Colombian Slang: 100 Words and Phrases to Sound like a True Colombian - Yabla Spanish - Free Spanish Lessons (2024)

Table of Contents
Colombian Slang Nouns 1. bacán (a cool dude) 2.berraquera(determination, something or someone very good) 3.boleta (an embarrassing situation or person) 4.caco (a thief) 5.camello(a job, work) 6. cantaleta (constant scolding ornagging) 7.catorce(a favor) 8.chécheres (stuff) 9.chimba (a very cool person or thing) 10.chino/china(friend, dude, kid) 11.chucha(bad body odor, referring to the armpits) 12.churrias (diarrhea) 13.churro (a handsome guy) 14.chuspa(a plastic bag) 15.descache (a mistake, blunder, or faux pas) 16.embarrada (a bad thing, a big mistake, someone terrible or slightlycrazy) 17.gallinazo (a man who likes to flirt) 18.gomelo/gomela (a snob) 19.guachafita (chaos, disorder) 20.guache (a very rude or poor-mannered person) 21.guaro(a drink, usually the famous Colombianaguardiente) 22.guayabo(hangover) 23.jincho/jincha(drunk) 24.llave(friend, dude) 25.lucas(Colombian pesos) 26.mamera (something very boring or annoying) 27.man (guy) 28.mecato (snacks) 29.miércoles (shoot, oops) 30.mono/mona (a blonde person) 31.motoso (a nap) 32.parcero/parcera(friend) 33.parche(a group of friends) 34.paro (a strike) 35.pecueca(stinky feet) 36.perra(drunkenness) 37.pieza (bedroom) 38.plata(money) 39.pola(beer) 40.rumba(a party) 41.sardino/sardina(a very young person, usually a teenager) 42.sapo/sapa(a snitch, a toady) 43.tinto(a cup of black coffee) 44.tombo(a policeman) 45.vaina(stuff, thing) 46.vieja (a girl, a woman, a chick) Colombian Slang Adjectives 47.achantado (sad, ashamed) 48.amañado (happy in a particular place or with someone) 49.bacano/bacana(cool) 50.berraco/berraca (talented, angry, tough, a go-getter) 51.cachaco/cachaca(someone from Bogota, the capital of Colombia) 52.chato/chata(dear) 53.chévere(cool) 54.chimbo/chimba(cheap or bad) 55.chiviado (fake) 56.inmamable (annoying, unbearable) 57.jarto/jarta (boring, annoying) 58.mamado/mamada(tired, exhausted, fed up) 59.paisa(someone from the city of Medellin and the surrounding regions) 60.prendido/prendida(tipsy) 61.rolo/rola(someone from Bogota) 62.tenaz (tough, difficult) Colombian Slang Verbs 63. achantarse (to be ashamed, to feel embarrassed) 64.camellar(to work hard) 65.cuadrar(to schedule or plan something) 66.embarrar(to mess up, to screw up) 67.emberracarse (to get angry, to getpissed off) 68.gallinacear (to flirt) 69. guisear (to cook, to dohousekeeping tasks) 70.hacer vaca (to collect money) 71.mamar gallo(to waste your time, to fool around, to joke around) 72.rajarse (to fail) 73.rumbear(to party, to go out) 74.sacar la piedra(to make someone angry, mad) 75.sapear (to snitch) Colombian Slang Sayings and Expressions 76.azotar baldosa(to dance, to hit the dance floor) 77.¿Bien o qué? (All good?) 78.dar papaya (to provide an opportunity where people might take advantage of you) 79.¡Déjate de vainas! (Don't worry about it!/Cut the crap!) 80.estar tragado/tragada(to be head over heels/tobe totally in love) 81.¡Guácala! (Gross!) 82.Hacer el oso (to do something embarrassingor make a fool of yourself) 83.¡Listo! (OK, great!) 84.¡Ni de vainas! ("Don't even think about it" or "No way") 85.paila(too bad, bummer, to be in trouble) 86.parar bolas (to pay attention) 87.pilas (watch out) 88.poner los cachos (to cheat on someone) 89.¡Qué boleta! (How embarrassing!) 90.¡Qué chimba! (How cool!) 91.¡Qué berraquera! (Fantastic!/Unbelievable!) 92.¡Qué ceba! (gross!) 93.¡Qué embarrada! (What a pity!) 94.¡Qué jartera! (What a pain in the butt!/How boring!/How annoying!) 95.¡Qué mamera! (What a pain in the butt!/How boring!/How annoying!) 96.¡Qué oso! (How embarrassing!) 97.¡Qué vaina! (What a pity!) 98.Quiubo(What's up/Hi) 99.ser una nota(to be awesome) 100.¡Ya dijo! (Yeah, right!)

