Street words and phrases used in Cuba, with definitions and examples written by their people.
Used to describe a man who is jacked, ripped, or has a very solid and sturdy build. It refers to someone who is well-built and looks incredibly strong.
That cousin of yours has become a total trinquete since he started working in the fields hauling sacks.
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In Cuban slang, this refers to a suck-up or a lackey who is constantly brown-nosing their boss. It describes a subordinate who follows their superior around like a shadow, lacking any backbone and using constant flattery to get ahead.
Here comes the director with his latest canchanchan to carry his briefcase and laugh at all his jokes.
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A vulgar term widely used in Cuba to refer to the vulva or female genitals (In Cuba, the fruit is usually called frutabomba because the word papaya is a common swear word for vagina, and papalla is a slang spelling variant).
That woman put on shorts so tight that her whole papalla was showing through.
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Used to describe the intense, foul stench coming from someone's armpits, usually caused by sweat or a lack of deodorant. It is the quintessential Cuban slang term for rank body odor.
That guy got on the bus with such a strong grajo that everyone decided to get off at the next stop.
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A strong, funky odor that comes from the armpits when sweat builds up, typically from poor hygiene or lack of deodorant. It refers to that sharp, unpleasant stench that becomes unbearable in cramped spaces or under the hot sun.
Man, put on some deodorant before you leave, because with this heat you are going to let off a hell of a grajo on the bus.
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A common term used in Cuban everyday speech to refer to a child or a young person. It is widely used for any kid or little boy.
Tell that chamaco to get down from the mango tree before he takes a nasty fall.
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The common term for a turkey in Cuba. It refers specifically to the poultry bird known in other Spanish-speaking regions as pisco or guajolote.
My grandma is raising a guanajo in the yard to cook it for Christmas Eve dinner.
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A term for an extremely close friend or inseparable companion. In Cuban slang, it is used for someone you trust deeply, similar to the terms asere or socio (the word literally means a yoke of oxen, implying two people who work closely together).
Hey, take good care of Lazaro, he has been my yunta my whole life and has always helped me out of a jam.
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Refers to an inseparable companion or someone with whom one has a close friendship and total trust. It is the term used for a best friend in everyday Cuban slang. (The word literally refers to a pair of oxen joined by a yoke, signifying two people who are always together).
Hey, my yunta and I have known each other since elementary school and we are still inseparable today.
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Refers to a bold or impudent person who takes excessive liberties or is disrespectful. It describes someone who ignores social boundaries and acts with nerve or insolence.
Hey, stop being so shameless and don't be so Fresco, I haven't given you that kind of familiarity!
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An easy opportunity or task that takes zero effort to achieve. It refers to something so accessible that you can get it without any trouble (a mango growing on a low branch is the easiest to pick).
Grab it now while that job is a mango bajito, because it is going to get tough later.
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A lively musical style and dance from Cuba, known for its fast and upbeat rhythm. It is a blend of tropical sounds meant to get everyone out on the dance floor.
When the band started playing that pachanga, not a single soul stayed in their seat during the whole party.
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A term used in Cuba for a saltwater fish with two spines over its eyes that look like a bull's horns (commonly known in English as a cowfish). It is known for its hard, boxy bone structure.
The fisherman brought a toro on the string, but he says you need to know how to cook it because it is very bony.
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A vulgar term for a pubic hair. It is also an insult used to describe a coward or someone who lacks the courage to confront a situation.
Don't just stay silent in front of the boss, don't be such a pendejo and stand your ground.
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Refers to serving a drink of liquor, especially rum, poured directly into a glass with one or several ice cubes. It is the preferred way to enjoy the spirit's strong flavor without diluting it with soda or juice.
Hey, buddy, pour me that Santiago rum a la roca, because today I want to taste the real deal. (Asere is a common Cuban slang term for friend or homie).
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Any long or cylindrical piece of wood used as a tool for hitting. It is a blunt, rigid object like a club or rod, used for beating someone or for self-defense. (Guajiro is a common Cuban term for a peasant or countryman).
