If you’re learning Spanish and planning to visit or live in Argentina, there’s something very important you need to know: Spanish from Argentina is totally different from the Spanish spoken in Spain or the rest of Latin America.
Yes — if you already speak some Spanish, you will still understand a good portion of Argentinian Spanish, but I’d say about 70–80%. The remaining 20–30% is what makes our Spanish unique — and that’s what this blog post is all about.
So, if you’re ready, here’s your beginner-friendly masterclass on Argentinian Spanish, broken down into four essential categories:
1. Pronunciation: The Most Noticeable Difference
The first and most obvious difference is in how we pronounce certain letters.
The “Y” and “LL” Sound
In Argentina (especially in Buenos Aires), when we have “Y” or “LL” followed by a vowel (A, E, I, O, U), we pronounce it like the English “sh” sound.
Examples:
- Yo → “Sho” (I)
- Lluvia → “Shuvia” (Rain)
- Llave → “Sha-ve” (Key)
This is called «yeísmo rehilado» and it’s one of the features that makes the porteño accent so recognizable.
2. Conjugation: “Vos” Instead of “Tú”
Unlike most Spanish-speaking countries, Argentina doesn’t use «tú» (you, informal).
We use «vos», and that comes with different verb conjugations.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Verb (Infinitive) | Standard Spanish («tú») | Argentinian Spanish («vos») |
|---|---|---|
| Trabajar (to work) | Tú trabajas | Vos trabajás |
| Comer (to eat) | Tú comes | Vos comés |
| Vivir (to live) | Tú vives | Vos vivís |
| Ser (to be) | Tú eres | Vos sos |
| Tener (to have) | Tú tienes | Vos tenés |
| Querer (to want) | Tú quieres | Vos querés |
Notice the stress on the last syllable in «vos» conjugations. That’s the main marker.
3. Vocabulary & Lunfardo (Slang)
This is the most fun and culturally rich part of Argentinian Spanish.
We use hundreds of unique words and expressions that don’t exist in Spain or most of Latin America — thanks to our mix of Italian, Spanish, and Indigenous influences.
This local slang is known as “lunfardo.”
Here are some common examples:
| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laburo | Job / work | Commonly used instead of “trabajo” |
| Laburar | To work | Verb form of laburo |
| Chamuyar | To flirt or lie | Used in both romantic and persuasive contexts |
| Colectivo | Bus | Nobody says “autobús” in Argentina |
| Plata | Money | Also means “silver,” but commonly used for cash |
| Boludo/a | Idiot / dude | Depends on tone — among friends it’s affectionate |
| Pelotudo/a | Idiot (more offensive) | Use with caution — not as friendly as boludo |
| Birra | Beer | From Italian “birra” |
| Pibe / Piba | Boy / Girl | Informal, very common in daily speech |
And that’s just a sample — there are hundreds more. Some say there are 500–800 slang words unique to Argentina!
4. Grammar: A Simpler Approach to the Present Perfect
In Argentina, we rarely use the present perfect tense (e.g., “he comido” – I have eaten).
Instead, we prefer the simple past.
So instead of saying:
He estudiado mucho. (I have studied a lot.)
We simply say:
Estudié mucho. (I studied a lot.)
It’s more direct and more natural in Argentinian Spanish.
We only use the present perfect in very formal or written contexts, and even then, it’s rare.
Why Learn Argentinian Spanish?
Argentina is going through an exciting time of political and economic change.
Or you’re considering living, investing, or vacationing in Argentina.
Whatever your reason, learning real Argentinian Spanish will open doors and help you feel connected with locals in a way no phrasebook ever could.
How I Can Help You Speak Argentinian Spanish
If you’re serious about traveling, moving to Argentina, or just finally learning the language that you’ve always wanted to speak — I’m here to help.
I’m Nicolas Gonzalez Miño, Argentine Spanish teacher, owner of the YouTube Channel “Spanish with Nico”, the founder of Spanish Mindset Academy – Learn Argentinian Spanish and the author of Mini Stories to Learn Spanish for Beginners, available on Amazon. Also, I have 2 podcast Argento Podcast, & Argentine Spanish from Scratch where I teach real Argentinian Spanish and slang.
In my YouTube Channel “Spanish with Nico”, with +1500 subscribers, I teach Spanish language and our dialect -Argentinian Spanish- and I explain everything about Argentinian history and culture.
In my individual programs (private 1:1 online classes), you can learn Argentine Spanish from scratch, for traveling, living, or doing business, and finally ACHIEVE FLUENCY in Argentine Spanish. Start learning Argentinian Spanish with me right now and be free in ARGENTINA!
👉 Ready to start?
Check the links below to join my 1:1 program to learn Argentinian Spanish in private lessons or contact me directly on here.
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Learn Argentinian Spanish: Slang & Culture | Spanish Mindset 