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The Most Common Words and
Phrases
This is a list of some
of the most common words and phrases you will hear when speaking to an
Argentine. Not all are specific to Argentina, but it is important to
know and understand them, because you will be hearing them A LOT! This
will help you understand Argentine Spanish and will also help you to
sound Argentine. Keep in mind these are the common colloquial terms
that are used, but are not slang.
Bueno
1. this is one of the first words you will learn in Spanish, but in
Argentina, they use it more than anywhere else. Although this meaning
exists in Spanish from all countries, it is used much more often in
Argentina, in pretty much every sentence. It is used to mean ‘well’ or
‘alright.’ Bueno, no sé. Well, I don´t know. Bueno, hablamos más tarde?
Alright, let´s talk later? Vamos al cine? Bueno. Let´s go to a movie?
Alright.
2. used to say something is good. Again, this is used in all Spanish
speaking countries. However, in other countries, they may use other
descriptive words to say something is good, whereas Argentines use
bueno/a to to label any thing as good, all the time. Que tal la carne?
Está buena! Conociste a Lucia? Si, está buena!! Did you meet Lucia? Ya,
she’s good (as in attractive). Que bueno!! That´s great/Awesome/Right
on!
Dale
1. Similar to the “vale”used in Spain, dale is one of the ways
Argentines agree to something (like saying ok. Juan: Vamos al cine?
Luisa: Dale. Juan: Let’s go to the movies? Luisa: Ok.
Mira Vos
1. The Argentines say this ALL the time. It is said after someone has
told you something, and you want to say either “wow, look at you”
meaning “what you´re doing is great!” It can also be translated as “is
that right?” or “really?” or “wow.” You say it after someone says
something that you think is good or that surprises you. Juan: Ayer, fui
al banco, despúes estudié por 5 horas, y desúes jugué dos partidos de
futbol. Kara: Mira vos! Juan: Yesterday I went to the bank, studied for
5 hours, then played two football games. Kara: Wow, right on. Juan: No
tengo plata, porque viajo 5 veces por año. Kara: Mira Juan: I don´t have
any Money, because I travel 5 times a year. Kara: Wow, is that right?
Pasa que
1. used to say “the thing is” when describing or explaining something.
Pasa que no tengo plata para ir, así que… The thing is, I don´t have any
money to go, so…
Tal cual
Used to answer someone and say “yes, exactly,” or “I agree.” Tal cual
can be used in many ways, but this particular use is very common in
every day speech. Prefiero vivir en el campo porque la gente de los
pueblos es mucho más alegre y amable. Sí, tal cual. I prefer living in
the country because the people are much more lively and kind. Yes,
exactly, I totally agree.
Tipo
1. can be used as a noun (m), meaning “guy.” Ayer hablé con un tipo…
Yesterday, I spoke with some guy…. However, in Argentina, this is not as
common as they often use other words.
2. In Argentine, it is very common to use it to describe a
not-so-specific-time. La fiesta empieza tipo 9. The party starts around
9.
3. It is also used to describe the type or style of something. El
restaurant es tipo parilla, pero más elegante. The restaurant is similar
to (like) a BBQ restaurant, but more elegant.
Todo bien
1. This the most common way of asking someone how they´re doing in
Argentina. Todo bien che? Si, todo bien. How´s it going man? It´s all
good, thanks/I´m fine thanks. Te molesta? No, está todo bien! Am I
bothering you? No, it’s all good!
Ya fue
1. you say it when something is over, or has finished, and it´s time to
forget about it. Juan: Estoy muy triste, porque me olvidé mi cámara.
Simon: Bueno, ya fue. It´s like saying, forget about it, there´s nothing
else you can do. The Argentines love to say it.
Viste
1. This is probably the most common, and very Argentine. It is not
really used in other Spanish speaking countries. It is nearly an exact
translation of “you know” in English. No me gusta ir a la playa, viste,
siempre hay mucha gente. I don’t like going to the beach, you know,
there’s always a lot of people. Siempre hay mucha basura en la calle
viste. There’s always a lot of garbage in the streets, you know? Sí,
pero son locas viste? Ya, but they’re crazy, you know?
O sea
Almost identical to “I mean” in English. This is used throughout Latin
America. Some people use it in nearly every sentence. Bueno, no sé, o
sea, que más puedo hacer? Well, I don´t know, I mean, what else can I
do?
Que sé yo
Pretty much identical to “I don´t know” which is it´s literal meaning.
Argentines use it all the time as a filler, similar to how we do in
English. Es un helado, que sé yo, cremoso y dulce. It´s a type of ice
cream that´s, I don´t know, creamy and sweet. Salís esta noche? No,
quiero quedarme en casa para, que sé yo, limpiar, ver tele.
