Argentinian slang: 300 phrases to sound like a local

300 phrases
300 real examples
80 slang
7 regions
46 local phrases
23 marked vulgar

Argentina's Spanish has its own words, its own grammar and its own music. Much of it comes from lunfardo, the old street slang of Buenos Aires.

Greetings and small talk 25

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
1	Che	Hey	Che, ¿sabés dónde para el bondi?Hey, do you know where the bus stops?	Casual Gets someone's attention. You'll hear it 100 times a day.
2	Buen día	Good morning	Buen día, ¿tienen medialunas?Good morning, do you have croissants?	Everyday Argentines say this far more than "buenos días".
3	Buenas	Hi (any time of day)	Buenas, ¿me das 2 empanadas de carne?Hi, can I get 2 beef empanadas?	Everyday Short for "buenas tardes" or "buenas noches". Works anywhere.
4	¿Todo bien?	All good?	Hola, ¿todo bien? ¿Me das un cortado?Hi, all good? Can I get a cortado?	Everyday A quick hello for shops, taxis and cafés.
5	Gracias	Thank you	Gracias por todo, estuvo riquísimo.Thanks for everything, it was delicious.	Everyday "Mil gracias" is thanks a lot. Say it after every taxi ride and every coffee.
6	De nada	You're welcome	Gracias por la ayuda. De nada, un placer.Thanks for the help. You're welcome, my pleasure.	Everyday "No hay de qué" means the same and sounds a bit more formal.
7	Permiso	Excuse me, let me through	Permiso, ¿puedo pasar? Me bajo en la próxima.Excuse me, can I get by? I'm getting off at the next stop.	Everyday Say it when you squeeze past someone on a bus or in a crowded bar. "Disculpá" is for apologies.
8	¿Qué onda?	What's up?	¿Qué onda, chicos? ¿Salimos esta noche?What's up, guys? Are we going out tonight?	Slang Between friends and young people.
9	¿Qué hacés?	Hi, how's it going?	¡Hola, Juli! ¿Qué hacés? Tanto tiempo.Hi, Juli! How's it going? Long time no see.	Casual Just a greeting. Answer "bien, ¿y vos?". "¿Qué contás?" asks for your news.
10	¿Cómo andás?	How are you doing?	¿Cómo andás? ¿Todo bien con el laburo?How are you doing? All good with work?	Everyday Warm and safe with anyone your age. "¿Cómo va?" is the quick version.
11	Dale	OK, sure, let's go	¿Nos vemos a las 9 en la esquina? Dale.See you at 9 on the corner? OK.	Everyday Agrees to anything. Also hurries people: "¡dale, que llegamos tarde!"
