So it’s vacation season, and you want to go to the beach to get some sun? Then let’s go discover a Central American country to learn more: Costa Rica. But what language do they speak in Costa Rica? What language should you learn to go to this beautiful country? If you’re learning Spanish, then the name of this little country should’ve already given you a hint!
Spanish is the Official Language of Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, the primary language spoken is Spanish.
Spanish is in fact the official language of Costa Rica and is spoken by the large majority of the population.
In addition to Spanish there are several indigenous languages spoken by the aboriginal communities of the country, including bribri and cabécar. English is also very common in the tourist areas and among the younger generations.
A Little About the Country’s History
To understand what languages are spoken in Costa Rica, we have to take a closer look at its history. Costa Rica actually has a rich and varied history, marked by indigenous cultures, Spanish colonization, independence, and evolution towards a stable democracy.
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, in the pre-Columbian period, the territory of what is today called Costa Rica was occupied by different indigenous people, including the Chorotega, Bribri, and Boruca, among others.
On his fourth trip to America, Christopher Columbus discovered the Costa Rican coast in 1502, marking the beginning of the colonial era for this country. In 1563, the Spaniards founded their first permanent settlement in Cartago, which later became the capital of the Spanish province in Costa Rica.
The colonial Spanish domination was less intense here than in other parts of Central America because the region was relatively isolated and less attractive economically. For those reasons, there were fewer Spanish settlers and a limited exploitation of the indigenous population.
In 1821, Costa Rica and other colonies in Central America declared their independence from Spain. Costa Rica then joined the Mexican Empire, and later joined the United Provinces of Central America. It withdrew from the United Provinces in 1838 and declared itself an independent republic. The second half of the 19th century was marked by economic development, notably in relation to culture and coffee exportation, which became their main economic sector.
The 20th and the 21st Century
After a brief civil war, the military was abolished in 1984 and Costa Rica established itself as a stable democracy. The withdrawal of the military is often considered as one of the reasons for Costa Rica’s political stability and social peace.
The Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) was founded in 1963 and has promoted education and research every since. In the 1980s, Costa Rica had economic difficulties and was hit by political troubles in neighboring countries of Nicaragua and Salvador. The country nonetheless managed to conserve its form of democratic government and its reputation as a peaceful country despite these challenges.
Costa Rica is also known for its stable democracy, its elevated quality of life compared to other developing countries, and its strong commitment on environmental protection during the 21st century. The country made significant progress in the domain of renewable energy and works to preserve its rich biodiversity. Tourism, in particular ecotourism, has become an important economic sector for the country. Costa Rica is still a model of peace and democracy in a region that is often plagued by political and social unrest.
Costa Rica : More on its Native Inhabitants and Languages
The Chorotega
The Chorotega are an indigenous ethnic group that live primarily in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guanacaste, one of Costa Rica’s northwest provinces (next to the Pacific Ocean), once belonged to Nicaragua.
That’s why we find Chorotegas in the North of Guanacaste, which borders Nicaragua.
The Chorotega speak a different Spanish than Costa Rica inhabitants (also called Ticos) speak. Their Spanish uses different intonation and has a distinct characteristic of swallowing the Ss off the end of words. So instead of hearing “¡Ahí estan los hombres !“, you would hear “¡Ahí están lo hombre!” Another example is that Ticos would say “¡Ocupamos gas!” while Chorotegas would say “¡Ocupamo ga!”
The Bribri
The Bribri are one of Costa Rica’s largest indigenous groups. They have rich culture and history and live primarily in the southeast of the country, mostly in the province of Limón. They speak their own language, which is also called Bribri. This language is a part of the Chibchan language family and constitutes an essential element of their cultural identity.
Traditionally, they live in small dispersed villages and are subsistence farmers. They cultivate corn, beans, bananas, cocoa, and other plants. Hunting and fishing play an equally important role in their lifestyle.
The Boruca
The Boruca, also sometimes known as the Brunca, are an indigenous ethnic group in Costa Rica that are known for their rich traditional culture and remarkable history.
Their traditional language is Boruca, which is spoken by fewer and fewer people. The majority of Boruca speak Spanish today. They practice traditional agriculture and cultivate corn, beans, plantains, and other plants. A lot of Boruca are also active in raising livestock and making hand-crafted products.
Common Expressions in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has several expressions and idioms specific to the country that aren’t used in other Spanish-speaking regions.
Here are some examples:
Pura Vida
This is probably the most used expression in Costa Rica.
It literally means “pure life” and is often used to express approval, satisfaction, gratitude, or simply to express a positive state of mind.
Here’s a couple example sentences to better show how to use it:
- Hola, ¿cómo estás ? – ¡Pura vida!
Hello, how are you? – I’m good! - ¿Vamos a la playa mañana? – Pura vida, ¡claro que sí!
We’re going to the beach tomorrow? – Yes, of course! / Of course, why not! - ¡Gracias por tu ayuda! – Pura vida, ¡para eso estamos !
Thank you for your help! – No problem, we’re here to help! / Of course, we’re happy to help! - ¿Cómo te sientes hoy? – Pura vida, ¡disfrutando el día !
How are you feeling today? – I’m doing good, I’m enjoying the day! - ¿Qué te parece este lugar ? – Pura vida, ¡es increíble !
-What do you think of this place? – It’s great! / It’s amazing!
💡 You may have noticed that written Spanish from Costa Rica doesn’t add a question mark or exclamation point to the front of the sentence.
“Pura vida” clearly isn’t a simple expression but it carries a more profound meaning of appreciation, a joy for life, and positive thinking. It plays an integral role in the Costa Rican identity and reflections the relaxed and convivial culture of this country.
Tourists quickly learn this expression and use it themselves everywhere. With that being said, Ticos have actually begun to restrict their use of this expression. Today, only the Ticos who work in tourism and people who live on the beach are the only ones that still say “Pura vida”
Mae
Mae is an informal way to address someone, a little like “bro” or “homie.”
It’s often used between friends and there are some Ticos that use it in almost every sentence. The term is very familiar (learn more about Spanish Slang).
Tuanis
Tuanis is an expression that means “good” or “cool.” We hear this expression in almost every situation and almost every environment.
“El concierto de ayer fue muy tuanis.” > The concert yesterday was really cool.
Pinto
Pinto is a traditional dish in Costa Rica made of rice and beans. A metaphor that comes from the dish is “gallo pinto” which is used to describe something that’s mixed or varied.
“La fiesta fue un pinto de gente de todos lados.” > The party was a mix of people from all around the world.
Diay
Diay is an expletive used to express a variety of emotions and reactions based on the context. It’s a multipurpose expression.
Chunche
Chunche is a word used to refer to something we can’t think of or that we don’t necessarily want to name. It’s like saying “thing” or “thingy” in English.
Juevada
Juevada is an expression used to describe a bad situation or a mishap. It’s derived from Jueves (meaning Thursday), which is often considered the hardest day of the week. Juevada isn’t only used in familiar language.
All of these idiomatic expressions are a part of Costa Rica’s unique cultural identity, and they reflect how the language can vary depending on region and culture.
To summarize, if you were to hear: “Hey mae, vieras que tuanis el concierto ayer, pero que juevada, ya que diay, ni pinto ni picadillo hubo,” then you know you’re in Costa Rica! 🙂
And if you want to improve your Spanish skills before your trip, then check out the MosaLingua Spanish app!
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