Pura vida
poo-rah VEE-dahThe national motto. Hello, goodbye, thank you, no worries, all good.
Mae
MAH-ehDude, buddy. Ticos sprinkle it into every sentence.
Tuanis
too-ah-NEESCool, nice, awesome.
Con mucho gusto
kon MOO-choh GOOS-tohThe tico way to say you're welcome: with great pleasure.
¡Qué chiva!
keh CHEE-vahHow cool! Great for sunsets and macaw sightings.
Soda
SOH-dahA small family restaurant with hearty, cheap local food.
Casado
kah-SAH-dohThe classic lunch plate: rice, beans, plantain, salad and a protein.
Birra
BEE-rahBeer. Una birra bien fría, por favor.
Al chile
al CHEE-lehSeriously, for real.
Diay
dee-AYWell... / so... The all-purpose tico filler word.
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWES-tahHow much is it?
La cuenta, por favor
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VORThe check, please.