¡Che! (Hey!) If you want to speak like a world champion, Argentina’s Spanish is the dialect for you. Argentina, known globally for its prowess in fútbol (soccer), the mountains of Patagonia, and the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, is home to a vibrant and beautiful culture.
To feel right at home in your travels or with your Argentine neighbors, it helps to understand Argentina’s language. From pronunciation to vocabulary, certain elements of Argentine Spanish differ from what you may have learned in Standard Spanish. With this guide, you’ll be able to understand Argentinian Spanish in no time.
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Why is Spanish spoken in Argentina?
The language that most heavily influenced Argentina’s language is el castellano (Castilian Spanish).
Juan Diaz de Solis was the first Spaniard to reach Argentina in 1516. During colonial rule, Spanish was the most used language of commerce and public life. Castilian Spanish slowly overtook formerly widespread Indigenous languages. Even when Argentina declared independence from the Spanish monarchy in 1816, Spanish remained the common language of the land, and el español (Spanish) became the de facto national language.
Between the late 19th and early 20th century, Argentina was among the richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. During this time of prosperity, immigrants from all over the world arrived in Argentina with their own languages, cultures, and dialects, the latter of which influenced Argentine’s language.
The government of Argentina’s website now lists Spanish as the official language of the country.
How many people speak Spanish in Argentina?
With 45.8 million Spanish speakers, Argentina is among the top five countries with the most hispanohablantes (Spanish speakers) in the world. Spanish is the primary language of the vast majority of the population, with many others using Spanish as a second language.
The population of Argentina makes up a large number of how many people speak Spanish in the world, so it’s a worthwhile dialect to be familiar with.
What are the top three languages in Argentina?
In Argentina, the primary language is the dialect called Rioplatense Spanish, named because it developed throughout the Rio de la Plata (“The River Plate”). It now extends through most of Argentina and Uruguay.
Italian has had a large impact on Argentina, in the Spanish language and culture. Many people grow up learning Italian alongside Spanish, and may even speak it at home. Levantine Arabic is another important immigrant language. Argentina is also home to 14 living indigenous languages.
Argentinian Spanish accent
Argentina’s language has many influences, so it sounds distinct from other Spanish dialects. Some immediate clues are:
- The pronunciation of “y” and “ll” sound more like the English “sh” sound in “fish.”
- It has a musical quality reminiscent of Italian intonation and cadence.
- There are specific slang words and phrases typical of the area.
“Y” and “ll” pronunciation (sheísmo)
In many regions of Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires, the “y” and “ll” sounds are pronounced as “sh.” This way of pronouncing these sounds is known as sheísmo. For instance, pollo (chicken) is pronounced “POH-sho,” yo (I) is pronounced “sho,” and ella (she) is pronounced “EY-sha.”
Regional variations
Spanish accents differ between all the Spanish-speaking countries in South America, but they also differ between regions. You may notice a slight difference in northern Argentina’s Spanish from what is spoken farther south.
The vast majority of speakers sound like those native to its capital, Buenos Aires. This porteño accent is close to a Neapolitan Italian accent.
In parts of Northwest Argentina, the “y” and “ll” are pronounced like the Spanish “i” in vida (life), not unlike what you will hear in many parts of Central America.
Another accent worth mentioning is the accent from Córdoba, which elongates the syllable preceding an accented syllable. When pronouncing the word chegusán (a slang word for “sandwich”), you would elongate the syllable “gu.”
Words and phrases to know when traveling to Argentina
You can use these words and phrases for conversations around travel, dining, and more. If you want to sound like a true porteño (someone from Buenos Aires), practice saying these words out loud.
You’ll notice in the vocabulary lists below that many words or phrases unique to Argentinian Spanish resemble their Italian counterparts or come from Argentinian slang known as lunfardo, which is a blend of Italian, Spanish, French, and Indigenous words.
| Argentine Spanish | Standard Spanish | English Meaning |
| la birra | la cerveza | beer |
| el bondi | el bus | bus |
| chorear | robar | to steal |
| la gaseosa | el refresco | soft drink |
| laburar | trabajar | to work |
| la mina | la chica | girl/chick |
| manyar | comer | to eat |
| morfar | comer | to eat |
| parlar | hablar | to speak |
| el pibe/la piba | el niño/la niña | kid (informal) |
| el subterráneo | el metro | subway |
| el tacho | el taxi | taxi |
Slang in Argentina
Whether it’s a playful shortening of a common word, like chori for choripán (a chorizo sausage sandwich), or a reversal of syllables like feca for café (coffee), be proud of the Argentinian Spanish slang you can understand.
| Argentine Spanish | English Meaning |
| ¿Qué contás? | What’s up? |
| ¿Qué hacés? | Greeting, like “what’s up? |
| ¿Todo bien? | All good? |
| boludo | either an insult or a term of endearment among friends (proceed with caution) |
| ¡Buenas! | Hi! |
| chavón | dude |
| che | dude/girl |
| el chegusán | sandwich |
| cheto | snobby/posh |
| la gamba | 100 pesos |
| el mango/el sope | peso (currency) |
| la muzza (short for “pizza de mozzarella”) | cheese pizza |
| el subte | subway |
| la yuta | police |
| la zapi | pizza |
Is it difficult to learn Argentinian Spanish?
