As the Spanish language gains popularity worldwide, it’s crucial to grasp its subtle details. Our list of 120 essential spanish slang words is a great resource for those wanting to connect better with native speakers. It offers learners a chance to speak more naturally and confidently, diving into the rich cultural contexts of Spanish-speaking communities.
Benefits of Mastering Spanish Slang
Knowing Spanish slang really helps you talk better with people who’ve grown up speaking it. It makes conversations feel more real and less stiff. This doesn’t just boost your language skills—it also enriches your cultural experiences whenever you hang out in different Spanish-speaking spots.
120 Essential Spanish Slang Words and Phrases
Learning the slang of Spanish-speaking countries really helps you speak better and connect with locals. Each country has its own slang that shows off its culture. For example, in Spain, when something is cool, they say ‘guay.’
# | Spanish Slang Word | English Translation | Country of Origin |
1 | Guay | Cool | Spain |
2 | Chévere | Cool, great | Venezuela, Colombia |
3 | Mola | Cool, awesome | Spain |
4 | Tío/Tía | Guy, dude / girl, chick | Spain |
5 | Vale | Okay | Spain |
6 | Buena onda | Good vibes | Argentina, Chile |
7 | Pibe | Kid, guy | Argentina |
8 | Chamo | Kid, dude | Venezuela |
9 | Pana | Friend, buddy | Venezuela, Colombia |
10 | Oye | Hey | General Latin America |
11 | Joder | Damn, screw | Spain |
12 | Coche | Car | Spain |
13 | Carro | Car | Latin America |
14 | Chido | Cool | Mexico |
15 | Padre | Cool (lit. father) | Mexico |
16 | Gacho | Bad, poor quality | Mexico |
17 | Mande | What? (polite) | Mexico |
18 | Wey/Güey | Dude | Mexico |
19 | Fresa | Preppy, snobbish | Mexico |
20 | Chela | Beer | Mexico |
21 | Soda | Soda, pop | Mexico |
22 | Que padre | That’s awesome | Mexico |
23 | Boludo | Fool, idiot (friendly/insulting) | Argentina |
24 | Che | Hey, dude | Argentina, Uruguay |
25 | Copado | Cool, awesome | Argentina |
26 | Quilombo | Mess, disorder | Argentina |
27 | Fiaca | Laziness, idleness | Argentina |
28 | Laburo | Work (job) | Argentina, Uruguay |
29 | Morfi | Food | Argentina |
30 | Pelotudo | Idiot, stupid | Argentina |
31 | Salado | Expensive, tough | Argentina, Uruguay |
32 | Sarpado | Awesome, too much | Argentina |
33 | Jeta | Face | Argentina |
34 | Plata | Money | Argentina, Uruguay |
35 | Mango | Money | Argentina |
36 | Piola | Cool, smart | Argentina |
37 | Bondi | Bus | Argentina |
38 | Gil | Fool, naïve person | Argentina |
39 | Facha | Good looking | Argentina |
40 | Bronca | Anger, rage | Argentina, Uruguay |
41 | Chorra | Luck | Argentina |
42 | Chucho | Cold | Central America |
43 | Maje | Dude | Central America |
44 | Tuanis | Cool, good | Costa Rica |
45 | Mae | Dude | Costa Rica |
46 | Sura | Beer (slang) | Costa Rica |
47 | Concho | Free ride, hitchhiking | Dominican Republic |
48 | Vaina | Thing, stuff | Dominican Republic |
49 | Pana | Friend | Dominican Republic |
50 | Parcero | Friend, buddy | Colombia |
51 | Bacano | Cool, awesome | Colombia |
52 | Guachafita | Mess, disorder | Colombia |
53 | Rumbear | To party, to go out | Colombia |
54 | Chancleta | Flip-flop | Colombia |
55 | Achantar | To scare, to intimidate | Colombia |
56 | Camello | Job (hard work) | Colombia |
57 | Chimba | Cool, awesome | Colombia |
58 | Lucas | Money | Colombia |
59 | Jartera | Being fed up, annoyance | Colombia |
60 | Paila | Bad situation, problem | Colombia |
61 | Rajado | Amazing, incredible | Costa Rica |
62 | Cabro | Guy, dude | Chile |
63 | Pololo | Boyfriend | Chile |
64 | Polola | Girlfriend | Chile |
65 | Cachai | You know?, Get it? | Chile |
66 | Bacán | Cool, great | Chile |
67 | Al tiro | Right away | Chile |
68 | Fome | Boring | Chile |
69 | La raja | Awesome, great | Chile |
70 | Luca | 1000 pesos | Chile |
71 | Pega | Job | Chile |
72 | Cuático | Crazy, intense | Chile |
73 | Gallo | Guy (informal) | Chile |
74 | Micro | Bus | Chile |
75 | Flaca | Girl, woman (affectionate) | General Latin America |
76 | Mina | Girl, woman | Argentina, Chile |
77 | Chavón | Guy, dude | Argentina |
78 | Ligar | To flirt, to hook up | Spain |
79 | Molar | To like, to be into | Spain |
80 | Pinchar | To prick, but used as to hook up | Spain |
81 | Guiri | Foreigner, especially from Europe | Spain |
82 | Pasta | Money | Spain |
83 | Quedar | To meet, to date | Spain |
84 | Rollo | Fling, story | Spain |
85 | Tajo | Job | Spain |
86 | Molar | To like | Spain |
87 | Colgado | Hung up, obsessed | Spain |
88 | Currar | To work | Spain |
89 | Pirarse | To leave, to run away | Spain |
90 | Chamba | Job, work | Peru, Bolivia |
91 | Jato | Home, house | Peru |
92 | Jato | Sleepy, tired | Peru |
93 | Pata | Friend, buddy | Peru |
94 | Fercho | Taxi driver | Peru |
95 | Tombo | Policeman | Peru |
96 | Choro | Thief | Peru |
97 | Chamba | Job | Peru |
98 | Jamar | To eat | Peru |
99 | Jato | Home | Peru |
100 | Luca | Sol (Peruvian currency) | Peru |
101 | Pata | Leg, but used for friend | Peru |
102 | Jato | Dumb, stupid | Peru |
103 | Cana | Jail, prison | Argentina |
104 | Gilada | Nonsense, foolish things | Argentina |
105 | Laburar | To work | Argentina |
106 | Garca | Swindler, cheater | Argentina |
107 | Fiaca | Laziness, not wanting to do anything | Argentina |
108 | Chorro | Thief | Argentina |
109 | Boludo | Fool, but also used affectionately as “dude” | Argentina |
110 | Mina | Woman, girl | Argentina |
111 | Quilombo | Mess, disorder | Argentina |
112 | Birra | Beer | Argentina |
113 | Guita | Money | Argentina |
114 | Cheto | Snobbish, posh | Argentina |
115 | Fiaca | Laziness | Argentina |
116 | Mango | Money | Argentina |
117 | Gil | Naive person | Argentina |
118 | Facha | Good looking | Argentina |
119 | Bronca | Anger | Argentina, Uruguay |
120 | Chorra | Luck | Argentina |
Conclusion
In summary, learning Spanish slang really helps if you want to speak the language well and understand its culture better. Knowing these words makes talking to native speakers smoother and more genuine. It also helps you get a deeper feel for the variety of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. By adding these 120 key slang words and phrases to your vocabulary, you’ll sound more natural and enjoy your conversations more.