175 Spanish Slang Words & Phrases Every Learner Must Know: Essential Guide

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The guide ‘175 Spanish Slang Words & Phrases Every Learner Must Know’ dives deep into the everyday language you’ll hear on the streets. Language is more than just talking; it shows us who we are, reflecting our culture and norms. By learning these phrases, you get a sneak peek into what makes Spanish-speaking communities unique. This isn’t just a language tool; it’s a way to connect culturally. If you’re learning Spanish and want to fit in with the locals, understanding these expressions is crucial.

175 Spanish Slang Words and Phrases

Spanish Slang Words and Phrases

Serial Slang Word/Phrase English Translation Meaning/Usage
1 Guay Cool Used to describe something awesome or cool
2 Chulo Cute Can also mean cocky or brash depending on context
3 Vale Okay Used to agree with someone or acknowledge something
4 Tío/Tía Dude/Girl Used to refer to a friend or person, regardless of gender
5 Guiri Foreigner Usually refers to tourists, especially from the UK
6 Currar To work Informal term for working or having a job
7 Pasta Money Informal term for cash or money
8 Majo/Maja Nice Used to describe someone who is nice or pleasant
9 Flipar To flip out Used when something amazes or surprises you
10 Mono/Moni Cute Used to describe something or someone cute or adorable
11 Mogollón A lot Used to describe a large amount of something
12 Peña Crowd Refers to a group of friends or people
13 Chaval/Chavala Kid Informal term for a boy or girl
14 Tío bueno/Tía buena Hot guy/girl Used to describe someone attractive
15 Qué chulo How cool Used to express admiration or approval
16 Molar To be cool Used to describe something that you find cool or awesome
17 Liar To mess up Used when someone has made a mistake or created a problem
18 Ser la leche To be awesome Used to describe someone or something amazing
19 Pasar de To pass on Used when you don’t care about something or choose to ignore it
20 Pijo/Pija Snob Used to describe someone who is snobby or pretentious
21 No pasa nada No problem Used to reassure someone that everything is okay
22 Ir a su bola To do one’s own thing Used to describe someone who does their own thing without considering others
23 Pavo/Pava Turkey Informal term for a silly or clueless person
24 Joder F*** A strong curse word used to express frustration or anger
25 Hostia Holy crap An exclamation of surprise or anger
26 Chungo Bad Used to describe something difficult or bad
27 Estar en las nubes To be daydreaming Used to describe someone who is distracted or daydreaming
28 Ni fu ni fa So-so Used to describe something that is neither good nor bad
29 Estar en el quinto pino To be far away Used to describe something or someone very far away
30 Tener mala leche To be bad-tempered Used to describe someone with a bad temper
31 De puta madre Awesome Used to describe something amazing or fantastic
32 Ser un borde To be rude Used to describe someone who is rude or unpleasant
33 Montar un pollo To cause a scene Used when someone creates a big fuss or scene
34 Ser un pesado To be annoying Used to describe someone who is being annoying or bothersome
35 Pasarse To go too far Used when someone crosses a line or goes too far
36 Estar hasta las narices To be fed up Used when someone is fed up or has had enough
37 Estar de mala leche To be in a bad mood Used to describe someone who is in a bad mood
38 No tener ni idea To have no idea Used when someone has no clue about something
39 Ser una gozada To be a pleasure Used to describe something very enjoyable
40 Me importa un pimiento I don’t care Used to express indifference
41 Ser un rollo To be boring Used to describe something that is boring or tedious
42 Alucinar To be amazed Used when something surprises or amazes you
43 Dejarse de rollos To stop messing around Used to tell someone to stop joking or messing around
44 No hay tutía No way Used to express that something is not going to happen
45 Estar al loro To be alert Used to describe someone who is alert and paying attention
46 Echar una mano To lend a hand Used to ask for or offer help
47 Ser un pringado To be a loser Used to describe someone who is gullible or a loser
48 Dar la lata To annoy Used when someone is being annoying or bothersome
49 Estar petado To be packed Used to describe a place that is very crowded
50 Ser un friqui To be a geek Used to describe someone who is very passionate about a specific interest or hobby
51 Estar hecho polvo To be exhausted Used to describe someone who is very tired or exhausted
52 Hacer el ganso To fool around Used to describe someone who is goofing off or being silly
53 Estar en apuros To be in trouble Used to describe someone who is in a difficult situation
54 Ser un chorizo To be a thief Used to describe someone who is dishonest or a thief
55 Montárselo bien To have a good time Used to describe someone who is enjoying themselves
56 No me rayes Don’t bother me Used to tell someone to stop bothering or annoying you
57 Tirar la toalla To throw in the towel Used when someone gives up or quits
58 Pasarlo bomba To have a blast Used to describe having a great time
59 Estar en racha To be on a roll Used to describe someone who is experiencing a streak of good luck
