THE 73 MOST TYPICAL COLOMBIAN PHRASES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

I leave you a list of typical Colombian phrases that are heard regularly in the towns and cities of this country. These include rumbiar, to order, ready, fourteen, muddy, being swallowed, among others.

The Spanish spoken in Colombia is a set of varieties that include accents and words typical of this country. In popular culture it is common to use slang to refer to situations in daily life.

Many expressions characteristic of a particular region have expanded to become understood throughout the entire country. Every conversation in a social situation is full of typical phrases, idioms and expressions. Many of these do not follow the rules of Spanish, but are socially accepted by the people.

Typical words of Colombia according to the context

Partying

Polas: Pola is a word used to refer to a beer in a context of friends. La Pola was a popular beer named after the popular heroine of Colombia's independence, Policarpa Salavarrieta. This brand no longer exists, but its name remained in the lexicon of Colombians.

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 to party to have fun.

Rumba: rumba is the word used to describe the party itself. It is generally used in the phrase "The rumba is good!" to express how much fun they are having at the event.

Chango: Chango is a word used only in the city of Cali, capital of the department of Valle del Cauca. The name comes from a famous salsa club that was located in the city. Caleños use this word as a synonym of the verb dance, regardless of whether that is not the club they are heading to.

Touch: a touch refers to a concert given by a small band, generally in small locations.

Being Prendido / a - Prendo / a: s and used to describe a person when he has been drinking and is only in a slight state of drunkenness.

Jincho / Jincha: used to describe a person who is completely drunk and has started to lose his faculties because of it.

Guayabo: guava is the state after being jincho or drunk and is known as hangover. It is characterized by a strong malaise accompanied by migraine.

Guaro: Guaro is the popular name for brandy, which is an alcoholic beverage that is produced from the distillation of cane and has a strong anise flavor. There are several popular brands according to the region, but the most popular is the one produced in the department of Antioquia.

A stream: A stream is a shot of an alcoholic beverage or can refer to the entire bottle of the liquid. It is used in phrases such as: "Give me a chorro de guaro" (Give me a drink of brandy).

Guachafita: synonymous with party or where there is a lot of fuss and disorder.

Friendships

Parcero - Parcera: parcero or simply parce, is the way to call a friend or acquaintance in Colombia. However, it is used to call anyone who has just met. Typical of the Antioquia region.

Quiubo! : is a contraction of "What was there?" It is used simply to greet an acquaintance. It can be accompanied by "parce" when greeting a friend.

My Key - Keychain - Keychain: the key is a close friend, with whom you tend to spend time until it becomes an inseparable friendship.

The Patch: The patch is the name for a group of friends. This word is generally used when said group is going to an event or to make an exit.

Patch: is the verb derived from the word patch and means to walk with a group of friends. It also describes the very act of maintaining a friendship with someone. Dispatched is another derived term and means to be bored or have nothing to do.

Love life

Being swallowed: is the state of a person when he is completely in love with another. It is generally used when this love has not yet been declared, but also when it has already been reciprocated.

Gallinear: is the verb used to refer to a man who is courting a woman, but not in a very delicate way.

To fall: the verb to fall in this context means to start courting a woman. It is to start showing signs of the interest you have in someone.

Cuddle: cuddle or curl up next to someone or something. It can be snuggling as a couple in bed.

On the street

To order: is a phrase related to services that were acquired or will be acquired. As a question, it works before the service by the person who offers it: “To order? Or as an exclamation it works after the service by the person who offered it: “To order!

Street vendors continually repeat this phrase to get the attention of passersby.

Lucas: is the name to denominate the local currency, which is the peso. Example: 1000 lucas (1000 pesos).

Billete: it is the word used to describe paper money, but in Colombia it is used in its singular form to refer to a person's wealth status. Example: "That man has a lot of money" (That man has a lot of money). It can also be used as an adjective: “billetudo” (with a lot of money).

Chuspa: is the term used to refer to a plastic bag.

La olla: is the term used in Colombia to refer to shady places in large cities, commonly associated with low-income neighborhoods and drug dealing.

Los tombos: This is how low-ranking police officers are called.

Open up! : Open (se) is a verb used in a derogatory tone to signal the end of an association. It can be used in the first person: “Me abro” (I'm leaving); or it is used to sue another person: “Ábrase” (Get out).

Giving papaya: describes the act of exposing yourself to a dangerous situation knowing that this may occur. It is generally used in the phrase "Do not give papaya" (Do not give reasons for…). An example of this could be wearing valuable jewelry in plain sight while walking through a dangerous neighborhood.

The saying “A split papaya… served papaya” describes that sometimes people simply take advantage of situations if everything is raised to make it happen that easily.

Toad: a sapa person is one who cannot keep a secret or who, upon seeing an irregular situation, simply goes to an authority to report it.

I fall for you: the verb to fall in this context is used to say that a person appears in a place or in a situation. Example: "Tomorrow I'm going to fall for my friend" (Tomorrow I'm going to pass by where my friend lives ”.

Mecato: snacks that are usually consumed between meals or during a trip. They can be candy, chips or the like.

Make a cow: carry out a money drive for people in need.

