Top 10 Venezuelan Slang Words to Sound Like a Local

Get ready to dive into the vibrant world of Venezuelan culture through its unique jargon! Venezuela isn’t just a place; it’s a lively blend of traditions, and its slang is your passport to feeling right at home. We’re about to decode 10 of the most common words and phrases of Venezuelan slang. Whether you’re envisioning sharing chicha (local drink) with newfound friends or blending seamlessly into the lively street chatter, mastering this slang will make you feel like a local in the heart of Venezuela. 

Why Learn Venezuelan Slang Terms?

Venezuela, the land of sunshine, breathtaking beaches, lively music, and world-famous arepas, is a vibrant mosaic of culture. A country full of warm-hearted and hospitable people who share a unique language: Venezuelan slang. Dive into this linguistic playground, and you’ll discover a tongue that mirrors Venezuela’s spirit – friendly, lively, and full of flavor.

But why should you bother learning Venezuelan slang? As a Venezuelan myself, I can tell you it’s like having a secret handshake with the locals. By tossing around slang words and phrases, you’re not just a traveler, you’re part of the fiesta! You’ll find a Venezuelan community in several countries of Latin America and around the world, and knowing their slang is your ticket to experiencing part of their culture. So, if you’re ready to blend in like a local, grab your maracas and let’s speak Venezolano. 

Common Venezuelan Slang Words

These 10 popular words and phrases will add a dash of Venezuelan flair to your chats.

1. Chévere

Chévere is like the icing on the cake of Venezuelan slang! It means “cool” or “awesome.” It’s like giving a thumbs-up to something that’s great or exciting. You can use it to give a nod of approval to something great, whether it’s a mouthwatering arepa (typical dish) or an amazing concert. It’s a versatile and positive word, often used to share enthusiasm and positivity in everyday conversations. So, go ahead, toss a chévere into your chatter, and watch your conversations become a bit livelier and more fun.

Examples: 

If someone asks you how your day was, you might reply with “Estuvo chévere” (It was cool), indicating that your day was good or enjoyable.

A: “¿Qué te pareció el nuevo restaurant de la esquina?” (What do you think about the new restaurant around the corner?)

B: “¡Muy chévere!” (Really good!)

2. Vaina

Ah, vaina – the chameleon of Venezuelan slang! This word is like the Swiss Army knife of language, serving as your catch-all word for referring to all things vague and mysterious. It’s the ultimate linguistic shapeshifter that can mean “thing,” “stuff,” or even “issue,” depending on the context. Vaina is a flexible word used to talk about various topics or objects casually. Just remember, it’s the wild child of slang, so it’s best used in casual conversations with friends or in relaxed settings. 

Examples: 

When someone throws a “¿Qué es esa vaina?” (What’s that thing?), they’re showing surprise because of something that is not totally clear to them. 

“Esas son las vainas que no me gustan de este trabajo” (This is the kind of stuff I don’t like about this job)

3. Chimbo

Chimbo takes the stage as the critic of all things disappointing. This common slang word is used for anything of poor quality, fake, or simply disappointing. It’s similar to calling something “lousy” or “crummy” in English. It’s like giving a thumbs-down to things that just don’t make the cut. Plus, chimbo isn’t afraid to call out unreliable folks or sketchy situations. So, chimbo is used in informal conversations when discussing things that didn’t meet expectations or were subpar in some way.

Examples: 

If someone bought a product that turned out to be of low quality, they might say, “Este producto es chimbo” (This product is lousy), indicating their disappointment with it.

“No llames a ese tipo, es un electricista chimbo” (Don’t call that guy, he’s an unreliable electrician)

4. Labia

Labia – the gift of gab, Venezuelan style! This word is used to describe someone who is smooth-talking or persuasive. When someone’s got labia it means they can talk you into doing just about anything, from joining their wild adventure to supporting their quirky ideas. It’s like having a silver tongue with extra sparkle. Labia is often used in a positive context to acknowledge someone’s ability to communicate effectively and convincingly. It’s a word that highlights the power of words and the art of persuasion.

Examples: 

If you ever hear someone say, “Tiene mucha labia” (They’ve got tons of charm), you know the person has great communication/presuasion skills.

“Se necesita tener labia para tener éxito en las ventas” (You need to be a smooth talker to succeed in sales)

5. Pilas

The word pilas is a term used to encourage someone to pay attention, be alert, or be cautious. It literally translates to “batteries”, which gives the idea to focus your energy on something. It’s similar to saying “heads up” or “be careful” in English. It’s like a verbal alert system that keeps you one step ahead of the game. But it’s also used to describe someone who is sharp, quick-witted, or smart in catching things quickly. So, pilas can convey both a sense of vigilance and intelligence, depending on the context in which it’s used. 

Examples: 

When someone tells you “tienes que estar pilas” or simply “¡pilas!,” they are advising you to be vigilant or attentive to a particular situation. 

“Tu hermano menor es muy pilas. Entendió el juego la primera vez que lo expliqué.” 

