![]() This is a tico word that you would see on billboards selling cars or clothing because it basically means stylish and cool rolled into one. Oye, por que andas chinga? (Hey, why are you running around naked?) Chuzo | CHo͞o-sō But in Costa Rica, it is much more innocent and means naked. In Mexico and Puerto Rico, this word is slightly more nefarious: ‘fornicate’. It still makes me laugh every time I hear the town with 1960s style blocky, Russian-looking buildings affectionately referred to as Chepe.Vamos pal Chepe! (Let’s go to San Jose!) Chinga o Chingo | CHēn-gä So naturally, San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city is nicknamed Chepe. Question: “Que haces mas tarde?” (What are you doing later?) Answer “Estoy pasando el dia con la uña.” (I’m spending the day with my woman.) Chepe | CHe-pāĬhepe is a common Hispanic nickname for Jose. Carne y uña literally, means flesh and nail, so the idiom is a metaphor for closeness.Men can refer to their wife or girlfriend when speaking to another as, ‘la uña’ a very slang, naco way of saying ‘my other half’ or ‘my woman’. It’s the American English equivalent to ‘two peas in a pod’. I love the phrase that this term comes from, carne y uña. Statement: ”Mae, que caro mas naco.” Meaning: “dude, what a piece of crap car.” Statement: “Vea … ese lugar solo tiene la ropa naca.” Meaning: “Check it out, this place only has cloths uncultured people would wear.” Statement: ‘No sea tan naco!” Meaning: “Don’t be so crude!” La Uña | lä o͞o-nē-ä But this usage has nothing to do with chewing tobacco and everything to do with social disgrace.In Costa Rica and Mexico, naco o naca is used to describe people of humble origins as well as people who frequently commit social faux pas. Naco o Naca | nä-kōĭirectly translated, naco means plug chewing tobacco … like the black, braided hunks of tobacco cowboys and baseball players used to chew on in the old days. Where you headed?) Answer: “Me voy al brete.” (I’m going to work.)Brete es brete … Work is work. Question: “Que mae, a donde vas? (Hey, man. And though the word isn’t inherently negative, you don’t frequently hear people say it with positive emotional inflection. El Brete | el breh-tāīrete is a Costa Rican word for trabajar or work that is used a lot. There are big waves, big Volcanos, big crocodiles, and huge trees! There are also a lot of big hearts, big smiles, and of course, a big pile of slang terms. But for such a small area of land, Costa Rica packs a big punch. And for this reason, it often has that small town kind of vibe. Seńor/seńora – mr./mrs.Due to the popularity of our first installment of How to speak like a Tico, we decided to do a follow up that gives you readers more Costa Rican Spanish expressions, slang, and idioms so that you can stay engaged, and really rock your online Spanish lessonsCosta Rica is a beautiful country. Muchas gracias – thank you (very much)Ĭon mucho gusto – you’re welcomeĬon permiso, disculpe – excuse meīuenos dias – good morningīuenas tardes – good afternoonīuenas noches – good evening 15 Spanish Phrases You Must Know to Avoid Looking Stupid in Costa Rica.Costa Rican Sayings – How to Talk Like a Tico.Salado – unlucky (Es un salado = He is very unlucky)įor more Tico expressions, street slang, and country-specific vocabulary check these resources: Güila – a girl (despite its meaning in Mexico)Ĭhante – a place to stay, house Pulpería – a small cornet store, mini market Read this article about how to order food at soda. Mala nota – uncool, not good, what a pain used to describe a person’s character or to indicated that a job poorly done. Tuanis – cool, great synonym to the phrase pura vida This phrase is the unofficial motto of Costa Rica Pura Vida – literally means pure life can be used as a reference to anything that is good, or as a greeting or acknowledgement. Here is the short list of some Tico expressions. With a dialect as relaxed as their lifestyle, local language is full of slang and idioms. However, Costa Rican Spanish has some specific flavor which might confuse language translation apps. ![]() If you make an effort to speak or say some words in Spanish, it will be a great way to Thank them for their kindness. They still would try to help in any way sometimes even resorting to lively mime performances supplementing verbal explanations. Outside of major tourists attractions, most of Costa Ricans do not speak English. The locals are always ready to help with a smile and share as much information as a listener can absorb without losing patience. Costa Ricans or Ticos are friendly and hospitable people who are eager to show their lovely country to visitors.
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