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Learn to speak Spanish

Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in Colombia? Short and sweet: no, but is is sooo worth it.

There are many excuses, but yes, you should learn a few words at least.

But I don't want to learn! (Also known as: 'I'm too stupid!', 'I'm too old', 'I'm only going for 2 weeks', or another classic and personal favorite: 'I'll learn it once I get there.'.)

If you're anything like me, and, I tend to believe, most people, you'll easily come up with a dozen more excuses not to study any Spanish before leaving. Probably pretty good ones too.

But you only live once. And it's amazingly wonderful to know a few words when you get here.

It'll make it possible to speak to the locals (girls, boys, whatever is you inclination), make friends, enjoy your trip.It'll also save you money.

Where to start? Learn some slang!

Apart from the basics (Where is the bathroom? How much does this cost?), try learning some slang words. You'll make instant friends with only a few words.

Spanish speakers use lots of slang. It's pretty nice (and if I use the word pretty once more on this page you may well hang me upside down on my little toe and talk poetry to me for a day or so) to understand these, so I'll tell you what I've learnt so far here in Medellin.

Que hube? sounds like Q? (the letter) = What's up, how are you, ..
Listo Lease toe = I'm ready, are you ready, let's go, ... In my own little world I've been heard using "I'm all listo". (=Spanglish)
Hablamos Hablamos = We'll talk later. (Instead of, what you might expect, let's talk.)
Claro! Claro! = Of course, I agree with you. This is a really good one.
Ya ya = Right now, as opposed to the next word...
Ahorita ahoreeta = Means somewhere in the future. This can be within an hour, in a few hours, later. You can ask 'ahorita ya?' to check if it's gonna be right now.
Entonces intonses = 'So', it's a good stopword.
Tam poco tan poko = neither. 'yo tan poco' is me neither.
Gasp gasp = it's disgusting!
Mira meera = look! When you're explaining something. Or when you want someone to look at something. (obviously)
Tranquilo trankilo = take it easy.
A la orden ala orde Means 'to business'. you can say it picking up the phone, but mostly used in shops. like how can I help you?
Bacano = cool
Bobo = square, stupid
Mane = square
Super = used before adjectives. Superbacano.
No dar papayas = don't give cause for abuse. (like don't walk around in a superminiskirt)

So an everyday conversation in Medellin could go something like:

"Q'ubo parse! Que mas? - Q mi negra, no puedo soportar este man, es superbobo! Por que? - Ai, es que no se, ...."

And then there is the unusual (to us) way Colombians refer to people.

"Hey you fat black person!"

...sounds somewhat offensive in English. But Spanish is a really cool, creative language. People here use funny names to call anyone. The following are for anyone, people you don't know, people you ask for directions, friends, ...

For me they took some getting used to, I always kept expecting to get smacked in the face or something. Some people live in Colombia for many months and still get offended by this custom. Don't get offended. It's actually kinda nice.

These are my favorites: (If it's for a girl, change the end o in an a.)

Flaco (= thinnie)
Mi negro
Nino
Parse (like mate)
Cavalero
Man (somewhat negative)

One that always gets me I heard on the road:

(after asking directions to a white guy): "gracias mi negro! Muy formal!"

And that's all for now. These guides get updated all the time, and new ones get added. Have a look around on the rest of the site if you like reading about Colombia.

By Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) on Nov 18, 2000, 10:50 in Friendly Talkzone.

Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 6, 2001, 21:00:

Costena (Written by Berdugo)
Felicidades. You will soon be part of something wild.

Poor but snappy

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CaspinLange says on Apr 5, 2005, 18:40:

Peter Rocks!!! I just gotta say that Peter rocks!!! What a fantastic chap to do all this work for us,ie looking up schools and listing them, teaching basic language. You da man!!!, as they say in the low income world of the developed countries.

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fosth says on Apr 27, 2005, 08:02:

You missed one! While in Colombia i heard all the words Peter mentioned and started to use them as well even when i returned,found myself saying claro while in converation with everyone.
Another word you'll hear alot is CHEVERE= Cool,nice,lovely.
My girlfriend used it to discribe everything!!
Others:
mamasito/papasito/sardino/viejo verde all ways of discribing members of the opposite sex.

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riomagdalena says on May 27, 2005, 16:42:

Free translation sites and the difference in the language I have seen a lot of spanish english translation sites but I know that there is a bit of a difference in the spanish that Colombians speak versus Boricuas, Dominicans, etc. It's not extremely different, but a little. Do any of you know of any free sites that are able to translate english into colombian spanish?

