tico

Tico is a demonym used to refer to people from Costa Rica. In everyday Spanish, a Costa Rican man is commonly called un tico and a woman un tica; collectively, los ticos or las ticas. The formal demonym is costarricense, but tico/tica is the more widely used, especially by Costa Ricans themselves and in international contexts.

The origin of the term tico is informal and widely established in Costa Rican culture; it is often paired with the feminine tica for women. In addition to these forms, the country is sometimes affectionately called Tiquicia in literature, folklore, and media, a nickname that evokes Costa Rican identity and geography.

Usage and cultural context often emphasize the informal, friendly sense associated with the term. The expression pura vida, a hallmark phrase of Costa Rican culture, is frequently used by ticos and ticas in daily speech, reflecting a relaxed and positive outlook. The term tico can appear in sports, media, and social contexts to designate Costa Rican people or things linked to the country, from cuisine to music.

Overall, tico and tica function as informal, endearing identifiers that coexist with the formal nationality label costarricense. They help convey a sense of national identity and community among Costa Ricans, while also serving as recognizable terms in international communication about the country.