Todo pura vida. 1. ¿Qué bola asere?” Often due to a saint’s feast day, these “bridges”, become the best Mondays and Fridays of the year! These greetings are used casually all day – in small talk, such as when meeting friends, with well-known colleagues, chatting with a clerk at the store – so it’s great to know them. There are plenty of ways to say “cool,” but some are decidedly less cool than others. - Spanish Verb Conjugation ¡Zarpado! This article will teach you these slang words and many others. It’s very similar to pura vida. “I’m going to my friend’s house”. Thus, you can be sure that you’re speaking with a Chilean if they sneak in a po every other sentence. For this, the phrase is Ques pase buenas noches usted. Linguists say that mande was inherited from the times of colonization when mestizos/indigenous castes submitted to Europeans/criollos by using the phrase “mándeme usted”, roughly meaning you’re in charge, tell me what to do. It’s used as a way of agreeing or affirming what someone has said. This Puerto Rican term can be spelled either way. Wey is just Mexican for “bro” or “dude”. It literally means “man”, and is also used to affirm or strengthen what you’re saying; typically to mean no, yes/of course, to greet or to plead. While cachete literally means “cheek,” it‘s used in Chile and Costa Rica to mean “cool.” It’s often used with a todo. In Spain, however, tío is used colloquially as bro, dude or guy. Copyright 2020 Gritty Spanish & Gritty Languages LLC | All Rights Reserved, Argentinos can’t live without, click here, Ecuadorian slang straight from the streets here, –Ultimate Guide to Learning the Spanish Imperative (Aka the Command Form)–, 7 Amazing Facts About the Spanish Language You Never Knew, 7 Tips on How to Use Music to Learn Spanish, Practice Your New Language Skills at These Awesome Spanish Festivals, Spanish Is the Most Common Language in These States After English, –Improve Spanish Listening To A Spanish Speaking Flight Attendant!–, –Traffic Signs in Spanish You Need to Know–, –How to Master Gender in the Spanish Language–. / Everyone with his own. the only country i was looking for was my own country El Salvador. Buena onda - In Chile and Argentina it means “Cool”, and it can be used to say that somebody is cool but also for places or moments. Qué lo qué is their way of saying what’s up, what’s going on, an abridged version of “¿qué es lo qué esta pasando aquí?”. What about the Honduran slang? In Guatemala, the cops are called chontes. “Oye chamo, ¿cómo está la vaina?” © 2020 Enux Education Limited. So, what can you do? Piola - It’s the way Argentinians say somebody or something is “Cool”. If a Peruvian calls you their pata, it’s a lovely form of endearment! Follow this link to get more Colombian slang! Wanna sound like a local? 1. 3. Also known as quiobo, literally “what have”. you’re too lazy), “te falta ñeque”. Ese coche es buenazo. The word comes from the Quechua word chaqui, meaning the discomfort one feels right after chewing coca leaves. You’ll receive a chipper “Buenas!” in return and can move on to more important considerations – like how much tortilla and patatasbravas are you going to order for lunch? Slang is an excellent way to connect with locals and show that you thoroughly understand the Spanish language. Oye mano, vámonos de viaje este fin de semana – Hey buddy, let’s go on a trip this weekend; 10. There are infinite words to express this sentiment in Spanish. 1. You’ll learn Spanish as it’s actually spoken by real people. As if it weren’t confusing enough…, “Chama me puse arrecha cuando se fue sin decir adios” Or, just stick to the sweet and simple “, !” to say hello at any time of the day. To get more insider intel on Guatemalan expressions, check out this link! Spain claims to have the most pure form of castellano, but they are no strangers of jergas (slang words)! Android. You have Spanish Speakers up and down the Southwest. / A friend in adversity is a true friend. It can be a question or a statement. (For example, if you learned that your friend had ordered 15 tortillas and ten plates of patatasbravas – then proceeded to eat it all. I know it’s similar to Argentinian slang but it’s still different. They also use the word “pues” excessively, almost as a filler. Based on the countries that you visit most, you can add more slang from those regions. (This movie is cool.). Spanish proverb. Anyone can learn textbook Spanish (and indeed, many people do in schools every day). Vaina - The English word of it would be “thing” or “stuff”, and in Chile it can be used to mean almost anything. Pijo - The Spaniard word for “snobbish”. It can be used to describe people or objects. “La cosa más chistosa me paso! 3. “All good bro? This can be tricky for Spanish learners as a word that you learn in one country might have a completely different meaning, or not even exist, in another. Pata Ponerse como un tomate - We use this expression, “to become a tomato”, when someone gets embarrassed and goes red. “What’s going on man?”. 4. In Mexico, “chamaco”. In Spanish-speaking countries, however, "buenos días" is used to mean "good morning." Also look out for deci (a.k.a. In Spain, es una pasada is used colloquially as “cool” or “nice.” Hint: it stays feminine even if you’re using it to describe masculine nouns. On the opposite side of the world and Spanish spectrum, we have the Dominicans. (For example, if you learned that your friend had ordered 15, Money, money, money. “The homework is for tomorrow? As a bonus, this isn’t too strange-sounding to English speakers, because English “man” can be used in much the same way. and our fifth expression is another to add to your small talk toolbox: ¿Cómo vas?, literally meaning “How are you going?”