Are you ready to learn some Colombian slang? Are you familiar with words like "chimba" or expressions like "estar tragado"?Whether you are planning to go to Colombia or you arefollowing some of our exclusive Colombian TV series (e.g.Los Años Maravillosos,Confidencial: El rey de la estafa, andTu Voz Estéreo), have wegot some good Colombianslang to teach you today!

Colombian Slang: 100 Words and Phrases to Sound like a True Colombian - Yabla Spanish - Free Spanish Lessons (1)

We have divided ourlist of Colombian slang words and phrasesinto the following fourmain categories:

1. Nouns

2. Adjectives

3. Verbs

4. Colombian sayings and expressions

As you will see, there is some overlap betweencategories. For instance, you will find the word "camello" (a job) under the "Nouns" category as well as the word "camellar" (to work hard) under the "Verbs" category.

Thatsaid, it is time to learn some very interesting stuff!If you are able to master the following list, you will be able to speak like a true Colombian. Let's have some fun!

Colombian Slang Nouns

1. bacán (a cool dude)

This one comes from the adjective "bacano," which means cool.

Example:

Ese tipo es un bacán (That guy is a cool dude).

2.berraquera(determination, something or someone very good)

A list of Colombian slang withoutthe word "berraquera" on it would be incomplete. Let's look atsome examples so we can understand how to use this very popular word:

Esa canción es una berraquera(That song is reallygood (literally "a really good one")).

El equipo jugó con berraquera y ganó el partido(The team played with determination and won the game).

3.boleta (an embarrassing situation or person)

Example:

Ese tipo es una boleta(That guy is an embarrassment).

4.caco (a thief)

Example:

Los cacos robaron el banco(The thieves robbed the bank).

5.camello(a job, work)

When you say "un camello" in Colombia, you are referring to "a job."More generally, "camello" refers to "work," as in "Tengo muchocamello"(I have a lot ofworkto do).

Example:

Le traigo un regalito y le tengo un camello.

I'm bringing you a little gift and I have a job for you.

Caption 33, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 1

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6. cantaleta (constant scolding ornagging)

This is very useful Colombian slang when you want to indicate that someone is obsessed with something in the sense that he/she just keeps talking about the same thing over and over."Cantaleta" is mostly associated with the action of scolding or nagging.

Example:

Que deje la vaina con esa actricita, hermano. ¡Otra vez es la cantaleta con usted! Parece novia fea.

For you to give up the thing with that little actress, brother. It's the nagging with you again! You seem like an ugly girlfriend.

Captions 11-13, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 3 - Part 6

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7.catorce(a favor)

Although "catorce"literally means "fourteen," it has anothermeaning in Colombian slang.

Example:

Dorita, ¿nos hace el catorce y la foto?

Dorita, will you do the favor of taking a picture?

Caption 60, X6 1 - La banda - Part 11

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8.chécheres (stuff)

The Colombian slang wordchécheresis quite handy when you want to refer to a group of (mostly useless) things.

Example:

Esta sala está llena de chécheres (This living room is full of useless stuff).