12	Disculpá	Excuse me, sorry	Disculpá, ¿es acá la cola del 152?Excuse me, is this the line for the 152?	Everyday The vos form. Use "disculpe" with older people.
13	Un gusto	Nice to meet you	Un gusto, Sofi. Yo soy Tomás.Nice to meet you, Sofi. I'm Tomás.	Everyday Comes with 1 kiss on the right cheek, even between male friends.
14	¿Y vos?	And you?	Bien, por suerte. ¿Y vos?Good, luckily. And you?	Everyday Never "¿y tú?" in Argentina.
15	No entiendo	I don't understand	Perdón, no entiendo. ¿Podés hablar más despacio?Sorry, I don't understand. Can you speak more slowly?	Everyday Add "más despacio, por favor" (slower, please). Argentines talk fast, so locals expect it.
16	¿Hablás inglés?	Do you speak English?	Disculpá, ¿hablás inglés?Excuse me, do you speak English?	Everyday The vos form of "¿hablas inglés?". Ask it after a greeting, not instead of one.
17	Chau	Bye	Bueno, chau, nos vemos mañana.OK, bye, see you tomorrow.	Everyday The default goodbye. Often doubled: "chau, chau".
18	Acá andamos	Getting by, doing OK	¿Cómo estás? Bien, acá andamos.How are you? Fine, getting by.	Everyday The standard modest answer. "Ahí ando" means the same.
19	¿De dónde sos?	Where are you from?	¿De dónde sos? ¿De Estados Unidos?Where are you from? The US?	Everyday The first thing a new friend asks. Use "sos", never "eres".
20	¿Sos de acá?	Are you from here?	¿Sos de acá o estás de viaje?Are you from here or traveling?	Everyday An easy way to start a chat in a hostel or a bar.
21	¿De qué cuadro sos?	What team do you support?	¿De qué cuadro sos? ¿Boca o River?What team do you support? Boca or River?	Everyday Football is the top small-talk topic. Pick a team and the chat runs for an hour.
22	Pasame tu WhatsApp	Give me your WhatsApp	Che, pasame tu WhatsApp y armamos algo.Hey, give me your WhatsApp and we'll plan something.	Everyday Everyone uses WhatsApp, so this is how you swap numbers.
23	Tranqui	Relax, no worries	Tranqui, no pasa nada, lo pagás mañana.Relax, it's fine, you can pay tomorrow.	Casual Short for "tranquilo". Calms someone down.
24	Tanto tiempo	Long time no see	¡Tanto tiempo, Fede! ¿Dónde estabas?Long time no see, Fede! Where were you?	Everyday Say it when you meet someone after weeks or months.
25	Abrazo	Bye (a hug)	Dale, hablamos la semana que viene. Abrazo.OK, let's talk next week. Hugs.	Casual How men sign off with friends and coworkers. Women and mixed groups often end with "beso" (a kiss).

