# data[].attributes.body
Este video discute aspectos generales sobre el acento de costarricense. Primero, el ritmo del acento es no tan rápido como español mexicano o chileno. La fonema [r] también no es un erre trino, pero un sonido "zsh", como es casi un trino, pero no. Con personas en areas rurales, R's al final de una palabra tiene el sonido "zsh" también. Finalmente, hay in poco zheísmo con los costarricenses.

# data[].attributes.body
El acento costarricense usa [dʒ], una fonema que suena como "jah" en "age". Mientras otros dialectos uso sheísmo, zheísmo, o yeísmo con /y/ y /ll/, pero en Costa Rica es un poco diferente y usa dzheísmo.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Non-Native Speaker Perception of Native Speaker Dialect Authentic

# data[].attributes.body
En Costa Rica, la jerga "Pura Vida" es muy muy común y tiene muchos usos, como "hola," "cómo estás," "gracias," y más. "Mae" es un término coloquial para referirse a personas familiares, como "dude" en inglés. Otras incluye "Al Chile" cuál es como "en serio," "Que Rajao'" como "que increíble," y "Diay" como una interjección a expresar varios emociones.

# data[].attributes.body
La frase "pura vida" es de una película de los años cincuenta y los ticos se inspirado hacer la frase suyos. Desde 1948, Costa Rica no han tenido un militar y Pura Vida significa su posición de paz en el país. Ahora, la frase se usado en lugar de varios otros como "cómo estás" y "qué tengas un buen día;" Pura Vida tiene usos muchos.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is "pura vida?" "Pura vida" means "pure life" in Spanish. It is the single most used expression in Costa Rica. It is a response to "Cómo estás?" It means, "life is great." It is a greeting and a goodbye.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

The origin of the phrase "pura vida" is said to have come from a 1956 Mexican film by the same name. The film starred the famous Mexican comedian, Antonio Espina "Clavillazo," as a luckless man named Meliquiades Ledezma. Despite Ledezma's misadventures in the film, he continues to have an optimistic view and says "pura vida" thirteen times in the film. This optimistic soul struck a cord with the Ticos, as the Costa Ricans affectionately call themselves. By the 1990's, this phrase was so popular in Costa Rica, it was incorporated in dictionaries as a Tico idiom.

"Pura vida" is more than just an expression of the Ticos. "Pura Vida" is their vision. The vision of a people who have been military free since December 1, 1948. On that historic day President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the military after his victory in the civil war by ceremoniously breaking a wall with a mallet. Since that time, while the surrounding countries in Central America have suffered bloody conflict, "pura vida" describes Costa Rica's choice to remain on a different, peaceful path.

Ticos enjoy universal healthcare and live longer than United States citizens. They spend 30% of their national budget on primary and secondary education. As a result Costa Rica currently has a remarkable 95% literacy rate compared to its war torn neighbors. There are more teachers in Costa Rica than there are police officers. This commitment to peace and to the education of its people is "pura vida."

"Pura Vida" is also the people's commitment to preserving the beauty of their land. This small country has a lot to teach us about preserving our planet. Costa Rica is in a race with other nations to be the first country to be 100% carbon neutral. Costa Rica has committed to reach this goal by 2023. Of its competitors in this race, Costa Rica is the poorest, yet Costa Rica seems to be on track to win. In the 1980s Costa Rica's forest cover had dwindled to a mere 13%. Today the forest cover is 54% and growing. No wonder Costa Rica is currently ranked number one on the Happy Planet Index.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Origins of "Pura Vida" in Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What is "pura vida?" "Pura vida" means "pure life" in Spanish. It is the single most used expression in Costa Rica. It is a response to "Cómo estás?" It means, "life is great." It is a greeting and a goodbye.

# data[].attributes.body
También se encontró que el acento costarricense uso una "erre dura", como el sonido de erre en la palabra inglesa (car) en vez de la erre trina usado en otros dialectos. Con la población joven, el dialecto "pachuco" es muy común. Este dialecto se caracteriza por un tempo muy rápido y el uso de jerga.

# data[].attributes.body
Pachuco se refiere una "lengua secunda" que se usado de los ticos. Consiste de jergas muchas y tiene una connotación una poca mala. Por algunos, es muy difícil a entender si no sabes la jerga pachuquísma. Pachuco viene de los años treinta en los E.E.U.U. en ciudades como LA y San Diego.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Godutch Realty ~ Real Estate for Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I learned to speak Pachuco before I learned Spanish. I didn't have a clue until I started dating a local woman. She thought I was pretty vulgar and I had no idea what she was talking about.

