The Ultimate Traveler Guide to Spanish in Argentina
Spanish in Argentina is different from Spanish in other countries in multiple ways; the pronunciation is different, the verbs conjugate differently, some words are completely different and there is a lot of local Argentinian slang to wrap your head around!
So, if you are planning a trip to Argentina and are concerned about understanding Spanish in Argentina.
You are right!
At first, Argentine Spanish can be incredibly difficult to understand!
Trust me, I have been where you are now!
But with a few additional tips and tricks on what you need to watch out for with Spanish in Argentina, you’ll be used to this very particular (and charming!) Spanish accent in no time!
I have put together this traveler’s guide to introduce the main differences in Argentine Spanish and help you prepare for a great experience traveling Argentina!
After living in Buenos Aires for seven years, working and studying in Argentina, and marrying an Argentinian, I have had my fair share of embracing experiences with misunderstanding (or simply not understanding!) Spanish in Argentina!
In this guide, I’ll explore everything you need to know about mastering Argentina’s Spanish.
So, sin más vueltas (without more back and forth), let’s dive into learning about Spanish in Argentina!
An Expat’s Guide to Spanish in Argentina
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Introduction to Spanish in Argentina for Beginners
Spanish is the official language in Argentina and is spoken by nearly the entire population. However, Argentina’s Spanish has developed in unique ways, making it stand out from the Spanish spoken in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Spanish in Argentina has a unique rhythm, vocabulary, and pronunciation that is hard to miss if you are traveling to Argentina.
Even for other native speakers, it can be difficult to understand Argentine Spanish with its particular pronunciation and vocabulary.
I studied at the university in Buenos Aires with a girl from Colombia, who often would tell me that I seemed to understand better what the Argentine teachers and our classmates said than her – even though her native tongue is Spanish!
Why Is Spanish Spoken in Argentina?
Spanish came to Argentina during the Spanish colonization of Latin America in the 16th century.
Spanish explorers and settlers brought by and imposed their language, culture, and religion on the indigenous peoples in Latin America. However, the version of Spanish spoken in Argentina today is far from identical to the one brought by the colonizers.
Over centuries, Spanish in Argentina evolved through interactions with indigenous languages and the contributions of immigrant communities.
Spanish in Argentina has been influenced by various waves of immigration, particularly from Italy, Germany, and Eastern Europe, as well as African cultures.
A significant turning point in Argentine Spanish came in the late 19th century and early 20th century, when Argentina experienced massive immigration, particularly from Italy.
The European immigrants came to Argentina for a better life, and many settled in the areas around Buenos Aires.
The Italian immigrants’ influence on Spanish in Argentina reshaped the Spanish spoken in Argentina. The Italian influences also added distinct intonations to Argentine Spanish compared to other Spanish dialects.
Large amounts of Italian immigrants from Southern Italy to Argentina, made Spanish in Argentina become particularly influenced by language from the part of Italy such as Neapolitan languages.
The influence of the Italian immigrants can also be seen in the many Italian words present in Argentine Spanish. The words added from Italian contributed to the creation of the local Spanish slang in Argentina, Lunfardo.
In addition to Italian, the indigenous languages of the region, such as Quechua and Guaraní, also left their mark on Argentine Spanish. Neither Quechua nor Guaraní is widely spoken in Argentina today (the story behind that must be for another time), but you can still find traces of both in everyday words used in Argentina.
Spanish in Argentina is a unique blend of influences that reflects the country’s diverse history as an immigrant nation receiving people from all over the world into one cultural melting pot.
Many Argentinians are very proud of their particular Spanish dialect, and the Argentine Spanish is as much a reflection of Argentina’s national identity as tango or asado.
If you want to improve your Spanish, learn Spanish on italki!
What Is Argentine Spanish Called?
Spanish in Argentina is commonly referred to as River Plate Spanish or Rioplatense Spanish, or in Spanish: Español Rioplatense.
But what does rioplatense mean?
The word rioplatense derives from the river that forms the border between Uruguay and Argentina, called Río de la Plata.
Directly translated, rioplatense means “of the Río de la Plata”.
So, the meaning of Español Rioplatense is “Spanish of the Rio de la Plata”.
Río de la Plata is directly translated to “River Plate”. However, it can also be translated as the “River of Silver” or the “River of Money”. The word plata in Argentine Spanish is often used as slang for “money”
Spanish in Uruguay has some similarities with Spanish in Argentina and is also considered to be part of the rioplatense Spanish.
The area around the Río de la Plata shares long historical and economic ties. Both Argentina and Uruguay received many European immigrants, especially Italians.
