6 Slang Words and Phrases in Colombia you will Hear a lot

Colombian Spanish is full of slang words and expressions that can sound confusing even if you already know standard Spanish. In this guide, you’ll learn six Colombian slang words and phrases you may hear while traveling in Colombia, what they mean, how they are used, and when it is better to understand them rather than use them yourself.

Colombia is one of the most popular travel destinations in South America due to its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and the incredibly diverse and friendly people who call Colombia home. From the moment you leave the airport, you will notice that Colombians are passionate and enthusiastic, and this is reflected in the way they speak.

During my time as a volunteer and student at Spanish Adventure Spanish School in the beautiful town of San Carlos, Antioquia, I was given the opportunity to learn Spanish the Colombian way.

Learning a language also means learning how people actually speak: their humor, regional expressions, and the words that rarely appear in a textbook. Alongside grammar and vocabulary, I started hearing Colombian slang in everyday conversations with teachers, locals, and friends.

Here are six Colombian slang words and phrases that stood out during my time in Colombia.

What does “paisa” mean in Spanish?

Paisa is a Colombian word used to describe people, culture, and traditions associated mainly with Antioquia and the wider Paisa region of northwestern Colombia, which also extends into much of the Eje Cafetero, including Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. Medellín is one of the best-known cities in this region, so you will often hear people from Medellín describe themselves as paisas.

The word can refer to a person — un paisa or una paisa — but it can also describe things connected to the region, such as cultura paisa, comida paisa, or the distinctive Paisa accent.

For example:

“Él es paisa.” — He is from the Paisa region.
“Me encanta la cultura paisa.” — I love Paisa culture.

For travelers, paisa is generally a neutral or positive regional identity rather than an insult or offensive slang word. Many members of the Spanish Adventure team are from Medellín, San Carlos, and other parts of Antioquia, so you will hear Paisa Spanish and regional expressions naturally during your stay.

What does “mecato” mean in Colombia?

Mecato is a common Colombian word for snacks or small things you eat between meals. Depending on the context, it can include chips, cookies, sweets, packaged snacks, or other quick bites.

You might hear someone say:

“Voy a comprar mecato.” — I’m going to buy some snacks.
“¿Quieres mecato para el viaje?” — Do you want some snacks for the trip?

While traveling around Colombia, you may hear mecato when people stop at a small shop, prepare food for a trip, or grab something between meals. In San Carlos, you can also try Colombian snacks such as buñuelos, empanadas, or mango biche while exploring town.

If you’re visiting Spanish Adventure, check out our guide to the best restaurants in San Carlos for more places to eat and try local food.

Buñuelos, a popular Colombian mecato/snack

What does “no dar papaya” mean in Colombia?

No dar papaya is a popular Colombian expression that literally means “don’t give papaya,” but its real meaning is closer to “don’t make it easy for someone to take advantage of you.”

Colombians use the phrase in many everyday situations, not only when talking about safety. It can mean being careful with your belongings, avoiding unnecessary risks, or simply not putting yourself in a situation where someone can easily take advantage of you.

For example:

“No dejes el celular sobre la mesa. No des papaya.” — Don’t leave your phone on the table. Don’t make yourself an easy target.
“Hay que estar pendiente y no dar papaya.” — You have to stay alert and avoid making things too easy for others.

Travelers may hear this expression as practical advice while visiting Colombia. It is better understood as a reminder to stay aware of your surroundings rather than as a statement that Colombia is inherently dangerous.

San Carlos, Antioquia, is a good example of how much Colombia has changed over recent decades. If you want to understand more about the town, its history, and its transformation, read our guide to San Carlos, Colombia.

What does “guayabo” mean in Colombia?

Guayabo literally refers to a guava tree, but in Colombian Spanish it is also a very common word for a hangover. If someone says “Tengo guayabo”, they mean they are feeling the effects of drinking too much alcohol the night before.

You may also hear enguayabado or enguayabada, meaning “hungover.”

For example:

“Tengo guayabo.” — I have a hangover.
“Estoy enguayabado.” — I’m hungover.

After a night of cervezas or Colombian-style micheladas, this is definitely a word you may hear the next morning.

A fresh Michelada, or Colombian drink with beer,lime and mango biche

What does “peliculiar” mean in Colombia?

Peliculiar is a playful slang word formed from película (movie) and culear, a vulgar verb meaning to have sex. The idea is similar to the English expression “Netflix and chill”: watching a movie with the expectation that something more intimate might happen.

For example:

“¿Quieres peliculiar esta noche?” — Roughly: “Do you want to Netflix and chill tonight?”

It is a humorous and suggestive expression rather than everyday vocabulary you need for traveling. You are more likely to hear it among younger people, between friends, or in jokes and social media.

So this may not be the first Colombian word you need to start using—but it is definitely useful to understand if someone says it and everyone around you starts laughing.

What does “¡Qué gonorrea!” mean in Colombia?

If you searched “¿qué significa gonorrea en Colombia?”, the short answer is that gonorrea is one of the strongest and most context-dependent words in Colombian slang. Literally, gonorrea means gonorrhea, the sexually transmitted infection. In Colombian slang, however, it can be a strong insult or an exclamation expressing shock, disgust, frustration, disbelief, or even admiration.

