{"id":17304,"date":"2026-06-03T11:39:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T11:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/expresiones-canarias\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T14:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T14:46:15","slug":"canarian-expressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/canarian-expressions\/","title":{"rendered":"23 Canary Islands expressions you should know when visiting the island"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve decided to travel to the Canary Islands, knowing some Canarian expressions<\/strong> can be very helpful for getting around more naturally in this place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why, in this article, we\u2019ll show you some of the most popular Canarian expressions<\/strong> so you can immerse yourself in the local culture<\/strong> while enjoying a relaxing holiday in the Canary Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the most well-known Canarian expressions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the way to refer to a bus, to expressing hunger or calling someone \u201csilly\u201d, there are different words and Canarian expressions<\/strong> used to convey different feelings, desires and surprises<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most popular Canarian expressions are the following:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. \u00a1\u00d1os!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the Canarian expressions used to communicate surprise and amazement<\/strong>, and it can be stretched into a long \u201c\u00f1ooosss\u201d to intensify the feeling, where the \u201cs\u201d is pronounced like an aspirated \u201ch\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of those Canarian phrases that shows someone\u2019s astonishment when faced with something they love, such as seeing a beautiful place for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Mi ni\u00f1o<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the Canarian expressions used to show affection and closeness<\/strong>, suggesting warmth in the way people address each other. Although it may seem to refer only to children or young people, it can also be used with people of any age, even the elderly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Chacho<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the Canarian expressions that stands out for having several uses, as it is a shortened form of the word \u201cmuchacho\u201d. It is used as a call for attention or surprise<\/strong>. However, \u201cChacho\u201d has other uses too, as it can be used in different contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. La guagua<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the most internationally recognised Canarian expressions, meaning \u201cbus\u201d<\/strong>. You can use it, for example, when looking for a bus stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"expresiones-canarias\"
In the Canary Islands, \u201cguagua\u201d is the word used to refer to the bus, a key expression for getting around the islands.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Fisco y pisco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both \u201cfisco\u201d and \u201cpisco\u201d mean \u201ca little\u201d<\/strong>, although their use depends on the area of Gran Canaria, as \u201cfisco\u201d is used in the west of the island, while \u201cpisco\u201d is used in the east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the meaning of this expression can be very useful when shopping, although it is colloquial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Hace pelete<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is used to express that it is very cold<\/strong>, regardless of whether the temperature is 16\u00ba, as locals in Gran Canaria are generally used to warmer weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Tener jilorio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the Canarian expressions commonly heard in the street or when people are entering restaurants or bars, especially around lunchtime or dinner time, referring to being hungry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Papear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This expression is related to \u201cpapas\u201d or \u201cpotatoes\u201d, one of the most typical dishes of the Canary Islands, and refers to eating<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. \u00a1Fuerte Calufo!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This Canarian expression is used when there is calima, that is, a sand-laden wind coming from the nearby North African Sahara desert. It is also used to say that it is very hot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. !Fuerte solajero!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is used to indicate that the day is clear, with no clouds, and it is very hot<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Canarian
Canarian expressions reflect the spirit of the islands and their people. Learning them helps you connect with the local culture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Talegazo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It means \u201ca blow\u201d<\/strong>, and is pronounced \u201ctelegaso\u201d as the \u201cz\u201d is pronounced like an \u201cs\u201d. It is used when someone has fallen or when blows are exchanged in traditional Canarian wrestling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. \u00c9chale mojo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the Canarian expressions that refers to \u201cmojo\u201d, one of the most famous sauces in Canarian cuisine, and is used to express surprise and amazement<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Eres un puntal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is used as a compliment<\/strong> for a person and serves as recognition of their abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Le falta un chaparr\u00f3n o le falta un agua<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the funniest Canarian expressions, used to say that someone is not quite right in the head<\/strong> or is immature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Estoy a\u00f1urgado o Me a\u00f1urgu\u00e9<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is used to indicate that food has become stuck in your throat<\/strong>, although it can also refer to a lack of understanding or connection between people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. El choso<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This expression means \u201chouse\u201d<\/strong>. When you hear \u201cse va pa\u2019l choso\u201d, you already know where the person is heading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Arrancadilla<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the last drink<\/strong> you have at a place before going home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

18. Fos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is used to show that something literally smells very bad<\/strong>. In this case, the \u201cs\u201d is pronounced like an aspirated \u201ch\u201d, and the longer and more exaggerated the sound, the worse the smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

19. Tenderete<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It refers to a good party with plenty of food and drink<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20. Machango<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aunque literalmente significa mu\u00f1eco, tambi\u00e9n es una de las expresiones canarias que puede emplearse con un tono descalificativo para decirle a alguien \u201ctonto<\/strong>\u201d o \u201cpayaso<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

21. Golifiar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although it literally means a doll, it is also used in a derogatory tone to call someone \u201csilly\u201d or \u201cclown\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

22. Abollado<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the funniest Canarian expressions, used to say that you are very full<\/strong> after eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23. Tolete<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Its literal meaning is the male reproductive organ, also used as an insult to say someone is \u201cstupid\u201d or \u201cfoolish\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you want to explore and visit the best places in Gran Canaria and still don\u2019t have somewhere to stay, the hotels in Gran Canaria<\/strong><\/a> and <\/strong>Fuerteventura<\/strong><\/a> from the Lopesan Group<\/strong> are the ideal choice for experiencing the true luxury<\/strong> of feeling at home by the sea.

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve decided to travel to the Canary Islands, knowing some Canarian expressions can be very helpful for getting around […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[56,143],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canary-islands","category-culture"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17304"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17332,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17304\/revisions\/17332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lopesan.com\/blog\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}