Getting around 24

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
26	¿Me llevás a...?	Can you take me to...?	¿Me llevás a Palermo? ¿Cuánto sale más o menos?Can you take me to Palermo? About how much is it?	Everyday What you say when you get in a taxi.
27	¿Te pido un Uber?	Shall I order you an Uber?	Ya es tarde. ¿Te pido un Uber hasta el hotel?It's late. Shall I order you an Uber to the hotel?	Everyday Uber, DiDi and Cabify all work here, even from Ezeiza airport, but don't order one at a taxi stand.
28	Tacho	Taxi	Es tarde, mejor tomamos un tacho.It's late, let's get a taxi.	Slang Also "tachero" for the driver.
29	Dejame en la esquina	Drop me at the corner	Dejame en la esquina, gracias.Drop me at the corner, thanks.	Everyday Drivers stop at corners, so this is the easy way to end a ride.
30	Colectivo	City bus	¿Qué colectivo me lleva a La Boca?Which bus takes me to La Boca?	Everyday The standard word, fine with anyone.
31	Bondi	Bus	Tomate el bondi en la esquina, te deja en la puerta.Take the bus on the corner, it drops you at the door.	Slang What everyone calls the city bus. From Brazilian Portuguese "bonde", the word for the trams in Rio de Janeiro.
32	Subte	Subway, metro	Andá en subte, es más rápido que el taxi.Take the subway, it's faster than a taxi.	Everyday Buenos Aires only. Short for "subterráneo".
33	SUBE	Transit card	Sin la SUBE no podés subir al bondi.Without the SUBE card you can't get on the bus.	Everyday Buenos Aires buses take no cash, so buy one at a kiosk and "cargá la SUBE" (top it up). Córdoba uses its own Red Bus card and Rosario uses Movi.
34	Parada	Bus stop	La parada del 29 está en la otra cuadra.The stop for the 29 is on the next block.	Everyday Look for the bus number on the sign.
35	Bajo en la próxima	I'm getting off at the next stop	Disculpá, bajo en la próxima.Excuse me, I'm getting off at the next stop.	Everyday Say it as you move to the back door of the bus, and press the bell.
36	Seguí derecho	Go straight ahead	Seguí derecho por Corrientes hasta el Obelisco.Go straight down Corrientes to the Obelisk.	Everyday What locals and drivers say when you ask the way.
37	Doblá a la derecha	Turn right	Doblá a la derecha en el semáforo, por favor.Turn right at the light, please.	Everyday "Doblá a la izquierda" is turn left. Use it to guide a taxi.
38	¿Dónde queda...?	Where is...?	Disculpá, ¿dónde queda la estación Retiro?Excuse me, where is Retiro station?	Everyday "Quedar" means "to be located". Locals say it more than "¿dónde está?".
39	¿Dónde está el baño?	Where is the bathroom?	Disculpá, ¿dónde está el baño?Excuse me, where is the bathroom?	Everyday Locals also say "¿dónde queda el baño?". Never "servicios" or "aseo".
40	Remís	Car service with a set fare	Pedí un remís al aeropuerto, sale 25 lucas.Order a car service to the airport, it costs 25,000 pesos.	Everyday You book it by phone or app. You can't hail one on the street. Common outside Buenos Aires.
41	Micro	Long-distance bus	Tomamos el micro a Mendoza a la noche.We're taking the overnight bus to Mendoza.	Everyday For trips between cities. "Cama" seats lie almost flat.
42	Nafta	Gas, gasoline	Paremos a cargar nafta antes de la ruta.Let's stop for gas before the highway.	Everyday "Gasolina" sounds foreign here, and "llename el tanque" means fill it up.
43	Cuadra	City block	El hostel está a 3 cuadras de la plaza.The hostel is 3 blocks from the square.	Everyday How locals give every distance in town.
44	Pasar a buscar	Pick someone up	Te paso a buscar por el hotel a las 10.I'll pick you up at the hotel at 10.	Everyday Never "recoger" here.
45	Celu	Cell phone	Guardá el celu en el bondi, que te lo afanan.Put your phone away on the bus, or they'll steal it.	Everyday Short for "celular". Never "móvil".
46	Chorro	Thief	Cuidado en la estación, hay muchos chorros.Be careful at the station, there are lots of thieves.	Slang Also "chorear" (to steal).
47	Motochorro	Thief on a motorbike	Un motochorro le sacó la cartera de la mano.A motorbike thief grabbed the bag out of her hand.	Slang Keep your phone away from the curb.
48	Cana	Police, cop	Llamá a la cana que entraron a robar.Call the cops, someone broke in.	Slang "Ir en cana" means going to jail. "Yuta" is a harsher word for the police.
49	Rajar	Get out fast, leave	Se largó a llover, ¡rajemos!It started pouring, let's get out of here!	Slang Also "¡rajá!" to tell someone to scram. "Tomárselas" means the same: "me las tomo".

