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20 words that only make sense in Colombia
Has someone ever given you “cantaleta”? Or have you ever felt “amañado” on a new place? Have you met an “intenso”? Or experienced something “hostigante”? Don’t worry, we know Colombian slang can be hard to navigate. That's why here, we give you the essen
Although Spanish is shared by several countries, each region has its own linguistic peculiarities, and the country of beauty is no exception. Here, there are Colombian words that acquire their meaning only within our culture and are easily understood only by us. That’s why today we bring you some examples of Colombian expressions that are used in our territory, depending on the context.
Words that cannot be missing at a party
Guayabo: It is the perfect word to describe the discomfort after a good party that makes more than one person say “I will never drink again.” Guayabo encompasses all the symptoms experienced after having a few good aguardientes. But it also represents a feeling of sadness or nostalgia for some situation. “This guayabo I have is hitting me hard”
Rumbear: It refers to going to a party, specifically, going out to dance with a large or small group of friends. This is one of the most used Colombian words , especially on weekends. In other regions of Colombia, synonyms like “parranda,” “foforro,” or “farra” are used. “Get ready because this Friday we’re going to party!”.
Let’s talk about objects and food
Onces: It is a light snack taken between lunch and dinner or, in some places, between breakfast and lunch. Onces are part of the Colombian slang to refer to a social occasion, becoming an essential part of Colombians' daily life. “Do you want to go for some onces in the afternoon?”.
Pintadito: It is the traditional drink from the Colombian coffee region, where filtered coffee is mixed with a splash of milk. It is also called cortadito, and depending on the area, it can be lighter or stronger. “Do you feel like having a pintadito?”
Cachucha: This word used by Colombians refers to a light cap mainly worn for protection against the sun or as a fashion accessory. In Colombia, it is common to see people wearing cachuchas outdoors, doing sports or walking. It is also a very popular accessory in the country.“I love your cachucha”
And if it’s about typical Colombian adjectives, here are some
Bacano (a): When something is awesome or really good. It can also refer to a very kind, nice, and well-liked person. Usually, your friends or family members are bacanos. “What an awesome view,” “What a great party!,” “He is a bacán”.
Lastly, Colombian actions that cannot be missed
Dar cantaleta: Any Colombian who respects themselves has “given cantaleta” at some point. This refers to when someone scolds or repeats the same topic over and over, becoming annoying to the other person. “What a hassle that cantaleta.”
Hacer una vaca: This involves collecting money for a specific purpose. Colombians love doing this to buy food, drinks, or for a trip. Most of the time, these meetings end up in parties and dancing until dawn. “Let’s do a vaca for some beers.”
Tragarse: Colombians, besides falling in love with someone, also “swallow” them. The “traga” is that person who makes someone sigh in love. “I’m so into my girlfriend.”
Ponerse las pilas: This Colombian saying is used to indicate taking action. It means organizing oneself, getting an activity going, and finding a way to achieve set goals. It is also a phrase used to motivate and challenge. “I see you’re very sluggish, get your act together” Finally, typical Colombian expressions are more than just simple terms; they are unique words and languages that encapsulate the very essence of our country. Every phrase tells a story and creates an identity. And you, which ones did you already know?
