marihuana
neutral
The neutral word for the drug is marihuana. In Colombian slang it is often called bareta. Weeds in a garden are maleza.
Meaning: marijuana, also an unwanted garden plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| marihuana | neutral |
| bareta | slang, Colombia |
| maleza | garden weeds |
In news and official texts you will see marihuana or cannabis. Bareta is street slang and may sound rude or suspicious in formal talk.
Which one should you use?
For garden weeds, Spanish uses maleza, malas hierbas or hierba mala. Do not use bareta for those.
Did you know?
- Colombia legalized medical cannabis in 2016, and it is now a legal export industry.
Examples in context
- Aprobaron la marihuana medicinal en Colombia.Medical marijuana was approved in Colombia.
- Hay que quitar la maleza del jardín.We have to pull the weeds out of the garden.
- Eso huele a bareta.That smells like weed.
Example conversation
Two friends, Daniel and Pilar, discuss a news story in Bogotá.
- DanielLeí que la marihuana medicinal es legal aquí.I read that medical marijuana is legal here.
- PilarSí, desde hace varios años.Yes, for several years.
- DanielPensé que no.I thought it was not.
