Castilian Spanish, which you’ve probably heard called “Spain Spanish,” has interesting features that differentiate it from Latin American Spanish, including its unique pronunciation. Just like American English in the United States differs from British English in the United Kingdom, location impacts the Spanish language as well.
If you’re wondering whether you should learn Castilian Spanish or Latin American Spanish, or what the difference between them is, you’re in the right place. In this guide, you’ll discover the similarities and differences between these two versions of Spanish and how to converse with native speakers of either one with confidence.
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What is Castilian Spanish?
Castilian Spanish is the primary language spoken in Northern and Central Spain and is widely considered the first “official” form of the language known today as “Spanish.”
It’s possible you’ve not heard the term “Castilian Spanish” before because it’s known by a few other names, including:
- “Spain” Spanish
- Peninsular Spanish
- El Castellano (Castilian Spanish)
- La Lengua Castellana (The Castilian Language)
You may notice that you have a choice of two Spanish dialects (“Spain” Spanish and “Latin American” Spanish) on Rosetta Stone, and in the audio of many movies that are dubbed in Spanish. This post refers to “Spain” Spanish as Castilian Spanish, but elsewhere on the Rosetta Stone blog you’ll see the term Peninsular Spanish when it’s referring to the group of dialects spoken in Spain vs. Latin America.
Why is it called Castilian Spanish?
The answer to “Where is Castilian Spanish spoken?” is Spain. But if you want to know why it’s called Castilian Spanish, it’s because of “Castile,” an area of Northern and Central Spain where the Castilian dialect evolved and became powerful.
In the 13th century, King Alfonso X of Spain aimed to promote the Castilian language, improve education, and sponsor works in the language in many fields. He had historic documents translated into Castilian as well, and ultimately Castilian became the official language of the government.
In 1492, Elio Antonio de Nebrija published the first Gramática sobre la lengua castellana (Grammar of the Castilian Language), a famous title in the Real Academia Española’s collection of classic works, the BCRAE (Biblioteca Clásica de la Real Academia Española).
It’s also often called el castellano or Castilian Spanish to distinguish it from the other official languages spoken in Spain, which include:
- el catalán (Catalan)
- el gallego (Galician)
- el vasco/el euskera (Basque)
What are the differences between Latin American and Castilian Spanish?
Though there are more similarities than differences, there are some distinguishing characteristics of each group of dialects to note.
Castilian Spanish uses vosotros (you, plural informal)
Latin American dialects do not use the informal vosotros/vosotras subject pronouns or their associated verb forms. Instead, speakers of other forms of Spanish use ustedes (you plural). This is reserved for the formal plural form of “you” in castellano.
- Vosotros sois de España. = You are from Spain. (Spain/Castilian)
- Ustedes son de España. = You are from Spain (Latin American)
- ¿Dónde entrenáis vosotros? = Where do you all practice? (Spain/Castilian)
- ¿Dónde practican? = Where do you practice? (Latin American)
Castilian Spanish tends to use tú more often
The usted vs. tú dichotomy is impacted greatly by dialect, region, and even generation and family preferences. As a general rule, if you’re talking to Spanish speakers from Spain, you may notice that usted is only used in particularly formal situations, whereas in Latin America, usted is the default unless a very close relationship is established.
If you’re unsure, listen carefully to how tú and usted are used within the context in which you find yourself communicating. Starting with usted in Castilian Spanish could mean you’ll be considered a bit “too” formal, and someone might always give you permission to tutear (address them as tú).
- ¿Cómo os conocisteis tú y Daniel? = How did you and Daniel meet?
- ¿Puedo tutearte? = Can I use tú with you?
In some parts of Latin America such as parts of Colombia, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Uruguay, people in “familiar” relationships might use vos instead of tú.
There are variations in general vocabulary
It’s fun to compare vocabulary variations between dialects of any language. Consider the difference in British and American English with the words “flat” vs. “apartment,” or “the loo” vs. “the bathroom,” or “the lift” vs. “the elevator.” Castilian Spanish and Latin American Spanish vocabulary is no different.
Both dialects evolved in their own ways. Castilian Spanish was influenced by the other languages in close proximity, including English. Latin American dialects have absorbed many words from indigenous languages and other regional terms.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of differences, as regional vocabulary variety abounds even between parts of a country, but here are some common Spanish words you’ll want to be aware of.
| Castilian Spanish | Spanish Word in Latin America | English Meaning |
| un aguacate | una palta | an avocado |
| alquilar | rentar | to rent |
| aquí | acá | here |
| el aseo | el baño/los servicios | the public bathroom |
| un coche | un carro | a car |
| conducir | manejar | to drive (a car) |
| unas gafas | unos anteojos/unos lentes | eyeglasses |
| una habitación | un cuarto | a room (of a house) |
| un jersey | un suéter | a sweater |
| unas judías | unos frijoles | beans (legume) |
| un móvil | un celular | a cell phone |
| un ordenador | una computadora | a computer |
| una patata | una papa | a potato |
| un piso | un apartamento | an apartment |
| un zumo | un jugo | a juice |
Castilian Spanish uses the present perfect more often
If you’re talking about events in the recent past, Castilian Spanish speakers will absolutely use the pretérito perfecto (the present perfect) instead of the pretérito simple (preterite tense). This means they’re more likely to say they “have done” something rather than they “did” something.
