Lingobi: Learn Languages
By Lingobi, Published on 10/26/2025
When you learn Spanish, you often learn standard vocabulary—but real conversations use regional slang. In Nicaragua, locals use unique words and phrases that you won’t typically hear elsewhere. Learning them helps you understand native speakers, fit in culturally, and sound less like a beginner. Below is a detailed guide to Nicaraguan slang, with meanings, example sentences, and notes on usage.
Nicaraguan Spanish (sometimes called “Nicañol”) includes influence from indigenous languages and unique local usage. Slang reflects daily life, social relationships, and culture. Once you know a few key terms, you’ll start noticing them when you listen to conversations, TV shows, or travel in Nicaragua.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bacanal | big party / wild gathering | «Anoche hubo un bacanal en San Juan del Sur.» |
| chunche | thing / object (when name is forgotten) | «Pásame ese chunche que está allí.» |
| maje (or mae) | dude / buddy (informal) | «¿Qué pasa, maje? ¿Todo bien?» |
| tuani (or tuanis) | cool / awesome | «¡Ese concierto estuvo tuani!» |
| tapudo / tapuda | gossip or liar (someone always talking) | «Ese tapudo no deja de hablar de los demás.» |
| chinelas | flip-flops / sandals | «Dejé mis chinelas en la playa.» |
| jaña | girlfriend (informal) | «Ella es mi jaña desde hace un año.» |
| jaño | boyfriend (informal) | «Juan es el jaño de María.» |
| chele / chela | light-skinned / blonde person (used informally) | «El chele de calles es muy amable.» |
| ideay | “what?” / expression of surprise | «Ideay, ¿ya no vas a venir?» |
Slang is informal by nature. That means you’ll hear it among friends, locals and young people—but it may not be appropriate in formal settings like business meetings or official documents. Here are a few tips:
Don’t just read — practice this topic in the Lingobi app and start improving today!
When you master regional slang, you move beyond textbook Spanish and start speaking like a local. That means better listening comprehension, deeper connections with native speakers, and more confidence when chatting casually. On Lingobi, you can practice with native Nicaraguans or other Spanish speakers—and test out slang in real chats and voice calls.
Mistake: Using “bacanal” to mean “bakery” (“panadería”).
Correct: “Vamos a una bacanal esta noche.” – We’re going to a big party.
Mistake: Calling someone “chele” without knowing local tone.
Correct: “Ese chele es mi amigo.” – That light-skinned guy is my friend (in a friendly way).
Pick two or three of the slang terms above, write down a short conversation using them, and then try that conversation in real time with someone on Lingobi. Real use = real progress.
Turn what you’ve read into real progress — practice and improve inside the Lingobi app.
