Buenos días, from Medellin in Colombia.
Do you like the idea of speaking like a local? Or, want to learn some basic Colombian slang words and phrases for your trip to Colombia?
I’ve spent many hours backpacking Colombia and speaking to locals has allowed me to create a small dictionary of words along the way.
Table of Contents
Colombian Slang Words: Like a local
My favorite accent and culture have been that of the Paisas. For various reasons but it all started with the Paisa accent.
Paisa Slang
Out of all the Spanish accents I have encountered on my travels in Latin America – it’s my favorite.
Before I talk more about my personal experience learning Spanish and staying in Medellin each year, get into the Colombian slang words you’ll need to become more acquainted with the paisa culture.
What is a Paisa?
In case you didn’t already know a Paisa is anyone who is from the Antioquia region of Colombia.
The word paisa derives from “Paisano” which means a person from the same country.
Paisas have a very strong culture that is impossible to ignore.
Not to mention the Paisas carry these cultural traits with them wherever they go.
How to speak like a Paisa
Here’s a list of Colombian slang and colloquialisms you can add to any Spanish conversation you have to sound like a real paisa.
Parce
Literal Meaning: Bro
Parcero/Parcera are variations for men and women related to the third person.
Colloquial usage: It’s the most common word used in Medellín when referring to a close friend and as an expression of affection.
In Conversation:
- Parce, ¡no puedo creer que me estás hablando en serio!
- La parcera vive muy cerca de mi casa.
Marica
Literal Meaning: Bro / Homosexual or foolish
Colloquial usage: When you’re greeting a close friend. The word can also refer to a homosexual person. Also, it is used when you want to say someone is very naive or stupid.
In Conversation:
- Marica, hoy nos encontramos en mi casa para ver el partido.
- Miguel es marica, no le gustan las mujeres.
- Usted es un marica que no sabía que lo estaban engañando.
Huevón! / ¡Güevón!
Literal Meaning: Bro, foolish/stupid
Colloquial usage: When you are greeting a close friend or when you want to say that someone is very naive or stupid.
In Conversation:
- Quiubo huevón ¿Cómo va la vida?
- ¡No sea güevón! Exija sus derechos.
¿Quiubo, Parce?
Literal Meaning: What’s up, bro?
It’s an abbreviation (shortened version) of ¿Qué hubo?
Colloquial usage: Greeting a friend or someone very close to ask about her/his life.
In Conversation:
- ¿Quiubo, parce?, ¿Vamos a rumbear esta noche o qué?
Eavemaría
Literal Meaning: ???
Colloquial usage: It’s another pet word very common between traditional paisa people. They use it when expressing surprise.
In Conversation:
- ¡Eavemaría! Pero si vos sabés que en esta familia somos así.
¿Qué más?
Literal Meaning: How are you?
Colloquial usage: When greeting a friend or an acquaintance. It’s common to hear the examples below.
In Conversation:
- ¿Qué más? ¿Bien o no? – Todo bien, trabajando como siempre.
Charro
Literal Meaning: Funny
Colloquial usage: When people are making jokes or talking about funny situations.
In Conversation:
- Me reí mucho con ese chiste, fue muy charro.
Parche
Literal Meaning: Amazing plan
Colloquial usage: When there are great plans and places for sharing with friends, family, and couples.
In Conversation:
- Ir a tomar cerveza en ese bar es un parche muy bacano.
PUES
Literal Meaning: Well
Colloquial usage: You can use it when you want to emphasize an opinion when you want to be ironic or in other typical situations because is the most popular pet word between paisa people.
In Conversation:
- Pues claro que voy a visitarte mañana.
¡De una!
Literal Meaning: Immediately, I’m ready
Colloquial usage: When people are talking about doing or making something and express availability whatever be necessary.
In Conversation:
- ¡Vamos a hacer esa diligencia de una!
A la orden
Literal Meaning: What are you looking for? Can I help you? At your service
Colloquial usage: When sellers offer you their products in informal commerce.
In Conversation:
- A la orden, ¿qué está buscando?
¡Que Chimaba!
Literal Meaning: ???
Colloquial usage: To express happiness and euphoria. It’s common to hear it between friends.
In Conversation:
- Que chimba parce, ese viaje que hiciste es impresionante.
Los Tombos
Literal Meaning: Police officer
Colloquial usage: An informal way to refer to the police.
In Conversation:
- Siempre hay muchos tombos en esa zona.
¿O Qué?
Literal Meaning: What do you think?
Colloquial usage: When you are talking with a friend or someone and ask a general question waiting for advice or opinion.
In Conversation:
- Vamos a comer en el restaurante que está en el parque ¿o qué?
Nea
Literal Meaning: Chav
Colloquial usage: It’s usual to hear this word which refers to a person that looks like has not an education, modals, all time is using slang and has a bad accent.
In Conversation:
- Tan neas esos manes (guys) de allá.
Tinto
Literal Meaning: Instant coffee
Colloquial usage: Many people drink instant coffee, especially in the morning or in the afternoon. It’s common to go to a ‘cafetería’ and ask for a tinto.
In Conversation:
- Por favor, me regala un tinto con un pandequeso.
Un(a) Berraco/a
Literal Meaning: A strong person
Colloquial usage: When you are talking about someone who is a hard worker, or, who has faced difficult situations and continues going forward.
In Conversation:
- Esa señora es una berraca, tiene 70 años y sigue trabajando.
Bobo/Boba
Literal Meaning: Fool
Colloquial usage: When talking with a friend and tying as a fool but in a friendly way.
In Conversation:
- ¡Tan bobo! No se ría que lo que le estoy diciendo es verdad
Maluco/Maluca
Literal Meaning: Bad food / feel sick
Colloquial usage: Refers to the bad quality and taste of the food are you eating. Also, it’s used when people feel sick but they don’t really know the reason why.
In Conversation:
- Este almuerzo está muy maluco. No soy capaz de comérmelo.
- Me siento muy maluco. Creo que fue el viaje o no sé.
¡Huevón!/¡Güevón!
Literal Meaning: Bro, fool person/stupid
Colloquial usage: When you are greeting a close friend or when you want to say that someone is very naive or stupid.
In Conversation:
- Quiubo huevón ¿Cómo va la vida?
- No sea güevón! Exija sus derechos.
Amañado
Literal Meaning: Feel comfortable
Colloquial usage: When local people ask you about how do you feel staying in the country or in the city.
In Conversation:
- ¿Y usted si está amañado aquí en Colombia?
Pena
Literal Meaning: Ashamed
Colloquial usage: When you express to someone you feel ashamed and apologize.
In Conversation:
- Que pena usted que lo llame tan tarde, pero es muy importante lo que tengo que decirle.
Paisa Slang Words
Now you have a better idea of the Colombian Spanish words that you hear in and around Medellin.
See this article on Spanish curse words from other countries in South America.
I will continue to add more Colombian slang phrases as and when I pick them up or learn them.
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