Costa Rica
Some Tico Spanish/American English Words and Phrases
by Alexander del Sol, The Southern Costa Rica Guide
2000
Note: Tico is the name Costa Ricans call themselves,
their language, culture, and so on. Whatever your background (and
attitude), a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish will prove to be
very helpful. Despite what any person or book may tell you, most
Ticos (Costa Ricans) do not speak English or any other foreign
language. If you don't speak Spanish already, you would be well
advised to invest in a good phrase book and study it before you
get here. The following list will be helpful.
Tico Spanish
Although you may be familiar with the Spanish language, Ticos
have their own special dialect, like all Latin American countries.
Some of the usage here can be very different from say, Mexican
or Puerto Rican Spanish, enough to cause you some confusion even
if you are fluent in another dialect. This short section is here
to help you deal with these differences, give you a few words
and phrases in case you need them quick, and also be able to utter
some appropriate 'dichos' (sayings, or slang phrases). Some words
and phrases you may not find defined elsewhere.
Tico Spanish/American English
A la parilla - grilled
A la plancha - sautéed
Adios! - often used as 'hello' when passing someone
Agua dulce - a drink made with pure natural cane sugar
Al ajíllo - in garlic
A su gusto - to your liking
Así es la vida - that's life
Boca - snack (look for the 'Boca' bars)
Buenas! - basic greeting (leaving out 'días'
or 'tardes')
Buena nota! - ok, excellent
Cabina - a room (especially in a hotel)
Caro - car ('coche' is not used)
Casado - a 'married' lunch or dinner plate in restaurants
(a combination of typical foods)
Cien metros - one city block (literally 100 meters)
Con mucho gusto - 'you're welcome' (more hearty than
'de nada')
Con permiso - 'excuse me' or if you bump into someone
you say - 'perdón'
Con toda la pata - "I've got it all together"
Cuanto cuesta? - 'how much does it cost?'
Cuidado - careful
De verdad?! - really?!
Déjame pensarlo - let me think about it
El campo - the countryside
El servicio - a polite term for 'toilet'
Está bien - 'it's ok.' ('ok' is used a lot)
Finca - ranch, farm, or both
Fresco (refresco) - a cold, non-alcoholic drink
Fresco natural - a natural fruit or powered drink
Fresco - cool, as in air temperature
Gaseosa - soft drink (carbonated soda)
Gato/a - cat, of course, yet also refers to a woman or
man with light-colored eyes (blue, green, gray)
Hágame el favor! - 'do me the favor' but often
means 'give me a break!'
Hay campo? - is there room (space)?
Hay paso? - 'is there passage' or 'can I get through?
Hongos - mushrooms (also fungus)
La bomba - common word for a gas station rather than
'gasolinera'
La lancha - ferry boat
Lanta ponchada - flat tire
Lo que sea - whatever
Más pa'cá - closer ('más para acá'
contracted)
Más para allá - farther
Me caye bien - it literally means "you fall well with
me" but it is used basically to say "I like you"
Mi amor - my love (used by both sexes as a friendly form
of address)
No importa - it's not important; doesn't matter
No me digas! - 'don't tell me!' or 'no way!' or 'you
don't say!'
Ojo! - watch out!
Panga - a small motorboat
Paño - bath towel ('toalla' is rarely used)
Para llevar - carry-out (food)
Pick-up - a pick-up truck (and nothing else…)
Pulperia - a general corner grocery store
Pura Vida - literally, a happy 'pure life' - an 'all-is-well'
statement used as an expression of approval or even as a greeting
Qué dicha! - 'what good luck! or 'fantastic!'
Quebrada - a stream or brook
Rancho or Ranchito - a traditional structure, usually
with a thatched-palm roof
Refresco - a cold drink
Repuestos - parts (for cars, machines)
Salado - too bad; tough luck
Se falló - 'it failed' (for slang, you can use
'se hodió')
Soda - small restaurant or diner or café or lunch
counter
Tickete - ticket ( 'boleto' is not used much.)
Twanys! - 'everything's great! (a street slang)
Upe! - anybody home? (instead of knocking; used manly
in the countryside at people's houses)
Vos - you (informal, equivalent to 'tu')
Ya me voy - I'm leaving now
Ya voy! - I'm coming!
Ya! - done, already, now!
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