Colombian Slang – 100 Words & Phrases That Will Make You Sound Like A Local

To truly learn a language we need to understand new cultural protocols and recognise social signals that are unique to a country, region, or city. Even when we manage to perfect a Spanish accent, and we reach a level of ​​”effective communication” in our spoken language, to be truly fluent in a local language, one must understand the slang.

The correct use of idioms is a fundamental part of communication in almost every culture in the world. These figurative expressions provide a non-literal understanding of a message. The Spanish language has evolved over time, and Colombianisms derived from the traditional Spanish lexicon add color to the dialect. Using slang words in Colombia can make you better understood, helps you be more expressive, and well, makes you a more fun person to chat with. 

The Spanish of Colombia is rich in expressions and phrases that over time have been coined, transforming or creating what makes it today one of the most fashionable countries in the region. Let’s take a look at the most common Colombian slang words to help you learn Spanish from one of the most populous Latin American countries.

Types of Slang Terms

There are three main groups of Colombian slang words.

1. Idioms that have passed from generation to generation and are used by the majority of people, regardless of age or social group
2. Slang words that have travelled from one region to another and adopted as local slang. This represents the majority of idiomatic terms in the country (and in Latin America)
3. Expressions used almost exclusively by people of lower social status and often viewed in a “bad way” by people from a (usually) higher social sphere.

One of the most interesting aspects of Colombian slang is that a single slang word can contain up to a dozen meanings, each varying with slight changes in tone or accentuation. 

This list of more than 100 slang words used in Colombia covers most of the commonly used phrases and expressions you will hear on the streets and in homes around the country. 

We’ve given the word with an English translation if it exists. We’ve also provided examples in common Colombian Spanish so you can get started right away. A translation of the slang phrase into English will help you understand exactly when you can use this expression. To add context (always important when learning a language and the culture of a country) we’ve included facts about the expressions. And finally, an example of how Colombians use the phrase. This will help you master the always changing and ever-fascinating topic that is Colombian slang.

Learning slang is a great way to speak like a local and improve your Spanish language skills. Use these words and phrases with a group of friends or some native speakers and get instant street cred.

Impress your friends! Flirt with people you like! Scare your neighbors, whatever works!

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”

Man

Translation: Man

Example: Hombre, tipo (Male, man)

Typical usage: When reffering to a guy: “Mira ese man tan chistoso”

Notes: Adopted without alterations but not really accepted among educated people

Qué video

Literally means: What a movie!

Example: Situación inverosímil, que es difícil de creer que haya ocurrido en realidad (Movie, film, hard to believe that actually happened)

Typical usage: A situation that only happens in movies: “¿En serio pasó eso? Qué video.”

Está buena

Translation: literally means “she is good” using the verb “estar” (temporary) instead of “es” (permanent)

Example: Mujer que posee un muy buen cuerpo (She is hot)

Typical usage: When discussing a woman with great body “Esta vieja está buena”

Vieja

Translation: Old lady

Example: Mujer (woman)

Typical usage: When referring to females: “Mira a esa vieja.”

Mamera

Example: Con fastidio, persona que fastidia, situación que fastidia (
Boring, boring situation)

Typical usage: When describing how boring something (person or thing) is: “Qué mamera de vieja” “no quiero ir allá, me da mamera”

Qué maricada

Example: Qué estupidez, que ridiculez (foolish)

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)

Typical usage: When describing a thief: “Esa ñámpira me amenazó”

Mucho pasado

Example: Abusivo, impertinente, que habla más de lo que puede, ofende (Abusive)

Typical usage: A who person “crosses the line “ and abuses the trust of someone else: “¿Le dijiste eso a tu amigo? Mucho pasado”

Rabón

Example: Persona antipática, pedante (Grumpy)

Typical usage: A person who is grumpy and difficult to get along with: “No me prestó el balón, es un rabón”

Vaina

Example: Cosa, situación, circunstancia (thing, situation, circumstance)

Typical usage: “una vaina” is a term used as a placeholder when talking about something that you don’t not know the name of, or can’t remember the name of. Example: “¿Cómo funciona esta vaina?” en vez de “Como funciona esta licuadora?”

