Looking to spice up your Spanish beyond textbook phrases like “¿Cómo estás?” or “¿Dónde está el baño?” Then you’ve come to the right place! Spanish slang is your passport to sounding more natural and connecting with native speakers on a deeper level. Whether you’re wandering the bustling streets of Mexico City, soaking up the sun in Madrid, or dancing the night away in Buenos Aires, mastering street-level Spanish makes all the difference.
In this guide, you’ll discover 100 essential slang terms that will help you navigate everyday conversations like a pro. From casual greetings to colorful expressions for food, fun, and everything in between, these phrases will supercharge your Spanish—no matter where your adventures take you!
Why Slang Matters
1. Authentic Communication
Slang is the real heartbeat of any language. Knowing it helps you bond with native speakers, shows off your cultural awareness, and makes you sound less like a tourist.
2. Cultural Insight
Different countries—and even different regions—have their own unique slang. Learning these terms gives you a window into local traditions, humor, and attitudes.
3. Confidence Booster
Using casual, everyday expressions will give you the confidence to speak more, fear less, and truly immerse yourself in Spanish-speaking environments.
Quick Tips for Using Spanish Slang
- Know the Context: Some slang is family-friendly, while others might be offensive. Pay attention to who you’re talking to and where you are.
- Embrace Regional Differences: A word might mean one thing in Mexico and something totally different in Spain or Argentina. Always stay curious and ask locals if you’re unsure.
- Practice Listening: Watch Spanish YouTubers, Netflix shows, or movies to hear slang in action. You’ll pick up on pronunciation and usage faster this way.
- Be Ready to Learn: Don’t be afraid to ask, “¿Qué significa eso?” if you come across something new or confusing.
Category 1 – Greetings & Everyday Expressions
Below are 20 casual expressions you’ll hear across Latin America and Spain. These will help you start conversations and keep them flowing naturally.
- ¿Qué onda?
- Meaning: “What’s up?” (popular in Mexico, Central America)
- Usage: Informal greeting among friends, e.g., “¿Qué onda, bro?”
- ¡Qué pasa!
- Meaning: “What’s happening?” / “What’s going on?” (Spain)
- Usage: Used like “Hey, what’s up?” among buddies.
- ¿Qué tal?
- Meaning: “How’s it going?”
- Usage: Common in Spain, but understood everywhere.
- Órale
- Meaning: Expression of encouragement or surprise (Mexico)
- Usage: “¡Órale, qué padre!” = “Wow, that’s cool!”
- ¿Qué fue?
- Meaning: “What’s up?” (some parts of Latin America, especially the Caribbean)
- Usage: Super informal, among close friends.
- ¡Qué chévere!
- Meaning: “How cool!” (Venezuela, Colombia, Caribbean)
- Usage: “¡Qué chévere tu nuevo carro!” = “Your new car is so cool!”
- Guay
- Meaning: “Cool” (Spain)
- Usage: “Tu idea es muy guay.” = “Your idea is really cool.”
- Buena onda
- Meaning: “Good vibes” / “Cool person” (various Latin American countries)
- Usage: “Ella es súper buena onda.” = “She’s a really cool person.”
- ¡Oye!
- Meaning: “Hey!” / “Listen!”
- Usage: Used to get someone’s attention casually.
- ¡Ándale!
- Meaning: “Come on!” or “Hurry up!” (Mexico)
- Usage: “¡Ándale, vamos a llegar tarde!” = “Come on, we’re going to be late!”
- Vale
- Meaning: “OK” (Spain)
- Usage: “¿Quieres ir al cine?” — “Vale.” = “Wanna go to the movies?” — “OK.”
- Sale
- Meaning: “OK” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Nos vemos a las 8, sale.” = “See you at 8, OK.”
- Chido
- Meaning: “Cool” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Tu gorra está bien chida.” = “Your cap is really cool.”
- Genial
- Meaning: “Great,” “Awesome,” used widely
- Usage: “¡Genial idea!” = “Great idea!”
- Hola, ¿qué tal?
- Meaning: “Hi, how are you?”
- Usage: Versatile greeting for everyday use, casual yet polite.