Other expressions

Chimba! : Depending on the use, this word can have several meanings:

• What a chimp! (Cool, amazing)
• Something good chimbo (Something cheap, poorly made)
• The chimba! (Don't expect it, no way)

What Gonorrhea! : Not used in a medical context, it can take on several meanings:

• What Gonorrhea! (Gross, I can't see that)
• Hey Gonorrhea. (Hey friend) Depending on the tone and the situation it can be friendly or an insult.

It's a note! : is an adjective used to describe a situation, person or object that stands out in a good way.

Paila! : used to describe a situation that goes wrong or to announce a negative response to a request.

• "What a pot!" (That bad!)
• "- Can you lend me money? - Paila, I don't have one. " (- Can I borrow money? - Bad, I don't have one.)

Be flies! : being flies is a warning to point out that you have to be quick and be attentive to a situation.

Stacks! : used in a similar way to “being flies” it can mean being attentive to some situation. It can also be used to say that you have to be with all the energy in front of an event.

Berraquísimo! : used to describe an astonishing situation or that required a lot of effort to accomplish.

A fourteen: is a phrase used to refer to a favor. Example: "Do me a fourteen" (Do me a favor).

Mamar Gallo: verb used to describe the act of joking or spending time doing nothing.

Chiviado / a: adjective used to describe objects of well-known brands that have been counterfeited.

Trinkets: a trinket is a word used to describe objects that are not used or that make a nuisance somewhere.

Chucha: the chucha is the name used for the bad smell coming from the armpits of a person due to not bathing or not using deodorant products.

Pecueca: is the name used for the bad smell coming from the feet of a person caused by the lack of cleanliness or the presence of fungi.

Gross! : Guacala is a word used to express disgust or repulsion for some object, person or situation.

Chichí: Chichí is the word used, generally by children, to say that they have to urinate. Example: "I have chichí" (I have to urinate).

A bun: A bun is a word used to refer to a portion of fecal matter. It can be used in phrases like "I don't give a damn" (I don't give a damn).

Churrias: in the same way as bun, it is used to describe fecal matter, but in this case when the person is suffering from diarrhea.

Sheath: word used to describe any object, especially when you don't have its name in mind or situations that you have momentarily forgotten how to describe.

• "What is that pod?" (What is that thing?)
• "I put that pod on top." (I put that thing on top)

Focused: to be focused is to be plunged into a deep sleep as a result of a long day of effort.

Chinese: it is a word used to refer to a small child.

Camel: A camel is used to speak of the work itself or the act of working.

• "I'm going to camel" (I'm going to work)
• "I got myself a new camel" (I got myself a new job)

A Tinto: in Colombia it is a word widely used to talk about a cup of coffee.

Square: verb used to describe situations in which you need to plan a situation or agree to a deal.

Embarrar: verb to describe situations in which the person himself cannot achieve a result due to a mistake made. "I muddled it" (I made a mistake, I failed).

Stop ball: this verb is used for situations in which you have to pay attention to a specific circumstance. In a loving context it also implies that one person has begun to show interest in another.

• "For balls!" (Pay attention)
• She is stopping me balls. (She is showing interest in me)

Cascar: verb used for when a person is hit. It can also be turned into an adjective for a person who is abused due to a beating.

• I casted that man. (I hit that guy)
• My friend is all broken. (My friend is all beaten)

What a mess! : when someone or something generates boredom or annoyance.

• What a joke, there is nothing funny on television!
• So much rain gives me a lot of money.

What video! : expression used when a strange, funny or unexpected situation has occurred.

Various adjectives

Un / a berraco / a: adjective used to describe a brave person or who has faced a very difficult situation. It generally denotes admiration on the part of the person who says it.

Mono / a: used to call people with blond hair.

Tired: person who, due to his attitude, can make someone else despair because of his intensity.

Suckling: being exhausted or completely tired by a situation or by the accumulated effort of the day.

Wolf: person with a taste for clothing or decoration that is quite questionable.

Judicious: this is a fairly common adjective used for people who are quite dedicated and focused on their work and / or study.

Maluco / a: adjective used to describe people or situations that do not generate a good feeling or that cause a bad feeling.

Game Hood! - Thurs mother! : simplified version of an insult that is used to express disapproval of a sudden situation.

Emberracarse: being emberracado is to be absolutely upset in front of someone or something.

Chévere: something or someone good, fun, that causes a good feeling.

Chambón: a job not done correctly or a brute person without any skill or dexterity.

Guambito: naughty child who usually ignores his parents. It is also used to define young people who have not yet reached puberty or have not been married.

Atembao: useless person, without initiative, with no skill and who, in general, is not very intelligent. It is an adjective used mostly by older adults.

Themes of interest

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References

1. Magic Colombia. Popular Expressions of Colombia..colombiamagica.co.
2. Colombia.co. 20 words that are only understood in Colombia. October 17, 2014. colombia.co.
3. The country. The dictionary of warmth. elpais.com.co.
4. Only Paisas. Paisa Dictionary. February 25, 2015. solopaisas.com.co.
5. Oxygen. The 15 words most used by young people in Colombia. Language day. April 23, 2015. oxigeno.fm.
6. Londoño, Camila. Upsocl. 26 words and expressions that only Colombians can understand. November 10, 2015. upsocl.com.