"Chapina" & "chava" Meaning?

Question

I was talking to a Guatemalan, and the person said, "So sweet mi chapina," to me. Then I said hi to another Guatemalan, and the person replied with "Hola chava". So then I began to wonder what chapina and chava meant.

Answer 1

Apparently, chapin/a is a nickname for people from Guatemala and is said to have its origin in a form of uncomfortable footwear (chapines) that Guatemalans were known to wear when travelling to other Central American countries.

And as JC says I'd guess that chava is another word for a young girl, in Nicaragua they say chavala.

Answer 2

Kiwi is exactly right.

Chapin or chapina is a colloquial name for Guatemaltecos, or Guatemalans.

Answer 3

This is just a guess: in Mexico we say chaparrita as endearment to short girl, so I would interpret chapina as this.

Chava is a young girl.