- Buenas
- Meaning: Short for “Buenos días” or “Buenas tardes,” basically “Hi”
- Usage: Popular in Spain. “Buenas” can greet anyone at any time of day.
- ¡Eso!
- Meaning: “That’s it!” or “Right on!”
- Usage: Often exclaimed to show support or agreement, e.g., “¡Eso, dale!”
- ¿Mande?
- Meaning: “Pardon?” / “Come again?” (Mexico)
- Usage: More polite than “¿Qué?” to ask someone to repeat themselves.
- ¿Aló?
- Meaning: “Hello?” (common phone greeting in some Latin American countries)
- Usage: Typically used when answering a call: “¿Aló, quién habla?”
- ¡Chau! / ¡Chao!
- Meaning: “Bye!” (variant from Italy’s “Ciao”)
- Usage: Common sign-off across Latin America and Spain.
Category 2 – Social & People Slang
These 20 terms will help you navigate friendships, relationships, and social situations with flair.
- Amigo/a
- Meaning: “Friend,” but used loosely for acquaintances too
- Usage: “¿Qué tal, amigo?” even if you just met someone.
- Cuate / Parcero / Pana / Parce
- Meaning: “Buddy,” “Pal”
- Usage: Varies by region: Cuate (Mexico), Parcero (Colombia), Pana (Venezuela, Caribbean), Parce (Colombia).
- Compa
- Meaning: “Pal” (short for compadre)
- Usage: Very common in Mexico: “¿Cómo estás, compa?”
- Güey / Wey
- Meaning: “Dude,” “Man” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Oye, güey, ¿qué haces?” = “Hey dude, what are you up to?” (Be mindful; it can be rude in formal settings.)
- Tío / Tía
- Meaning: “Dude / Girl” (Spain)
- Usage: “Oye, tío, vamos a la fiesta.” = “Hey dude, let’s go to the party.”
- Vato / Vato loco
- Meaning: Slang for “guy” / “homie” (Mexico, Chicano)
- Usage: “Ese vato es bien buena onda.” = “That guy is really cool.”
- Broder / Bro
- Meaning: Borrowed from English “brother,” means “buddy”
- Usage: “¿Qué pedo, bro?” = “What’s up, bro?” (informal Mexican usage)
- Majo/a
- Meaning: “Nice,” “Friendly” (Spain)
- Usage: “Ella es muy maja.” = “She’s really nice.”
- Chamaco/a
- Meaning: “Kid,” (Mexico)
- Usage: “¿Cómo está tu chamaco?” = “How’s your kid?”
- Chamo/a
- Meaning: “Kid” or “friend” (Venezuela)
- Usage: “Epa, chamo, ¿qué tal?” = “Hey buddy, how’s it going?”
- Ñero
- Meaning: “Dude,” often associated with street culture (Colombia, some parts of Mexico)
- Usage: “Ese ñero es de mi barrio.” = “That dude’s from my neighborhood.”
- Gente
- Meaning: “People,” can refer to your group of friends or clique
- Usage: “Voy con mi gente a la playa.” = “I’m going with my crew to the beach.”
- Amigui
- Meaning: Playful form of “friend” (Latin America)
- Usage: “Hola, amigui, te extrañé.” = “Hi friend, I missed you.”
- Colega
- Meaning: “Pal,” “colleague,” or “buddy” (Spain)
- Usage: “¿Qué tal, colega?” = “How’s it going, buddy?”
- Cumpa
- Meaning: “Pal,” “buddy” (Argentina, some parts of Central America)
- Usage: “¿Todo bien, cumpa?” = “All good, buddy?”
- Socio
- Meaning: “Partner,” also used as “buddy” (Caribbean, some Latin American countries)
- Usage: “Oye, socio, préstame atención.” = “Hey buddy, listen up.”
- Hermanito/a
- Meaning: “Little brother/sister,” used among close friends
- Usage: “Gracias, hermanito, me salvaste.” = “Thanks, bro, you saved me.”
- La banda
- Meaning: “The crew,” “group of friends” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Voy a salir con la banda.” = “I’m going out with the crew.”
- Pata
- Meaning: “Buddy” (Peru)
- Usage: “Es mi pata desde la infancia.” = “He’s been my buddy since childhood.”