This unique cultural mix merged into Rioplatense Spanish with its different sound and structure, characterized by Italian-like intonations, and distinctive grammar compared to other Spanish-speaking countries.
Today, Rioplatense Spanish is more than just a dialect; español Rioplatense is a reflection of the Río de la Plata region’s identity.
Funny enough, locals don’t often use the term Rioplatense Spanish to describe their language; they simply call it castellano. Castellano refers to something coming from the Spanish region of Castilo.
However, the Spanish spoken in Argentina has diverged a lot from the standard Castilian Spanish of Spain, incorporating influences from other languages and cultures.
Most Argentinians will bear with you if you happen to say español about the Spanish language… And then they will kindly correct you by saying castellano.
For example, in Argentina, you will be better understood if you say hablo un poco castellano than saying hablo un poco español. Both sentences mean “I speak a little Spanish”.
Where Is Rioplatense Spanish Spoken?
Rioplatense Spanish is primarily spoken in the area around the river, Río de la Plata dividing Argentina and Uruguay.
Rioplatense Spanish is especially pronounced in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, and Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires.
Beyond these cities, Rioplatense Spanish dominates in Uruguay and much of Argentina’s central and eastern regions.
In Buenos Aires, they have a particular porteño accent of Rioplatense Spanish than in other parts of Argentina. Porteño is the local Spanish word Argentinians use about somebody from Buenos Aires City.
The stereotype of Rioplatense Spanish is usually more of a porteño accent than what people outside Buenos Aires speak.
Other parts of Argentina have their own regional variations of Spanish and Argentine accents with some influences from the Rioplatense Spanish of the Buenos Aires area.
Other accents in Argentine Spanish include:
- Cuyano from provinces of Mendoza and San Juan
- Cordobés from the province of Cordoba
- Andino from the Andes Mountains
- Chaqueño from the province of Chaco
The Key Differences in Argentine Spanish
We have explored a bit of the history behind why Spanish in Argentina is different from Spanish in other Latin American countries and Spain.
We have learned that Spanish in Argentina is strongly influenced by the Italian language in its pronunciation and vocabulary.
Now let’s look at what are some of the key differences that make Spanish in Argentina so distinctive!
Yeísmo: Pronunciation of “Y” and “LL”
In Argentine Spanish, the letters “y” and “ll” are pronounced very differently from other Spanish dialects.
In Argentina, “y” and “ll” are pronounced as a soft “zh” sound.
This particular way of pronouncing in Argentine Spanish is known as “yeísmo”.
The yeísmo is one of the most defining traits of Argentine Spanish, and it often surprises Spanish learners unfamiliar with the sound.
Here are a couple of examples of how yeísmo changes the pronunciation of basic Spanish words:
- “lluvia” (rain) is pronounced “zhoo-via”,
- “calle” (street) is pronounced “ca-zhe”,
- “playa” (beach) is pronounced, “pla-zha”.
To be completely honest with you; yeísmo was one of the hardest things to get used to with Spanish in Argentina. Not so much that people spoke that way. If you have a certain level of Spanish, you get used to it relatively easily.
What was hard was to learn to speak with yeísmo myself. Over time and after spending a lot of time with Argentine friends and university teachers, somehow the yeísmo stuck to my Spanish.
Now that I moved away from Argentina, one of the hardest things to stop using in my everyday Spanish is the yeísmo!
The yeísmo is particularly pronounced with people from Buenos Aires and is a core pillar of the special porteño accent.
Voseo: The Use of Vos
One of the most common differences in Argentine Spanish is the use of vos instead tú.
In standard Spanish tú is translated as the English “you”, a second-person singular pronoun. However, in Argentina, they say vos instead of tú as the second-person singular pronoun.
The use of vos instead of tú in Spanish in Argentina is known as voseo.
The spice things up, voseo doesn’t follow the same rules for the conjugation of verbs!
According to BaseLang, in voseo conjugations of the verbs are always regular! Whereas, in standard Spanish with the use of tú, you have some irregular verbs.
Here are a couple of examples of how voseo changes the conjugations of the Spanish verbs:
- With voseo tú eres (you are) becomes vos sos
- With voseo tú tienes (you have) becomes vos tenes
- With voseo tú hablas (you speak) becomes vos hablás
- With voseo tú piensas (you think) becomes vos pensás
- With voseo tú duermes” (you sleep) becomes vos dormís
I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether voseo is easier or not!
Voseo is, for sure, difficult to get used to if you have been learning Spanish outside the Río de la Plata region.
In addition, in voseo some pronouns change according to the use of vos – while others don’t!