Food and drink 40

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
50	¿Me das...?	Can I get...?	¿Me das un cortado y 2 medialunas?Can I get a cortado and 2 croissants?	Everyday The usual way to order at a counter or a café. Add "por favor" and you're set.
51	¿Me traés...?	Can you bring me...?	¿Me traés otra birra, por favor?Can you bring me another beer, please?	Everyday What you say to the waiter at your table.
52	Mozo	Waiter	¡Mozo! ¿Nos traés la carta?Waiter! Can you bring us the menu?	Everyday Raise a hand and say "mozo" or "disculpá" to call one.
53	La cuenta, por favor	The check, please	¿Nos traés la cuenta, por favor?Can you bring us the check, please?	Everyday Waiters don't bring it until you ask.
54	Cortado	Espresso with a dash of milk	Para mí un cortado en jarrito.For me, a cortado in a small mug.	Everyday The most ordered coffee at any café.
55	Medialuna	Croissant	Un café con leche con 2 medialunas, por favor.A latte with 2 croissants, please.	Everyday Sweet ones are "de manteca", plain ones "de grasa".
56	¿Qué me recomendás?	What do you recommend?	¿Qué me recomendás de la carta?What do you recommend on the menu?	Everyday Waiters at a parrilla love this question.
57	Cubierto	Cover charge	El cubierto incluye el pan y la manteca.The cover charge includes the bread and butter.	Everyday A small fee per person on most restaurant bills. Literally "place setting".
58	Propina	Tip	Dejá un 10% de propina, no viene en la cuenta.Leave a 10% tip, it's not on the bill.	Everyday About 10% at restaurants and cafés, often in cash.
59	Parrilla	Steakhouse, grill	Hay una parrilla buenísima a 2 cuadras.There's a great steakhouse 2 blocks away.	Everyday Both the grill and the restaurant.
60	Bife	Steak	Me pedí un bife de chorizo para mí solo.I ordered a sirloin steak all for myself.	Everyday "Bife de chorizo" is sirloin. "Bife de lomo" is tenderloin.
61	Jugoso	Rare to medium rare (steak)	El bife, jugoso, por favor.The steak, pink and juicy, please.	Everyday "Vuelta y vuelta" is rare. "A punto" is medium. "Bien cocido" is well done.
62	Achuras	Offal	De entrada van las achuras: chinchulines y mollejas.First come the offal cuts: chitterlings and sweetbreads.	Everyday Starters at any parrilla.
63	Vacío	Flank steak	Pedimos un vacío para compartir.We ordered a flank steak to share.	Everyday A favorite cut. The everyday word also means "empty".
64	Asado	Barbecue	El domingo hacemos un asado en lo de Martín.On Sunday we're having a barbecue at Martín's.	Everyday The meal and the social event. Say yes if invited.
65	Empanada	Filled pastry	Pedimos una docena de empanadas de carne.We ordered 12 beef empanadas.	Everyday Every province claims the best ones. Salta and Tucumán have a strong case.
66	Una de muzza	A mozzarella pizza	Pedimos una de muzza para compartir.We ordered a mozzarella pizza to share.	Everyday "Muzza" is mozzarella. Pizzerias also sell "fugazzeta", with onion and cheese.
67	Porción	Slice (of pizza)	Una porción de muzza y una de fainá, por favor.A slice of mozzarella pizza and a slice of fainá, please.	Everyday Pizzerias sell single slices at the counter.
68	Fainá	Chickpea flatbread	Poné la fainá arriba de la pizza, como los porteños.Put the fainá on top of the pizza, like the locals do.	Everyday A thin chickpea bread. People eat it on top of a pizza slice.
69	Para llevar	To go, takeaway	¿Es para comer acá o para llevar?Is it for here or to go?	Everyday Cafés, pizzerias and heladerías (ice cream shops) ask this at the counter.
