In Costa Rica, an affectionate word for a kid or little one. It comes from "carajo" but has completely lost any vulgar edge and become an everyday term of mild endearment, used by parents, neighbors, and relatives to describe children with warmth or that light 10pm exasperation.

The second-person pronoun used instead of "tu" in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Central America. Vos comes with its own verb conjugations and is one of the clearest regional identity markers in Spanish, defining how millions of people speak every day.

In many Latin American countries, a job or employment, whether formal or informal, which is a constant concern for young adults.

A dumb thing, stupidity, or unthinking statement or action in Costa Rican Spanish. "Qué hueveada" is the Tico reaction to any absurd comment, ridiculous decision, or poorly thought-out plan. It comes from "huevón" but became a noun describing specifically the dumb action or word, not the person. Used daily and with total ease among Ticos of all ages.

More than food, in Mexico, chicken broth is the universal remedy for illness, hangovers, and sadness. What doctors can't cure, chicken broth can.

A spongy cake soaked in three types of milk, evaporated, condensed, and heavy cream. It's the most beloved Latin American dessert: impossibly moist, dangerously sweet, and completely irresistible.

An opportunist or freeloader who swoops in to take advantage of a situation just like the vulture (zopilote) it is named after, waiting for things to fall apart before moving in for the gain. In Mexico and Central America, a zopilote always shows up when the work is done and the food is ready, never when it is time to contribute.

A knockout punch that leaves someone flat on the ground immediately. Used in boxing contexts but also in everyday Mexican and Central American speech for any hit that takes someone out of the game, or figuratively for someone so exhausted they are completely out of commission.

A thousand colones in Costa Rica, the quick casual way to talk about prices and money. When something costs too many varas, just keep walking and don't even ask the exact price.

A Costa Rican filler word that works like "well" or "what did you expect?" Ticos drop it to respond to something obvious, express mild surprise, or kick off an explanation like it is the most natural thing in the world.

A person with a permanent scowl who intimidates others just by looking at them. The 'mal encarado' doesn't need to say a word to make everyone around them uncomfortable.

To make a verbal commitment, agreeing to something on your word alone, no contract, no paperwork. In Mexico and Central America, apalabrar is how business gets done between people who trust each other. Your word is your bond, and breaking it is a serious breach of honor.

In Costa Rica, a brief moment or a quick second. "Dame un toque" means give me a sec. It can also refer to a small quick favor.

In Costa Rica, to be completely broke, without a single cent. "Andar pelado" means having no money at all.

In Central America, your tight circle of close friends you always roll with. The "combo" is your ride-or-die crew. Common across Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama.

A greeting and life philosophy that's emblematic of Costa Rica, radiating well-being, gratitude, and good vibes. It's the Tico answer to everything: 'How are you?' → 'pura vida.'.

A rude, disrespectful, or badly behaved kid. In Mexico and Central America, 'mocoso' is the go-to word for a child who is causing trouble, being insolent, or acting like they were raised without manners. Calling an adult a mocoso is also devastating.

A helpful, proactive person who sees what needs to be done and does it without being asked. In Central America, the 'acomedido' is the guest who starts washing dishes, the coworker who stays late without being told, the neighbor who fixes the fence before you notice it's broken.

To carry a small child in your arms or to pamper and spoil someone with affectionate attention. In Costa Rica and Nicaragua, "chinear" is one of the most tender verbs in everyday speech. It is what grandparents do to grandchildren and what loving overprotection looks like in action.

Cool, awesome, fun, or really enjoyable in Peru. It's a casual positive adjective for anything you had a great time with or thought was totally worth it.

In Costa Rica, something good, pleasant, or of quality. Along with "pura vida" and "mae," it forms the essential trio of Costa Rican slang.

In Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama), someone publicly exposed or called out on social media for something bad they did. Getting "funado" is the Spanish-speaking internet's version of being canceled.

A shameless, reprehensible person who commits harmful or immoral acts without any remorse. Used across Mexico and Central America as a strong insult to call out someone who has crossed a serious moral line, especially when they hurt people close to them or who are vulnerable.

In Costa Rica, total nonsense or pure gossip with no truth behind it. When someone is spreading stories that have no basis in reality, that's pura paja.

A Costa Rican expression for getting (or getting someone) accidentally pregnant, usually said about an unplanned, often teenage, pregnancy. In Costa Rican slang "torta" means a serious mess you can't easily walk away from, so "jalarse una torta" literally means dragging that mess onto yourself. Few problems carry this kind of weight in Costa Rican culture, and the half-joking, half-scolding tone of the phrase is the only way most people know how to talk about it.

A purely Costa Rican expression for something or someone at the absolute peak of its category: the very best, nothing tops it. The image comes from a ripe mango where that final suck of the pit concentrates all the sweetness and there is nothing left after it. Used sincerely to praise something amazing, or sarcastically for someone who acts like they are better than everyone else.

In Costa Rica, a serious problem or mess you got into without thinking it through, and one that is not easy to walk away from. Not just any small issue: a torta is the kind of trouble that leaves a mark and keeps you up nights figuring out how to fix it. Think unplanned pregnancy, a car crash, an unpayable debt, or a fight that got out of hand.

A lazy person with no desire to work or make any effort. A flojo always has an excuse ready and will let others carry the load every single time. Common across Mexico and Central America as both an adjective and a noun.

Rice and beans mixed together that's the sacred traditional breakfast of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Simple but addictive, eaten absolutely every single day and it never gets old for those who grew up with it.

A mosquito, an insect that bites and transmits diseases. The arch-nemesis of any summer night in the tropics.