Spanish Slang Dictionary
A collection of Spanish slang words and phrases aimed at enhancing your everyday Spanish language skills. Ideal for beginner students.
¿Qué tal?
What's up?
This is informal and is used among close friends and family. It's similar to 'how’s it going' in English.
Example sentences with ¿Qué tal? →chamba
job
In Peru and other Andean countries, 'chamba' is a popular term used to refer to a job or work.
Example sentences with chamba →Chécalo
Check it out
The term 'chécalo' is a common Mexican slang phrase encouraging someone to see, verify, or check out something.
Example sentences with Chécalo →chévere
cool
In various Latin American countries, 'chévere' is a slang term frequently used to describe something as cool, nice, or good.
Example sentences with chévere →estar como una cabra
being like a goat
The Spanish phrase 'estar como una cabra' does not literally mean 'being like a goat' in English. While directly translated, it indeed conveys this message, in common usage it expresses a completely different sentiment. It is a colloquial idiom used in Spain, which means to act in a manner that's considered crazy, eccentric or bizarre. It is typically used to refer to someone's unconventional behavior or peculiar personality, highlighting misconceptions and unexpected singularities in their acts or thoughts.
Mae
Dude
'Mae' is a common term in Costa Rica used informally to refer to a friend, similar to 'dude' or 'mate' in English.
Example sentences with Mae →Qué onda
What wave
This is a common slang expression in Mexico and other Central American countries that is used as a casual greeting, similar to 'what's up' in English.
Example sentences with Qué onda →ser clavados
be nailed (look similar to to someone)
The Spanish phrase 'ser clavados' is an informal, colloquial phrase that is translated to English as 'to be nailed'. However, it is not used to refer to the action of inserting a nail into something, instead, it is used metaphorically, indicating that two or more people, situations, or objects look extremely similar to each other, to such an extent that they seem almost identical. This phrase is primarily used in some Latin American countries and might not be understood in all Spanish-speaking regions.
sí
yeah
The Spanish equivalent for English word 'yeah' is 'sí'. It is used in a similar context where an agreement or acknowledgment is necessary. However, it may vary in some colloquial settings and different dialects of Spanish.
Example sentences with sí →