For example, in Argentina, if you want to say “with you”, you don’t say contigo as in standard Spanish. Instead to say “with you” in Argentine Spanish is con vos.
On the other hand, in Argentina, if you want to say “yours”, you do use the traditional way in Spanish language and say tuyo.
Maybe because it would sound too weird to say “vosyo“…? Just joking!
The voseo in Argentine Spanish is a bit confusing at first! The good news is that Argentinians understand you perfectly well if you still don’t master the voseo!
When I just moved to Buenos Aires, I was struggling so much with the voseo.
To make a bit fun of the situation, and the obvious fact that I’m a foreigner, for the first many months in Buenos Aires, I would say: Disculpe, todavia no he aprendido hablar con “vos” (sorry, I still haven’t learned to speak with vos“) whenever I mixed up a sentence trying to use voseo.
Voseo might seem complicated at first! If you are traveling around Argentina for a couple of weeks, you are perfectly fine to just use “tú” and know that the Argentinians will respond with a “vos”.
However, if you are planning to move to Argentina long-term, the voseo is a critical part of learning to speak like a local in Argentina.
Lunfardo: Argentinian Slang
Spanish in Argentina has a lot of local Argentinian slang, popularly known as Lunfardo.
Lunfardo is a unique element of Spanish in Argentina with many colloquial expressions that Argentinians use in more informal settings.
Most Lunfardo words have little to do with any standard Spanish vocabulary you might have learned in other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.
You need to study and learn the particular Lunfardo words and their meanings if you speak Spanish in Argentina.
As with so many other things in Argentine Spanish, Lunfard dates back to the arrival of Italian immigration to Argentina in the 19th century. Most of the vocabulary in Lunfardo has a strong Italian influence.
For example, expressions like laburo (work) or fiaca (laziness) are common examples of Lunfardo in everyday Spanish in Argentina. These Argentinian slang terms come directly from Italian influences in Argentine Spanish.
Learn some of the most popular Argentine slang words with my Ultimate Guide to Slang in Argentina!
Lunfardo & Tango
The use of Lunfardo in Argentina is also closely connected to the emergence of the world-famous Argentine tango.
Just as tango, lunfardo originated in Buenos Aires’ working-class neighborhoods in the early 19th century. Many tango songs also included the use of lunfardo expressions in their lyrics.
At the time, the higher social classes in Buenos Aires looked down on both tango and Lunfardo.
However, as tango popularized worldwide, the use of Lunfardo words and expressions also popularized and became more common in all social classes in Argentina.
Today, most Argentinians use Lunfardo words in their daily Spanish.
20 Basic Argentine Spanish Words and Expressions for Travelers
Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular basic Spanish words in Argentina that you can easily learn before visiting Argentina!
There are many more Argentine Spanish words and phrases I could have added to the list! So this is just a section of easy and useful words for you to know.
Che
The word Che is one of the most used words in Spanish in Argentina, and definitely a word you need to know before visiting Argentina!
The word che is mostly famous outside Argentina because of the iconic guerilla leader from the Cuban Revolution and t-shirt image, Che Guevara.
But what does che mean in Argentina?
In Argentina, the meaning of che is a casual way to say “hey” or “dude”.
The expression Che can also often appear as a meaningless interruption in a conversation or as a way to call for attention.
When you start interacting with Argentinians, you will quickly realize that most Argentinians love to talk – and all talk at the same time!
The word che can be used as a way to interrupt each other.
But che can also be used instead as a generalized nickname among friends. So, che works a bit like “bro” or “mate” in English.
Che is an informal and colloquial way to address others, and you wouldn’t normally use che with your boss at work or your teacher at the university. In Argentina, che is and should only to used among friends.
For example, Che! ¿Cómo estás, tanto tiempo? meaning “Hey (friend)! How are you? Long time no see.“
My husband’s favorite is to say che amor (hey honey) every time he wants my attention.
Talking about attention, actually, I use che quite a lot with our dog, Baloo (he is an Argentine dog after all!). Every time Baloo isn’t paying attention to me in the park, automatically a “che, che, che“, comes out of my mouth.
Originally the word che meant “my” in guaranti (an indigenous language in Argentina). In some parts of Northeast Argentina, che is still used in that sense. For example, che amigo means “my friend”.
Che Boludo
In Argentine Spanish, che boludo is a popular and very informal way of saying: “Hey, dude!”
Boludo is a popular slang word in Argentina, directly translated as “stupid” or “dumb”. However, Argentinians mostly use Boludo in a more friendly tone where it would better translate as “dude” or “mate”.
Read the complete description of the popular Argentinian slang word boludo.
By combining che and boludo, in che boludo, you are much closer to sounding like a local in almost any casual conversation in Argentina.
