Want this as a printable cheat sheet?
Download the Nicaraguan Slang PDF here ๐ณ๐ฎ
Want to practice learning the words?
You can learn this list on Memrise here.
Nicaraguan Spanish is often referred to as:
Nica Spanish ๐ณ๐ฎ
The accent is smooth, relaxed and very Central American in rhythm.
Like neighbouring countries:
Honduras ๐ญ๐ณ
El Salvador ๐ธ๐ป
Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท
Nicaraguans commonly use:
vos
instead of:
tรบ
Youโll also hear the final:
-s
sound softened or dropped in casual speech.
For example:
Gracias โ Gracia
Nicaraguan slang, known as:
jerga nica
has influences from:
Nahuatl (Aztec language)
English
indigenous traditions
Nicaraguans also proudly refer to themselves as:
nicas
Letโs take a look at some of the most common expressions ๐
Tuanis = cool / awesome / nice
Probably the most iconic Nicaraguan slang word.
Also used heavily in:
Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท
e.j ยกQuรฉ tuanis tu camisa!
Your shirt is awesome!
e.j Todo tuanis
Everythingโs cool
Maje = dude / guy / bro
Used constantly in Nicaragua and Honduras ๐
Can be:
friendly
playful
insulting
depending on tone.
e.j ยกEy maje, venรญ!
Hey dude, come here!
Chele / Chela = light-skinned / blond person
Common nickname.
e.j Ese chele es mi amigo
That light-skinned guy is my friend
Chigรผรญn / Chigรผina = kid / little boy / little girl
Very affectionate.
e.j Los chigรผines estรกn jugando afuera
The kids are playing outside
Chiva = cool / awesome
Similar to:
tuanis
although:
tuanis
is more widely used in Nicaragua.
e.j Esa fiesta estuvo chiva
That party was awesome
Vergรผenza ajena = secondhand embarrassment ๐ญ
One of the greatest expressions in Spanish.
That feeling when:
someone embarrasses themselves
and YOU feel uncomfortable watching it ๐
e.j Me dio vergรผenza ajena cuando cantรณ asรญ
I got secondhand embarrassment when he sang like that
Puchica = darn! / damn! / oh man!
Classic Central American mild swear word.
e.j ยกPรบchica, se me olvidรณ el telรฉfono!
Damn, I forgot my phone!
Bolo / Bola = drunk / wasted
Very common across Central America.
e.j Andaba bolo anoche
He was drunk last night
๐ณ๐ฎ Pinolero: A Word with Pride
Pinolero / Pinolera = Nicaraguan
This word comes from:
pinol
a traditional corn-based Nicaraguan drink ๐ณ๐ฎ
Unlike:
nica
which is more casual,
pinolero
has a deeper emotional and cultural meaning.
Youโll hear it in:
speeches
songs
football chants
patriotic contexts
e.j Soy pinolero, con orgullo
Iโm Nicaraguan, with pride
Deacachimba = awesome / incredible
Peak Nicaraguan slang ๐
e.j ยกEsa playa estรก deacachimba!
That beach is incredible!
Anda pal tigre = heโs wasted / out of it
Very visual expression ๐ญ
e.j Despuรฉs de tantas cervezas, anda pal tigre
After so many beers, heโs totally gone
๐ณ๐ฎ Final Thought
Remember:
use vos
call your mates maje
say tuanis a lot
and avoid getting (or not):
bolo ๐
Enjoy.
Any questions or ways I can support you on your Spanish journey let me know.
Check out free Youtube videos here.
Un abrazo,
Harrison
Language for living, not just learning.
