- Boli – is short for bolígrafo or ball point pen.
- Chochosca – is money. Harina is another slang word for money in Costa Rica
- Enfiebrar – to become a fanatic of something like soccer
- Estar como hormiga en tapa de dulce – to be very happy
- Fajarse
Here is another reason to learn Spanish if you retire in Costa Rica
New research reveals that bilingualism has a positive effect on cognition later in life. Findings published in Annals of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, show that individuals who speak two or more languages, even those who acquired the second language in adulthood, may slow down cognitive
Easy come, easy go
- Dinero fácil, is easy money.
- Fácil, means easy.
- Lo que fácil viene, fácil se va means “easy come, easy go.”
- Lo que por agua viene por agua se va, also means “easy come, easy go.”
- Mujer fácil, is an easy woman.
- Ni me despeiné,
More words to help you decipher the local jargon
- Acostar literally means to put someone to bed but it can also mean to murder by putting a person permanently to sleep.
- Cafetear is to drink coffee. Tomar or bebe café is better Spanish.
- Fiebrazo is a type of fanatic and usually refers to a soccer fan.
- Guicho is
Happy and Sad
Happy (contento/a, feliz and alegre)
- Brincar de una pata literally means to hop on one foot or jumping with joy.
- Como niño con juguete nuevo is as happy as a child with a new toy. We also say como niño con zapatos nuevos which means like a child with a new pair
