Travel Spanish for Argentina

What Spanish is spoken here?

Argentine Spanish (Rioplatense) is instantly recognisable by its voseo: 'vos' replaces 'tú' ('vos tenés' instead of 'tú tienes'). Notable is the pronunciation of 'll' and 'y' like an English 'sh' ('calle' sounds like 'cashe'). Italian influence gives the speech an almost sing-song melody. In the north-west and north-east there are Quechua and Guaraní influences respectively.

Country & culture

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, stretching from the subtropical Iguazú Falls to windswept Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in the south. Buenos Aires is one of the liveliest cities on the continent. Highlights include the Perito Moreno glacier, the Mendoza wine region and the colourful Andes of the north-west.

History in brief

Before colonial times, Andean peoples lived in the north and nomadic groups on the Pampas and in Patagonia. The Spanish established settlements from the 16th century, and in 1816 Argentina declared its independence. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of European immigrants arrived, above all from Italy and Spain. Recent history has been shaped by Peronism, the military dictatorship (1976–1983) and recurring economic crises.

Country & people

• Around 46 million inhabitants (2025).
• A federal presidential republic; since late 2023 headed by libertarian president Javier Milei.
• The third-largest economy in the region, but chronically plagued by high inflation and debt.
• Agricultural exports (soya, beef, maize, wine), energy (Vaca Muerta shale) and industry.

Food & drink

• Asado — A traditional barbecue of various cuts of beef, a social ritual.
• Empanadas — Stuffed pasties, filled with meat, cheese or corn depending on the region.
• Milanesa — A breaded escalope, often done 'napolitana' topped with ham and cheese.
• Choripán — A grilled chorizo sausage in bread with chimichurri, a classic street food.
• Mate — An infusion of yerba mate leaves, drunk from a gourd with a bombilla, a social ritual.
• Vino Malbec — Argentina's characterful red wine variety, above all from Mendoza.
• Fernet con Coca — A bitter liqueur mixed with cola, the unofficial national drink of the young.

Useful words & slang

• „che" — hey/mate (typical Argentine way of addressing someone)
• „boludo/a" — idiot, but among friends also 'mate'
• „laburo" — work, job (from Italian)
• „quilombo" — chaos, mess
• „copado" — cool, brilliant
• „¿qué onda?" — What's up? / How's it going?

Example sentences from the app

• „Hola, ¿dónde tomo un taxi en el aeropuerto?" — Hi, where do I get a taxi from the airport?
• „Lléveme a Palermo, por favor." — Take me to Palermo, please.
• „Che, ¿todo bien? ¿De dónde sos?" — Hey, all good? Where are you from?
• „¿Querés venir esta noche?" — Do you want to come along tonight?
• „¡Bárbaro, dale, hagámoslo!" — Great, all good, let's do it!
• „¿Dónde puedo cargar la tarjeta SUBE?" — Where can I top up the SUBE card?
• „¿Qué colectivo va al centro?" — Which bus goes to the centre?
• „Disculpá, ¿el subte va a Recoleta?" — Excuse me, does the metro go to Recoleta?
• „Una mesa para dos, por favor." — A table for two, please.
• „Quiero un bife de chorizo, a punto." — I'd like a bife de chorizo, medium.
• „¿Qué me recomendás del asado?" — What do you recommend from the asado?
• „Tres empanadas para llevar, por favor." — Three empanadas to go, please.
• „Voy a pedir una milanesa con papas fritas." — I'll have a milanesa with fries.
• „Dame un choripán, por favor." — Give me a choripán, please.

Travel tip

Because of inflation, the unofficial 'dólar blue' exchange rate is often worth it; bring US dollars in cash and check the current rates once you're there.