Spanish Slang & Phrases You Should Know: A Complete Guide

The Spanish Language Around the World

Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world after English, Mandarin, and Hindi. Spanish spoken worldwide showcases incredible linguistic diversity, with each region developing its own unique expressions, slang terms, and colloquial phrases.

Spanish Speaking Countries

The Spanish language is the official language in numerous countries and territories:

• Spain
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Chile
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• Guatemala
• Peru
• Puerto Rico
• Equatorial Guinea
• Nicaragua
• Colombia
• Venezuela
• Uruguay
• Panama
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Bolivia
• Paraguay
• Cuba

Other Spanish speaking countries and regions with significant Spanish-speaking populations include the United States, Belize, Andorra, Gibraltar, and the Philippines, where Spanish words have influenced local languages even as primary language use has declined.

Basic Spanish Phrases for Travelers

Before diving into slang, it’s helpful to master these standard Spanish expressions that are understood in most Spanish speaking countries.

Greetings

• Hello – Hola
• How are you? – ¿Cómo estás?
• Good morning – Buenos días
• Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
• Good night – Buenas noches
• Welcome – Bienvenido
• Goodbye – Adiós

Etiquette

• Please – Por favor
• Thank you – Gracias
• Excuse me – Perdón
• Sorry – Lo siento

Useful Questions & Sentences

• Where is the bathroom? – ¿Dónde está el baño?
• Could you repeat that please? – Repite por favor.
• How do you say ___ in Spanish? – ¿Cómo se dice ___ en español?
• I don’t understand – No entiendo.
• I want to go to ___. – Yo quiero ir a ___.
• Where is ___? – ¿Dónde está ___?
• I would like ___. – Yo quisiera ___.
• How much is it? – ¿Cuánto vale ___?

Casual Conversations

• What is your name? – ¿Cómo te llamas?
• My name is ___. – Me llamo ___.
• Where are you from? – ¿De dónde eres?
• I am from ___. – Yo soy de ___.
• How old are you? – ¿Cuántos años tienes?
• I am ___ years old. – Tengo ___ años.
• Do you speak English? – ¿Hablas inglés?
• I speak a little Spanish. – Hablo un poco de español.
• I am hungry – Tengo hambre
• I am thirsty – Tengo sed
• I am cold – Tengo frío
• I am hot – Tengo calor

Rustic Pathways Students on a Spanish Language Immersion in Costa Rica

Slang words and phrases vary significantly across Spanish speaking countries, showcasing the rich linguistic diversity of the language. Common words in one region might have completely different meanings in others, making slang an exciting aspect of language learning.

Puerto Rican Slang Words

Puerto Rican Spanish stands out for its unique expressions, code switching with English, and distinctive slang terms. Puerto Ricans living on and off the island use these expressions to maintain cultural connections with close friends and family.

• Boricua – A Puerto Rican slang term of pride referring to Puerto Ricans, derived from the indigenous Taíno name for the island (Borinquen)
• Janguiar – “To hang out” (from the English word “hang”)
• Chavos – Money (also used in the Dominican Republic)
• Gufear – “To act goofy” or “joke around”
• ¡Mano! – “Hey bro!” (short version of “hermano,” used to address close friends)
• Al garete – Originally referred to a ship without direction, now means “out of control” or “adrift”
• Ay bendito – A multipurpose colloquial term to express frustration, sympathy, or surprise
• Bregar – “To deal with” or “handle” a situation
• Chacho – Shortened version of “muchacho” (young man), used as an exclamation
• Tapón – Literally “plug,” but used to describe a traffic jam
• Brutal – Used to describe something excellent (not something violent)
• Tiraera – A verbal feud, especially in reggaeton songs
• Pal’ carajo – An expression of frustration (somewhat vulgar)
• Un palo – Literally “a stick,” but as a slang term it describes something exceptional
• Kiosko – Small open-air food vendor, a popular spot for Puerto Rican friends to gather
• Jugar sucio – Literally “play dirty,” this Spanish word combination means to be unfair
• Padrino – Literally “godfather,” but can stand in for “buddy” in casual conversation
• Bellaco – A slang term describing someone who is too focused on romantic encounters

Puerto Rican wrestler Chicky Starr and his slang word catchphrases have influenced certain slang expressions that have become part of the cultural lexicon. English influence is also evident in Puerto Rican slang, with many English expressions adapted and incorporated through code switching. When a native speaker uses these terms, the word means more than just its literal translation – it carries cultural significance.

Costa Rican Slang

• Pura vida – “Pure life” – This refers to the Costa Rican way of life and is often used as a response to ¿Cómo estás?
• Mae – “Dude” – Can be used to refer to any man or woman
• Por Dicha – “Thank goodness”
• Tuanis – “Cool”
• Pulperia – A small corner store
• Ride – A ride or lift (English influence)
• Chunche – “Thing” or “stuff” when you can’t remember the name
• Tico/Tica – Nickname for Costa Ricans

Students have some fun over dinner on Spanish Language Immersion in Costa Rica with a local host family.

Peruvian Slang

• Bacán – “Cool” (also used in Ecuador)
• Chévere – “Great”
• Soroche – Altitude sickness
• Al toque – “Right now” (used when someone is in a hurry)
• Jama and jamear – Food and to go eat
• Luca – Refers to money, specifically 1 Peruvian Sol
• Pata – “Friend” or “buddy”
• Chamba – “Work” or “job”
• Mosca – Literally “fly,” but used to mean “alert” or “pay attention”

Dominican Slang Words

• Bacano – Something cool or someone who is really good at something difficult
• Nítido – Another word for great or cool
• Chercha – A party or good time
• Chillaxing – American expression adopted to mean relaxing or chilling
• Colmado – Small corner store
• Hevi nais – “Very nice” (English influence)
• ¿Dime a ver? – “What’s up?”
• Vaina – Thing or stuff (often used negatively)
• Chin – A little bit
• Tiguere – “Dude” or “guy” (can also mean “street-smart person”)

Ecuadorian Slang Words

• Achachay – Feeling cold
• ¿Cachas? – “Do you understand?” or “Did you ‘catch’ something?”
• Pana – “Buddy”
• ¡De una! – “Absolutely!”
• ¡Mentira! – Used to express excitement or astonishment
• ¿Qué fue? – “What’s up?”
• Chuchaqui – Hangover
• Ñaño/Ñaña – Brother/Sister (from Quichua)
• Chévere – “Cool” or “great”