What are some Colombian words you should know?
Perhaps the most Colombian word you may hear in Colombia, "chévere" is a very useful and popular word that you should definitely know if you are going to be hanging out with Colombians or visiting their home nation. Chévere is a versatile adjective that is used to describe something that is "really good," "cool," "awesome," "amazing," or the like.
What are some examples of cool in Spanish slang?
Here I have grouped a couple of examples from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain and Venezuela. The most common Spanish slang words for cool are bacán, bacano and chévere.
What do you call a guy in Colombia?
Man / Vieja Forget the standard Spanish words of “hombre” and “mujer” to refer to men and women; in Colombia these two slang terms are much more popular. The English word “man”, but pronounced in a Colombian way, is a widespread label for a “guy” or a “dude”.
How do you greet people in Colombia?
In Colombia there are several ways of greeting people that are somewhat different from other Spanish-speaking countries. These are the Colombian Spanish greetings: It is very common in Colombia, it is an informal form and it is used with people you already know or relatives. Quihubo!
What are some Colombian sayings?
Colombian Expressions¡Chimba! Meaning: Various things, see below. ... ¡Qué Gonorrea! Literal meaning: What Gonorrhea! ... ¡Es Una Nota! Literal meaning: It's a note! ... ¡Paila! Literal meaning: A ceramic, metal pan. ... ¡Estar Moscas! Literal meaning: To be flies, to be like flies. ... ¡Pilas! ... ¡Berraquísimo! ... Un Catorce.More items...•
What does Chimba mean in Colombian slang?
chimba (a very cool person or thing) As a noun, "una chimba" is someone or something very cool. Example: Esa canción es una chimba (That song is very cool (literally "a very cool one"). Alternatively, the word "chimba" can be used as a synonym for "luck."
What's up Colombian slang?
Translated literally as “What's happening?” In Colombia, it's usually shortened as “Quiubo?” and means, enthusiastically, “What's up?” Quiubo, Juan!
Is there a word for cool in Spanish?
Chido. This is the most common way to say “cool” in Mexican Spanish. Anything can be muy chido.
What does garfio mean in Columbia?
cramp-iron, the ~ Noun. clip, the ~ Noun. cramp, the ~ Noun.
What is the C word in Colombia?
Colombia has a C word and it's a command instead of a noun. “Come,” it tells you as it takes you by the hand. “Come and see us – and make sure you come now.”
What does Oye mean?
listenOye is Spanish for "hey" or "listen".
How do you flirt in Colombian Spanish?
Colombian slang has its own peculiarities, and none more so than when it comes to flirting in Spanish....Living and Loving In Colombia.SpanishEnglish¡Qué bonito(a) eres!How cute you areMe gusta tu sonrisaI like your smileMe gustan tus ojosI like your eyes¡Bailas muy bien¡You dance very well6 more rows•Jun 12, 2022
How do you say cool in slang?
GeneralDope - Cool or awesome.GOAT - "Greatest of All Time"Gucci - Good, cool, or going well.Lit - Amazing, cool, or exciting.OMG - An abbreviation for "Oh my gosh" or "Oh my God"Salty - Bitter, angry, agitated.Sic/Sick - Cool or sweet.Snatched - Looks good, perfect, or fashionable; the new "on fleek"More items...•
How do you say chill in Spanish slang?
0:041:18How to say "calm down!" or "chill!" in Spanish (Día 15) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown.MoreDown.
How do you say something cool?
Here are a few of the most common ways that people have to say that something or someone is “cool”.Awesome. You can say something is “awesome” if you want to imply that you are impressed. ... Nice! You can say something is “nice” when you want to express admiration. ... Sweet! ... Excellent. ... Dope. ... Killer. ... Sick.
What is the C word in Colombia?
Colombia has a C word and it's a command instead of a noun. “Come,” it tells you as it takes you by the hand. “Come and see us – and make sure you come now.”
How do you flirt in Colombian Spanish?
Colombian slang has its own peculiarities, and none more so than when it comes to flirting in Spanish....Living and Loving In Colombia.SpanishEnglish¡Qué bonito(a) eres!How cute you areMe gusta tu sonrisaI like your smileMe gustan tus ojosI like your eyes¡Bailas muy bien¡You dance very well6 more rows•Jun 12, 2022
What do Colombians say the most?
Top 10 Colombian Slang Terms¿Qué más? Colombians like to greet friends like this: “¡Hola! ... Man / Vieja. Forget the standard Spanish words of “hombre” and “mujer” to refer to men and women; in Colombia these two slang terms are much more popular. ... Parce, Parcero/a. ... Bacano / Chévere. ... Rumbear. ... Parche. ... Guaro. ... Harto.More items...
Seba
Typical usage: When describing a person, male or female that is disgusting based on his or her manners or looks: “Qué seba de man”
Está buena
Translation: literally means “she is good” using the verb “estar” (temporary) instead of “es” (permanent)
Mamera
Example: Con fastidio, persona que fastidia, situación que fastidia ( Boring, boring situation)
Qué maricada
Typical usage: When stating how something has no real importance: “¿Pelearon por eso? Qué maricada”
Ñámpira
Example: Una persona indeseable, tramposa o que te puede estafar (Pickpocket)
Mucho pasado
Example: Abusivo, impertinente, que habla más de lo que puede, ofende (Abusive)
Rabón
Typical usage: A person who is grumpy and difficult to get along with: “No me prestó el balón, es un rabón”
What do Colombians say?
