{"id":14201,"date":"2017-07-04T11:30:06","date_gmt":"2017-07-04T10:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/blog\/?p=14201"},"modified":"2017-07-04T11:30:06","modified_gmt":"2017-07-04T10:30:06","slug":"colombian-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/?p=14201","title":{"rendered":"Colombian Slang"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>This is a guest post by Nate Alger<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Have you ever been to Colombia?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If not, you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets in Latin America. It is a country filled with life, lots of culture, and great food to eat!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/images\/blog\/oldbogota.jpg\" width=\"850\" height=\"477\" alt=\"Bogot\u00e1, Colombia\" title=\"Bogot\u00e1, Colombia\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the place that I have called home for the past 4 months and the country that my wife Andrea grew up in. She has given me some inside information and provided me with some fun Colombian slang words to show you.<\/p>\n<p>We based this article off a YouTube video that we produced featuring actual Colombians speaking the <a href=\"https:\/\/spanishlandschool.com\/colombian-spanish-slang-words\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">10 Colombian Slang Expressions<\/a>. If you want to hear these phrases spoken by actual Colombians than <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/_dCYS3mcifo\">check out the video<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_dCYS3mcifo\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>10 Popular Colombian Slang Expressions<\/h2>\n<h3>1) Quiubo<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s like saying, \u201cWhat\u2019s up\u201d in English. Or another way of saying it is, \u201cHow\u2019s it going?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a very common phrase used among family, friends, and co-workers. Basically, it\u2019s great in any informal setting. So don\u2019t try this one on your serious Colombian boss.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s an example in a normal Colombian dialogue:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: Quiubo, \u00bfQue mas?<br \/>\nB: Bien, gracias a Dios.<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Hows is going, what\u2019s going on? B: Everything is good, thank the Lord.<\/p>\n<h3>2. \u00a1Que bacano! or \u00a1Tan bacano!<\/h3>\n<p>Both these phrases are extremely popular in Colombia.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the equivalent of saying, \u201cThat\u2019s awesome\u201d or \u201cthat\u2019s great.\u201d If you think something is really awesome make sure to say, \u201c\u00a1Que bacano!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are a couple examples in daily conversation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: Compre un nuevo celular&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;B: \u00a1Que bacano!<br \/>\nA: Si, mi mama me dio la plata&#8212;&#8211;B: \u00bfEnserio? \u00a1Tan bacano!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: I just bought a new cell phone. B: That\u2019s awesome!<br \/>\nA: My mom just gave me money. B: Really? That\u2019s great!<\/p>\n<h3>3. Que Pereza<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s another one that I hear all the time in Colombia. It essentially means, \u201cWhat a pain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You can also use it if something is really boring. So next time you have a boring project at work or one you really don\u2019t want to do, take a look over at your co-worker and say, \u201c\u00a1Que pereza!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s a couple examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: Tengo que limpiar mi cuarto, \u00a1Que pereza!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I have to clean my room. What a bore!<\/p>\n<p>A: Debo estudiar c\u00e1lculo.  &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;B: \u00bfEnserio? \u00a1Que pereza!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: I have to study calculus. &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-B: Really? That\u2019s so boring!<\/p>\n<h3>4. Hacer Una Vaca<\/h3>\n<p>Are you about to watch a sports game with friends and you need people to chip in for pizza?<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s time to \u201chacer una vaca.\u201d This one is only used in the plural form though.<\/p>\n<p>For instance: \u201cHagamos una vaca\u201d or \u201cPor qu\u00e9 no hacemos una vaca\u201d means \u201cLet\u2019s all put money together for\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s take a look at this phrase in action:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: \u00a1Tengo mucha sed!&#8212;&#8212;B: Hagamos una vaca para la gaseosa.<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m so thirsty. Let\u2019s chip in to buy a soda.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Que Boleta<\/h3>\n<p>This phrase means, \u201cThat\u2019s not fair!\u201d or \u201cThat\u2019s not nice!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Basically, you can use this phrase when you are in a bad situation or something bad happened when someone treated you poorly.<br \/>\nMy Colombian wife uses this one a lot whenever I do something she doesn\u2019t like or is upset about.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s an example:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: Juan no tiene trabajo, su jefe lo despidi\u00f3.<br \/>\nB: \u00bfEnserio? \u00a1Que boleta!, \u00c9l es un muy buen trabajador.<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Juan doesn\u2019t have a job because his boss fired him. B: Really? That\u2019s terrible, he is a great worker.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/images\/blog\/medellin.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" alt=\"Medell\u00edn, Colombia\" title=\"Medell\u00edn, Colombia\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>6. Por Si Las Moscas<\/h3>\n<p>This is one I am trying to use more and more. It means, \u201cJust in case.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s very common in Colombia where I live. If you think it is going to rain, you could make sure to bring an umbrella, \u201cPor si las moscas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s an example from a dialogue:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: Piensas que debo traer repelente?<br \/>\nB: Si, tr\u00e1elo por si las moscas, quiz\u00e1s hay muchos mosquitos.<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Do you think I should bring insect repellant?<br \/>\nB: Yes, bring it just in case as there might be lots of mosquitos.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Parar Bolas<\/h3>\n<p>You can use this one to signify, \u201cPay attention!\u201d A common conjugation for most Colombians here is \u201c\u00a1P\u00e1reme bolas!