Flipando, Tío! 15 Gen Z Spanish Slang Words You Need

Flipar with This Spanish Gen Z Slang Guide

If you think you’re fluent in Spanish just because you can order tacos or ask for the bathroom, think again, amigo. Spanish Gen Z has a slang game that’ll leave you flipando (that means “mind-blown,” btw). Whether you're chilling in Madrid, diving into Spanish TikTok, or trying to keep up with your Spanish-speaking friends, knowing the latest slang is a must. These aren’t your average textbook phrases; we’re talking about the words and expressions that will make you sound like you were born and raised in the heart of Spain.

Ready to level up your Spanish? In this guide, we’ll walk you through 15 essential Gen Z slang words that’ll have you chatting like a local, hyping up your friends, or roasting someone with finesse. Vamos, let’s dive into the wild and colorful world of Spanish Gen Z slang!

1. "Guay"

Let’s start easy. Guay is basically “cool” or “awesome.” You’ll hear this word everywhere in Spain, from someone complimenting your outfit to reacting to a wild story. It’s your go-to word for anything that’s, well, guay!

• Pronunciation: Like “why”, but with a Spanish flair.
• How to use it: “Ese concierto fue súper guay.” (That concert was super cool.)

2. "Tía/Tío"

No, this doesn’t literally mean your aunt or uncle. Tía (girl) and tío (guy) are used casually like “dude” or “bro.” It’s perfect for talking to your friends or referring to someone in a laid-back way.

• Pronunciation: “Tee-ah” (for girls) and “Tee-oh” (for guys).
• How to use it: “Tío, no te lo vas a creer.” (Dude, you won’t believe this.)

3. "Qué fuerte"

This phrase literally means “how strong”, but in Gen Z slang, it’s used like “OMG” or “wow.” It’s what you say when something shocking or unbelievable happens.

• Pronunciation: “Kay foo-air-tay”.
• How to use it: “¿Te dejó plantado? ¡Qué fuerte!” (She stood you up? Wow!)

4. "Flipar"

Ready to express how mind-blown you are? Flipar is your word. It’s used to describe freaking out or being amazed by something.

• Pronunciation: “Flee-par”.
• How to use it: “Estoy flipando con esta serie.” (I’m freaking out over this show.)

5. "Currar"

This is Spanish Gen Z’s way of saying “to work”. If you’ve got a job, you're currando. It’s a casual, street-style way to talk about work.

• Pronunciation: “Koo-rah”.
• How to use it: “Tengo que currar este finde.” (I have to work this weekend.)

6. "Estar en la parra"

If you’ve ever been lost in thought or zoning out, then you’ve been “en la parra”—aka spacing out. This phrase is perfect for those daydreamy moments when you're totally out of it.

• Pronunciation: “En la par-rah”.
• How to use it: “Perdona, estaba en la parra.” (Sorry, I was spacing out.)

7. "Mazo"

Want to say “a lot” or emphasize something? Mazo is your word. It’s like saying “so much” or “a ton.” Spanish Gen Z uses it to hype up just about anything.

• Pronunciation: “Mah-tho”.
• How to use it: “Me gusta mazo esa canción.” (I really like that song.)

8. "Liada"

When you’re in a messy situation or something’s chaotic, you’re liado or liada. It’s a word you’ll hear a lot when people are overwhelmed or caught in a crazy situation.

• Pronunciation: “Lee-ah-dah”.
• How to use it: “Estoy muy liada con todo el trabajo.” (I’m super overwhelmed with all this work.)

9. "Pavo"

This one’s a bit tricky. While pavo literally means turkey, Gen Z in Spain uses it to talk about money—like saying “bucks” in English. A pavo is one euro.

• Pronunciation: “Pah-voh”.
• How to use it: “Solo me queda un pavo.” (I only have one euro left.)

10. "Canelita"

If something or someone is sweet, cute, or extra nice, you can call them canelita—which literally means “little cinnamon”. Spanish Gen Z uses this word to describe anything that gives off good vibes.

• Pronunciation: “Ka-nay-lee-ta”.
• How to use it: “Esta canción es canelita.” (This song is so sweet.)

11. "Ser la leche"

This phrase literally means “to be the milk”, but in Gen Z slang, it means “to be awesome” or “the best.” It’s a great compliment when something is just that good.

• Pronunciation: “Lech-eh”.
• How to use it: “Ese actor es la leche.” (That actor is awesome.)

12. "Rollo"

Rollo is a super versatile word that can mean vibe or deal. It’s used to describe the overall feeling or situation.

• Pronunciation: “Roh-yo”.
• How to use it: “Me gusta el rollo de esta fiesta.” (I like the vibe of this party.)

13. "Molar"

If you want to say that something “rocks” or is really cool, then molar is the word to use. Spanish Gen Z loves using it to express when something is lit.

• Pronunciation: “Moh-lar”.
• How to use it: “Ese coche mola mucho.” (That car is super cool.)

14. "Desfasar"

When something’s wild or out of control, you can say it’s desfasado. Spanish Gen Z uses it to describe wild parties, crazy situations, or people going off the rails.

• Pronunciation: “Des-fah-sar”.
• How to use it: “La fiesta se desfasó mucho.” (The party got out of control.)

15. "Vacilar"

Last but not least, vacilar means “to mess with someone” or tease them. It’s not meant in a mean way—just light teasing between friends.

• Pronunciation: “Bah-see-lar”.
• How to use it: “No me vaciles, tío.” (Don’t mess with me, dude.)

So, there you have it! From “guay” to “vacilar,” you're now armed with the slang that’ll make you sound like a true Gen Z pro in Spain. Whether you're hyping up a friend with “ser la leche” or telling someone you're “liado” with work, these words are your ticket to blending in with the cool kids. Slang isn’t just about talking; it’s about connecting with people, understanding the vibe, and expressing yourself in a fun, authentic way.

Stay tuned with us for more tips and trends from global Gen Z culture right here at Woke Waves Magazine—where language, culture, and vibes collide. ¡Nos vemos!

#GenZSlang #SpanishVibes #SpeakLikeALocal #Flipando #SpanishCulture