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Spanish Slang Words

Learn informal words with the country and situation attached to each meaning.

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Everyday slang from Spain

Guay means cool in Spain. Curro is an informal word for work; use trabajo in neutral or formal writing.

These are conversational choices. Start with common phrases when you need broadly useful greetings.

  • guaycool (Spain) · GWHY
  • el currojob (Spain, slang) · el KOO-rroh
  • la pastamoney (Spain, slang) · lah PAHS-tah
  • el tíoguy (Spain, informal) · el TEE-oh
  • el chavalkid (Spain, informal) · el chah-BAHL
  • currarto work (Spain, slang) · koo-RRAHR
  • molarto be cool (Spain) · moh-LAHR
  • majofriendly (Spain, informal) · MAH-hoh
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Spanish Slang Words: full list

Review the meanings, pronunciation and usage notes, then use the printable worksheet to recall the Spanish.

Quick answer: cool (Spain) is guay, job (Spain, slang) is el curro, money (Spain, slang) is la pasta, guy (Spain, informal) is el tío, kid (Spain, informal) is el chaval, to work (Spain, slang) is currar, to be cool (Spain) is molar, and friendly (Spain, informal) is majo.

Everyday slang from Spain

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
cool (Spain)guayGWHYInformal; common in Spain.
job (Spain, slang)el curroel KOO-rrohSpain; neutral equivalent: trabajo.
money (Spain, slang)la pastalah PAHS-tahInformal money sense; pasta also names a food.
guy (Spain, informal)el tíoel TEE-ohTío/tía also means uncle/aunt; context decides.
kid (Spain, informal)el chavalel chah-BAHLChavala is the feminine form.
to work (Spain, slang)currarkoo-RRAHRInformal equivalent of trabajar.
to be cool (Spain)molarmoh-LAHRUsed like gustar: me mola, I like it.
friendly (Spain, informal)majoMAH-hohDescribes a pleasant person.

Regional slang from Latin America

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
cool (Mexico)chidoCHEE-dohMexican informal adjective; changes for gender.
cool (Colombia and Venezuela)chévereCHEH-beh-rehAlso used in other parts of Latin America.
job (Mexico, informal)la chambalah CHAHM-bahAlso used for work in several other Latin American countries.
money (Latin America, informal)la platalah PLAH-tahCommon money sense; literally also silver.
boyfriend (Chile)el pololoel poh-LOH-lohInformal Chilean usage; girlfriend is polola.
girlfriend (Chile)la pololalah poh-LOH-lahA romantic partner, not necessarily a fiancée.
bus (Mexico, regional)el camiónel kah-MYOHNIn Mexico it can mean bus; elsewhere often truck.
friend (Venezuela, informal)el panael PAH-nahInformal; also used in some other countries.

Colloquial words for everyday conversation

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
weekend (informal)el findeel FEEN-dehShort for fin de semana.
teacher (informal)el profeel PROH-fehShort for profesor or profesora.
bicycle (informal)la bicilah BEE-seeShort for bicicleta; still feminine.
motorcycle (short form)la motolah MOH-tohShort for motocicleta; feminine despite -o.
movie (informal)la pelilah PEH-leeShort for película.
great (enthusiastic)genialheh-NYAHLCan describe something excellent or express approval.
okay (Spain)valeBAH-lehA common conversational agreement in Spain.
to chat (informal)charlarchahr-LAHRConversational, without necessarily being slang.
gossip (piece of news)el chismeel CHEES-mehA rumor or piece of gossip; not a person.
Spanish Slang Words chart with English meanings and Spanish answers
Spanish Slang Words chart with English meanings and Spanish answers. Download the chart · Printable worksheet · Save to Pinterest

Questions about spanish slang words

Does Spanish slang change by country?

Yes. Guay is common in Spain, chido in Mexico, and chévere in several Latin American countries; use the regional notes with each word.

What does chamba mean?

Chamba is an informal word for work or a job in Mexico and several other Latin American countries. Trabajo is the neutral alternative.

Does tío always mean uncle?

No. In informal Spanish from Spain, tío or tía can refer to a guy or woman, or address a friend; the literal family meaning still exists.

Is plata money or silver?

It can mean both. The money sense is widespread in Latin America, while the material silver is also plata.

Can I use these words in formal Spanish?

Use neutral alternatives such as trabajo, dinero and profesor in formal contexts. Regional slang works best when you know the audience and setting.

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Updated · Pronunciation guides use Latin American Spanish.