20 Chilean Spanish Slang Words and Expressions Only Locals Use
Chile has a reputation for the fastest, most slang heavy Spanish in Latin America. Here are 20 Chilean words and expressions, with meanings and examples, so you can follow a real conversation in Santiago instead of just the textbook version.
Ask any Spanish learner who has traveled across Latin America which country broke their confidence, and a lot of them will say Chile. Chilean Spanish is fast, full of dropped consonants, and packed with Chilean Spanish slang that you will not find in any classroom. Understand the local words, though, and Chile becomes one of the warmest, funniest places to practice.
This guide covers 20 essential pieces of Chilean slang, from filler words you will hear in the first minute to expressions that make you sound like you actually live there. Each one comes with a meaning, an example, and a note on register so you know when to use it.
A Quick Note Before the List
Chileans use tú, but in casual speech they bend the verb endings: "¿tú cachái?" instead of "¿tú cachas?", "¿cómo estái?" instead of "¿cómo estás?". You do not need to copy this to be understood, but recognizing it will save you a lot of confusion. Chileans also add po to the end of sentences constantly, a softened version of "pues" that means nothing on its own and everything for the rhythm.
The Filler Words You Will Hear Immediately
1. Cachái
The single most Chilean word. It means "you get it?" or "you know?", dropped at the end of sentences the way English speakers use "right?". It comes from the English "to catch".
Example: "Es como caro, pero vale la pena, cachái." ("It is kind of expensive, but it is worth it, you know.")
2. Po
A filler particle from "pues", tacked onto short answers for emphasis. "Sí po", "no po", "ya po". It is untranslatable and everywhere.
Example: "¿Vamos? Ya po, vamos." ("Shall we go? Alright then, let's go.")
3. Weón / Weona
The workhorse of Chilean slang, from "huevón". Between friends it means "dude" or "mate"; said with the wrong tone to the wrong person it means "idiot". Mildly vulgar, so keep it for casual settings.
Example: "Oye weón, ¿me esperái?" ("Hey dude, will you wait for me?")
4. Cachar
The verb behind "cachái": to understand, to get, or to notice something.
Example: "No caché lo que dijo el profe." ("I did not catch what the teacher said.")
Saying Something Is Good or Bad
5. Bacán
Cool, great, awesome. One of the most useful positive words in the country.
Example: "La fiesta estuvo bacán." ("The party was awesome.")
6. La raja
Also "the best", but stronger and more informal than bacán. Literally cruder, so it stays casual.
Example: "Ese restorán es la raja." ("That restaurant is the best.")
7. Fome
Boring, dull, lame. The opposite of bacán and just as common.
Example: "La película estaba media fome." ("The movie was kind of boring.")
8. Cuático
Intense, over the top, weird, or crazy, depending on context. A Swiss army knife of an adjective.
Example: "Fue todo muy cuático, no sabía qué decir." ("It was all so intense, I did not know what to say.")
9. Brígido
Heavy, intense, or scary. Used for situations that are serious or hard to handle.
Example: "La situación en el trabajo está brígida." ("The situation at work is really rough.")
Learning slang is faster when you hear it inside real stories instead of isolated lists. Our Spanish Slang Bundle puts colloquial expressions in context across several Latin American varieties, so words like these stick.
People, Money, and Daily Life
10. Pololo / Polola
Boyfriend or girlfriend. The verb pololear means to date. Uniquely Chilean and used by everyone.
Example: "Llevan dos años pololeando." ("They have been dating for two years.")
11. Luca
One thousand Chilean pesos. "Diez lucas" is ten thousand pesos. Essential for shopping and splitting bills.
Example: "Me costó veinte lucas." ("It cost me twenty thousand pesos.")
12. Pega
Work or a job. "Andar en la pega" means to be at work.
Example: "Salí tarde de la pega." ("I left work late.")
13. Andar pato
To be broke, to have no money. Literally "to walk duck", and no one is quite sure why.
Example: "Este mes ando pato." ("I am broke this month.")
14. Taco
A traffic jam. In much of Latin America a taco is food, but in Chile it is the reason you are late.
Example: "Había un taco terrible en la Alameda." ("There was terrible traffic on the Alameda.")
15. Guagua
A baby or infant. A word borrowed from Quechua, shared with a few neighboring countries but everyday in Chile.
Example: "La guagua está durmiendo." ("The baby is sleeping.")
Going Out and Hanging Out
16. Carrete
A party or a night out. Carretear is the verb, and a carretero is someone who loves to party.
Example: "El sábado hay carrete en la casa del Pancho." ("On Saturday there is a party at Pancho's place.")
17. Copete
Alcohol, drinks. "Andar con copete" means to be tipsy.
Example: "Compramos copete para el asado." ("We bought drinks for the barbecue.")
18. Piola
Chill, low key, discreet. Something can be piola, or you can "quedarse piola" (stay quiet, keep a low profile).
Example: "Quedémonos piola, no hagamos ruido." ("Let's keep a low profile, let's not make noise.")
19. Filo
Never mind, forget it, whatever. A verbal shrug.
Example: "¿Se enojó? Filo, ya se le pasará." ("Did he get mad? Whatever, he will get over it.")
20. Seco / Seca
Someone very skilled at something. A compliment, not a criticism.
Example: "La Javiera es seca para las matemáticas." ("Javiera is really good at math.")
How to Actually Remember These
Chilean slang moves fast, so treat this list as a starting kit, not a finish line. A few practical tips:
- Focus first on the filler words (cachái, po, weón). They unlock the rhythm, and once your ear adjusts, the rest is easier.
- Watch Chilean creators and shows without subtitles for short bursts. Chilean speed is the real barrier, and only exposure fixes it.
- Notice register. Words like weón and la raja are for friends, not job interviews.
If you want these expressions to sink in through reading rather than memorizing, pair this guide with our Spanish Slang Bundle and our collection of colloquial Latin American short stories, where slang shows up the way you will actually meet it.
For more regional slang, keep exploring: our guide to Argentinian lunfardo and our list of essential Mexican slang phrases make a great next step, and 30 Latin American Spanish idioms ties the whole region together.