Colombiabacano
adjective · Informal · bah-KAH-noh
Great, cool, enjoyable. The safe all-purpose compliment in Colombian Spanish — usable in front of your in-laws, which is exactly what distinguishes it from chimba.
+1 more sense
Colombia
Colombian Slang for Approval & Praise
6 Colombian slang terms for approval & praise, each with its meaning, how it is pronounced and an example of it in use.
Words for saying something is good, impressive or exactly right. Nearly every language builds a large vocabulary here, and the words turn over fast — yesterday’s compliment is this year’s cringe.
berraco
adjective, noun · Colloquial · beh-RRAH-koh
Tough, gutsy, formidably good at something. 'Es un berraco' is high praise for someone who works relentlessly or has come through something hard.
+2 more senses
chimba
noun, adjective, interjection · Vulgar · CHEEM-bah
Excellent, brilliant. '¡Qué chimba!' is the strongest everyday expression of enthusiasm Colombians have, and 'una chimba de carro' is a fantastic car.
+2 more senses
Use with care
de una
phrase, adverb · Informal · deh OO-nah
Absolutely; I'm in; let's do it. The standard enthusiastic yes to an invitation, and one of the most frequent two-word exchanges in Colombian Spanish.
+1 more sense
mera
adjective, adverb · Regional · MEH-rah
Intensifier placed before a noun, meaning 'absolute' or 'total': mera nota, mera chimba, mera vaina. Strongly marked as vallecaucano and Pacific-coast speech.
+1 more sense
teso
adjective, noun · Informal · TEH-soh
Extremely good at something; an expert. 'Un teso del Excel' is the person the whole office asks.
+1 more sense