Welcome back, Spanish learners! One thing you quickly realize when studying this beautiful language is that Spanish speakers speak very differently depending on their location. A fantastic instructor from Learning Spanish Like Crazy, Paulina, who is from Medellín, Colombia, recently shared some incredible local vocabulary with me.
Today I am going to share 10 words from Colombia that are incredibly common on the streets but are not part of the official Spanish taught in textbooks. Let us dive right into it.
1. Juicioso
We are going to start with a word that is super common. “Juicioso” is used by Colombians to describe someone who is well-behaved, responsible, and committed.
For example, a mother dropping her son off might say, “Bien juicioso hoy en el colegio,” translating to “Be very well-behaved today at school.” You can also use it for yourself. If you are cutting back on sugar, you could say, “He estado juiciosa con el dulce.” You will hear this word constantly!
2. Chichigua
You might be confused hearing this for the first time because it does not sound like any other Spanish word. When a Colombian says “chichigua,” they are referring to a very small amount or something with very little value.
Imagine you get a terrible salary offer. You might complain, “En el trabajo me pagan una chichigua,” which means at work they pay me a pittance. Keep in mind this word is very colloquial, so use it only among friends in a relaxed setting.
3. Cómo así
I used to think “cómo así” was a universal Spanish expression, but it is actually very unique to Colombians. It is a highly flexible phrase used when we do not understand something, want an explanation, or are completely surprised.
If your best friend suddenly announces, “Tomorrow I am leaving the country,” your immediate reaction would be, “¿Cómo así?” It works exactly like saying, “Wait, what?” It rolls “what,” “why,” and “since when” into one short, essential phrase.
4. Conchudo (or Conchuda)
This is an adjective, so remember to change the ending based on gender. When a Colombian tells you “no seas conchudo,” they are describing someone who takes advantage of the kindness of others. It refers to a shameless freeloader.
Imagine a friend who never pays for anything and always orders the most expensive food, then says, “Treat me again tomorrow!” You would tell them, “No seas conchudo.” It is the perfect word for someone acting opportunistically right to your face.
5. Pinchado (or Pinchada)
Colombian Spanish loves words with the “CH” sound! A “pinchada” person behaves or dresses elegantly. It describes someone who wants to display high status and class. Sometimes it implies the person is snobbish, like saying, “Ese restaurante es para gente pinchada,” meaning that restaurant is for fancy people.
However, it is not always negative! If a friend is dressed beautifully for a party, you can compliment them by saying, “Ay, como estás de pinchada,” meaning you look so dressed up.
6. Mecato
This word is incredibly useful. In Colombia, “mecato” refers to the food you eat between your main meals. It specifically means things like potato chips, cookies, and candies that come in small packages. Basically, it means snacks!
If someone says, “Voy a comprar mecato,” it means they are heading out to buy snacks. It is heavily used for packaged potato chips, which locals call “papitas” to differentiate them from the “papa” you cook for dinner.
7. Dar papaya
This is an absolute classic. Translated literally, it means “to give papaya.” But in Colombia, “dar papaya” means making it easy for another person to take advantage of you by being careless.
For example, “No dejes el celular en la mesa sin supervisión, estás dando papaya.” This means do not leave your phone on the table unattended, you are asking for trouble. If you walk down a busy street with your expensive phone out, locals will warn you that you are making yourself an easy target!
8. Vuelta
“Vuelta” usually means a turn or a stroll, but in Colombia, it takes on a very specific meaning. When a Colombian says, “Tengo que hacer una vuelta,” they mean they have to run an errand, handle paperwork, or take care of a personal matter.
You might say, “Tengo que hacer una vuelta en el banco,” meaning you have to take care of an errand at the bank. In some regions, hearing “me haces una vuelta” simply translates to “do me a favor.”
9. Mamera
When you are feeling lazy, finding a task annoying, or lacking energy, you use the word “mamera.” It perfectly encapsulates the feeling of “what a drag” or “what a hassle.”
If you do not want to leave your house on Friday night, you can say, “Me da mamera salir hoy.” If you hate making dinner just for yourself, you would complain, “Que mamera cocinar para mi sola.” It is the ultimate word for expressing a complete lack of motivation.
10. Paila
The word “paila” literally refers to a large metal pan. However, as an expression, it means “that is too bad,” “you are out of luck,” or “we are screwed.” It is the reaction when a situation goes wrong and there is nothing you can do.
If you miss your flight, you say, “Perdí el vuelo. Paila.” Or if you are in a complicated situation, you can
I would love to see you guys using some of these words in the comments. Let me know if you would like a part two researching words in other countries. See you next time!
