Spanish GEN Z phrases you need to know
Language changes with the people who use it. Lucía introduces Spanish Gen Z phrases so you can recognise them when they come up in modern conversation.
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Try it yourself
Choose three expressions and note what each means and when you would use it. Try each in a short, natural exchange.
Watch the original lesson on YouTube.
Edited lesson transcript and examples
Read the complete substantive lesson in its original order, with the original Spanish examples and contextual English translations. This readable transcript is edited from local English and Spanish machine transcriptions of the original video audio, with Spanish models checked against the original video graphics. Transcription errors and punctuation are repaired; translations and labelled learner notes are additions. The instructor’s coaching, humor and teaching priorities are retained. Chapter timestamps are approximate. Music and the brand bumper are omitted.
The video presents these expressions in its 2025 context, particularly the Spain usage described by Lucía. Slang varies by region, group and situation; this lesson is not a survey of what every young Spanish speaker currently says. The original colloquial and vulgar register is retained.
- 0:00 — Fifteen Gen Z expressions
- 0:39 — 1. PEC
- 1:29 — 2. Devoraste / Has devorado
- 2:09 — 3. Ayunaste
- 2:50 — 4. No dejó migas
- 3:23 — Study guide
- 3:40 — 5. Reina
- 4:08 — 6. Qué cuadro / Soy un cuadro
- 4:59 — 7. Salta la gamba
- 5:55 — 8. Real
- 6:24 — 9. Literal
- 6:51 — 10. Eres un NPC
- 7:36 — 11. Servir coño
- 8:17 — 12. Traigo té
- 8:38 — 13. Y la queso
- 9:30 — 14. Ubícate
- 10:00 — 15. Me da lache
- 10:24 — Closing
0:00 — Fifteen Gen Z expressions
Are you ready to speak Spanish like a true native in 2025? Today we’re diving into fifteen fresh, trendy slang expressions that young people are using. If you want to keep up with real everyday Spanish and impress your friends, this is for you. Some words are hilarious, some unexpected, and some will have you questioning their logic—but that’s the beauty of slang. A quick heads-up: some expressions have graphic meanings. I’ll warn you so you can skip them if you don’t feel comfortable. Ready? Let’s get started!
0:39 — 1. PEC
PEC — Por el culo
Example translation: A vulgar expression of enthusiasm: I love it; I’m obsessed.
You’re going to love this meaning. PEC is the acronym for por el culo: literally “through the butt” or “in the butt”. Yes, you heard that right. In the Spain usage I describe, young people express enthusiasm about something they love. It’s basically “I love it”, “I’m obsessed”, or “I put it in my ass”. Logical, right?
¿Qué comemos? ¿Albóndigas?
Example translation: What should we eat? Meatballs?
PEC
Example translation: Yay, I love them!
Me encanta Fall Out Boy
Example translation: I love Fall Out Boy.
PEC
Example translation: I love them too!
Would you use this to sound cool, or is it too weird? I describe it as common in Spain in this lesson. The next expression has become popular on social media in other countries too, such as Mexico.
1:29 — 2. Devoraste / Has devorado
Devoraste / Has devorado
Example translation: You ate, in the slang sense: you did an amazing job.
When you do something great, someone might say devoraste or has devorado, like English “You ate”. You did so great, you ate it all. It comes from devorar, to devour.
Devoraste, has cantado superbién
Example translation: You ate—you sang really well.
Learner note — Spelling in the written example: The video writes súper bien. With the intensifying prefix super- before the single word bien, the standard spelling is superbién. The example’s colloquial meaning is unchanged. Source: RAE–ASALE.
Ayer Nuria devoró haciendo el examen. Ha sacado un 10
Example translation: Nuria aced the exam yesterday. She got a 10.
If someone tells you devoraste, congratulations! You did an amazing job.
2:09 — 3. Ayunaste
Ayunaste
Example translation: You fasted; in this slang contrast, you flopped.
On the flip side, ayunaste means you flopped: you didn’t eat, didn’t deliver or didn’t do well. It comes from ayunar, to fast. The video describes this as “to not eat in the morning”.
Learner note — Ayunar: Ayunar means to abstain totally or partly from food or drink. It is not restricted to the morning. The lesson’s eating-versus-fasting slang contrast is retained. Source: RAE–ASALE.
