What do you think the most important slang phrases are in Spanish?

Question

For example: "Malo onda" is kind of like "bad luck" or "Qué chido!" is like "That's COOL!" I don't want to put a ton of these because I'd like your opinions. What are some other good idioms to know?

I hope you like my aanswers. - Rey_Mysterio, Oct 8, 2009

Answer 1

I've lived in Mexico for a little over a year. I can generally understand most things said to me with context to precede it. I can read most things with little problem. I have trouble speaking without pauses at times though. I am not fluent but I am getting there. A big part of fluency, in my opinion, is to speak as the people speak. I learned most just from listening. Language has a form and is like a song. Once you know the rhythm and recognize it, learning the other verses become easier and much faster. Also, remember that learning another language is not necessarily about translation. It's about transliteration. If you try to translate everything word for word, it just won't make sense all the time.

wow. nice comment. i would recommend then rephrasing your question to a more area specific language as in mexican spanish... without wanting to sound weird tho. - zenejero, Oct 7, 2009

mostly because of how slang can be so different from one place to another. - zenejero, Oct 7, 2009

Answer 2

Are you 'guys' fluent in Spanish already?

What is the point, Zoltán? I was born in Colombia and lived for more than 50 years there. - RicardoP, Oct 7, 2009

Thank you Ricardo for helping us here. I did know that the question was aimed at native Spanish speakers only. I think the newcomers to the Spanish language should concentrate on learning the language well before they figure out how to mess it up. - Zoltán, Oct 7, 2009

This is just my thought. - Zoltán, Oct 7, 2009

I would normally agree to that but... if it's a younger person, most likely the group they're communicating with is a slang speaking group. - zenejero, Oct 7, 2009

I was born there so yes i am. - Rey_Mysterio, Oct 8, 2009

Answer 3

This is going to be tough 'god is my ju". Simply because we have tons of slang phrases in every latin country. Those you mentioned above are mexican, and they have hundreds. In Colombia we have lots of them, depending on the city or region.

Thanks for saying it. it was going to be my next comment. - zenejero, Oct 7, 2009

Answer 4

I found this really awesome book called "Streetwise Spanish Slang Dictionary and Thesaurus" It is wonderful because it gives lots of information and slang terms from every Spanish speaking country.

Here's a link to a place to find it, but you can get it at most book stores.

Streetwise Spanish

Answer 5

It's actually, "god_is_my_judge" but it cut off. Looks like, "God is my Jew". Weird.

I understand it changes from country to country and region to region. Some sayings in the north of Mexico are different than those here in the central of Mexico. I was just wondering. I like to be able to not speak like I'm reading from a book, rather like I'm a part of the culture as well.

Answer 6

Hi AVicente

morphine has a point. Why didn't you just formulate a list instead of individual posts. Are you trying to boost your post total. Also an English equivalent is necessary as you might be swearing for all I know.

I agree. What's up with the ton of individual posts when you can consolidate them into one? - --Mariana--, Oct 20, 2009

Answer 7

Donde estas changuita mia? Eres mi chula por vida.

Flagged this out of your 30 answers because you should have put them all together, and it would have been much more helpful with a definition in English. - morphine, Oct 19, 2009

Answer 8

You can say la chota o la migra for la policia.

"la po" is what they say in PR. - LAtINaPunKROcKerAConFundidA, Oct 19, 2009

Answer 9

Jaqueca- for Headache or Migrain. (Used mainly in PR.)

Answer 10

Buena Onda = Good Vibrations

Answer 11

La pinta.

Answer 12

You can say patas for feet instead of pies.

Patas can be for human feet? I've only heard it used for the feet of animals. - god_is_my_judge, Oct 8, 2009

For slang u can use patas for human feet. Its used where i live. - Rey_Mysterio, Oct 8, 2009

Answer 13

You can say Amarrar. Amarrar means to tie

Answer 14

Pancarta. Pistiar.

Answer 15

Since many of you are stating slang which may not be what it really means, how about stating it with English meaning.