Most Colombians, especially in the interior departments, pride themselves on good manners and politeness and always insist on saying "me haces el favor," "do me the favor of...". or "hazme el favor" ("do me the favor of...") before asking someone to do something.
What is the most popular word in Colombia?
1. Chevere . Perhaps the most Colombian word you may hear in Colombia, "chévere" is a very useful and popular word that you should definitely know if you are going to be hanging out with Colombians or visiting their home nation. Chévere is a versatile adjective that is used to describe something that is "really good," "cool," "awesome," "amazing," ...
What does bacano mean?
Used in almost the same fashion as chévere, bacano is an adjective that is also very popular in Colombia and is used to mean "nice," "cool," "good," etc... You could use it to describe a person, a thing, an experience—anything, basically, that you think is of good quality!
What does "listo" mean in Colombia?
Listo. Whereas traditionally "listo" means "smart" or "intelligent," in Colombia you can also use and will also hear "listo" used to mean "ok," "done!". or "understood!". For example, if someone says, "let's go to dinner with Juan tomorrow at 7pm," you could say, "Listo!".
What is the Colombian phrase "que más"?
Equally as Colombian as chévere, ¿Qué más? Is a phrase you will hear time and time again when interacting with Colombians. Where in other places you might hear ¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo vas? or ¿Cómo andas?, in Colombia you will hear more frequently "¿Qué más?" Most commonly used to mean "how are you?" ¿Qué más? can also be used to mean "what else?" to keep a conversation moving. For example, when you are having a conversation and there is a silence or you are not quite sure what else to say, you can feel free to throw a "¿Qué más?" out in the conversation to elicit more information from the person you're talking to. Be prepared, though, as you may also have a ¿Qué más? thrown your way at some point, too.
Where is Paige Poole?
Paige Poole. Paige M. Poole is an Alabamian and traveler at heart who has settled, for now, in Barranquilla, Colombia, and earns her living as an English professor at the Instituto de Idiomas (Language Institute) at la Universidad del Norte (University of the North).
Is Colombian Spanish the same as Spanish?
While Colombian Spanish is very similar to Spanish spoken in other parts of Latin America and has the same basic structures and nuances, there are certain words or phrases that are used in Colombia that may or may not exist or have the same meanings as they would in other varieties of Spanish.
¿Qué Más?
- Colombians like to greet friends like this: “¡Hola! ¿Qué más?”. While you may, at first, think this means “Hi! What else?” it is actually just a local way to say “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?”. It is used in much the same way as “¿Cómo estás?” and you can respond to it identically (i.e. by saying “muy bien, ¿y tú?”).
Man / Vieja
- Forget the standard Spanish words of “hombre” and “mujer” to refer to men and women; in Colombia these two slang terms are much more popular. The English word “man”, but pronounced in a Colombian way, is a widespread label for a “guy” or a “dude”. The term “vieja”, which technically means “old woman”, is, in reality, used to talk about women between the ages of abo…
Parce, Parcero/A
- This is the slang word Colombians use for referring to a “friend”. It is basically the local version of the word “amigo”. (I’ve provided some example sentences to demonstrate how to use “in another post.)
Bacano / Chévere
- Want to say something is “really good” or “cool”? Don’t limit yourself to saying that it is “muy bueno” and instead go for one of these two hugely popular local terms.
Rumbear
- “Rumba” is technically a sort of music/dance originating in Cuba, but in Colombia it invariably means a “party”. “Rumbear”is “to go partying”. SEE ALSO: Join the Facebook communityof Colombian Spanish lovers
Parche
- Dictionaries will tell you that the word “parche” translate as “patch”. Not in Colombia though. Here it means something like: “a group of friends getting together to do something”. Those who don’t have that much going on in their social life are described as “desparchado” i.e. without a “parche”to get involved with.
Guaro
- A popular term for the nation’s favourite tipple “aguardiente”: an aniseed flavoured spirit drink. Most foreigners don’t tend to find the drink massively delicious, but it sure is popular among Colombians.
Harto
- “Harto” is a common term meaning “a lot of” or “a ton of” e.g. “en el español colombiano hay harto modismos”(“In Colombian Spanish there is a ton of slang”).
Vaina
- This is a word with a million and one meanings, but, for the most part, it is a rough equivalent of the word “stuff” or “thing”. For example: 1. “¿Qué estabas leyendo?” 2. “No sé, una vaina sobre Colombia”(1. “What were you reading?” 2. “Dunno, some Colombia thingy”).
¡De Una!
- An enthusiastic way to say “yes, absolutely!” or “yes, let’s do it!”. In conversation this might go as follows: 1. “¿Quieres ir a rumbear este viernes?” 2. “¡De una!”(1. “Do you want to go out this Friday?” 2. “Absolutely!”).
Types of Slang Terms
Colombian Slang Phrases to Take Your Spanish Language Skills to The Next Level
- Chanda
No direct translation Example: De mala calidad, mal hecho (Something ugly, of bad quality) Typical usage: When complaining about the quality of an event or activity one has to perform: “Qué chanda ir a ese lugar” Note: The correct meaning is FIERCE - Seba
No direct translation Example: Que produce asco (Gross, disgusting) Typical usage: When describing a person, male or female that is disgusting based on his or her manners or looks: “Qué seba de man”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does vainamean in Spanish? Vaina is used as a placeholder word for when you don’t know the name of something. It means “that thing”. What does “que chimba parce” mean? Que chimba means “how cool” and parcemeans buddy or “man”. So this phrase means something like “how cool, buddy!” How do Colombians say really cool? Chevereis one of the most us...