Swear words in Costa Rica

Ticos are famously polite, but “hijueputa” still shows up in nearly every argument.

The 10 most-used swear words in Costa Rica, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   hijueputa ee-hweh-POO-taSon of a whore.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   malparido mal-pa-REE-doBadly born. Bastard.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   carepicha ka-reh-PEE-chaDickface.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   picha PEE-chaDick.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   puta POO-taWhore; damn!
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   zorra SO-rraVixen. Slut.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   carebarro ka-reh-BA-rroMud-face. Shameless.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   polo PO-loTacky hick.
   Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    tonto TON-toFool.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    mae MYDude. Said constantly.
    Grandma-safe ▶ Hear it