Costa Rican Slang Words

 

Sure, you can order a ‘cerveza’ on the beach, but if you really want to impress the locals it’s important to learn some Costa Rican slang first!

Costa Rican Slang

Pura Vida: Now this is living. (literally translated: “Pure Life”)

Solo Bueno: It’s all good

Estar “de goma”: To be hung over (literally translated: to be rubbery)

Tico/Tica: A Costa Rican

Nico/Nica: A not nice reference to Nicaraguans – I don’t recommend using it.

Mae: Man/Dude (Tack this on to the end of any sentence and you’ll be ‘tico’ in no time!)

Tuanis : Cool/awesome (Too Nice turned into a Spanish word)

Birra: Beer

Pulpería: The corner store (where they have a little of everything)

Slang Verbs and other words

Mejengear: To have a soccer/futbol game

Apretar: To make out

Briteando (Britear) : Working (to work)

El Brite: The job

Bacilar/Bacilando (Te estoy bacilando): Having fun/teasing (I am teasing you)

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