Spanish is currently the most spoken language worldwide. But as you may know, it sounds a little different in various parts of the Spanish speaking world. The Spanish that is spoken in Mexico differs greatly from what you’ll hear used in Uruguay for an example; slang is a big reason why.

The Spanish spoken in Spain is also known as Castilian, because it originated in the Castile region of the country centuries ago.

Spaniard slang is full of words and expressions that may appear as swearing at first, but the words are used regularly by the Spaniards without causing ill feelings between the speakers. Spaniard slang can seem really aggressive and even intrusive, but funny and joyful at the same time.

Expressions and words often used by Spaniards can have more than two meanings which is why non-native speakers must be careful when using them.

This article will focus on some of the 10 most popular slang words you’ll hear in Spain.

Each example is voiced by our Spanish voice actor who appears in our Gritty Spanish audio stories.

1. Tío/Tía

Literally, this is translated to “uncle” and “aunt”. This expression has no relation whatsoever the brothers or sisters of one’s parents when used as slang. In Spain, to call someone “tío” or “tía” is a friendly way to refer to friends or even close acquaintances.

It’s a show of closeness and trust and can be translated to “pal, bro, buddy”. You’ll hear this word pretty used often in our Gritty Spanish audio stories.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“¿Todo está bien tío/tía? Te noto débil.”

“Is everything good pal? You seem kind of weak.”

“Tío/Tía, ¿qué más? ¿Cómo va todo?”

“What’s up, pal? How’s everything going?”

2. Es la leche

Literally translated to, “is the milk”. This expression is used to mean that something or someone is cool, rad or even awesome. You can use this expression to talk about someone who has a lot of “swag” as well.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“José es la leche, no se asusta por nada.”

“José is really cool, he doesn’t get scared by anything.”

“Eduardo es muy arrogante, se cree que es la leche.

“Eduardo is really arrogant, he believes he is it/he believes he is so cool.”

3. Chulo

Just like “es la leche”, “chulo” is used to say that something is cool or rad. The difference between the two is the word,“chulo” or if you say, “qué chulo” are mostly used to describe things, inanimate objects or situations.

Nonnative speakers should be careful with this expression, because if it is accidentally used to describe a person it could mean that they are cocky or arrogant, and thus becoming an insult of sorts.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“Roberto tiene una moto muy chula.”

“Roberto has a really cool bike”

“Qué chulo ese concierto de ayer.”

“Yesterday’s concert was really rad.”

4. Mono/Mona

If this translated literally it would be, “monkey”, but “mono/mona” mean “cute” or “adorable” for Spaniards. It is used usually by women and by the youngsters.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“Camila es tan mona, mira la manera en cómo se viste.”

“Camila is so cute, just look how she dresses.”

“María, ese vestido te queda muy mono, hasta va con tus zapatos.”

“María, that dress you’re wearing looks really cute on you. It even goes with your shoes.”

5. Está como una cabra

When you use or hear this Spaniard expression, it means someone is crazy or has gone nuts. It translates to “he/she is like a goat” as goats are animals often related to erratic behaviors and impulsive actions.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“Está como una cabra. No escucha razón.”

“He’s like a crazy person. He’s not listening to reason.”

“Mariana es muy divertida, está como una cabra.”

“Mariana is really fun to be with, she is really crazy.”

In our Gritty Spanish audios, there is a scene where a Spaniard is speaking to his Mexican friend and used another popular expression a Spaniard would use to describe someone that is absolutely nuts, se le va la pinza.… here is a short clip below:

This was a scene from Gritty Spanish: Parte II in an episode titled, “First night in Cartagena”.

This is what was said in the short clip:

Spanish:

“¿Estaban borrachos conduciendo por la

ciudad? Recuerdo lo loco que se comportaba Hugo

cuando lo conocí. Es un salvaje; se le va la pinza.”

English:

“Were you guys drunk driving around the

city? I remember how crazy Hugo was behaving

when I met him. He is a wild one; he is a nutcase.”

In that scene, the guy from Spain was referring to a crazy friend, “Hugo“, this is why he use “Se le va“.

This is another great story from Gritty Spanish.

6. ¡Anda ya!

Used as an exclamation, “¡anda ya!” (literally “go now!”). This is an expression used to indicate skepticism rather than to ask someone to leave right now, similar to “no way!”.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“¿Y tú crees eso? ¡Anda ya!”

“You believe that? No way!”

“¡Anda ya! No me lo creo.”

“No way! I don’t buy it.”

7. Flipar

Used mostly by the young population it refers to something that leaves you surprised or that you can’t believe.

It could be related to the English “flip”, to turn, which also shares the sense of surprise and unexpected emotion.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“¡Estoy flipando! Qué video más Bueno de esta banda.”

“I’m really surprised! This band has a really good video.”

“El final de la película me dejó flipando. No me lo esperaba.”

“The end of the movie surprised me-. I wasn’t expecting it at all”.

8. Molar

Meaning “to like”. It means the same as the verb “gustar”(to like/to be pleasing to). This verb is conjugated to reflect the thing you like and doesn’t refer to you, turning into “me mola”.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“¡Este concierto me mola!”

“I really like this concert!”

“Rosalía me mola como cantante. De verdad que es fabulosa.”

“I really like Rosalía as a singer. She is truly fabulous.”

9. Vale

It is a short expression that can be translated to “OK” or “that’s OK”; young people commonly use it and it has spread through most Spanish speaking nations like Venezuela and other Caribbean countries.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

Supposed José offers his friend, Miguel for some coffee…

José:

“Miguel , ¿quisieras un poco de café?”

“Miguel , would you like some coffee?”

Miguel:

“José Vale, dame un poco.”

“José Ok, give me a little.”

10. Estar en pelotas

Literally translated to “to be in balls”. It means a person is naked as it refers to part of the male genitalia being on show. An equivalent in English could be to be “butt/ass naked”. As “estar” is a verb, this expression can also be conjugated.

Read & listen a couple of examples:

“Ella estaba en pelotas y no quería hacer el amor conmigo. ¿Soy tan feo?.”

“She was butt naked and didn’t wanna make love to me. Am I that ugly?”

“Él estaba en pelotas cuando entré al cuarto.”

“He was butt naked when I entered the bedroom.”

In Conclusion…

Some of these words and expressions have been spread across the Spanish speaking world. This is because of the historical bond between these nations and the industry of dubbing for films and TV. Some others are local and can be found only on Spain.

However, the use of regional idioms or slang is mostly what helps more to distinguish between Latin American Spanish and Spaniard Spanish since there are tons of similarities.

Slang is way for language to seek freedom from regulating entities; a way for it to connect directly with its speakers and show it’s true colors.

So whenever you’re talking or chatting with someone from Spain and you hear them tell you, “Tío/Tía, me flipa hablar contigo. Me mola demasiado”, I can assure you that you’re being treated by a Spaniard in a friendly and warm way, and this person is sharing a rich part of his or her culture with you.

Be sure to also check out our cool post about 15 curse words straight outta Spain!