{"id":846,"date":"2016-12-17T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2016-12-17T18:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/?p=846"},"modified":"2024-01-26T00:22:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T08:22:37","slug":"spanish-slang-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/spanish-slang-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently-Used Spanish Slang Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"common-spanish-slang-terms-fb\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\"common-spanish-slang-terms-blog\"\"common-spanish-slang-terms-blog\"Learning slang can be difficult and even frustrating at times.<\/p>\n

You want to speak more like a native speaker but you can\u2019t seem to figure out what terms to use when, why, and with whom.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry!<\/p>\n

Below you will find a list of some of the most common slang terms\/ expression used in the Spanish-speaking world.<\/p>\n

Take a moment to watch this video and learn more about Spanish slang.<\/h2>\n

Talking about Food<\/h2>\n

\"food\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Visualhunt<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, food is a pretty important part of everyday life. So, naturally, it\u2019s something that gets talked about a lot! With that in mind, here are some useful words\/ phrases that you may hear associated with food.<\/p>\n

1. Papear- Eat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Venezuela<\/strong> you may want to go \u201cpapear\u201d with some friends. It\u2019s like saying \u201cfuel up\u201d or \u201cnosh.\u201d And who doesn\u2019t want to be able to say that?<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>: \u00bfA qu\u00e9 hora vamos a papear?- What time are we going to eat?<\/p>\n

2. Combo- Food<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>A combo isn\u2019t just an option at a fast food restaurant in some Spanish-speaking countries!<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>: Estela prepara un combo excelente.- Estela prepares an excellent meal. <\/p>\n

3. Comerse un cable- To be without food<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"cables\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Visualhunt<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>A common slang term used a lot in the island countries (Cuba, Puerto Rico,<\/strong> etc.) \u201ccomerse un cable\u201d is like saying, \u201cwe are really broke, so we will eat a cord\/cable\/wire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>: En Venezuela nos estamos comiendo un cable.- In Venezuela we are without food.<\/p>\n

Talking about Drinks<\/h2>\n

\"bar<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to eat, you\u2019re probably going to drink! And, if you\u2019re going to drink with friends, you\u2019re probably going to drink something alcoholic. Here\u2019s some useful slang you may need in just that situation.<\/p>\n

4. Chupar- Drinking alcohol<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>Have plan for the weekend? Do they involve meeting up with some friends and heading out to the bar? If so, in many Spanish-speaking countries, you may hear this term thrown around.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Esta noche vamos a chupar en la fiesta.- Tonight we are going to drink (alcohol) at the party.<\/p>\n

5. Chelas- Beer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>This is another way of referring to the all-time favorite bar drink beer.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Vamos por unas chelas despu\u00e9s del trabajo.- We\u2019re going for some beers after work.<\/p>\n

6. Estar pedo- To have had too much to drink<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background<\/strong>: If you go out for a night with friends in Spain<\/strong>, you may end up describing yourself as a \u201cfart.\u201d Another option is saying \u201ctener pedo\u201d (to have a fart).<\/p>\n

Be careful! An already interesting situation can turn into a very embarrassing one if you accidentally use the expression \u201ctirarse un pedo\u201d which means simply \u201cto fart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Tengo que irme a casa. Estoy pedo.- I have to go home. I\u2019m drunk.<\/p>\n

Talking about Money<\/h2>\n

\"money\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Another important and unavoidable part of life is money. Here is some common slang you may hear when speaking to a Spanish-speaker about money.<\/p>\n

7. A dos velas- Without money<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"two<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Spain<\/strong>, if you have no money left, you may literally be down to your \u201clast two candles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– No podemos salir esta noche porque estamos a dos velas.- We can\u2019t go out tonight because we have no money.<\/p>\n

8. Aguinaldo- Yearly bonus<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>Everyone looks forward to that time of the year when you get a little extra something for all your hard work. Well, if you\u2019re discussing this lovely little gift with one of our Spanish-speaking friends, you may hear this term.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– El jefe me di\u00f3 un aguinaldo muy bueno este a\u00f1o.- My boss gave me a very good bonus this year.<\/p>\n

9. Aguja- Without money<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"needle\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Per\u00fa<\/strong>, if you\u2019ve reached that point in the month when you\u2019re sitting around waiting for your paycheck to come, you may describe yourself as being a \u201cneedle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>: Miguel, te pago la pr\u00f3xima semana porque ahora estoy aguja.- Miguel, I\u2019ll pay you next week, because right now I\u2019m broke.<\/p>\n

10. Ajustado- Tight on cash<\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>\u201cAjustado\u201d literally means \u201ctight.\u201d Well, in Per\u00fa<\/strong>, this can also mean, like in English, to be tight on money.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Ahora estoy m\u00e1s ajustado que el pantal\u00f3n de torero.- Now I\u2019m tighter than a bull fighter\u2019s pants.<\/p>\n

