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TICO SLANG WORDS (TIQUISMOS)

Costa Rican Spanish is as dynamic a language as any other, and it's full of "Tiquismos" or unique sayings and argot. Ticos have a curious way of speaking. Here is a small glossary of "Tiquismos" for new visitors to Costa Rica who will wonder about those "uncommon" words and phrases they don't hear often in the "official" Spanish language.

  • Buena nota: fantastic, great
  • Chicha: anger
  • Chiquito, güila or güilita: child
  • Chunche: thing, object
  • Fila: line
  • Goma: hangover
  • Güevón: man, or stubborn
  • Güevonada, carajada: useless, something questionable
  • Harina: money
  • Idiay: expression meaning: hello, what's new?, hey!, what's next?, or what are you waiting for!
  • Jalar una torta: get in trouble
  • Jale: hurry up
  • Jamar: to eat
  • Jartar, jartando: to eat, eating
  • Jodido, bicho malo: a bad person
  • Jodión, jodiona: bothersome person
  • Jupa: head
  • Macho, macha: blond, blonde
  • Maje, mae, carajo: dude, man
  • Muy helado: cold, freezing
  • Peliar: to fight
  • Pulpería: small grocery store
  • Pura vida: full of zest
  • Quién quita: perhaps, maybe
  • Roco: old person
  • Salado: too bad, tough luck
  • Saludes: greetings
  • Soda: a small café
  • Ticos: Costa Rican people
  • Timba: big stomach
  • Tiquicia: Costa Rica
  • Tuanis: really cool, awesome
  • Vos: you

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