Colombian Spanish is considered one of the clearest and most neutral varieties of Spanish—making it an excellent place to learn or practice the language. However, each region has its own slang and expressions. Understanding local vocabulary enhances your experience and helps you connect with Colombians, who appreciate any effort to speak their language.
🗣️ Why Colombian Spanish Is "Easy"
Colombians speak relatively slowly compared to Caribbeans or Spaniards. They pronounce all letters clearly (no dropped 's' sounds like some regions). The vocabulary is largely standard Latin American Spanish. All this makes Colombian Spanish unusually accessible for learners.
Essential Everyday Phrases
Paisa Slang (Medellín)
Useful Travel Vocabulary
Vos vs. Tú
In Medellín and much of Colombia, people use "vos" instead of "tú" for informal "you." This changes verb conjugations:
- Tú eres → Vos sos (You are)
- ¿Cómo te llamas? → ¿Cómo te llamás? (What's your name?)
- ¿Quieres? → ¿Querés? (Do you want?)
If you learned standard Spanish with "tú," people will understand you perfectly—but recognizing "vos" helps you understand them.
Don't worry about perfection. Colombians are famously patient with Spanish learners and will appreciate your effort. Even basic phrases open doors and warm interactions. ¡Buena suerte!