Amiga, hoy has ayunado. Pero bueno, la próxima vez saldrá mejor
Example translation: Girl, you flopped today. But next time will go better.
Esta chica ayunó…
Example translation: This girl flopped…
If someone says this to you, remember: we can’t shine if we don’t fail.
2:50 — 4. No dejó migas
No dejó migas
Example translation: They left no crumbs: they did something flawlessly.
This relates to devoraste. Someone who no dejó migas did something flawlessly, leaving nothing behind. They ate it all and didn’t leave any crumbs.
Es el mejor discurso que he escuchado nunca
Example translation: It’s the best speech I’ve ever heard.
Es que no dejó migas
Example translation: They really left no crumbs.
No dejó ni una miga / No ha dejado migas
Example translation: They didn’t leave a single crumb / They’ve left no crumbs.
You might hear variations like these.
3:23 — Study guide
I hope you leave no crumbs when reading My Daily Spanish’s free study guide. It offers a step-by-step process to help you learn Spanish faster. Download it by scanning the video’s QR code or using the link in its description. Or you can fast—but you want to eat it all, you know?
3:40 — 5. Reina
Reina
Example translation: Queen.
Use reina to hype someone up. You hear it in drag culture and everyday conversations when someone is absolutely killing it.
¿Has escuchado el nuevo disco de Beyoncé?
Example translation: Have you heard Beyoncé’s new album?
Es una obra maestra, qué reina
Example translation: It’s a masterpiece. What a queen!
¿Has visto el conjunto de Alicia?
Example translation: Have you seen Alicia’s outfit?
Qué reina, qué estilazo
Example translation: What a queen—such style!
4:08 — 6. Qué cuadro / Soy un cuadro
Qué cuadro / Soy un cuadro
Example translation: What a mess / I’m a mess, in the slang contexts shown.
Un cuadro, a painting, can be beautiful, but in these slang uses it means something awkward, disastrous or embarrassing. Think of a cubist painting, maybe—something you don’t want to look like. When you’re not good at something or your appearance isn’t at its best, you can say soy un cuadro. For appearance, also:
Estoy hecha un cuadro
Example translation: I look a mess.
Baila esta canción conmigo
Example translation: Dance with me to this song.
No, no, no… yo no bailo, yo soy un cuadro bailando
Example translation: No, no, no… I don’t dance; I’m terrible at dancing.
¿Has visto el programa de María?
Example translation: Did you see María’s show?
Sí, qué cuadro
Example translation: Yes, what a mess.
4:59 — 7. Salta la gamba
¡Salta la gamba!
Example translation: Great! A celebratory catchphrase.
This phrase went viral through La isla de las tentaciones, when a contestant said it. Now it’s used like olé to celebrate something exciting. Olé is a classic Spanish exclamation, strongly associated with flamenco, bullfighting and other performances: admiration or encouragement, like “Let’s go!” or “Hooray!” The video contrasts how the expression is written and said.
Learner note — Ole and olé: Both ole, with stress on the first syllable, and olé, with stress on the last, are valid spellings and pronunciations. The written accent marks the corresponding stress; it is not simply ignored. Source: RAE–ASALE.
¡He aprobado el examen!
Example translation: I passed the exam!
¡Salta la gamba!
Example translation: Great!
Do you understand the literal translation? Salta is an imperative form of saltar, to jump. Gamba means shrimp. If you’re my student and still don’t know what gambas are, you’re fasting so hard! The video plays with “jump the shrimp” and “the shrimp jumps”, saying the subject isn’t clear.
Learner note — The form salta: Salta can be the tú imperative (“jump!”) or a third-person singular present indicative (“it jumps”). In “the shrimp jumps”, la gamba is the subject of an indicative clause. Learn the catchphrase as a unit for its celebratory meaning. Source: RAE–ASALE.
5:55 — 8. Real
Real
Example translation: For real; I swear, in the slang examples.
Real has the same ordinary meaning as English real. These examples show its slang use in a sentence.
Es imposible que lo hayas visto
Example translation: It’s impossible that you saw it.
Real que lo he visto con mis propios ojos
Example translation: I swear I saw it with my own eyes.
Es que real que te va a encantar. Es muy de tu estilo
Example translation: For real, you’re going to love it. It’s very much your style.
6:24 — 9. Literal
Literal
Example translation: Literally; I agree, in the slang examples.
