{"id":119478,"date":"2026-08-28T12:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T10:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/?p=119478"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:52:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T10:52:30","slug":"dictionary-spanish-youth-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/dictionary-spanish-youth-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"What do “t\u00edo”, “guiri” or “molar” mean? Dictionary of Spanish Youth Slang"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

What do “t\u00edo”, “guiri” or “molar” mean?<\/b> Dictionary of Spanish Youth Slang<\/b><\/h1>\n

Learning Spanish<\/b> goes far beyond memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary lists. If you visit Spain<\/b> or decide to study here, you will soon discover that Spaniards use many informal words<\/b> and expressions<\/b> that don’t usually appear in textbooks. You might hear phrases like “\u00a1Qu\u00e9 guay!”, “Ese t\u00edo es muy majo” or “Este plan mola mucho”<\/i> and wonder what they actually mean.<\/p>\n

Spanish youth slang<\/b> is part of everyday language<\/b>, and knowing it will help you better understand conversations, TV shows, movies, and even social media<\/b>. Additionally, using some of these expressions in the right context will make your Spanish<\/b> sound much more natural.<\/p>\n

In this article, you will find a mini-dictionary<\/b> with some of the most common words and expressions used by young people in Spain<\/b>.<\/p>\n

What is youth slang<\/b>?<\/h2>\n

Youth slang<\/b> is a set of words<\/b> and expressions<\/b> used mainly by young people in informal situations<\/b>. Many of them change over time, while others have been part of colloquial Spanish<\/b> for decades.<\/p>\n

It is important to remember that this vocabulary is not typically used in formal contexts<\/b>, such as job interviews, professional meetings, or official exams. However, it constantly pops up in conversations among friends and in everyday speech.<\/p>\n

“T\u00edo” and “t\u00eda”<\/b>: much more than a relative<\/h2>\n

This is probably one of the very first words you will hear when you arrive in Spain<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Although literally t\u00edo<\/b> means uncle (and t\u00eda<\/b> means aunt), in colloquial language<\/b> it is used to refer to any person (like “guy”, “dude”, “chick”, or “girl”).<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    “Ese t\u00edo<\/b> vive en mi edificio.” (That guy lives in my building.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    “\u00bfHas visto a esa t\u00eda<\/b>?” (Have you seen that girl\/chick?<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    It can also be used to get a friend’s attention.<\/p>\n

    Examples:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      “\u00a1T\u00edo<\/b>, tienes que ver esta pel\u00edcula!” (Dude, you have to see this movie!<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      “\u00bfPero qu\u00e9 haces, t\u00eda<\/b>?” (What on earth are you doing, girl?<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      It has no relation to family and is constantly used among young people.<\/p>\n

      “Guiri”<\/b>: the foreign tourist<\/h2>\n

      One of the words that sparks the most curiosity among those learning Spanish<\/b> is guiri<\/b>.<\/p>\n

      This term generally refers to a foreign tourist<\/b>, especially from northern Europe<\/b> or English-speaking countries, who is visiting Spain<\/b>. Depending on the context, it can be a neutral, affectionate, or even slightly teasing word, but it is normally not considered an insult.<\/p>\n

      For example:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        “En verano la playa est\u00e1 llena de guiris<\/b>.” (In the summer, the beach is full of tourists\/foreigners.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        “Ese restaurante siempre est\u00e1 lleno de guiris<\/b>.” (That restaurant is always full of foreigners.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Many international students<\/b> end up calling themselves “guiris<\/b>” with a sense of humor.<\/p>\n

        “Molar”<\/b>: to like a lot \/ to be cool<\/h2>\n

        If you want to sound more natural in Spain<\/b>, learning the verb molar<\/b> is almost mandatory.<\/p>\n

        Molar<\/b> means that something is really liked or seems very cool and interesting.<\/p>\n

