Guide to Costa Rican Spanish

The word “paso” has a variety of meanings and is used in a many expressions. It can mean: pace, footstep, a mountain pass and more.

A buen paso – at a good speed
A dos pasos – near to here. A pocos pasos, a un brinco or a un tiro de piedra (a stone’s throw away) are also used to express the same idea.
A este paso – at that rate. A este paso vamos a llegar en un par de horas. At this rate we will arrive in a couple of hours.
A pasos agigantados – by leaps and bounds Estamos mejorando a pasos agigantados. We are improving by leaps and bounds.
Acelerar el paso – to go faster. Tenemos que acelerar el paso si queremos llegar a tiempo. We have to go faster if we expect to arrive on time.
Aflojar el paso - to slow down. Aflojá el paso mae o vamos a llegar muy temparano. Slow down man or we’ll get there too early.
Apretar el paso – to hurry up. This means the same as acelerar el paso.
Dar los primeros pasos – to make the first move. Dar el primer paso is also used.
Dar un paso – to take a step
Salir de su paso – to change one’s normal routine or ways
Salir del paso – to get out of trouble
Volver sobre los pasos – to retrace one’s steps or go over one’s tracks.

Tiquismos (Costa Rican Expressions) of the week:

Meter la chancleta – means to go faster
Moncha – hunger. Tener hambre is the correct expression.
Monchis - also hunger
Monchar – to eat, Jamar is also used. The correct word is “comer.”