Chino/ China

Literally means: Chinese kid

Example: Niño/Niña (Little boy/ girl)

Typical usage: When talking about a kid or a teenager: “Ese chino está llorando “

Guayabo

Example: Resaca (Hangover)

Typical usage: When describing the sensation the next day after drinking too much: “Está enguayabado de tanto beber “

Gonorrea

Translation: Gonorrhea

Example: Insulto, gonorrea (Gonorrhea)

Typical usage: When insulting a person: “Joaquín es una gonorrea”

Camello

Translation: Camel

Trabajo. labor (A nine to five)

Typical usage: The job, the work place, an activity being performed for money: “Después de 3 meses por fín conseguí camello”

Guachafita

Example: Una fiesta de mucho desorden (Jeer)

Typical usage: When describing a gathering that is causing disorder: “Tus amigos están en una guachafita…”

Caco

Temible ladrón (fearsome thug)

Typical usage: When describing a person who robs. “Me robó el caco del barrio”

En bombas

Cuando algo se hace muy rápidamente (On a balloon)

Typical usage: A way to say that a task was performed very quickly: “Fui a mi casa y volví en bombas”

Achantado

Translation: Cowering

Example: Triste, pensativo, cabizbajo (Depressed)

Typical usage: When describing a person who’s sad due to an uncorftable situation such as breaking up: “Está achantado porque terminó con la novia”

Bandearse

Translation: Taking care of oneself

Example: Sortear una situación complicada, vive con pocos ingresos (Go right across)

Typical usage: When describing how a person gets through difficulties on their own efforts and resources: “Ella se bandea con poco dinero”

Boleta

Translation: A ticket

Example: Persona o situación ridícula o vergonzosa. Mujer u hombre extravagante (Shameful)

Typical usage: When describing how embarrassing a situation is: “Qué boleta entrar al bar con Pedro”

Cachaco

Example: Nacido en Bogotá (Native from Bogotá city)

Typical usage: term for a person that was born in Bogotá: “Juanita es cachaca”

Cachumbo

Example: Rizo de pelo (Curly hair)

Typical usage: Talking about someone’s curly or messy hair: “Péinese ese cachumbo”

Cada nada

Translation: Each nothing

Example: Frecuentemente (Too often)

Typical usage: When describing a situation that happens regularly and often: “Cada nada llaman del trabajo a preguntar por ella”

Caído del zarzo

Translation: Fallen from the wattle

Example: Persona tonta o que no piensa rápidamente (Distracted)

Typical usage: A way to say that someone is slow to understand concepts or situations: “ Le explicamos a juan varias veces pero es muy caído de la mata”

Chandoso Canchoso

Example: persona ordinaria (Low minded)

Typical usage: When escribing a person without manners: ” ¡Afuera, perro chandoso!”

Cantaleta

Example: Regaño repetitivo sobre un solo tema (A dull drone)

Typical usage: When one is scolded with the same speech over and over again: “Mi mamá me está dando cantaleta”

Cascar

Example: Golpear (To hit)

Typical usage: To describe when a person hits another, usually in a street fight: “Lorenzo y Miguel se cascaron”

Chambón

Example: Trabajo mal acabado, persona bruta (Without skills)

Typical usage: When describing the poor quality of a completed task: “Este ensayo está muy chambón”

Chato

Example: Para referirse cariñosamente a una persona (Dear)

Typical usage: Colombians use this word with people they feel affection for: “Mi chato, ¡estás muy elegante hoy!”

