Spanish Slang: Speak Like a Local with These 60 Phrases

Spanish isn’t just spoken in one way—oh no! Across the Spanish-speaking world, each country and region has its own unique slang, giving you a glimpse into the local culture. Whether you’re heading to Cuba or Spain, knowing a few slang terms can make you feel like a local in no time.

But how do you know your che from your chido? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Here’s a handy list of some of the most popular Spanish slang phrases from around the world—perfect for impressing your friends, whether you’re chilling in a Cuban café or strolling through the streets of Buenos Aires.

Argentinian Slang

1. Che (cheh) – A way to get someone’s attention, like “hey.” “Che, ¿vamos a la playa?” (Hey, should we go to the beach?)
2. Boludo (boh-LOO-doh) – Used affectionately between friends, meaning “dumb” or “fool.” “Sos un boludo, ¿sabías?” (You’re such a fool, you know?)
3. Laburar (lah-boo-RAR) – To work. “Tengo que laburar temprano mañana.” (I have to work early tomorrow.)
4. Pibe/Piba (PEE-beh / PEE-bah) – Boy or girl. “Ese pibe es muy gracioso.” (That guy is really funny.)
5. Quilombo (kee-LOHM-boh) – A mess or chaotic situation. “Esta casa es un quilombo.” (This house is a mess.)
6. Facha (FAH-chah) – Cool or stylish. “Ese tipo tiene mucha facha.” (That guy is very stylish.)
7. Mina (MEE-nah) – A girl or woman. “Esa mina me encanta.” (I really like that girl.)
8. Chabón (chah-BOHN) – Another term for “guy.” “Ese chabón es buena onda.” (That guy is cool.)
9. Fiaca (FEE-ah-kah) – Laziness. “Hoy tengo fiaca de salir.” (I feel too lazy to go out today.)
10. Guita (GEE-tah) – Money. “Necesito más guita para el viaje.” (I need more money for the trip.)

Colombian Slang

1. Parce (PAR-seh) – Friend, like “dude.” “¿Qué más, parce?” (What’s up, dude?)
2. Rumbear (room-BEAR) – To party or go out dancing. “Vamos a rumbear esta noche.” (Let’s go out dancing tonight.)
3. Bacano (bah-KAH-noh) – Cool or awesome. “Este lugar está bacano.” (This place is awesome.)
4. Guaro (GWAH-roh) – Short for “aguardiente,” a popular alcoholic drink. “Vamos a tomar guaro esta noche.” (Let’s drink aguardiente tonight.)
5. Paila (PAHY-lah) – When something goes wrong or is bad. “Se me perdió el dinero, paila.” (I lost my money, what a bummer.)
6. Plata (PLAH-tah) – Money. “No tengo plata para el viaje.” (I don’t have money for the trip.)
7. Camellar (kah-meh-YAR) – To work. “Tengo que camellar duro esta semana.” (I have to work hard this week.)
8. Chimba (CHEEM-bah) – Used to describe something cool. “Esa fiesta estuvo chimba.” (That party was awesome.)
9. Mamar gallo (mah-MAR gah-yoh) – To joke around or waste time. “Deja de mamar gallo.” (Stop messing around.)
10. Jartera (har-TEH-rah) – Something boring or annoying. “Este trabajo es una jartera.” (This job is a drag.)

Cuban Slang

1. Asere (ah-SEH-reh) – A way to say “dude” or “friend.” “¿Qué volá, asere?” (What’s up, dude?)
2. Qué bolá (keh boh-LAH) – How’s it going? “Oye, qué bolá contigo?” (Hey, how’s it going with you?)
3. Fula (FOO-lah) – Money, but often referring to foreign currency. “No tengo ni un fula.” (I don’t have a dime.)
4. Camello (kah-MEH-yoh) – A slang word for “job.” “Estoy buscando un camello.” (I’m looking for a job.)
5. Guagua (GWAH-gwah) – Bus. “La guagua está tarde otra vez.” (The bus is late again.)
6. Tremendo (treh-MEHN-doh) – Used to emphasize how big or great something is. “¡Tremenda fiesta anoche!” (What a party last night!)
7. Bacán (bah-KAHN) – Cool or great. “Este lugar está bacán.” (This place is cool.)
8. Pinchar (peen-CHAR) – To work or do a job. “Hoy tengo que pinchar hasta tarde.” (Today, I have to work late.)
9. Mango (MAHN-goh) – An attractive person. “Ese chico es un mango.” (That guy is a hottie.)
10. Yuma (YOO-mah) – Refers to foreigners, usually Americans. “Ese yuma no entiende nada.” (That foreigner doesn’t understand anything.)

