Dictionary of Costa Rican Words

Here are some of the words most used by Ticos and Ticas, and that you may want to know when visiting the country during your vacations:

Tuanis - Some people say that it comes from the expression "too nice", it means that something is good or ok.

Maje or Mae - Used a lot by people of all ages; it means "dude", and can be used in femenine or masculine.

100 metros - "Cien metros" means "one block" and "cincuenta metros", means "half a block" – all regardless of the actual length of the block.

Aguevado or Bostezo - bored or boring.

Brete - work or job.

Chunche - Thing.

Di/diay - With no exact translation, diay is best thought of as an interjection at the beginning of a sentence, similar to "um" or "well."

Dolor de jupa - a headache.

Chante - home, place.

Estar de chicha - to be angry.

Estar de goma - to have a hangover.

Guila - A guila in Costa Rica is merely a "girl."

Jama - food.

Jumas - drunk.

Choza - home.

No joda!/no jodás! - don't bother me! / leave me alone!

Pura paja - crap; bullshit.

Pulperia - A small corner store.

Que tigra! - ugh, what a drag!

Salado - unlucky.

Soda - A small, family-run typical restaurant.

Soque! - hurry up!

Una teja - Is 100 of anything, usually money (100 colones).

La vara - the thing.

Upe! - hello? anyone home?