9.chimba (a very cool person or thing)

"Chimba" is one of the most popular Colombian Spanish slang words there is! However, it is a word that can be used in many different ways. 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, theword "chimba" can be used as a synonym for"luck."

Example:

¡Me salvé de pura chimba!(I was saved by pure luck!)

10.chino/china(friend, dude, kid)

Although it literally meansa person from China, chino/ais a Colombian slang term for "friend," which is used almost exclusivelyin Bogota. Additionally, this word can be used whentalking about little kids.

Examples:

Oiga chino, ¿quiere ira la fiesta?(Hey, dude, ¿do you want to go to the party?)

El parque estaba lleno de chinos(The park was full of kids).

11.chucha(bad body odor, referring to the armpits)

Example:

Luis tiene chucha. Debería usardesodorante(Luis has B.O. He should use deodorant).

12.churrias (diarrhea)

This colorful Colombian Spanish slang is usually used with the verb "tener" in the expression "tener churrias."

Example:

No puedo ir a la reunión. ¡Tengo churrias! (I can't go to the meeting. I have diarrhea!)

13.churro (a handsome guy)

Example:

Brad Pitt es un churro(Brad Pitt is a handsome guy).

14.chuspa(a plastic bag)

This is one of the Colombian slang words you will need to knowwhen going to the supermarket.

Example:

¿Me puede dar dos chuspas, por favor? (Could yougive me two plastic bags, please?)

15.descache (a mistake, blunder, or faux pas)

Example:

El chiste de Ricardo fue un descache (Ricardo's joke wasa faux pas).

Theverb form of thisnoun is very often used in soccer/football when a player misses a good opportunity to score.

Example:

Ronaldo se descachó (Ronaldo missed his chance/didn't scorethe goal).

16.embarrada (a bad thing, a big mistake, someone terrible or slightlycrazy)

Examples:

Ese chino es la embarrada (That kid is terrible).

Conocerte fue la peor embarrada de mi vida (Meeting you was the worstmistake of my life).

17.gallinazo (a man who likes to flirt)

18.gomelo/gomela (a snob)

Generally speaking, a "gomelo" or "gomela" is someone who is young and comes from a very rich family. On top of that, gomelostend to act in a very loud and arrogant manner.

Example:

Esa universidad está llena de gomelos(That university is full of snobs).

19.guachafita (chaos, disorder)

Example:

"¡Qué guachafita!",dijo el profesor cuando vio a sus alumnos corriendo y gritando en el teatro.

"What chaos!"said the teacher when he saw his students running and screaming in the theatre.

20.guache (a very rude or poor-mannered person)

Example:

El esposo de Claudia grita todo el tiempo. ¡Es un guache! (Claudia's husband screams all the time. He is a very rude person!)

21.guaro(a drink, usually the famous Colombianaguardiente)

Example:

¡Vamos a tomarnos un guaro! (Let's go have a drink!)

22.guayabo(hangover)

And of course, if you have lots of "guaros," you will probablyhave a big "guayabo."

Example:

y muere nuevamente cansado y con guayabo, que es la palabra que utilizamos los colombianos para decir resaca.

and dies again, tired and with a "guayabo," which is the word we Colombians use to say hangover.

Captions 79-81, Cleer y Lida El Carnaval de Barranquilla - Part 2

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23.jincho/jincha(drunk)

Example:

Pedro ya estaba jincho cuando llegó a la fiesta(Pedro was already drunk when he got tothe party).

24.llave(friend, dude)

Literally, "llave"means "key."However, this is also another Colombian slang word for a pal.

Example:

¿Cómo está llave? (How are you, dude?)

25.lucas(Colombian pesos)

Example:

Solo tengo 20.000 lucas(I only have 20,000 Colombian pesos).

26.mamera (something very boring or annoying)

Example:

Ese profesor es muy aburrido. Su clase es una mamera(That teacher is very boring. His class is super boring (literally "a very boring one")).