Chécheres

Example: Cosas que se acumulan y que son de poco valor y de pequeño tamaño (Stuff)

Typical usage: a way to say that something is not expensive: “Debería regalar todos esos chécheres”

Chicharrón

Translation: Cracklings

Example: Trozo de cerdo, generalmente la piel (Fried pig skin)

Typical usage: When reporting that one is in trouble or that a situation is messy: “En el trabajo me llenan de chicharrones”

Hacer conejo

Translation: literally means to “make a rabbit”

Example: Cuando vamos a comprar algo, y en vez de pagar salimos corriendo, hacemos conejo (Loot)

Typical usage: To describe a situation where someone pretended to pay for something but then fooled the cashier and left without actually paying: “Esos muchachos hicieron conejo en el restaurante”

Cuchuflí

Example: Se usa cuando no sabemos el nombre correcto de algo, generalmente de pequeño tamaño (Stuff)

Typical usage: When you dont know the actual name of a thing: “Y cómo se conecta este cuchuflí”

Echar los perros

Translation: To release the dogs on you

Example: Conquistar a alguien (Flirt)

Typical usage: When describing a situation where someone is trying to romantically conquer someone else: “Esa mujer me está echando los perros”

Gomelo

Example: Un niño rico cuyo ubicación social es alta. Se puede hablar de lugares gomelos también (rich boy)

Typical usage: When describing a person that has a lot of money and brags about it, or a place that is too fancy: “Muy gomelo tu amigo”

Hacer vaca

Literally means: To make a cow

Example: Juntar dinero entre varias personas para un fin específico (Money gathering)

Typical usage: When a group of people gather money together for one shared goal, usually to go partying: “Hagamos vaca para la despedida”

Indio

Translation: Indian

Example: Para poner un sobre nombre despectivo a personas que presumiblemente cuentan con menos modales (Indian)

Typical usage: Referring to a person that has a lower social status, economic level or less education: “Muy indio”

Inmamable

Translation: It can’t be suck

Example: Que nadie soporta (Unendurable)

Typical usage: When describing a person or a situation that is hard to endure or hard to stand: “Esa película está inmamable”

Jincho(a)

Example: Persona que, por su alto estado de embriaguez, no puede ni mantenerse en pie por sí misma (Dead drunk)

Typical usage: Colombian Spanish for someone that is too drunk to walk on their own: “imaginate que ayer mi suegra estaba más jincha” (Imagine, yesterday my mother-in-law was dead drunk)

Luca

Example: Peso colombiano. 1.000 pesos (0,3 USD)

Typical usage: When asking friends for money, usually small amounts for snacks or transportation: “Présteme dos lucas para irme a casa”

Líchigo

Example: Una persona muy avara y mezquina (Penny pincher)

Typical usage: a person who never contributes with their own money: “Qué líchigo, no me prestó ni mil pesos”

Motoso

Example: Descansar un poco con una siesta (Nap)

Typical usage: When talking about taking a nap: “Aprovecha y échate un motoso”

Muerde almohadas

Translation: Pillow biter

Example: Sujeto pasivo en una relación homosexual masculina (The passive one in a homosexual relation)

Ñanga

Translation: Trinket

Example: “ñanga” significa “de poco valor” o “gratis” (Junk)

Typical usage: Referring to a thing that has almost no value at all, “Que vestido tan ñanga”

Pilas

Translation: Batteries

Example: Ponerse pilas, despertarse estar atento a algo (Heads up)

Typical usage: When asking for more attention or to let somebody else know that a dangerous situation is on the way: “jovencita no siga ahí acostada, póngase las pilas, haga algo”

Ruso

Translation: Russian

Example: Una persona que trabaja albañileria (Albañil)

Typical usage: Usually a person who works in construction: “Me tocó trabajar en la rusa”.

Soplanucas

Translation: Nape blower

Example: Sujeto activo en una relación homosexual masculina (
The active one in a homosexual relation)

Tombo

Translation: Pig

Example: Agente de policía (Cop)

Typical usage: When referring to cops: “Nos cayó la tomba”

Violinista

Translation: Violinist

Example: Tercera persona en una salida en pareja (Chaperons)

Typical usage: The person that supervises a couple on a romantic date, specifically for teenagers: “Salí con Laura y Camilo y terminé de violinista”

Parce / Parcero

A very common slang term in Colombia.