The countryman grabbed a palo from the fence to scare off the animals that got into the fields.
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Refers to a state of extreme intoxication or being wasted after drinking way too much. It is the standard Cuban term for a heavy drunk or a massive binge.
Yesterday at Yosbel's birthday I got such a big jumo that I do not even remember how I got home.
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A homemade dessert made of milk curds or fresh cheese mixed with its own whey and a lot of sugar. It is a traditional snack, particularly common in rural areas because it is simple and sweet.
My grandmother always kept a pitcher of ice-cold boruga in the fridge for when we got home from school.
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A very popular term in Cuban slang for a girlfriend or female partner. It is the standard word a man uses on the island to refer to his significant other in an informal context.
Hey, man, I can't go to the party tonight because I have to pick up my jeva at her house.
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Term used to designate the property or living space where someone resides permanently. It represents the heart of the home and the primary site for social gathering and coexistence (in Cuban culture, the home is the central hub for social life and family activity).
Guys, let's meet at my CASA to finish organizing the party on Saturday.
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Used to describe a man with a large belly or a very round, plump figure. It is a common, informal way to refer to someone who has gotten notably fat.
Look at Yosvani, he got really torombolo since he started working sitting down in that office.
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Refers to the person in charge who leads a group, whether in a workplace or any organization. They are responsible for giving orders and ensuring the team fulfills its obligations (in Cuba, this is commonly used for supervisors within state-run enterprises or community organizations).
We had to stop our snack break because the jefe arrived to check on the progress at the warehouse.
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An acronym that in Cuban slang stands for Today God Forgives, used to turn a vulgar expression into a greeting of extreme trust. Close friends use it to signal they are ready for wild adventures or partying without worries (it is a playful reinterpretation of the vulgar phrase Hijo de Puta).
What is up, HDP, get moving because today we are going out to tear up the streets!
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An adjective used to describe something that is spotless, mint, or in pristine condition. It implies a spectacular shine or that an object looks brand new. (Lada is a Russian car brand common in Cuba due to historical ties with the Soviet Union).
That Lada you bought is nitido, homie, it looks like you just got it from the dealership right now.
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A term used for people from the former Soviet Union or goods imported from the USSR. It carries a negative connotation, describing something as crude, low-quality, or poorly made (referring to the era of Soviet influence in Cuba).
Look, those shoes you bought are such a bolo, you will get blisters the very first time you walk in them.
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A term for someone extremely informal and carefree who trivializes serious matters with jokes or laughter. It describes a person who shows a lack of respect for any situation, regardless of its importance or solemnity.
Stop laughing at everything and behave, you are a chota and you do not even take the wake seriously.
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A sharp, clever, or quick-witted woman or girl who is exceptionally smart and alert. She is street-wise, impossible to fool, and always knows how to react or respond quickly.
Watch what you say in front of Yanet's niece, because that girl is a bicha and she catches everything on the fly.
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A colloquial and often derogatory nickname used in Cuba for Russians or anyone from the former Soviet Union. The term suggests they are clumsy or heavily built, resembling a block or a bowling pin that would roll awkwardly if it fell. (The nickname stems from the heavy Soviet presence in Cuba during the Cold War.)
That Bolo who lived on the third floor spent the whole day drinking vodka and talking to himself.
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An online entertainment platform very popular among kids on the island, offering a huge variety of virtual worlds to explore. It is a digital universe where thousands of people interact simultaneously using customizable characters.
Hey, the kid spends the whole day glued to Roblox and he already burned through my whole data plan.
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A sharp, street-smart individual who knows how to hustle and get their way. It describes someone who is cunning, experienced, and alert enough to avoid being conned.
Don't try to scam Lazaro: that guy is a Tiguere and he already knows all the tricks in Old Havana (the historic city center).
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A very common Cuban colloquialism for working or putting in a shift at a job. It applies to any profession or regular trade.
