11 Nicaraguan Words and Phrases You Need to Know

You might hear this if someone drives “super-fast,” as a way of describing their speed. El chofer manejaba a todo mamón means, “The driver was going really fast.”

A white or pale-skinned person is often referred to as a chele, from leche, meaning “milk.”

It might literally translate as “Give it, then,” but the phrase is used to mean, “OK.” “Shall we go to the cinema?” “Dale pues.”

This is used to refer to a person, but mainly among young people. Some adults might not be too pleased to be referred to as a maje, so use it carefully if you are in older company.

Use this to describe something that you think is really cool. Tus zapatos son deacachimba means, “Your shoes are super-cool.”

If you hear this one, you might be about to get in on a secret. In Nicaragua, cuecho means “gossip.”

If you’re the youngest of the family, you’re el cumiche. Mi hermano Roberto es el cumiche means, “My brother Roberto is the youngest.”

Literally, this one translates as “walking 11th street,” but it’s used to mean “walk,” because your silhouette looks like a number 11.

If you don’t believe something, you can use this phrase to show your disbelief. For example, if someone says they went on a date with a celebrity, you can respond with Solo mate sos.

Use this one if you are amazed to hear something. It’s the Nicaraguan equivalent of “Wow!”

This one can also be used to describe something cool. Tus amigos son tuanis means, “Your friends are cool!”

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