However, you should be cautious of where and when you use che boludo! Despite being an extremely popular expression in Argentina, che boludo can sound rude in formal settings.
For example, che boludo, ¿cómo estás? means “hey dude, how are you?” in Argentine Spanish.
Argentino
A person from Argentina in Spanish is called argentino when it is a man and argentina when it is a woman.
In local more informal slang, Argentinians sometimes also refer to themselves as agento (male) or argenta (female) as a short form for argentino/argentina.
If you were talking about someone from Buenos Aires, and you want to highlight that the person is from Buenos Aires, you would say porteño (male) and porteña (female).
Asado
Asado is an important Spanish word to know when traveling to Argentina!
In Argentina, asado is Argentinian barbecue.
Argentinian asado is slightly different from many other countries barbecue cultures.
In Argentina, asado is slow-cooking larger pieces of meat over wood or charcoal on a parrilla (grill) or open flame. The slow cooking of the meat enhances the flavor and tenderness of the meat.
An Argentinian asado can involve grilling a variety of meats, such as beef, pork, and sausages (chorizo). Especially, beef is extremely popular in Argentina for asado. Argentina offers many different cuts to try such as vacío, entraña (my personal favorite!), ojo de bife, among others.
An Argentinian asado is often accompanied by sides like chimichurri sauce, salads, and crusty bread.
Asado is more than a meal in Argentina, it is an important social gathering, typically enjoyed with family and friends.
Argentinians are very proud of their asado, and there are many options to enjoy local or expats on food tours or cooking classes where you can learn to make your own traditional Argentinian asado!
So, for sure, you need to learn the word asado before visiting Argentina!
Parilla
Parrilla is a useful word to know in Argentine Spanish and is closely related to asado.
Parrilla is the place where the asado (barbecue) is made. So, in Argentina, parrilla means “grill”.
However, in Argentina, the word parrilla has two similar but distinct meanings:
- Parrilla is the barbecue grill that you have at home to make asado.
- Parilla is also a traditional Argentinian restaurant or grill serving asado.
When exploring nearly any city in Argentina, you’ll undoubtedly encounter signs for parrillas. In this context, the word parrila refers to a traditional Argentinian grill that specializes in serving asado.
Mate
In Argentina and Uruguay, mate is a popular traditional Argentine tea-like drink.
Mate is made by adding hot water (not boiling) to a mix of dried and crushed leaves of the yerba mate plant into a specially designed cup, also referred to as a mate.
The mate drink has a slightly bitter and earthy flavor compared to tea. Argentines sometimes add sugar or other flavors like orange or lemon to their mate.
To drink mate is both a cultural ritual and a social activity in Argentina, and you will often find Argentinians sharing a mate among friends or family.
When visiting local Sunday markets like the Mataderos Sunday Market, you can also find several vendors selling mate cups and metal straws, called bombilla in Argentine Spanish.
You don’t have to stay long in Argentina before you run into a mate. When you see locals sipping from a small cup with a metal straw, you know that you have found mate.
Dulce de leche
Dulce de leche is an Argentine Spanish term you need to know before your trip to Argentina!
Dulce de leche is a caramel-like spread made by slowly cooking milk and sugar until it transforms into a rich, creamy delight.
The name dulce de leche translates to “sweet of milk.”
Dulce de leche is loved all across Argentina, and it’s a star ingredient in almost every dessert.
Whether you’re at a local coffee shop or bakery, you’ll find it layered in cakes, stuffed into medialunas (Argentine croissants), or added on top brownies.
So, knowing dulce de leche is a must to help you savor one of Argentina’s sweetest traditions!
For a deeper dive into Argentine cuisine, check out my guide to Argentine food at Everyday Wanderer.
Dale
In Argentina, dale is equivalent to “okay” or “go ahead.”
Using the word dale for “okay” in Argentina is slightly different from, for example, European Spanish where “okay” is vale.
At first, it can be hard to hear the difference between dale and vale. However, you will see the difference if you see written Argentine Spanish.
¿Y vos, qué hacés acá?
In Argentina, the sentence ¿Y vos, qué hacés acá? means “And you, what are you doing here?” in Spanish.
Living in Buenos Aires as a foreigner, I felt I heard the phrase ¿y vos, que haces acá? a dozen times a day.
Argentines, and maybe particularly porteños, are very curious about why somebody would voluntarily choose to stay in Argentina, especially if you are from Northern Europe or North America.
However, sometimes Argentinians manage to say the phrase ¿y vos, que haces acá? in a way that indirectly indicates that you must be some kind of lunatic to stay in Argentina.