27.man (guy)

This is an adaptation of the English word "man." However, rather than its literaltranslation ("hombre"), this word is used as you would use the word "guy" in English.

Example:

Ese man es muy intelligent (That guy is really smart).

28.mecato (snacks)

This is a Colombian slang word used to indicate a group or set of different snacks such as cookies orchips.

29.miércoles (shoot, oops)

If you know the days of the week in Spanish, you know very well that "miércoles" means "Wednesday." However, just like "shoot" in English, the word "miércoles" in Colombian Spanish slang is also used as a nice alternative to avoid saying that bad word that starts with "mier..."

30.mono/mona (a blonde person)

Example:

Bueno, y ¿quién era ese mono, todo así papacito?

Well, and who was that blonde guy, all hot like that?

Caption 28, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 2

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31.motoso (a nap)

Example:

Tengo ganas de echarme un motoso (Ifeellike taking a nap).

32.parcero/parcera(friend)

These areprobably the most famous Colombian slang termsfor a friend. However, keep in mind that theirshort form ("parce") is probably used the most throughoutColombia. This word is typicalpaisa slang vocabulary (see "paisa" inthe "Adjectives" category).

Example:

Parce, venga, yo le digo una cosa, hermano, vea

Friend, come, I'll tell you something, brother, look

Caption 1,Juanes La Plata

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33.parche(a group of friends)

Example:

Ayer fui con mi parche a la fiesta(Yesterday, I went with my group of friends to the party).

34.paro (a strike)

Example:

Los vándalos aprovechan los paros para destruir las ciudades(Vandals take advantage ofstrikes in order to destroy cities).

35.pecueca(stinky feet)

This word is usually used with the verb "tener" in the expression "tener pecueca."Let's see an example:

Pedro tiene pecueca(Pedro has stinky feet).

36.perra(drunkenness)

Example:

Juan tenía una perra cuando llegó a casa(Juan was really drunk when he got home).

37.pieza (bedroom)

Example:

La pieza de Rosa es grande (Rosa's bedroom is big).

38.plata(money)

Example:

Estamos hablando de mucha plata.

We're talking about a lot of money.

Caption 38, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 9

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39.pola(beer)

This is a slang word mostly used in Bogota and the surrounding areas.

40.rumba(a party)

This slang word is used with various Colombian sayings such as "¡Qué rumba!" (What a party!) or "irse de rumba" (to go out).

Example:

¿Estaba en una rumba?

Was he at a party?

Caption 42, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 1 - Part 12

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41.sardino/sardina(a very young person, usually a teenager)

Example:

Lárguese de esta casa. ¿Usted qué está hablando, sardino?

Get out of this house. What are you talking about, kid?

Captions 7-8, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 4 - Part 3

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42.sapo/sapa(a snitch, a toady)

This Colombian slang word that usually means "toad"has two meanings. First, it is used to describe someone who is a snitch:

No le digas nada a Miguel. ¡Es un sapo! (Don't say anything to Miguel. He's a snitch!)

Second, "un sapo" or "una sapa" is a person who is perceived as someone whoflatters someone withthe hope of getting ahead. Let's take a look at the following clip:

son el fruto de la sinceridad, y siguen siendo los mismos a través de los tiempos. Muy bien. Qué sapa.

are the fruit of sincerity, and remain the same throughout the ages. Very good. What a toady.

Captions 78-81, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 4 - Part 1

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43.tinto(a cup of black coffee)

Being the country of coffee, don't be surprised if someone in Colombia offers you "un tintico" (a little cup of black coffee) while you are waiting somewhere.

44.tombo(a policeman)

45.vaina(stuff, thing)

This is one of the most useful Colombian slang words you can ever learn. Generally speaking, you can use this word in the same way you use the words "stuff" or "thing" in English. Let's look atan example:

"Pásame esa vaina, por favor", o "No entendí nada de esa vaina".

