Top Colombian slang to know before visiting Bogotá
Learning Spanish isn’t just about grammar and formal expressions.
To truly connect with locals and understand everyday conversations, learning some Colombian slang (jerga) is essential.
In Colombia, people use unique expressions that make interactions more natural and fun. Whether you’re buying coffee, taking a taxi, or chatting with new friends, knowing some Colombian slang will help you blend in and have a richer experience.
At our Spanish school in Bogotá, we teach you the basics in our General Spanish classes, but we also help you pick up the real words locals use. That way, you can understand more and feel more confident when speaking with others.
Do you already know some Colombian slang?
Knowing these slang phrases will help you sound more like a local and make your experience in Colombia even more enjoyable!
Why Learn Colombian Slang?
When you learn Spanish, you usually start with basic grammar and formal phrases. That’s a good place to begin. But once you’re in Bogotá, you’ll hear a whole different side of the language—one that’s more casual, fun, and full of personality.
People don’t always speak like the examples in textbooks. In real life, they use slang words and expressions all the time. If you don’t know them, it’s easy to feel a little confused, even if your Spanish is pretty good.
Learning Colombian Spanish slang helps you:
- Understand everyday conversations more easily
- Talk with locals in a way that feels natural and relaxed
- Express yourself the way people speak in Bogotá
- Avoid confusion when someone uses a word that doesn’t appear in your textbook
How Colombian slang varies by region
Colombia is a diverse country with many regional dialects.
If you’re learning Colombian Spanish, you’ll notice that slang isn’t the same everywhere. The way people speak in Bogotá can be very different from how they talk in Medellín or on the coast.
Colombia has many regions, and each one has its own style. That includes special words and expressions. Learning these differences can help you feel more confident when talking with locals.
Here are a few examples:
Bogotá: Bogotá’s slang is often more neutral and widely understood, making it a great starting point for Spanish learners. People in the capital usually speak clearly and use less slang. Some common words are chévere (cool), guayabo (hangover), and parcero (friend).
Medellín: In this area, known as the “Paisa” region, people love to say parce (dude), qué nota (how fun!), and bacano (awesome).
Caribbean Coast: The accent is fast and musical. You’ll hear mamando gallo (joking around) and pelao (kid or young person).
Cali: Some popular slang words here are sisas (yes), todo bien (all good), and sapo (someone who tells on others).
At Learn More Than Spanish, we help you understand the local slang used in the capital, but we also introduce you to words and phrases from other parts of the country. This way, you can feel confident speaking with Colombians from different regions.
Learning these local differences helps you connect more easily, enjoy real conversations, and feel more at home during your time in Colombia.
10 essential Bogotá slang phrases
1. ¿Qué más? – “What’s up?” / “How are you?”
(Similar to: “¿Cómo estás?”, but more informal.)
Example:
¡Hola! ¿Qué más? (Hi! What’s up?)
Todo bien, ¡gracias! (All good, thanks!)
2. Chévere – Cool / Nice
(Used to describe something positive.)
Example:
“Ese restaurante es muy chévere. (That restaurant is really cool.)
3. Bacano – Awesome / Great
(Similar to “chévere” but slightly stronger.)
Example:
Me encanta Bogotá, es una ciudad bacana. (I love Bogotá, it’s an awesome city.)
La película estuvo bacana. (The movie was awesome.)
4. ¡De una! – For sure! / Right away!
(Used to express agreement or immediate action.)
Example:
¿Vamos al mercado? – ¡De una! (Shall we go to the market? – For sure!)
Si necesitas ayuda, dime y yo te ayudo de una. (If you need help, tell me, and I’ll help you right away.)
5. Lucas – Small amount of money, or Bucks
(A casual way to refer to pesos, similar to “bucks” in English.)
Example:
¿Me prestas 10 lucas? (Can you lend me 10,000 pesos?)
Solo tengo cinco lucas. (I only have 5,000 pesos.)
