The Best Costa Rican Expressions, Phrases & Slang To Know
Are you heading down to Costa Rica for a vacation, semester abroad, or maybe even for the whole winter until it warms up back home? You’re guaranteed to have a marvelous time, as Costa Rica is truly one of the most beautiful countries on earth with plenty of sun, sand, mountains, flora and fauna for the most discerning traveler. But there is one thing that can enhance your time in the land of pura vida (we’ll cover that later) – knowing the language. In fact, only a basic understanding or a few words of Spanish is just fine, and many of the locals and people who work in tourism speak some English. But I’m talking about learning some real, authentic Tico (Costa Rican) sayings. Dropping a few of these charming (and sometimes hilarious) phrases, sayings, and slang will quickly endear you to the locals and open up a whole new amazing experience.
The Best Costa Rican Expressions, Phrases & Slang
Here are our top Costa Rican sayings:
Mae
Mae usually is used like “dude” between friends in the U.S., a word you’ll hear peppered in young peoples’ speech.
Pura vida
Pura vida means “pure life,” a national philosophy that embraces chilling, good vibes, and sunny dispositions.
Tico / Ticatuanis
Costa Rican citizens are called Ticos because of their affinity for adding –ico on the end of some words. Women are called Ticas.
Estar de goma
I am hungover or I have a hangover
Tuanis
A surfer slang expression that roughly means “cool,” it’s a Spanish adaptation from the phrase “too nice.”
Aguevado
Bored or boring
Brete
Work or job
Chunchechunches
Little thing or similar to the English saying “Thingamajig.”
La vara
Another way of saying “the thing.”
Como amaneció?
How’s it going with you this morning?
Dolor de jupa
A headache
Estar de chicha
To be angry
Macha
Usually a foreigner that is a blond female.
Mucho gusto
This literally translates to “[with] much pleasure,” but Costa Ricans use it to express gratitude at meeting someone, to say you’re welcome, or goodbye.
No joda!/no jodás!
A strong saying that means don’t bother me or leave me alone.
Ojo!
Watch out!
Pinche (peen-chay)
Pinches mean something totally different in Mexican Spanish, but means “stingy” in Costa Rica.
Por dicha
Thank goodness.
Pulperiapulperia
One of the small corner stores that are in every big city and small village in the country.
Pura paja
Bullshit or crap.
Que m’iche?
What’s up, or what do you have to tell me?
que mala nota!
What a bad person!
que pereza!
What a downer or drag!
salado
So unlucky or too bad.
soda (soh-dah)
The small, usually family-run typical eateries in Costa Rica, sort of like a local lunch counter or diner.
soque!
Hurry up!
una teja
Una teja refers to 100 of anything, but usually denotes 100 Colones, or 100 meters if someone is giving you directions.
Un rojo
Thousand Colon note.
Un Tiguron
Two thousand Colon note.
Un Tigre
Five thousand Colon note.
Si Dios quiere
Only if it’s God’s will.
Qué tiene?
What’s the matter?
Qué torta
What a problem.
Me cayo la pelota
I finally get it or understand.
Achará
What a pity!
Irsele la onda
To forget.
Vieras
If you only knew!
Jale
Let’s go!
Andar de tanda
Bar hopping or crawling.
Piropos
Compliments (cat calls)
Chisme
Gossip or rumors.
Chusma
Riff-raff.
Lancear
To seduce.
Batear
To make wild guesses.
Llegar a la hora del burro
To arrive late.
Chiva
Cool.
Concho
Rough.
Cada muerte de Obispo
Once in a blue moon.
Meter una yucca
Telling a lie
Polo
Corny.
Minche
Fistfight.
¡Cierre el pico!
Shut up!
Choque ese hueso
Shaking hands
No entender ni papa.
I don’t understand anything.
Choza
House or home.
No es vara
It’s not a lie.
Diay
Hey!
Pasar la brocha
Having an ulterior motive.
Por si las moscas
Just in case.
¡Que tirada!
What a mess!
Estar en la luna
To daydream.
Va jalando
Get lost.
Grosero
Rude.
Güila
Kid or girl.
Carajillo
Brat.
Tirito
Just a moment.
Hablar paja
Talking nonsense.
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Costa Rican Expressions, Phrases & Slang
Look for part 2 of this blog where we’ll cover more great Costa Rican sayings!