When I was not up for a huge explanation, I would answer people with a Soy media loca (I’m a bit crazy) or me equivoqué de barco (I took the wrong boat).
Especially, the latter (me equivoqué de barco) would make most Argentinians laugh or smile at me.
The phrase “I took the wrong boat” makes references to the fact that many Argentinians say that they came from the boats from Europe during the 19th century.
It is a bit of a sarcastic comment to say “I took the wrong boat” because, of course, nobody takes boats to Argentina anymore. However, it is also a comment that shows an understanding of Argentina’s history and many Argentinians’ strong emotional connection to Europe.
Mirá vos
Mirá vos is a popular expression in Argentine Spanish used to express surprise.
Directly translated to English, mirá vos means “look at you”.
However, mirá vos is better understood as “oh, really?” or “no shit”.
Mira vos is like an exclamation and a phrase used to show that you are paying attention to what the other person is saying.
Mirá vos is a good Spanish phrase to know to keep a conversation going in Argentina when you don’t know how to respond.
¿Viste?
In Argentina, the Spanish word ¿viste? is used to confirm understanding.
¿Viste? can also be used to highlight that you were right about something that happened.
Directly translated ¿viste? means “You see?” or “Did you see (that I was right)?”.
In my opinion, ¿viste? is a completely overused word, especially in Buenos Aires. You can be sure that you will hear ¿viste?, at least, a couple of times when traveling to Argentina.
If you want to make sure to sound a bit more local, add a bit of ¿viste? into your Spanish in Argentina will get you a long way!
Onda
A popular word to use in Argentina is onda, which best translates to “vibe” or “energy”. However, onda can be used in many ways in Argentine Spanish!
Here are some of the most common ways to use the word onda in Argentina:
Buena Onda
In Argentina, the expression buena onda is used to express something good, amazing, or done in a good way.
Directly translated buena onda means “good vibes”. However, the use of buena onda is more “great”.
Buena onda is usually used in the Argentine phrase Qué buena onda, meaning something along the lines of “how great” or “how amazing”.
Mala Onda
The Spanish expression mala onda is the opposite of buena onda. Mala onda is used to express something negative or something done in a bad way.
For example, Qué mala onda que llegaste tarde meaning “How bad (of you) that you arrived late”.
Tirar Onda
Tirar Onda is another popular way to use the word onda in Argentine Spanish.
Directly translated, tirar onda means “to throw vibe”. But as we have learned with so many other Spanish words in Argentina, a literal translation doesn’t help us a lot!
In Argentine Spanish, the expression tirar onda means “to flirt”.
For example, if you want to say that somebody is flirting with you, you can say: me está tirando onda (he/she is flirting with me).
Qué sé yo
Qué sé yo is another popular expression in Spanish in Argentina.
The meaning of Qué sé yo is “what do I know”, and should be pronounced with a slight emphasis on the last part: Qúe sé yooo.
Because of the use of yeísmo in Argentine Spanish, the “yo” (I) becomes more of a zh-o. So, the phrase becomes Qúe sé zhoooo.
Any native speaker would that it doesn’t become more Argentinian (and mostly porteño) than this!
The Argentine expression Qué sé yo is generally, used when you want to leave the conservation open for others to comment.
For example, Hace mucho calor afuera, pero qué sé yo meaning “It is very hot outside, but what do I know”.
In my Master’s Degree classes at the University in Buenos Aires, I frequently hear students use qué sé yo when they attempt to make a statement but aren’t quite confident in their accuracy. They often add it at the end of their sentences to soften their assertions.
Similarly, some teachers utilize it to invite further discussion and foster a more dynamic exchange of ideas.
Colectivo
In Argentina, the Spanish word colectivo means “city bus”.
In Buenos Aires, you can find 180 unique bus lines, each identifiable by its number and bus color. This certainly explains why the word colectivo is such a useful term to know in Argentine Spanish!
Another popular word in Argentine Spanish for “city bus” is the word bondi. Bondi is a more informal local slang word, mostly used for the city buses in Buenos Aires.
Auto
In Argentina, the most frequently used term for “car” is auto.
The word auto comes from automóvil, which also means “car” in Spanish.
Occasionally, you might hear Argentinians refer to a car as “máquina” or “la máquina“. But auto remains the predominant choice for most Argentinians.
In other Spanish-speaking countries, the Spanish words carro or coche are commonly used about cars. However, these words are not typically used in Argentina.
In Argentina, the Spanish word coche usually refers to a baby stroller rather than a vehicle.
Celular
In Argentina, the most used word for “mobile phone” is celular.
