Argentinian Spanish Phrases: Talk Like A Local (2023)

FAQs

What is a common phrase in Argentina? ›

Boludo. 'Boludo' is often heard following 'che,' such as “Che, boludo!” Together they mean, “Hey, man!” but by itself boludo can be a term of endearment or an insult, depending on how it is applied. When used with friends, it is an amicable term, and can be thrown in at the start of end of any sentence.

You may wonder why Spanish in Argentina developed a different intonation. The main reason for this lies in the country's history of immigration. Between 1870 to 1960, approximately two million Italians immigrated to Argentina, undoubtedly influencing and altering the accent of Spanish in Argentina.

In terms of pronunciation, Argentinian Spanish generally features a variation on the “ll” and “y” sound. Normally this sound is about the same as the English “y” as in “yellow”, but in Argentina it takes on the sound of the “s” in “measure”.

opa [m/f] BO AR UY derog. dumb person. 10. Colloquial.

When greeting for the first time or in a formal setting, Argentines generally shake hands and give a slight nod to show respect. The 'abrazo' is the most common greeting among friends and family. This consists of a handshake and an embrace.

The only difficulty for learners who want to explore Argentine culture is that Spanish in Argentina is quite different from other dialects. If you're not used to it can be difficult to understand.

Rioplatense Spanish (/ˌriːoʊpləˈtɛnseɪ/), also known as Rioplatense Castilian, is a variety of Spanish spoken mainly in and around the Río de la Plata Basin of Argentina and Uruguay. It is also referred to as River Plate Spanish or Argentine Spanish.

While Argentina's official language is Spanish, Argentina has enjoyed so much international migration that Arabic, Italian, German, English, and French are also spoken—at least in pockets throughout the country. There are also over one million speakers of various tribal languages, including Quecha and Guaraní.

The Spaniards brought their language to the country when they arrived to Argentina in 1536, and Spanish became widely spoken in the centuries that followed. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, large waves of European immigration to Argentina had a strong impact on the local way of speaking.

Whilst Argentines understand the Castilian Spanish form, which is also used throughout Latin America, they do not use it. Interestingly, and often confusing for learners of Spanish, the Argentine 'vos' form also has its own set of conjugations, depending upon the verb.

How do you say pineapple in Argentina? ›

Piña (pineapple) becomes ananá, aguacate (avocado) is palta and melocotón (peach) is durazno.

This is simply because of settlement of a large number of Italian immigrants to Argentina. Italians began arriving in Argentina from 1857 to 1940, totaling 44.9% of the entire postcolonial immigrant population, more than from any other country (including Spain, at 31.5%).

European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African 0.4% (2010 est.)

In spite of the great many Italian immigrants, the Italian language never truly took hold in Argentina, partly because at the time of mass immigration, almost all Italians spoke their native regional languages rather than Italian, precluding the expansion of the use of Italian as a primary language in Argentina.

Noun. changa f (plural changas) small job; odd job. job of a porter. part-time job (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay)

CHETO/A = FANCY (adjective, noun)

Ella es muy cheta, siempre compra cosas de marca. She's really fancy, she always buys stuff from nice brands.

bárbaro: great, cool.

26) Wacho. This Argentine slang is best described as a term for a “rascal”, or a mischievous individual. It's normally meant in a well-intentioned way, and so you can use it with friends, or even kids.

Maybe you already know, but in the "Rio de la Plata" at least (basically, Uruguay and Argentina), chota is a quite popular slung for referring to the male sexual organ.

Lindo/linda is more common in Latin America than Spain (and is also very common in Brazilian Portuguese). It's similar in meaning to bonito/bonita: it can mean “beautiful”, “pretty”, “lovely”, or “nice”. In Latin America you can also use lindo as an adverb. For example, ella canta lindo means “she sings beautifully.”

Can you live in Argentina without knowing Spanish? ›

Finding people who speak English in Argentina won't be an easy task. This is especially true if you travel to smaller, more rural areas. Though Buenos Aires is a big city with a higher chance of people understanding basic English, it would still be advisable to know some basic Spanish.

Of course. The way each word sounds may be different, even drastically but it the vast majority of the time they will understand each other. Keep in mind that Spanish is an incredibly varied language and they may often need to clarify certain things.

'Dale' is a very commonly used word here in Argentina. Like the Spanish word 'vale', it basically means 'OK'. It is often used to agree with someone, and is a good word to use if you want to show someone that you've understood something.

Zarpado. In Argentina, zarpado is often used to mean “cool.” That being said, zarpado can also refer to someone who has stepped out of line, so use it with caution.

Greetings Shake hands upon meeting someone and when you leave. Women and men may greet each other with a kiss on each cheek and also by shaking hands. Greet the most senior person present first to show respect.

