Colombia It is a beautiful country, with great vegetation and 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 enormously influenced by the numerous people who have visited it since its beginnings, its inhabitants are very open to conversation and have a friendly character.
Famous Colombian words and expressions
The Spanish or Castilian language has been modified in Colombia by all social circles to refer to the situations in which their 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, and that will come in handy if you have to travel to this country and don’t want to get lost in a conversation.
1. Airplane.
Astute, alert, mentally agile person.
2. Chiviado.
That something is of little value or false.
3. Babilla.
It is used to say that a girl is ugly or not very attractive.
4. Disposable.
Word used to talk about a beggar, street person or someone who is no longer worth it.
5. Cuchibarbi.
This word is used to refer to an elderly 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. Dispatch.
Not having anything productive to do.
8. Cajetan.
A person who is silent for a long time, who remains silent.
9. Choro.
A thief.
10. Cake.
Pretty woman/good looking man.
11. Eat a scorpion for breakfast.
Start the day with a bad temper.
12. Dancing with love.
Very close together, stuck together.
13. Snake.
A debt.
14. Give it your mind.
Think about something.
15. Throw away current.
Have an intellectual discussion, think deeply.
16. Guambito(a).
A boy or a girl.
17. Throw out the dogs.
Court someone, compliment them.
18. Guava.
Discomfort the day after drinking alcohol, in Spain it would be a “hangover”.
19. Do the cow.
Raise money for a common good.
20. Culicagao.
To refer to a child, immature.
21. Make two.
To do a favor.
22. Gamin.
To refer to very poor people who are dedicated to crime or drug use.
23. Eat the story.
Believe something (which is usually a lie).
24. So what, crazy?
Greeting with an aggressive tone of challenge.
25. Cantaleta.
Rebuke, give a sermon.
26. Poles.
Pola is a word used to refer to a beer in a context of friends.
27. Touch.
A gig refers to a concert given by a small band, generally in small locations.
28. Jincho/Jincha.
It is used to describe a person who is completely drunk and has begun to lose his faculties because of it.
29. A squirt.
Take a sip of an alcoholic beverage or even the entire bottle.
30. Rumbiar.
Rumbiar or rumbear is the verb derived from the word rumba, which is why it is used to express the act of going out and having fun.
31. Partner.
“Parcero” or simply “parce”, is the way to call a friend or an acquaintance in Colombia.
32. Be On.
It is used to describe a person when they have been drinking alcohol and are only slightly intoxicated.
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. Fall.
It is beginning to show signs of interest in someone.
36. Luke.
It is the name for the Colombian national currency, which is the peso.
37. Chuspa.
It is the term used to refer to a plastic bag.
38. The Tombs.
This is what low-ranking police officers are called.
39. Toad.
A wise person is one who cannot keep a secret or who, upon seeing an irregular situation, simply goes to an authority to report it.
40. I like you.
The verb fall in this context is used to say that a person appears at a given time.
41. Pecueca.
It is the name used for the bad smell coming from a person’s feet.
42. Chichi.
Chichí is the word used, generally by children, to say that they have to go to the toilet (go pee).
43. Pod.
Word used to describe any object, especially when its name is not in mind. In Spain we would say that “thing” in Colombia they would say that “sheath”.
44. Chinese.
It is a word used to refer to a small child.
45. A Red.
In Colombia it is a word widely used to talk about a cup of coffee.
46. Square.
Word used to describe situations in which it is necessary to plan a situation or agree on a deal.
47. Shell.
“Cascar” refers to hitting, cracking someone.
48. Wolf.
Person with bad taste in clothing or decoration.
49. Monkey.
Used to refer to blonde people.
50. Maluco/a.
Adjective used to describe people or situations that do not generate a good feeling or that cause a bad feeling.
51. Juepucha! – Damn!
Simplified version of an insult that is used to express disapproval of a sudden situation.
52. Getting drunk.
To be stuck is to be absolutely upset in front of someone or something.
53. A boar.
Word used to describe a brave person or someone who has faced a very difficult situation.
54. Stop ball.
This word is used for situations in which maximum attention has to be paid.
55. Chango.
It refers to going dancing, this expression is only used in the city of Cali.
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PsychologyFor. (2024). 55 Colombian Words and Expressions (and Their Meaning). https://psychologyfor.com/55-colombian-words-and-expressions-and-their-meaning/