60 Ser un hueso To be tough Used to describe someone who is strict or tough
61 Estar forrado To be loaded Used to describe someone who is very rich
62 Dejar plantado To stand someone up Used when someone doesn’t show up for a meeting or date
63 Echar un vistazo To take a look Used to ask someone to look at something
64 Dar el coñazo To annoy Used when someone is being very annoying
65 Estar a tope To be full Used to describe something or someone at maximum capacity
66 Ser la caña To be the best Used to describe something or someone really great
67 No dar pie con bola To mess up Used when someone can’t get anything right
68 Estar frito To be done for Used to describe someone in big trouble or exhausted
69 Irse de marcha To go out partying Used to describe going out to party or clubbing
70 Quedarse en blanco To draw a blank Used when someone can’t remember something
71 Echar la bronca To scold Used when someone is being told off or scolded
72 Hacer la pelota To suck up Used to describe someone who is flattering someone to get something
73 Ponerse las pilas To get on with it Used to tell someone to hurry up or get to work
74 Estar como una cabra To be crazy Used to describe someone who is acting crazy
75 Hacer el tonto To play the fool Used to describe someone acting foolishly
76 Ir de guay To act cool Used to describe someone trying to act cool or superior
77 Quedarse con alguien To fool someone Used when someone tricks or deceives someone
78 Hacer una faena To do a dirty trick Used to describe someone doing something unfair or sneaky
79 Ser una y carne To be inseparable Used to describe two people who are very close
80 Dar el callo To work hard Used to describe someone working very hard
81 Ir al grano To get to the point Used to tell someone to get to the point without wasting time
82 Ser un manitas To be handy Used to describe someone good at fixing things
83 Estar como un tren To be hot Used to describe someone very attractive
84 Tomar el pelo To pull someone’s leg Used to describe joking or teasing someone
85 Estar como una regadera To be crazy Used to describe someone acting very strange or crazy
86 Irse por las ramas To go off on a tangent Used to describe someone who is straying from the main topic
87 Ser un crack To be great Used to describe someone who is very good at something
88 Pasar la noche en blanco To not sleep Used to describe a sleepless night
89 Ser pan comido To be a piece of cake Used to describe something very easy
90 Estar como una sopa To be soaked Used to describe someone very wet
91 Tener mala pata To have bad luck Used to describe someone who is unlucky
92 Ser un bocazas To be a blabbermouth Used to describe someone who talks too much
93 Estar sin blanca To be broke Used to describe someone with no money
94 Dar en el clavo To hit the nail on the head Used when someone gets something exactly right
95 Ser un aguafiestas To be a party pooper Used to describe someone who ruins the fun
96 Estar como un roble To be very healthy Used to describe someone very healthy and strong
97 Andar con rodeos To beat around the bush Used to describe someone avoiding the main point
98 Dar la vuelta a la tortilla To turn the tables Used to describe changing the situation to one’s advantage
99 Estar en la onda To be in the loop Used to describe someone who is up to date or trendy
100 Poner los cuernos To cheat Used to describe someone being unfaithful
101 Dar la cara To face the music Used to describe taking responsibility for something
102 Estar hasta el gorro To be fed up Used when someone is very fed up or annoyed
103 Ser un ligón To be a flirt Used to describe someone who flirts a lot
104 Dar la brasa To hassle Used when someone is being persistent or annoying
105 Estar hasta el moño To be fed up Used when someone is very annoyed or tired of something
106 Ser un carroza To be old-fashioned Used to describe someone with outdated ideas or style
107 Dar el pego To pass off as real Used when something looks better than it is
108 Estar de buen rollo To be in a good mood Used to describe someone in a good mood
109 Ser un hueso duro de roer To be a tough nut to crack Used to describe someone very tough or difficult
110 Dar un toque To give a heads up Used to describe giving someone a warning or notice
111 Estar a la última To be trendy Used to describe someone who follows the latest trends
112 Ser un empollón To be a nerd Used to describe someone who studies a lot
113 Dar la lata To be a nuisance Used when someone is being very annoying
114 Estar en las nubes To be daydreaming Used to describe someone who is distracted or not paying attention
115 Ser un pelmazo To be a bore Used to describe someone who is very boring
116 Darle la lata a alguien To bother someone Used when someone is being very annoying to someone else
117 Estar en pelotas To be naked Used to describe someone who is completely naked
118 Ser un gallito To be cocky Used to describe someone who is overly confident or brash
119 Darle vueltas a algo To overthink something Used when someone keeps thinking about something too much
120 Estar frito To be done for Used to describe someone who is in trouble or exhausted