"Pass me that thing, please," or, "I didn't understand any of that stuff."

Captions 29-31, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”

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However, this word is used in several different expressions that we will mention later on. In the meantime, feel free to check outCarlos' video about the wordvaina.

46.vieja (a girl, a woman, a chick)

The word "vieja" is usually used as an adjective to talk about someone or something that is old. However, in Colombia "vieja" is a very common word people use to talk about a woman or a girl. Let's see itin action:

A mí las viejas que más me gustan son las del INEM [Instituto Nacional de Educación Media Diversificada].

The chicks I like the most are the ones from INEM [National Institute of Diversified Middle School Education].

Captions 40-41, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 7 - Part 6

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Colombian Slang Adjectives

There are so many Colombian slang words to describepeople and things. Let's learn some of the most useful ones.

47.achantado (sad, ashamed)

Example:

Jaime está achantado porque la novia lo dejó(Jaime is sad because his girlfriend broke up with him).

48.amañado (happy in a particular place or with someone)

Example:

Estoy amañado en este barrio (I feel athomein this neighborhood).

49.bacano/bacana(cool)

If you are wonderinghow to say "cool"in Colombia, this is one of the words you can use.

50.berraco/berraca (talented, angry, tough, a go-getter)

This is an adjective that can be used in different ways. Let's take a look.

Examples:

Messi es un jugador muy berraco (Messi is a very talented player).

El jefe está berraco con su equipo de trabajo (The boss is angry at his team).

El campeón solo tiene 20 años. ¡Es un berraco! (The champion is only 20 years old. He is tough!)

You will note that, in the last example, althoughberraco is used as a noun in Spanish, its English translation is an adjective.

51.cachaco/cachaca(someone from Bogota, the capital of Colombia)

52.chato/chata(dear)

This adjective is similar to querido/a and ismostly used in Bogota. It also functions as a noun as a term of endearment, as in the following example:

Mi chata, estás hermosa (My dear, you look gorgeous).

53.chévere(cool)

Althoughthis word is not unique to Colombia, it is widelyused throughoutthe country.

Example:

Vive en Medellín. Sí. -Ah, tan chévere...

She lives in Medellin. Yes. -Oh, so cool...

Caption 4, Club 10 Capítulo 2 - Part 3

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54.chimbo/chimba(cheap or bad)

As we mentioned before, the word "chimba" has various meanings. As an adjective, Colombians use this word when they want to talk about something that is cheap or bad.

Example:

¡Qué libro tan chimbo!(What a bad book!)

55.chiviado (fake)

Example:

Esebolso Guccino es original, es chiviado(That Gucci purse isn't original, it is fake).

56.inmamable (annoying, unbearable)

Example:

Mi jefe me llama cada cinco minutos. ¡Es un tipo inmamable! (My boss calls me every five minutes. He is an unbearable guy!)

57.jarto/jarta (boring, annoying)

Example:

Antonio solo habla de él mismo. ¡Qué tipo tan jarto! (Antonio only talks about himself. What an annoyingguy!)

58.mamado/mamada(tired, exhausted, fed up)

This adjective is usually used with the verb "estar" when you want to express tiredness or frustration.Let's see a couple of examples:

Hoy trabajé mucho. ¡Estoy mamada!(Today, I worked a lot. I'mexhausted!)

Estoy mamado de mi jefe. ¡No lo soporto!(I'm fed up with my boss. I can't stand him!)

59.paisa(someone from the city of Medellin and the surrounding regions)

60.prendido/prendida(tipsy)

This Colombia slang word is usually used with the verb "estar" as in "estoy prendido" (I'm tipsy).

"Estarprendido" doesn't mean "estar borracho" or "estar jincho"(to be drunk).

61.rolo/rola(someone from Bogota)

62.tenaz (tough, difficult)

Example:

Aprender chino es tenaz (Learning Chinese is tough).

