One of the Spanish-speaking countries many learners dream to visit is, undoubtedly, Venezuela.
Located on the Latin American continent, Venezuela is a great mixture of all races and cultures, making only a Venezuelan unique world.
So many amazing places to visit and so many fantastic people to meet and practice the language with.
No wonder why Venezuelan Spanish is one of the favorites.
If you are among Venezuelan fans, you already know that using Venezuelan slang is a must, especially if you want to communicate with the locals.
That’s why we’ve gathered the most used and cool Venezuelan phrases to help you speak like a pro so that even your Spanish tutors will be surprised.
So now, let’s get started.
Venezuelan Slang Phrases
Bolo
Meaning: Money
Venezuela’s currency is the bolivar. Therefore, no wonder the word ‘bolo’ in slang is the word for ‘money,’
However, be careful when you use this word because, in some countries of the Hispanic world, the word ‘bolo’ means ‘penis,’ so you don’t want to be misunderstood.
Example: Tengo bolo para pagarlo.- I have enough money to pay for it.
Cagado de la Risa
Meaning: Laughing out loud/ Easy thing to do.
This phrase’s perfect English equivalent is ‘lmao,’ which means that something is so funny that you can stop laughing.
Another context it can be used is when you want to say that something is a really easy thing to do.
Example: ¡Cagado de la risa viendo a esa niña!- I’m laughing out loud watching this little girl.
Chamo/ Chama
Meaning: Bro
Coming from the English ‘chum,’ this is a perfect phrase for someone you would name your close friends. In Venezuela, people usually don’t use the word ‘amigo’ so this one is perfect to show the combination of English and Spanish culture and heritage.
Example: ¿Qué más chamo? - What’s up bro?
Chévere
Meaning: Amazing, cool, nice
This phrase is one of the most commonly used and also the one you will hear the most in the Venezuelan streets. Interestingly, it is also used in Colombia as slang, so here, you’ll hit two birds with one stone.
Example: El sitio es muy chévere- This place is really cool.
¡Coño!
Meaning: Damn it!
You’ve probably heard this phrase many times.
It is one of the most widespread slang words in the Hispanic world so not only Venezuelans use it but in other Spanish-speaking countries, too.
One of the meanings is ‘damn it,’ but depending on the context, it can also mean something even worse, or should we say less polite. You probably know what we mean but even though we all are grown up, we are polite, so we won’t mention the word.
Example: ¡Coño, qué buena está! ― Damn she looks good!
¡Epa!
Meaning: Hey, Hi!
Here’s another word you can use in other Spanish countries, mainly Venezuela’s neighboring ones.
The phrase is an informal one but also optimistic and full of warm wishes, so you can use it to greet close friends, call a waiter, or use it in casual conversations to salute others.
Example: ¡Epa! ¿Cómo te va hoy?- How 's it going?
¡Está Peluo!
Meaning: It’s difficult.
This phrase should be pronounced as ¡Está peludo! But Venezuelans usually don’t pronounce the letter ‘d’ in words.
It is a slang synonym for anything you find hard to do, to say, or to act.
Example: La vaina está pelúa.- The situation got critical.
Gafo
Meaning: silly, dummy
Even though literally this word means dumb or idiot, it can be used among close friends when they act silly.
Example: Pedro, no seas gafo. No tienes nada que perder.- Pedro, don’t be silly. You have nothing to lose.
Marico/ Marica
Meaning: Bro
Here’s one more phrase Venezuelans use with their close friends.
You should be very careful, though, with this phrase because it is also an insult. Literally, it means ‘fag,’ so you have to be very close with someone to use the phrases that they don’t feel that’s an insult.
Example: ¡Coño marico! No te vi entrar!- ¡Holy crap, bro! I didn’t see you coming in!
Que Elegancia de la Francia
Meaning: classy
This slang expression is used not only in Venezuela but also in other Hispanic countries especially because of its rhyme.
Besides rhyming, it is generally believed throughout the world that France is known for its classy and sophisticated people and style. Along with rhyme and this stereotype, it is used when you want someone or something to describe as classy.
Example: (when you are walking down the street and come across a beautiful girl dressed with style and walking sophisticatedly) ¡Qué elegancia la de Francia!- Classy!
Si Va!
Meaning: Alright!
The synonym of the word ‘¡Claro!’ This one is one of my favorites because it is a quick way to say that you agree with someone or something.
Example: Si va! Nos vemos mañana – Alright! See you tomorrow.
Tener Caligüeva
Meaning: to be in a lazy mood and don’t want to do anything
Not all days are great when you have all the energy and positivity for everything that’s waiting for you that day. Sometimes we just want to stay in bed the whole day and just do nothing. Those days, ‘tener caligüeva’ is an ideal phrase to describe that condition.
Example: Tengo que acabar la tarea para mañana pero tengo caligüeva.- I must finish tomorrow's homework but I’m not in the mood.
Tengo Raton
Meaning: I’m hangover
Literally, this expression can be translated as ‘I have a mouse’, but no mice are included. It is used when you drink too many beers, for example, and the next morning you’re having a pretty bad hangover.
Example: Tengo un ratón en la cabeza. — I have a hangover.
Vaina
Meaning: Thing
This slang word in Venezuela is commonly used for one good reason: it can mean anything, from some situation through emotions to things. Therefore, it can be used in many different contexts properly.
Example: La vaina está pelúa. - The situation became critical.
¿Vas a Seguir Abigaíl?
Meaning: Keep quiet! / Shut up!
Literally translated as ‘Are you still going on, Abigaíl?’ This phrase is used when someone is so annoying that others can’t listen to him anymore.
You must be wondering, why ‘Abigail’? Why haven't they chosen some other name, preferably some Latino name?
The origin of this expression is even more interesting. During the 1980s there was a telenovela called ‘Abigail’ which was very popular. Over time, however, it became quite monotonous and boring so that the whole story didn’t make sense anymore. Nevertheless, the telenovela had more than 250 episodes each lasting around 1 hour.
Example: Alexandro: ¿Falta mucho para llegar a casa?¿Cuándo llegamos?- How much do we have to come home? When do we get there?
Pedro: Vas a seguir Abigail?- Just keep quiet!
Final Thoughts
And now you are prepared to visit Venezuela, walk the streets of Caracas, and chit-chat with the locals like you were born there.
On your way to memorizing slang phrases and expressions, don’t forget to pick them up through movies, tv shows, or listening to podcasts.
And don’t just stop here. Learn other slang phrases from other Spanish dialects, such as Mexican slang words or other Spanish slang words to sound like a true Spaniard.
If you're interested in improving your Spanish skills, you should try some of these cool options:
Check out Babbel for fun, interactive lessons that fit into your day easily.
If you want something more in-depth, there's a great Spanish course on Coursera that covers everything from the basics to more advanced topics.
And if you prefer learning with a personal touch, Lingoda offers classes with native speakers that can really help you practice speaking.
What do Venezuelans call each other?
They call each other pana, which means pal, buddy, friend, mate.
What are some common Venezuelan slang phrases?
Bolo - Money, Cagado de la Risa - Laughing out loud/ Easy thing to do, Chamo/ Chama - Bro, Chévere - Amazing, cool, nice, ¡Coño! - Damn it!, ¡Epa! - Hey, Hi!, ¡Está Peluo! - It’s difficult, Gafo - silly, dummy, Marico/ Marica - Bro, Que Elegancia de la Francia - classy, Si Va! - Alright!, Tener Caligüeva - to be in a lazy mood and don’t want to do anything, Tengo Raton - I’m hangover, Vaina -Thing, ¿Vas a Seguir Abigaíl? - Keep quiet! / Shut up!
