25 Dominican phrases you should know before visiting the Dominican Republic
If you're visiting the Dominican Republic or want to better understand how Dominicans speak, these phrases will help you a lot.
Dominican Spanish is fast, creative, and very expressive. Often, a short phrase can say much more than it seems.
Here are 25 popular Dominican phrases, with their meaning and a simple example.
1. ¿klk?
Meaning: How are you?, what's up?, what's up?
Example:
"¿Qué lo que, mi hermano?" (What's up, my brother?)
2. Dímelo
Casual greeting. It's like saying: What's new?, tell me, what’s up?
Example:
"Dímelo, ¿todo bien?" (What's up, everything good?)
3. ¿Cómo tú ta?
Dominican way of saying "how are you?"
Example:
"¿Cómo tú ta? Hace mucho que no te veo." (How are you? I haven't seen you in a long time.)
4. Ta’ to’
Meaning: all good, it's fine, okay.
Example:
"Nos vemos a las 7." (See you at 7.)
"Ta’ to’." (Okay.)
5. De una
Meaning: of course, let's go, no problem.
Example:
"¿Vamos para la playa?" (Shall we go to the beach?)
"De una." (Definitely.)
6. Dame un chin
Meaning: give me a little bit.
Example:
"Dame un chin de jugo." (Give me a little juice.)
7. Eso está jevi
Meaning: that's good, cool, nice.
Example:
"Ese sitio está jevi." (That place is cool.)
8. Tú eres mi pana
Pana means friend.
Example:
"Gracias por ayudarme, tú eres mi pana." (Thanks for helping me, you're my friend.)
Dominican Spanish 101: Quick Guide to Real Slang, Local Expressions & Everyday Dominican Speech for Travelers and Spanish Learners
9. No tengo cuarto
Cuarto means money.
Example:
"No puedo salir hoy, no tengo cuarto." (I can't go out today, I don't have money.)
10. Qué vaina
It can mean: what a problem, what a situation, what a thing.
Example:
"Se fue la luz otra vez. Qué vaina." (The power went out again. What a pain.)
11. Ven acá
Although it means “come here”, it's often used to get someone's attention before speaking.
Example:
"Ven acá, ¿y tú no ibas para el trabajo?" (Hey, weren't you going to work?)
12. Dale pa’ allá
Meaning: go ahead, move along, go over there.
Example:
"Dale pa’ allá y dobla en la esquina." (Go ahead and turn at the corner.)
13. Vamo’ a ver
Meaning: let's see, let’s see.
Example:
"Vamo’ a ver si todavía está abierto." (Let's see if it's still open.)
14. Estoy en olla
Meaning: I'm broke (without money).
Example:
"No puedo comprar eso, estoy en olla." (I can't buy that, I'm broke.)
15. Qué fuerte
Used when something is surprising, annoying, or impressive.
Example:
"¿Te cancelaron el vuelo? Qué fuerte." (They canceled your flight? How crazy.)
16. No cojas lucha
Meaning: don't worry, don't stress.
Example:
"No cojas lucha, eso se resuelve." (Don't stress, that will be resolved.)
17. Tú sabe’
Meaning: you know. It's often used to confirm or conclude an idea.
Example:
"Estamos activos, tú sabe’." (We're ready, you know.)
18. Toy aquí
Quick way to say "I'm here."
Example:
"Llegué. Toy aquí." (I arrived. I'm here.)
19. Nos fuimos
Meaning: let's go.
Example:
"Ya todo está listo. Nos fuimos." (Everything is ready. Let's go.)
20. Activo
Meaning: ready, good, prepared, or active.
Example:
"¿Vas para la reunión?" (Are you going to the meeting?)
"Sí, activo." (Yes, I'm ready.)
21. Qué cura
Meaning: how funny, how entertaining.
Example:
"Ese video fue una cura." (That video was hilarious.)
22. Está nítido
Meaning: it's perfect, very good, excellent.
Example:
"El plan está nítido." (The plan is perfect.)
23. Me fui en una
Meaning: I did it quickly or without much thought.
Example:
"Cuando vi la oferta, me fui en una." (When I saw the offer, I jumped on it.)
24. Dale banda
Meaning: ignore it, pay no attention to it.
Example:
"No cojas lucha con eso, dale banda." (Don't stress about that, ignore it.)
25. Qué apero
Meaning: how good, how beautiful, how cool.
Example:
"Ese lugar está apero." (That place is amazing.)
Learn more Dominican phrases
These phrases are just the beginning. Dominican Spanish has many expressions that change depending on the tone, situation, and the person saying them.
If you want to learn more words, phrases, and real-life examples, explore our book Dominican Spanish 101, a practical guide to understanding how Dominicans speak in everyday life.
You can also check out Dominican Spanish Phrasebook, ideal if you want useful phrases for traveling, conversing, and getting around better in the Dominican Republic.
Dominican Spanish 101: Quick Guide to Real Slang, Local Expressions & Everyday Dominican Speech for Travelers and Spanish Learners
