Speak Like a Local: Common Spanish Slang You Won't Find in Textbooks
Hey there, Super Learners!
Miguel Marina, your ever-enthusiastic Spanish Super Tutor, is back with a sizzling hot topic that'll add some serious sabor to your Spanish. Before we dive in, remember to subscribe to our newsletter, because every day is a fiesta of Spanish learning with us!
Now, let's roll out the red carpet for today's joke of the day:
What did one Spanish flea say to the other when they missed their flight? "Guess we'll have to take the 'perro'!"
¿Qué le dijo una pulga española a la otra cuando perdieron su vuelo? "¡Supongo que tendremos que ir en 'perro'!"
Alright, alright, I apologize for the pun – just trying to bug you with some laughter! 😄
Today, we're going to chat about the Spanish that you won't find neatly printed in textbooks. That's right, we're talking about slang – the secret sauce that'll have you sounding like a true local.
¡Vamos allá! (Let's go!)
Chido / Guay – CoolDepending on where you are, something that's really cool might be "chido" in Mexico or "guay" in Spain.
"Esa película estuvo muy chida." (That movie was really cool.)
"¿Viste su coche nuevo? ¡Qué guay!" (Have you seen his new car? So cool!)
Tío / Tía – Guy/Dude or GirlIn Spain, "tío" or "tía" can mean "guy" or "girl," and it's used much like "dude" in English.
"Ese tío sabe lo que hace." (That dude knows what he's doing.)
"Tía, ¿cómo estás?" (Girl, how are you?)
Chaval / Chavala – Kid/Teen"Chaval" or "chavala" is often used to refer to kids or teenagers in Spain.
"Los chavales están jugando en el parque." (The kids are playing in the park.)
Pasta – MoneyNot just an Italian dish, "pasta" is also a slang term for money in Spain.
"No puedo salir este fin de semana, estoy sin pasta." (I can't go out this weekend, I'm out of money.)
Mola – It's Cool/It RocksTo express that something is cool or awesome, you'd say "mola."
"Este concierto mola mucho." (This concert rocks.)
A full – Totally/Completely"A full" is used to say that something is done totally or completely, and it's popular in various Spanish-speaking countries.
"Estoy a full con el trabajo." (I'm totally swamped with work.)
Buena onda – Good vibes"Buena onda" refers to good vibes or a good atmosphere, and it's commonly used across Latin America.
"Ese café tiene muy buena onda." (That cafe has really good vibes.)
Remember, slang can vary wildly from one Spanish-speaking country to another, so always pay attention to the local lingo. And where better to pick up these colloquial gems than on our vibrant YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHRZtjIc5JMEzxppFdWax1w) and our Spotify podcast (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/miguel-marina9), where we keep Spanish spicy and fun.
With our daily classes and a diverse team of teachers, you'll be picking up different accents and expressions that will make you sound like you've been chatting in Spanish your whole life.
So, Super Learners, remember, "Si estás buscando clases online de español en internet puedes encontrar muchas, pero si lo que quieres es aprender español, Spanish Super Tutor."
Can't wait to see you weave these slang words into your convo like a pro!
Hasta luego, and may the slang be ever in your favor as you continue your Spanish adventure!
Miguel Marina (The Spanish Super Tutor)