How To Speak Spanish Around the World

Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Each Spanish speaking area has a unique way of communicating. It can be confusing when having a conversation and a Chilean says taco and isn’t referring to food, or when a Spaniard calls you uncle. Here’s a list of basic words and phrases from different Spanish speaking areas so you can avoid confusion and sound like a local!

Puerto Rico

Spanish as you know it: Amigo
Translation: Friend
The Puerto Rican Way: Broki

Spanish as you know it: Loco
Translation: Crazy
The Puerto Rican way: Al garete

Spanish as you know it: Dinero
Translation: Money
The Puerto Rican way: Chavos

Spanish as you know it: Hermano
Translation: Brother
The Puerto Rican way: Mano (yes, like hand)

Guatemala

Spanish as you know it: ¡Si, por supuesto!
Translation: Yeah, of course!
The Guatemalan way: ¡A huevos! (yes, like eggs)

Spanish as you know it: ¡Todo bien!
Translation: All good!
The Guatemalan way: ¡Cabal!

Spanish as you know it: ¡Qué chévere!
Translation: Cool!
The Guatemalan way: ¡Qué chliero!

Spanish as you know it: ¡Con cuidado!
Translation: Be careful/watch out!
The Guatemalan way: ¡Aguas! (Yes, like water)

Nicaragua

Spanish as you know it: ¿Qué tal?
Translation: What’s up?
The Nicaraguan way: ¿Qué onda?

Spanish as you know it: ¡Qué chévere!
Translation: Cool
The Nicaraguan way: ¡Qué tuani!

Costa Rica

Spanish as you know it: ¡Qué chévere!
Translation: Cool!
The Costa Rican way: ¡Qué tuanis! o ¡Qué chiva!

Spanish as you know it: Estoy bien
Translation: I’m good
The Costa Rican Way: ¡Pura Vida!

Spanish as you know it: Genial!
Translation: That’s great!
The Costa Rican Way: ¡A cachete!

Spanish as you know it: De Nada/Con Gusto
Translation: You’re Welcome
The Costa Rican way: Pura vida

Spanish as you know it: La cosa
Translation: Thing
The Costa Rican way: La vara

Panama

Spanish as you know it: Hola Amigo. ¿Qué tal?
Translation: Hey friend! What’s up?
The Panamanian way: ¿Fren, qué sopá?

Spanish as you know it: Está bien
Translation: It’s good/Okay/Sure
The Panamanian way: Offi

Colombia

Spanish as you know it: Amigo
Translation: Friend
The Colombian way:  Parcero

Spanish as you know it: Qué chévere o Qué genial
Translation: How cool or how great
The Colombian way: ¡Qué chimba!

Spanish as you know it: La cosa
Translation:  Thing
The Colombian way: La viana

Ecuador

Spanish as you know it: No te entiendo
Translation: I don’t understand you
The Ecuadorian way: Mande

Spanish as you know it: ¿En serio?
Translation: Seriously?
The Ecuadorian way: ¿La plena!?

Spanish as you know it: ¡Por supuesto!
Translation: Of course!
The Ecuadorian Way:  ¡De ley!

Peru

Spanish as you know it: ¡Qué chévere!
Translation: Cool!
The Peruvian way: ¡Qué paja!

Spanish as you know it: Amigo
Translation: Friend
The Peruvian way: Coche

Spanish as you know it: Tener cuidado
Translation: Watch out!
The Peruvian way: Yara!

Chile

Spanish as you know it: Novio/Novia
Translation: Boyfriend/Girlfriend
The Chilean way: Pololo/Polola

Spanish as you know it: ¿Tú sabes?
Translation: You know?
The Chilean way: ¿Cachai?

Spanish as you know it: Genial
Translation: great!
The Chilean way: ¡La raja!

Spanish as you know it: tráfico
Translation: Traffic
The Chilean way: Taco (yes, like the food)

Spain

Spanish as you know it: Amigo
Translation: Friend
The Spanish way: Tío

Spanish as you know it: ¡Qué chévere!
Translation: Cool!
The Spanish way: ¡Qué guay!

Spanish as you know it: ¡Genial!
Translation: Great!
The Spanish way: ¡La cana!

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