- Colombian Slang -

I recently watched Disney's Encanto in Spanish, the story of a magical family based in Colombia, and was reminded of the age-old saying that Colombian Spanish is the most neutral Spanish of Latin America. Call centers love hiring Colombians to service Spanish speakers the world over. It's the most easily understood Spanish. Colombia is the Ohio of Spanish-speaking America, they say.

I'm a fan of Colombian Spanish with its clear enunciation yet distinct punch. However, this does not mean it's void of slang or expressions that will have you scratching your head. I have collected some of the most common and unique Colombian slang words, their more neutral Spanish counterpart, and the English translation.

1. Bacano (slang) = Genial (neutral) = Awesome (English)

Ayer la pasamos muy bacano. = We had an awesome time yesterday.

2. Camellar = Trabajar = To work

Me toca camellar fuerte este fin de semana. = I have to work hard this weekend.

3. Parcero = Amigo = Friend

Se le agradece la ayuda, parcero. = Thanks for the help, friend.

4. Parche = Grupo de amigos = Group of friends

Hoy voy a salir con mi parche. = I'm going out with my friends today.

5. Hacer una vaca = Reunir dinero = To pool money together

Hicimos una vaca para comprarle una bicicleta a Juan. = We pooled our money together to buy Juan a bike.

6. Berraco = Un valiente = Strong person, fighter

Ese hombre es un gran berraco, no se deja de nadie. = That man is a fighter, he doesn't let up.

7. ¿Quiubo? = ¿Cómo estás? = How's it going?

¿Quiubo, parce? = How's it going, friend?

8. Tusa = Despecho = Sadness after a breakup

Ella rompió conmigo y ahora tengo una tusa grandísima. = She broke up with me and now I'm incredibly sad.

9. Filo = Hambre = Hunger

No he desayunado y tengo filo. = I didn't have breakfast and I'm hungry.

10. Boleta = Vergüenza = Embarrassment

Ese evento desorganizado estuvo una boleta. = That disorganized event was an embarrassment.

11. Rumba = Fiesta = Party

Nos vamos de rumba esta noche. = We're going to party tonight.

12. Motoso = Siesta = Nap

Me voy a pegar un motoso. = I'm going to take a nap.

<< versión en español

note: this is a remake of a now-privated older poll.

reblogs are encouraged :-) please be respectful when commenting!

I regret to inform this kind soul in the notes that they in fact don't remember how to sell crack.

Your impact on other people is bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said. Someone still smiles when they think of the compliment you gave them. Someone silently admires you. The advice you gave has made a difference for people. The support and love you've offered others has made someone's day. Your input and opinions have made someone think twice. You are not insignificant and forgotten. Your existence makes a positive difference, whether you see it or not.

Thinking about how when my oldest brother took Japanese classes his professor was like your pronunciation is really good 😊 but you need to watch movies that aren't about the Yakuza because you sound like a criminal

somewhere in this beautiful world there is a man who sounds like Paulie Walnuts because he learned English by watching the Sopranos

Finns are so cute when they sit down to lunch with a group of english speakers and say “Does it taste..?”

Then the whole table of english speakers waits for the final word “…good”, but it never comes.

Honestly “thanks I hate it” is one of the funniest phrases in the English language

i one time told my italian professor “grazie lo detesto” and she lost her shit, so it’s not just english

“¡Gracias! ¡Lo odio!”

“Danke, ich hasse es.”

“Merci, je déteste”

Tak, jeg hader det.

Bedankt, ik haat het.

Спасибо! Я это ненавижу.

go raibh maith agat, is fuath liom é

どうも！ それが嫌い。

411 Writing systems of standard forms of languages

.شکریہ! مجھے اس سے نفرت ہے

(shukriah! mujhay isay nafraat hai.)

kiitti! mä vihaan tätä.

תודה! אני שונא.ת את זה. Toda! Ani sone.t et ze

谢谢，我厌恶它！

Takk, jeg hater det.

Hvala, mrzim to.

Dankon! Mi malamas ğin.

tumblr rosetta stone of disdain

These two seem to be talking to one another...

(ID: two Duolingo phrases in spanish that read "¿Quieres comer más pan?" which translates to "Do you want to eat more bed?" and "I don't want more bread, thanks.")

Existenial crisis time

(ID: An Arabic Duolingo sentence which translates to "Am I the cat's chair?")

You can become fluent in a language without living somewhere that it's spoken widely. You can immerse yourself if you make the choice and put in the work. Do not give up. Fluency is attainable, and not just for people with some sort of natural gift. Find things made in the language, things that are better in that language, things that are only available in that language, and love them with your whole heart. You will become fluent.

Every single person studying a language when they recognize the most basic word of the language in a text or a video

Common Ways to Respond to Sneezing in Different Countries

It just occurred to me that «γείτσες» technically means “cute little healths” 😂

The countries that got tea via China through the Silk Road (land) referred to it in various forms of the word “cha”. On the other hand, the countries that traded with China via sea - through the Min Tan port called it in different forms of “te”.

I liked this so much I became curious… and it checks out! The explanation lies, unsurprisingly, in who was interacting with whom in early modern long-distance trade.

“Cock-a-doodle-doo” in various languages spoken in Europe

by languages.eu

I have nothing to add to this I am genuinely speechless

Hey langblr!

I'm back on tumblr after a break and my dash is dead.

I'm focusing on German, Spanish, Swedish, Mandarin and Italian for now but I'm also interested into all the languages Icelandic, Latin, linguistic and writing tips.

Thank you :)

Websites to learn languages by reading

i love finding out the meaning of slangs for “attractive woman” in various languages

chick (english) - baby chicken Schnecke (german) - snail/slug sild (danish) - herring fıstık (turkish) - pistachio тёлочка (russian) - heifer ծիտ (armenian) - sparrow

Girls night