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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:

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.

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