Ask, “¿Habla inglés?” if you want to know if someone speaks English. Since English is spoken so widely, chances are someone will be able to help you. It’s also helpful to learn how to ask for someone who speaks your language. To let people know you don’t speak Spanish, tell them “No hablo español.” ![]() If you’re looking for another location, substitute that place in for “el baño.”Īnother important question is “❼uánto cuesta?” or, “How much does it cost?” Lots of people say that the most important phrase to learn in a foreign language is, “Where is the bathroom?” When in Costa Rica, you can ask, “❽ónde está el baño?” Important Basic Phrases in SpanishĮven if you don’t speak any Spanish at all, there are a few phrases you might want to memorize before your trip. Taxi is the same in both Spanish and English. “Boleto” means ticket for transportation, such as a plane or train ticket. To make your request more polite, add a “por favor” at the end. A little politeness goes a long way, so remember to say please and thank you. ![]() If your Spanish is limited, try learning these important vocabulary words before your trip. People there might also speak a language that combines French, English and Spanish, called Patua or Mekatelyu. Many of them are from Jamaica, so they speak Carribean English. Lots of people in the area speak English. In the Limón Province, along the coast, you will hear a lot of languages that aren’t Spanish. For example, they say “thou” instead of “you.” Many of the people from this community now also speak Spanish. Despite their relatively recent immigration, they speak very old-fashioned English. In Monteverde, you can find descendents of an American Quaker group that moved to the area in the 1950s. The “güen” is pronounced as “gwen,” so the word can be said as ver-gwen-sa. Instead, you can say “Tengo vergüenza.” That lets people know exactly how you feel. It’s a false cognate, so it doesn’t mean what English speakers assume it does. If you’re trying to tell people that you are embarrassed, avoid making the problem worse by telling them “Estoy embarazado.” You might think you’re telling them about how silly you feel, but embarazado actually means pregnant. If you want something to take with you to the beach or the spa, ask for a “paño.” That’s how Ticos say towel. In my lovely country, however, that word means tampon. In countries other than Costa Rica, toalla means towel. Costa Ricans are different: we use “-ico” instead of “ito.” Avoid Embarrassing Mistakes For example, a perro is a dog, and a perrito is a puppy. It’s used a lot when talking to babies and children, or as a term of endearment. In Spanish, people add “-ito” to the end of words to show that something is small and/or cute. The more proper word for money is dinero. Harina and plata are both slang words for money. If someone tells you “suave,” they’re asking you to wait. For the day after, you’ll want to remember goma, so you can complain about your hangover. Remember that in Spanish the J is pronounced as an H. Jumas means a person who loves to drink all the time or a drunk. “Upe” is a word people call out to get someone’s attention, especially when calling someone out of their home or room, so this is a good one to remember. People use the word “macho” or “macha” to describe somebody with light skin and hair. Those who love soda in English will want to remember this, so you don’t get disappointed by signs that seem to be promising your favorite beverage. It’s a great place to get an authentic taste of the country. Groups of women can be called Ticas, but any mixed-gender group will be called Ticos, because of how Spanish grammar works.Ī soda is any small restaurant that serves up traditional Costa Rican food. Other Slang You’ll Hear in Costa RicaĬosta Ricans often call themselves Ticos. ![]() The phrase is contagious, and by the time you have to go home, you’ll be saying it too. Visitors love it because it embodies the calm, relaxing Costa Rican vacation that they are enjoying. People use it as a greeting to their friends, and they even use it to say goodbye.Ĭosta Ricans embrace this phrase because it represents a laid-back approach to life that focuses on the positive. It can be used to describe the general state of things, if everything is fine.įor example, if someone asks how you’re doing as you sit on the beach drinking something cold and fruity, you could tell them, “pura vida.” People use it to describe how they’re feeling or someone’s personality. The most famous Costa Rican saying is “ pura vida.” Literally translated, it means “pure life.” But in this country, it means much more than that. Check Price The Costa Rican Motto – “Pura Vida”
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