Colombian Slang Verbs

63. achantarse (to be ashamed, to feel embarrassed)

Example:

No me digas que se achantó porque se me declaró.

Don't tell me he was embarrassed because he told me that he loved me.

Caption 13, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 5 - Part 5

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64.camellar(to work hard)

Now that you know the word "camello," it'stime to mention itsverbform, "camellar." Let's listen toCarlos' explanation about this useful Colombian slang verb.

En Colombia, cuando decimosun camello, estamos diciendo un trabajo. De hecho, también usamos el verbocamellarpara decir trabajar duramente.

In Colombia, when we say "un camello" [a camel], we are sayinga job. In fact, we also use the verb "camellar" [literally "to camel"] to sayto work hard.

Captions 12-13,Carlos comenta Confidencial - Vocabulario y expresiones

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65.cuadrar(to schedule or plan something)

Example:

Tengo que cuadrar una reunión con Sandra la próxima semana(I have to schedule a meeting with Sandra next week).

You can also use the reflexive form of this verb (cuadrarse) when you want to say that someone started to date someone else:

Luis y Andrea se cuadraron hace dos años(Luis and Andrea started dating two years ago).

66.embarrar(to mess up, to screw up)

Let's take a look at the following video clip to see how to use this verb:

Mire, por favor, Andrea, yo sé quela embarré. Ya, lo acepto. Yo lo que estoy tratando es enmendar el error que cometí

Look, please, Andrea, I knowI screwed it up. OK, I admit it. What I'm trying to do is rectify the mistake I made

Captions 23-25,Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 1

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67.emberracarse (to get angry, to getpissed off)

Example:

Los huéspedes seemberracaroncuando vieron la habitación del hotel(The guests got pissed off when they saw the hotel room).

68.gallinacear (to flirt)

This verb is typically used to describea man who is flirting with a woman.

Example:

A Marco le gusta gallinacear con Beatriz (Marco likes to flirt with Beatriz).

69. guisear (to cook, to dohousekeeping tasks)

When people spend time cooking and housekeeping, it is common for them to describe themselves"guiseando." This oddColombian slang verb probably comes from the "guiso" (stew) people often preparein the kitchen.

Example:

He estado guiseando toda la mañana(I've been cooking and cleaning the house all morning).

70.hacer vaca (to collect money)

Although this might literally sound like "to make cow," it actually means "to collect money."

Example:

Ayer hicimos vaca para la fiesta (Yesterday, we collected money for the party).

71.mamar gallo(to waste your time, to fool around, to joke around)

This is one of the most typical Colombian slang phrases you'lllearn today! While you might notice that its literalmeaning is "to suck rooster,"the following two examples will show ustwo of its common uses:

Example 1:

-¿Estás estudiando? -No. Estoy solo mamando gallo.

-Are you studying? -No. I'm just fooling around.

Example 2:

A Miguel le gusta reírse y mamar gallo todo el tiempo(Miguel likes to laugh and joke around all the time).

72.rajarse (to fail)

Example:

Me rajé en el examen de matemáticas (I failed the math test).

73.rumbear(to party, to go out)

Rumbearis a common verb to talk about partying. However, don't be surprised if your Colombian friendsays "rumbiar" instead of "rumbear."

Example:

Salir arumbearsin pensar en la cuenta

To go outon the town without thinking about the bill

Caption 65,Bacilos Mi Primer Millón

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The reflexive form "rumbearse" is also a slang word that means "to make out with" someone:

Carlos y Natalia se rumbearon en el cine(Carlos and Natalia made out at the movies).

74.sacar la piedra(to make someone angry, mad)

La actitud arrogante deLuisa, me sacó la piedra(Luisa's arrogant attitudemade me angry).

75.sapear (to snitch)

This is the verb form of the noun sapowe talked about earlier.

Colombian Slang Sayings and Expressions

If you want to impress your Colombian friends, we invite you to use the following, very Colombian expressions and phrases.

