Spanish Slang and Idioms - WorldsAcross

—No te rayes, que esto está chévere—. Have you ever come across this phrase? In many Spanish-speaking places, it means “don’t worry, everything’s fine.” At WorldsAcross, learning Spanish slang isn’t complicated at all. Expressions like this—and many more—will become part of your vocabulary in no time.

But Where Does —Rayarse— Come From?

In Spain, this expression is used to tell someone not to obsess over a problem. It comes from the idea of a scratched record that repeats the same sound over and over—just like our minds do when we overthink something. That’s how vivid and metaphorical Spanish slang can be! As you can see, these expressions are more than just words—they’re cultural appetizers full of imagery and references. Even if they seem tricky at first, they’re actually more fun and engaging than you’d expect. We’ll show you how and help you learn Spanish phrases like these.

Why Learn Spanish Slang?

Slang is the kind of language you don’t usually get in traditional classes—but it’s exactly what you’ll hear when talking to native speakers. Since our classes are far from traditional, you’ll definitely learn it with us. You’ll get a taste of Hispanic culture, and by learning Spanish slang, you won’t just improve your communication—you’ll also better understand the cultural and social context behind the language.

Latin American Slang

One of the most beautiful things about Spanish slang is how much it varies from country to country. If you’re looking to learn Spanish phrases, here are some gems from across Latin America that will help you sound like a native in any conversation:

Mexico

• Chido: Something cool or awesome.
  “Ese concierto estuvo bien chido.” (That concert was really cool.)
  
  
• Ando bien crudo: To be hungover.
  “No puedo trabajar hoy, ando bien crudo.” (I can’t work today, I’m really hungover.)
  
  
• Órale: An expression of surprise, approval, or encouragement.
  “Órale, qué rápido terminaste el proyecto.” (Wow, you finished the project really fast.)

Argentina

• Qué quilombo: Refers to a big mess or chaos.
  “Mi oficina está hecha un quilombo hoy.” (My office is a total mess today.)
  
  
• Laburar: To work.
  “Tengo que laburar el finde, ¡qué bajón!” (I have to work this weekend, what a bummer!)
  
  
• Estar en pedo: To be drunk.
  “Después de la fiesta, Carlos estaba en pedo.” (After the party, Carlos was drunk.)

Colombia

• Parcero/a: Friend or buddy.
  “Voy a salir con mis parceros esta noche.” (I’m going out with my buddies tonight.)
  
  
• Tener la mente embolatada: To feel confused or overwhelmed.
  “Tengo la mente embolatada con tanto trabajo.” (My mind is all tangled up with so much work.)
  
  
• Guaro: Aguardiente, a typical alcoholic drink.
  “Nos tomamos unos guaros para celebrar.” (We had some aguardientes to celebrate.)

Venezuela

• Chamo/a: Kid or friend.
  “Chamo, ¿viste el partido de anoche?” (Dude, did you see last night’s game?)
  
  
• Estar mosca: To be alert or watchful.
  “Estén moscas, que vienen los exámenes.” (Stay alert, exams are coming.)
  
  
• Echarle pichón: To give it your best effort or work hard.
  “Si le echas pichón, pasas el curso.” (If you put in the effort, you’ll pass the class.)

Peru

• Jamear: To eat.
  “Vamos a jamear algo antes de la reunión.” (Let’s grab something to eat before the meeting.)
  
  
• Pata: Friend.
  “Mis patas y yo fuimos al cine ayer.” (My friends and I went to the movies yesterday.)
  
  
• Estar palteado: To feel embarrassed or nervous.
  “Estaba palteado cuando me hicieron la pregunta en público.” (I was embarrassed when they asked me the question in public.)

Spain

• Tío/a: Guy or girl, used casually to refer to anyone.
  “Tío, qué buen plan para el fin de semana.” (Dude, what a great plan for the weekend.)
  
  
• Flipar: To be amazed or blown away.
  “Flipé con la noticia del día.” (I was blown away by today’s news.)
  
  
• Molar: To like or find something really cool.
  “Este libro mola mucho, deberías leerlo.” (This book is really cool, you should read it.)

How Does This Help You Learn?

Spanish slang not only improves your communication skills but also helps you connect more deeply with native speakers. When you use phrases like echarle pichón (put in the effort) or words like órale (Wow), you show that you understand more than just the literal meanings—you’re picking up on cultural nuance. It also gives you a sense of belonging. People will see you as someone who truly respects and appreciates the language as it’s spoken in real life.

Don’t Stress—It’s Not That Hard

Learning Spanish phrases that include slang is essential for truly mastering the language. Imagine a conversation where you naturally drop a ¡qué quilombo! (what a mess!) or a no te rayes (don’t stress) and everything just flows like you’ve been speaking that way forever. Learning slang is the next step to take your Spanish to a level where not only are you understood, but you actually feel part of the culture.

So when you’re ready to take that step, remember there’s a whole world of Spanish words to discover—and we’re here to help you do it. At WorldsAcross, you don’t just learn Spanish—you live it in every word.