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Learn Spanish in Havana

Learn Spanish in Cuba - Cuba Language

Learn Spanish, I suggest that you carry a pocket dictionary or electronic translator to learn Spanish or to communicate with the Cubans. In the hotels most of the staff speaks English, but in the shops and on the streets a basic knowledge of Spanish can be very useful. Take in consideration that Spanish is spoken in many countries and that a lot of Latino people live in the States.

POPULAR CUBAN EXPRESSIONS
CUBAN SLANG

One of the most important words in Cuban slang is money, in Spanish : DINERO
Cuban slang for money :
moneda, baro, chavito, divisa, fula, dolars, peso, plata, melon, moni, guanikiki, lana, pasta, yira.

Also frequently used:

  • Acere : friend, mate ( qué bola acere = how are you mate)
  • Ajustador : bra
  • Babaloa : Santeria priest
  • Baro : money
  • Bemba : lips - Radio Bemba : Gossip, Grape-vine
  • Bici : bicycle
  • Bici-tax : bicycle taxi
  • Bodega : ( state owned) grocery store
  • Bollo : vagina (vulgar expression)(pronounced: boljo)
  • Bolsa negra : black market (translated: black bag)
  • Borracho : drunken
  • Blumer : knickers
  • Bisnero : business man ( hustler)
  • Campesino : farmer
  • Camello : camel bus
  • Carro : car
  • Carné (de identidad) Cuban identity card
  • Chancletas : flip-flops
  • Chebi : taxi ( official state taxi)
  • Chopin : shopping ( refers to dollar shop , tourist shop)
  • Chocolate : a mobile telephone with a glider..
    Because it is more expensive and the latest, the Cubans call it "Chocolate" as something more valuable and expensive:....a chocolate.
  • Chulo : pimp
  • Cojones : bastard (vulgar expression)
  • Cola : Cuban queue
  • Comemierda : bastard, stupid (translated : eat shit) (vulgar expression)
  • Coño : Bastard, Shit (vulgar) Spanish: esta mierda (see also Pinga)
  • Consorte : friend
  • Chao : (good) bye
  • Chivato : squeaker, police informer
  • Cuarto : a room (in a hotel) (Spanish: habitación)
  • Delgado : slim person
  • Entufado : drunken (also borracho)
  • Fardo : pants, trousers
  • Filtro : smart person
  • Fosforera : lighter (Spanish: encendedor)
  • Gallego : bad lover - bad sex
  • Ganso : gay (also: Maricon)
  • Grilla : bad woman, cheap vulgar prostitute,
  • Gringo: foreigner (also: Yuma)(yuma is more used)
  • Guapo : good looking, afraid of nobody.
  • Guagua : autobus (also: Rufa)
  • Guajira : peasant - farmer (female) Guajiro (= male)
  • intima : sanitary towel
  • Izquierda (translation=left) : por izquierda : through the black market (with the left hand = black market or bolsa negra)
  • Jama: food (jamar: to eat)(Spanish: comer)
  • Jamonero: Cuban slang word for a guy who groped chicas on a crowded camello (camel bus)
  • Jinetera : escort girl, part-time prostitute
  • Jaba : plastic bag (to carry groceries)
  • Joder : fucking (vulgar) No me jodes : don't fuck me up
  • Jodido : fucked up (vulgar)
  • Kiosko : little shop
  • Mala Hoja : a bad lover - bad sex
  • Mami : mam (used when addressing a woman)
  • Mangon : good looking
  • Maricon : gay, queer (vulgar)
  • Monado : police
  • Moni : money
  • Ohrishas : the Gods (religious)
  • Paguete : bad lover - bad sex
  • Papi : dad ( used when addressing a man)
  • palestino : stupid, retarded ( used by people from Havana to refer to farmers from Eastern Cuba)
  • Padrino : Santeria priest, counseller
  • Paton : bad dancer
  • Pipo : chap (used when addressing a waiter)
  • Pinga : penis (vulgar expression), shit (also "Fuck off") Esta de Pinga: its shit Pinguero : male prostitute (derived from the word "pinga")
  • Pinchar : to work (Spanish: trabajar)
  • Pulover : T-shirt
  • Queik : cake
  • Sardina : slim woman
  • Suerte : good luck, happiness
  • Socio : budy , mate
  • Tacos: shoes (women) (also: llanta)
  • Taxi Colectivo : a shared taxi for Cubans only
  • Tenis : sneakers, training shoes, sports shoes
  • yin : (blue) jeans
  • yuma : foreigner
  • Zafra : the sugar cane harvest
  • Cuban Love and Care Expressions

  • Cariño : love, darling, affection, tender
  • Amor : love, sweetheart
  • Linda : Beauty
  • Mi Vida : my love, my everything (translated : my life)
  • Cuidate : take care
  • beso: kiss - besito: little tender kiss
  • Con todo mi Corazón: with all my heart
  • Frequently Used Cuban Expressions

  • Hola : Hello
  • Chao : Goodbye, Bye
  • ¿Que bola? : How are you? (Spanish : ¿Como esta?)
  • No es fácil : It's not easy (translated) Life is hard ( the living is difficult)
  • Disculpe , permiso : Sorry
  • ¿Te gustas? : Do you like it? ( used for a drink or meal)
  • No sé : I don't know
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? : How much is this?
  • Ser un punto : being stupid, weird
  • Tener un peso suerte : to find an lost or forgotten peso (dollar) in your pocket ( translated: to have a lucky peso or dollar) ¿No tiene un peso suerte? Do you have an accidental peso?
  • CUBAN SLANG AND VULGAR CUBAN SPANISH

    Read more in:
    DICCIONARIO CUBANO DE HABLA POPULAR Y VULGAR
    by Carlos Paz Perez
    ISBN 84-95088-79-7

    BEST WAY TO LEARN SPANISH

    Spanish courses given at HAVANA UNIVERSITY are popular and can be combined with salsa courses.

    Learn Spanish Free online Translator



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