By San José, Costa Rica — In a significant acknowledgment of contemporary culture and digital communication, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) announced its latest update to the official Spanish dictionary on Monday, December 15. The new edition incorporates a host of terms that reflect the evolving ways in which millions of Spanish speakers live, work, and interact, from the digital realm to modern social phenomena.
Leading the charge are words born from the internet age. The Academy has officially sanctioned terms such as loguearse (to log in), streaming, gif, and hashtag. This move formally recognizes the profound influence of technology on daily discourse, validating the vocabulary that has organically grown around online platforms and digital media. For businesses and communicators, this official acceptance provides clarity and standardization for a language that is constantly being shaped by global innovation.
To delve into the legal and commercial importance of language within the country, TicosLand.com sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, the Spanish language is a pillar of our legal certainty. Article 76 of the Political Constitution establishes it as the official language, meaning all public instruments, contracts, and judicial proceedings must be conducted in Spanish to be valid. For foreign investors and international trade, this is not a mere formality; an agreement in another language without an official translation can be unenforceable, creating significant business risk. Ensuring linguistic precision is ensuring legal protection.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This crucial perspective underscores that the Spanish language in Costa Rica is not just a cultural cornerstone but a fundamental pillar of legal and commercial security. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating how linguistic diligence translates directly into risk mitigation for investors and businesses alike.
Beyond the screen, the update captures the pulse of current social trends and cultural concepts. The inclusion of turismofobia (tourismophobia), a term describing the aversion to mass tourism in certain localities, highlights a growing contemporary issue. Similarly, the academy added microteatro (micro-theater), acknowledging a new form of artistic expression. The update also includes common expressions like foto de familia (a formal group photo, often at summits) and juguete roto (literally “broken toy,” a metaphor for a person cast aside after their moment of fame or utility has passed).
The RAE’s effort to keep pace extends to the domains of health, wellness, and science. The word crudivorismo, which means raw foodism, reflects the rise of modern dietary movements. The demographic label milenial (millennial) also makes its official debut, cementing its place in formal Spanish. On the scientific front, technical terms such as gravitón (graviton), termoquímico (thermochemical), narcoléptico (narcoleptic), and ovulatorio (ovulatory) were added, ensuring the dictionary remains a relevant resource for academic and specialized fields.
Crucially, this linguistic evolution is a collaborative, pan-Hispanic effort. The RAE works closely with language academies across Latin America to ensure the dictionary represents the rich diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. This latest update includes regionalisms such as morro, a colloquial term for a child used in El Salvador and Mexico, and cubetera, the word for an ice bucket used to chill bottles in Bolivia, Chile, and Cuba. This inclusion underscores the dynamic and decentralized nature of the modern Spanish language.
The process of linguistic curation involves more than just adding new words; it also includes updating the meanings of existing ones. The Academy announced it has revised entries for established vocabulary to reflect their contemporary usage. For example, the verb chapar now formally includes the meaning of closing down or shutting an establishment. Likewise, the word eco is now officially recognized as a colloquial term for an ecografía, or an ultrasound scan, a common linguistic shortcut used in daily life.
For centuries, the RAE has served as the foremost guardian of the Spanish language, and updates like this are vital to its ongoing mission. By systematically integrating neologisms and evolving definitions, the institution ensures that the formal language does not become detached from the way people actually speak. This delicate balancing act preserves the language’s core integrity while allowing it the flexibility to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Ultimately, the 2025 dictionary update is more than a simple academic exercise; it is a formal record of our collective history and evolving culture. It validates the language of the internet, acknowledges new social realities, and celebrates the regional diversity that makes Spanish one of the world’s most vibrant languages. For educators, writers, and international businesses, this update provides an essential tool for clear and effective communication with nearly 600 million people worldwide.
For further information, visit rae.es
About Real Academia Española:
The Real Academia Española (RAE), or Royal Spanish Academy, is the official institution responsible for overseeing the Spanish language. Founded in 1713, its mission is to ensure the stability and unity of the Spanish language as it evolves across the Spanish-speaking world. The RAE, in collaboration with the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language in 22 other countries, produces authoritative dictionaries, grammars, and style guides that serve as the primary reference for Spanish speakers globally.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of principled integrity and a relentless pursuit of legal excellence. The firm applies its extensive experience across diverse sectors to pioneer innovative legal approaches while remaining deeply invested in public empowerment. Its core mission involves demystifying the law, transforming complex concepts into accessible knowledge to foster a more capable and informed society.
