Have you ever found yourself wandering through town or into a store where people are speaking your language but … not? Where it sounds like the things they’re saying are entirely made up? Well, that’s probably because they’re using some kind of slang, and if you’re not a part of the same generation you could have a hard time following what they’re saying. Which is why it’s a good idea to learn more about Miami slang for yourself.
General Slang:
These are some general words that you’ll hear a lot in Miami but you also might hear in other parts of the country as well. These Miami sayings are common around town.
Bro: This one is used to address … well, anyone. You’ll hear ‘bro, let’s go out tonight,’ quite a bit, and it could refer to anyone, no matter their age or gender. (‘Bro’ isn’t just for guys.)
Irregardless: You might hear this one outside of Miami as well, but basically it means the same thing as ‘regardless.’
Super: Yes, we know this is a common word that a lot of people use, but in Miami it’s used for just about everything. ‘super-hot’ or ‘super-fast.’
Supposably: Another one that you might hear in other places as well but it’s very popular in Miami. It’s a variation on ‘supposedly.’
A Mission: When something is difficult or annoying it could be said that it’s ‘a mission.’ Something like ‘Getting there is going to be such a mission with no car.’
Getty: This is a shortened form of the phrase ‘get together.’ And when we refer to a ‘get together’ it’s like an event. So, ‘that getty last weekend was a blast.’
Literally: This one has gone in and out multiple times over the years but in Miami it’s generally used to emphasize absolutely anything. It’s also dragged out so that instead of being four syllables it could be … well, as many as you want. It sounds more like ‘leeterally’ and it could be used a lot in a short span of time as well.
Key Rats/Beach Rats: These are people who are local to a specific area and don’t really leave. So ‘Key Rats’ are those who live on Key Biscayne, while ‘Beach Rats’ are those who live on Miami Beach.
Speaking Spanglish:
‘Spanglish’ is a slang term on its own that generally refers to a mix between Spanish and English. So here are a few Miami phrases that fit the bill.
Casa Yuca: A place that’s very far away, especially if it’s very much out of the way to get there. For example: ‘I don’t feel like going to Casa Yuca just to get a beer.’
Chanx: ‘Chancletas’ are flip-flops in Spanish, but you might hear them referred to as ‘chanx’ instead.
Pero Like: ‘Pero’ means but in Spanish, and you might hear people using this combination of Spanish and English quite frequently “that skirt is super cute, pero like it’s very expensive.”
Que Cute: ‘Que’ means how, so if you’re hearing this one it’s a literal mix of the two words, ‘how cute.’ But it’s used in a Spanglish configuration.
Pastillera Fest: This one is used in reference to a party, and not just any party, a rave that includes large quantities of pills.
Congelo Con Take it Easy: A relatively redundant phrase that’s still quite common. ‘Congelo con’ means ‘take it with’ and paired with ‘take it easy’ … you’re pretty much saying the same thing twice. But it means ‘relax’ or ‘calm down.’
Pure Spanish
Of course, being as you’re in Miami, there is a good chance you’re going to hear some pure Spanish as well. That doesn’t mean these aren’t slang words or phrases, just that they don’t necessarily all have English mixed in.
Chonga: This is a term that refers to Latin women, typically those who are more ‘gangster’ in appearance. Things like big hoop earrings, tight jeans, heavy lipliner, and gel denote these women.
Guagua: A bus. Yep, this one is that simple. It’s a slang term that just refers to the regular old bus.
Mama/Mamita/Mami/Papi/Papo: All of these words may sound like they refer to parents but they’re actually little pet names that are generally used to refer to friends. ‘Mami you are looking fine tonight.’
Que Bola: This one is a question all on its own. It just means ‘what’s up?’ So you can walk into work or up to a friend and ask, ‘que bola?’
Ya Tu Sabes: This phrase simply means, ‘you already know.’ So if you’re saying something and another person responds with ‘ya tu sabes’ it means that they agree with you.
Pata Sucia: It means ‘dirty feet’ and it’s generally used for women, specifically when they take off their shoes in a club and walk around without shoes. Yikes, is that something anyone really wants to do?
Refi: This is probably not one you want to use, but just so you know what people are talking about, ‘refi’ refers to a refugee, or someone ‘straight off the boat’ from Cuba.
Dale: If you’ve ever heard Pitbull you’ve probably heard him use this word quite a bit. But it’s more than just a popular catchphrase. It can mean you agree with what’s being said or it could mean that you’re shocked by what you’re hearing.
What it All Means
Of course, this isn’t a complete listing of all the Miami slang words you’re going to hear, but knowing these ones could give you a heads up the next time you’re out and about. Just be sure that before you’re using these terms yourself you have a good understanding of their meaning and who you’re speaking with. Are you ready to head out on the town yourself? Well then, you’re going to want to check out RealCar to find out about luxury car rental Miami for your trip into the heart of Miami. And now that you know what people are saying … you might have even more fun along the way.
