55 Colombian words and expressions (and their meaning)

Here is a selection of localisms and ways of speaking of this South American country.

Colombia is a beautiful country, with a great vegetation and a totally unique fauna. This beautiful country is the only one in South America that has coasts on the Pacific Ocean and also access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea.

This nation has been greatly influenced by the numerous peoples that have visited it since its beginnings, its inhabitants are very open to conversation and of an affable character.

• Recommended article: "10 Colombian legends full of folklore and popular culture".

Famous Colombian words and expressions

The Spanish language or Castilian has been modified in Colombia by all social circles to refer to the situations in which its individuals found themselves, creating new expressions that are only used in this country.

Do you want to know the most curious Colombian expressions? Below you will find the 55 most interesting Colombian words and expressions that you should all know. that everyone should know, and that will come in handy if you have to travel to this country and do not want to get lost in a conversation.

1. Plane.

A shrewd, alert, mentally agile person.

2. Chiviado.

That something is of little value or false.

3. Babilla.

Used to say that a girl is ugly or not very attractive.

4. Disposable.

A word used to talk about a beggar, a street person or a person who is no longer worthwhile.

5. Cuchibarbi.

This word is used to refer to an aging lady who refuses to accept the passage of time and undergoes all kinds of surgeries to look much younger.

6. Let me chew it.

Let me think about it.

7. Sprawl.

Having nothing productive to do.

8. Cayetano.

A person who is silent for a long time, who keeps quiet.

9. Choro.

A thief.

10. Bizcocho.

Pretty woman / good looking man.

11. To eat scorpion for breakfast.

To start the day in a bad mood.

12. Dancing in the dance floor.

Very close together.

13. Snake.

A debt.

14. Echarle mente.

To think about something.

15. To throw away current.

To have an intellectual discussion, to think deeply.

16. Guambito(a).

A boy or girl.

17. Echar los perros.

To court someone, to say compliments.

18. Guayabo.

Discomfort the day after drinking alcohol, in Spain it would be "resaca".

19. Hacer la vaca.

To raise money for a common good.

20. Culicagao.

To refer to a child, immature.

21. Hacer el dos.

To do a favor.

22. Gamín.

To refer to very poor people who dedicate themselves to crime or drug use.

23. Comerse el cuento.

To believe something (which is usually a lie).

24. Entós what, loco?

Greeting with an aggressive tone of defiance.

25. Cantaleta.

To reprimand, to give a sermon.

26. Polas.

Pola is a word used to refer to a beer in a friendly context.

27. Toque.

A toque refers to a concert given by a small band usually in small venues.

28. Jincho/Jincha.

Used to describe a person who is completely drunk and has begun to lose his or her faculties because of it.

29. Un chorro.

To take a drink of an alcoholic beverage or even the whole bottle.

30. Rumbiar.

Rumbiar or rumbear is the verb derived from the word rumba, so it is used to express the act of going out to party to have fun.

31. Parcero.

"Parcero" or simply "parce", is the way to call a friend or acquaintance in Colombia.

32. Estar Prendido/a.

It is used to describe a person when he/she has been drinking alcohol and is only in a slightly inebriated state.

33. The patch.

The patch is what you would call a group of friends.

34. Gallinear.

It is the verb used to refer to a man who is flirting with a woman, but not in a very delicate way.

35. To fall.

To begin to show interest in someone.

36. Lucas.

It is the name to denominate to the Colombian national currency that is the peso.

37. Chuspa.

It is the term used to refer to a plastic bag.

38. Los tombos.

This is the name given to low-ranking police officers.

39. Sapo/a.

A sapa is a person who cannot keep a secret or who, upon seeing an irregular situation, simply goes to an authority to report it.

40. Te caigo.

The verb caer in this context is used to say that a person appears at a given moment.

41. Pecueca.

It is the name used for the bad smell coming from a person's feet.

42. Chichí.

Chichí is the word used, generally by children, to say that they have to go to the toilet (to urinate).

43. Vaina.

Word used to describe any object, especially when you don't have its name in mind. In Spain we would say esa "cosa" in Colombia they would say esa "vaina".

44. Chino.

A word used to refer to a small child.

45. Un Tinto.

In Colombia it is a word very used to talk about a cup of coffee.

46. Cuadrar.

A word used to describe situations in which a situation needs to be planned or a deal needs to be agreed upon.

47. Cascar.

"Cascar" refers to to hit, cascar someone.

48. Lobo/a.

A person with bad taste in dress or decoration.

49. Mono/a.

Used to refer to blond people.

50. Maluco/a.

An adjective used to describe people or situations that do not generate a good feeling or that cause a bad sensation.

51. Juepucha! - Juemadre!

A simplified version of an insult that is used to express disapproval of a sudden situation.

52. Emberracarse.

To be emberraracado is to be absolutely annoyed in front of someone or something.

53. Un/a berraco/a.

A word used to describe a brave person or a person who has faced a very difficult situation.

54. Parar bola.

This word is used for situations in which you have to pay maximum attention.

55. Changó.

It refers to go dancing, this expression is only used in the city of Cali.