Tío/Tía
- Dude, Guy, Mate, BroSpanish youth commonly use these terms. When someone greets you with, ¡Oye, tío! ¿Cómoestás?, they're saying, Hey dude! How are you?
The Ultimate Guide to Spanish Slang
For those who wish to sound like a local when traveling to Spain, understanding the country's slang is key. Beyond the traditional hola and gracias, Spanish slang offers a vibrant touch to your conversations, making you sound more authentic.
Dive into these commonly used Spanish slang words and phrases that are sure to impress locals.
Guay
- Cool, AwesomeCatchy and universally popular. Saying, Esa fiesta fue muy guay, is equivalent to expressing, That party was really cool.
Vale
- OK, AlrightIt's Spain's signature way of affirming. Expect to hear, Vale, nos vemos a las ocho, or, OK, see you at eight.
Pasta
- MoneyIf you hear someone exclaim, Esa camiseta me costó mucha pasta, they're lamenting, That t-shirt cost me a lot of money.
Majo/Maja
- Attractive, Good-lookingLooking to compliment someone's appearance? María es muy maja, translates to, María is really attractive.
Currar
- To WorkDiscussing work schedules? You might say, Tengo que currar mañana temprano, or, I have to work early tomorrow.
Borracho/a
- DrunkAfter a lively night out, one might comment, y volvieron borrachos, meaning, They went out and came back drunk.
Chaval/Chavala
- Kid, Young PersonA casual reference to youngsters, you might hear, El chaval tiene solo 15 años, or, The kid is only 15 years old.
Botellón
- Outdoor Drinking GatheringA cultural phenomenon among Spanish youth. If you're invited with, El sábado hay un botellón en la plaza, be ready for a communal drink-up in the square on Saturday.
Ponerse las botas
- To Eat A LotEnjoyed a hearty meal? You'd exclaim, En la barbacoa me puse las botas! indicating, I really ate a lot at the barbecue.
Dejar plantado/a
- To Stand Someone UpA phrase you wouldn't want to experience firsthand. When someone laments, Me dejó plantada en el café, they're saying, He/She stood me up at the coffee shop.
Estar como una cabra
- To Be CrazyWe all have that one eccentric friend. If someone comments, Ese tío está como una cabra, they're essentially saying, That guy is crazy.
Estar a dos velas
- To Be BrokeWhen month-end approaches and wallets feel lighter, you might hear, Este mes estoy a dos velas, meaning, I'm broke this month.
Pijo/a
- Snobby, PoshUsed to describe someone with a privileged background or a snobbish attitude. A comment like, Ella es un poco pija, translates to, She's a bit snobby.
Colega
- Buddy, MateA versatile term for a friend or acquaintance. An informal greeting might be, ¿Qué pasa, colega? which means, What's up, mate?
Cuate
- Mate, BuddyThough slightly less common than 'colega', you might still encounter this friendly term. Ese es mi cuate, signifies, That's my buddy.
Tronco/Tronca
- Mate, PalAnother endearing term for a friend. A casual invitation like, Oye, tronco, ¿vienes al cine? translates to, Hey mate, are you coming to the movies?
Molar
- To Like, To Find CoolWhen someone expresses their preferences, like, Me mola esa canción, they're saying, I like that song.
Birra
- BeerIf you're at a bar and hear, Voy a pedir una birra, someone is saying, I'm going to order a beer.
Cachondo/a
- Funny or AmusingContext is king with this term, as it can also have a risqué connotation. In a benign setting, saying, Ese chiste es muy cachondo, means, That joke is really funny.
Spanish slang paints a vivid picture of daily life, feelings, and experiences in Spain. By integrating these colloquial terms into your vocabulary, you're not just speaking the language — you're living it.
So, the next time you're strolling through the lively streets of Madrid or enjoying tapas in Barcelona, sprinkle your conversations with these slang words and sound like a true Spaniard. ¡Buena suerte!
Ready to speak Spanish with native speakers?
Join us at Language Vibes. Our innovative platform provides you with an interactive and efficient way to significantly improve your Spanish speaking skills.