When I moved to Costa Rica in 1980, my brother and I started a window cleaning company. Our employees were from the southern barrios of San José. We didn't speak a word of Spanish and they, of course, didn't speak any English.

In less than 6 months, I was getting by pretty well in Spanish, I thought. Every time I would be showing off my Spanish to a Tico or Tica, the other person would have a big smile for me. I thought that smile was to show my effort in trying to speak Spanish. Until I started dating!

Pachuco

Wikipedia refers to this word as

In Costa Rica, the word pachuco refers to a person who has manners that are socially unacceptable and often uses shocking language when speaking. Pachuco is also a pejorative name given to certain colloquial words and expressions. Some consider pachuco and its pachuquísmos to be Costa Rica's second language.

I'm sure our employees had a ball teaching us Pachuco.

A second language

To some, pachuco is a second language of the Ticos. The younger people in Costa Rica use quite a few words that get close to this 2nd language, but it's not the same. If you can understand the following video, you're 100% Pachuco. I understand about 40% of it.

Pachuco words

Here are some words in Pachuco, if you would like to show off with other pachucos:

Tuanis = very nice, very good

Compita = bro, friend

Tabo = jail

Paco = policeman

Que es la vara = what's up, what is this

Furris = terrible, horrible

Al chile = really? seriously?

Harinón = a lot of money

Jetear = not doing anything

Qué jeta = a big mouth

Al despiste = discretely

Un toque = just a moment

Ruliar = sleep

Rajado = incredible

Parla = talk, discussion

Ligar = hooking up people to become a couple

Chasco = a disaster

Me estoy quemando = in need of money

Tucas = legs of a person

Ahorcarse = get married

My recommendation

My recommendation is to not learn pachuco; it's really hard to get rid of later. You might use pachuco at the wrong time and get into trouble. Try to learn basic Spanish before moving to Costa Rica, it will save a lot of trouble and headaches.

Contact us now if you want to purchase or rent a property in Costa Rica. if you want to learn Spanish like a real Costa Rica, try this book.
Feel free to leave your comments on this blog and share this article on your social media. If you like this blog, connect with me on Google+ or subscribe to my newsletter by clicking the banner below. I DO want to remind our readers that we appreciate any referrals you can send us. Please remember the GoDutch Realty agents when you talk about your home in Costa Rica, we appreciate it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Do you want to learn Pachuco when you live in Costa Rica?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I learned to speak Pachuco before I learned Spanish. I didn't have a clue until I started dating a local woman. She thought I was pretty vulgar and I had no idea what she was talking about. When I moved to Costa Rica in 1980, my brother and I started a window cleaning company.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
On the social perception of intervocalic /s/ voicing in Costa Rican Spanish

# data[].attributes.body
Hay un diferencia con la pronunciación con /s/, pero más significativamente, un diferencia de percepción de la gente. En general, [z] versus [s] significa de clase baja, pero con hombres, [z] muestra que gente piensa el orador es más simpático, más costarricense, más confidente, y más masculino. Con mujeres, esta percepción positiva no existe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Rhotic Variation in Costa Rican Spanish: A Preliminary Acoustic Analysis

# data[].attributes.body
Para incluir más información sobre con /r/, ha sido discutido en los otros recursos, pero es muy común para los ticos a usar [ɹ], una fricativa y el "hard R" en inglés, en ves del trina ere, [r]. En general, las eres róticas usado en total en Costa Rica consiste de [ɾ], [r], [ɹ], [ř̥] y [ř]. En esta investigación, [ɾ] tenga la frecuencia más alta.

# data[].attributes.body
Pura vida es un estilo de vida y es más de simple una frase común. La resume la psique de la gente y cuando vistas Costa Rica como un extranjero, es la manera mejora para vivir el país. No también solo una palabra de moda que turistas aprende a usar y es arraigado en la cultura de Costa Rica.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Does Pura Vida Mean? | The Costa Rica Story

# data[].attributes.body
La historia de Costa Rica es importante a entender dónde más de la influencia del español desde mucho del dialecto y cultura  tiene inspirado de México y otros países del centroamérica. También la mentalidad despreocupada de la gente empieza cuando el presidente anterior ha abolido su militar.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Limón Patwa - A perceptual study to measure language attitudes towards speakers of Patwa in Costa Rica

# data[].attributes.body
Mientras Limón Patwa es un lenguaje más cerca a inglés, recalca un grupo importante en Costa Rica y un buen trozo de la población, los Afrocaribeños. Español y otro variaciones de inglés se favorecido más de LP, aislando la dialecto más.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
LIMÓN PATWA_ A PERCEPTUAL STUDY TO MEASURE LANGUAGE ATTITUDES TOW

# data[].attributes.body
Mientras este vídeo discute otro jerga de los costarricense, un aspecto importante de la jerga de Costa Rica es el uso de -tico y -tica como un diminutivo versus -ito/ita y otros. Con costarricense en general, esa palabra se puede acortar a "tico," por lo tanto el título de este proyecto, "Español de los ticos."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to speak Tico | Teaching you Costa Rican slang

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The changing system of Costa Rican pronouns of address: tuteo, voseo, and ustedeo 

# data[].attributes.body
En general, ustedeo es más popular en la población de los costarricenses, pero en comparación de otros países como España y Sudamérica donde voseo es más popular con la población joven, hay un efecto opuesto en Costa Rica. Con los nicaragüenses, que componen un número significado de la población inmigrante en Costa Rica, voseo es muy común y un hipótesis para el aumento en ustedeo con los costarricenses jóvenes es porque de la percepción negativa contra los nicaragüenses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Michnowicz Despain & Gorham Costa Rica Pronouns DRAFT

# data[].attributes.body
Algo más jerga notable de los ticos consiste de "tuanis,"  "mejenga," "pichazo," "ando tras del palo," "embarcar/qué barco," y "suave." Aquí es los significados en orden respectivamente:
1) es similar a "guay" o "cool"
2) para jugar fútbol
3) es un otra palabra para mucho
4) para no entender nada
5) para meterse en problemas o algo loco
6) significa espera

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This guide to Costa Rican slang includes everything you need to know to really understand the ticos of Costa Rica.

Like every country in the world, Costa Ricans have a lot of slang words. From nicknames to popular destinations to silly words for food, there are a lot of variations on common words.

This post will guide you on the most common words you'll hear when interacting with ticos unfiltered. These are Spanish words you will hear in casual conversation between ticos, but not necessarily directed at you if you are a tourist. It can be fun to use this guide to see if you can hear these phrases while you are visiting!

If you are taking a trip to Costa Rica to learn to speak Spanish, you can use some of these words and phrases to impress ticos when you first arrive. Another trick for language learners in Costa Rica? Use the "usted" form of verbs rather than the "tú" form.

This is not a comprehensive list of every slang word in tico Spanish, but it does include words that aren't used in any other of the Spanish-speaking countries. Here we go!
Related post: 50 Interesting Costa Rica Facts You Need To Know

Pura Vida - Pura Life

Literally translates to "pure life" this might be the national saying of Costa Rica.

Tiquicia - Costa Rica

Many Costa Rican refer to their own country as tiquicia.

Tico/Tica - Costa Rican

This is what Costa Ricans call themselves, due to the way they talk. Often instead of using the diminutive -ito such as chiquito (small) Costa Ricans will instead use -ico, as in chiquitico.

Mae - Dude

Mae, or sometimes maje means dude or friend. You will often hear Costa Ricans answer the question How are you? with pura vida, mae. This is more often used with younger people, or when older men are talking to each other. Older women don't use it as much, and it's not often used in formal conversation.

Diay or Idiay - What? Um.

This Costa Rican word is used for a myriad of things. It can be an expression of wonder at something outrageous someone has done (I just broke my foot). It can express confusion, and it is also used like "um" to fill in sentences.

Tuanis - Cool

This word supposedly evolved from the English "too nice." A favorite Costa Rica slang.

Que Chiva - How Cool

One of the most used expressions for cool by all ages in Costa Rica.

Suave - Slow Down

Literally translating to "soft" ticos use this to mean slow down or hold on.

Socale - Hurry up

Literally translating to tighten it up, you will often hear this word when people want to go faster (like in a car) or hurry something up. Ironic, due to most Costa Ricans laissez faire attitude towards time.

Brete - Job

You will often hear this word when ticos are getting ready to do any type of work. This means homework, housework, or a job. It is used in verb form as well- " bretear."