. (Vacation was really cool. Very much a part of the Spaniards’ vocabulary, meaning OK, alright, sounds good, I understand or no problem. “How boring is this stuff*”. For example, is it really cool to say “neat-o,” “nifty” or “groovy” in English? But, in Spanish, you may actually want to wish they pass a good night. ), Chido is a Mexican slang term for “cool.”, Las vacaciones fueron muy chidas. (This hotel is cool.). Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Interested in travel and language? It's filled with raw emotion, music and background sounds to make you feel as though you were truly a part of the environment. Estar en la luna - When somebody is absent-minded we use the expression “to be at the moon”. ), Piola literally means rope or string. “Girl what’re you doing?”, “Nada, aquí ladillada”  Just like “no way,” “come on!” or “come off it!” in English, it’s used when you are shocked. No importa un pimiento - Or also: “Me importa un pepino”, it is the expression used to say that something it’s not important. You'll hear from us soon! Its equivalent in Mexico is “cuate” or “güey”, “tipo” or “chabón” in Argentina, “chavo” in Guatemala and “pata” in Peru. Insider Tip:  Be careful because pata in PR means homoseuxal. “Ese tipo es re copado!” Ay qué ladilla” In the afternoon and evenings, other phrases are used. Tomar el pelo - The English equivalent for this expression is “pulling someone’s leg”. (You’re going to Chile? This expression has many equivalents in different countries such as: “¿Qué más?” (Chile), “¿Qué hubo?” (Chile), “¿Qué onda?” (Argentina and Guatemala), “¿Qué pasa?” (Spain). ), Onda literally means wave or ripple, so buena onda is “good wave.” Buena onda is used in Argentina, Chile and Mexico to mean “cool” or “good vibe.”, Ella es buena onda porque siempre va a todas las fiestas. You can also use these words to call the attention of a friend, as in “Tío/tía, come here!”), How do you say it? meaning do it already or go ahead. However, in Argentina, it’s frequently used to mean “cool.”, ¿Te has comprado un convertible? Noooo I don’t want to”, “No quiero salir, me da ladilla” (There isn’t a hurricane? ¿Arepas para el desayuno? Tuanis is a a term used in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. 3. Spanish proverb. Thanks for subscribing! Platicar The formal version (for someone you don’t know well) uses the usted form, which is the polite form of “you”. Spanish proverb. “I am working bro, what do you want?”. outreach@vidalingua.com to let us know. What does it mean and how is it used?Every employee’s favorite – and a stereotype of life in Spain – is the puente, or three-day weekend. The word, Burra Literally means “female donkey”. Okay, I see you…”. The words below are used in authentic speech—that means many are considered “slang” or “colloquialisms” and you won’t find them in textbooks. What does it mean and how is it used? “The funniest thing happened to me! “Look at this picture she took in NY… How cool!”. No hay mejor hermano que un buen vecino al lado. Mexico is a huge country with a rich variety of accents, between regions and social classes. Spaniards are a friendly bunch, quick to start up a conversation and armed with several ways to ask the classic “How are you?”. How cool! Jartera. “The party was so awesome!”. Copado However, guay is used exclusively in Spain, making it our #2 Spanish giveaway! Ser la oveja negra - This is a nice expression which literally means “To be the black sheep” and it makes reference to a person which is different or weird. It’s popular among children and teenagers in Spain. “¡No quiero salir más contigo! Tener pájaros en la cabeza - In Spanish, dreamy people “have birds in their heads”. That’s why we recommend using authentic resources to learn these and other ways real native speakers use the Spanish language. Click here to get a copy. ), As you’ve probably already realized, this word literally means “father.” In Mexico, however, it’s also used to mean “cool.”, Pichudo is commonly used by Costa Rican teenagers to mean “cool.”, Tus gafas son pichudas. This word is mostly used in Spain. It can be also be an adjective to describe when you’re too lazy to do something, like pereza in castellano. Comerse el coco - This Spanish expression can be literally translated as “to eat your coconut”, and it means “to overthink”. 2. Piola - It’s the way Argentinians say somebody or something is “Cool”. Which brings us to our next point…. and Castilian (the version spoken in Spain) charms expats and tourists as quickly as the country’s narrow cobblestoned streets and tasty tapas. This term is used widely throughout Spanish-speaking countries (though somewhat less often in Colombia and Ecuador). 1. Little about the enchanting country Peru makes international headlines besides their exquisite cuisine and breathtaking landscapes like Machu Picchu. Che boludo You are only as good or as bad as your friends. Download is a way of expressing surprise or disbelief. : ‘Es mi compa, mi carnal – ¡lo quiero!’ = ‘He’s my friend – I love him! (See you soon! Duro - It means money in Spain. Usage: “What’s up, amigo?”; “Me and my amigos.” Chum: A close friend. 2. Young people pepper their conversations with this adjective, responding to their friends’ stories with a chorus of ¡Qué guay! For example, “No tengo un duro” is “I don’t have money”. 3. “chido” for Chilean Spanish speakers, “calidá” in Guatemala and “candela” in Venezuela. “We’ll meet up at your place?”. In this article we will review some helpful tips to remember when using slang words, as well as slang from Spain and Latin America.