Spanish Words You'll Hear in Comuna 13: A Visitor's Glossary

Walk through Comuna 13 for an hour and you'll hear a mix of Medellín slang, street art vocabulary, hip hop terms and the words vendors use to sell you a cold mango treat on a hot afternoon. You don't need any of it to enjoy a tour, but knowing even a dozen words changes the experience. You'll catch jokes, understand mural captions and greet people the way locals do.

This glossary covers the words visitors hear most, grouped by topic, with plain-English meanings and a note on when (or whether) you should use them yourself. Some Medellín slang is warm and friendly; some is rude depending on tone. We flag those clearly.

How to use this glossary

Medellín Spanish, often called paisa Spanish after the people of the Antioquia region, is friendly and full of expressions. A lot of it grew from parlache, the street slang of Medellín's hillside neighborhoods in the 1980s and 1990s, and some words have since spread across Colombia.

• Listening is more important than speaking. Recognizing a word is enough; you don't have to use slang to be friendly.
• Polite basics always work. Buenas, gracias, con gusto and por favor will get you further than slang.
• Tone matters. Some words are affectionate among friends and insulting from a stranger. If in doubt, don't.

This page focuses on what you'll hear on the hillside of Comuna 13 rather than all of Medellín slang. Many words below are used citywide, but a few take on special weight here because of the neighborhood's history.

Neighborhood and place words

For how these places fit together, our Comuna 13 history timeline explains the background.

Everyday Medellín slang you'll hear

Graffiti and street art terms

Graffiti is the visual heart of Comuna 13, and guides use a mix of Spanish and borrowed English terms. The Spanish spelling is usually grafiti.

If you want to try the craft yourself, see our guide to making your own graffiti in Comuna 13, and for reading murals with a sharper eye, our guide for art lovers.

Hip hop terms

Hip hop in Comuna 13 is organized around its four classic elements, and the vocabulary is a mix of English loanwords and Spanish.

Our deep dive on hip hop culture in Comuna 13 explains why these elements matter here.

Food and drink words

You'll pass plenty of vendors on the route, especially near the escalators. These are the words on their signs and in their sales calls.

For where food fits in a visit, see food and drink in Comuna 13.

Words that carry history

A handful of words you'll hear on a tour aren't slang at all, but they matter deeply in Comuna 13. Guides use them when they talk about the conflict, and you'll see them painted on walls.

• Desaparecidos: the disappeared. People taken and never returned during the conflict. Many murals and memorial acts honor them.
• Buscadoras: searchers, usually mothers and other women who have spent years looking for disappeared relatives.
• Víctimas: victims. In Colombia this is also a legal status for people recognized as affected by the armed conflict.
• Desplazados: displaced people, forced from their homes by violence, either from rural areas to the city or within the city itself.
• Resistencia: resistance. Often used about art and hip hop as nonviolent ways of standing up to armed groups.
• Las cuchas tienen razón: "the mothers were right." A phrase that spread after remains were found at La Escombrera, honoring the women who insisted their loved ones were buried there.

When a guide uses these words, it's a cue to slow down and listen. They aren't the moment for jokes or selfies. Our guide to respectful visitor etiquette offers more on how to behave around memorial spaces.

Useful phrases for your visit

1. Buenas. Hello. The all-purpose greeting, any time of day.
2. ¿Puedo tomar una foto? Can I take a photo? Ask before photographing people, artists at work or homes.
3. ¿Cuánto vale? How much is it?
4. Regáleme uno, por favor. I'll have one, please. Literally "gift me one," but it's the normal, polite way to order in Medellín, and you still pay.
5. ¿Usted lo pintó? Did you paint it? A good way to start a conversation with an artist selling work.
6. Gracias, muy amable. Thank you, very kind.
7. Con gusto. You're welcome. You'll hear this in response to gracias everywhere.

If you'd like a guide who can explain the language as you go, our article on English vs Spanish guides explains the options, or reach out and we'll match you with one.

Frequently asked questions

What does parce mean in Medellín?

Parce, short for parcero, means buddy or friend. It's one of the most common words in Medellín and is friendly and safe for visitors to use casually.

What is a parche in Colombian slang?

A parche is your group of friends, or a plan or hangout. '¿Cuál es el parche?' means 'What's the plan?'

What is mango biche?

Mango biche is unripe green mango, usually sliced and served with lime and salt. Vendors in Comuna 13 also sell frozen and creamy mango treats; recipes vary, so ask what's in yours.

Is 'qué chimba' rude?

It means 'how awesome' and is extremely common, but it's informal and a little crude. It's fine among friends; avoid it with older people or in formal situations.

How do I ask to take a photo in Spanish?

Say '¿Puedo tomar una foto?' Always ask before photographing people, artists at work or private homes.