67 Spanish Slang Phrases You Have to Know
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Spanish is spoken across the globe, with dozens of dialects and regional varieties. If customary Spanish is the principle course, slang is the seasoning that offers it a definite attribute or taste. Slang phrases differ by Spanish dialect, area, technology, and group belonging.
In Argentina and surrounding international locations, you’ll hear ¡che! (hey!) when somebody desires your consideration. If you happen to’re planning in Spain, the expressions ¿vale? (okay?) and ¡vale! (okay!) punctuate your dialog. And in Costa Rica, ¡Pura Vida! (pure life) works as a greeting, a goodbye, “you’re welcome,” and “no worries!”
Don’t really feel you must perceive it all of sudden. Native audio system usually discover it amusing to match slang phrases in Spanish, since there’s at all times one thing to study. Whether or not you’re hoping to slot in at a brand new location or simply like to study Spanish, studying Spanish slang phrases is a enjoyable strategy to join with the language on a deeper stage.
¿Qué onda? and different Spanish slang greetings
¿Qué onda? is a Spanish slang greeting widespread in Mexico. Whereas hola (hello) and buenos días (hey/good morning) are used in all places, some enjoyable slang methods to greet your pals will differ all over the world. Most of those might be translated as one thing much like “what’s up?” or “how’s it going?”
| Spanish Slang | The place It’s Widespread |
| ¿Cómo va? | Argentina/Uruguay/Chile |
| ¿Qué bolá? | Cuba |
| ¿Qué es la que hay? | Puerto Rico |
| ¿Qué hubo? | Mexico |
| ¿Qué lo qué? (What that’s what?) | Dominican Republic |
| ¿Qué onda? | Mexico |
| ¿Qué pasa? (What’s occurring) | Varied areas |
| ¿Qué tal? | Spain/varied areas |
Compañero and different Spanish slang for buddies
If you understand somebody effectively sufficient to make use of slang in Spanish, your vocabulary will transcend amigo/amiga (buddy). You possibly can use compañero (Spanish slang for buddy) for a man, and compañera for a woman.
A number of widespread Spanish slang phrases that may be alongside the traces of “buddy,” “mate,” or “woman” embrace:
- compadre/comadre (godparent)
- compañero/compañera/compa/compi (companion/mate)
- colega (colleague)
- compinche (sidekick/partner-in-crime)
Literal translations of slang in Spanish don’t have the identical that means or nuance. For instance, in Spain, you’re prone to be referred to as tío (uncle) or tía (aunt), however the slang that means could be one thing extra like “bro” or “dude.” Generally these similar phrases are used extra as fillers or exclamations, maybe in a roundabout way referring to an individual.
| Spanish Slang | The place It’s Widespread |
| Asere | Cuba (amongst males solely) |
| Bro/Broder | Latin America |
| Chamo/Chama | Venezuela |
| Chero/chera | Honduras, El Salvador |
| Cuate | Varied areas |
| Fren | Panamá |
| Güey | Mexico |
| Mae | Costa Rica |
| Pana | Puerto Rico |
| Tío/Tía | Spain |
La Plata and different Spanish slang phrases for cash
La Plata is a standard Spanish slang time period for dinero (cash). In a lot the identical method the US greenback turns into a “buck” in informal speech, and the British pound turns into a “quid,” many Spanish currencies produce other names.
In a lot of Latin America, the overall slang time period for cash is plata (silver). The time period guita can be widespread. It could possibly get extra particular from there. For instance, in Argentina, the place the forex is formally referred to as pesos, there’s particular slang in Spanish for the totally different portions or denominations.
- una gamba = 100 pesos
- una luca = 1000 pesos (a “grand.”)
- un palo = 1 million pesos
You’ll usually hear slang expressions for not having cash. For instance, estoy pelado/pelada (Actually, “I’m peeled”), is commonly pronounced ‘toy pela’o, and means “I’m broke.” In Spain, you’d be sin blanca, or sin un duro, and or arruinado/arruinada. In Mexico, one may say No tengo ni un cinco (I don’t actually have a 5), and in Argentina, one would possibly say no tengo un mango.
| Spanish Slang | The place It’s Widespread |
| el chavo | Puerto Rico |
| la guita | Latin America |
| la lana (wool) | Mexico |
| los mangos (mangos) | Argentina |
| la pasta (pasta) | Spain |
| el pisto (dough) | Central America |
| la plata (silver) | Latin America |
| los varos | Mexico |
Chévere and different Spanish slang for cool
Chévere is one in all dozens of Spanish slang phrases that imply “cool!” If you wish to transcend translations of “excellent,” corresponding to rebueno or buenísimo, listed here are among the hottest methods to say that one thing is basically nice.
