Lunfardo... The Porteño Slang
Spanish in Argentina, and in some cases in Buenos Aires only, is a little different from traditional Spanish. Lunfardo is practically a whole language of slang that developed in Buenos Aires and Montevideo beginning in the 19th century. It was used particularly among the lower classes of newly arrived immigrants, and it borrowed words from many other languages such as Italian, Portuguese, Quechua, French, Arabic, and more. Some of these words have made it into everyday slang. If you talk to anyone at a conversational familiar level, you will notice a lot of slang words. Here are a few of the more useful ones to know, since they might come up in everyday conversation... Che: this is a very Argentine word. It is used almost like "hey" in English to start a sentence, or to get someone's attention in an informal way with friends or people you know. The word "Che" doesn't have a translation. Here are a few different ways of using it: Che, como te llamas? = hey, what's your name? Che, que hora es? = Hey, what time is it? Che, prestame atención! = Hey, pay attention to me! Che Ma! a que hora esta la comida? = Hey mum, at what time is dinner?... Boludo/a: one of the most common words used by younger people. It is used a lot, but only amongst friends, because in some cases it is an insult. Its slang meaning is roughly "stupid," but in conversation is used to address someone. The only equivalent that comes to mind in English is the word "man", as in What's up, man? = qué hacés, boludo?. Girls use it also to address each other but as boluda... Gordo/a (fat), flaco/a (skinny): Don't get offended if someone calls you gordo/a or any other term describing physical appearance. They are more like terms of endearment... Pibe: kid... Chabón: guy... Guita: money... Mina: girl/woman... bondi: city bus... quilombo: a mess, and more. The "vos" form is used instead of "tu" (you), while the "ll" sound is completely different, being pronounced like "sh". But don't worry too much, you'll learn as you go along. Just be careful with this word in Argentina: If you want to say "to take" do not use "coger," since it means "to f*ck".