Ever wondered how to sound like a local in Costa Rica? You’re about to discover the vibrant world of Costa Rican slang, known locally as “pachuco.” This unique vocabulary isn’t just about words—it’s a window into the laid-back, friendly culture that makes Costa Rica special.
Essential Everyday Expressions
- The Famous “Pura Vida”: This iconic phrase literally means “pure life,” but it’s so much more. You’ll hear it used as:
- A greeting: “¡Pura vida, mae!”
- A response to “How are you?”: “Pura vida”
- “Mae”: Your Go-To Word: “Mae” is the Costa Rican equivalent of “dude” or “guy,” but it’s used even more frequently. You’ll hear it start or end almost every informal sentence:
- “Mae, ¿qué tal?” (Hey dude, what’s up?)
- “Ese mae es tuanis” (That guy is cool)
Cool Factor: Popular Expressions
- Positive Vibes:
- “Tuanis”: Cool, nice, awesome
- “Chiva”: Awesome, great
- “¡Qué ride!”: How cool!
- “A toda dar”: Excellent, perfect
- Casual Conversations:
- “¿Qué me dice?”: What’s up? (Literally: What do you tell me?)
- “¿Todo bien?”: All good?
- “Al chile”: Seriously
- “Sala”: Bad luck
Food-Related Slang
- “Gallo pinto”: Beyond just the traditional rice and beans dish, it can mean “mess” or “mixture”
- “Birra”: Beer
- “Boca”: Small portion of food (similar to tapas)
- “Chifrijo”: A popular bar food, but also used to describe something mixed up
Situational Expressions
- “Aguevado”: Feeling down (literally: “egg-like”)
- “¡Qué pereza!”: What a drag!
- “Japado”: Broke (no money)
- “Chunche”: Thing (when you can’t remember the name of something)
Regional Variations
- Central Valley Slang:
- “Roco/a”: Old person
- “Pichazo”: A lot of something
- “Chante”: House
- Coastal Areas:
- “Pura vida mae”: More commonly used than inland
- “Tuanis”: Used with greater frequency
- “Achantado”: Relaxed, taking it easy
Modern Costa Rican Slang
- “Güila”: Kid
- “Carga”: Something annoying
- “Chiva”: Now also used for social media content
- “Jamar”: To eat
In a Nutshell
Costa Rican slang adds color and warmth to everyday conversations, reflecting the country’s welcoming spirit. From the universal “pura vida” to regional expressions, these terms will help you connect with locals and appreciate the unique flavor of Tico culture.