of 'dogs' ? I think the subtype chav is a separate breed from cani, just.. But very similar. The canis are slimmer and take more drugs. - annierats, Jan 31, 2013

Answer 5

Hi, Harry. Welcome to the forum

I tried Urban Dictionary, just in case, but found nothing helpful.

Let's wait for the Spanish natives to come along.