I noticed above someone spoke of learning the basic slangs and all. LOL That's cool and good to know.

How would one answer the phone in Colombia? I mean here I say, "quien" when someone knocks at the door. When I answer the phone I say "hola."

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Claudis says on Jun 30, 2005, 16:54:

Want to learn "colombian" spanish? Hey guys!

I´m Claudia. I had a lot of fun reading your comments which helped me realize how creative and funny the "colombian slang" can be sometimes, as Peter says. :)

I lived in the US for a while and believe me, I would have loved to learn some english slang and also commmon words and sentences, I mean, basic "suvival" questions and answers, beforehand as well :) It could have probably help me met english speakers sooner and get involved with the culture much faster!

BTW, there´s one saying we have that, although I dont use frequently, I like a lot, it is " a calzón quitao". It means something like "honestly...", but the literal translation would be something around: "without your underware" :)

I hope you are all enjoying your visit so far! ;)

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Claudis says on Jul 7, 2005, 09:13:

Short Conversation Course in Bogotá (July 7th, 2005)

I will teach "colombian" spanish to english speakers staying in Bogotá, in an informal practical course (which of course will cost much less than formal theoretical academy courses).

In small groups we will practice conversation and will learn about colombian slang, frecuently used sentences and words, basic spanish to "survive" in daily conversations (social and business related).

Each course will cover other topics of interest related to: living in Colombia: colombian lifestyle, traveling in Colombia, meeting colombians, learning about Colombia and its culture, colombian music, security issues, tips to "survive" in the streets (safe and non safe areas), sports, etc.... depending on the particular interest of each group of students.

At the end of the course, students will know the basics to communicate effectively with native spanish speakers in social and business environments, not only in terms of the correct words to use, but the best ways to approach, according to the culture.

For more information on the next scheduled course and costs, please email me at: clauhochman at hotmail.com

Best reagards to all!

Claudia

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MeLoNa says on Aug 3, 2005, 12:13:

MoRe! Well first of all, this web is the best thing Peter could have done!!!! I didn't know so many people were aware of what's happening in my country! I'm a Colombian girl I live in Bogota (capital city as you might know)
here are some of the words that I being a teenager know and use the words everyday!
as you may know some lsang owrds change from city to city here in bogota for example:
CHIMBA (cheembah): here in bogota means COOL but in Cali it means Bored... used expressions: que chimba de fiesta!
A LO BIEN ( ah low be-n): means like .... really
PEYE: pei- je (the J as in jar): it means like bad...like its meaning is weird you an use is like ....what a peye party....or...que camiseta tan peye!
Hembra(feminine)/Hembro (masculine) are some quite peculiar slang word here in bogota... Hembra si used to express to YOUR FREINDS how hot a firl is or hembor how hot a guy is...but might not WANNA say directl to a girl...ERES UNA HEMBRA cause she might slap you...hembra is kind of a not appropiate word to flirt! just use it with your freinds...don;t let you TRAGA (slang word for the person you like) know you're calling her and HEMBRA! or HEMBRO!
NA DJUST ONE LAST THING! if you're coming and you're between your 16 years old up to 25 at least...please learn some lang cause you might come here and don;t undersatnd what they say! you no we colombians have milions of ways to call things and with slang words as well so you better learn or get lost you chose!
good luck!

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santafe says on Aug 10, 2005, 09:03:

when you answer the phone while in Colombian you should say "alo" instead of "ola"

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Andy-NY says on Aug 10, 2005, 15:22:

I just returned home and........ I started a new thread with this info because I think it's very important.............

I just returned home from Medellin (my first time). If you're planning to visit Colombia, then you're going to be very frustrated if you do not speak at least basic beginner Spanish. I was able to get by (barely) and I consider myself between a beginner and intermediate. Most people I came accross spoke ZERO English including most taxi drivers, store vendors, cashiers, people selling drinks on the street, and even many Police officers.

I personally feel you might get away with not speaking Spanish in certain Spanish speaking countries that are more traveled by non-Spanish speakers. But Colombia is not one of those countries yet. You could get yourself into some real shit not being able to communicate with Police or people in a hospital if you're sick. Not knowing how to ask for directions or communicating with taxi drivers could be another problem you'll face.

Andrew-NY

Andrew-NY

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Spanish in Barranquilla says on Sep 7, 2005, 13:44:

Learn Spanish at Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla Tha Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla offers a Spanish Program from February 6 to 24, it ends just before Carnivals so you can enjoy this time of the year in Barranquilla.

We can help you find a host family, apartment or hotel.

