logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
August 11, 2022 by Luis F. Dominguez Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

20 Cuban Slang Words That Will Make You Sound Native

Learning Cuban slang words gives you the upper hand in understanding the language and culture of this fascinating Caribbean island. 

In this post, learn what slang is and why you should study Cuban slang. Then, get acquainted with 20 of the most common and useful Cuban slang words, each of which comes with a simple explanation and practical examples you can use on your own. 

Join 559 million people on the planet who speak Spanish!
Sign up for your free trial Spanish class today. ➡️

What’s Slang?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, slang is “very informal language that is usually spoken rather than written, used especially by particular groups of people.” 

There are two aspects to pay attention to in that definition. One, slang is mostly spoken, as it’s not formal language yet, and people don’t use it in written form. Two, it’s used by particular groups of people. In this case, that particular group of people is the Cuban people. 

Why You Should Learn Cuban Slang Words

Forget about pragmatic and utilitarian visions of learning only the words of a language that you think you’ll need at some point. What happens if you fail in your forecast? How do you know which words you’ll need and which ones you won’t?

Besides, you never know when you’ll visit the beautiful island of Cuba or even Miami Beach, where your knowledge of Cuban slang words may prove quite useful due to the large Cuban community in the area. 

20 Cuban Slang Words

Without further ado, let’s learn 15 of the most common and useful Cuban slang words.

1. Pinchar

This verb literally means “to poke” or “to stab,” however in Cuban slang it actually means “to work.” It makes sense then when you hear that they call the job la pincha. 

Me voy a pinchar, nos vemos más tarde. 
I’m going to work, see you later. 

You might like: 30+ Everyday Spanish Greetings You Can Use

2. Jamar

Another verb, this one simply means “to eat.”

¿Qué vamos a jamar hoy?
What are we going to eat today?

cuban slang

3. Camello

One of the Cuban slang words that you hear a lot in Havan is camello. It means “camel,” but refers to the articulated buses that get this nickname from their “hump” in the middle. 

¿Dónde puedo agarrar un camello?
Where can I get a bus?

You might like: 9 Amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cuba

4. Acere or Asere

You’ll find it spelled both ways, which is common with slang terms as they’re mostly spoken instead of written. Acere works like the English word “dude.” It’s like a friend, but people use it more often as a filler word to accompany phrases.

Hey acere, ¿qué pasa? 
Hey dude, what’s up?

5. Botella

Literally meaning “bottle,” in Cuban slang botella means “to give someone a ride.” This is very common in Cuba due to the scarcity of cars and the lack of good public transport services. Think of it as the “Cuban uber,” or as a community solution to a general problem.    

Voy para la pincha, ¿me das la botella?
I’m going to my job, can you give me a ride? 

6. Yuma

In Cuba, a yuma is a foreigner.

Hay muchos yumas en la playa. 
There are a lot of foreigners on the beach. 

You might like: What’s the Meaning of ‘Gringo’?

7. Paladar

This is one of my favorite Cuban slang words: paladar. It literally means “palate,” but Cubans use it to refer to any restaurant or café which, if you think about it, makes a lot of sense. 

El nuevo paladar del centro está muy bueno.
The new restaurant downtown is very good. 

8. Arrancado / Arrancada

A typical characteristic of Cuban accent is that they “eat” some consonants at the end of words. Arrancado is a good example of that, as it’s usually pronounced as arranca’o and arrancá. This way of speaking Spanish is also common in the Spanish regions of Andalusia and the Canary Islands. Cubans use arranca’o to say that they have no money or that they are broke. 

¿Me prestas dinero? Estoy arranca’o.  
Can you lend me some money? I’m broke. 

You might like: Perfect Your Pronunciation of Caribbean Spanish

9. Guagua

This is one more of the common Cuban slang words that refer to buses. I love the sound of this word (wah-wah). 

¿Qué guagua me lleva para el centro?
Which bus takes me downtown?

10. Bola

Bola literally means “ball,” but in Cuban slang it’s a noun meaning “gossip,” similar to saying “the word on the street.”

La bola es que el profesor de español nunca se casó. 
The word on the street is that the Spanish teacher never got married. 

You might like: Chismeando: How to Spread Gossip in Spanish

11. Fresco / Fresca

In Cuba, a fresco or fresca is a disrespectful or rude person. In Spanish, the word fresco literally means “fresh.” 

