In some Latin American countries, 'tomba' is a slang term for police officer or cop. Examples Spanish: Corre, aquí viene la tomba. English: Run, here comes the cop.
Colombian Spanish
Colombian Spanish is a grouping of the varieties of Spanish spoken in Colombia. The term is of more geographical than linguistic relevance, since the dialects spoken in the various regions of Colombia are quite diverse. The speech of coastal areas tends to exhibit phonological innovations typical of Caribbean Spanish, while highland varieties have been historically more conservative.
The Spanish of Colombia, and especially that of Bogotá, is known for the use of "usted" between friends, family members, and others whose relationship would indicate the use of "tú" or "vos" in most other dialects. In Colombian Spanish, the diminutive forms -ico, -ica (rather than the more conventional -ito, -ita) are often used in words whose stem ends with "t".
Slang speech is frequent in popular culture, especially in the barrios of big cities. In the Paisa region and Medellín, the local slang is named "Parlache". Many slang expressions have spread outside of their original areas to become commonly understood throughout the country.
The Colombian Spanish dialects can be divided in: Paisa, Rolo or Bogotá (also called cachaco), Cundiboyacense, Caribbean (also called costeño), Valluno, Andean, Opita, Santanderean, Eastern plains or Llanero, Chocó or Pacific and Island. -Source: Wikipedia
Here are our articles that covers Colombia Spanish slang, language, expressions, dictionaries, culture, and general topics:
torcidoa
A term used in some regions of Latin America to refer to someone who is dishonest, corrupt, or involved in illegal activities. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, es muy torcido. English: Don't trust him, he is very crooked.
trabarse
A Spanish slang term that refers to getting stuck, typically used when someone is having trouble expressing themselves verbally. It can also mean to stutter or to freeze up. Examples Spanish: Estaba tan nervioso durante la presentación que me trabé varias veces. English: I was so nervous during the presentation that I got stuck several […]
traga
In Spanish slang, 'traga' is often used to refer to someone who is deeply in love or infatuated. It can be used to describe both men and women. Examples Spanish: Juan está muy traga de María, no deja de hablar de ella. English: Juan is really infatuated with Maria, he can't stop talking about her.
traqueto
Slang term primarily used in Colombia that refers to a drug trafficker. It is often used to describe someone who displays wealth acquired from illegal activities, especially the drug trade. Examples Spanish: El vecino de al lado es un traqueto, siempre tiene carros lujosos y no trabaja. English: The neighbor next door is a traqueto, […]
trasquilado
The term 'trasquilado' is derived from the verb 'trasquilar' which means to shear or cut unevenly. In slang context, it is often used to refer to someone who appears to be in a disheveled or messy state, physically or situationally. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, Juan parecía un trasquilado, con la ropa toda arrugada […]
tronco de
Used in Spain, 'tronco de' is a colloquial phrase indicating surprise, disbelief or exasperation. It can be translated to 'what the hell' or 'what on earth'. Examples Spanish: '¡Tronco de! ¿Cómo es posible que hayas terminado todo el trabajo en una hora?' English: 'What the hell! How is it possible that you have finished all […]
tropel
A word used in Colombia to refer to a group of people, usually in a chaotic or disorganized manner. It can also refer to a mess or commotion. Examples Spanish: Hubo un gran tropel en la calle después del partido de fútbol. English: There was a big commotion on the street after the football match.
tropelero
A person who is often involved in fights, quarrels or troubles. Generally, a troublemaker. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre está metido en problemas, es un verdadero tropelero. English: Juan is always getting into trouble, he is a real troublemaker.
vieja
In Spanish slang, 'vieja' is often used to refer to a person's girlfriend, wife or significant other. It can also be used colloquially to mean 'old woman'. The context and region determine the exact meaning. Examples Spanish: Voy a ir al cine con mi vieja esta noche. English: I'm going to the movies with my […]
y para remate
Used to denote the last unfortunate event in a series, akin to 'to top it all off' or 'the last straw' Examples Spanish: Perdí mi trabajo, mi carro se dañó, y para remate, se acabó mi relación. English: I lost my job, my car broke down, and to top it all off, my relationship ended.