Physical Contact: It is common for Argentines to be quite tactile as they communicate.

Most Argentines eat with a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left hand. Using a toothpick in public is considered bad manners. Blowing one's nose or clearing one's throat at the table is also considered poor manners. Eating on public transport is seen as poor etiquette.

Do Argentines kiss? ›

1. Greetings. Kissing on the cheek when greeting hello and goodbye is part of Argentine culture. When Argentines enter a room, every single person, stranger or family, receives one kiss on the right cheek.

On July 9, 1816, Argentina was declared an independent country under the name of United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.

While Spanish is the dominant language in Argentina, there are many other languages spoken in Argentina. They include Italian (second most spoken language in Argentina), Quechua (mainly spoken by Bolivian immigrants who settled in Northern Argentina) and Guaraní (mainly spoken in the province of Corrientes).

But in an Argentine bedroom, forro usually refers to a "condom," as it does in this line from the show Disputas.

Chabon: a guy, a dude (Ex: Me gusta ese chabon./translation: I like that guy.) Copado/a: someone or something cool (Ex: Es una amiga muy copada./ translation: She's a very cool friend.)

Pibe/Mina. “Pibe” and “Mina” are colloquial terms to say boy and girl in Argentina, and they are most commonly used to describe someone who is slightly immature. Example: ¡Che, pibe! –Hey, boy!

Italians began to flock to Argentina in the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, mostly for economic opportunities or to escape devastating wars.

Since a great portion of the immigrants to Argentina before the mid-19th century were of Spanish descent, and a significant part of the late-19th century/early-20th century immigrants to Argentina were Spaniards, the large majority of Argentines are at least partly of Spanish ancestry.

Spanish spoken in Argentina and Mexico is mostly differentiated by slang. They have in common the use of the ustedes form, instead of vosotros like in Spain. Mexicans don't use the form vos, which Argentinians do, but rather they use tú. The pronunciation is also quite different between countries.

Abstract. Argentina is a predominantly European descent country, and prides itself on its Spanish and Italian roots. Unlike many other Latin American countries, 97% of Argentina's population is White.

What race are you if born in Argentina? ›

The most common ethnic groups are a mix between Spanish (including Galicians and Basques), Italian and Native American. It is estimated that up to 30 million Argentines, up to 62.5% of the total population, have Italian ancestry, wholly or in part. There are also some Germanic, Slavic, Irish and French populations.

Argentina is a predominantly Christian country, with Islam being a minority religion.

Over 60% of Argentina's population has Italian heritage! With such a large Italian population in Argentina, it's no surprise that many Argentine surnames or last names sound Italian.

Argentina - History & Culture. Along with numerous nomadic tribespeople, two main indigenous groups existed in Argentina before the European arrival. In the northwest, near Bolivia and the Andes, was a people known as the Diaguita, while further south and to the east were the Guarani.

The arrival of Italians from the 19th century to late 20th century constitutes the most important wave of immigration in Argentina. Descendants of these immigrants are now estimated to make up for up to 60% of the total population.

Zarpado. In Argentina, zarpado is often used to mean “cool.” That being said, zarpado can also refer to someone who has stepped out of line, so use it with caution.

Copado/a means cool or awesome. You can slide in a “qué copado” in any instance to sound more local.

Argentina is known for its passion for soccer, Mate culture, and love for Tango. With stunning natural landscapes in Patagonia to vibrant city life in Buenos Aires, the country offers a unique experience for travelers. Argentina is also famous for its quality wine, delicious food, and world-renowned landmarks.

Argentine is listed as the correct demonym: she is an Argentine.

Pibe/Piba

In Argentina, this is how young people are called in affection. Spanish from other regions could be equivalent to “muchacho” or “muchacha.” In English, it is like “girl” or “boy.” Example: “Conocí un pibe encantador en el baile”

What does Chula mean in Spanish? ›

chulo/chula

In Mexican Spanish, chulo/chula is the word you're looking to use if you find something (or someone, but in a kind, non-sexual nor romantic way) really pretty. Use it to compliment a part of someone's outfit or to tell someone you think they look cute today.

choto [adj] PR. cowardly (person)

One of the key grammatical differences between the Spanish of Argentina and other varieties of the language is in its use of vos as the second-person singular personal pronoun. Vos is also used in scattered other areas, particularly in parts of Central America. In these areas, vos completely or partially replaces tú.

Maté is becoming increasingly popular and can be enjoyed at any time of day, on its own or as a blend. But did you know that it is THE national drink in Argentina, and that it is consumed as part of a unique ceremony?

Argentine culture is a blend of European customs and Latin American and indigenous traditions. Argentines are quite proud of their nation and its blended heritage as well as their ability to rise above adversity. They are also proud of their talents in many fields.