A close friend or pal – Amigo cercano

Typical usage: When talking about a close friend: “Juan es mi parce” or “Juan es mi parcero”

Bufonear

Translation: to clown around

Example: molestar, fastidiar, payasear (To clown around)

Typical usage: a way to say that a topic is not being taken seriously: “a mi no me venga a bufonear”

Cheto

Example: Un carro o vehículo grande para transportar varias personas (Bus)

Typical usage: The bus: “Pare el cheto que vamos a llegar tarde”

Aguanta

Translation: Can stand it

Example: Cuando algo o alguien nos gusta y nos expresamos a cerca de eso o ellos (It would stand it)

Typical usage: When indicating that someone or something is in line with our preferences and we like it: “Ese televisor aguanta para mi cuarto”

Concha

Translation: Shell

Example: Persona perezoso (a) (Lazy)

Typical usage: When describing a lazy person or asking a person not to be lazy: ” No seas tan concha y levántese”

Amañado

Example: Que se adapta o que se siente a gusto en un ambiente nuevo (suited)

Typical usage: a person that already feels good in a new place or situation: “esta muy amañado en el nuevo trabajo”

Bacano / Chimba

Example: Dicho de una situación, cosa o persona excelente, muy buena (really cool)

Typical usage: When talking about a person, situation or thing that is really cool or good: “ Que man tan bacano”

Desentejado

Example: Dicho de persona medio calva (Bald)

Typical usage: A man with little hair on their head: “ese man esta desentejado”

Fritanga

Example: Conjunto de alimentos fritos (fried food)

Typical usage: a Colombian dish which includes fried meat like sausages: “ vamos a comer fritanga”

Gallinacear

Example: Buscar conquistas amorosas (To flirt in Colombia)

Typical usage: Colombian slang for trying to conquer a woman romantically: “Luis se va a gallinacear cada Viernes”

Jartera

Example: Fastidio, molestia (Weariness)

Typical usage: a way to say how boring something is: “Que jartera con tanto tráfico”

Mecato

Example: Golosinas que se consumen entre las comidas (snacks)

Typical usage: Packed snacks, such as chips: “llevemos mecato para la película”

Onces

Example: Merienda entre comidas (Snacks)

Typical usage: A little snack usually for children: “Ya es hora de las onces, les prepare galletas”

Querido

Translation: Dear

Example: Dicho de una persona simpática (Likeable)

Typical usage: A person that is easy to get along with: “Maria es querida”

Recocha

Example: Diversión desordenada y ruidosa (gathering)

Typical usage: A group of people having such a good time: “Estábamos en casa de Andrés haciendo recocha”

Salar

Translation: To put salt on

Example: Tener o dar mala suerte (bird of ill omen)

Typical usage: To describe a situation where bad luck was present or a person brought back luck: “Estabamos tan salados que nos descubrieron”

Traga

Translation: Swallows

Example: Enamoramiento (crushed)

Typical usage: To describe the sensation of being so in love with a person: “Ana esta tragada de Andrés”

Culicagado

Example: Niño (Child)

Typical usage: A child between 3 and 5, referring to the fact that diapers might still be neccesary: “El bebe de Andrés es un culicagado”

Perro

Translation: Dog

Example: Hombre mujeriego (womaniser)

Typical usage: A man who courts multiple women with the sole intention of getthing laid: “Andrés? Ten cuidado, ese es un perro”

Mijo/a

Example: Es la contracción de: Mi hijo (Son)

Typical usage: When talking to a person that is typically younger: “hola mijo, como le fue en el colegio?”

Quiubo

Example: Hola, que paso? (What’s up?)

Typical usage: It is a contraction of the words “qué hubo” and is generally used to ask what is happening: “Hola, quiubo?”

