{"id":144171,"date":"2017-11-16T15:54:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T20:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/panamanian-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-01-26T09:12:24","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T14:12:24","slug":"panamanian-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/panamanian-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Panamanian Slang Words"},"content":{"rendered":"

You\u2019re headed to Panama? Whether you\u2019re planning to see the Panama Canal, hoping to\u00a0catch a glimpse of Panama\u2019s amazing birds<\/a>, or backpacking off the beaten path, Panama is great place to learn some Spanish while on vacation.<\/p>\n

Learning some Panamanian slang will enhance your experience. So when getting ready for your trip, don\u2019t forget to pack your guidebook<\/a>, some warm-weather clothes and these Panamanian slang phrases.
\n[fluentu-toc]
\n<\/p>\n

1. Offi<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is one to learn quickly\u2014you\u2019ll use it often and hear it non-stop.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an informal way of saying est\u00e1 bien<\/em> (it\u2019s good) and can also stand in for “okay” and “sure.” It’s just one of those all-purpose words that says you\u2019re fine with something.<\/p>\n

\u00bfQuieres ir al cine?<\/em> (Do you want to go to the movies?)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Offi<\/strong>.<\/em> (Sure.)<\/p>\n

2. \u00bfQu\u00e9 sop\u00e1?<\/em><\/h2>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d is the literal translation, but this expression is basic slang for \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

This is another one to grasp from the get-go, if only to lighten the mood when you go into tiendas<\/em> (shops). It\u2019s an easy greeting that will show you\u2019re attempting to communicate in an informal manner.<\/p>\n

So walk through the door, smile and say, \u201c\u00bfQu\u00e9 sop\u00e1?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

3. Chupata<\/em><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re invited to a chupata<\/em>, be advised there will be mucha cerveza y vino<\/em> (lots of beer and wine) as well as stronger alcohol.<\/p>\n

C<\/em>hupata<\/i>\u00a0is slang for a party where the music is loud and the alcohol is plentiful.<\/p>\n

Hay una chupata<\/strong> en la calle. \u00bfQuieres ir?<\/em> (There\u2019s a party up the street. Want to go?)<\/p>\n

4. Tener goma<\/em><\/h2>\n

The expression literally means \u201cto have glue,\u201d but it\u2019s the slang term for having a hangover.<\/p>\n

\u00bfTe quedaste demasiado tiempo en la chupata?<\/em> (Did you stay too long at the alcohol-heavy party?)<\/p>\n

\u00a1S\u00ed, tengo goma<\/strong>!<\/em> (Yeah, I have a hangover!)<\/p>\n

5. Plena<\/em><\/h2>\n

Expect to hear this one a lot, as it refers to something else you will hear a lot\u2014\u00a0Panamanian reggaeton<\/a>\u00a0music.<\/p>\n

Panamanians love their reggaeton music, so you are sure to hear it in the restaurants, in the clubs, on the beach, really anywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you ask a waitress what\u2019s coming through the speakers, it\u2019s pretty safe to say this will be her answer:<\/p>\n

Oye. Es plena<\/strong>.<\/em> (Listen. It\u2019s Panamanian music.)<\/p>\n

6. Pelao<\/em><\/h2>\n

It seems as if every country has a slang term for \u201cdude\u201d\u2014pelao<\/em> is Panama\u2019s.<\/p>\n

It probably derives from or is at least related to\u00a0pelado<\/em>, a word that means “boy” in several South American countries.<\/p>\n

\u00bfConoces a ese pelao<\/strong>?<\/em> (Do you know that dude?)<\/p>\n

7. \u00a1Chuleta!<\/em><\/h2>\n

Doubly useful, \u00a1Chuleta!<\/em> means “Damn!” but it also can mean “Wow!” It just depends on how and when you use it.<\/p>\n

The funny thing about this is that it can also refer to a pork chop\u2014\u201cchop\u201d being chuleta<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I asked a Panamanian friend if he knows how this expression started but he had no idea. It\u2019s just something they say, kind of like\u00a0co\u00f1o<\/em>, which is yet another way of saying “damn” in Spanish.<\/p>\n

Apparently kids also use \u00a1Chuleta!<\/em>\u00a0when they\u2019re excited about something, so there’s the \u201cwow\u201d side of it.<\/p>\n

\u00a1Chuleta!<\/strong> Olvid\u00e9 mi cartera.<\/i> (Damn! I forgot my wallet.)<\/p>\n

8. Trambilla<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is the term for the brightly-painted \u201cchicken bus\u201d you\u2019re likely to ride to get from one place to the next.<\/p>\n

These buses are the backbone of the transportation sector in so many Central and South American countries, as they transport anything and everything.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re typically very crowded and noisy, but riding la trambilla<\/em> (the chicken bus) is a must-do if you’re looking for an authentic experience!<\/p>\n

Tomo la\u00a0trambilla<\/strong> al trabajo todos los d\u00edas.<\/i> (I take a chicken bus to work every day.)<\/p>\n

9. Pavo<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literally meaning “turkey,” this is the term for the bus-driver\u2019s assistant, a guy who often hangs out the open door on a\u00a0trambilla<\/em>\u00a0while the bus is moving.<\/p>\n

It’s the pavo’s\u00a0<\/i>job to collect money at the door, decide if there’s room for more people to come aboard and figure out seating arrangements.<\/p>\n

Many times people are de pie en el pasillo<\/em> (standing in the aisle) but el pavo<\/em> (the assistant) will still say\u00a0“hay espacio”<\/em> (there\u2019s room).<\/p>\n

Dile al pavo<\/strong> que necesitas para ir a la ciudad de Panam\u00e1. <\/em>(Tell the assistant that you need to go to Panama City.)<\/p>\n

\n

10. Plata<\/em><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

Literally meaning “silver,” this is a slang term for money. This word is used not only in Panama but in some other Central American countries.<\/p>\n

No puedo comprar un coche porque no tengo plata<\/strong>.<\/em> (I can’t buy a car because I don’t have money.)<\/p>\n

Why it Helps to Add Slang to Your Vocabulary<\/h2>\n

The Spanish-speaking world is huge, but slang can help differentiate between different cultures and regions.<\/p>\n

From\u00a0las calles<\/em> (the streets), to\u00a0las tiendas<\/em> (the shops), to las playas<\/em> (the beaches) to\u00a0los clubes<\/em> (the clubs), you’ll hear locals using slang expressions and popular idioms, so it’s useful to know what they mean.<\/p>\n

If you’re able to incorporate Panamanian slang correctly, you’ll quickly find yourself making more friends and being welcomed into the community.<\/p>\n

Demonstrating that you know how Panamanians actually communicate<\/a> shows a dedication to learning more about the culture and region. This is sure to build good relationships and help you form more connections.<\/p>\n

Practicing Panamanian Slang<\/h2>\n

Try to get as much exposure to native speakers as possible, so you can see how they incorporate slang.<\/p>\n

Find a Panamanian language exchange partner and practice using slang with them. Even if you are not able to speak with a native Panamanian directly, you can try and find Panamanian media to help you.\u00a0FluentU<\/a> is a great option, as it provides plenty of Spanish video clips with learning tools.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n