Favorite Tico Words

In PC Costa Rica, we have a magazine created by volunteers. In every edition, it features a couple of volunteers and they give basic information. For example, they list their favorite Spanish word. Thinking about what I would write if featured, I created this list of favorite Spanish words. Some of these words are self explanatory. Others are cultural and therefore I include examples.

Pereza—Almost synonymous with lazy. However, its more respectable and a valid excuse. It means that there is something that you could be doing or should be doing. But to do it is so boring that it makes you lazy.

Example: It’s raining outside and you have to clean the house, but you’re not in the mood to do so. One can say “Que pereza.”

Example: You have to study for an exam but a tv show is about to start. Que pereza.

Example: I just woke up and am looking at my task list. However, I make myself a couple of coffee and just stare into the mountains. “Tengo (I have) pereza.”

Your next door neighbor invited you over but you don’t really want to leave your house. “Que pereza.!”

Its not procrastination or being lazy. Its pereza!

Ooopay: People don’t knock on doors here. That’s probably because the front door is kept open to give a steady breeze. So instead, the visitor sings “ooooooooooooooooopay.” I love it and insist on naming my next dog “Oopay.” That way, if someone sings this, the dog will great them!

Carapichi: By far the most vulgar word on this list. It means “dick face.” My neighbor is proud of herself for teaching me this word and my easiness to use.

Diay: So many uses.

Example: You and your friends go to the mall but you disappear on them. When they finally find you they say: “Diay Q, what happened to you?”

Example: You and your friends go to the local store. One person says, “Q, buy me an icecream.” You respond “Diay!”

Fue Puta / Fue Putica: Literally, it means “that was a bitch.” It’s appropriate for all age levels: the 1 yr old learning to talk that accidently drops his bottle on the floor to the 95 year old man that accidently slams his hand in the door.

At part of my community integration, I’m proud of my ability to pull these words off. When I say them correctly and at the right moment, my neighbor glows with pride at “dirtying” my Spanish vocab.