11. Astilla- Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"chips\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>An \u201castilla\u201d could be a splinter or wood chips. But, in Cuba<\/strong> \u201castilla\u201d is another way of referring to money.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Cesar se cree todo un personaje desde que tiene un poco de astilla.- Cesar believes himself to be a character since he has a little money now.<\/p>\n

12. Pasta- Money<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"pasta\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Cuba you have \u201cchips\u201d but in Spain<\/strong> you have pasta!<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– \u00bfCu\u00e1nta pasta crees que se necesita para pasar un finde en Londres?- How much money do you think you need to spend a weekend in London?<\/p>\n

Miscellaneous<\/h2>\n

In case you wanted to learn more of the most common slang used in the Spanish-speaking world, here is a short list of other commonly used terms\/ expression that didn\u2019t fit into the above mentioned categories.<\/p>\n

13. Babosear- Wasting Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"drool\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Visualhunt<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>If you\u2019re in Mexico<\/strong> or Columbia<\/strong>, and you hear a friend tell you to stop \u201cdrooling\u201d they may actually be telling you to get your act together and stop wasting time.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Angel estaba baboseando en Internet cuando lleg\u00f3 el jefe.- Angel was wasting time on the Internet when the boss arrived.<\/p>\n

14. Bac\u00e1n\/ Bacano- Something wonderful<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>If you\u2019re in Colombia<\/strong>, Chile<\/strong>, or Cuba<\/strong> and you find something \u201cbac\u00e1n\u201d you\u2019ve stumbled across something pretty awesome.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– El concierto de los Rolling Stone estuvo bacano.- The Rolling Stone concert was wonderful.<\/p>\n

15. Bagayo- Ugly person<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>When you\u2019re in Argentina<\/strong> or Uruguay<\/strong>, you may not want to hear someone refer to you as a \u201cbagayo\u201d–it\u2019s most definitely not a compliment.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Ayer me presentaron a la hija del jefe–un bayago.- Yesterday I was introduced to the boss\u2019 daughter–she was ugly.<\/p>\n

16. Igualado- Disrespectful <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Peru<\/strong>, Colombia<\/strong>, Mexico<\/strong>, Paraguay<\/strong>, and Uruguay<\/strong> if you are \u201cigualado\u201d you probably forgot your manners at some point.<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Mart\u00edn, no seas igualado.- Martin, don\u2019t be disrespectful.<\/p>\n

17. Intendencia- Town Hall<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>If you\u2019re looking for the house of the local government in a city in Uruguay<\/strong> or Argentina<\/strong>, you may want to ask for the \u201cIntendencia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Tengo que ir a la Intendencia esta tarde.- I have to go to Town Hall this afternoon.<\/p>\n

18. Arrecho- Something hard or difficult<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Background: <\/strong>In Venezuela<\/strong> if you find something to be a little difficult, you can describe it as an \u201carrecho.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– El pr\u00f3ximo examen de matem\u00e1ticas va a estar arrecho- The next math exam is going to be very difficult.<\/p>\n

19. Boh\u00edo- Home\/ House <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"hut\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Via Pixabay<\/p>\n

Background: <\/strong>Sometimes meaning a \u201chut\u201d or \u201cshack\u201d when used in certain Spanish-speaking countries this term means \u201chouse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Me invitaron a comer a su boh\u00edo- They invited me to eat at their home.<\/p>\n

20. Vista Gorda- To pretend to not realize  <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Backround: <\/strong>You know those people that never seem to get in trouble when they do something wrong? Celebrities, for example, would fit perfectly in this category. It\u2019s probably because someone has \u201cturned a blind eye\u201d (as we would say in English) to their actions. In a lot of Spanish-speaking countries, this is called a \u201cfat view\u201d (Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Chile<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Example<\/strong>– Los llamados a ejecutar las leyes se hacen de la vista gorda cuando alguien de su partido las viola.- Politicians turn a blind eye when someone from their party violate the law.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

This has just been a short list of some of the most widely used slang in the Spanish-speaking world. There are many, many more. Can you think of any you\u2019ve heard that didn\u2019t make our list?<\/p>\n

Want more? Get your copy of this Spanish Slang e-book with audio!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>\n

Pin this!<\/em><\/h3>\n

\"Frequently<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learning slang can be difficult and even frustrating at times. You want to speak more like a native speaker but you can\u2019t seem to figure out what terms to use when, why, and with whom. Don\u2019t worry! Below you will find a list of some of the most common slang terms\/ expression used in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

\"common-spanish-slang-terms-fb\"<\/span><\/div>

\"common-spanish-slang-terms-blog\"\"common-spanish-slang-terms-blog\"Learning slang can be difficult and even frustrating at times.<\/p>

You want to speak more like a native speaker but you can\u2019t seem to figure out what terms to use when, why, and with whom.<\/p>

Don\u2019t worry!<\/p>

Below you will find a list of some of the most common slang terms\/ expression used in the Spanish-speaking world.<\/p><\/div>

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Take a moment to watch this video and learn more about Spanish slang.<\/h2><\/div>
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