chimba
What does chimba mean? chimba is a Spanish moderate that translates to “awesome / cheap / vagina / nothing” in English.
Literal Translation
vagina (indigenous origin)
Meaning & Usage
"awesome / cheap / vagina / nothing"
An incredibly versatile word that can mean 'amazing', 'terrible', or 'absolutely nothing' depending entirely on the preceding article.
Examples in the Wild
Admiring a new motorcycle: '¡Qué chimba de moto!' (What an awesome bike!)
Regional Variations
When to Use It
Context
- Casual conversations with friends
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
The Swiss Army knife of Colombian slang. Its roots are likely from the Quechua word for female genitalia. If something is 'una chimba', it is brilliantly awesome. If it is 'la chimba', it means 'no way' or 'absolutely not'. If a person is 'un chimbo', they are cheap or useless. It is universally used across classes in Colombia, bordering on informal rather than strictly profane in its positive contexts.
More in Spanish 🇪🇸
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“whore / bitch / fucking (as intensifier)”
Prostitute or promiscuous woman; used as general expletive or intensifier. When combined with 'madre' becomes extremely severe.
pajero
“wanker / lazy bastard / flake”
Someone who masturbates a lot; figuratively, a supremely lazy person or someone who talks a lot but never follows through.
comemierda
“arrogant prick / stuck-up bitch / full of shit”
A deeply arrogant, conceited person who thinks they are better than everyone else, or alternatively, a complete fool.
la madre que te parió
“you son of a bitch / goddammit to hell”
An exclamation of anger, frustration, or bewildered amazement directed at someone. It leaves the actual insult unsaid but heavily implied.
chingar
“to fuck / to screw / to mess with”
Ubiquitous Mexican verb with dozens of meanings including to bother, ruin, steal, drink heavily, or engage in sexual activity. The center of Mexican profanity.
concha
“cunt / pussy”
Seashell in Spain and most of Latin America; vulgar slang for female genitalia in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, and parts of Mexico.
pelotudo
“idiot / moron / dumbass”
Stupid person, idiot. Similar to boludo but slightly more insulting in Argentina.
la concha de la lora
“for fuck's sake / godfuckingdammit”
An exclamation of extreme frustration, surprise, or anger. It vividly expresses that a situation has gone completely wrong.