        For example:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          “Esa canci\u00f3n mola<\/b> much\u00edsimo.” (That song is so cool \/ I love that song.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          “Tu idea mola<\/b>.” (Your idea is cool\/great.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          “Este restaurante mola<\/b> un mont\u00f3n.” (This restaurant is awesome.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          It is one of the most widely used words in colloquial Spanish<\/b> and can replace expressions like gustar<\/b> (to like), although with a more informal and enthusiastic tone.<\/p>\n

          “Guay”<\/b>: something cool\/great<\/h2>\n

          Another essential word is guay<\/b>.<\/p>\n

          When something is fun, nice, interesting, or excellent, many Spaniards simply say it is “guay<\/b>“.<\/p>\n

          Examples:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            “La excursi\u00f3n estuvo muy guay<\/b>.” (The field trip was really cool.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            “Tu profesor es muy guay<\/b>.” (Your teacher is very cool.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            “\u00a1Qu\u00e9 guay<\/b>!” (How cool! \/ Great!<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            It is a simple expression that you will hear everywhere.<\/p>\n

            “Vale”<\/b>: much more than “okay”<\/h2>\n

            Although it is not exclusive to youth slang<\/b>, vale<\/b> is an indispensable word in Spain<\/b>.<\/p>\n

            It is used to say:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              Okay \/ All right.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Sure.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Understood.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Perfect.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Examples:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                “Nos vemos a las seis.” (See you at six.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                “Vale<\/b>.” (Okay.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Students are often surprised by how frequently Spaniards use this word during a conversation.<\/p>\n

                “Flipar”<\/b>: to be blown away \/ to freak out<\/h2>\n

                When something is incredible, shocking, or unexpected, many Spaniards use the verb flipar<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                For example:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  “Vas a flipar<\/b> cuando lo veas.” (You’re going to flip out \/ be blown away when you see it.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  “Flip\u00e9<\/b> con ese concierto.” (I was blown away by that concert.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  “Estoy flipando<\/b>.” (I’m freaking out \/ I can’t believe it.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  It can express both positive and negative surprise.<\/p>\n

                  “Currar”<\/b>: to work<\/h2>\n

                  Instead of saying trabajar<\/b> (to work), many people use the verb currar<\/b> in informal situations.<\/p>\n

                  Examples:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    “Hoy me toca currar<\/b>.” (I have to work today.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    “\u00bfD\u00f3nde curras<\/b>?” (Where do you work?<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    “Estoy currando<\/b> todo el verano.” (I’m working all summer.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    It is a very common word among both young people and adults.<\/p>\n

                    “Pasta”<\/b>: money<\/h2>\n

                    If someone says they don’t have pasta<\/b>, they are not talking about Italian food.<\/p>\n

                    In Spain<\/b>, pasta<\/b> means money<\/b> (cash\/dough).<\/p>\n

                    Examples:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • \n

                      “No tengo pasta<\/b> para viajar este mes.” (I don’t have the cash to travel this month.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                    • \n

                      “Ahorrar pasta<\/b> es dif\u00edcil.” (Saving money is hard.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      There are also other similar words, like pelas<\/b> (referring to the old peseta currency), although it is heard less frequently today.<\/p>\n

                      “Majo” o “maja”<\/b>: a nice\/pleasant person<\/h2>\n

                      When a Spaniard says someone is muy majo<\/b>, they are paying them a compliment.<\/p>\n

                      It means that the person is friendly<\/b>, kind<\/b>, or pleasant<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                      Examples:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • \n

                        “Tu profesora es muy maja<\/b>.” (Your teacher is really nice\/friendly.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                      • \n

                        “Los vecinos fueron muy majos<\/b> con nosotros.” (The neighbors were very friendly\/nice to us.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        It is a word especially common in central<\/b> and northern Spain<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                        “Rayarse”<\/b>: to overthink \/ to worry too much<\/h2>\n

                        The verb rayarse<\/b> (sometimes spelled rallarse<\/i>) means to obsess, get stressed, or overthink a problem.<\/p>\n

                        Examples:<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • \n

                          “No te rayes<\/b>.” (Don’t overthink it \/ Don’t stress out.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        • \n