| Spanish Slang | The place It’s Widespread |
| ¡Bacán! ¡Bacano! | Colombia, Chile, Dominican Republic |
| ¡Chévere! | A lot of Latin America |
| ¡Chido! | Mexico |
| ¡Copado! | Argentina |
| ¡Genial! | Varied areas |
| ¡Guay! | Spain |
| ¡Padre! | Mexico |
| ¡Tuanis! | Costa Rica |
In Spain, the verb molar is widespread. As a substitute of claiming that you simply like a track very a lot, you might say, ¡Esta canción mola!, which is a method of claiming that the track may be very cool.
Chismosa and different Spanish slang to explain folks
The slang time period chismosa refers to a lady or girl who likes to gossip. It comes from the phrase chisme (piece of gossip). The adjective chismoso is the best way to explain a gossipy man or boy, with a view to observe Spanish grammar guidelines. Listed below are another Spanish slang phrases for folks.
| Spanish Slang Time period | That means |
| boricua | This time period is used for somebody from Puerto Rico. It may be used as an adjective or a noun. |
| un chacho/una chacha | A colloquial strategy to say “child” in Mexico and a few of Central America. |
| una fresa | Actually “a strawberry” in customary Spanish; in Mexico it may be used to consult with somebody who’s caught up. |
| el jevo/la jeva | In Caribbean Spanish, this may consult with your boyfriend/girlfriend or love curiosity. In different areas and contexts, it may be offensive. |
| la llave | That means “the important thing,” it may consult with a detailed buddy in Colombia. |
| majo/maja | Utilized in Spain to explain somebody who is sweet, pleasant, or nice. |
| metiche | In a lot of Latin America, this implies a nosy one who meddles in different folks’s enterprise. In the event that they then flip round and inform others about it, they’d be chismoso/chismosa. |
| pijo/pija | Utilized in Spain to explain somebody who acts wealthy, snobby, or posh. |
Currar and different Spanish slang verbs
Many widespread verbs have slang counterparts. A few of them come from “Spanglish,” the interplay of Spanish and English, such because the verb janguear (to hang around) in Puerto Rico. Others don’t appear to have any connection to the unique verb, corresponding to currar (to work) in Spain. Listed below are another widespread slang verbs in Spanish.
| Spanish Slang Verb | That means |
| chimbear | In Colombia, it means “to trouble” |
| currar | Slang for trabajar (to work) in Spain |
| janguear | “To hang around with buddies” in Puerto Rico |
| papear | Slang for comer (to eat) in Argentina and Spain |
| parar bola | In Colombia, it means “to concentrate” |
| rumbiar | Utilized in components of South America, it means “to celebration” |
>>Simply getting began? Our information on tips on how to study Spanish can level you in the best course.
Chulo and why to make use of warning with Spanish slang phrases
Spanish slang meanings rely on the context. For instance, the phrase chulo/chula could be utilized in Spain to explain an object as “cute” or “cool,” however in reference to an individual it would imply that they’re “cocky.” In Mexico and Guatemala, it’s a colloquial method of claiming somebody is sweet trying, however in Chile it means “cheesy,” “trashy,” or one thing extra vulgar.
Spanish audio system in Venezuela, Cuba, and different places translate it to “pimp.” This may be overwhelming whenever you’re simply beginning to study Spanish, so when doubtful, go along with one thing extra impartial like bonito/bonita (cute/handsome).
Normally, many slang phrases wouldn’t be acceptable in each scenario, so attempt them out with somebody you understand effectively or seek the advice of a Spanish dictionary for the colloquial use of particular phrases. Keep away from slang altogether in conditions that decision for the next stage of ritual. Spanish slang that works in a single area may be offensive in one other, so observe fastidiously, and communicate Spanish confidently.
Be taught Spanish slang phrases to enhance your dialog
Most informal conversations all over the world will include quite a lot of slang or colloquial language. You’ll by no means be bored, since there’s such all kinds of Spanish slang to boost your studying. Recognizing the that means of slang also can make it easier to perceive Spanish tv and songs so you may take pleasure in Spanish in actual life.
If you happen to’re a great observer, you may incorporate slang into your conversations with Spanish-speaking buddies. Rosetta Stone’s tutors can assist you decipher the that means of slang phrases in context, can educate you the phrases which might be widespread of their area, and make it easier to keep away from saying one thing too offensive.