(Your little brother is really sharp. He understood the game the first time I explained it)

6. Echar los perros

In Venezuelan slang, “echar los perros” is a phrase used to describe someone’s attempt to flirt or make romantic advances towards someone else. Its literal meaning is to “throw the dogs”. It’s similar to saying “hitting on someone”, “making a move” or “shooting their shot” in English. When someone says that someone else is “echando los perros”, they’re basically saying, “Check out that smooth operator making their move!” “Echar los perros” is a colloquial phrase used in conversations about dating, relationships, or romantic interactions. 

Examples:

If a friend tells you, “Ese chico está echándole los perros a Ana” (That guy is hitting on Ana), it means that the guy is trying to woo Ana or is making romantic advances towards her.

A: “Me estoy volviendo loco por ella” (I’m going crazy about her)

B: “¿Por qué no le echas los perros?” (Why don’t you make your move?)

7. Echarle pichón

“Echarle pichón” is a phrase used to encourage or support someone. It literally translates to “throw a pigeon”, so it can finally fly. It’s similar to saying “give it your all” or “go for it” in English. When someone tells you to “echarle pichón”, they are urging you to put in your best effort or to be determined to pursue a goal or task. It’s a nod to determination, a verbal high-five to encourage you to tackle your goals head-on. 

Examples:

If a friend is about to take an important exam, you might say, “¡Échale pichón!” (Give it your all) to motivate them to do their best.

A: “Decidí dejar mi empleo y abrir mi propio negocio”. (I’ve decided to quit my job and start my own business)

B: “Échale pichón, campeón!” (Go for it, champ!)

8. Arroz con mango

In Venezuelan slang, “arroz con mango” is a phrase used to describe a chaotic or disorganized situation. It literally translates to “rice with mango”, which is not exactly the finest recipe. It’s similar to saying that something is a “mess” or “total chaos” in English. So, when a Venezuelan drops the “arroz con mango” bomb, they’re telling you that things have gone full-on circus mode. It’s like saying, “this is a total mess!”. It’s often used in casual conversations to describe situations that have become chaotic or unruly.

Examples: 

If someone is describing a party that got out of control with people and things everywhere, they might say, “La fiesta fue un arroz con mango”. (The party was a total mess).

A: “No sé si estudiar Derecho, Ingeniería o Medicina” (I’m not sure whether to study Law, Engineering, or Medicine)

B: “Tienes un arroz con mango en la cabeza” (Your head is a mess)

9. Jalar bolas

In Venezuelan slang, “jalar bolas” is a phrase used to describe someone who is trying to flatter or suck up to another person in order to gain favor or approval. It’s like saying someone’s pouring on compliments thicker than a peanut butter sandwich at lunchtime. When someone accuses another person of “jalar bolas”, they are suggesting that the person is insincerely complimenting or ingratiating themselves with someone for personal gain. So, if you ever find yourself in a sea of flattery and compliments that seem as genuine as a plastic flamingo, just remember, they might be “jalando bolas”!

Examples: 

If someone is excessively praising their boss or supervisor with the intention of getting a promotion, their colleagues might say, “Ese tipo siempre está jalándole bolas al jefe” (That guy is always brown-nosing the boss).

A: “Amor, te dije lo guapo que te ves” (Honey, have I told how handsome you look?)

B: “No hace falta que me jales bola, ¿qué necesitas?” (There’s no need to suck up, what do you need?)

10. Un pelo

“Un pelo” is a phrase used to describe something that is very small or of minimal quantity. It’s like saying “a tiny bit” or “a pinch” in English. When Venezuelans use “un pelo” in a sentence, they are emphasizing that something is extremely small or in very limited amounts. “Un pelo” is a casual and informal phrase often used in everyday conversations to highlight the smallness or insignificance of something. It’s a fun way to express the idea of “just a tad” or “a smidgen”.

Examples: 

For instance, picture yourself at a feast, and someone hands you a plate with a teensy portion of dessert. You can shake your head and quip, “Un pelo más, por favor” (A tiny bit more, please).

When discussing a task’s complexity, you might quirk an eyebrow and say, “Es un pelo complicado” (It’s a bit complicated), implying it’s not quite rocket science.

Learn Spanish with Langoly!

There are many ways to learn Venezuelan slang.  For example, you can use apps to find an exchange partner or to increase your vocabulary. If you want to learn more idioms and curious sayings, I recommend you check different Spanish books. You might also want to listen to podcasts to familiarize yourself with Venezuelan Spanish. To practice reading while you listen, make sure to browse YouTube videos created by Venezuelan Spanish speakers and turn on the subtitles.

But, if you prefer a more structured way of learning, an online course is a great option. We created the Siempre Spanish course to help you learn the language the way it’s spoken by native speakers. Forget about memorizing long lists of words. With this course, you’ll complete different interactive activities and learn to use Spanish in context. Study with the help of native speakers and become conversational quickly!