If you're learning Spanish , understanding Spanish slang is key to sounding natural and connecting with native speakers 😜. Spanish slang words add flavour to your conversations and provide insight into the culture. In this guide, we'll share 20 essential Spanish slang terms, examples, and tips to help you use them like a pro. Whether you're preparing for a trip to Spain 🌍 or chatting 📲 with Spanish-speaking friends, these words will boost ⬆️ your confidence and make you feel like a true local 😎.
Slang reflects the personality and culture of a language 👅. In Spain, slang is everywhere, whether you're hanging out with friends 😁, shopping 👜, or watching TV 📺. Mastering Spanish slang will:
- 🗣️ Make your conversations more authentic.
- 🙌 Help you connect deeply with native speakers.
- 😎 Impress locals with your natural sounding Spanish!
Meaning:Okay or fine.
Usage: Shows agreement or acknowledgment.
Example: ¿Vienes a cenar esta noche? Vale 👍. (Are you coming for dinner tonight? Okay.)
Meaning: Cool, awesome.
Usage: Compliment something or someone positively.
Example: Este restaurante es muy guay 👌. (This restaurant is really cool.)
Meaning: Dude, buddy or girl.
Usage: Casual term for friends.
Example: Tío, ¿qué pasa? 🤷♂️ (Dude, what's up?)
Meaning: It's cool.
Usage: Expresses enjoyment or approval.
Example: Tu chaqueta mola 🤩 mucho. (Your jacket is super cool.)
Meaning: Wow, damn.
Usage: Exclamation of surprise or frustration.
Example: ¡Hostia, olvidé mi cartera! 🤦♀️ (Damn, I forgot my wallet!)
Meaning: To work.
Usage: Casual way to talk about jobs.
Example: Tengo que currar 💼 este fin de semana. (I have to work this weekend.)
Meaning: Kid, young boy or girl.
Usage: Refers to someone young.
Example: Ese chaval juega muy bien al fútbol ⚽. (That kid plays football really well.)
Meaning: To freak out or be amazed.
Usage: Describes shock or awe.
Example: Vas a flipar cuando veas esta película. (You're going to freak out when you see this movie.)
Meaning: Money.
Usage: Casual term for cash.
Example: Necesito más pasta 💸 para el viaje. (I need more money for the trip.)
Meaning: To hook up or chat endlessly.
Usage: Romantic or conversational context.
Example: Se enrollaron 👩❤️💋👨 en la fiesta. (They hooked up at the party.)
Meaning: Amazing or fantastic.
Usage: Informal way to say something or someone is excellent.
Example: El concierto fue la leche 🔝. (The concert was amazing.)
Meaning: Dodgy or bad.
Usage: Refers to something negative or suspicious.
Example: El barrio parece un poco chungo 😰. (The neighborhood seems a bit dodgy.)
Meaning: Drama or a situation.
Usage: Describes complications or drama.
Example: Hoy hemos tenido una movida 🙈 en la oficina. (There was drama at the office today.)
Meaning: To give someone a call.
Usage: Suggests getting in touch.
Example: Pégame un toque 📞 más tarde. (Give me a call later.)
Meaning: Silly thing or nonsense.
Usage: Describes trivial matters.
Example: No digas chorradas 🙊. (Don't talk nonsense.)
Meaning: Long weekend, bank holiday.
Usage: Public holiday that joins the weekend.
Example: ¿Adónde te vas en el próximo puente ✈️? (Where are you going for the next long weekend?)
Meaning: Foreigner.
Usage: Refers to tourists or non-Spaniards.
Example: Ese guiri está perdido 🗺️. (That foreigner is lost.)
Meaning: Cute or adorable.
Usage: Compliments people, pets or things.
Example: Tu gato 🐈 es monísimo. (Your cat is adorable.)
Meaning: To study, to cram.
Usage: Familiar contexts and friends.
Example: Tengo examen 📝 el lunes, este finde me toca empollar 🙆. (I have an exam on Monday, so I have to cram this weekend.)
Meaning: To walk a lot.
Usage: Running errands or going sightseeing.
Example: Fuimos a Roma y estuvimos todo el día pateando 🚶 el centro. (We went to Rome and spent the whole day wandering around the centre.)
What Is the Spanish slang for "OK"?
The word vale 👍 is widely used as slang for 'OK' in Spain. It comes from the verb 'valer', which means 'cost' or 'worth'. In Latin American Spanish speaking countries, 'está bien', 'dale' or 'ok' are more used.
What does "¡hostia!" mean in Spanish slang?
¡Hostia! 😱 expresses emotions like shock, frustration, or amazement—similar to 'wow' or 'damn'. In religious contexts, it is the 'host' or 'communion wafer'.
What does "molar" mean in Spanish slang?
Molar 😎 is a fun way to say something is cool or enjoyable. It is used as any other regular verb.
What does "tío/tía" mean in Spanish slang?
Tío 👨 and tía 👩 are literally 'uncle' and 'auntie' but these words are also informal terms similar to 'dude' or 'mate'.
We hope that you liked this post 😁. Which Spanish slangs will you use the most?