Hembro

Example: Un hombre muy apuesto (A hot guy)

Typical usage: a man who has a hot body: “Andrés es un hembro”

Levante

Translation: Lifted

Example: La chica o el chico que te presto atención después de coquetearle (Picked up)

Typical usage: To name someone that gave you her / his attention thanks to your attempt at chatting up: “Me levante a Ana en la fiesta”

Güeva

Translation: Egg

Example: Una persona tonta o que acaba de cometer alguna estupidez (Fool)

Typical usage: A stupid person or someone who just did something stupid: “acabo de derramar el jugo, que güeva”

No está ni tibio

Translation: Not even warm

Example: Significa que estas lejos de la verdad o de entender la situación (Clueless)

Typical usage: Far from understanding the problema or the situation: “Andres no está ni tibio con lo que paso ayer en el colegio”

Coscorrón

Example: Golpe en la cabeza (smack in the head)

Typical usage: when talking about a hit on the head with the knuckles of the hand: “mi papa me dio un coscorrón”

Jeta

Example: La boca (the jaw)

Typical usage: a person with a large jaw or simply referring to the mouth: “Andres estás hablando mucho, cierra la jeta”

Juemadre

Example: Hijo de su madre (son of his mother), es solo una expresión que reemplaza hijo de puta.

Typical usage: a contraction of “hijo de su madre” used to replace son of a bitch: “uy juemadre, vamos tarde para la cita”

Vaya a ver si la marrana puso

Translation: Go check if the pig delivers piglets

Example: Si estas en un grupo y te metes en lo que no te importa (Go mind your own business)

Typical usage: To tell someone to mind their own business: “Andrés, no se meta en las traducciones de Juan. Vaya a ver si la marrana puso”

Meter la cucharada

Translation: Get the spoon in

Example: Meterse en una conversación que no le incumbe (Stick one’s nose in)

Typical usage: To describe the act of giving an opinion something that is none of your business: “Andrés no meta la cuchara en los asuntos de su hermana”

Sapo/a

Translation: Frog

Example: Una persona chismosa o acuseta (Rat)

Typical usage: A person that tells or “rats” on everybody: “Andres es un sapo, le conto a mi mama de mi novio”

Chorrito

Translation: Trickle

Example: Licor, trago (Liquor shot)

Typical usage: Used to describe short glass of liquor: “Andres, sírvame un chorrito de Guaro”

Polas

Example: Cervezas (Beer, Brewsky)

Typical usage: Used to ask for or refer to a can of beer: “Vamos y nos tomamos unas polas”

Guarito

Example: Aguardiente (Shot of schnapps)

Typical usage: Used to ask for or refer to a short glass of schnapps: “Andres, sírvame un güarito por favor”

Rumbearse

Example: Besarse con alguien (Make out)

Typical usage: When someone managed to kiss a person they just met, usually at parties: “Andres fue a la fiesta y se rumbeo a Karina”

Rumbear

Example: Bailar, ir de fiesta (Partying)

Typical usage: To indicate that the plan is to go partying with a group of friends until very late: “Hoy es Viernes, Andres se fue a rumbear”

Azotar o rayar baldosa

Translation: To scratch the dancing floor

Example: Bailar mucho (Hit the floor)

Typical usage: Describes how someone danced all night at a party: “Andres se fue de rumba y azoto las baldosas”

Mamarracho

Example: Mal vestido/a (Scruffy)

Typical usage: Someone that is not dressed correctly for the event: “Andres vino vestido como un mamarracho”

Sacar la piedra

Translation: Get the stone out of me

Example: Hacer que alguien se enoje (Drives me crazy)

Typical usage: when one gets mad or irritated by an annoying person: “Andres es tan fastidioso que me saca la piedra”

Loba

Translation: She-wolf

Una mujer, generalmente muy guapa, pero que se viste extravagantemente y de manera exageradamente sexy (A real flirt)

Typical usage: Colombian slang for a woman that has a hot body but shows more skin than she should: “Karina vino con una falda muy corta parece una loba”

Echar globos

Translation: To release balloons

Example: Quedarse pensativo (Thoughtful)

Typical usage: someone who stares into space while wondering about something: “Estabamos en clase de matemáticas y Andrés estaba echando globos”

Chucuchucu

Example: Música latina, salsa, merengue, vallenatos.