Mexican Slang

1. Chido (CHEE-doh) – Cool. “Este lugar está bien chido.” (This place is really cool.)
2. No manches (noh MAHN-ches) – No way! “¡No manches, qué caro es eso!” (No way, that’s so expensive!)
3. Güey (gwey) – Dude or guy. “Oye güey, ven acá.” (Hey dude, come here.)
4. Neta (NEH-tah) – The truth or something serious. “¿Es neta lo que dijiste?” (Is what you said for real?)
5. Fresa (FREH-sah) – Someone who is posh or snobby. “Esa chica es súper fresa.” (That girl is super snobby.)
6. Tarea (tah-REH-ah) – Job or task. “Tengo mucha tarea hoy.” (I have a lot of work to do today.)
7. Pedo (PEH-doh) – A lot of meanings, but often used to say “drunk.” “Anoche estaba bien pedo.” (Last night I was really drunk.)
8. Bronca (BROHN-kah) – A problem or fight. “No quiero broncas contigo.” (I don’t want any trouble with you.)
9. Chafa (CHAH-fah) – Cheap or low quality. “Esta camisa es muy chafa.” (This shirt is very low quality.)
10. ¡Órale! (OH-rah-leh) – An expression of surprise or excitement. “¡Órale! Qué padre está tu coche.” (Wow! Your car is so cool.)

Peruvian Slang

1. Pata (PAH-tah) – Friend, buddy. “Ese pata me ayudó mucho.” (That guy helped me a lot.)
2. Jato (HAH-toh) – House or home. “Voy a mi jato.” (I’m going home.)
3. Chamba (CHAHM-bah) – Job or work. “Necesito conseguir una chamba pronto.” (I need to find a job soon.)
4. Pituco (pee-TOO-koh) – A posh or snobby person. “Ese chico es bien pituco.” (That guy is really snobby.)
5. Luca (LOO-kah) – Money, especially referring to one sol (Peruvian currency). “Esto cuesta cinco lucas.” (This costs five soles.)
6. Habla (AH-blah) – A greeting, like “what’s up?” “¡Habla, amigo! ¿Cómo estás?” (What’s up, friend? How are you?)
7. Jamear (hah-MEH-ahr) – To eat. “Vamos a jamear algo.” (Let’s go eat something.)
8. Chévere (CHEH-veh-reh) – Cool or great. “Este lugar está chévere.” (This place is cool.)
9. Huachafo (wah-CHAH-foh) – Someone who is tacky or in poor taste. “Ese vestido está muy huachafo.” (That dress is really tacky.)
10. Jamear (hah-MEH-ahr) – To eat. “Vamos a jamear algo.” (Let’s go eat something.)

Spanish Slang (from Spain)

1. Guay (gwhy) – Cool. “¡Qué guay está esta canción!” (This song is so cool!)
2. Currar (koo-RAR) – To work. “Tengo que currar todo el fin de semana.” (I have to work all weekend.)
3. Chungo (CHOON-goh) – Something bad or sketchy. “Este lugar se ve un poco chungo.” (This place looks a bit dodgy.)
4. Tío/Tía (TEE-oh / TEE-ah) – Used to refer to a guy or girl, like “dude” or “chick.” “Oye, tío, ¿qué haces?” (Hey, dude, what are you doing?)
5. Flipar (flee-PAR) – To freak out. “¡Flipé cuando me lo dijo!” (I freaked out when he told me!)
6. Molar (moh-LAR) – To like or find something cool. “Me mola mucho tu coche.” (I really like your car.)
7. Chaval (chah-VAHL) – A young person or kid. “Ese chaval no para de hablar.” (That kid won’t stop talking.)
8. Pasta (PAH-stah) – Money. “No tengo mucha pasta este mes.” (I don’t have much money this month.)
9. Cañero (kah-NYEH-roh) – Someone or something cool and daring. “¡Qué cañero es tu estilo!” (Your style is so edgy!)
10. Resaca (reh-SAH-kah) – A hangover. “Tengo una resaca horrible.” (I have a terrible hangover.)

Immerse Yourself in Spanish

The best way to learn Spanish like a local? Dive right into the culture! Here’s our top suggestions on improving –

• Listen to music from Spanish-speaking countries – J Balvin uses a lot of slang in his songs! Check him out here –