cambalachar

An informal, somewhat old-fashioned verb meaning to barter, swap, or trade goods informally — from cambalache (a swap, or a shop selling mixed secondhand goods). Regional and colloquial, heard more in Latin America than Spain.

• Los vecinos cambalachaban herramientas entre ellos. — The neighbors used to swap tools among themselves.
• Cambalachó su bicicleta vieja por una consola. — He traded his old bike for a game console.
• En el mercado la gente todavía cambalachea productos. — At the market people still barter goods.

Cambalachar implies an informal, often uneven or opportunistic swap — for a straightforward, neutral exchange, intercambiar is the more standard, widely understood verb.

Often confused with intercambiar.