A type of public minibus is also called a “chiva” or “chivilla”.It is used to say that someone is angry: ¡Se puso chiva! ¡Fulanito se chiveó! (He got angry).It may refer to goatee beard and also it is used to say that something is good, beautiful or interesting: ¡ Qué chiva! ¡Está chivísima! (It’s cool / supercool) Someone “pura paja” uploads the level being someone who promises something and never accomplish: “Qué mae más pura paja” (That dude is bullshit)Īlso it can be interpreted as chatting about trivial things, “nos quedamos hablando paja” (We were just chatting).Ĭhivo and chiva”! These words can mean many different things to the Ticos besides to the male and female goat. Hablar Paja / Literally: “to speak hay”Īlthough in other countries could be misinterpreted in Costa Rica someone “pajoso” (containing hay, bullshit) is whom always says lies or talks nonsense: “Qué hablada de paja” / “Deje de hablar paja” (What a bunch of bullshit / Stop talking bullshit). Keep these handy and talk like a local!ġ0. From ways to say hello, to words that can fit in almost all situations, or phrases with unique meaning when said by a tico… That’s our “tico talk”! This is our top 10 of words and phrases that are common to locals that tend to be quite confusing for visitors, and forces them to ask their meanings. So savor that “chuche” at a Tico restaurant, be sure to bring a “chunche” on your zipline adventure and carry a “chunche” as you explore rainforest waterfalls.Every country has its slang, and Costa Rica is no exception. "Chunche" Explains it All: One of the most useful slang words to know, "chunche" is a "thing" that is used to refer to almost anything. The multi-faceted word is used as a filler to mean "well," "hey," or "clearly," also to express doubt, or confusion akin to “what happened?” ![]() Why “ Diay?”: You almost can't go wrong dropping a "diay". It's used to ask "really?" and "seriously?" or to affirm the same. Idiomatic Fillers for FunĪre You "al Chile?": Tico's most likely aren't referring to the country when they say, "Al chile". ![]() I Need My Morning "Yodo": You probably know that the word "cafe" means coffee in Spanish, but why not order your morning joe like a local? It literally means "iodine" in Spanish, but "yodo" is used to refer to the equally dark coffee. On the morning after a big night out, feel free to lament, "Tengo una goma." When Will This "Goma" End?: While it also means "glue," a "goma" is more likely to mean a hangover in Costa Rica. Įverything is Totally " Tuanis": Looking for a cool way to say "cool?" How about tuanis ? Among the many theories of the word's origin, some say it comes from the English phrase "too nice." Spanish Expressions to Pair With PartyingĪ Coupla Cold "Birras," Please: Yes, it's technically Italian, but Spanish speakers in Costa Rica often order up a few beers as "birras". Literally translating to "pure life," this handy phrase embodies the relaxed Costa Rican lifestyle and is used as a greeting, to say goodbye, "thank you," "you're welcome" or just "great."Īll is Chill and "a Cachete": Much like "pura vida," Ticos express that something is beautiful, great or convey that all is well by saying "a cachete". Kick Back with "Pura Vida": You're sure to hear "pura vida" quite a few times in a variety of situations. Putting some spare change into local hands wouldn't hurt. It may seem dubious, but it’s quite normal. If you rent a car, you're bound to come across a guy who offers to watch the vehicle after you park. Watch Out for the "Guachiman": Derived from an English word and used across Latin America, the "guachiman" is exactly what it sounds like - a Watchy Man. "Aw mae! Mae, I just met this crazy mae." He's My "Mae": Like its English counterpart "dude," the word "mae" is best used around younger people and frequently dropped into just about any sentence. This comes from the Costa Rican custom of adding the suffix "tico" to words to indicate smallness. Talk Like a "Tico": A "Tico" is a Costa Rican man, while a "Tica" is a Costa Rican woman. From adventure trips and rainforest tours to atv riding, talk like a Tico when you visit Costa Rica with a few local Spanish phrases.
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