- He ido a pescar. = I went (have gone) fishing. (Present perfect common in Spain)
- Yo fui a pescar. = I went fishing. (Preterite common in Latin America)
Leísmo is more common in Castilian Spanish
In standard Spanish of all regions, le means “to him/to her” and is reserved for indirect objects. Lo means “him/her” is reserved for direct objects. But mixing the two types of Spanish pronouns is a common phenomenon. In Castilian Spanish, leísmo, using le when others would use lo for a direct object is common.
- ¿Viste a Javier?” = Did you see Javier?
- Lo vi. = I saw him. (standard/correct)
- Le vi. = I saw him. (Castilian Spanish leísmo).
Though both ways of mixing the pronouns are technically “errors,” the Real Academia Española acknowledges that leísmo can be common with certain verbs.
How is Castilian Spanish pronunciation different from Latin American Spanish?
This is often the most noticeable characteristic of Castilian Spanish. Sometimes it’s misrepresented as a “lisp,” but this is not at all the case. There are notable differences in Spanish pronunciation of the letters c, z, j, ll, and y that will set Castilian Spanish apart. These aren’t the only differences, but they’re often the ones people notice first.
Take the pronunciation of the city of Barcelona in Spain. The Castilian Spanish seseo (pronouncing the “c” like “th” in “bath”) is quite evident.
- ¿Cuándo van a ir a Barcelona? = When are you going to Barcelona? (Spain)
- ¿Cuándo van ustedes a Barcelona? = When are you going to Barcelona? (Latin American)
How is ‘z’ pronounced in Castilian Spanish?
The letter z is pronounced like the “th” in “bath” in Castilian Spanish, but like the “s” in “snake” in Latin American Spanish.
- Hay una manzana. = There is an apple. (Spain)
- Hay una manzana. = There is an apple. (Latin American)
Pronouncing ‘c’ in Castilian Spanish?
In front of the vowels a, o, and u, there is no difference between the dialects. They both pronounce it like the “k” in “cake.”
In front of e and i, Castilian Spanish speakers pronounce c like the “th” in “bath.”
- Bien, gracias. = Well, thank you. (Spain)
- Muy bien, gracias. = Very well, thank you. (Latin American)
How is the ‘j’ pronounced differently?
Generally speaking, the “j” sound has a stronger sound, with a bit more harshness from the back of the throat in Castilian Spanish, while it can sound like a softer “h” sound in Latin America.
- jueves = Thursday (Spain)
- jueves = Thursday (LatAm)
How is ‘ll’ and ‘y’ pronounced?
Both of these sounds are like the “y” in “canyon” in Castilian Spanish. In Latin America they are more often like a “j” in “juice,” except for in Argentinian Spanish where the pronunciation resembles the “sh” in “shoe.”
- Me llamo Elena. = My name is Elena.
- Yo me llamo Lucas. = My name is Lucas.
Whichever dialect you choose to learn on Rosetta Stone, the TruAccent speech recognition engine will ensure you’re easy to understand.
If I learn Latin American Spanish will I understand Castilian Spanish?
Yes. The good news is there’s a great deal of overlap between these two main groups of Spanish dialects. Imagine you’re at una boda (a wedding) chatting with un cuñado (a brother-in-law) from the South of the United States, un compañero de clase (a university classmate) from Scotland, and el novio (the groom) from Boston. You can all understand each other, and can carry on most conversations using Standard English, but you’d be amazed at the variety in each other’s accents, slang, and even grammar.
This is quite similar to the ways that Spanish dialects vary. You’ll be able to have a conversation, though slang and regional variation will pose a challenge to any learner, no matter the dialect.
Frequently asked questions about Castilian Spanish
It’s no wonder learners are curious about what Castilian Spanish is and how it’s different from other dialects. Here are some answers to common questions.
Can a Mexican understand a Spanish person?
Yes, if both are intentional about using more standard vocabulary. Mexican Spanish vs. Spain Spanish are typically mutually intelligible, and most Spanish phrases are identical between the two. It would be similar to a British English speaker and an American English speaker, who would be able to communicate without too much trouble.
What’s the difference between Castilian and Catalan?
El catalán (Catalan) is a completely separate language, spoken in the region of Spain called Cataluña (Catalonia in English) where the city of Barcelona is located. Catalan is the official language of this region, so signage and lots of conversation in your surroundings will be in this language instead of el castellano.
If you’re planning to visit Barcelona or the surrounding area, don’t worry. Many people are bilingual in Catalan and Castellano or know basic Spanish phrases, and signs are often in both languages. However, learning Catalan vs. Castilian Spanish would be like learning Spanish vs. French or another Romance language.
Is Castilian Spanish the same as ‘regular’ Spanish?
That very much depends on what you consider “regular” Spanish. Yes, it’s the same as the standard Spanish from Spain that is the basis for Latin American dialects, but all Spanish dialects have their own unique characteristics as they’ve evolved independently from one another. Castilian Spanish might not be the same as the Spanish you’ve learned previously, because your profe (teacher) or abuela (grandmother) may have focused on Colombian Spanish.
Should I learn Latin American Spanish or Castilian Spanish?
It all depends on what your goals are. Rosetta Stone teaches both Latin American Spanish and “Spain” Spanish because people may wish to choose one over the other based on geography, travel plans, family connections, previous study, or even just because they like the way one of them sounds. It’s entirely up to the learner, but learning either one will greatly improve your ability to communicate with all Spanish speakers around the world, regardless of dialect.
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