20 Colorful Colombian Expressions That Capture the Spirit of the Andes and Coast

Speaking Colombian: More Than Just Words

Colombia is a country where the language dances. From the mountain cities of Medellín and Bogotá to the coastal rhythm of Cartagena and Barranquilla, Colombian Spanish is a mosaic of regional flavors, indigenous influences, African rhythms, and Spanish roots.

What makes Colombian expressions so captivating isn’t just their vividness, but their storytelling power. They reflect the humor, resilience, and creativity of a people who’ve learned to communicate emotion and context with a single phrase. While formal Spanish textbooks give you grammar, these expressions give you life.

For anyone who wants to go beyond basic Spanish and speak like a true Colombian, tools like the Colombian Spanish Essentials bundle are invaluable. It teaches you the most commonly used expressions with native examples, cultural insight, and natural conversation flow so you don’t sound like a tourist reading a dictionary.

Let’s dive into 20 colorful Colombian expressions and unpack the culture, humor, and history behind them—so you can truly live the language.

1. ¡Qué nota!

This expression means “how cool!” or “awesome!” but it’s more than that—it’s a reaction filled with joy and enthusiasm.

• Nota , o “nota”, es un término tomado de la música, lo que le otorga una connotación rítmica y positiva.
• Usado por colombianos tanto jóvenes como mayores, comunica aprobación en un tono relajado y seguro.

Use it like:
Tu playlist está una nota. (Your playlist is amazing.)

2. Estar como una cabra

Goats are erratic, and in Colombia, calling someone a goat (una cabra) implies they’re acting wild or offbeat.

• No es necesariamente un insulto; también puede reflejar el comportamiento atrevido o poco convencional de alguien.
• Piensa en ese amigo que compra un boleto de último momento a Leticia “sólo para ver la selva”.

Use it like:
Carlos dejó su trabajo para irse a recorrer el país en moto. Está como una cabra. (Carlos quit his job to travel the country by motorbike. He’s nuts.)

3. Hacer vaca

You’ll hear this expression often among friends and co-workers. It means pooling money to pay for something together—like snacks, gifts, or drinks.

• Tiene su origen en la idea informal de contribuir a un fondo comunitario, como alimentar a la vaca.

Use it like:
Hicimos vaca para comprarle un regalo a la profe. (We all pitched in to buy the teacher a gift.)

4. Más perdido que turco en la neblina

“More lost than a Turk in the fog” is a funny way to say someone is extremely confused.

• Probablemente se originó a partir de la desorientación de los inmigrantes en un nuevo lugar, mezclado con juegos de palabras colombianos.

Use it like:
Primer día de clases de química... y yo más perdido que turco en la neblina. (First day of chemistry class… and I was totally lost.)

5. Comer cuento

This phrase describes someone who believes lies or exaggerated stories too easily.

• En Colombia, “comerse un cuento” significa tragárselo entero sin cuestionarlo.

Use it like:
Ese político promete mucho, pero no comas cuento. (That politician promises a lot, but don’t believe him blindly.)

6. Dar papaya

An iconic Colombian saying. It means making yourself an easy target, especially for theft or criticism.

• La papaya es suave y fácil de agarrar; no la ofrezcas si no quieres que te la quiten.

Use it like:
No des papaya con ese reloj tan caro en el bus. (Don’t show off that expensive watch on the bus.)

7. Se le fueron las luces

Used when someone forgets something important or zones out completely.

• “Las luces se apagaron” = apagón mental temporal.

Use it like:
Iba a decir algo y… se me fueron las luces. (I was going to say something and… I totally blanked.)

8. ¡De una!

It’s short, snappy, and full of commitment. Think of it as the Colombian version of “I’m in!” or “Let’s do it!”

Use it like:
¿Vamos a Santa Marta este fin de semana? — ¡De una! (Shall we go to Santa Marta this weekend? — I'm in!)

9. Jartera

Describes annoyance, tiredness, or dread—particularly toward obligations or things you don’t want to do.

• Es agotamiento emocional más que físico.

Use it like:
Qué jartera tener que ir al banco. (What a pain to have to go to the bank.)

10. Me lleva el verraco

Verraco is a wild boar—so being carried away by one means you’re extremely frustrated.

• Se utiliza en momentos intensos de rabia o desesperación.

Use it like:
¡Me lleva el verraco con este computador que no arranca! (I’m furious—this computer won’t start!)

11. Estar enguayabado

This expression, unique to Colombian slang, means being hungover. It’s so widespread, it even has its own verb: enguayabarse.

Use it like:
Después de la fiesta, todo el mundo llegó enguayabado al trabajo. (After the party, everyone showed up hungover to work.)

12. Mamadera de gallo

When someone keeps joking around instead of getting serious.

• A los colombianos les encanta el humor, pero esta expresión advierte cuando se pasa de la raya.

Use it like:
No más mamadera de gallo, tenemos que terminar esto hoy. (Enough joking around, we need to finish this today.)

13. Está que echa chispas

Someone is so angry, they're practically sparking.

• Se utiliza tanto con seriedad como con humor según el tono.

Use it like:
La profe está que echa chispas porque nadie hizo la tarea. (The teacher is fuming because no one did the homework.)

14. Más raro que un perro a cuadros

This one paints a hilarious image—“weirder than a checkered dog.” Use it to describe truly odd behavior or things that make no sense.

Use it like:
Ese restaurante vende sushi con tamal. Más raro que un perro a cuadros. (That restaurant sells sushi with tamales. Weird.)

15. Camello

Means hard work or a job. Common among working-class Colombians.

Use it like:
Tengo mucho camello esta semana, no puedo salir. (I’ve got too much work this week—I can’t go out.)

16. Estar embolatado

Feeling lost, overwhelmed, or tangled in too many tasks.

Use it like:
Estoy embolatado con tantas reuniones. (I’m overwhelmed with so many meetings.)

17. Hacerse el loco

Pretending not to see, hear, or understand to avoid responsibility.

Use it like:
Se hizo el loco cuando le hablaron del préstamo. (He acted like he didn’t hear when they asked about the loan.)

18. Irse de jeta

Falling hard—physically or metaphorically. Very visual, very Colombian.

Use it like:
Se fue de jeta patinando en la acera. (She totally face-planted while skating on the sidewalk.)

19. ¡Una chimba!

Slang that means “awesome,” but highly regional and sometimes vulgar. In friendly circles, it's very positive.

Use it like:
Ese concierto estuvo una chimba. (That concert was amazing.)

20. Llevar del bulto

Being blamed or suffering consequences for something that wasn’t your fault.

Use it like:
En ese lío del trabajo, yo llevé del bulto sin culpa. (In that work mess, I got blamed unfairly.)

Beyond Phrases: Living the Language

Mastering these expressions means gaining insight into Colombia’s heart. They are emotional, dramatic, poetic, and often hilarious. They help you bond with locals, understand humor, and express yourself like a true parcero.

To really internalize them, it helps to hear how they sound in conversation and understand the contexts they belong in. That’s exactly what the Colombian Spanish Essentials bundle offers—authentic phrases, practical examples, and cultural tips that make learning not just effective, but deeply enjoyable.

Speak Like You Belong

Learning these expressions is your passport to real Colombian communication. It’s not just about the words—it’s about the feeling behind them. The warmth, the passion, and the creativity of the Colombian people shine through in how they speak.

So go ahead—next time someone says ¿hacemos vaca? or tells you ¡qué nota!, you’ll be ready. And you won’t just be speaking Spanish. You’ll be speaking Colombian.