Whether you are an frequent traveler or this is your fist time abroad, you will notice, when arriving to Costa Rica, that the Spanish you may have learned in high school or from a text book, lacks a lot of very specific social expressions that “ticos” use everyday. So instead of hearing something like: -Buenos dias , como esta usted?- You would hear: -Que mae! Todo bien?- Both mean exactly the same, but the second one, is one common idiom used to greet one and other.
Idioms are a part of every culture and they are a way of expressing idiosyncrasy. They can be words, expressions or sentences that have a special meaning among a certain group of people. They are created in a specific social and cultural context and they may change even within the same language.
Even though Costa Rica is a very small country we have a rich variety of street slang and country specific vocabulary that sometimes changes between provinces and between rural and urban areas.
As part of our travel philosophy, in Serendipity we value culture, and we want you to have the best experience. Knowledge of idioms can improve your understanding of the culture and the social dynamics of the country. You will experience a true immersion into the culture allowing you to meet new people and make new friends. Make your experience more successful.
To mention a few scenarios in which you will hear some idioms, let’s say that you are just arriving to San Jose, you will hear a lot of “mae” which means dude or man, and “chunche” which means thing and can be used to replace basically any word. Another phrase that you must learn is Pura Vida! , This is the quintessential costarican expression. Beyond its literal translation (“pure life”) Pura Vida is a life style, It means you can now relax and enjoy, everything will be ok.
Ticos use this expression quite often to respond to greetings for example: a) Que, todo bien? B) Pura vida!. Also you may hear it as a thank you: a) Aqui esta su vuelto b) ok, pura vida! Or just as a reference to a happy state or a well being sensation, for example:a) como estuvo su viaje? B) pura vida!
Here is a small list of some other very common idioms that could help you get around and understand what’s going on:
1. Pulperia: Convenience Store
2.Soda :Little restaurant
3.Mala Nota: Very Bad, or not cool
4. Diay: Used for greetings and to ask why
5. Chepe: San Jose
6. Tuanis: Very good
7. Menudo: Coins, change
8. Un rojo: One thousand colones
We could go on and on about the thousands of idioms that are currently used in Costa Rica, how ever, in Serendipity we believe that you best learn through experience! So we encourage you to come to Costa Rica and get out there, talk to people, and learn new vocabulary.
In our Costa Rica Challenge Adventure Tour we offer you the possibility to get in real contact with the city and its people by leaving the airport and finding your way to the hotel by your self, using public transportation. We assure you this will be an adventure!
If you don’t like that option, remember that with Serendipity Adventures we design Custom Costa Rica Vacations, where you decide where to go and what to do.
Once you are here, remember that idioms will enrich your Spanish and separate you from the regular tourist who has no intention to socialize with the locals.
If you appreciate different cultures and are interested in intercultural learning, come to beautiful Costa Rica and we promise you will feel the warmth of its people who love to talk and share.
As a tica my self, I can tell you, you will have one of the best experiences of your life!
