🗣️ Latino Slang Translator
What it literally means vs. what it actually means — with real examples from everyday conversation.
24 terms found
Chévere
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Casual
Literally
Chevere (no literal root)
Actually means
Cool, great, awesome — general approval of something
“Eso estuvo chévere.”
That was awesome.
Parce / Parcero
🇨🇴 Colombian
Friendly
Literally
Companion / partner
Actually means
Friend, buddy — used constantly in casual conversation
“¿Cómo estás, parce?”
How are you, buddy?
Chimba
🇨🇴 Colombian
Casual
Literally
Technically crude, but repurposed
Actually means
Excellent, fantastic, the best (Medellín especially) — or something annoying depending on tone
“Ese lugar es una chimba.”
That place is amazing.
Bacano
🇨🇴 Colombian
Descriptive
Literally
No literal root
Actually means
Cool, nice, great — very versatile positive descriptor
“Qué tipo tan bacano.”
What a cool guy.
Vaina
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Casual
Literally
Pod / sheath (like a seed pod)
Actually means
Thing, stuff, situation — can mean almost anything depending on context
“¿Qué es esa vaina?”
What is that thing?
Pana
🇻🇪 Venezuelan
Friendly
Literally
Bread (pana = bread in some regions)
Actually means
Friend, close buddy — the Venezuelan equivalent of parce
“Ese es mi pana.”
That's my buddy.
Chamo / Chama
🇻🇪 Venezuelan
Casual
Literally
Kid
Actually means
Guy / girl — used for friends of any age, like 'dude' or 'mate'
“Oye chamo, ¿qué pasó?”
Hey man, what happened?
Berraco / Verraco
🇨🇴 Colombian
Descriptive
Literally
Wild boar
Actually means
Badass, impressive, or someone who handles adversity well — high compliment
“Ese man es muy berraco.”
That guy is seriously impressive.
Marica
🇨🇴 Colombian
Friendly
Literally
Homophobic slur (but completely defused in Colombia)
Actually means
Friend, dude, man — Colombian equivalent of 'bro', used constantly between close friends
“Marica, ¿qué hiciste?”
Dude, what did you do?
Chamo
🇻🇪 Venezuelan
Casual
Literally
Small one / kid
Actually means
Young person or friend — used affectionately between peers
“Chamo, ven acá.”
Hey, come here.
Gonorrea
🇨🇴 Colombian
Casual
Literally
Medical term (gonorrhoea)
Actually means
In Medellín: used as an intensifier or term of endearment between close friends (not an insult between friends)
“Ese gonorrea sí sabe bailar.”
(Affectionate) That guy can really dance.
Tenaz
🇨🇴 Colombian
Descriptive
Literally
Tenacious / tough
Actually means
Hard, difficult, intense — or used sarcastically for something annoying
“Ese examen estuvo tenaz.”
That exam was brutal.
Rumbear
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Casual
Literally
From 'rumba' (party)
Actually means
To party, to go out, to dance and have a good time
“Vamos a rumbear esta noche.”
Let's party tonight.
Pelado / Pelada
🇨🇴 Colombian
Descriptive
Literally
Peeled / bald
Actually means
Young person, kid, or attractive person — context-dependent
“Esa pelada está muy linda.”
That girl is very pretty.
Llave / Llavería
🇨🇴 Colombian
Friendly
Literally
Key
Actually means
Close friend, best friend — someone who has the 'key' to your life
“Ese es mi llave.”
That's my close friend.
¡Uy!
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Exclamation
Literally
Oof / whoa
Actually means
Exclamation of surprise, admiration, or mild pain — very common filler
“¡Uy, qué rico!”
Wow, that's so good!
Estar en el cuento
🇨🇴 Colombian
Casual
Literally
To be in the story
Actually means
To be down for something, to be interested and engaged
“¿Vas a la fiesta? — Sí, estoy en el cuento.”
You going to the party? — Yeah, I'm in.
Echar los perros
🇨🇴 Colombian
Casual
Literally
To throw the dogs
Actually means
To flirt, to hit on someone
“Ese man te está echando los perros.”
That guy is flirting with you.
Mi amor / Mi vida
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Affectionate
Literally
My love / My life
Actually means
Term of endearment — used freely even with strangers, not necessarily romantic
“Gracias, mi amor.”
Thank you, sweetheart.
Costeño / Costeña
🇨🇴 Colombian
Descriptive
Literally
From the coast
Actually means
Person from Colombia's Caribbean coast — known for being warm, loud, and festive
“Ella es costeña, por eso baila tan bien.”
She's from the coast, that's why she dances so well.
Aguacate
🇻🇪 Venezuelan
Casual
Literally
Avocado
Actually means
Coward, someone who gives up easily
“No seas aguacate.”
Don't be a coward.
Vergación / ¡Verga!
🇻🇪 Venezuelan
Exclamation
Literally
Crude anatomical word (repurposed)
Actually means
Wow, damn, hell — general intensifier, similar to 'damn' in English
“¡Vergación, qué carro tan bonito!”
Damn, what a beautiful car!
Caer bien
🇨🇴🇻🇪 Both
Affectionate
Literally
To fall well
Actually means
To like someone, to get along well with them
“Me cae muy bien.”
I really like them (as a person).
Mamadera de gallo
🇨🇴 Colombian
Casual
Literally
Rooster suckling
Actually means
Joking around, teasing, pulling someone's leg
“Tranquilo, es mamadera de gallo.”
Relax, I'm just messing with you.