![]() When Costa Ricans listen or pay attention to you, they “give ball” to you.Įxample: “I warned them not to go down that road, but they didn’t give me ball.” 18. Dar pelota | “To listen to, pay attention to” Literally “good note,” this expression is used often in Costa Rica to say someone is cool or nice.Įxample: “Andrea is buena nota. “A bunch of us are getting a mejenga together down at the beach. If you want to get in on a pickup game with the locals, remember the word mejenga. ![]() Soccer, of course, is the sport in Costa Rica. Mejenga | “Friendly, informal soccer game” Ticos use this expression, literally “salted,” to say “tough luck” or “too bad.”ī: “ Salado! The guy ahead of you got the last seat.” 15. There’s also just suave (“easy” or “slow down”).ī: “ Suave un toque. Suave un toque | “Hold on a sec”Įmbracing this expression is an important step toward learning how to relax. “He peed outside the can when he asked his wife if his girlfriend could move in with them.” 13. This graphic expression is used when someone is totally off base or has done something grossly inappropriate. Orinar fuera del tarro | “To pee outside the can” Media naranja | “Half orange”ĭoes it get cuter than calling your partner your “half orange”? Ticos use this expression to describe their “better half” or “soul mate.”Įxample: “I can’t live without you! You’re my media naranja.” 12. This expression can mean “to talk bull” or “to shoot the breeze.” There’s also pura paja, “pure bull.”Įxample: “José is talking straw. I’m going to Costa Rica to carry it soft.” 10. We should also totally start using it in English.Įxample: “I’m overworked. Literally “to carry it soft,” this expression comes in handy when you’re on vacation. Literally “what laziness,” this is what Ticos say when they don’t want to do something or are bummed out by something.Įxample: “Vacation’s over, time to pack. Por dicha / qué dicha | “Fortunately” / “how fortunate”Ĭosta Ricans readily express appreciation for their good fortune and that of others.ī: “ Qué dicha! Have a great time.” 8. The origins of this Costa Rican slang standard are in dispute, but one theory is that it derives from the English phrase “too nice.”Įxample: “Rappelling down that waterfall was super tuanis.” 7. It can be a filler word akin to “hey” or “well,” or it can mean “obviously,” “what happened?” or “what can be done?” or even “there’s no explanation.”Ī: “ Diay? I’ve been waiting for you for an hour.”ī: “ Diay.” 6. This teeny word has a baffling array of meanings. Ticos love to play, but they also love work - as evidenced in the commonly heard phrase Mucho brete, gracias a Dios (“Lots of work, thank God”).Įxample: “I’d love to go to your beach barbecue, but I have a lot of brete.” 5. It’s used like “dude” among friends, or it can refer to any person.Įxample: “ Mae, that mae has no idea what he’s talking about, mae.” 4. The word mae is heard with astonishing frequency, especially among men. It has many meanings, all friendly: “great” or “fantastic,” “hello,” “nice to meet you,” “thank you,” or “you’re welcome.” This quintessential Costa Rican phrase tells you pretty much everything you need to know about the Tico approach to life. ![]() He’s más Tico que el gallo pinto by now.” 2. This expression is a good place to start, because it combines two essential Costa Rican terms: Tico, which is what Costa Ricans call themselves, and gallo pinto, literally “spotted rooster,” the ubiquitous and awesome traditional rice-and-bean breakfast dish of Costa Rica.Įxample: “He’s lived in Costa Rica for 15 years. Más Tico que el gallo pinto | “More Costa Rican than spotted rooster” So if you’re sick of brete, grab your half orange and head to Costa Rica to carry it soft and enjoy the pure life. It’s in their very language - a philosophy of letting go, relaxing, and knowing how to enjoy life. But perhaps the best thing about Costa Rica is its people, their culture, and what they can teach us northerners about how to live.
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