Common Expressions
Saying “Hello”
– Hola
Introducing yourself
– Soy Anne. Mucho gusto.
Saying that you do not speak Spanish
– Perdón, yo no hablo
español
Saying that you don’t understand
– Perdón, pero no
entiendo
Asking if the other person speaks English:
– ¿Habla inglés?
Saying “yes”
– Sí
Saying “no”
– No
At a bar, asking for a coffee
– ¡Mozo! Un café, por
favor.
Asking for the bill
– La cuenta, por favor.
(in a restaurant)
– ¡Cuánto es? (in a
shop)
Asking for the price
– ¿Cuánto cuesta?
Asking if they accept dollars
– ¿Aceptan dólares?
Asking for a place or a service
– Disculpe, ¿la plaza
de Mayo? / Disculpe, ¿un cajero automático?
Excusing yourself and answering
– ¡Perdón!
– No es nada.
Thanking and answering
– Gracias.
– De nada.
In a taxi, giving an address
– Hasta Santa Fe y
Callao, por favor. / Hasta Av. De Mayo 1400, por favor.
Saying “good bye”
– Chau.
Expressing that you are not feeling well
– No me siento bien. |
What to Do – in Buenos Aires:
-
 Plaza
de Mayo is the heart of Buenos Aires and also where most of its
history / politics lie. Visit the Casa Rosada (the house of the
parliament), and there are some interesting museums around too
(Museo de la Ciudad, Cabildo Nacional). Every Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo march in the square, in remembrance of
their children, the 30,000 who disappeared during the dirty war (La
Guerra Sucia) of the 70s.
-
 Calle
Florida is a nice place to window shop and watch people dance
Tango on the street.
-
Avenida 9 de Julio is the world's widest street (a fact which
the Argentineans are quite proud of). The impressive monument is of
9 de Julio and Corrientes.
-
 La
Boca – a rough neighborhood with two main attractions for
tourists. One, the Caminito, a lovely area with colorful houses that
is filled with artist and Tango dancers on weekends. The other, the
"Bombonera", the Fútbol (soccer) stadium of Boca Juniors. Even if
you don't care about soccer, don't miss a football game, especially
if you can catch Boca vs. River Plate, their arch rival, another
team from Buenos Aires.
-
 San
Telmo – another quaint neighborhood with colonial buildings that
fills with life on the weekends and is great for a stroll. There is
an antique market on Plaza Dorrego on Sunday.
-
Recoleta – the tomb of famous first lady Eva Peron (Evita) is
here (follow the masses in the Cementario, and there is a great arts
and crafts market in Plaza Francia. The UBA's (Universidad de Buenos
Aires) Law Faculty is across the street.
-
 The
neighborhood
Palermo, is famous for its
chic restaurants and clubs.
-
Don't miss one of the most brilliant
Argentinean concepts of all time: Tenedor Libre. Literally it means
"free fork". What it actually is is a type of all-you-can-eat
buffet, except with these infamous Argentinean steaks (and
everything else you can think of!). Usually they cost from 5-15 USD
(Cheaper for lunch). Come on an empty stomach. Recommended: For
quality go to
Siga La
Vaca (in Puerto Madero). For a more economic choice – Grant's
(in Avenida Las Heras 1925, tel: 4801-9099).
-
 Café
Tortoni, on Avenida de Mayo and Esmeralda, is where Carlos
Gardel used to sit and write Tango lyrics. Full of history and just
great coffee and pastries, it's worth a visit
Special Tips:
-
Traffic lights in Buenos Aires can
be quite confusing to pedestrians. sometimes you may find yourself
standing in front of a very big road, and no pedestrain traffic
light anywhere. Fon't worry though, You don't have to guess when
it's safe to cross. Simply look at the lane next to you, there will
most likely be a pedestrain light that is common for both lanes
(when they cross, you cross).
-
Buenos Aires has an incredibly
efficient subway system called the Subte. It's the fastest, cheapest
way to get around. You can pick up a free map in the Centros de
Información Turistica (Tourist Centers) around the city.
Buenos Aires words
Baños: toilettes
Damas: ladies
Caballeros: gentlemen
Salida: exit
Entrada: entrance
Caja: cash desk
¡Pare!: Stop!
¡Cuidado!: Take care !
¡Prohibido pasar!: Don´t pass !
Cambio: change
Asado: barbacue
Empanada: small pie filled with meat, ham and cheese, onion, etc.
Bife: steak
Milanesa: breaded meat
Pancho: hot dog
Pochoclo: Pop corn
Garrapiñadas: peanut or almonds covered with burnt sugar.
Alfajor: small cake covered with chocolate or powdered sugar.
Cortado: small coffee with a dash of milk
Lágrima: milk with a dash of coffee.
Submarino: milk with a bar of chocolate
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