Ese Carlos es un fresco. 
That Carlos is so rude. 

12. Tita

A term of affection used in Cuba for grandmothers.  

Mi tita está muy enferma.
My grandmother is very sick.

Mi tita está muy enferma.

13. Almendrón

Cuban economic and political situation is unique in the world, and for that reason Cubans have very unique words too. Almendrón refers to the old cars from the decade of the 1950 that still roam the island these days. 

El almendrón de mi padre está descompuesto. 
My father’s old car is broken. 

14. Jeva / Jevo

This term originally only referred to one’s “girlfriend” or jeva. However, nowadays the girls also use it to talk about their jevos or “boyfriends.”

Erika es mi jeva.
Erika is my girlfriend.

You might like: Te Quiero vs Te Amo: Don’t Say the Wrong ‘I Love You’

15. Bembelequero / Bembelequera

Bembelequero is one of my favorite Cuban slang words. Do yourself a favor and pronounce it loudly to appreciate how beautiful it sounds! It refers to a person who gossips too much. 

Ese Miguel es un bembelequero.
That Miguel is too gossipy.

16. Chivo

The bicycle is an important means of transportation in Cuba, so it makes sense that it has its own slang term: chivo. 

Ese chivo es mío.
That bicycle is mine.

17. Caballito

Caballito is a Cuban slang term for a policeman, usually those with a motorcycle. 

Mi tío es caballito.
My uncle is a policeman. 

You might like: How to Say ‘Stop’ in Spanish

18. Absorbente

This Cuban slang word seems pretty logical. In Cuba, an absorbente is a “straw.” Typical Spanish words for “straw” in Spanish are called pajitas or popotes. However, absorber means “to absorb,” which is what you actually do with a straw, right? 

¿Quiere un absorbente con su bebida?
Do you want a straw with your drink?

learn spanish online
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL CLASS today!

19. Gao

In Cuban slang, gao means “home.” You may also hear it as gabeto. 

Me voy para el gao. 
I’m going home. 

20. Fosforera

Finally, when a Cuban needs a lighter they ask for a fosforera. 

¿Me prestas tu fosforera?
Can you lend me your lighter?

¡A Practicar Chico!

No article about Cuban slang words is complete without including the word that most characterizes the Cuban accent: chico or “boy.” They use it for everything, as a filler word at the end of most phrases. In this case, the header says: “Let’s practice boy!”

Sign up for a free class with one of our certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala, and start practicing your Cuban slang words today!

Try Our Online Spanish Program for Free!

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

  • Vegan and Vegetarian Vocabulary in Spanish
  • 18 Meanings of ‘Cuenta’ in Common Spanish Idioms
  • A-Z: Beginner Spanish Word Lists for Kids + Free Flashcards
  • 50 Essential Medical Phrases for Your Upcoming Physical
  • How To Introduce Yourself in Spanish
  • 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers
  • The Sweetest Guide to Valentine’s Day Vocabulary in Spanish
  • An Easy Vocabulary Guide to Describe the Post Office in Spanish
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Follow me
Luis F. Dominguez
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.
Follow me
Latest posts by Luis F. Dominguez (see all)
  • 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish - March 3, 2023
  • What Is an Infinitive in Spanish? - February 21, 2023
  • 50 Essential Medical Phrases for Your Upcoming Physical - February 20, 2023
spanish vocabulary vocabulary
0

Related Posts

mission trip Spanish

45+ Mission Trip Spanish Phrases You Need To Know

December 23, 2021
Read More
Spanish quotes

44 Essential Spanish Quotes and Proverbs to Fuel Your Motivation

October 21, 2021
Read More
Spanish body parts

Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary, Idioms, and Culture

January 4, 2022
Read More
Spanish greetings

Spanish 101: Greetings and Farewells

May 2, 2022
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Can Anyone Be a Homeschooling Teacher? (Spoiler: It Depends)Previous Post
A Guide to College Admissions for Homeschool StudentsNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • 10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior
    10 Ways Learning Spanish Can Improve Your Child’s Behavior
    March 20, 2023
    You surely know that learning a second...
  • 8 Places to Learn Spanish in Costa Rica
    8 Places to Learn Spanish in Costa Rica
    March 18, 2023
    Here's an idea: learn Spanish in Costa Rica....

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.