                          “Me estoy rayando<\/b> por el examen.” (I’m stressing out over the exam.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          It is a highly common expression among young people and is usually used to advise someone not to worry so much.<\/p>\n

                          “Finde”<\/b>: the weekend<\/h2>\n

                          Instead of saying fin de semana<\/b>, many people simply shorten it to finde<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                          Por ejemplo:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • \n

                            “\u00bfQu\u00e9 haces este finde<\/b>?” (What are you doing this weekend?<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                          • \n

                            “Nos vemos el finde<\/b> que viene.” (See you next weekend.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            It is a very popular abbreviation used both in spoken conversations and in WhatsApp<\/b> messages.<\/p>\n

                            “Estar de tranqui”<\/b><\/h2>\n

                            If someone proposes a relaxed, low-key plan, they might say:<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • \n

                              “Hoy estoy de tranqui<\/b>.” (Today I’m just chilling \/ keeping it low-key.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              This expression means that the person wants to rest<\/b>, relax<\/b>, or do something quiet and uncomplicated.<\/p>\n

                              “Dar palo”<\/b><\/h2>\n

                              When doing something feels like too much effort or you just don’t feel like doing it, many Spaniards say it da palo<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                              Examples:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • \n

                                “Me da palo<\/b> salir con este calor.” (I can’t be bothered to go out in this heat.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                              • \n

                                “Me da palo<\/b> estudiar hoy.” (Studying today feels like such a drag.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                It is equivalent to saying that something makes you feel incredibly lazy (pereza<\/b>).<\/p>\n

                                “Petarlo”<\/b><\/h2>\n

                                When something is extremely successful<\/b>, people say lo est\u00e1 petando<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                                Examples:<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • \n

                                  “Ese cantante lo est\u00e1 petando<\/b>.” (That singer is absolutely smashing it\/killing it.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                                • \n

                                  “La nueva serie lo est\u00e1 petando<\/b> en Netflix<\/b>.” (The new series is a massive hit on Netflix.<\/i>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  It is a very common expression on social media<\/b> and among youth.<\/p>\n

                                  Is it recommended to use these words?<\/h2>\n

                                  Yes, but in moderation.<\/p>\n

                                  Spanish students<\/b> often want to quickly incorporate these expressions<\/b> into their vocabulary, and that is a positive thing. However, it is important to use them only in informal contexts<\/b> and after you have heard how native speakers<\/b> employ them.<\/p>\n

                                  In a conversation with friends or classmates they can sound completely natural, whereas in a job interview<\/b> or a professional meeting<\/b>, it is best to opt for a more formal register<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                                  Additionally, you should keep in mind that some expressions change depending on the region<\/b>. Spain<\/b> has an enormous linguistic wealth<\/b>, and you might hear different words in Madrid<\/b>, Seville<\/b>, Valencia<\/b>, Bilbao<\/b>, or Barcelona<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                                  Learn Spanish<\/b> the way Spaniards actually speak it<\/h2>\n

                                  Mastering grammar<\/b> is fundamental, but understanding colloquial language<\/b> is what will truly make you feel integrated when living in or traveling through Spain<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                                  Listening to real conversations<\/b>, watching Spanish TV shows<\/b>, talking to native speakers<\/b>, and studying at a Spanish language school<\/b> are some of the best ways to get familiar with this type of vocabulary<\/b>.<\/p>\n

                                  The next time someone tells you “T\u00edo<\/b>, ese plan mola<\/b> un mont\u00f3n. \u00bfTe vienes?”<\/i> (Dude, that plan is so cool. Are you coming?<\/i>), you will know exactly what they mean… and you might even reply with a perfectly natural “\u00a1Vale, qu\u00e9 guay!<\/b>“<\/i> (Okay, cool!<\/i>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                  Learn the meaning of expressions like *t\u00edo*, *guiri*, *molar*, or *guay* and speak Spanish like a native with this guide to Spanish youth slang.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":119477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[650],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":120739,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119478\/revisions\/120739"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}