Spanish Slang: Essential Words and Phrases You Need to Know

Whether you’re learning Castilian or Latin American Spanish, you’re likely aware of the core vocabulary, essential phrases, and even the accent mark rules associated with the language. But there’s another way to acquire the language, in a fun & unconventional way – by learning Spanish lingo! 
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. And if you pick up a few Spanish slang terms along the way, you’ll gain a better understanding of the local lingo, whether you’re in Spain or Latin America.

Let’s take a quick look at the importance of Spanish slang, why you should consider learning different Spanish colloquialisms, and essential Spanish slang phrases worth acquiring. This will be especially useful if you’re planning to travel to Spanish-speaking countries anytime soon!

Why Learn Spanish Slang Expressions?

Learning Spanish slang gives you those valuable “street smarts” to converse with locals on a more personal level. And since the Spanish language is spoken in dozens of countries, the regional Spanish slang terms convey that you’re up to speed with some of the most interesting terms – a great way to break the ice!

Here are some reasons why it’s worthwhile to have some Spanish slang in your vocabulary:

• More in-depth conversations. Spanish lingo has a way of connecting speakers. Once you have Spanish slang phrases in your arsenal, you’ll be more aware of cultural trends, know a little more about local history, and even be more informed on current events.
• Well-rounded vocabulary. You won’t find Spanish slang in many “official” guidebooks. Spanish slang expressions comprise the “secret language” of someone in the know.
• Promote friendships. Nothing tells a native Spanish speaker you’re “all-in” on the language like popping off some Spanish lingo during a casual conversation. 

Historical & cultural knowledge. If you really want to know more about a local Spanish-speaking culture, learn more Spanish slang terms. They have the unique ability to help put into context what’s currently happening, all while gaining insight into the intimate history that helped shape the language.

Understanding Spanish Slang and Its Importance

Even though the Spanish language is the same wherever you go, learning a specific variation of Spanish (Mexican, Colombian, Puerto Rican, etc.) can give you a cultural insight into a specific country. Sticking to one variation can also help you form more of a personal connection with the language.

Castellano, or Castilian, is the variation of Spanish spoken in Spain, and it’s full of unique expressions and words that don’t exist in any other Spanish-speaking country. Spaniards have their own way of expressing themselves, and they also have their own slang. If you try using castellano slang in Latin America, you may get a perplexed look or even a chuckle (see coger below). 

Whether you’ve decided to learn castellano or are just planning a trip to Spain (one day…), it’s a good idea to learn some of the words and phrases Spaniards use in their everyday conversations. You may get some weird looks if you use these in Latin America, but you’ll certainly hear them daily throughout Spain.Add some Spanish slang to your vocabulary, and you’ll instantly have an advantage over other speakers learning Spanish. Keep reading to learn how using Spanish slang expressions is a great way to improve your language skills while building your cultural literacy at the same time!

Common Spanish Slang Words and Their Meanings

1. Vale 

Whether you’re traveling through big cities like Barcelona and Madrid or you’re visiting Spain’s coastal or mountain regions, you’ll hear vale in every conversation. It’s pretty unique to Spain, though, and you probably won’t hear it in any other Spanish-speaking countries. 

Spaniards use vale the same way we use “OK,” “fine,” or “good” in English. It’s a quick response to acknowledge something your friend says to you or answer a simple question.

Example:

• Voy a llamarte mañana. (I’m going to call you tomorrow.)
• Vale. (OK.)

2. Tapear 

You can find tapas everywhere in Spain, from little beachside hole-in-the-wall restaurants to the most popular fine dining establishments in the center of Madrid or Barcelona. They’re small plates of food that you share with your table, and you can have them as a snack or make a full meal out of them. 

Tapas can be anything from meatballs and fried shrimp to boiled octopus or even squid ink. They’re a huge part of Spanish culture, and Spaniards go out for tapas so often that they actually created a verb for it! When friends and families are planning a night out or want a snack after a long day, they use tapear. 

Examples:

¿Vamos a tapear esta noche? (Do you want to go out for tapas tonight?)

¡Por supuesto! (Of course!)

3. Guay

Guay is a really common slang word in Spain. You’ll hear it in a lot of conversations, especially between younger people. It’s completely unique to Spain, so you may get confused if you try using it in any other Spanish-speaking country. 

