Here is a running list of Nicaraguan words and phrases that I am discovering. I will keep adding to them as time goes by….
This page is sorely lacking, partly because the vast majority of Nicaraguan slang I have been learning has a double meaning that I’m not sure is appropriate to put up on the public web…I’ll save them for sharing in person!
Muheriego – not sure of the spelling on this one, but it refers to a man who runs around with lots of women. It’s a bit more negative than bandito, which essentially can mean the same thing but is more teasing than insulting.
Caite – rustic form of leather shoe typically worn and made by campesinos.
Gringo Caitudo – phrase used for Nicaraguans who have moved to the states and return thinking and acting like they are gringos but who haven’t quite lost all their signature Nicaraguanisms.
Aguachacha – weak or worthless material, or a weak attempt at doing something. I was taught this word when I was complaining that a tamarind juice was virtually nothing but water and sugar. Aguachacha, a poor excuse for a tamarind drink!
Fachote – a person who tries to ‘pass’ as being in a higher class than they are. A Nicaraguan joke is that people from Granada who are known to be fachotes eat their beans and rice on china plates with a knife and fork, so that the neighbors who hear the noise of the cutlery think they are eating meat.
Malinchisme – also used in Mexico, it means a person who is always portraying themselves as a foreigner, or striving to appear foreign.
Chochaba – things that are stupid, worthless. Don’t listen to him, he speaks pure chochaba!
Pedir Cacao – literally, ask for cacao. Used when you are completely wiped or finished, so tired you can barely walk.
Dyaicachimba! – kind of like, Cool!, or WOW! but very casual. Not what you say in the office.
Adios – you think you know that this means goodbye, but in Nicaragua it means hello. Expect to hear it called out to you as you walk past people on the street. Very amusing when folks translate it into English for your benefit. Lots of smiling strangers saying “Bye!” when nobody said hello.
A la orden – you´re welcome, not at all, no problem. A response to thank you, often combined with a compliment – “a la orden, linda”
Chele/a – light skinned person. For a young or small person, add the diminutive – “chelita”
October 27, 2009 at 3:03 am
hi, just surfing the web and i thought this page was pretty salvaje!! jajaj. i love the nica slang. you left out TUANI thats said a lot! buffalo, quedarse palmado! fachento, maje, queres masiar? jaja. como esta la jana? no seas pinche!(codo) esta mortal! jaja i was in nicaragua for two years so I learned a few slang words when i was down there!!! good times. i hope to go back soon
September 6, 2009 at 6:27 pm
just noticed this part of your blog as i was about to click out… i love it! I definitely learned a few words. btw it’s “mujeriego” (as in “mujer”) and I’ve always thought it was “de acachimba” though now that I think about it I don’t think I’ve ever seen it written… just that way it fits the verb acachimbar. That word always reminds me of turquear (or turkear or however you want to spell it) and all it’s derivatives… even less appropriate for the office!
September 6, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Thanks so much Kate! I have learned virtually all of my Spanish verbally, and it’s great to get feedback on spelling. I’ll definitely give you a ring when I’m in Managua again, I’d love to get together and catch up, maybe share more Nica slang.
June 22, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Rachel, con nosotros (CEPRODEL) está Suzane Arthur de KIVA que estará hasta el mes de agosto haciendo un trabajo de seguimiento a los clientes de esta organización. Le he hablado de tí, le regalé tu URL, me parece interesante compartan experiencias.
Seguimos en contacto.
January 31, 2009 at 7:08 pm
“a la orden” is a tiny bit similar to
“alles in ordnung”
no ?
February 1, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I think it’s more like, “I’m at your order, at your disposal”, but I’m not certain of that. But yeah, the phrases certainly sound similar. I hadn’t thought of that. I usually struggle to keep my German and Spanish separated here!