6. Camellar – “To work”
(A very common way to say you are working.)
Example:
No puedo salir, estoy camellando. (I can’t go out, I’m working.)
Necesito camellar más para pagar las deudas. (I need to work more to pay off debts.)
7. Jartera – Boring situation / Annoying
(Used when something is tiresome or a hassle.)
Example:
¡Qué jartera hacer fila! (What a hassle to wait in line!)
La reunión fue una jartera total. (The meeting was totally boring.)
8. Trancón – Traffic jam
(Used to complain about Bogotá’s legendary traffic.)
Example:
Sal temprano, seguro hay trancón. (Leave early, there’s probably traffic.)
Duré una hora en el trancón. (I was stuck in traffic for an hour.)
9. Paila – Too bad / You’re out of luck
(Used to express misfortune or a bad situation.)
Example:
“No alcanzamos a comprar las entradas. ¡Paila!” (We didn’t get the tickets. Too bad!)
“Se me perdió el celular, paila.” (I lost my phone, I’m out of luck.)
10. Vaina – “Thing” / “Stuff”
(A general word used when you can’t remember the name of something.)
Example:
Dame esa vaina. (Give me that thing.)
No entiendo esa vaina. (I don’t understand that stuff.)
Learn more Colombian Slang in our previous articles “30 Colombian slangs and what they mean” and “20 slang expressions we only use in Colombia”
How to Practice Colombian Slang
Learning slang is fun, but using it in real life is where the magic happens. Here are some simple ways to practice Colombian slang and sound more like a local:
Use it in class: If you’re taking Spanish classes in Bogotá, ask your teacher to include slang in your lessons. At our school, we love teaching slang so you feel ready to use them in real conversations.
Talk with locals: The best way to learn is by speaking. Practice slang with classmates or even the person making your coffee. Most people are happy to explain a word or expression if you ask.
Watch Colombian shows and listen to music: TV shows, YouTube channels, and songs are full of local slang. Try watching with subtitles and note down new words you hear. Then, challenge yourself to use them later!
Keep a slang notebook: Create your slang dictionary. Write down each word, what it means, and an example sentence. Add stickers or drawings to make it fun and easy to remember.
Join our culture-based activities: At our Spanish school in Bogotá, we include games, outings, and group conversations where you’ll hear and practice real expressions used in Colombia every day.
Simple Exercise: Slang in context
Use slang phrases in real conversations.
- Pick three slang words from the list above.
- Write a short dialogue using them in a potential conversation.
- Try using them in a conversation with a local or a Spanish-speaking friend.
Example:
Juan: “¡Hola! ¿Qué más?”
Ana: “Todo bien. ¿Vamos a Usaquén?”
Juan: “¡De una! Ese mercado es muy bacano.”
Ana: “Sí, además, quiero comprar algunas vainas para la casa.”
Juan: “Bueno, Ojalá encontramos algo chévere.”
Ana: “¡Eso! Y ojalá no haya mucho trancón en el camino!.”
This exercise helps learners feel comfortable using slang naturally in conversations.
This exercise helps learners feel comfortable using slang naturally in conversations.
Final Thoughts
Learning Colombian Spanish is more than just memorizing grammar rules—it’s about connecting with people, understanding how they speak, and feeling part of everyday life. Slang plays a big role in that. It adds flavor to your conversations and helps you sound more natural.
If you’re studying at a Spanish school in Bogotá or taking general Spanish classes, don’t be afraid to try out new expressions. Slang Words may feel unfamiliar at first, but they’ll soon become part of your daily language.
So next time you’re in class, at a market, or chatting with locals—listen closely, ask questions, and use what you’ve learned. That’s how real progress happens.
Ready to take your Spanish beyond the basics? Join our Spanish school in Bogotá and learn how to speak like a local—with real expressions, everyday slang, and lots of practice. Check out our General Spanish classes, Online and in person, and start connecting through Colombian Spanish today.