It means “cool” or “awesome,” and you can use it a couple different ways. You can use it as an adjective to describe both people and objects or you can also use it as an interjection. 

Examples:

• Nos lo pasamos guay en el concierto. (We had an awesome time at the concert.)
• Llevas una camiseta muy guay. (You’re wearing a really cool shirt.)

4. Tío / Tía

No matter which dialect of Spanish you learn, you’ll eventually learn the words tío and tía. When you translate them directly to English, they mean “uncle” and “aunt.” This is true no matter which Spanish-speaking country you’re in. Spaniards have also given them a different meaning. 

Unless a Spaniard is talking about their actual aunt or uncle, they’re probably using these words as an informal way to say “man” or “girl.” Context means everything when you hear it, but it’s usually pretty easy to figure out what they meant.

Examples:

• ¿Qué pasó, tío? ¿Todo está bien? (What happened, man? Is everything OK?)
• Voy a estar con esas tías, ¿vale? (I’m going to hang out with those girls, OK?)

5. Colega

Colega is another example of a word you’ll hear in every Spanish-speaking country, but its meaning in Spain changes depending on the conversation. In general, colega means “colleague” or “coworker” in Spanish. This is true everywhere, including in Spain. There’s also a more informal meaning of the word though.

If you don’t know someone very well or they’re more of an acquaintance than a friend, you can call them your colega. 

Examples:

• Colega, has olvidado tus cosas. (Hey buddy, you forgot your things.)
• Tengo un colega allí que podría contestar tus preguntas. (I know someone there who could answer your questions.)

6. Pavos/Pasta

Pavos literally translates to “turkeys” in English, but to Spaniards, it can also be a slang word for “money.” Before Spain switched its currency to the Euro, Spanish people called the 100 peseta coin a pavo. After the switch to the Euro, the term stuck around and became the Spanish way to say “bucks.” 

The word pasta is also another way to talk about money. Yes, pasta like the food. These two words are used between all generations in Spain, so it’s not just the younger crowd that says them. 

Examples:

• Esta cosa cuesta veinte pavos. (This thing costs twenty bucks.)
• Él gana mucha pasta. (He earns a lot of money.)

7. Guiri

If you’re in a touristy area of Spain, you may hear the locals throw the word guiri around quite a bit. In fact, they may even be talking about you! Guiri is what Spaniards call a tourist.

It’s not necessarily a negative term, though. Just like in English, calling someone a “tourist” can be a good or bad thing. It all depends on the context!

Examples:

• Hay demasiado guiris aquí en el verano. (There are too many tourists here in the summer.)
• Los guiris no hablan español usualmente. (The tourists don’t usually speak Spanish.)

8. Mogollón

If you travel to Barcelona or Madrid during the summer, you’ll probably see a mogollón de guiris. Spanish people use the word mogollón to describe huge amounts of something. It’s similar to the word mucho, but usually a lot bigger.

If you add de before it though, the meaning completely changes. When you say someone does something de mogollón, you’re saying they do it without paying. 

Examples:

• Había un mogollón de gente en el supermercado hoy. (There were so many people in the supermarket today.)
• Me colé de mogollón en el concierto. (I got into the concert for free.)

9. Coger

This word usually causes some laughter in Latin America. You’ll definitely get some stares if they hear you using it on the streets! That’s because it has a sexual connotation throughout Central and South America.

In Spain, it’s completely normal to use it in everyday conversations. Actually, it’s really common! It is simply a verb that means “to get” or “to fetch.” 

Examples:

• Necesito coger a mis niños de la escuela. (I need to get my kids from school.)

¿Me puedes coger un vaso de agua? (Can you get me a glass of water?)

Embracing Spanish Colloquialisms to Sound Like a Native

Spain is a country with a rich culture and history, amazing food, and welcoming people. Speaking the language allows you to embrace all of these and gain a deeper connection to them. Beyond Spain’s borders, you can also use Spanish slang to connect with locals, learn more about local cultures, and gain insight into the unique regional characteristics that define Spanish-speaking countries. Whether you learn Latin American Spanish or Castilian Spanish, you’ll be able to communicate with native Spanish speakers wherever you go. Even though there are quite a few differences between the two, you can communicate with locals no matter which dialect you choose to learn.