Classes will be held from 8:30 to 1:30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays

For more information.

iidiomas at uninorte.edu.co
www.uninorte.edu.co/extensiones/idiomas

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Gringita_2301 says on Oct 18, 2005, 16:41:

TANBIEN TU!!! I have a colombian boyfriend tooo and he uses the same word, ALOT! CHEVERE, it's funny to hear it especially when your so use to the enlish language...!!!!

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NAOMI says on Oct 27, 2005, 09:39:

PLEASE HELP ME HI CLAUDIS IWAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP ME UNDERSTAND MORE COLOMBIAN LANGUAGE MY BOYFRIEND IS CCOLOMBIAN AND HIS PARENTS HARDLY SPEAK ENGLISH BUT A LITTLE BIT.... IM HALF COLOMBIAN BUT MY PARENTS ARE MORE AMERICANIZED.... MY BOYFRIENDS PARENTS ARE TRYING REALLY HARD TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH BUT I WANT TO SHOW THEM IM TRYING TO LEARN TO... I COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP AND I LOVE THEM TO DEATH ITS JUST REALLY HARD TO COMMUNICATE... CAN YOU PLAESE HELP ME A LITTLE I READ YOUR POSTING ON THE WEBSITE... THANKS ALOT IT WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIATIVE.....

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stefos says on Oct 28, 2005, 06:43:

Spanish Private Classes Do you want to learn Spanish?
Conversation, idioms, everday Spanish, Colombian culture, history, arts, dancing... and much more!!!
We are last year students of the Philology and Languages Major from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
If you are intersted in having a good time and improving your porficiency, then CONTACT Us!!! funerisantro at yahoo.es

Fair Prices ;)

"Nada que valga la pena ser aprendido puede ser enseñado"
O. Wilde

"Nada que valga la pena ser aprendido puede ser enseñado" O. Wilde

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Claudis says on Oct 30, 2005, 21:34:

Hi there NAOMI! Sure I´ll help you out! Email me at clauhochman at hotmail.com! Best regards!

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hbratovich says on Dec 15, 2005, 10:02:

Learn Spanish in Bogota - Cali and Barranquilla We offer our Spanish For Life Program to students interested in learning Spanish in Colombia. We have a nine level program based on private one to one classes with certified and professional teachers. We have centers in Cali and Bogota and also offer our program in Barranquilla. Please visit our web site at www.estudiosexterior.com or e mail at tefl at estudiosexterior.com.

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bogotana says on Dec 18, 2005, 19:09:

LEARNING SPANISH Looking for someone interested in learning spanish in DC or VA area.!! Flexible hours,and funny method, not boring classes, I promise!!!

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colombianaporsiempre says on Mar 25, 2006, 16:59:

I'm Colombian!! Hello NAOMI , I'm Colombian.. I can help you with your B.F (boyfriend) I can tell you some of our dialect... but It depend... where is your B.F from...??? Bogota... Cali, Barranquilla??... where... I'm from Bogota....

If You wanna contact me... my E-Mail is nataarci_02 at hotmail.com ....

I would be happy If you contact me... because I still learning english... I can Wirte and understand... but I can SPEAK!!!.... ooohh well Who cares... I'll learn...

Contact me... BYE
Colombiana 100%

Colombiana 100%

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CosteñoUSA says on May 12, 2006, 09:14:

Spanish language immersion in Cartagena. Dear all,
The Immersion Summer Spanish Language Institute (ISSLI) is offering summer and winter options to study Spanish in Cartagena.
The webpage is http://www.issli.com
Check it out.

La luna de Barranquilla tiene una cosa que maravilla... Nuestro Carnaval es: 'Obra maestra del patrimonio oral e inmaterial de la humanidad', UNESCO 2003.

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hbratovich says on Aug 9, 2006, 16:41:

Spanish for Life - Cali, Bogota, Barranquilla and Cartagena ISSO - International Student Services Org. offers our Spanish for Life program in Bogota, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena.

We offer our program to students interested in learning Spanish in Colombia. We have a nine level program based on private one to one classes with certified and professional teachers. Please visit our web site at www.estudiosexterior.com or e mail at tefl at estudiosexterior.com.

We have had many people from The United States, Canada, Germany, Belgium and UK. We can provide short courses or long term courses. This program will be planned based on your needs and time.

We also provide assistance with housing, Salsa lessons, Airport pick up and tours around the country.

Muchas gracias y los esperamos en Colombia!!

Harold Bratovich
Director Academico
ISSO - International Student Services Org.
www.estudiosexterior.com
tefl at estudiosexterior.com

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