- Güero / Güera
- Meaning: “Light-skinned,” “Blondie” (Mexico, Central America) but often used as a friendly nickname regardless of actual hair color.
- Usage: “¿Qué pasó, güera?” = “What’s up, blondie?”
Category 3 – Food & Drink Slang
Food is central to Spanish-speaking cultures. Here are 20 slang terms to help you chat about meals, snacks, and drinks like a local.
- Taco
- Meaning: Iconic Mexican dish, but “echarse un taco” can mean “grab a bite.”
- Usage: “Tengo hambre, vámonos por unos tacos.”
- Botana
- Meaning: “Snack,” “appetizer” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Compra botanas para la fiesta, ¿no?” = “Buy some snacks for the party, okay?”
- Picoteo
- Meaning: “Nibbles,” “finger food” (Spain)
- Usage: “Hagamos un picoteo antes de la cena.” = “Let’s have some nibbles before dinner.”
- Tapas
- Meaning: Small dishes or snacks (Spain)
- Usage: “Salgamos de tapas esta noche.” = “Let’s go out for tapas tonight.”
- Tortita
- Meaning: “Small pancake” or “tortilla,” depending on the region
- Usage: In Mexico, a tortita can be a small sandwich or patty.
- Chelas / Cheves
- Meaning: “Beers” (Mexico, some parts of Central America)
- Usage: “Trae unas chelas para el partido.” = “Bring some beers for the game.”
- Birra
- Meaning: “Beer” (Spain, Argentina)
- Usage: “Tomamos unas birras en el bar.” = “We had some beers at the bar.”
- Guaro
- Meaning: Spirit, typically sugarcane liquor (Central America, Colombia)
- Usage: “Vamos a tomar guaro esta noche.” = “We’re going to have some liquor tonight.”
- Pisto
- Meaning: Can mean “money” or “alcohol” depending on context (Central America, Mexico)
- Usage: “¿Tienes pisto para la fiesta?” = “Do you have some cash (or drinks) for the party?”
- Chupar
- Meaning: “To drink alcohol,” literally “to suck” (varies by region)
- Usage: “Van a chupar hasta el amanecer.” = “They’re going to drink until dawn.”
- Gaseosa / Refresco
- Meaning: “Soda” or “soft drink”
- Usage: “¿Quieres una gaseosa con tu comida?” = “Want a soda with your meal?”
- Está bien rico
- Meaning: “It’s really tasty”
- Usage: “¡Este tamal está bien rico!”
- Merienda
- Meaning: Afternoon snack, typical in Spain and some Latin countries
- Usage: “Vamos de merienda a la cafetería.” = “Let’s grab an afternoon snack at the café.”
- Comilona
- Meaning: A big feast, “food fest”
- Usage: “Hicimos una comilona con la familia.” = “We had a massive feast with the family.”
- Montaditos
- Meaning: Small open-faced sandwiches (Spain)
- Usage: “Pide unos montaditos para compartir.”
- Antojito
- Meaning: “Craving,” or small street foods (Mexico)
- Usage: “Se me antojó un elote.” = “I’m craving a corn-on-the-cob.”
- Provecho
- Meaning: “Enjoy your meal,” short for “Buen provecho.”
- Usage: Common courtesy phrase when someone’s about to eat.
- Ponche
- Meaning: Hot fruit punch (common in Mexico, Central America)
- Usage: “En Navidad siempre tomo ponche.”
- Mole
- Meaning: Traditional Mexican sauce, but also used casually to refer to any thick sauce
- Usage: “El mole de mi abuela es insuperable.”
- Taquería
- Meaning: “Taco shop” (Mexico), but used in casual speech for any taco joint
- Usage: “Nos vemos en la taquería de la esquina.”
Category 4 – Emotions & Reactions
Use these 20 phrases to express surprise, excitement, annoyance, and all the feels in between.
- ¡No manches!
- Meaning: “No way!” / “Are you kidding?” (Mexico)
- Usage: Softer version of “¡No m*mes!” which is more vulgar.
- ¡Híjole!
- Meaning: “Wow!” / “Oh my God!” (Mexico)
- Usage: Expresses surprise, concern, or admiration.
- ¡Madre mía!