Your knowledge of general Latin American or Peninsular Spanish will still come in handy, as Spanish speakers from Argentina and elsewhere can generally understand each other in spite of language differences.
Learning Argentinian Spanish can be both rewarding and challenging, especially if you’re already familiar with other Spanish dialects. While the fundamentals of the language remain the same, the unique accent and vocabulary used in Spanish in Argentina can pose a learning curve for some.
With the right resources and practice, anyone can become proficient in Argentinian Spanish. It will feel rewarding if you start naturally adopting the musical and charming Argentine accent, but don’t feel the need to copy it. Simply communicate in even basic Spanish phrases to the best of your ability and embrace the way you sound.
Differences between Argentinian Spanish and Latin American Spanish
Argentinian Spanish boasts several distinctive features that set it apart from the Spanish dialects spoken in the rest of Latin America.
Italian influence
Much of Argentina’s population can trace their roots back to Italy—now you know why so many of your favorite Argentine sportsmen like Fangio, Maradona, Ginobili, and Messi, or tango musicians like Astor Piazzolla or Santos Discepolo, all have Italian last names.
If you’re planning to visit Argentina, pack your valija (“suitcase” in Argentine Spanish) instead of your maleta (“suitcase” in Standard Spanish). If you happen to have some knowledge of Italian, you’ll have a slight advantage at decoding unfamiliar terms, like ¡guarda! (watch out!) which has roots in the Italian term for “to look.” If not, you might be inspired to learn Italian by the end of your trip.
Both cultures also tend to use hand gestures to communicate and emphasize their speech.
Use of vos (voseo)
In Argentina, like in a few other regions inside Latin America, the informal pronoun vos (you) is commonly used instead of tú. This variation, called voseo, includes its own verb conjugations that resemble the conjugation of vosotros. One noteworthy difference in regular verbs is the stress on the last syllable.
| Voseo (Argentine Spanish) |
Tuteo (Standard Spanish) |
English Meaning |
| vos estudiás | tú estudias | you study |
| vos comés | tú comes | you eat |
| vos vivís | tú vives | you live |
| vos hacés | tú haces | you do/you make |
| vos podés | tú puedes | you can |
| vos querés | tú quieres | you want |
| vos sos | tú eres | you are |
| vos tenés | tú tienes | you have |
Tense differences
The simple future tense, such as viajaré (I will travel), él leerá (he will read), and compartiremos (we will share), is less common in Argentina than the near future structure made with ir + a + (infinitive).
- Voy a viajar. = I’m going to travel.
- Él va a leer. = He’s going to read.
- Vamos a compartir. = We are going to share.
You may also find that the preterite tense in Spanish (comí = I ate) is preferred over the present perfect (he comido = I have eaten). Most of the basic Spanish tenses will be comprehensible across dialects.
Frequently asked questions about Argentina’s languages
The Spanish you’ve learned with Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method will serve you well within communities that speak Argentinian Spanish, but you’re sure to have more questions to explore.
How different is European Peninsular Spanish from Argentine Spanish?
The Peninsular Spanish dialect from Spain has a few distinctions between all of the Latin American dialects, such as using vosotros instead of ustedes for a plural “you” in informal situations, and some pronunciation differences, but speakers of each dialect can understand one another.
Is Argentina’s language Spanish or Portuguese?
While Argentina’s neighbor, Brazil, does use Portuguese, Argentina uses Spanish in government, education, and most public life. You’ll likely find Brazilian Portuguese speakers who travel to Brazil regularly.
Can I speak English in Argentina?
Many people in Argentina have studied at least basic English and will be willing to help you, particularly in city centers and tourist areas. You’ll be better off learning basic Spanish words, even if they aren’t specific to Argentine Spanish.
Will I be able to understand Spanish in Argentina?
Most learners will have a bit of trouble adjusting to a different dialect at first. For example, if you’re used to practicing with a speaker from Mexico, you’ll need to attune your ear to someone using Argentinian Spanish. With some patience, you’ll be able to communicate using the Standard Spanish phrases you know.
Is kissing a part of the greeting in Argentina?
It’s common in many Latin American countries, including Argentina, to greet others, even strangers, with a kiss to the air near the cheek to show respect. It’s one way that people in this culture engage and connect.
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