70	Gaseosa	Soda, soft drink	¿Qué gaseosa tenés? ¿Coca o Sprite?What soda do you have? Coke or Sprite?	Everyday "Refresco" sounds foreign here.
71	Agua de la canilla	Tap water	¿Me traés agua de la canilla, por favor?Can you bring me tap water, please?	Everyday "Canilla" means tap. Ask for "agua con gas" or "sin gas" if you want a bottle.
72	Tostado	Toasted ham and cheese sandwich	Un tostado y un café con leche, por favor.A toasted ham and cheese sandwich and a latte, please.	Everyday Cafés make it with thin "pan de miga". The classic café snack.
73	Sánguche	Sandwich	Compramos unos sánguches para el micro.We bought some sandwiches for the bus.	Casual "Sándwich" works too.
74	Choripán	Sausage sandwich	Comprate un choripán en la cancha, son los mejores.Get a sausage sandwich at the stadium, they're the best.	Everyday Short form "chori". Street food at games and protests.
75	Pancho	Hot dog	Me comí un pancho en un carrito de la costanera.I ate a hot dog from a cart on the riverside.	Everyday Kiosks and street carts sell them.
76	Milanesa	Breaded cutlet	Hay milanesa con papas fritas en el menú del día.There's breaded cutlet with fries on today's menu.	Everyday Short form "mila". A "napolitana" has ham, sauce and cheese.
77	Facturas	Pastries	Traé facturas para el mate.Bring some pastries for the mate.	Everyday A box of facturas is the classic gift for a visit.
78	Lágrima	Milk with a drop of coffee	Una lágrima, que el café me pone nervioso.A lágrima, coffee makes me jittery.	Everyday Literally "a tear" of coffee in hot milk.
79	Mate	Herbal tea in a gourd	¿Querés un mate? Está recién cebado.Want a mate? It's freshly poured.	Everyday Everyone shares 1 gourd and 1 straw. Saying "gracias" means you're done.
80	Cebar	Pour and serve mate	Hoy cebo yo, vos cebaste ayer.I'll pour the mate today, you poured yesterday.	Everyday The person who pours drinks first and hands it around.
81	Bombilla	Metal mate straw	No muevas la bombilla, que se tapa.Don't move the straw, it'll clog.	Everyday Moving it is the classic beginner's mistake.
82	Picada	Snack platter	Armemos una picada con salame y queso.Let's put together a platter with salami and cheese.	Everyday Cold cuts, cheese and olives with drinks.
83	Alfajor	Cookie sandwich with a sweet filling	Compré una caja de alfajores para llevar de regalo.I bought a box of alfajores to take home as a gift.	Everyday 2 soft cookies, often filled with dulce de leche and dipped in chocolate. Every kiosk sells them.
84	Palta	Avocado	¿El tostado viene con palta?Does the toasted sandwich come with avocado?	Everyday "Aguacate" sounds foreign here.
85	Frutilla	Strawberry	¿Me das un licuado de frutilla?Can I get a strawberry smoothie?	Everyday "Fresa" sounds foreign here.
86	Ananá	Pineapple	Un jugo de ananá, por favor.A pineapple juice, please.	Everyday "Ananá" is the usual word. "Piña" is also a punch.
87	Dulce de leche	Milk caramel spread	Las medialunas rellenas de dulce de leche son lo más.The croissants filled with dulce de leche are the best.	Everyday It's in alfajores, ice cream and pancakes.
88	Provoleta	Grilled provolone cheese	De entrada, una provoleta y unas achuras.To start, a grilled provolone and some offal.	Everyday A melted round of cheese with oregano, a starter at every parrilla. Entraña (skirt steak) and matambre are 2 more cuts to try.
89	Morfar	Eat	¿Vamos a morfar algo? Me muero de hambre.Shall we go eat something? I'm starving.	Slang Lunfardo for "comer". "Morfi" is the food itself.

