Costa Rica Slang (Tiquismos)

1. ticos = Costa Ricans
2. pura vida = very nice, very good, perfect, life is good
3. tuanis = too nice
4. mae = dude
5. chiva = cool
6. guila = brat
7. polo = corny
8. concho = rough
9. mejenga = improvised soccer game
10. saprissista = fanatic of Saprissa soccer team
11. liguista = fanatic of Alajuela soccer team
12. achará = too bad
13. aguevado = depressed
14. brete = job
15. birra = beer
16. miche = fight
17. de tanda = wild party
18. cada muerte de obispo = once in a blue moon
19. carajillo = brat
20. con todo la pata = in good form
21. choza = house
22. chunche = junk, thing
23. meter la pata = to make a mistake
24. dolor de jupa = headache
25. goma = hangover
26. estar hecho lena = to be in bad shape
27. fregar or joder = to bother
28. hablar paja = to talk no sense
29. va jalando = get lost
30. ligar = to seduce
31. llegar a la hora del burro = to be late
32. meter una yuca = to say a lie
33. no entiendo ni papa = do not understand anything
34. chapulin = gang member
35. pinche o codo = stingy
36. suave = slow down
37. salado = bad luck guy
38. soque = hurry up
39. macha or macho = blond girl or boy
40. batear = to make wild guess or to exaggerate
41. empuncharse = to work hard
42. sacarse el clavo = to get even
43. chineado = to be spoiled
44. vamonos de pelon = let’s go party

Why “tiquismos”? When you heard Costa Ricans talk and if you understand some Spanish, you will notice that the endings of most of the words we used are “ tico or tica”, which denote a diminutive, so that’s why we call ourselves “ticos”.

If you visit our beautiful country, you will find very friendly and charming people. Who are always willing to help the tourists. This has given us such a good reputation around the world for being the best hosts toward our thousands of visitors.

Because of our high level of possibilities in education, you will realize that in any of the little towns around Costa Rica, there is someone that speaks at least a few words in English, and will help you with a big smile in his/her face.

Thus, give us the opportunity to be your host in this amazing country, and to help you feel confortable among us, please become acquainted with the most common words and phrases the ticos use daily. Hope you enjoy!!!