A cachete: means something is really good. A cachet inflado is a variation of the same expression.
Buchón: a person who wants everything for himself or a ‘hog’. There is an expression: Cada buchón muere pelón..People who want everything for themselves die bald.
Chante: one’s house or home. Choza (literally) shack) is also used but the correct Spanish word for home is ‘casa’ or ‘hogar.’
Dar pelota: This term literally literally means to give someone a ball. It is used here when expressing the idea of paying attention to someone or taking them into account.
Gallo Pinto: is a traditional breakfast dish consisting of rice, beans, cilantro, Lizano sauce and spices.
Jama: is food and can refer to just about any meal or snack. Comida is the correct Spanish word for food.
Por aquello: this phrase means ‘just in case’ and is used frequently in conversations. En caso de que also means ‘just in case’.
Por dicha: is fortunately or luckily in tico slang. Por suerte or afortunadamente are other ways of expressing this idea.
Presa: literally can mean a ‘dam’ or ‘prey.’ In Costa Rican slang it can mean a ‘traffic jam’ or ‘backlog’ of anything. Un presón is a huge traffic jam.
Rajón or Rajona: is a show off for person who likes to boast or brag.
Suave: Hold on! or Relax! or Take it easy!
Tata: means dad or father. Tatas are one’s parents.
Techo: literally means ‘roof’ but can mean someone’s ‘head’. Torre (tower) can also be head. Cabeza is the correct Spanish word for head.
Timba: a big belly or beer belly. Panza or barriga are also used. Timbuco is a really big beer belly.
Torta: is literally a ‘cake’ or ‘tart’ but in Costa Rica it can be a ‘screw up’ or big ‘mess.’ ¡Qué torta! What a mess! Jalar torta is to get pregnant. A tortero is a person who gets into trouble frequently.
Tiquismos or Costa Rican expression of the week:
Más largo que un domingo sin plata: longer that a Sunday without any money. The day seems longer when you do not have money to go out or do something. Here are three other similar expressions that are slightly vulgar. Más largo que una meadita en moto: longer than a stream of urine when riding on a motorcycle. Más largo que pedo de culebra: longer than a snake’s fart.
Más tico que el gallo pinto: Just like the dish gallo pinto, this expression means anything that is authentically Cota Rican.
Pedir una cobija en el infierno: literally this expression mean to ask for a blanket in hell. It is used here to refer to a person who gets cold very easily.