Money and shopping 26

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
90	¿Cuánto sale?	How much is it?	¿Cuánto sale el bife con ensalada?How much is the steak with salad?	Everyday Argentines say "salir" for "cost".
91	¿Me cobrás?	Can I pay?	Disculpá, ¿me cobrás? Estoy apurado.Excuse me, can I pay? I'm in a hurry.	Everyday How you ask for the bill at a café or shop.
92	Efectivo	Cash	¿Aceptás tarjeta o solo efectivo?Do you take cards or only cash?	Everyday Some shops give you a discount for cash.
93	¿Tenés QR?	Can I pay by QR code?	¿Tenés QR? Te pago con Mercado Pago.Do you have a QR code? I'll pay with Mercado Pago.	Everyday Many shops take QR payments through apps like Mercado Pago.
94	¿Tenés cambio?	Do you have change?	Solo tengo uno de 20 lucas, ¿tenés cambio?I only have a 20,000-peso bill, do you have change?	Everyday Taxis and kiosks often can't break big bills, so ask before you pay.
95	Vuelto	Change (money back)	Quedate con el vuelto.Keep the change.	Everyday The money you get back. Small bills and coins are "cambio".
96	Posnet	Card machine	¿Tenés posnet o es solo efectivo?Do you have a card machine or is it cash only?	Everyday Used for any card reader.
97	Kiosco	Corner shop	Pasá por el kiosco y comprá agua.Stop by the corner shop and buy water.	Everyday Sells snacks, drinks and SUBE top-ups. Open late.
98	Luca	1,000 pesos	La entrada sale 20 lucas.The ticket costs 20,000 pesos.	Slang A "palo" is 1 million pesos, and a "palo verde" is a million dollars.
99	Plata	Money	¿Cuánta plata te queda para el viaje?How much money do you have left for the trip?	Everyday The normal word for money. "Dinero" sounds formal.
100	Guita	Money, cash	No tengo guita para salir este finde.I don't have money to go out this weekend.	Slang Very common. "Plata" is the everyday word.
101	Mango	Peso, a buck	Eso no vale ni un mango.That's not worth a single peso.	Slang "No tengo un mango" means you're broke.
102	Transferencia	Bank transfer	¿Te puedo pagar por transferencia?Can I pay you by bank transfer?	Everyday Shops, landlords and friends all take it.
103	Alias	Bank transfer alias	Pasame tu alias y te transfiero lo de la cena.Send me your alias and I'll transfer you my share of dinner.	Everyday A word code for a bank account. Friends split bills this way.
104	Dólar blue	Informal dollar rate	¿A cuánto está el dólar blue hoy?What's the informal dollar rate today?	Everyday The street rate for cash dollars, less important since 2025. The money changers on the street are "arbolitos".
105	Feria	Street market	El domingo vamos a la feria de San Telmo.On Sunday we're going to the San Telmo market.	Everyday Stalls sell crafts, mate gourds and antiques. You can ask for a deal: "¿me hacés precio?".
106	Está regalado	It's dirt cheap	¿5 lucas el mate? ¡Está regalado!5,000 pesos for the gourd? It's dirt cheap!	Casual Said about a bargain. "Regalado" literally means "given away".
107	Salado	Expensive	Está salado el hotel, pero vale la pena.The hotel is pricey, but it's worth it.	Casual Literally "salty".
108	Afano	Rip-off	¡10 lucas un café! Es un afano.10,000 pesos for a coffee! It's a rip-off.	Slang From "afanar" (to steal).
109	El chino	Neighborhood supermarket	Voy al chino a comprar birra.I'm going to the corner supermarket to buy beer.	Casual Small supermarkets. Chinese families often run them, and most people don't mean it as an insult.
110	Trucho	Fake, knockoff	Esa camiseta de Boca es trucha.That Boca jersey is fake.	Slang For fake goods, fake papers and dodgy people. A "truchada" is a scam or shoddy work.
111	Pilcha	Clothes	Me compré pilchas nuevas en la feria.I bought new clothes at the market.	Slang From Mapuche, the language of Argentina's south. A t-shirt is a "remera", the word you'll see in every shop.
112	Hacer una vaquita	Pool money	Hagamos una vaquita para el asado.Let's chip in for the barbecue.	Everyday Everyone puts in the same amount.
113	Garpar	Pay	¿Quién garpa esta vuelta?Who's paying this time?	Slang "Pagar" with its syllables flipped.
114	De garrón	For free, on someone else	Entramos de garrón al recital, un amigo tenía pases.We got into the concert for free, a friend had passes.	Casual Means you got it without paying, because someone else did.
115	Estar seco	Be broke	Estoy seco hasta fin de mes.I'm broke until the end of the month.	Casual Also "estar en la lona".