Do not count on me to go to the beach tomorrow, I have to pinchar the full shift.
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A person who smokes marijuana very frequently or compulsively. In Cuban slang, it is used to identify someone who is constantly smoking weed (pito is a common Cuban term for a joint).
That guy spends all his time on the corner with the same nonsense, the whole neighborhood already knows he is a huge Pitero.
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Describes the constant hustle and daily struggle to solve problems, perform demanding physical labor, or overcome adverse situations. In Cuba, it is a key term for expressing that someone is grinding away at a difficult task or trying to get ahead despite the odds.
My brother spent the whole day bregando with the engine of the old classic car (almendrón: a pre-1959 American car) to see if he could finally get it running.
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A common term used to address someone, similar to man, dude, or hey. It is one of the most iconic filler words in Cuban Spanish and is used to add emphasis to a sentence (it is used frequently for people of any age).
Hey chico, are you finally going to tell me what time the party starts?
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A state of intoxication or being under the influence of drugs. It is used to describe when someone is already quite drunk or buzzed from partying.
Hey, put that bottle down already, you have such a nota on you that you can't even talk!
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In the context of cockfighting, a wooden shackle or block used to secure a rooster's legs when it is tied up. The term also refers to the breeding facility or the pit where the matches take place.
My uncle has a traba in his backyard where he trains his best birds.
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A vulgar Cuban term for having sex, especially when intense or highly enjoyable. It is the island's most common and direct equivalent to the word fuck.
We had an amazing time last night: we went back to her place and were singando until the sun came up.
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Used to describe something that is spectacular or of top-tier quality. It highlights anything that is next-level or stands out far above the norm (the Malecon is Havana's iconic seaside promenade).
The concert yesterday at the Malecon was volao, the music sounded incredible!
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In Cuban slang, this is a crude and direct way to refer to having sex. It is the most common vulgar term for intercourse.
They told me they saw Juan singando with the neighbor in the storage room last night.
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A vulgar and very common Cuban slang term for the penis, used in informal contexts to emphasize its large size or thickness.
The guy got in the shower and everyone was stunned because he has a huge tolete.
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An extremely common and vulgar term in daily Cuban speech used to describe having sex. It is the most direct and crude way to refer to fucking or screwing on the island.
Those two went to the room a while ago and they are definitely singando by now.
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A collared shirt with a few buttons at the neck, usually short-sleeved. In Cuba, it is a staple for smart-casual occasions where one needs to look presentable without being formal.
Tell your brother to put on a clean Polo and comb his hair, we are leaving for the old man's dinner soon.
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A term used in rural Cuba for the groin or the crotch area closest to the genitals. It is rarely heard in cities and has a distinct guajiro character (guajiro is a term for a Cuban country person or peasant).
Dry your verijas well after getting out of the river so the moisture does not irritate your skin.
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A vulgar Cuban slang term for oral sex, specifically fellatio.
The girl was good to me last night and gave me a hell of a pico before going to sleep.
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The hard, central core of a corn cob that remains once all the kernels have been removed. It is considered a waste product, often discarded or used as fuel for starting fires after the corn is shelled.
Don't throw out the tusas, we will need them to start the charcoal and roast the meat.
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A vulgar verb used in Cuba to describe the act of having sex. It is the most direct and common way to refer to intercourse on the island.
Last night I left with a girl I met at the Malecon (the famous seawall and gathering spot in Havana) and we ended up singando at her place.
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A wild shrub found in Cuba that belongs to the Myrtaceae family. It is easily recognized by the pungent and unpleasant stench its leaves give off when handled or crushed. (This plant is the namesake for the common Caribbean slang for bad armpit odor).
We had to get away from the trail because there was a ton of grajo and the smell was unbearable.
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A name of Cuban origin used to describe a godly man who is brave, honest, loyal, and has high principles: the kind of person who is always there for a friend in need.
My brother's name is Lissvan.
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