Recognize everyday Argentine vocabulary and informal words, with regional and register notes.
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Argentinian Spanish words for everyday objects
Colectivo is a bus and bondi is an informal alternative. Subte names the subway in Buenos Aires. Regional vocabulary extends beyond these city-associated terms.
Remera, campera and zapatillas are everyday clothing words. Compare them with the broader clothes lesson.
el colectivobus (Argentina) · el koh-lehk-TEE-boh
el subtesubway (Buenos Aires) · el SOOB-teh
la remeraT-shirt (Argentina) · lah rreh-MEH-rah
la camperajacket (Argentina) · lah kahm-PEH-rah
las zapatillassneakers (Argentina) · lahs sah-pah-TEE-yahs
la heladerarefrigerator (Argentina) · lah eh-lah-DEH-rah
la canillafaucet (Argentina) · lah kah-NEE-yah
la lapiceraballpoint pen (Argentina) · lah lah-pee-SEH-rah
la abrochadorastapler (Argentina) · lah ah-broh-chah-DOH-rah
la naftagasoline (Argentina) · lah NAHF-tah
Argentinian food and drink vocabulary
Frutilla, durazno and palta are also used in other countries. They are familiar Argentine choices rather than uniquely Argentine inventions.
Mate names the infusion and its drinking vessel. Bombilla is the filtered straw used to drink it; this is not the light-bulb sense of the same word.
la frutillastrawberry (Argentina) · lah froo-TEE-yah
el duraznopeach (Argentina) · el doo-RAHS-noh
la paltaavocado (Argentina) · lah PAHL-tah
el choclocorn on the cob (Argentina) · el CHOH-kloh
el pochoclopopcorn (Argentina regional) · el poh-CHOH-kloh
la medialunacroissant-style pastry (Argentina) · lah meh-dyah-LOO-nah
el asadobarbecue (Argentina) · el ah-SAH-doh
el matemate infusion · el MAH-teh
la bombillamate drinking straw · lah bohm-BEE-yah
el dulce de lechecaramelized milk spread · el DOOL-seh deh LEH-cheh
Argentinian slang and conversational vocabulary
Laburo, guita and fiaca belong to informal speech. Chamuyo can suggest persuasive talk with doubtful sincerity, so it is not a neutral synonym for all conversation.
Vos is common in Argentina; see subject pronouns. Respelling here uses a broad Latin American y sound, while many Argentine speakers pronounce y and ll closer to sh or zh.
el laburojob (Argentina informal) · el lah-BOO-roh
la guitamoney (Argentina informal) · lah GEE-tah
el pibeyoung person (Argentina informal) · el PEE-beh
la fiacasluggishness (Argentina informal) · lah FYAH-kah
el chamuyosmooth talk (Argentina informal) · el chah-MOO-yoh
un cachosmall amount (Argentina informal) · oon KAH-choh
el líotrouble or mess (Argentina informal) · el LEE-oh
bárbarogreat (Argentina informal) · BAHR-bah-roh
chehey (Argentina attention-getter) · CHEH
vosyou (Argentina informal singular) · BOHS
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Argentinian Spanish Words: the full list
Review the meanings and pronunciation, then use the printable worksheet to recall each Spanish answer.
Quick answer:bus (Argentina) is el colectivo, subway (Buenos Aires) is el subte, T-shirt (Argentina) is la remera, jacket (Argentina) is la campera, sneakers (Argentina) is las zapatillas, refrigerator (Argentina) is la heladera, faucet (Argentina) is la canilla, ballpoint pen (Argentina) is la lapicera, stapler (Argentina) is la abrochadora, and gasoline (Argentina) is la nafta.
Che is an informal attention-getter or way of addressing someone, similar to hey. Its tone depends on the relationship and situation.
What is the difference between colectivo and bondi?
Both can mean a bus in Argentina. Colectivo is neutral, while bondi is informal.
What does laburo mean?
Laburo means work or a job in informal speech. It is used in Argentina and some neighboring countries.
Do Argentinians use vos instead of tú?
Vos is widespread for informal singular address in Argentina. It combines with forms such as vos tenés and vos sos.
Does all Argentinian Spanish sound like Buenos Aires Spanish?
No. Accents and vocabulary vary across the country; the sh-like or zh-like pronunciation of y and ll is especially associated with the Río de la Plata area.
What is a bombilla in mate culture?
It is the filtered straw used to drink mate. Elsewhere or in other contexts, bombilla can mean a light bulb.
