Word of the Day: OSTYA

If you’ve spent more than 10 minutes on a Canarian terrace, you’ve probably heard someone say “¡ostya!” with all their heart and soul.

This expressive word, derived from the Spanish “hostia,” originally has religious roots — referring to the holy host in a Catholic mass. But in the Canary Islands, it’s taken on a whole new (and much spicier) life. Think of it as the island’s version of “bloody hell,” “OMG,” or “damn!” depending on the tone.

Here are a few translations you might overhear:

• “¡Ostya, qué calor!” → “Damn, it’s hot!”

• “¡Ostya, qué guapo está eso!” → “Wow, that looks amazing!”

• “¡Ostya, me asustaste!” → “You scared the hell out of me!”

⚠️ Use with care! While it’s super common and often affectionate in tone, it’s still slang based on a religious term — so don’t drop it in front of your Canarian grandma (unless she says it first 😅).

🧐 Did you know? Other softer versions include “ostras” or “ostras pedrín” in mainland Spain, but here on the islands, “ostya” reigns supreme.

💬 Have you ever shouted this word without even knowing what it meant? Now you’re officially initiated in Canarian street talk!