The slang use is heard across Colombia, but it is especially associated with Medellín, Antioquia, and the parlache that developed in the city. The word has been used this way for decades, so it is not a recent expression. Its meaning depends heavily on tone, situation, and the relationship between the people speaking.

How is “gonorrea” used in Colombian slang?

Context	Example	Approximate meaning in English
Strong insult	“Ese man es una gonorrea.”	That guy is an asshole / a piece of shit.
Negative reaction	“¡Qué gonorrea lo que pasó!”	That’s awful / That’s fucked up.
Surprise or intensity	“¡Qué gonorrea!”	Damn! / That’s insane!
Admiration	“¡Qué gonorrea de concierto!”	That concert was insane / amazing.
Joking between close friends	“Mire este gonorrea.”	Look at this asshole / dude.

Is “gonorrea” offensive in Colombia?

Yes. It is a vulgar word and can be a very strong insult. Among close friends, especially in very informal conversations, it can sometimes be used jokingly or even affectionately. But that does not make it universally friendly.

If you are traveling in Colombia, this is a great expression to understand before you try to use it. Calling a stranger gonorrea could be seriously offensive, while hearing “¡Qué gonorrea!” between friends may simply express surprise, frustration, or admiration. Context is everything.

Learning Colombian slang is about more than memorizing unusual words. Expressions like paisa, mecato, no dar papaya, guayabo, peliculiar, and gonorrea give you a glimpse into how Colombians joke, react, connect, and express themselves in everyday life.

You do not need to use every expression you hear, especially the more vulgar ones, but understanding them can make conversations, jokes, and everyday interactions much easier to follow. And as with any slang, context matters just as much as the dictionary meaning.

Original article by Jenni Hettinga

Jenni wrote this article while volunteering and studying Spanish with us in San Carlos. Learn more about our volunteer program in Colombia.

Ready to use Colombian Spanish in a real situation?

Understanding slang helps you follow real conversations, but your first day in Colombia will usually start with much simpler things: greeting people, checking in, ordering something, asking questions, and understanding the answers.

Survive Your First Day in Colombia is a free story-based experience where you can practice practical Spanish through the situations you are likely to face during your first 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Colombian Slang

• Is Colombian slang different from Spanish spoken in other countries?

  Yes. Colombia shares much of its vocabulary with the rest of the Spanish-speaking world, but it also has local words, meanings, expressions, and ways of speaking. Even within Colombia, slang can change considerably from one region to another.

• Is slang different in Medellín, Bogotá, and other parts of Colombia?

  Yes. Colombian Spanish is highly regional. Medellín and much of Antioquia belong to the Paisa dialect area, while Bogotá, Cali, the Caribbean coast, and other regions have their own vocabulary, pronunciation, and informal expressions. Some slang eventually spreads beyond the region where it began.

• What is “parlache” in Colombian Spanish?

  Parlache is an urban social dialect that originated among young people in working-class and marginalized neighborhoods of Medellín. Many of its words later spread into wider youth culture, popular media, and everyday Colombian Spanish, so some expressions associated with parlache are now understood far beyond their original context.

• Which Colombian slang words are safe for travelers to use?

  Words such as mecato and regional terms like paisa are generally easy for travelers to use when the context is appropriate. With stronger expressions, especially vulgar slang, it is usually better to listen first and understand how Colombians use them before trying them yourself.

• Which Colombian slang words should travelers be careful using?

  Vulgar expressions deserve the most caution. A word that sounds playful between close Colombian friends may be offensive when directed at a stranger. Tone, relationship, age, and situation can completely change how an expression is perceived.

• Does “paisa” refer only to someone from Medellín or Antioquia?

  Not necessarily. Medellín and Antioquia are strongly associated with Paisa identity, but the broader Paisa cultural and dialect region also includes much of the Eje Cafetero, particularly Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío. These areas share important historical and cultural ties related to Antioquian colonization and the former Old Caldas region.

• Can “no dar papaya” be used outside conversations about safety?

  Definitely. Dar papaya means giving someone an easy opportunity because of something you did or failed to do. That could mean making it easier for someone to take advantage of you, but it can also mean doing something silly, exposing yourself to a joke, giving someone material to tease you about, or simply putting yourself in a situation where the other person has an obvious advantage.

• What is the difference between “guayabo” and “enguayabado”?

  Guayabo is the noun commonly used for a hangover, while enguayabado or enguayabada describes the person who is hungover. For example, someone might say “Tengo guayabo” or “Estoy enguayabado.”

• Do Colombians use the same slang with friends, strangers, and older people?

  Not necessarily. Informal slang is much more common between friends and people who know each other well. Colombians may use more neutral or polite language with strangers, older people, or in professional situations. The same expression can sound friendly in one conversation and inappropriate in another.

• What is the best way to learn Colombian slang naturally?

  Listen for expressions in real conversations and pay attention to who uses them, with whom, and in what situation. Rather than memorizing long vocabulary lists, learn the meaning first, notice the tone and context, and begin using only the expressions that feel appropriate and natural.