This website uses cookies

Read our Privacy policy and Terms of use for more information.

Want this as a printable cheat sheet?
Download the Nicaraguan Slang PDF here ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ

Want to practice learning the words?
You can learn this list on Memrise here.


Nicaraguan Spanish is often referred to as:

Nica Spanish ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ

The accent is smooth, relaxed and very Central American in rhythm.

Like neighbouring countries:

  • Honduras ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ณ

  • El Salvador ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ป

  • Costa Rica ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท

Nicaraguans commonly use:

vos

instead of:

tรบ

Youโ€™ll 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

Letโ€™s take a look at some of the most common expressions ๐Ÿ‘‡

Tuanis = cool / awesome / nice

Probably the most iconic Nicaraguan slang word.

Also used heavily in:

Costa Rica ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท

e.j ยกQuรฉ tuanis tu camisa!
Your shirt is awesome!

e.j Todo tuanis
Everythingโ€™s cool

Maje = dude / guy / bro

Used constantly in Nicaragua and Honduras ๐Ÿ˜‚

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 ๐Ÿ˜ญ

One of the greatest expressions in Spanish.

That feeling when:

  • someone embarrasses themselves

  • and YOU feel uncomfortable watching it ๐Ÿ˜‚

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

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Pinolero: A Word with Pride

Pinolero / Pinolera = Nicaraguan

This word comes from:

pinol

a traditional corn-based Nicaraguan drink ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ

Unlike:

nica

which is more casual,

pinolero

has a deeper emotional and cultural meaning.

Youโ€™ll hear it in:

  • speeches

  • songs

  • football chants

  • patriotic contexts

e.j Soy pinolero, con orgullo
Iโ€™m Nicaraguan, with pride

Deacachimba = awesome / incredible

Peak Nicaraguan slang ๐Ÿ˜‚

e.j ยกEsa playa estรก deacachimba!
That beach is incredible!

Anda pal tigre = heโ€™s wasted / out of it

Very visual expression ๐Ÿ˜ญ

e.j Despuรฉs de tantas cervezas, anda pal tigre
After so many beers, heโ€™s totally gone

๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Final Thought

Remember:

  • use vos

  • call your mates maje

  • say tuanis a lot

  • and avoid getting (or not):

bolo ๐Ÿ˜‚

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.

Reply

Avatar

or to participate