20 Ecuadorian Slang Words to Sound Like a Local

Located on South America's west coast, Ecuador is known for its cultural diversity, and its language reflects that. Ecuadorians use a wide set of slang words and expressions, many borrowed from indigenous languages like Quechua. Some terms travel across borders and are understood throughout South America, while others belong only to Ecuador, and sometimes only to specific regions within it. Are you curious to learn some of those words? You are in the right place!

Camellar This word is the colloquial equivalent of trabajar (to work). As you can guess, it derives from the word camello (camel), and it is also used in neighbouring Colombia and many other countries across South America. It probably derives from the fact that camels are animals that work pretty hard, carrying heavy things all day. There is also a related noun, camello, which means work. Tengo que camellar todo el día para pagar el alquiler. (I have to work all day to pay the rent.)

Pana Probably the most famous Ecuadorian word, pana means friend or buddy. You might also hear it in Venezuela and Colombia. Ese man es mi pana desde el colegio. (That guy has been my buddy since school.)

Bacán Bacán means cool and is used when you like something. In some regions you might also hear the word chévere, which has the same meaning. ¡Qué bacán tu carro nuevo! (Your new car is so cool!)

Simón An informal way to say yes instead of sí, more or less similar to saying yep in English. ¿Vamos al cine esta noche? Simón, vamos. (Are we going to the movies tonight? Yep, let's go.)

Pluto Pluto in Ecuador doesn't refer to the planet, but is a word used when you are really, really drunk, instead of borracho. Anoche mi amigo estaba pluto, casi no podía caminar. (Last night my friend was super drunk, and he could barely walk.)

Ñaño or Ñaña Literally it means brother or sister, but it can also be used affectionately for close friends, not just siblings. Ven, ñaño, vamos a almorzar. (Come on, bro, let's go get lunch.)

Taita Father, another word deriving from Kichwa. Mi taita trabaja en el campo desde hace treinta años. (My dad has worked in the countryside for thirty years.)

Guagua In many countries of Latin America (and also in parts of Spain), the word guagua means bus, but in Ecuador, guagua, also spelled wawa, is used to mean child or baby. It is a word that derives from the Kichwa (Quechua) language. It is also the name of a popular (and delicious) dessert shaped, you guessed it, like a small child. La guagua está durmiendo; no hagan ruido. (The baby is sleeping; don't make noise.)

Guambra Similar to guagua, guambra can also mean kid, child, or teenager, and is also borrowed from Quechua huambra. Ese guambra ya tiene quince años. (That kid is already fifteen years old.)

¿Me cachas? ¿Me cachas? is used to ask someone Do you understand me? or Do you get it? Cachar is a very common Latin American slang verb for to understand or to get. Te lo explico otra vez, ¿me cachas? (I'll explain it to you again. Do you get it?)

Shunsho Shunsho is used as an insult; it can be translated as idiot. No seas shunsho, piensa bien antes de hablar. (Don't be an idiot, think before you speak.)

Chimbo Chimbo is used to refer to something that is fake, poor quality, or second-rate. Ese reloj es chimbo; se dañó al día siguiente. (That watch is fake; it broke the next day.)

Alhaja Another word to say cool or awesome, though less common than bacán or chévere. You can use it for people as well as things. Esa casa nueva está alhaja. (That new house is awesome.)

Pelucón If you are pelucón, it means you have a lot of money, a slang word for adinerado (rich). It derives from the name of an old gold coin used in colonial Spain. Desde que vendió su negocio, está bien pelucón. (Ever since he sold his business, he's loaded.)

Estar chira or estar chiro The opposite of pelucón, it means to be without money, or broke. Ando chiro; no puedo salir este fin de semana. (I'm broke; I can't go out this weekend.)

Farra Farra means party/fiesta and is also used in Chile. Vamos de farra el sábado por la noche. (Let's go partying Saturday night.)

Biela Biela is the slang equivalent of cerveza (beer). Pásame una biela bien fría. (Pass me a nice cold beer.)

Choro Choro is a slang term for criminal or thief. Le robaron el celular; el choro se escapó corriendo. (They stole his phone; the thief ran off.)

Chuchaqui or chuchaki When you are chuchaqui, it means you drank too many bielas (beers) last night, in other words, hungover. This word is particularly popular in the Sierra region, while in other parts of the country you might hear chumado instead. Estoy chuchaqui; tomé demasiadas bielas anoche. (I have a hangover; I drank too many beers last night.)

Ponte pilas Literally, this expression means put your batteries on, but in everyday language it is used to say pay attention! or be careful! Ponte pilas; el examen es mañana. (Get sharp; the exam is tomorrow.)

Jaba Jaba refers to a case or box of beers (usually 24 bottles or cans). It's the word you'll want to know if you're planning a party. Compramos una jaba de cerveza para la fiesta. (We bought a case of beer for the party.)