- Meaning: “Oh my goodness!” (Spain)
- Usage: Can show shock or amazement.
- ¡Qué fuerte!
- Meaning: “How shocking!” or “That’s intense!” (Spain)
- Usage: “¡Qué fuerte lo que me cuentas!” = “That’s shocking, what you’re telling me!”
- ¡Qué pena!
- Meaning: “What a shame!” or “How embarrassing!”
- Usage: “¡Qué pena que no pudiste venir!” = “What a shame you couldn’t come!”
- ¡Qué lástima!
- Meaning: “What a pity!” / “Too bad!”
- Usage: “¡Qué lástima que esté lloviendo!”
- Chale
- Meaning: Expression of disappointment or disapproval (Mexico)
- Usage: “Chale, se nos acabó el tiempo.” = “Dang, we ran out of time.”
- ¡Pucha! / ¡Pucha vida!
- Meaning: “Dang!” / “Aw, man!” (Central America, some parts of South America)
- Usage: Used to express frustration or annoyance.
- ¡Aguas!
- Meaning: “Watch out!” (Mexico)
- Usage: “¡Aguas con el escalón!” = “Watch your step!”
- ¡Uy!
- Meaning: “Oops!” / “Wow!” or “Uh-oh!”
- Usage: “¡Uy, casi me caigo!” = “Oops, I almost fell!”
- Estoy harto/a
- Meaning: “I’m fed up”
- Usage: “Estoy harto de tanto tráfico.” = “I’m fed up with all this traffic.”
- Me cae gordo
- Meaning: “I don’t like him/her,” literally “He falls fat on me” (Mexico, colloquial)
- Usage: “Ese tipo me cae gordo.” = “I don’t like that guy.”
- ¡Qué padre!
- Meaning: “How cool!” (Mexico)
- Usage: “¡Qué padre tu coche!”
- ¡Padrísimo!
- Meaning: “Super cool!” (Mexico)
- Usage: “La fiesta estuvo padrísima.”
- ¡Genial!
- Meaning: “Great!” / “Awesome!”
- Usage: “¡Genial verlos de nuevo!” = “Great to see you again!”
- Estoy flipando
- Meaning: “I’m freaking out” (Spain)
- Usage: “Estoy flipando con esta noticia.” = “I’m freaking out about this news.”
- Me da igual
- Meaning: “I don’t care,” “It’s all the same to me.”
- Usage: “¿Pizza o tacos? Me da igual.” = “Pizza or tacos? It’s all the same to me.”
- ¡Qué rabia!
- Meaning: “How annoying!” / “What a pain!” (Spain)
- Usage: “¡Qué rabia perder el tren por un minuto!”
- Estoy agotado/a
- Meaning: “I’m exhausted”
- Usage: “Después de trabajar todo el día, estoy agotado.”
- Al cien
- Meaning: “At 100%,” “in top form” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Hoy me siento al cien.” = “Today I’m feeling 100%.”
Category 5 – Fun & Quirky Expressions
These last 20 will give you that extra dash of local flair when talking about life, fun events, or random situations.
- Ahorita
- Meaning: “Right now” or “in a bit,” famously ambiguous in many Latin countries
- Usage: “Ahorita llego” can mean 5 minutes or 2 hours later in some cultures!
- Echar relajo
- Meaning: “To have fun,” “to joke around” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Vamos a echar relajo un rato.” = “Let’s go have some fun.”
- Estar de parranda
- Meaning: “To be partying” (various Latin American countries)
- Usage: “Anoche estuvimos de parranda hasta el amanecer.” = “Last night we partied until dawn.”
- ¡Pura vida!
- Meaning: “Pure life,” used as a greeting or expression of gratitude (Costa Rica)
- Usage: “¿Cómo estás? — ¡Pura vida!” = “How are you? — All good / Pure life!”
- Ser la leche
- Meaning: “To be amazing” or “to be the best” (Spain)
- Usage: “Eres la leche tocando guitarra.” = “You’re awesome at playing guitar.”
- Andar de compras
- Meaning: “To go shopping,” but used more casually as “Let’s shop around.”
- Usage: “Hoy andamos de compras en el centro.”
