Input tags: This is how we talk in Colombia

Learn and know a language it goes beyond understanding the grammar and formal systems of the language, its rules and exceptions. It is necessary to understand the way in which native speakers express themselves, the way they speak according to their customs and the expressions they use on a daily basis to communicate.

There are idiomatic expressions that are common for speakers of various Latin American countries. There are also some that are specific to some particular countries or regions.

Here we present 10 idiomatic expressions that are widely used in Colombia and that you will surely hear and use if you come to this South American country. Each expression is exemplified with a phrase in context, to better understand it:

1. To the order: Phrase widely used in stores, warehouses and commerce in general. It means that the person who sells is at the customer's disposal to help him with what he needs.

“To order, go ahead. How can I help you?"

2. Make someone fat: If someone makes us fat, it means that we don't like their way of being or their behavior. In the same way, if someone falls fat, it means that that person does not like us and that they do not see us favorably.

“Jorge makes me fat. He is very unfriendly and daring "

3. Take it soft: If you are stressed or anxious about something and you are about to explode, it is better to take it soft; take a deep breath and relax. There is nothing for you to gain by being troubled or in a bad mood:

“Hey, take it easy, we can't do anything anymore. We have to wait until next week."

4. Give papaya: It means giving someone the opportunity to hurt, be mocked or sabotaged in a particular way.

"If you give papaya on the street, they can rob you"

5. Stand pan: A very common saying that means that someone is going through a bad time, it can be financial, health or sentimental.

"I ran out of money for this week and I'm paila"

6. Make the bear: It is making a fool of yourself in front of other people or being involved in a situation that causes shame to those who live it.

“Wow, what a tremendous bear I did last night at the party hugging everyone; I think I drank too much"

7. Make the cow: This expression is used when you want to collect money from several people to buy something. Each one contributes in equal parts or with what they can contribute.

“Let's do the cow to buy a pizza. I put 10.000 pesos”

8. Just in case: It is better to be cautious and anticipate events that may happen to deal with them effectively. Be prepared for possible contingencies in the future.

“Let's take more money for the trip in case the flies. It is possible that we spend more than we think ”.

9. Cool: This expression is one of the most used in Colombia to indicate that we like something and it seems very good to us, be it a situation or a person.

“How cool that you were able to graduate from college. You are going to be very successful in your career.”

10. Knock someone down: When someone is charged more money than is owed for a product or service, they can be said to have been knocked down. It is the equivalent of scamming someone or being scammed.

“They charged me 50.000 pesos for this bag, but later I noticed that the true price was 30.000. I think they knocked me down ”.

Like these, there are many more expressions that you should learn if you want to have a good level of communication with native speakers. Study Spanish and their idiomatic expressions is something really interesting and enriching: it leads us to get to know the culture of the speakers of this language and learn more about their way of life.

En Nueva Lengua can to learn Spanish and learn more idiomatic expressions used in Colombia and its different regions. Remember that there is nothing more cool than correctly understanding the speakers of the language you study.

Zach and Isadora tell us about their experience in Colombia and how they have learned some idiomatic expressions that have helped them better understand the way Colombian speakers communicate.