While most other Spanish-speaking countries use the word móvil to refer to a “mobile phone”, in Argentina you will mostly not be understood if you say móvil about your phone.
The word celular makes a lot more sense if you think of the English word “cell phone”.
Salud
To say “cheers” in Argentine Spanish you say salud.
Directly translated, salud means health.
Salud isn’t a particular word for Argentine Spanish. Salud is used for “cheers” in most Spanish-speaking countries.
Frutilla
One of the most well-known differences between Argentine Spanish and other Spanish countries is Argentina’s Spanish word for “strawberry”.
In Argentine Spanish “strawberry” is called frutilla.
Using the word frutilla for “strawberry” in Argentina is opposed to other Spanish-speaking countries that mostly use the Spanish word fresa for “strawberry”.
Palta
In Argentina, an “avocado” is called palta.
Compared to other Spanish-speaking countries where “avocado” is mostly called aguacate, the word palta has become one of the particularities of Argentine Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spanish in Argentina
Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about Spanish in Argentina!
Is Argentina a Spanish-speaking country?
Yes, Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country, and Spanish is the official language in Argentina.
Argentina’s Spanish has developed in unique ways, making it stand out from other Spanish-speaking nations.
Is Argentine Spanish different from European Spanish?
Yes, Argentine Spanish is very different from European Spanish in several ways:
- The Spanish accent in Argentina is very different, especially due to the use of yeísmo (a particular way of pronouncing the letters “ll” and “y” as zh or sh)
- The Spanish vocabulary in Argentina is different, primarily because of the local Argentine slang, Lunfardo, with strong Italian influences.
- In Argentine Spanish using vos instead of tu as a second-person singular pronoun is extremely widespread.
What is the Difference Between Castellano and Spanish in Argentina?
In Argentina, the Spanish word castellano is commonly used to refer to Spanish.
So, in Argentina, castellano is simply another way of saying español in Argentina.
How many people speak Spanish in Argentina?
Spanish is the primary language in Argentina and is spoken by around 90% of the Argentine population.
Final Thoughts: How to Learn Argentine Spanish?
Spanish in Argentina can be hard to wrap your head around at first, especially if you have already learned some Spanish in another country in Latin America or Spain.
As a traveler in Argentina, it can be very useful to learn some basics of Argentine Spanish and what makes Spanish in Argentina different from other Spanish accents.
I hope this post has helped you get started on better understanding Spanish in Argentina!
However, if you want to take it a step further, I strongly recommend signing up for a Spanish class with a native speaker from Argentina! Italki is a great option to learn Argentine Spanish before you arrive in Argentina!
Italki is an online language learning platform, where you can connect with native Spanish-speaking teachers from all over the world – including Argentina!
Once you arrive in Argentina, you can sign up for in-person language exchange meet-ups on websites like Meet-Up, Couchsurfing, and InterNations to meet up with locals and long-term expats.
Meeting up with locals in Argentina will help you learn Argentine Spanish while also learning about Argentine culture and traditions.
Honestly, just embrace the quirks of learning Spanish in Argentina with its unique pronunciation and vocabulary!
Happy learning, che!
Rebecca
Rebecca is the voice behind Becci Abroad, a travel blog inspiring you to get under the skin of the world. She is a long-term expat with more than 10 year of living abroad from Spain to Argentina, Cuba, and Sweden.
32 Comments
Diego
Sarpado! Which can be a positive or negative reaction to a situation/thing you hear/see. In the positive it means VERY COOL, in the negative could mean kind of TOO MUCH (comes from the word “pasado”, which in this case means beyond). ?
Rebecca
Hi Diego!
Wow, thanks! I didn’t know that one 😀
Camila
Hey there! I’m from Argentina, and I thought you should know: “che” is quite informal. No one would use that with his/her boss, for example. It is common among friends and family, for sure; but not in any semi-formal or formal situation. Cheers!
Rebecca
Hi Camila,
Thank you so much for your comment! I really appreciate it!
Yeah, that’s right! I might not have made it so clear in the description – I will upload it asap 🙂
Cheers
Rebecca
Eugenia
Hi Rebecca,
This was a fun read, however as a native of Argentina (and a linguistics nerd), I thought I’d let you know: Che is really more of a ‘hey’ used when talking with mates rather than meaning mate. As you might have noticed, we Argentines have a tendency to all talk at the same time, so che works well as a sort of ‘hey listen here to what I’m about to say’. I hope that makes sense. Also, just to complicate things a bit further, peppers are ajies, whereas a ‘morron’ is the very popular roasted pepper. We like to eat red roasted peppers so much, that we’ve given them their own separate name 😉 Hope you have a great time in Argentina!