It has a similar role to real here. Both emphasize that something is true or relatable.
Estoy cansadísima
Example translation: I’m so tired.
Literal
Example translation: Same. Literally.
No me gusta nada esta canción
Example translation: I don’t like this song at all.
Es que literal, eh. Es feísima
Example translation: I agree. It’s really awful.
6:51 — 10. Eres un NPC
Eres un NPC
Example translation: You’re an NPC.
This is a must-know in case someone calls you this. The video expands NPC as “non-playable character”. They’re saying you’re boring, passive or irrelevant in a situation. NPCs are sort of like extras in a video game.
Learner note — Gaming term: The usual gaming expansion is non-player character: a character not controlled by a player. The slang comparison and the instructor’s metaphor are retained. Source: Epic Games glossary.
Esta chica es un NPC, da igual que venga o que no, no va a aportar nada
Example translation: That girl is an NPC: whether she comes or not makes no difference; she won’t contribute anything.
¿Qué te parece Mario?
Example translation: What do you think of Mario?
No me fijé en él, es que parece un NPC
Example translation: I didn’t notice him; he seems like an NPC.
People can be so cruel. What’s your favorite slang so far? The next is one of my favorites. Warning from the original lesson: the following expression has graphic meaning and isn’t suitable for all audiences. Skip to number twelve if you don’t want to hear it.
7:36 — 11. Servir coño
Servir coño
Example translation: To serve cunt; slay, in the slang sense.
This is the Spanish version of “to serve cunt”. Someone who sirve coño exudes confidence, power and style. Coño means pussy; servir means to serve.
Qué pedazo de actuación. Ha servido coño
Example translation: What an amazing performance. They slayed.
Isa va sirviendo coño por donde va, lo hace todo genial
Example translation: Isa slays wherever she goes. She does everything brilliantly.
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8:17 — 12. Traigo té
Traigo té
Example translation: I’m bringing the tea: I’ve got gossip.
Like spilling the tea in English, this means you have juicy gossip to share.
Preparaos, que traigo té
Example translation: Get ready, I’m bringing the tea.
Cuenta, cuenta
Example translation: Tell us, tell us!
If I invite you over for cake, you should bring the tea. Only three more left. Wait for the last one!
8:38 — 13. Y la queso
Y la queso
Example translation: And they’ll have to put up with it, in this wordplay.
This is random but hilarious. It comes from y la que soporte, roughly “and she’ll have to put up with it”, used when you don’t care what others think. Don’t try to read the normal grammar literally here. Queso means cheese and is masculine: el queso. But the catchphrase deliberately says la queso. It means “I am what I am; I’m not going to change, and they’ll have to put up with it”. Yes, all that!
No puedes ir criticando a los demás sin saber
Example translation: You can’t go around criticizing others without knowing what’s going on.
Pues yo soy así. Y la queso
Example translation: Well, that’s how I am. And they’ll have to put up with it.
It’s so weird that I love it. Stay with me—just two more expressions.
9:30 — 14. Ubícate
Ubícate
Example translation: Get yourself together; get a grip, in these contexts.
When someone is lost, literally or figuratively, you tell them ubícate. Get yourself together.
¿Pero no íbamos a casa de tu abuela?
Example translation: But weren’t we going to your grandma’s house?
Tío, ubícate, hemos dicho que mejor mañana
Example translation: Dude, get with it. We said tomorrow would be better.
Pepe no me contesta
Example translation: Pepe isn’t answering me.
Amiga, ubícate. Pepe tiene novia. Pasa página ya
Example translation: Girl, get a grip. Pepe has a girlfriend. Move on already.
Where were we? The last one! You see? Ubícate, ubícate!
10:00 — 15. Me da lache
Me da lache
Example translation: It makes me cringe; I feel embarrassed.
If something gives you lache, it’s cringe-worthy or secondhand-embarrassment-worthy.
El padre de María da mucho lache, no se sabe comportar
Example translation: María’s dad is so embarrassing; he doesn’t know how to behave.
Ayer Sara contó un chiste y no se rió nadie, qué lache
Example translation: Sara told a joke yesterday and nobody laughed. How embarrassing!
10:24 — Closing
That’s a wrap! Which expression was your favorite? If you want to keep learning to sound like a native Spanish speaker, check out my video on Spanish filler words. See you in the next one.
¡Salta la gamba!
Example translation: Great!