121 Ser una maruja To be a gossip Used to describe someone who gossips a lot
122 Darse un morreo To make out Used to describe a passionate kiss
123 Estar petado To be packed Used to describe a place that is very crowded
124 Ser un pendejo To be an idiot Used to describe someone who is being foolish or dumb
125 Echar una mano To lend a hand Used to ask for or offer help
126 Estar a dos velas To be broke Used to describe someone with no money
127 Ser un matado To be a loser Used to describe someone who is not successful
128 Echar un polvo To have sex Informal term for having sex
129 Estar en la luna To be absent-minded Used to describe someone who is not paying attention
130 Ser un coñazo To be a pain Used to describe something or someone very annoying
131 Echar una cabezada To take a nap Used to describe taking a short nap
132 Estar sin blanca To be broke Used to describe someone with no money
133 Ser un pringado To be a sucker Used to describe someone who is gullible or easily taken advantage of
134 Echarse un farol To bluff Used when someone is pretending or lying about something
135 Estar al loro To be alert Used to describe someone who is alert and paying attention
136 Ser un pardillo To be naive Used to describe someone who is inexperienced or naive
137 Estar hecho polvo To be exhausted Used to describe someone who is very tired
138 Ser un fantasma To be a show-off Used to describe someone who exaggerates or lies about their accomplishments
139 Echar una siesta To take a nap Used to describe taking a short rest or nap during the day
140 Estar de capa caída To be down Used to describe someone who is feeling down or depressed
141 Ser un pesado To be a bore Used to describe someone who is very annoying or tiresome
142 Echar el freno To slow down Used to tell someone to slow down or take it easy
143 Estar como una cabra To be crazy Used to describe someone acting irrational or crazy
144 Ser un bocazas To be a blabbermouth Used to describe someone who talks too much
145 Echar una mano To lend a hand Used to offer or ask for help
146 Estar en Babia To be daydreaming Used to describe someone who is not paying attention
147 Ser un figura To be talented Used to describe someone who is very talented or skilled
148 Echar el hígado To make a big effort Used to describe someone putting in a lot of effort
149 Estar frito To be exhausted Used to describe someone who is very tired
150 Ser un soso To be boring Used to describe someone who is dull or boring
151 Echar la casa por la ventana To go all out Used to describe someone who is spending a lot or making a big effort
152 Estar de broma To be joking Used to describe someone who is joking or not serious
153 Ser un bombón To be very attractive Used to describe someone who is very good-looking
154 Echar la culpa To blame Used to describe blaming someone for something
155 Estar en las últimas To be at the end of one’s rope Used to describe someone who is very tired or out of resources
156 Ser un lince To be very sharp Used to describe someone who is very clever or perceptive
157 Echar chispas To be very angry Used to describe someone who is very angry or furious
158 Estar de parranda To be out partying Used to describe someone who is out having a good time
159 Ser un fiera To be very good at something Used to describe someone who is very skilled or talented
160 Echar el ojo To have one’s eye on something Used to describe being interested in something
161 Estar de bajón To be feeling down Used to describe someone who is feeling sad or depressed
162 Ser un hacha To be very skilled Used to describe someone who is very good at something
163 Echar la siesta To take a nap Used to describe taking a short rest during the day
164 Estar al loro To be on the ball Used to describe someone who is alert and paying attention
165 Ser un pelotillero To be a suck-up Used to describe someone who flatters others to get what they want
166 Echar un cable To lend a hand Used to offer or ask for help
167 Estar en apuros To be in trouble Used to describe someone who is in a difficult situation
168 Ser un bicho raro To be a weirdo Used to describe someone who is very strange or unusual
169 Echar una cana al aire To have a fling Used to describe having a brief, casual affair
170 Estar de morros To be sulking Used to describe someone who is sulking or pouting
171 Ser un animal To be very strong Used to describe someone who is very strong or tough
172 Echar un polvo To have sex Informal term for having sexual intercourse
173 Estar pez To be clueless Used to describe someone who is very inexperienced or clueless
174 Ser un patán To be a jerk Used to describe someone who is rude or boorish
175 Echarse a llorar To burst into tears Used to describe someone who starts crying suddenly

Conclusion

In short, knowing 175 Spanish slang words and phrases helps a lot when you’re trying to speak the language outside of a classroom. This guide doesn’t just grow your vocabulary; it also gives you insight into how people actually talk in different Spanish-speaking places. If you want to speak Spanish well and connect with people, learning these expressions is crucial. They’re key to really getting how people communicate in their everyday lives.

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