Want this as a printable cheat sheet?
Download the Nicaraguan Slang PDF here 🇳🇮
Want to practice learning the words?
You can learn this list on Memrise here.
Nicaraguan Spanish is often referred to as:
Nica Spanish 🇳🇮
The accent is smooth, relaxed and very Central American in rhythm.
Like neighbouring countries:
Honduras 🇭🇳
El Salvador 🇸🇻
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Nicaraguans commonly use:
vos
instead of:
tú
You’ll also hear the final:
-s
sound softened or dropped in casual speech.
For example:
Gracias → Gracia
Nicaraguan slang, known as:
jerga nica
has influences from:
Nahuatl (Aztec language)
English
indigenous traditions
Nicaraguans also proudly refer to themselves as:
nicas
Let’s take a look at some of the most common expressions 👇
Tuanis = cool / awesome / nice
Probably the most iconic Nicaraguan slang word.
Also used heavily in:
Costa Rica 🇨🇷
e.j ¡Qué tuanis tu camisa!
Your shirt is awesome!
e.j Todo tuanis
Everything’s cool
Maje = dude / guy / bro
Used constantly in Nicaragua and Honduras 😂
Can be:
friendly
playful
insulting
depending on tone.
e.j ¡Ey maje, vení!
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
Chigüín / Chigüina = kid / little boy / little girl
Very affectionate.
e.j Los chigüines están 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
Vergüenza ajena = secondhand embarrassment 😭
One of the greatest expressions in Spanish.
That feeling when:
someone embarrasses themselves
and YOU feel uncomfortable watching it 😂
e.j Me dio vergüenza ajena cuando cantó así
I got secondhand embarrassment when he sang like that
Puchica = darn! / damn! / oh man!
Classic Central American mild swear word.
e.j ¡Púchica, se me olvidó el teléfono!
Damn, I forgot my phone!
Bolo / Bola = drunk / wasted
Very common across Central America.
e.j Andaba bolo anoche
He was drunk last night
🇳🇮 Pinolero: A Word with Pride
Pinolero / Pinolera = Nicaraguan
This word comes from:
pinol
a traditional corn-based Nicaraguan drink 🇳🇮
Unlike:
nica
which is more casual,
pinolero
has a deeper emotional and cultural meaning.
You’ll hear it in:
speeches
songs
football chants
patriotic contexts
e.j Soy pinolero, con orgullo
I’m Nicaraguan, with pride
Deacachimba = awesome / incredible
Peak Nicaraguan slang 😂
e.j ¡Esa playa está deacachimba!
That beach is incredible!
Anda pal tigre = he’s wasted / out of it
Very visual expression 😭
e.j Después de tantas cervezas, anda pal tigre
After so many beers, he’s totally gone
🇳🇮 Final Thought
Remember:
use vos
call your mates maje
say tuanis a lot
and avoid getting (or not):
bolo 😂
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.