76.azotar baldosa(to dance, to hit the dance floor)

Literally, "azotar baldosa" means "to hit the floor tile." Generally speaking, however, you can use this expression when you want to say that someone is dancing. As an alternative, you canalso use the verb "rayar" (to scratch) instead of "azotar."

Example:

-¿Dónde está Patricia? -Está azotando baldosa.

-Where is Patricia? -She's dancing.

77.¿Bien o qué? (All good?)

Native Spanish speakers from outside of Colombiafindthis expression quite amusing. It is very common, however,and you canuse it as an alternative way to say"hi" or "what's up?"

78.dar papaya (to provide an opportunity where people might take advantage of you)

Example:

Mejor dicho, no hay que dar papaya. ¿Papaya? ¡No exponernos, tía, exponernos.

In other words, we should lielow. Lielow? Not put ourselves at risk, girl, put ourselves at risk.

Captions 32-34, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 8

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79.¡Déjate de vainas! (Don't worry about it!/Cut the crap!)

Example:

"¡Déjate de vainas!" "No te hagas problemas" o "No me vengas con cuentos".

"¡Déjate de vainas!" ["Don't worry about it" or "Cut the crap"]."Don't worry about it" or "Cut the crap."

Captions 38-40, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”

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80.estar tragado/tragada(to be head over heels/tobe totally in love)

Example:

yo he estado tragado de otras niñas antes, pero no como de Cata.

I've been head over heels for other girls before, but not like with Cata.

Captions 38-39,Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 11 - Part 2

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81.¡Guácala! (Gross!)

Example:

- ¿Sabes que en algunos países comen insectos? -¿En serio? ¡Guácala!

- Do you know that in some countries people eat insects? -Really? Gross!

82.Hacer el oso (to do something embarrassingor make a fool of yourself)

While the meaning of these words is "to play the bear,"colloquially, thisexpression means something very different.

Example:

Por no haber estudiado, Fernando hizo el oso delante de la clase(Because he hadn't studied, Fernando made a fool of himself in front of the class).

83.¡Listo! (OK, great!)

Although notexclusivelyColombian,¡Listo!is probably themost common Colombian slangwayto say "OK."This term is also used as an equivalent of "great." Let's see a couple of examples from the following video featuring Cleer and Lida:

Example 1:

Listo. Entonces, armamos el plan y nos vamos a bailar.

OK. So, we made the plan, and we're going dancing.

Caption 50, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 1

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Example 2:

Listo. Entonces, hasta el sábado.

Great. So, see you Saturday.

Caption 82, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 1

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84.¡Ni de vainas! ("Don't even think about it" or "No way")

Example:

"Ni de vainas," que significa, "Ni lo sueñes" o "No lo haré".

"Ni de vainas" ["Don't even think about it" or "No way"], which means, "Don't even think about it" or "I won't do it."

Captions 44-45, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”

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85.paila(too bad, bummer, to be in trouble)

Example:

Si Jorge no pasa el examen final, ¡paila! (If Jorge doesn't pass the final exam, he's in trouble!)

Keep in mind that people sometimes use the plural form, "pailas."

86.parar bolas (to pay attention)

Example:

Hermanito, pare bolas.

Little brother, pay attention.

Caption 2, Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 9

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87.pilas (watch out)

Example:

Pilas. Las viejas van en camino.

Watch out[literally: "Batteries"]. The old ladies are on their way.

Caption 53,Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 2 - Part 4

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88.poner los cachos (to cheat on someone)

Although the Colombian slang termponer los cachosliterally means "to put horns on" someone, this is a slang term for cheating.

Example:

Luis descubrió que Virginia le está poniendo los cachos (Luis found out that Virginia is cheating on him).

89.¡Qué boleta! (How embarrassing!)

Example:

Fredy llegóborracho al funeral. ¡Qué boleta! (Fredy arrived drunk to the funeral. How embarrassing!)