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This signifies someone telling them to pay attention already. My wife uses this one a lot when she tells me to pay attention to what she has to say.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s an example in conversation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: \u00bfUsted hizo la tarea?&#8212;&#8211;B:(no contesta nada)&#8212;&#8211;A: Oiga, p\u00e1reme bolas!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Did you do your homework? (no response) B: Hey, pay attention to me!<\/p>\n<h3>8. Dar Papaya<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cDar papaya\u201d means to make yourself an easy target. You can say, \u201cNo de papaya\u201d o \u201cno hay que dar papaya\u201d when you are telling someone to be careful around others.<\/p>\n<p>Parents can use this one to tell their kids to be careful and not make themselves an easy target.Here\u2019s an example in conversation:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here\u2019s a conversational example:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 utiliza el celular aqu\u00ed? \u00a1Estamos en el centro, no de papaya!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Why are you using your phone here. We are downtown, don\u2019t make yourself an easy target [to get robbed]!<\/p>\n<h3>9. Que Embarrada o Embarrarla<\/h3>\n<p>Here\u2019s another very common Colombian slang expression. I hear this one said all the time.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cQue embarrada\u201d can be used when something bad happens and to express that you are sorry about it.<\/p>\n<p>You can also say, \u201cLa embarre\u201d (embarrarla) when you make an error.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s and example in conversation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: la abuela de Alex muri\u00f3&#8212;&#8212;-B: \u00bfSi? \u00a1Qu\u00e9 embarrada!<br \/>\nA: La embarr\u00e9 en el examen, tuve 7 errores.<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>A: Alex\u2019s grandma passed away. B: Really? I\u2019m so sorry to hear that!<br \/>\nA: I really screwed up on the test, I had 7 mistakes.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Mamar Gallo<\/h3>\n<p>We have now reached our 10th and final popular Colombian slang expression.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMamar gallo\u201d means to \u201cmess around\u201d or to \u201cjoke around.\u201d You can use this phrase to tell someone to stop messing around. I like this phrase a lot as I like to \u201cMamar gallo\u201d at times.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example in conversation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A: \u00a1Deje de mamar gallo y limpie la habitaci\u00f3n!<\/p>\n<p><em>Translation:<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Stop messing around and clean your room!<\/p>\n<h2>Other Colombian Slang Words to Learn (and sound like a native)<\/h2>\n<p>Here\u2019s a few more Colombian phrases or words you can learn.<\/p>\n<p>They are all quite common and will be universally understood by just about any Colombian and probably by most Latinos.<br \/>\nTry a few out on a Colombian friend or language partner.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Que oso<\/strong> = How embarrassing!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tengo un filo<\/strong> = I am super hungry<\/li>\n<li><strong>Me estoy asando<\/strong> = It\u2019s boiling hot in here<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tiene huevo<\/strong> = What nerves!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Que chevere<\/strong> = That\u2019s great\/ Cool<\/li>\n<li><strong>Que jartera<\/strong> = What a pain (as well)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mentiras<\/strong> = I am joking!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Arruncharse<\/strong> = to cuddle<\/li>\n<li><strong>Camellar<\/strong> = trabajar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Wrapping It Up<\/h3>\n<p>As a quick reminder if you want to check out these Colombian Slang Expressions spoken by Colombian natives <a href=\"https:\/\/spanishlandschool.com\/colombian-spanish-slang-words\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">check out this short dramatic video<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Better yet, download Andrea\u2019s cheat sheet and get the 1 page PDF with the important phrases and how to use them. It\u2019s in both English and Spanish to help you learn something new.<\/p>\n<p>I hope you have learned something new or a new phrase you can try out with a Colombian friend.<\/p>\n<p>My recommendation is to travel to Colombia and use a couple of these phrases on locals. They would be happy to play along with your slang words and you will be sure to sound like a native.<\/p>\n<p>Colombia is a fantastic place to visit with crystal clear beaches, tropical beaches, and happy people to meet. It\u2019s nothing like the dangerous, drug-infested reports that are often portrayed in the government or media (although it does have dangerous parts).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/images\/blog\/rosarioislands.jpg\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Rosario Islands, Colombia\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I enjoyed Colombia so much that I even started a <a href=\"https:\/\/spanishlandschool.com\/best-ways-to-learn-spanish\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">relationship with my wife<\/a> here (met her in Peru).<\/p>\n<p>Finally, whatever your reason is for learning Colombian expressions, my one hope is that you actually use them!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>About the writer<\/strong><br \/>\nNate and his wife Podcast and teach Spanish to Intermediate and Advanced language learners over at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spanishlandschool.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SpanishlandSchool.com<\/a>. He loves to travel (particularly in South America) and writes on his hikes at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.liveoutdoorsy.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LiveOutdoorsy.com<\/a>. If you have any Colombian questions please feel free to reach out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a guest post by Nate Alger Have you ever been to Colombia? If not, you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets in Latin America. It is a country filled with life, lots of culture, and great food to eat! It\u2019s the place that I have called home for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[104,10,13,64,78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english","category-language","category-language-learning","category-spanish","category-words-and-phrases"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14201\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.omniglot.com\/bloggle\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}