- Poner toda la carne en el asador
- Meaning: “To put all your meat on the grill,” i.e., give it your all
- Usage: “Hay que poner toda la carne en el asador para ganar el partido.” = “We have to give it our all to win the match.”
- Estar frito
- Meaning: “To be fried,” “to be done for”
- Usage: “Si no estudio, estoy frito en el examen.” = “If I don’t study, I’m done for on the test.”
- Ser uña y mugre
- Meaning: “To be inseparable,” literally “nail and dirt” (Latin America)
- Usage: “Ellos son uña y mugre; siempre andan juntos.”
- Pasarlo bomba
- Meaning: “Have a blast” (Spain)
- Usage: “La fiesta estuvo genial; lo pasé bomba.” = “The party was great; I had a blast.”
- Creerse la última Coca-Cola del desierto
- Meaning: “To think you’re the last Coke in the desert,” i.e., think too highly of yourself (Latin America)
- Usage: “No te creas la última Coca-Cola del desierto, todos somos importantes.” = “Don’t think you’re all that; we’re all important.”
- A la buena de Dios
- Meaning: “At God’s mercy,” i.e., hoping for the best
- Usage: “Viajamos sin mapa, a la buena de Dios.” = “We traveled without a map, just hoping for the best.”
- Meter la pata
- Meaning: “To screw up,” literally “put your paw in it”
- Usage: “Metí la pata al olvidar su cumpleaños.” = “I messed up by forgetting her birthday.”
- Hacer caso
- Meaning: “Pay attention,” “obey,” “heed”
- Usage: “Hazle caso a tu madre.” = “Listen to your mother.”
- Ni modo
- Meaning: “Oh well,” “Too bad,” “It can’t be helped” (Mexico)
- Usage: “Se perdió el partido, ni modo.” = “We lost the game, oh well.”
- Andar en la luna
- Meaning: “To be daydreaming,” literally “to be on the moon”
- Usage: “No me escuchas; andas en la luna.” = “You’re not listening; you’re daydreaming.”
- Pisar fuerte
- Meaning: “To make a strong impression,” literally “to step firmly” (Spain)
- Usage: “Ella pisa fuerte en su nuevo trabajo.” = “She’s making a strong impression in her new job.”
- Al mal tiempo, buena cara
- Meaning: “Put on a good face in bad times,” i.e., keep your chin up
- Usage: “Me despidieron, pero al mal tiempo buena cara.” = “I got fired, but I’m staying optimistic.”
- Tener mala leche
- Meaning: “To be grumpy” or “to have bad luck,” depends on context (Spain, some Latin America)
- Usage: “Ese tipo siempre tiene mala leche.” = “That guy’s always in a bad mood.”
- Ahorita vengo
- Meaning: “I’ll be right back,” but keep in mind ahorita can be flexible in timing
- Usage: “Ahorita vengo, voy por un café.”
Conclusion – Take Your Spanish to the Next Level
Congratulations! You’ve just powered through 100 essential Spanish slang terms that will help you navigate street-level conversations, from grabbing a bite at a taquería to partying all night in Madrid or making new friends in Buenos Aires. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned learner, incorporating slang into your vocabulary adds a vibrant layer to your Spanish and helps you connect with people on a more authentic level.
Make It Stick
- Practice Daily: Try weaving a new slang term into your chats or social media posts each day.
- Watch & Listen: Check out Spanish YouTubers, TikTokers, or Netflix shows to see these expressions used in real life.
- Stay Curious: Don’t be afraid to ask locals for clarification—most will be happy to explain and share their favorite colloquialisms.
Pro Tip: Looking for structured lessons alongside your slang study? Consider resources like Duolingo for foundational grammar, then pepper in the slang you’ve learned here!
Your Turn – Call to Action
Which slang expressions do you find the most interesting or surprising? Have you heard any other fun phrases in your travels that aren’t on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more linguistic insights and travel tips. Also, feel free to share this article with your fellow Spanish learners—let’s help everyone talk like a local!
¡Mucha suerte as you continue your Spanish journey! With these 100 slang terms in your toolkit, you’re well on your way to mastering street-level Spanish—wherever your adventures take you. ¡Adelante!See Also: Italian Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms for Expressive Local Conversations
