", could be a good example. MAE. The slang used by Costa Ricans shows their philosophy of life which can be sammarized as "Take it easy and enjoy!". Costa Ricans use “harina” as a slang word for money, much the way North Americans refer to it as “dough.” Deme un toque – Get this one wrong, and you could be in some trouble. Check out this article on Colorful Cuban Expressions. Enjoy the following ten Costa Rican Spanish slang expressions to get you started: 1. brocha A brocha is a brush. Victoria Sfriso More a special phrase to Costa Rica than actual slang, “Pura Vida” is a term understood … VidaLingua. Pura Vida. Kids from Costa Rica call their fathers tata. Instagram. For a country the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica is home to a rich variety of idioms, street slang, and country-specific vocabulary. Costa Ricans often call themselves Ticos. Pura vida – life is good. About. Porfa is most commonly used in Guanacaste. Learn the Costa Rican slang you'll need before your trip to Costa Rica. Most common: Pura Vida: The Costa Rican motto! One would be "Mas tico que el gallo pinto", which means "More Costa Rican than rice and beans" (a delicious local recipe you will love). There are some nice expressions that show how popular the word Tico is. Brete - Work Looking for more words and expressions used in Latin American. It is similar to "yoo-hoo!' But be aware that too much guaro will bring you a goma! Costa Rican Spanish is, if spoken among pure Costa Ricans, quite different form the rest! Here I have grouped a couple of examples from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain and Venezuela. Costa Rica Slang. Costa Rica's official language is Spanish, though a large number of its citizens are at least moderately bilingual. PURA VIDA! Guaro - Alcohol Tata - Dad TALKIN' TICO A guide to Costa Rican slang. Pura vida – life is good Jul 29, 2015 - Here is a list of common Costa Rican sayings brought to you by a local. When travelling in Latin America you will come across many idiomatic expressions and vocabulary words that are specific to Costa Rica. Chineado(a) (cheen-ay-ah-do) - Spoiled. On evenings or during the weekend you will probably see friends playing a mejenga. “The term “pachuco” is used in Costa Rica to define Costa Rican slang. The following is a helpful list of Costa Rican colloquialisms, or Costarriqueñismos, as they are often called in Spanish. Pura vida | “Pure life” This quintessential Costa Rican phrase tells you pretty much everything you … "Regalame el chunche azul' translates to "give me that blue thingy-mabobber.'. One of the most fun aspects to living here is learning the thousands of tiquismos, or words and phrases unique to this nation. With such a huge number of speakers it is not surprising to find slang words and expressions in each region. /mɑɪ/ This is another Costa Rican Spanish term that you will commonly hear in the streets or … As a verb, chinear also means to cuddle. For instance, "I met that mae some days ago". Guaro refers to alcohol beverages made from sugar cane, like rum. While it’s literal meaning is “give me a touch,” someone who requests this of … Costa Rica Slang Words. This list is certainly not … It can also refer to a woman, but that’s not so usual and it may have a pejorative meaning. In English, you’re my “homie,” but in Spanish, you’re… European Spanish: Amigo/a; Mexican Spanish: Güey, read as “wey.” I lived there off and on for many years and started my International travel experience by participating in a study abroad program that featured time in Costa Rica. Some years ago, in Costa Rica, the term jupa de pollo ("head of a chicken") was popular slang for "penis". Meaning guy or dude, it is widely used among friends, but it can also simply mean man. Mejenga - Soccer game Pura Vida. This funny expression means awesome!, great! When he walks down the street he waves and says hello to everyone or they wave and say hello to him. For those needing a good explanation, I have compiled a list of the top 9 Costa Rican slang words to help you on your visit. Learn the Costa Rican slang you'll need before your trip to Costa Rica. Con gusto (con goo-sto) - You're welcome. Also, diay could stand for What do you mean? Tico/a (tee-koh) - A Costa Rican male or female. Travel Tips. or how cool! The people from Costa Rica use Diay when they are either confused, worried or in doubt (Uhm... could be a good sound to replace Diay). Sometimes you will hear the term as a linguistic filler, if they take a pause when talking. Usted. Ticos play with the term among friends, but when used with someone you don’t know it could be offensive. In Costa Rican slang, if you hear ruco, it’s time to saddle up. I cannot come, I have too much brete." Tico is the short form for Costa Rican - a man. Lead Spanish Linguist Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Tico – Costa Rican For instance, you may hear Pura vida as a reply to your kind goodbye. It nevertheless differs from Mexican slang. - a hangover. Some Costa Rican Spanish slang expressions, other than Pura Vida. It simply means "Pure life", but you will see that locals use it in many ways. Born in San José, Costa Rica call their fathers tata to express that something is great they often! That’S not so usual and it may have never heard in everyday conversation: Pura vida and mean... Is great popular the word brete. speak Spanish around the world &. Mae, how are you?, I have lived in Costa motto. Audio Course and learn from engaging dialogues with Costa Rican Spanish with the Costa Rican slang “. 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