Spanish Learning Community and Resources

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What's up, folks. ✊ 

Do you want to learn how to speak like a Spaniard and better understand the locals? I'm pleased to inform you that you're in the right place. 

In this blog post, you'll find a list of 10 popular slang words from Spain to help you blend in seamlessly. ⏬ 

1) CURRAR 

Currar is an expression used daily by people of all ages and social classes that means to work. For example: 

• Hoy no tengo ganas de ir a currar. 

• Today I don't feel like going to work.     

2) EMPANADO/A 

Empanado/a describes someone who is confused, dazed or not fully present. Por ejemplo: 

• Tío/tía, estás empanado/a, ¡despierta! ✨

• Dude, you're spaced out, wake up! ✨

Don't confuse the feminine form of empanado with the world-renowned Argentinian delicacy, the empanada. They're two entirely different things.   

3) FLIPAR 

Flipar means to be amazed or astonished, expressing a sense of wonder. You can also use it to communicate that you really like something. For instance: 

• El Barça ha remontado un 4 a 0 al Paris Saint Germain. ¡Estoy flipando!  

• Barça came back from a 4-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain. I can't believe it! 

• Me flipa el helado de chocolate. 

• I adore chocolate ice cream.  

4) GUAY  

Guay is a colloquial word indicating that something or someone is impressive or cool, often employed to convey enthusiasm. For example: 

— ¿A qué no sabes dónde voy de vacaciones este verano? 

— ¿A dónde? 

— ¡A la Patagonia! ⛰️

— ¡Qué envidia! ¡Qué guay!  

— Can you guess where I'm going on holiday? 

— Where to? 

— To Patagonia! ⛰️

— I'm so jealous! That's so cool!  

• Tu amiga Marta es muy guay. ¡Me lo he pasado genial con ella!  

• Your friend Marta is awesome; I had a great time with her! 

5) GUIRI 

We use guiri to refer to foreign tourists, particularly those from English-speaking, central or northern European countries, without necessarily being negative. Por ejemplo: 

• Ayer fui a la playa y estaba lleno de guiris. 

• Yesterday I went to the beach, and it was full of tourists.   

6) ME CAE MAL 

Me cae mal is a straightforward way to express your dislike for someone. For instance: 

— ¿Puedo decir una cosa sin que me juzgues? 

— Adelante. 

— Mario me cae mal. Es un engreído. 

— Can I say something without you judging me? 

— Go ahead. 

— I can't stand Mario. He's so conceited. 

7) PASTA  

Pasta is a casual way to refer to money. For example: 

• Me encantaría ir al cine contigo, pero no tengo pasta :( 

• I would love to go to the cinema with you, but I don't have any money :( 

8) SER UN/A CRACK 

Ser un/a crack is a phrase employed to describe someone as a genius or extremely skilled in something. Por ejemplo: 

• Hablas español superbien. ¡Eres una crack! 

• You speak Spanish really well. You're a genius! 

—I managed to get the tickets for the El Vega Life concert. 

—How cool! You rock! 

9) TÍO/TÍA 

Tío/tía is an informal term to address someone, similar to dude or mate, commonly used in Spain. Some Latin Americans tend to playfully tease Spaniards by endlessly repeating these words in conversation. You will hear Tío/tía EVERYWHERE. For instance: 

— He aprobado el examen, Antón :-) 

— ¡Me alegro mucho, tía! Te lo mereces.  

— I passed the exam, Antón :-) 

— I'm so happy for you, dude! You deserve it 

10) VALE 

No list of Spanish slang words would be complete without vale, the indisputable king of them all. 

It is a versatile term often used to mean okay, fine or got it. It can also serve as an affirmative response in dialogues. It is important to note that in Spain, the letter V is pronounced like the letter B. For example: