Cuban Spanish 101 Bilingual Guide

A bilingual vocabulary guide to common and unique words, expressions, and slang from Cuba, including phonetic pronunciation rules and uncensored colloquialisms.

Disappearing Letter 'D'

A characteristic of Cuban Spanish where the letter 'D' is omitted when it appears between two vowels, such as 'enamorado' becoming 'enamora’o'.

Swallowing the Letter 'S'

The practice of not pronouncing the letter 'S' at the end of words or at the beginning/middle of some words, such as 'pescado' becoming 'pe’ca’o'.

Al mal tiempo, buena cara

A saying meaning 'Look on the bright side.'

Al pan pan y al vino vino

A saying meaning 'Call things what they are.'

Arranca’o/Arrancá

Adjective meaning having very little or no money; broke.

Bicitaxi

A bike-taxi.

Bola

A piece of unsubstantiated information or gossip; word on the street.

Botero

An old car used for public transport or the driver of such a vehicle.

Bravo/Brava

Adjective meaning being angry, bothered, or pissed off.

Bronca

A physical or verbal disagreement between people; a fight or dispute.

Caballero

Gentleman, guy, or man.

Cabezón/Cabezona

A person who makes mistakes due to silliness or stubbornness.

Candela

A noun for fire, or an adjective for someone unpredictable, fiery, or hard to deal with.

Cazuelero/Cazuelera

A person who involves themselves in others' business, often to spread information; a meddler.

Chavo

The Cuban peso.

Chivato/Chivata

A snitch; someone who provides information to authorities to ingratiate themselves or hurt others.

Coco

A tropical fruit; also used as a slang term for the human head.

Coger

The action of grabbing or holding something; also used as an interjection meaning 'here' when handing an item.

Cola

A line of people waiting for a service; also refers to the buttocks.

Consorte

A friend; term used only for or among men.

Cuando el río suena, piedras trae

A saying meaning 'Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.'

Culillo (Tener un)

A feeling of being in a rush to leave somewhere or finish something.

Dale

An interjection demonstrating approval, meaning 'okay' or 'go ahead.'

Descara’o/Descará

A person who feels no shame and acts out of self-interest in a dishonest way; a good-for-nothing.

Donde comen dos comen tres

A saying meaning 'Where two eat, three eat'; there is always enough to go around.

El que no llora no mama

A saying meaning you must make your needs heard or they will not be met.

El que no tiene de congo, tiene de carabalí

A saying indicating that everyone in Cuba is multiracial and has some Black heritage.

Emprenda’o/Emprendá

Adjective describing someone wearing many pieces of jewelry; decked out.

Estar de Carnaval

A verb phrase for wearing many pieces of jewelry and being dressed to the nines.

Estar en la Fuácata

A verb phrase meaning to be in a state of poverty or flat broke.

Estar Hecho/Hecha

A verb phrase meaning to have it made; a state of wealth or power with significant money or influence.

Exagera’o/Exagerá

A melodramatic person who tends to exaggerate or lie.

Fajarse

A verb meaning to fight physically or verbally; to argue.

Forro

A noun meaning a swindle, trick, fraud, or a mistake.

Fósforo

A match; a disposable product used to light a fire.

Fresco/Fresca

A person who is disrespectful and makes insinuating remarks.

Fula

A term for the US dollar.

Gallego/Gallega

A person from Spain.

Gao

Housing or a house.

Grajo

A strong underarm odor.

Guagua

A bus.

Guajiro

A farmer or country bumpkin.

Guano

Money or cash.

Guapería

An attitude of machismo and superiority from someone who feels invincible; bravado.

Guapo/Guapa

Attractive; also used to describe someone with a bad attitude who thinks they are invincible or tough.

Habanero/Habanera

Adjective for someone or something from Havana.

Hay moros en la costa

A warning meaning that a third party is listening or watching.

Hembrota

A very pretty and voluptuous woman.

Jaba’o/Jabá

A mulatto person who has very light skin.

Jama

Food.

Jamar

Vector for the act of eating.

Java

A small plastic bag.

Jeva

A woman; often used like 'chick' or 'young lady.'

Jicotea

A turtle.

Lonchera

A food container or lunchbox.

Maduro

A fried plantain.

Majadero/Majadera

A person who is poorly behaved, rude, or bothersome.

Mala Hoja

A phrase referring to a bad sexual encounter or a person who cannot satisfy their partner in bed.

Más viejo que andar a pie

A phrase meaning something is very old; 'older than walking.'

Matancero/Matancera

Adjective for someone from Matanzas, a province near Havana.

Meter la cuchareta

To butt into others’ affairs or meddle without being invited.

Mongo/Monga

Adjective meaning stupid or slow.

Moros y cristianos

A dish consisting of white rice and black beans; literally translates to 'Moors and Christians.'

Mulato/Mulata

A person of mixed Black and White race.

Nene/Nené

A baby or a very young child.

Palestino/Palestina

A term for someone who is not from Havana, especially an outsider from Oriente.

Pan (Comerse un)

To do something with great ease; a piece of cake.

Pantalloso/Pantallosa

A person who shows off and brags; a braggart.

Paquete

A lie; also refers to male genitalia.

Pasta

Money.

Pelota

Baseball.

Pesa’o/Pesá

A very dramatic person who takes things too seriously; also refers to a sad or difficult situation.

Pila

A faucet or spigot.

Piñazo

A punch or a hit delivered with the fist.

Pinchar

A verb meaning to work.

Pirata

An unlicensed cab driver.

Pitillo

A straw used for drinking liquids.

Plata

Money.

Porsia

Adverb meaning 'just in case' or 'in case of.'

Puro

A cigar; also used as a slang term for a father.

¿Qué volá?

An interjection meaning 'What’s up?' or 'How are you?'

¿Qué vuelta?

A phrase meaning 'What’s up?' or 'How are you?'

Quedarse en la página dos

A saying meaning to not understand something, or to have died.

Quema’o/Quemá

Adjective meaning crazy or not mentally stable.

Quilo (Kilo)

A cent; a $.01$ currency unit.

Radio Bemba

Gossip or a rumor circulating, or the person recounting it.

Relajo

An exciting situation or scandal; also refers to sex.

Rumba

A type of Cuban music; also refers to a party.

Salir Manda’o/Mandá

A phrase meaning to leave somewhere in a great rush.

Santiaguero/Santiaguera

A person from Santiago de Cuba.

Sardina

A skinny woman.

Ser más rollo que película

An expression meaning 'to be all talk and no walk.'

Socio/Socia

A close friend.

Solar, Botarse pa’l

A phrase meaning a situation has worsened significantly; 'to hit the fan.'

Son

A fundamental type of Cuban music that is key to salsa.

Tata

A term of affection for an older brother.

Tirar un cabo

To lend a hand or help someone out.

Tita

A term of affection for a grandmother.

Titi

A term of affection for a girlfriend or wife.

Toca’o/Tocá

Adjective for someone who has a gift or is very talented.