Words and definitions La Costeña has contributed to the street dictionary.
A term from the Colombian underworld for a small wrap or packet containing a single dose of bazuco or cocaine. It is a cheap, accessible hit sold in street drug dens. (Bazuco refers to a low-cost, highly addictive cocaine paste, and ollas are the specific high-crime spots or neighborhoods where these drugs are sold).
That guy spends all his time hanging around the red-light district looking for someone who will sell him a good bicha.
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This refers to the human buttocks or an animal tail. In Colombia, it is a very common and informal way to refer to someone's backside or butt.
Walk faster and move that rabo, we are already late for the party.
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A street slang term used in Colombia for a police officer. It is typically used in informal settings to alert others that the cops are nearby.
We have to leave the corner now because that guineo has been staring at us for a while and he is going to ask for our papers.
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A collective betting pool or pot organized among friends or colleagues to predict sports results, usually soccer matches. Participants contribute a set amount of money, and whoever guesses the scores correctly wins the jackpot.
The World Cup is about to start, so pass the paper around to write down the predictions for the office polla.
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In Colombian street slang, a small dose or portion of basuco (a cheap, crude form of cocaine paste). It is the common term used by addicts for their hit or daily dose. (Basuco is a highly addictive, low-cost drug prevalent in Colombian cities).
The homeless man was begging for coins at the traffic light to see if he could get enough for a confite.
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Refers to a person who acts clumsily, lacks common sense, or is overly naive. It is also used for a suck-up or brown-noser who behaves servilely to gain favors. (The term literally means calf, suggesting someone who is simple-minded or easily manipulated).
That guy is such a becerro, he is always running errands for the boss to see if he can get that promotion.
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Used to describe a person who has a lot of skin folds or wrinkles, usually due to aging. It is a slang way to say someone looks extremely wrinkled or shriveled (the term literally refers to a gizzard, which has a textured, wrinkled surface).
Uncle Luis did not protect himself from the sun at all and now he is a total molleja, his face is full of lines.
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A term used in Colombia for plainclothes police officers or detectives from the prosecutor's office. It is a colloquial way to identify officers performing undercover surveillance or intelligence work without a uniform.
Watch what you say, those guys standing on the corner look exactly like feos.
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Refers to malicious gossip or rumors meant to stir up drama between people. It is also used to describe a public scene, a fight, or a noisy ruckus that disrupts the peace.
That neighbor is always caught up in some bochinche because she loves making up stories about everyone.
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Refers to a person who lacks street smarts or cunning, making them easy to trick or manipulate. It is a common, though vulgar, way to call someone a fool or a sucker for being overly naive.
Don't be such a pendejo and stop lending money to that neighbor who never pays you back.
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A person who acts like they know everything and behaves arrogantly or pedantically toward others. It describes someone who is always trying to lecture and correct everyone just to feel superior.
Stop being such a sabelotodo and listen to those who actually have experience on the job.
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A derogatory term for a homeless person who habitually drinks industrial ethyl alcohol or very strong, cheap moonshine. It refers to an indigent person with a severe addiction to these substances.
Yesterday I had to take a detour from the block because there was a group of piperos causing trouble on the corner.
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An informal way to refer to a Black or dark-skinned person, created by reversing the syllables of the word negro. It is commonly used in everyday speech and among friends as a nickname or descriptor. (This is an example of vesre, a common slang practice of flipping syllables).
That grone playing forward is a beast, no defender can stop him on the whole field.
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In the Colombian Caribbean, this refers to any rock or stone small enough to be thrown by hand at someone, usually during street fights or physical attacks.
That guy took off running as soon as he saw we were going to throw a bolo at him for breaking the house window.
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Describes a person who is extremely high or under the intense influence of drugs, specifically cocaine. It is a slang way to say someone is wired or completely wasted.
That guy showed up to the party all aventado and his eyes were practically popping out of his head.
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To excessively flatter someone, usually to gain their favor or obtain a benefit. It is commonly used when someone is brown-nosing a boss or teacher for selfish reasons. (The word literally means to brush, as in polishing someone's image).
Stop trying to cepillar the manager so much, we all realized you just want him to give you your vacation in December.
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Refers to small bugs or insects that release a strong, foul odor, especially when threatened. It is a common name for any crawling or flying critter that stinks if touched or crushed.
Watch out for that bug because it is a grajo, if you step on it the living room is going to smell like straight hell!
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A highly derogatory and classist slur used to refer to a domestic worker or maid. The term is intended to belittle the woman for the manual cleaning labor she performs (literally grease, referring to the grime associated with housework).
That lady lacks any humility because she always refers to the grasa with an unbearable tone of superiority.
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Used to describe a busybody or nosy person who butts into other people's business without an invite, showing a total lack of boundaries. It is someone who gives their opinion or gets involved in situations where nobody asked for their input, making them quite annoying or tactless.
What an INTRUSO that guy is! He started going through my WhatsApp messages while I was in the bathroom.
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To dance reggaeton or urban music by grinding against each other with suggestive hip movements. It is the signature dance style of a rumba (the Colombian term for a party or night out) characterized by intense physical contact and direct flirting on the dance floor.
Did you see those two? They spent the whole party perreando in a corner and did not even say hello to us.
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A loogie or a thick gob of phlegm hacked up from the throat, typically during a bad cold. It is a very common colloquial term for that nasty, viscous secretion.
With that nasty cough he has, he better go to the doctor because he is spitting up pure green gargajo.
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A colloquial term for dentures or removable false teeth. It is the common way Colombians refer to the false teeth used by the elderly.
Be lot careful biting that hard fried pork skin, or you might break your chapa.
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A solid, horizontal reinforced concrete slab that separates the levels of a building, serving as the floor for one story and the ceiling for the one below. (In Colombian construction, pouring a plancha is a major milestone in building a home).
We finished setting up the rebar and tomorrow we start pouring the plancha for the second floor.
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A derogatory term for someone who is very unattractive or ugly. Similar to the term bagre (catfish), it is used to emphasize that a person is completely devoid of beauty.
Don't set me up on blind dates anymore, that guy you introduced me to yesterday was a total cocodrilo.
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An expression used to swear that one is telling the truth or to guarantee a promise. It serves as a way of pledging one's personal honor during a conversation.
I will bring you the book I owe you first thing tomorrow, palabra.
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A colloquial expression used to describe someone who is wealthy or currently carrying a lot of cash. While its use has declined, it still refers to someone who is flush with money (In Colombia, the term originally refers to a secret stash or hiding place).
Buy me lunch, I know you got your bonus and you are totally caleta!
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