Beyond ‘Hola’: 20+ Colombian Spanish Phrases Travelers Actually Will Use
Textbook Spanish might help you order coffee, but these Colombian slang phrases will help you connect. Here are 20+ real-life Colombian Spanish expressions from my personal cheatsheet that travelers can actually use when speaking with locals.
Bye Bye textbook spanish
Bye Bye textbook spanish – Hello Colombian slang! It’s officially time to learn some Colombian slang to prepare you for your trip to Colombia. Or perhaps, you’re already there reading this article, searching more phrases to impress the locals and show off your Colombian slang knowledge.
Either way, I’m happy you’re here as I’ve created this cheatsheet just for you. After my amazing trip to Cartagena, I thought it’d be helpful to create a cheatsheet with a bunch of the phrases and words I heard the locals using while in Colombia.
If you’re like me, you not only love learning new languages but you love connecting and interacting with the locals even if you don’t necessarily speak the same language. We’re looking for an authentic connection with the locals—not just order your arepa and dip. Well, mis amores, let me tell you, knowing a few key Colombian Spanish phrases can transform your trip. Locals aren’t just your map when you’re lost in their city—they’re your dance partners, the best photo bombers, your last-minute beach day buddies, and sometimes… lifelong friends you’ll fly back to visit every year!
So, with that being said, here is your cheatsheet to sounding a little less like a confused tourist and a little more like someone who’s been vibing in Medellín, Cartagena or Santa Marta for years. But esperáte (hold up)! Here’s a quick PSA:
So many of my fellow Americans (yes, I said it) land in Colombia thinking their high school “Mexican” Spanish is gonna carry them through. Lo siento mi amor (I’m sorry my love) pero Colombian Spanish hits different. New slang, different vibes, and LOTS of local flavor. So, let’s get you prepped, shall we?
Everyday Colombia Phrases for travelers
Greetings & Everyday Chat
1. ¿Quihubo parce? – What’s up, dude?
“¡Quihubo parce! ¿Todo bien?” – What’s up, dude? Everything good?
2. Todo bien – All good
“¡Hola! ¿Todo bien o qué?” – Hey! All good, or what?
3. ¡Claro! / ¡Cierto! – Of course / Right?
“Claro, yo te ayudo.” – Of course, I’ll help you.
“Ya entendiste, ¿cierto?” – You got it, right?
4. ¿Estás amañado aquí? – Do you like it here?
“¿Cuánto tiempo llevas en Colombia? ¿Estás amañado aquí?” – How long you been in Colombia? You like it here?
5. Muy juicioso – Very well-behaved / Responsible
“He sido muy juiciosa con mis gastos este mes.” – I’ve been really responsible with my spending this month.
When Dining or At the Store
6. Hacéme un catorce / un dos – Do me a favor
“Hacéme un catorce y pásame esa vaina.” – Do me a favor and pass me that thing.
7. De una – Let’s do it! / Right away!
“¡Hágale, de una!” – Let’s go, right away!
8. Por si las moscas – Just in case
“Lleva el paraguas por si las moscas.” – Bring the umbrella just in case.
9. ¡Gas! – Ew / Gross!
“¡Gas! Ese pescado huele feo.” – Ew! That fish smells bad.
At the Hotel or Getting Around
10. Te caigo – I’ll drop by
“Te caigo en media hora.” – I’ll stop by in half an hour.
11. No dar papaya – Don’t make yourself a target
“No des papaya con el teléfono en la mano en el bus.” – Don’t flash your phone on the bus.
12. Cobrar vacuna – To extort money (gangs charging rent)
“Dicen que aquí cobran vacuna.” – They say gangs collect extortion money here.
Asking for Help or Clarifying
13. ¿Sí pilla? – You get it? / Did you catch that?
“¡Eso fue lo que quiso decir, ¿si pilla?!” – That’s what he meant, you get it?
14. Parar bola – Pay attention
“¡Paráme bola! Te estoy hablando.” – Pay attention! I’m talking to you.
15. No seas bobo – Don’t be silly
“No seas bobo, eso no funciona así.” – Don’t be silly, that’s not how it works.
16. ¡Oigan a este! – Listen to this guy! (mocking or incredulous)
“¡Oigan a este! Cree que va a llegar sin tráfico a esta hora.” – Listen to this guy! Thinks there’s no traffic right now.
What the Cool Kids Say
17. ¡Una chimba! – So dope / Awesome!
“Ese plan suena a una chimba, ¿si o qué?” – That plan sounds dope, right?
18. ¡Qué nota! – How cool!
“¡Qué nota el concierto anoche!” – That concert last night was amazing!
19. ¡Qué pereza! – Ugh, what a drag! / I don’t feel like it!
“Tengo que limpiar otra vez. ¡Qué pereza!” – I have to clean again. Ugh!
20. ¡Qué pena! – I’m sorry / What a shame!
“¡Qué pena con usted! No fue mi intención.” – I’m so sorry! That wasn’t my intention.
21. ¿O qué? – Or what?
“Vamos al centro comercial, ¿o qué?” – We’re going to the mall, or what?
If you end up using any of these phrases—drop a comment or shoot me an email! If there’s a must-know phrase I missed, let me know too! Sharing is caring, mis amores!