90.¡Qué chimba! (How cool!)

As you can see, there are various Colombian slang words for the English equivalent "cool."In fact, this word is often used in the expression "¡Qué chimba!" (How cool!). Let's take a look:

Bacano. Chévere. ¡Qué chimba!

Cool. Nice. How cool!

Captions 67-69, Skampida Gustavo y David

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91.¡Qué berraquera! (Fantastic!/Unbelievable!)

Depending on the context, this expression can be used in a positive or negative way. Let's see an example of the former:

¿Te vas para Nueva York? ¡Qué berraquera! (¿Are you going to New York? Fantastic!)

However, this expression can also be used when you want to point out something negative:

Este es el quinto paro de la semana. ¡Qué berraquera! (This is the fifth strike of the week. Unbelievable!)

92.¡Qué ceba! (gross!)

This slang word is used as an alternative to "¡Guácala!"

93.¡Qué embarrada! (What a pity!)

Similar to the meaning of the verb "embarrar," Colombians usethe expression "¡Qué embarrada!" when they want to express disappointment or regret about something.

Example:

Mario perdió su trabajo. ¡Qué embarrada! (Mario lost his job. What a pity!)

94.¡Qué jartera! (What a pain in the butt!/How boring!/How annoying!)

Example:

¡Qué jartera esta fiesta! (How boring this party [is]!)

95.¡Qué mamera! (What a pain in the butt!/How boring!/How annoying!)

This is another way of saying "¡Qué jartera!" and is a very common Colombian slang expression.

Example:

Este domingo tengo que trabajar. ¡Qué mamera! (I have to work this Sunday. What a pain in the butt!)

96.¡Qué oso! (How embarrassing!)

Example:

El alcalde llegó borracho a la reunión. ¡Qué oso! (The mayor arrived drunk to the meeting.How embarrassing!)

97.¡Qué vaina! (What a pity!)

Example:

"¡Qué vaina!" "Qué vaina" es una expresión que usamos cuando hay un problema o cuando algo malo ocurrió.

"¡Qué vaina!" [What a pity!] "Que vaina" is an expression we use when there's a problem or when something bad happened.

Captions 34-36, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”

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98.Quiubo(What's up/Hi)

"Quiubo" comes from the expression "¿Qué hubo?" (What's up?)An alternative spelling for "quibuo" is "kiubo."

Example:

¿Quiubo,quiubo, linda? ¿Cómo vas?

What's up,what's up, beautiful? How are you?

Caption 3,Confidencial:El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 8

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¡Quiubo, parce!(What's up, dude?/Hi, dude!) would be a very typical Colombian slang expression using two of the words we have introduced you to today.

99.ser una nota(to be awesome)

Literally, "una nota" is "a note." However, when you say that someone or something "es una nota," you are saying that someone or something is awesome or nice:

¡Claudia es una nota!(Claudia is awesome!)

100.¡Ya dijo! (Yeah, right!)

Example:

-En dos años voy a ser millonario. -¡Ya dijo!

-In two years, I will be a millionaire. -Yeah, right!

And that's it!Did you enjoy this lesson about Colombian slang?We hope so. Before we go, we have a challenge for you. Are you able to understand the following short conversation?:

-¡Quiubo parce!, ¿bien o qué?

-Más o menos. Ayer mi novia se fue a una rumba y me puso los cachos.

-¡Uy! ¡Qué embarrada! ¿Y con quién?

-Con el mono ese que camella con ella en laoficina.

-¡Ah! Ese man es un gallinazo.

-Así es llave. ¡Gallinazo e inmamable!

Did you get that? If not, we invite you to double-check those slang words and phrases we covered throughout the article. And please, send us your comments and questions. ¡Hasta la próxima!

Colombian Slang: 100 Words and Phrases to Sound like a True Colombian - Yabla Spanish - Free Spanish Lessons (2024)
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