Colombia
10 Colombian slang terms for emotion & reaction, each with its meaning, how it is pronounced and an example of it in use.
Surprise, exasperation, delight, disbelief. Often interjections rather than nouns — words that do something rather than name something.
interjection · Regional · AH-veh mah-REE-ah PWESS
A paisa exclamation covering surprise, admiration, exasperation and mild scandal, depending entirely on the vowel length. Religious in form and not remotely religious in use.
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interjection · Regional · EH-cheh
Coastal interjection of surprise, disbelief or complaint — 'wow', 'no way', 'oh come on', depending on delivery. Concentrated in Barranquilla and the Atlántico department.
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interjection · Vulgar · noh HOH-dah
The all-purpose coastal exclamation: astonishment, delight, outrage, or simple emphasis. Barranquilla and Cartagena run on it.
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Use with care
phrase · Colloquial · KOH-moh ah-SEE
What do you mean? — asked when something does not add up. The commonest request for clarification in Colombian Spanish and an unmistakable national marker.
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noun, adjective, interjection · Vulgar · CHEEM-bah
Excellent, brilliant. '¡Qué chimba!' is the strongest everyday expression of enthusiasm Colombians have, and 'una chimba de carro' is a fantastic car.
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Use with care
noun · Colloquial · mah-MEH-rah
A drag, a bore, a thing you cannot face doing. '¡Qué mamera!' is the standard Colombian groan at an unwelcome task.
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adjective, interjection · Informal · PY-lah
Done for; no good; too bad. 'Quedé paila' means I'm in trouble or I've had it, and a bare '¡Paila!' is the verdict that something has failed and nothing can be done.
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phrase, adjective · Informal · keh boh-LEH-tah
How embarrassing; what a disgrace. Said of a public humiliation, yours or someone else's — the emphasis is on being seen.
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phrase, interjection · Colloquial · keh PEH-nah
Sorry; excuse me. The standard Colombian apology for small offences, from bumping into someone to arriving late. 'Qué pena con usted' is the full polite form.
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noun · Informal · TOO-sah
The specific misery of a recent break-up: heartbreak with a soundtrack, a duration and an expectation that friends will take you out. Not grief in general.
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Colombia