Paul Glassman’s Costa Rica Guide
PASSPORT PRESS Eleventh Edition Copyright
© 2003 by Paul Glassman
All rights reserved. The reproduction of any part of this book without the author’s written permission is strictly prohibited.
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14. TICO TALK
Spanish in Costa Rica
Recurrent words that might not be in your Spanish vocabulary:
Cabinas Usually basic, cold-water beach accommodations. But cabinas can also be middle-range motel-style units. The common denominator is an outside or courtyard entrance to the room.
Campo Space (as on a bus)
Cien metros One block
Faja Belt. In other countries, a faja is a sash. Not that you need a belt, or a sash, for that matter; this is just by way of illustrating that the Costa Rican language is in some ways stuck in the past.
Fila Line; Haga fila: line up
Huaquero Grave robber, looter
Hueco Pothole
Macho American, or big shot; literally, "male." But the term doesn't connote men exclusively. The North American ex-wife of an ex-president is known as "La Macha."
Mi Amor My love. Don't take it to heart if that smashing lady at the ticket counter or that incredible hunk calls you "mi amor." It's a common form of address, like the cockney "luv."
No se aceptan excursionistas Busloads of holiday-makers not welcome (a good sign at any beach hotel)
Okey Okay, you're welcome.
Pachanga Party
Palenque Thatched shelter (equivalent to the Mexican palapa)
Por dicha Luckily; that's great
Pulpería Corner Store
¡Pura Vida! Great! ¡Lo máximo!
Salón Saloon
Soda A basic luncheonette.
Tico Costa Rican
Típico Native-style, Costa Rican-style, as comida típica, a native-style meal.
Tiquicia Costa Rica
Torta Boo-boo, error
Verdulería Fruit and vegetable store
Here are some basic Costa Rican and Spanish words for various situations, which you might want to become familiar with before you need them.
Food
almuerzo lunch;
arroz rice
atún tuna
avena oatmeal
batido (en agua, leche) beverage of liquified fresh fruit (and water, milk)
birra beer (slang)
birrear drink bear (slang)
bistec beef
bocas hor d'oeuvres
café coffee
cajeta fudge
calamar squid
camarón shrimp
carne meat (usually beef)
casado combination plate of a main food item with rice, beans, cabbage
cena dinner
cerveza beer
ceviche marinated fish cocktail
chimichurri sauce for grilled meats, made with fresh coriander or parsley
chilasquiles meat-filled tortillas
chile relleno stuffed pepper
chorizo sausage
churrasco charcoal-broiled meat
chuleta (de cerdo)
(pork) chop
coco coconut
corvina sea bass
cruda draft beer
desayuno breakfast
dorado dolphinfish (mahi-mahi)
emparedado sandwich
ensalada salad
filete filet
fresa strawberry
fresco fruit drink
frijol bean
frito fried
fruta fruit
gallo, gallo pinto rice and beans with herbs and spices
guaro sugarcane liquor
helado ice cream
huevos eggs
jamón ham
jugo (de naranja) (orange) juice
langosta lobster
leche milk
lomito sirloin
mantequilla butter
mermelada marmalade
milanesa breaded (veal or beef)
naranja orange
natilla cream
olla de carne meat stew
omelete omelet
pan bread
pastel cake
pescado fish
piña pineapple
a la plancha grilled
plátanos maduros plantains
papa (frita, al horno, puré)
potato (French-fried, baked, mashed)
piña pineapple
pipa juice coconut
plato típico native-style plate
pollo chicken
pozol corn soup
queso cheese
refresco (gaseoso, natural)
beverage (bottled soda, fresh-fruit)
ron rum
sandía watermelon
sopa soup
sudada stewed, as carne sudada, stewed beef
tamales filled corn dough
tayuya stuffed tortilla
té tea
tocineta bacon
tortillas corn (or wheat-flour) flat-bread
tostadas toast
vino wine
For additional native-style food items, see pages 51 to 55.
Geographical
bahía bay
cantón county, canton
caño creek
cerro hill, peak
ciudad city
finca farm
golfo gulf
hacienda ranch
isla island
lago laguna, lake
parque nacional
national park
playa beach
punto point
refugio refuge
reserva reserve
río river
villa town
volcán volcano
On the road and at sea
¡alto! stop!
bomba
gasoline (petrol) station
bote small boat, skiff
camino road
carretera highway
ceda el paso yield
(usually at bridge)
curva adelante curve ahead
derrumbes landslides
estacionamiento parking
intersección adelante
intersection ahead
lastre (camino de)
rough, unpaved road
mantenga su derecha
keep right
no adelantar
no passing
panga motorboat
parada bus stop
peatones pedestrians
puente en curva
bridge at curve
tránsito entrando
trafffic entering
trepidadores
bumps in the road—slow down!
Velocidad máxima
speed limit
For more driving information, see page 75.