abonado
In Spanish slang, 'abonado' usually refers to a person who is frequently present or always attending certain events. It can also refer to someone who is always ready to participate or get involved. Examples Spanish: Juan es un abonado a los partidos de fútbol de su equipo local, nunca se pierde uno. English: Juan is […]
arrastraderas
A Mexican slang term, 'arrastraderas' is often used to refer to problems or troubles. It's a colloquial way of expressing the difficulties someone is facing. Examples Spanish: He estado pasando por unas arrastraderas últimamente, mi coche se descompuso y ahora mi refrigerador no funciona. English: I've been going through some real troubles lately, my car […]
avión
In Mexican slang, 'avión' is often used to refer to someone who is clever or smart, sometimes with a connotation of being sly or cunning. It can also mean someone who is ahead in terms of thinking or planning. Examples Spanish: Ese chico siempre tiene las mejores ideas, es un verdadero avión. English: That guy […]
bambas
In Spanish slang, 'bambas' usually refers to sneakers or sports shoes. Examples Spanish: Voy a comprar unas bambas nuevas para el gimnasio. English: I'm going to buy new sneakers for the gym.
bandera
In Spanish slang, 'bandera' is often used to describe someone who is exceptionally good-looking or attractive. It is similar to saying 'flag' in English, as in they stand out from the crowd. Examples Spanish: ¡Mira a ese chico, es una bandera! English: Look at that guy, he's a real catch!
bogar
A slang term used in some Spanish-speaking regions that means 'to leave' or 'to go away' Examples Spanish: Vamos a bogar de esta fiesta, está muy aburrida. English: Let's bogar from this party, it's very boring.
breve
In Spanish slang, 'breve' is often used to denote something quick, brief or simple. It's commonly used in Colombia. Examples Spanish: ¿Podemos tener una reunión breve? Tengo que salir pronto. English: Can we have a brief meeting? I have to leave soon.
buñuelo
In Spanish slang, 'buñuelo' is often used colloquially to refer to a person who is clumsy or not very skillful. It originates from a traditional Spanish pastry of the same name that is thought to be easy to mess up while making. Examples Spanish: No le dejes el coche a Juan, es un buñuelo conduciendo. […]
caerle a una mujer
This phrase directly translates to 'fall on a woman', but in a slang context, it is used to describe the action of trying to charm or seduce a woman. Examples Spanish: Juan está intentando caerle a una mujer en la fiesta. English: Juan is trying to charm a woman at the party.
caleto
In Chilean slang, 'caleto' is a term that means 'a lot' or 'much'. It's often used to emphasize the quantity of something. Examples Spanish: Tengo caleto de tarea para hacer esta noche. English: I have a lot of homework to do tonight.
calidoso
A Colombian slang term often used to describe someone who is warm-hearted, friendly, or kind. Examples Spanish: Mi abuela es muy calidosa, siempre nos recibe con una gran sonrisa. English: My grandmother is very warm-hearted, she always welcomes us with a big smile.
campante
Used to denote someone who is carefree, calm or unconcerned, especially despite something that could be considered problematic. Examples Spanish: A pesar de las dificultades, ella sigue campante sin preocuparse por nada. English: Despite the difficulties, she remains carefree without worrying about anything.
candongas
In Spanish slang, 'candongas' refers to large and flashy earrings. Examples Spanish: Ella siempre usa unas candongas muy grandes y coloridas. English: She always wears very large and colorful 'candongas'.
caramelo
In Spanish slang, 'caramelo' refers to an attractive person. Derived from the literal meaning of 'candy', this term is used to express that someone is sweet or good-looking. Examples Spanish: Ella es un caramelo, todos los chicos la desean. English: She is a candy, all the boys want her.
carechimba
A Colombian slang term that is used to express admiration or surprise, similar to 'awesome' or 'amazing'. Examples Spanish: Esa fiesta estuvo carechimba. English: That party was awesome.
caribeño
Refers to a person from the Caribbean region. It's not necessarily slang, but more of a colloquial term used in Spanish-speaking countries to identify someone from the Caribbean islands. Examples Spanish: Mi amigo es caribeño, él nació en Republica Dominicana. English: My friend is Caribbean, he was born in the Dominican Republic.
casco
In Spanish slang, 'casco' is commonly used in Spain to refer to the downtown or old town of a city. Examples Spanish: Vamos a dar un paseo por el casco antiguo de la ciudad. English: Let's take a walk through the old town of the city.
casposo
A derogatory term used in Spain to describe someone who is old-fashioned, vulgar or tacky. Examples Spanish: No quiero salir con él, es demasiado casposo para mi gusto. English: I don't want to go out with him, he's too tacky for my taste.
chanda
A term primarily used in Mexico, 'chanda' is a slang term used to describe something that is cheap or of low quality. Examples Spanish: No quiero esta camisa, parece muy chanda. English: I don't want this shirt, it seems very cheap.