ISLS: Costa Rica: Destination Costa Rica: Pachuco Spanish

Costa Rica Cities (Inland)
Alajuela
Cartago
Heredia
San Jose

Costa Rica Cities (Coastal/Beach)
Dominical
Manuel Antonio/Quepos
Tortuguero

National Parks & Recreation
Arenal
Dominical Surfing
Nauyaca Falls

Stories
Juan Santa Maria
Jungle Journey
Seeking Directions

Pachuco Spanish

Slang Term	Literal	Pachuco
Pura vida	— This translated literally is "Pure Life". Its meaning is "great" or "fantastic". Pura Vida is used in a number of different contexts but the main one is in answer to the How question. For example: "How are you?" "How is everything?" or "Did you have a good time?"	— No translation
Tuanis	— "cool". This is also used in response to the "How?" question and is mostly used by young people.	— No translation
Chorizo	— "Spicy Sausage"	— "criminal" or "crook". This is used to describe people who take bribes or kickbacks, usually in politics
La faja de tiros	— "The ammunition belt".	— "the teeth"
El salveque	— "the backpack".	— "the belly"
La torre	— "the tower".	— "the head"
El tapis	— No translation.	— "the booze"
Un Iance	— "spear".	— "a hot date"
La cabra	— "nanny goat".	— "girtfriend"
La cruz	— "the cross".	— "shirt"
Un bostezo	— "a yawn".	— "bore" or "drag out"
Un Palmito	— "palm heart".	— "High Roller"
La jama	— from jamar, "to eat".	— "the food"
Una tanda	— No translation.	— "binge"
Un Arrastrado/a	— "Dragged".	— "a person who begs love from someone who doesn't care"
El chante	— No translation.	— "the house" or "home"
Dar pelota a	— "give the ball to"	— "pay attention"
Espantarse	— "be scared".	— "to leave" or "clear out"
Montarse	— "ride".	— "take advantage of"
Ponerse Ia candela	— "put on the candle".	— "be able"
La gaveta	— "the drawer".	— "the mouth"
Los prestinos	— "large flat pastries"	— "the ears"
Los huevos	— "the eggs"	— "the testicles"
Una fria	— "a cold one"	— "a beer"

Una guicha	— No translation	— "a sucker"
El chivo	— "goat kid"	— "a kept man"
El caballo	— "horse"	— "pants"
Una teja	— "a roof tile"	— "a c100 bill"
Un chavalo / a	— "a youth"	— "a guy" or "a girl"
La leva	— "anchor, trick, frock coat"	— "a sweater"
Tandero	— No translation	— "person who binges"
Levanta a leva	— "raise anchor"	— "leave" or "split"
Copar	— No translation	— "go out"
Apuntarse	— "write down"	— "go along"
Ruliar	— No translation	— "sleep"
Ponerse las pilas	— "put in batteries"	— "look alive"
Enjachar	— No translation	— "to stare at"
Voy a meterme en Ia guata	— "I'm going to put myself in the..."	— "I’m going to the bathroom"
Pele el ojo	— "Peel your eye"	— "watch out!"
Ya Ia vio	— "already you saw it"	— "you got it" or "understood"
Como esta ci arroz?	— "How's your rice?"	— "what's going on?"
Porta a mi	— No translation	— "not important" or "I don't give a damn"
Tengala adentro	— "Keep it inside"	— "take it easy" or "play it cool"
Ne seas mio	— "don't be mine"	— "you're up to something"
Que es el vigio	— Literal translation is "What is the ___"	— "mind your own business"
Que achante or Que tigra	— No translation	— "what a drag"
Se va en todas	— Literal translation is "He/she goes in all of them"	— "he/she gets around"
Que hueso	— Literal translation is "What a bone!"	— "it turned out badly"
Que cache	— Literal translation is "how sloppy"	— "how pretty"

Es un chingue	— No translation.	— "what a riot" or "what a hassle"
Que banazo	— "what a bad bath"	— "how shameful"

Pachuco Spanish

Slang Term

Literal

Pachuco