Spanish with AstridSpanish in Colombia is warm, polite and full of local words. If you're travelling to Medellín or you work with Colombians, these 15 expressions will help you understand people and sound more natural. I'm Astrid, a Spanish teacher from Medellín, and these are the words my students ask about most.
1.¿Qué más?
What's up?
The most common greeting in Medellín. It doesn't mean "what else?": it means "how are you?". Answer with "Bien, ¿y vos?".
¡Hola, Juli! ¿Qué más? ¿Todo bien?Hi Juli! What's up? All good?
2.Parce / parcero
Buddy, mate
Medellín slang for a friend. It's very informal, so use it with people your age.
Parce, ¿vamos por un tinto?Buddy, shall we get a coffee?
3.Chévere
Cool, nice
A positive word for almost anything: a place, a person, a plan.
¡Qué chévere tu casa!Your house is so nice!
4.Bacano
Great, cool
Like chévere, a little more informal. Someone "muy bacano" is a great person.
El concierto estuvo muy bacano.The concert was really great.
5.Qué pena (con usted)
Sorry, excuse me
Careful: it doesn't mean "what a pity". Colombians use it to apologise or to interrupt politely.
Qué pena con usted, ¿dónde queda el metro?Excuse me, where is the metro?
6.Regáleme…
Can I have…
Literally "gift me", but you still pay! It's the polite way to order in shops and cafés.
Regáleme un tinto, por favor.Can I have a coffee, please?
7.A la orden
You're welcome / at your service
You'll hear it after "gracias" and from shop staff inviting you in.
—Gracias. —¡A la orden!—Thanks. —You're welcome!
8.Listo
OK, sounds good
The Colombian way to agree to a plan.
—Nos vemos a las 3. —Listo.—See you at 3. —OK.
9.De una
Sure, right away
An enthusiastic yes.
—¿Vamos a Guatapé el sábado? —¡De una!—Shall we go to Guatapé on Saturday? —Absolutely!
10.¡Hágale!
Go for it!
Encouragement, or simply "yes, do it".
¿Quieres probar la arepa? ¡Hágale!Want to try the arepa? Go for it!
11.Pues
Well, so
The famous Medellín filler word. People put it at the end of sentences: "¡Claro, pues!".
Bueno pues, nos vemos mañana.Alright then, see you tomorrow.
12.Ahorita
In a little while (or right now)
It can mean now, in five minutes or in two hours. Ask "¿ahorita ya?" if you need to know.
Ahorita te llamo.I'll call you in a bit.
13.Tinto
Small black coffee
In Colombia a tinto is coffee, not red wine. Street vendors sell it in tiny cups.
¿Nos tomamos un tinto?Shall we have a coffee?
14.¡Pilas!
Watch out!
A friendly warning to stay alert.
¡Pilas con el celular en el bus!Watch your phone on the bus!
15.No dar papaya
Don't make yourself an easy target
A very Colombian idea: don't give anyone the chance to take advantage of you.
No des papaya con la billetera en la mano.Don't walk around with your wallet in your hand.
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