If something caught my attention, for good, in Costa Rica, it is the enormous richness of its vocabulary. What you just read is a brief dialogue written only using words from the country’s daily dictionary.
Although their formal language is very similar to Spanish in Spain, when Ticos speak colloquially they use a lot of their own words.
Obviously, a Spanish-speaker can communicate perfectly with anyone in Costa Rica even if they don’t know a single one of their “Costa Ricans,” but knowing something more about their language is a nice way to get closer to their reality.
The Tico Times does a “Tico Talk” series for expats and tourists. Visit their site for more words and phrases.
| Ahuevado: | To be sad or down. |
| Balazo: | Ridicule, shame.What balazo, have failed the test! |
| Bateador: | Person that is usually guessing (no certainty of the truth). |
| Bicho: | All kinds of bugs or insects. |
| Birra: | Beer, beers in plural means “birras” |
| Bocas: | Appetizers served to eat liquor makers. |
| Brete: | Work. bretear (v.): to work. July bretea much, I see very tired. |
| Chancecito: | Time. Give me just a chancecito to help you fix dinner. |
| Chavalo: | (Noun) Boy, child. There are a chavalos who ignore and continue to play into the street. |
| Chichi: | (m.) Child (a) |
| Chinear: | Give love, pamper, treat well. |
| Chiva, Chivisima: | Expression among young denoting pleasure, something cool. |
| Chunche: | Thing, object. chunchero: lots of things. |
| L.j. : | Let’s go,”los juimos” (nos fuimos). |
| Macho, Machito: | Person of hair and clear skin. |
| Pa’l tigre: | The opposite of pure life, be wrong for some reason. |
| Pacho: | Comic, funy situation, embarased situation |
| Pele el ojo!: | Expression of warning, such as ” Beware” |
| Platudo: | Wealthy. |
| Porfa: | Please, abreviation of por favor |
| Soque!: | Expression to hurry. |
| Suave!: | Expression to ask them to wait or stop. |
| Upe!: | Flavourful used to knock on the door. |
| Wachin pupilas: | Be alert, “look to Christ,” pay attention. |
| Yodo: | Coffee |
| Zarpe: | Last drink the Ticos are taken, the zarpe is not always the last one |
Photo courtesy of the Tico Times.
