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Peruvian Slang

Authentic Peruvian slang — causa, pata, bacán, and more

14 phrases

Friend / Buddy (Peru)

Causa is the most distinctly Peruvian word for friend or buddy. It comes from Lima street slang and is used widely among young Peruvians. It is firmly Lima-rooted and has an urban edge.

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PataCasual

Friend / Pal (Peru)

Pata is a softer, more widely used Peruvian word for friend. You will hear "mi pata" all over Peru, especially among younger generations.

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BacánCasual

Cool / Awesome (Peru)

Bacán means cool, great, or awesome in Peru. It is one of the safest casual words in Peruvian Spanish — widely understood, not too slangy, and usable in most friendly situations.

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MisioCasual

Broke / No money (Peru)

Misio is Peruvian slang for being broke or having no money. It is widely understood in Lima and used casually among young people.

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JanguearCasual

To hang out (Peru)

Janguear is Peruvian slang borrowed from English "hang." It means to hang out or spend time with friends. Very Lima-specific.

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Chibolo/aCasual

Young person / Kid (Peru)

Chibolo (masculine) or chibola (feminine) means a young person or kid in Peruvian Spanish. Widely used in Lima and most of Peru.

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JatoCasual📍 Peru — Lima

House / Home (Peru)

"Jato" is Peruvian street slang for house or home, especially common among younger people in Lima. "Mi jato" is "my place" — used the way an English speaker might say "my crib".

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La yapaCasual📍 Peru — general (especially markets)

A little extra / Freebie (Peru)

The "yapa" is a small extra amount a vendor throws in for free — an extra potato at the market, a bit more sauce, one more item in the bag. Rooted in Andean Quechua tradition, it's alive and well in markets across Peru today.

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Qué paltaSlang📍 Peru — general

Embarrassment / Awkwardness (Peru)

"Palta" literally means avocado, but in Peruvian slang it means embarrassment or awkwardness. "Qué palta" is "how embarrassing" and "me da palta" is "it makes me embarrassed" — one of the most charmingly Peruvian idioms in daily use.

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Qué rocheSlang📍 Peru — general

Embarrassment / Awkward situation (Peru)

"Roche" is a close cousin of "palta" — embarrassment or an awkward situation, sometimes with a slightly more public or cringe-inducing flavor. "Qué roche" fits an embarrassing moment in front of others.

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Es un mostroSlang📍 Peru — general

Amazing / A beast at something (Peru)

"Es un mostro" literally calls someone a monster, but in Peruvian slang it's high praise — meaning someone is incredible or a total beast at what they do, usually a skill or talent.

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De firme / La firmeCasual📍 Peru — general

For real / Seriously (Peru)

"¿La firme?" asks "for real?" or "seriously?", and "de firme" affirms something is genuinely true — a very Peruvian way to underline sincerity in casual speech.

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Ya peCasual📍 Peru — general

Come on / Alright then (Peru)

"Pe" (from "pues") is Peru's famous verbal tic, tacked onto the end of phrases for emphasis or warmth — "sí pe" (yeah, of course), "ya pe" (come on / alright then), "no pe" (no way). "Ya pe" specifically nudges someone along or wraps up agreement.

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El comboCasual📍 Peru — general (especially Lima)

Friend group / Squad (Peru)

"El combo" is Peruvian slang for a tight friend group — the people you go out with, the squad. "Todo el combo fue" means "the whole crew went".

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