Colombian Slang Words

Couple of days ago A friend of mine sent me asked me to share some colloquial or slang phrases unique to Colombia. I have always been fascinated by language, so I felt compelled to start writing this blog.

I hope you find this information useful, it may come in handy to any English speaking people wanting to visit my home land or wants to learn about our culture.



First things first
Please keep in mind that Colombian Spanish is very unique. We are always playing with words and their meanings, and we could get very creative.

Like in any other language, words bear their meaning upon the context in which they are used, but also upon the culture, but this is specially true in Colombia. The meaning we have for some words is often completely different from the meaning of those words in another country. It even changes in Colombia from region to region and words that are friendly among some people turn out to be very offensive to some others, here are some examples:

The word “carajo” in Colombia is used to refer to a person or a thing of little importance, for instance you could say “me importa un carajo”, it roughly translates to: “I couldn't care less”, there is even a famous song with that name. The original meaning however refers to the male part, although Google translate disagrees. In any case that is the meaning that words still has for many people in Spain.

Here is another one. If you ask for “perico” in a coffee shop in Bogota, they would bring a delicious cup of coffee with milk, but if you ask for the same thing in a coffee shop in Armenia, they would bring you scrambled eggs, and if you were to ask the same thing to somebody on the street you will probably be arrested because it means cocaine.


Most Common Slang

 Me esta tomando del pelo? 

         Vernacular ~ Are you pulling my leg?
         Literal meaning ~ Are you taking me by the hair?
         Use ~ In public places, with friends and family and only if you really mean it. 

 No me mame gallo! 

         Vernacular ~ Are you shitting me?‘

           Literal meaning ~ Don’t suck my chicken!‘ (Use your imagination)

         Use ~ With friends and family

 Del putas socio! 

Vernacular ~ Awesome dude!

Literal meaning ~ Of the devil partner!

Use ~  Within friends and family ~ Be advised, this could be very offensive because of complicated reasons.

 Abrase (del parche) 

          Vernacular ~ Go to hell! or Leave me alone
          Literal meaning ~ Open (from the gang)
          Use ~ With friends or "parceros"

 A la lata! 

          Vernacular ~ A lot! or Quickly!

            Literal meaning ~ At the can!

Use ~ In Public

 Como malo de la cabeza! 

Vernacular ~ Like crazy!
Literal meaning ~ Like a mad man

Use ~ In Public

 Como peluqueando bobos  

          Vernacular ~ Very easy, swiftly

            Literal meaning ~ Like cutting idiots hair

Use ~ In Public

Less common but very funny expressions
These expressions are used mainly in some other Colombian regions, so not everyone might know them but you will certainly impress local people while bringing out a hearty laugh:

Como arroz partido! ~ Abundantly

Huyy no me le pegue al perro! ~ Please don't take advantage of me

Como pepa de guama ~ Quickly

Como trucha en un tetero ~ Bored

Llevado (del putas) ~ Messed up

Mas envuelto que un tamal ~ Cumbersome

Tons que llave? (o parcero) ~ Greeting between friends

Se rego como una mata de platano! ~ Talks too much

Last but not least...

Y qué más?

It equates to the American expression “what’s up”. It might be the most popular expression. Use it springily among friends and in public whenever you want to start a conversation but aren’t sure what to talk about.

Cheers!




As you might have already guessed, my English is still a work in progress. I apologize for any mistakes, and by the way comments and questions are  welcome.

Thank you for reading!