¡Qué Onda, Wey! 25 Essential Spanish Slang Words You'll Hear in Latin America


Traveling through Latin America is an incredible experience. You get to see stunning landscapes, taste amazing food, and immerse yourself in vibrant cultures. But as you talk to locals, you might notice that the Spanish you learned in a textbook sounds a bit… different. That's because everyday conversation is filled with slang, or "argot," that varies widely from country to country.

Learning a few common slang words isn't just a fun way to connect with people; it's a great way to sound more like a local and truly understand what’s being said. While some phrases are specific to certain regions, many are widely used across the continent. So, get ready to sound more authentic on your next trip!

General Slang Words Used Widely

  1. ¡Qué onda! (Mexico, Central America) - Literally means "What a wave!" but is used as "What's up?" or "How's it going?"

  2. Chévere (Caribbean, Colombia) - A super common word for "cool," "great," or "awesome."

  3. Bacán (Chile, Colombia, Peru) - Similar to chévere, this means "cool" or "excellent."

  4. Padrísimo (Mexico) - A high-energy word for "awesome" or "really cool."

  5. Chamba (Many countries) - This refers to work or a job. "Estoy en la chamba" means "I'm at work."

  6. Guay (Spain) - Another common one for "cool" or "great." While it's from Spain, you'll sometimes hear it in Latin America too.

  7. Pana (Venezuela, Colombia) - A close friend or buddy. "Él es mi pana" means "He's my friend."

  8. Vaina (Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela) - A very versatile word. It can mean "thing," "stuff," or "a situation." "Dame esa vaina" means "Give me that thing."

  9. Güey (Mexico) - Pronounced "way." It's used as "dude" or "man," similar to "bro" in English.

  10. Tico/Tica (Costa Rica) - The nickname for a Costa Rican person.

  11. Gringo/Gringa (Many countries) - A person from the United States, or sometimes any person with a lighter complexion who speaks a different language. It's usually not meant to be offensive, but it can be.

  12. Jaleo (Spain, but understood elsewhere) - A noisy situation, chaos, or fuss.

Slang for People and Feelings

  1. Mijo/Mija (Mexico, Central America) - A shortened version of "mi hijo/mi hija" (my son/my daughter), used as a term of endearment for anyone, not just your children.

  2. Naco/Naca (Mexico) - A word for someone who is unrefined, has bad taste, or is "tacky."

  3. Qué oso (Mexico) - Literally "what a bear," but it means "how embarrassing!"

  4. Chamo/Chama (Venezuela) - The word for a young person or a friend.

  5. Cuate (Mexico) - Another word for "friend" or "buddy."

  6. Pololo/Polola (Chile) - The word for a boyfriend or girlfriend.

  7. Caleta (Chile) - Refers to a secret or something that is hidden. "Tengo una caleta" means "I have a secret."

Food and Drink Slang

  1. Chela (Mexico, Central America) - The slang word for beer.

  2. Tinto (Colombia) - While it can mean "red wine" in other places, in Colombia it's the common word for a black coffee.

  3. Trago (Many countries) - A general term for an alcoholic drink. "Vamos por un trago" means "Let's go for a drink."

  4. Morfi (Argentina) - The word for food. "Vamos a comer morfi" means "Let's go eat."

Expressions and Responses

  1. ¿A poco? (Mexico) - A question that means "No way?" or "Really?"

  2. ¡Aguas! (Mexico) - Literally means "waters," but it's a warning to say "Watch out!" or "Be careful!"

So, next time you're on a trip, listen for these words. Using just a few of them can make your conversations more fluid and help you connect with the people you meet. And remember, the best way to learn is to listen to locals and try to use the slang in context. ¡Buena suerte!