{"id":144620,"date":"2023-06-13T02:22:48","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T06:22:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/cuban-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-01-31T01:09:04","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T06:09:04","slug":"cuban-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/cuban-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"51 Cuban Slang Words to Understand the Locals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe you\u2019re one of the millions of tourists<\/a> descending on Cuba each year for the year-round warm beaches, ropa vieja\u00a0<\/em>(shredded beef) and endless parties.<\/p>\n

Or, maybe, as is the case with me, more and more Cubans just seem to be popping into your social circle.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned a lot of unique Spanish slang words and phrases from my Cuban friends, so I\u2019ve decided to share 51 of my favorites.<\/p>\n

Just note that I\u2019m focusing on Cuban Spanish from Havana, and that regional and personal differences abound.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u00bfQu\u00e9 bol\u00e1 contigo? <\/em><\/h2>\n

What\u2019s up with you? How’s it going? Bol\u00e1\u00a0<\/em>is also frequently spelled as\u00a0vol\u00e1\u00a0<\/em>because\u00a0b\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0v\u00a0<\/em>sound practically the same in Spanish.<\/p>\n

Hola amigo. \u00bfQu\u00e9 bol\u00e1 contigo?
\n<\/em>Hey friend, what’s up with you?<\/p>\n

2. \u00bfQu\u00e9 bolero? \/ \u00bfQu\u00e9 bolaita? \/ \u00bfQu\u00e9 vuelta? <\/em><\/h2>\n

These are more options for asking someone how they’re doing.<\/p>\n

Hola, chica. \u00bfQu\u00e9 bolaita?
\n<\/em>Hey girl, how you doing?<\/p>\n

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

A friend, a dude. This is an informal way of addressing anyone, just like colega<\/em> (colleague) or amigo<\/em> (friend).<\/p>\n

\u00bfA<\/em>cere, qu\u00e9 bol\u00e1?<\/em>
\nDude, what’s up?<\/p>\n

4. Yuma<\/em> <\/h2>\n

This is a word used to describe a foreigner, especially from the US. It would usually not be used for foreigners from elsewhere in Latin America.<\/p>\n

Ese yuma es rico, \u00bfno?<\/em> \u00a0
\nThat foreigner is rich, no?<\/p>\n

5. Gringo<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

This refers\u00a0only\u00a0<\/em>to a person from the United States. Unlike in some other Latin American countries, this word isn’t used for Europeans.<\/p>\n

Hay muchos gringos en la ciudad este fin de semana.<\/em>
\nThere’s so many Americans in town this weekend.<\/p>\n

You can hear this and other slang terms on FluentU<\/a>, which features comedy sketch videos, movie clips and other Spanish media with interactive subtitles.

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