Language

Costa Rican Spanish is neither the easiest nor the most difficult dialect to understand. Ticos speak at a relatively relaxed speed and enunciate clearly, without dropping too many final consonants. The y and ll sounds are subtly, almost inaudibly, pronounced. Perhaps the most defining idiosyncrasy of Costa Rican Spanish is the way Ticos overemphasize, and almost chew, their r's.

Some Typical Tico Words & Phrases

Birra -- Slang for beer.

Boca -- Literally means "mouth," but also a term to describe a small appetizer served alongside a drink at many bars.

Bomba -- Translates literally as "pump" but is used in Costa Rica for "gas station."

Brete -- Work, or job.

Casado -- Literally means "married," but is the local term for a popular restaurant offering that features a main dish and various side dishes.

Chapa -- Derogatory way to call someone stupid or clumsy.

Chepe -- Slang term for the capital city, San José.

Choza -- Slang for house or home.

Chunche -- Knickknack; thing, as in "whatchamacallit."

Con mucho gusto -- With pleasure.

De hoy en ocho -- In 1 week's time.

Diay -- An untranslatable but common linguistic punctuation, often used to begin a sentence.

Goma -- Hangover.

La sele -- Short for la selección, the Costa Rican national soccer team.

Macha or machita -- A blond woman.

Mae -- Translates like "man"; used by many Costa Ricans, particularly teenagers, as frequent verbal punctuation.

Maje -- A lot like mae, above, but with a slightly derogatory connotation.

Mala pata -- Bad luck.

Mejenga -- An informal, or pickup, soccer game.

Pachanga or pelón -- Both terms are used to signify a big party or gathering.

Ponga la maría, por favor -- This is how you ask taxi drivers to turn on the meter.

Pulpería -- The Costa Rican version of the "corner store" or small market.

Pura vida -- Literally, "pure life"; translates as "everything's great."

Qué torta -- What a mess; what a screw-up.

Si Dios quiere -- God willing; you'll hear Ticos say this all the time.

Soda -- A casual diner-style restaurant serving cheap Tico meals.

Tico -- Costa Rican.

Tiquicia -- Costa Rica.

Tuanis -- Means the same as pura vida, above, but is used by a younger crowd.

Una teja -- 100 colones.

Un rojo -- 1,000 colones.

Un tucán -- 5,000 colones.

Upe! -- Common shout to find out if anyone is home; used frequently since doorbells are so scarce.

Zarpe -- Last drink of the night, or "one more for the road."

Menu Terms

Fish

Almejas -- Clams

Atún -- Tuna

Bacalao -- Cod

Calamares -- Squid

Camarones -- Shrimp

Cangrejo -- Crab

Ceviche -- Marinated seafood salad

Dorado -- Dolphin or mahimahi

Langosta -- Lobster

Lenguado -- Sole

Mejillones -- Mussels

Ostras -- Oysters

Pargo -- Snapper

Pulpo -- Octopus

Trucha -- Trout

Meats

Albóndigas -- Meatballs

Bistec -- Beefsteak

Cerdo -- Pork

Chicharrones -- Fried pork rinds

Cordero -- Lamb

Costillas -- Ribs

Jamón -- Ham

Lengua -- Tongue

Pato -- Duck

Pavo -- Turkey

Pollo -- Chicken

Salchichas -- Sausages

Vegetables

Aceitunas -- Olives

Alcachofa -- Artichoke

Berenjena -- Eggplant

Cebolla -- Onion

Elote -- Corn on the cob

Ensalada -- Salad

Espinacas -- Spinach

Frijoles -- Beans

Lechuga -- Lettuce

Maíz -- Corn

Palmito -- Heart of palm

Papa -- Potato

Pepino -- Cucumber

Tomate -- Tomato

Yuca -- Yucca, cassava, or manioc

Zanahoria -- Carrot

Fruits

Aguacate -- Avocado

Banano -- Banana

Carambola -- Star fruit

Cereza -- Cherry

Ciruela -- Plum

Durazno -- Peach

Frambuesa -- Raspberry

Fresa -- Strawberry

Granadilla -- Sweet passion fruit

Limón -- Lemon or lime

Manzana -- Apple

Mango -- Mango

Maracuya -- Tart passion fruit

Melón -- Melon

Mora -- Blackberry

Naranja -- Orange

Papaya -- Papaya

Piña -- Pineapple

Plátano -- Plantain

Sandía -- Watermelon

Toronja -- Grapefruit

Basics

Aceite -- Oil

Ajo -- Garlic

Arreglado -- Small meat sandwich

Azúcar -- Sugar

Casado -- Plate of the day

Frito -- Fried

Gallo -- Corn tortilla topped with meat or chicken

Gallo pinto -- Rice and beans

Hielo -- Ice

Mantequilla -- Butter

Miel -- Honey

Mostaza -- Mustard

Natilla -- Sour cream

Olla de carne -- Meat and vegetable soup

Pan -- Bread

Patacones -- Fried plantain chips

Picadillo -- Chopped vegetable side dish

Pimienta -- Pepper

Queso -- Cheese

Sal -- Salt

Tamal -- Filled cornmeal pastry

Tortilla -- Flat corn pancake

Drinks

Agua purificada -- Purified water

Agua con gas -- Sparkling water

Agua sin gas -- Plain water

Bebida -- Drink

Café -- Coffee

Café con leche -- Coffee with milk

Cerveza -- Beer

Chocolate caliente -- Hot chocolate

Jugo -- Juice

Leche -- Milk

Natural -- Fruit juice

Natural con leche -- Milkshake

Refresco -- Soft drink

Ron -- Rum

Té -- Tea

Trago -- Alcoholic drink

Other Restaurant Terms

Al grill -- Grilled

Al horno -- Oven-baked

Al vapor -- Steamed

Asado -- Roasted

Caliente -- Hot

Cambio -- Change

Cocido -- Boiled

Comida -- Food

Congelado -- Frozen

El baño -- Toilet

Frío -- Cold

Frito -- Fried

Grande -- Big

La cuenta -- The check

Medio -- Medium

Muy cocido -- Well-done

Pequeño -- Small

Poco cocido -- Rare

Tres cuartos -- Medium-well-done