Rebecca
Hi Eugenia,
Thank you so much for your excellent comment! And interesting points you come it. I get your point about “che”! However, might just be me hearing wrong but I tend to hear it used like “eh/hi/ay che”, where I don’t know, it sounds wierd to use the translation “hey”. So, I did a bit of research 🙂 And Gringo in Buenos Aires (good reliable source 😉 ) put it like this:
“The word che is ubiquitous in Argentina. It has three uses. First, it’s the equivalent of the English hey or hey you: in other words it’s a way of getting someone’s attention, for example the bartender when you want to order more Quilmes. Second, it’s also used as the equivalent of mate, dude or buddy: it’s a generic word for a person or something to call someone when you forget their name. And third, it’s one of those meaningless interjections that do no more than keep a conversation going.”
I think that actually catches both of our “translations”. And then again, it is difficult to translate everything exactly to one language to another.
Oh, very interesting about the morron! Then it is “el boliviano a la vuelta de casa” that got it wrong! He puts morron on the signs by the bell pepper… Thank you for making me clever!
Once again thank you for this very interesting comment! And I’m so happy to hear that you found it funny to read
Ciao!
Marcelo
You missed “boludo”.
Rebecca
Thank you Marcelo! Actually, working on a post about swearing in Argentina, so “boludo” will for sure get a place there! Thanks for your comment!
Daniela
Great article, Becci. I like the “vos” but don’t think I’ll ever use it. I had a very unfortunate love affair with an Argentinian in Lima, so I’m familiar with some Argentinian Spanish. He used to call me “petisa” because I’m quite small (especially for German standards). And I’m looking forward to the subte and it’s generally great that all public transport can be paid with the same card. Makes life a lot easier.
Rebecca
Thank you so much, Daniela! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the post! Haha, I said the same thing, when I just arrived to BA.. buuut now I use “vos” only, and I have to force the “tu” 😉 Ooh, been down that road too! Watch out when you get here! They can be very pushy those Argentines! Yeah, it is super smart with the SUBE card. Working on a good introductional piece to public transporation in BA. Will it be your first time in BA?
Looking forward to seeing you here! Keep safe – and pet the cats for me 😉
Audrey
This post made me smile! I can hear the porteño accent in my head with each of these words and expressions. 😉
Rebecca
Thank you for the visit, Audrey! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the read! Yeah, one can just hear those porteños saying these phrases ?
pauli
And the Word “coso?
Don’t forget this one!!
Rebecca
You are right, Pauli! How could I forget “coso”! Haha. I need to do another list soon! Thanks for dropping by!
Sonia
Hi Rebecca,
I would like to add that originally the word “che” meant “my” and it is still used in that sense in NE Argentina. So you will hear “che amigo” (chamigo) in Corrientes.
Another Argentinian word used a lot is “pedo” (fart) which has different meaning according to the situation. “Ni en pedo” (not a chance). “Al pedo” (not doing anything useful). “En pedo” (drunk), etc.
Rebecca
Hi Sonia!
Thank you so much for your visit on the blog! 🙂
Wow, I had no idea about that “che” means “my” in the NE Argentina. That’s so interesting! Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention!
Haha, yeah, “pedo” and its meanings I do know by now – I really need to do a second post soon 😉 Thank you so much!
Laura
Hi rebecca! I’m porteña and I think you missed the word “flashar”. It can also be used as an adjetive (flashero) . It’s mostly used by teenagers here (and some informal adults too). I don’t really know how to properly explain it but let’s try.
Well if someone tells you you are “flashera” it means that they think you are being fantasious, dramatic or not realist at something you are saying. They could also say “estas flashando” wich means exactly the same but using the verb and not the adjetive.
Ps: it can also be used in things. Ex: someone who is watching a very strange tv show would say “es re flashero” wich means it’s crazy and out of normal, extremely fantasious.
Ps 2: if someone tell this to you it could mean they think you are lying or that they are just joking with you (if you are close friends) yes we are complicated…
I TRIED MY BEST!! haha. I hope my english is not that bad bc I’m going to college in april and study to become an english traslator! Please if any english speaker could help me and correct my mistakes it would be sooo helpful!! Thank you so muchhh and I hope someone can get the meaning of this crazy word haha♡♡
Rebecca
Hi Laura,
Thank you so much for dropping by the blog! Yes, yes! “Flashar” should definitely be on the upcoming list of word and phrases in Argentina! Thanks for sharing and your explaining was excellent! I wish you all the best luck with your education as English translator. My best advice to became really good at a language is just to continue, continue and continue, and try to listen and read in the language every day. For example, I used a lot audiobooks when I was learning English, then you can listen to English books while on the Subte, the bus or at home while doing other things. Thanks again. Un beso enorme!