Al chile- seriously

One of my favorite Costa Rican slang words, this word literally translates "to the chile." It can be used often in casual conversation with the word mae as in al chile, mae (dude, it's true).

Chunche - thing

This word is so uniquely Costa Rican it's not even funny. The favorite slang word for "things," using this word will get a smile out of every Costa Rican you meet.

¡Qué barco! - Over the Top

Literally translating to "what a boat" this saying refers to someone who is doing something ridiculous or unbelievable. It is used to refer to people and not things.

Embarcar - To get into trouble

Similar to que barco, this word translates as "to get on the boat." Costa Ricans use it when someone has gotten into a mess that will be hard to get out of.

Meter la pata - To get into trouble

There are apparently a lot of ways to get into trouble in Costa Rican Spanish, and this is another. It literally translates as "to put your foot in it."

Jupa - Head

Pronounced hoo-pah. This word means "head."

Melar - To Eat

This verb can also be changed to an adjective- ¡qué mela! which means "what a great meal."
Related post: 30+ Foods To Try In Costa Rica
H.P. - Bastard

Costa Ricans are known throughout Latin America for using the phrase hijue puta liberally. Hijo de puta literally translates to son of a whore, but Costa Ricans don't seem to find the phrase offensive and use it in front of children. H.P is the shortening of the full phrase.

N.J. - Let's Go!

Shortened from nos juimos, a Costa Rican pronunciation for " nos fuimios " which means we left. You'll hear this when it's time for everyone to go!

Ando tras del palo - I am totally lost

Literally means "I'm behind the tree" this phrase is used when someone does not understand something. It's not used for talking about directions or location.

Hablar paja - Talk crap

Literally translates to talking straw, this is when everyone is just sitting around talking about nothing.

Despiche - Mess

This word needs to be used carefully as it is derived from the word picha which means dick. The word is used when something is a big mess- like look what a mess traffic was yesterday.

Pichazo- A lot

This word is also derived from " picha" and it means a whole bunch of something. Such as qué pichazo de gente - what a ton of people. Literally "what a dickful of people."

Un Rojo - 1,000 colon bill

Since the bill for 1,000 colones (roughly $0.80 at the time of writing in 2022) is red, people just refer to it as "red."
Related post: Costa Rica Currency
Una Teja - 100 colones OR a cool person

This fun slang has two meanings. I don't know the correlation between the word (literally translating to roof tile) and either of these meanings, but they sure are fun.

Mejenga - To play (soccer)

Needs no explanation. You'll hear it constantly as soccer is so popular.

Estuche - Stadium

Literally translating to "case," Costa Ricans refer to their soccer stadiums as estuches.

Guaro - Liquor

Many people call liquor in general guaro, but it more specifically refers to the national liquor- Cacique.

Estar de Goma - To have a hangover

To be glue is the literal translation- which is good because I have felt like I'm moving through glue when I have a bad hangover.

Wachiman - Parking lot attendant

The wachiman - from the English "watch" plus "man" is a weird and semi-ineffective Costa Rican way to keep cars safe. Essentially a person in an orange construction vest will take a parking lot or block and watch the cars while they are parked in exchange for a nominal fee.

Ride/Rayte - Ride

From the old days of hitchhiking, this also is derived from English. Pedir ride is to ask for a ride.

Banazo - Ridiculous

¡ Qué banazo! literally means what a huge bath, but we use it to mean something that is absolutely ridiculous. It can be directed at a situation, thing or a person.

Choza - house

Many people will use this word interchangeably with the word " chante."

Ruco - horse

With the popularity of horseback riding in Costa Rica, you'll hear this occasionally among tour guides when talking to each other.
Related post: Horseback riding in Costa Rica
Un toque - a second

Literally meaning "one touch" this slang refers to something that happens quickly. It is often used with suave un toque to mean "hang on a second."

Buena Nota - good people/good things

Translates to good note, which I guess could refer to a good grade? This is when something is pretty awesome.

Aguevado/a - sad

This is slang derived from the word huevos which means "egg" but also "balls." It's when you are sad or you think something sucks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This guide to Costa Rican slang includes everything you need to know to really understand the ticos of Costa Rica. Like every country in the world, Costa Ricans have a lot of slang words. From nicknames to popular destinations to silly words for food, there are a lot of variations on common words.