1. Yuma
This word means foreigner, similar to the way gringo/a is used in other Spanish speaking countries.
2. Cola
No, this word doesn’t mean Coke. It’s the word for a line, as in “I’m waiting in line”, which is something that you’ll encounter often in Cuba! 🙂
3. Chancletas
Also known as flip-flops.
4. Espejuelos
This is Cuban slang for eyeglasses–kind of like “spectacles”.
5. Mango
What you’d call an attractive person (of either gender). Example: Orlando Bloom es un mango.
6. Pulover
This is a t-shirt!
7. Chopin
Cuban (sort of anglicized) slang for “shopping”.
8. Fruta Bomba
Important: this is what papayas are called. Do not call it a papaya (that word is slang for a female body part in Cuba).
9. Blumer
Good ol’ skivvies, or underpants.
10. Chao
How most Cubans say “goodbye”.
11. Linda/Lindo
This isn’t actually slang, as linda/o does mean “pretty” in Spanish, but it’s very commonly used there versus in other Spanish-speaking countries. Also often used by the men who shout piropos at pretty young ladies, as in “hola, chiquitita linda, ¿tienes novio?”
12. Máquina/Almendrón
Two words for the classic American cars that are prevalent in Cuba. Maquina, more specifically, refers to the ones that are used as very cheap taxis.
13. Jinetera/o
This word technically means “jockey”, but in Cuba it’s used for someone who makes money off of tourists. The male term (jinetero) usually means a cab driver or a cigar-hawker, and the female (jinetera) often means someone who works in the sex industry.
14. ¿Qué bola? / ¿Qué vola?
This is used in Cuba to ask how things are going or “what’s up?”.