Graciela
The word “che” is a ‘guaraní’ word meaning “my” — It is used in Argentina as well as in Uruguay.
The guaraní indians used it in the colonization years by saying: che general, meaning mi general, my general when refering to the head of the military troops.
Rebecca
Hi Graciela,
Thank you so much for dropping by and for your clarifying comment! I highly appreciate it!
Pete
Hi Laura,
So I understand your description of “flashar”, as a description of something or someone who is acting in a dramatic, excessive way. In English this could be “flashy”.
So flashy means, “ostentatious, bold, showy”.
I suppose that is similar to “flashar” ?
Also, if you want to hear Australian English, I am Australian. I make videos about South American football and especially the Copa Libertadores. My objective is to tell the great stories of the Copa Libertadores, to English and European football fans.
But I do have an Australian accent. My accent is a bit “stronger” (because I am from the countryside/rural Australia, not the bit cities). But it is not that much different from most Australians of my age (34). So you could listen to me speaking in the videos if you wish to get an understanding of how Australians sound.
The link to my YouTube channel is:
https://www.youtube.com/user/PeterFNMonaghan
Also to Rebecca, thanks ever so much for making this post and your website generally. It is remarkably helpful for me – I speak Castellano poorly, and in a formal way, and I love hearing and learning all these sayings. I would love to go to Argentina some day soon. It is a dream for me.
All the best,
Pete
Rebecca
Hi Pete!
I’m so so sorry for the late reply! Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and taking time to leave a comment!
How awesome that you do videos about Copa Libertadores for English-speakers!! I’m sure there are plenty of good stories to tell 😉
I’m really happy to hear that you found the blog and my post about Spanish useful – stay turned! There’s more to come 😀
All the best,
Rebecca
Laura
I read a lot of books in english but I’ve never tried the audiobooks! Thank u. Some accents are hard for me to understand so it will be helpfull!
Ps: your english is so great that I thought you were an english speaker…
Thank you so much for your wishes!! Great blog. Xoxo
Rebecca
Exactly, the audiobooks help a lot with the different accents in English. I feel that the pronunciation is better than in many movies because they a made for listening.
Oh, thank you 🙂 Wishing you all the best of luck! Xoxo
Carolyn
Hola Laura y Rebecca!
Me encanta este sitio. Es re bueno:)
Laura, busca unos vloggers en Youtube también, para que tengas una gran variedad de acentos diferentes, especialmente considerando la gran diferencia entre los países del Reino Unido, Australia y los EEUU. Vivo yo en California, y aún es difícil entender a gente de unas de las otras regiones.
Ahora una pregunta de FLASHAR – ¿es decir que algo es muy raro, como, por ejemplo un episodio de Stranger Things o una pintura de Dalí? ¿Pero también significa que uno miente?
Rebecca
Hola Carolyn,
Mil veces gracias por tu comentario! Sí, es cierto! Escuchando vloggers en Youtube es una muy buena idea para aprender idiomas (creo que no exisitían tantos vlogger cuando yo estudiaba inglés, jaja).
Bueno, la pregunta te querría para un argentino que de verdad no lo sé responder bien :/ Otra vez muchas gracias por la visita! Me alegro que te haya gustado la página.
Ana
Hi! In Spain, they have many languages, like Catalán, Eusquera, Castellano (and some more). The most popular language is Castillian (Castellano), because when Spain was unified the king was from Castilla and was the language impose to everyone in the kingdom to speak. So, beacuse in Spain they have many language, we don’t speak “Spanish” we speak “Castellano” that is one of the languajes in Spain. (Hope to not be too confuising)
Rebecca
Hi Ana! Thanks for dropping by! Sure, I’m aware that in Spain you have several different languages. However, the funny thing for me is that in Argentina you keep on calling it “Castellaño”, even though, as far that I’m aware it doesn’t have much to do with the “Castellaño” spoken in Castilla nowadays. Thus, it is interesting how Spanish has developed differently in different regions, right?
Once again, thanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed the read!
P. J.
The language thing is the same as in English. You don’t speak United Kindomes because the regions got together under one name, and what people speak in United States, is not as the old English either.
Rebecca
Thanks for dropping by P.J.! I partly agree with you; my point of interest with castellaño and Argentina is that “castellaño” isn’t directly connected to Argentina other than possible immigrants from Castilla in Spain.
I hope you enjoyed the reading, though 🙂
jennifer
Thanks for sharing the amazing article.i really enjoyed a lot while reading the post.
Rebecca
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for dropping by my blog! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the reading!