This document provides definitions and examples of common Colombian slang terms used in informal communication. Some key terms explained include: - Paisa - Refers to Colombians themselves, meaning someone from their country. - Lucas/Platas - Refers to Colombian currency (pesos) as bucks are used to refer to dollars in English. - Que Chimba - A versatile term that can mean something is cool, shitty, or unbelievable depending on context. - ¿Quiubo, Parce? - A greeting that translates to "What's up, bro?" used commonly between Colombians. - Rumba - Refers to going out partying at night

1. Colombian Slang Terms
Colombian slang terms generally consist of light plays on phrases and specific words in Spanish
that are specific to native Venezuelans or those living in Venezuela.
This article is the latest in our run of Spanish slang guides, a collection of basic slang for
different Spanish-speaking countries.
Colombians use these catchy phrases, quick hits, old stand-by sayings, flirtatious expressions,
and other figures of speech as an informal way of communication among people who either
know each other well -- and sometimes by people who aren't very fond of one another.

2. Usually these terms are used in spoken word -- not written Spanish, but like everything in life,
there are exceptions.
Paisa
Colombians refer to themselves as "paisas" much as Costa Ricans refer to themselves as "ticos."
Pais is Spanish for country, and this term is adapted to mean being one of their country.
For example:
Este es el bar favorito de los paisas! -- This is the locals' favorite bar!
Lucas, Platas
Colombians refer to their money, Colombian pesos, as lucas or platas much like Americans call
dollars 'bucks.' You'll hear (and probably use) this term in cafes, stores, and bars.
For example:
Parce, ¿tienes lucas para esta noche? -- Bro, do you have money for tonight?
Que Chimba
Chimba is perhaps the most common general Colombian slang term. In this case it means 'that's
cool' but chimba can also mean shitty or unbelievable also, depending on the context and tone of
voice.
For example:
¡Qué chimba! — That’s awesome!
¡La chimba! -- No way!
¡Qué Gonorrea!
This term refers to exactly what it sounds like, though it doesn't inherently refer to having an
STD. Colombians tend to use it when they have a quick moment of panic -- maybe they're late
for work or can't find their keys. Sometimes they'll use it to describe a person in a derogatory
manner, like 'look at that douchebag over there.'
For example:
Mira a este Gonorrea. -- Look at this douche.
¡Pilas!

3. This one means to be alert or ready, or keep your wits about you.
For example:
Estaré allí en pronto. ¡Pilas! -- I'll be there in a flash, be ready!
¡Miércoles!
This is something Colombians shout when they want to use profanity but aren't in an appropriate
place to do so. Kind of like how Americans will say 'shoot' or 'dang it.' You may also hear them
say ¡Juepucha!
For example:
Boss: Lo siento, pero no recibiste la promoción. -- I'm sorry, but you didn't get the promotion.
Employee: Miércoles Jon, por qué no? Trabajé muy duro? -- Dang it Jon, why not? I worked so
hard?
¿Quiubo, Parce?
What's up, bro? This is a common saying in Colombian cities and you'll hear it regularly -- even
as a tourist (pay attention to how Colombians address each other.) 'Parce' or 'parcero/a' in
particular is used casually -- you won't hear an employee say this to his/her boss, for example.
For example:

4. Person 1: ¿Quiubo, Parce? -- What's up, bro?
Person 2:
¡Preparandose para la rumba! -- Getting ready for the party!
Rumba
On that note -- the 'rumba' is the party itself. To go out to the party is rumbiar -- "to party" in
Colombian Spanish.
For example:
¡Tengo una rumba y quiero que vengas! -- I am having a party and I want you to come!
Changó
This term in Colombian for dance, and is used in reference to going out at night. The term comes
from a nightclub of the same name in the Colombian city of Cali.
For example:
¡Finalmente es el fin de semana y quiero changó esta noche! -- It's finally the weekend and I
want to dance tonight!
Los Tombos
Colombian slang for the police, similar to 'the cops' in English. This term is native to Colombia
and used mostly in young social settings.
For example:
¡Oh, mierda, vienen los tombos! -- Oh shit, the cops are coming!
Sapo/a
A sapo is the one who called the cops on the party -- it's how Colombians refer to a snitch or a
tattle-tale.
For example:
No invites a Jerome, es un sapo. -- Don't invite Jerome, he's a snitch.
Polas

5. Polas means beers in Colombian -- what you'll be having at la rumba. Club Colombia, Pilsen,
and Poker are among the most common mass-produced beers in Colombia, though if you're in a
major city you're never too far from a Bogota Beer Company.
For example:
Parce, tuve demasiadas polas anoche! -- Bro, I had too many beers last night!
Mi Parche
This term literally means "the patch" but signifies your crew -- the people you head to la rumba
with. Groups of friends use this term to describe themselves.
For example:
¡Llegué con mi parche y nos lo pasamos muy bien! -- I came with my crew and we had a great
time!
Prendido
This is how Colombians refer to being buzzed -- estoy prendido, amigo. It literally means "to be
lit" but, as in American slang, lit is interpreted as 'buzzed'.
For example:
Estaba prendido anoce. -- He was lit last night.
Jincho/a
If you've taken it a step beyond prendido, than you are jincho, amigo. This term means to be
drunk.
For example:
¿Viste a Ron anoche? ¡Estaba jincho! -- Did you see Ron last night? He was hammered!
Guayabo
After the jincho, you're going to have a hangover -- known in Colombian Spanish as a guava
tree, or guayabo.
For example:
¡Apuesto a que Ron tiene una guayabo masiva ahora mismo! -- I bet Ron has a massive hangover
right now!

6. Tragado/a
If you meet someone who steals your heart in Colombia, you are said to be tragado. This term
means to be smitted.
For example:
Estoy tragado y no hay nada que pueda hacer al respecto. Ella me robó el corazón. -- I am in love
and there's nothing I can do about it. She stole my heart.
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