Piropos y pullas deportivas entre colegas
Dannis
CRACK (piropo). Very good at playing or working. Ex.: "María es un crack con los datos" (María is amazing with data). Eng.: top, real pro.
MÁQUINA (piropo). Someone who performs a lot, doesn’t get tired. Ex.: "Pedro es una máquina, siempre marca" (Pedro is a machine, he always scores). Eng.: a machine (figuratively).
FENÓMENO (piropo). Natural talent, surprisingly good. Ex.: "Tu hijo es un fenómeno con el balón" (Your son is a phenomenon with the ball). Eng.: phenomenon, natural talent.
PAQUETE (pulla). Very bad player. Use it only with a lot of trust or for self‑irony. Ex.: "Soy un paquete en pádel" (I’m terrible at padel). Eng.: weak / lousy player.
Context: In Spain these compliments (piropos) and playful jibes (pullas) are used a lot among friends in sports and also at work. Tone: humorous and familiar. If you’re unsure, choose a softer compliment.
Neutral alternatives: "muy bueno" (very good), "muy hábil" (very skilful), "juegas genial" (you play great). To avoid offending people, don’t call strangers "paquete". Eng.: it’s safer to praise people in a neutral way.