Typical usage: describes a type of music, specifically tropical music: “En esa disco hay puro chucuchucu”

La cagada

Translation: The turd

Example: Persona que obra mal (a really bad person)

Typical usage: Used to describe a person you cannot trust and is mean-spirited: “Ese Andrés es la cagada”

Magarro

Translation: Cigarette

Example: Cigarrillo (Fag)

Typical usage: A cigarette

Echar lora

Translation: To throw a parrot bird

Example: Hablar, conversar mucho tiempo seguido (talk continuously)

Typical usage: local slang for when friends talk for a long period of time usually just to “catch up”: “Andres se encontró con Karina y se fueron a echar lora”

Ampón

Translation: Stout

Example: Persona mala, de mal obrar (a thug)

Typical usage: Used to describe a meeting where people talk for a long period of time usually just to “catch up”: “Andres se encontró con Karina y se fueron a echar lora”

Frente panela

Translation: Sugar cane bar forehead

Example: Con la frente muy ancha (Fivehead)

Typical usage: term for a person with a large forehead: “Andres es un frente de panela”

Cumbamba

Example: Con una barbilla muy pronunciada (Chin)

Typical usage: Colombian slang for a large chin: “Andres tiene su cumbamba”

Sumercé

Example: Significa usted y se usa para ambos géneros (Sr/ Miss)

Typical usage: To talk in a respectful manner to someone: “Hola sumerced, como le va a su hijo en la universidad?”

Dar papaya

Translation: To give papaya

Dar Papaya is an idiom that means to avoid exposing oneself to dangerous situations so others can take advantage. (Una expresión que significa exponerse a situaciones peligrosas para que otros se aprovechen)

Typical usage of “dar papaya”: It might not be wise to walk in a crowded area in some places with a fancy smartphone. Someone might recommend you not to do that by saying:
“no des papaya, sal sin el teléfono” – Don’t put yourself in that situation, leave without a telephone

¿Qué más?

Translation: What else?

“¿Qué más?” is a slang term for saying “how are you?” (Es una otra manera de saludar y decir “¿Cómo estás?”)

Typical usage: Someone you meet might say “¿Qué más?” followed by “¿Bien o no?”, meaning “good or not?”.

It’s a very common way to communicate in Colombia

Parche

Translation: Patch

It’s a word that explains or describes an calm or fun activity with some friends (Una palabra que expresa una actividad divertida o tranquila con amigos)

Typical usage: If someone proposes to do something in your house or to go out to drink something the conversation would go like this: “vamos a parchar al parque” or something similar would be “se formó un parche en casa de Manuela”

¡De una!

Translation: Of one

Una expresión popular para afirmar que algo se realizará de inmediato (It’s a popular expression to affirm/confirm that something will be done immediately)

Typical usage: You are asking someone to send you a mail with the information. The conversation goes like this: “¿puedes enviarme eso ahorita?”. “Sí, de una”

Mamar gallo

Translation: To suck (a) rooster

Example: Esta expresión describe una persona que se burla o mofa de otra persona (This expression describes a person that mocks or fool someone else)

Typical usage: When talking with someone who starts to laugh at you or says something funny about you. You might say “¿me estás mamando gallo?”

Parar bola(s)

Literally means: To stop ball(s)

Una expresión sinónimo de “prestar atención” (It’s a synonym expression of “to pay attention”)

Typical usage: In a conversation, someone might demand your attention by saying “ey, páreme bola”. It’s also a way to say that someone is not interested romantically. Example: “ese man no me para bola” (that man is not interested in me). Learn more about flirting in Colombia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does vaina mean 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 parce means buddy or “man”. So this phrase means something like “how cool, buddy!”

How do Colombians say really cool?

Chevere is one of the most used terms in Colombia for “cool” or “really cool”

How do you say dude in Colombia?

Man, parcero, and parce are used to mean “dude” in common Colombian Spanish