The Spanish phrases that help most in Managua, plus some Nicaraguan expressions you will hear in taxis, markets and kitchens.
Greetings and courtesy
- Buenos días / buenas tardes / buenas noches: good morning / afternoon / evening. Locals often shorten it to just "¡Buenas!".
- Por favor / gracias / con gusto: please / thank you / with pleasure (a common reply to thanks).
- Disculpe: excuse me, to get attention or apologise.
- ¿Cómo está?: how are you?
Getting around
- ¿Cuánto me cobra a...?: how much to take me to...? (for agreeing a taxi fare).
- Voy a...: I am going to...
- ¿Dónde queda...?: where is...?
- Aquí está bien: here is fine (to stop a taxi).
- Arriba, abajo, al lago, al sur: east, west, north and south in Managua directions.
Eating and shopping
- ¿Qué me recomienda?: what do you recommend?
- Para llevar / para comer aquí: to take away / to eat here.
- Sin hielo / con poco azúcar: without ice / with little sugar.
- ¿Cuánto cuesta?: how much does it cost?
- La cuenta, por favor: the bill, please.
Nicaraguan words you will hear
- Tuani: cool, great.
- Chele / chela: a fair-skinned person; often used for foreign visitors, usually without any offence intended.
- ¡Dale pues!: OK then, go ahead; used constantly.
- Ideay: an all-purpose expression of surprise or "what's this?".
- Chunche: a thing, a whatsit.
- Pinolero: a Nicaraguan, from the corn drink pinolillo.
Nicaraguans also often use vos instead of tú among friends; as a visitor, the polite usted is always safe.
Learning more
Nicaraguan Spanish is spoken quickly and often softens or drops the s at the end of syllables, so ¿cómo estás? can sound like ¿cómo etá?. Do not hesitate to ask people to repeat: ¿Me lo repite, por favor? and más despacio, por favor (more slowly, please) are perfectly normal requests. A short Spanish course before your trip pays off quickly. Speak slowly, smile and do not worry about mistakes: effort is warmly received. For other everyday advice see practical visitor tips.