Slang

1. vale

   OK / Got it

   Usage

   The single most common filler in Spain, and safe with anyone from a shopkeeper to a friend. Latin America barely uses it: Mexico says "sale", the Southern Cone "dale" or "bueno"

2. ¡Qué guay!

   How cool!

   Usage

   Spain only. A harmless compliment you can use with friends or staff alike. It will not land in Latin America — use "chévere" or "chido" there

3. mola

   It rocks

   Usage

   Spain only: "me mola" is "I love it". For casual talk between friends — say "me gusta" at work. Unknown in Latin America

4. flipar

   To be blown away

   Usage

   Spanish for being amazed: "estoy flipando" is "I cannot believe this". Use it with friends about a view or a dish. Rare in Latin America

5. tío

   Dude / Mate

   Usage

   The Spanish vocative — "tía" for a woman. It literally means uncle or aunt. Only with close friends your own age; never with staff or anyone older. In Latin America it is only the family word

6. currar

   To work

   Usage

   Spanish colloquial for working; the noun "el curro" is your job. Fine in small talk, but write and say "trabajar" in an interview

7. la pasta

   Cash / Dough

   Usage

   Spanish slang for money, fine when splitting a bill with friends but not at a bank — say "el dinero" there. South America says "la plata", Mexico "la lana"

8. ¿Qué onda?

   What's up?

   Usage

   A greeting across Mexico, Central America and Argentina. For friends your own age — use "¿qué tal?" with strangers or elders. Not used in Spain

9. chido

   Cool

   Usage

   Mexico only: "está chido" is "that's cool". A harmless compliment, safe with anyone — but meaningless outside Mexico

10. padrísimo

    Awesome

    Usage

    Mexican, from "padre" meaning good — literally "father", but in Mexico an everyday word for excellent. Never rude, and Mexico-specific

11. órale

    Wow / Come on

    Usage

    The Mexican all-purpose exclamation — surprise, agreement, encouragement, depending on the tone. Safest as a surprised "wow". Never rude, and Mexico-only

12. ¿Neta?

    For real?

    Usage

    Mexican for "really?". For friends your own age — say "¿de verdad?" to anyone older or behind a counter. Mexico only

13. la chamba

    Job / Work

    Usage

    Mexican, Peruvian and Central American for a job; the verb is "chambear". Keep it for small talk and say "el trabajo" in formal settings

14. ahorita

    In a moment (or not)

    Usage

    The famous Mexican word. It looks like a diminutive of "now" but in practice covers anything from five minutes to sometime today. If a shop says "ahorita", do not expect it immediately. Never rude

15. che

    Hey

    Usage

    The Argentine and Uruguayan "hey" — so characteristic that it became a nickname for Argentines themselves, which is where Che Guevara got his. For friends your own age, not for staff or elders. Unknown elsewhere

16. copado

    Cool

    Usage

    Argentine and Uruguayan for "nice" — a harmless compliment for things and people alike, safe with peers. It does not travel to Spain or Mexico

17. el laburo

    Job / Work

    Usage

    Argentine and Uruguayan for work, from Italian "lavoro" via the immigrant slang lunfardo. The verb is "laburar". Small talk only

18. ¡Bárbaro!

    Fantastic!

    Usage

    Argentine for "excellent" — the opposite of its literal "barbaric". It also works as an enthusiastic yes, and offends no one. In Spain it may be read in its original negative sense

19. posta

    For real

    Usage

    Argentine: "¿posta?" is "seriously?" and "es posta" is "I mean it". For friends your own age, and Argentina only

20. ¡Qué chévere!

    How cool!

    Usage

    Widely used in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and the Caribbean. A harmless compliment, safe with anyone — but not understood in Spain or Argentina

21. ¡Pura vida!

    Pure life!

    Usage

    Costa Rica's national phrase — a greeting, a reply, a goodbye, a thank you and an "I'm doing well" all at once. Safe with anyone, and visitors get a warm reception for using it. Costa Rica only

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