If you’re planning to visit Medellin, you will want to learn some useful Spanish expressions, maybe just for curiosities’ sake or to communicate with the locals and enjoy the most of your trip.
Spanish is the fourth most spoken language in the world, and it is not spoken equally in all Spanish-speaking countries; there are cultural factors that impact the way Spanish speakers communicate and interact with each other.
The spoken words, intonation, rhythm, accent, and pronunciation change between cities of the same country, and Medellin is no exception. Here is our guide to basic Spanish travel phrases and some cultural expressions and Medellin slams, just to get involved in Medellin culture on your next vacation trip.
Understanding Medellin Cultural Vibes in Their Local Spanish Use
Medellin’s Spanish speakers come from a cultural background called “Cultura Paisa,” a moral tradition of the region that highlights warmth, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Paisas are polite and hard workers, but they are also easygoing and do not complicate things when it comes to speaking and communicating.
Paisa Spanish uses a lot of diminutives, like: chocolatito, cervecita, almuercito, and so on; hyperboles, like: uff, uy, and re; and short filler words: ome, pues, mijo, mija, o qué? This is how it looks in a normal “paisa” conversation:
- Parce, bien o qué? – Informal greetings ( What’s up bro )
- Vamos por una polita / cervicita – Invitation to drink beer (Lest’s go for a beer)
- Uff, de una mijo – Enthusiastic affirmation (for sure) – Which is very common in Paisa answers.
This is just an overview of what is common to hear in a conversation; it is not how Spanish sounds everywhere in the country, but in Medellin. Also, it is familiar to hear words and expressions like parce, parcero, and paisano, which mean friend or due, and chimba or bacano when saying that something is great.
Parlache or Medellin’s slang. Some of the most used expressions
Thanks to the boom of narcos culture, young people in Medellin’s suburbs started talking in a particular style that later on became a popular urban slang called Parlache. Nowadays, it is the daily use of words and expressions like:
You can find a complete list of parlache expressions here.
Essential Spanish Phrases for English-Speaking Visitors
The Spanish language has a wide range of uses; we have just learned about the urban usage of common words and slang expressions; however, if you need Spanish useful travel phrases, here are some of them for English-speaking tourists in Medellin.
Do you want to know how you get to a place? You may ask ¿Cómo llego a…? (How do I get to…?) This is a handy phrase to ask for directions to any place you want to go. For example, ¿Cómo llego al Parque Lleras? (How do I get to Parque Lleras?)
If you want to buy something, you can ask for the price first. ¿Cuánto cuesta…? (How much does… cost?) This is a useful phrase to ask for the price of anything you want to buy or do. For example, ¿Cuánto cuesta el pasaje? (How much does the ticket cost?)
Whether you ask for help, you can say, ¿Me puede ayudar? (Can you help me?) This is a polite way to ask for help from anyone you encounter. For example, ¿Me puede ayudar a encontrar El Tesoro Mall? (Can you help me get to El Tesoro Mall.)
Another useful phrase could be “Ask for the restroom.” If you are dining in a restaurant, and you need to go to the bathroom, you can say, ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)
When asking for suggestions, you can say ¿Qué me recomienda? (What do you recommend?) This is a great phrase to ask for suggestions from locals on what to see, do, eat, or drink. For example, ¿Qué me recomienda para comer? (What do you recommend for eating?)
Final Thoughts
These were just some of the many useful Spanish expressions for English-speaking tourists in Medellin and the familiar slang expressions you may hear everywhere. Learning these phrases will help you communicate better with the locals or enjoy your trip more if you only want to get into the culture. Remember to always be respectful and friendly when speaking Spanish in Medellin, and you’ll have a wonderful time in this beautiful city.
It does not matter if you don’t speak Spanish; at Medellin VIP, we work with bilingual staff. They can help you navigate the city without facing language barriers. Our personalized concierge services and private transportation will make it easier for you to visit Medellin while you enjoy the city and learn about its vibrant culture.