Bars and going out 20

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
116	Salud	Cheers	¡Salud! Por el viaje.Cheers! To the trip.	Everyday The toast before the first sip.
117	¿Qué tomás?	What are you drinking?	¿Qué tomás? Yo invito.What are you drinking? It's on me.	Everyday "Tomar" means to drink here. An easy opener at a bar.
118	Birra	Beer	¿Vamos por unas birras?Shall we go for some beers?	Slang From Italian. Very common.
119	Boliche	Nightclub	Vamos al boliche después de las 2.We'll go to the club after 2.	Everyday Clubs fill up around 2 or 3 in the morning. In some provinces it means a small bar.
120	Previa	Pre-drinks	Hacemos la previa en casa y después salimos.We'll have pre-drinks at home and go out after.	Casual Starts around midnight.
121	Chopp	Draft beer in a mug	2 chopps bien fríos, por favor.2 ice-cold draft beers, please.	Everyday Beer on tap, often spelled "chop". Bars serve it in a big glass mug.
122	Porrón	Small bottle of beer	Pedimos 3 porrones de rubia.We ordered 3 bottles of lager.	Everyday A small bottle, about 340 ml. The big shared bottle is "una de litro".
123	Trago	Drink, cocktail	Te invito un trago en la barra.I'll buy you a drink at the bar.	Everyday Any mixed drink.
124	Fernet	Fernet (bitter liqueur)	Un fernet con coca, por favor.A fernet and coke, please.	Everyday The national party drink, mostly in Córdoba and Buenos Aires.
125	Escabio	Booze	Llevá escabio que la fiesta arranca tarde.Bring booze, the party starts late.	Slang Lunfardo. "Escabiar" is to drink, and "escabiado" means drunk.
126	Estar en pedo	Be drunk	Estaba tan en pedo que no me acuerdo de nada.I was so drunk I don't remember anything.	Vulgar Mild, but don't say it to your host's parents.
127	Mamado	Wasted, very drunk	Volvió re mamado del cumple.He came back totally wasted from the birthday party.	Slang Stronger than "en pedo".
128	Pucho	Cigarette	¿Me convidás un pucho?Can you spare a cigarette?	Slang Also a cigarette butt.
129	Joda	Party, fun	Anoche fue una joda bárbara.Last night was a great party.	Slang "Ir de joda" is going out partying. "En joda" means "joking".
130	Patovica	Bouncer	El patovica no nos dejó entrar en zapatillas.The bouncer didn't let us in wearing sneakers.	Slang Some clubs have a dress code.
131	Cachengue	Party music, a party	Esta noche hay cachengue en el boliche.Tonight there's party music at the club.	Slang Cumbia and reggaetón for dancing.
132	After	After-party	Del boliche nos fuimos a un after.From the club we went to an after-party.	Casual Starts when the clubs close.
133	Colarse	Sneak in	Nos colamos en la fiesta sin entrada.We snuck into the party without a ticket.	Everyday Also cutting in line.
134	Cancha	Stadium, pitch	El domingo vamos a la cancha a ver a River.On Sunday we're going to the stadium to see River.	Everyday Can't get a ticket? Bars show every big game. "Tener cancha" means having experience.
135	Hincha	Fan (of a team)	Soy hincha de Boca desde chiquito.I've been a Boca fan since I was little.	Everyday Boca fans are "bosteros" and River fans are "gallinas". "Gallina" is a Boca taunt, so don't call a River fan that.

Friends and people 24

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
136	Boludo	Dude, idiot	¡Che, boludo! ¿Dónde estás?Hey, dude! Where are you?	Vulgar Friendly between friends, but to a stranger "no seas boludo" means "don't be an idiot".
137	Pibe / piba	Guy, girl, kid	Esa piba es amiga de mi hermana.That girl is my sister's friend.	Slang Very common, for kids and young adults. From Genoese "pivetto" (a boy).
138	Porteño / porteña	From Buenos Aires	Mi novio es porteño, pero yo soy de Rosario.My boyfriend is from Buenos Aires, but I'm from Rosario.	Everyday From "puerto". People from the provinces notice the difference.
139	Chabón / chabona	Guy, girl	Un chabón me preguntó por vos.Some guy asked me about you.	Slang For a person you don't name.
140	Mina	Woman, girl	¿Conocés a esa mina?Do you know that woman?	Slang Common, but some women find it disrespectful. Don't use it with women you just met.
141	Loco / loca	Man, dude (to a friend)	Loco, no sabés lo que me pasó.Dude, you won't believe what happened to me.	Slang Friendly when you say it to a friend.
142	Flaco / flaca	Hey you, buddy	Flaco, ¿me pasás la sal?Buddy, can you pass the salt?	Casual For a stranger your age. It doesn't mean they're thin.
143	Gordo / gorda	Dear, buddy	Gordo, ¿traés pan a la vuelta?Dear, can you bring bread on the way back?	Casual Pet name for partners and friends. "Gordi" is the sweeter form couples use.
144	Capo / capa	Legend, boss	Sos un capo, gracias por la ayuda.You're a legend, thanks for the help.	Casual High praise. "Capo total" is even more.
145	Ñeri	Bro, buddy	¿Qué hacés, ñeri? ¿Todo bien?What's up, bro? All good?	Slang From "compañero". Young people say it to close friends.
146	Aguante	Long live, go team	¡Aguante Boca, loco!Go Boca, man!	Slang Fans shout it for their team. "Hacer el aguante" means to stand by a friend: "te hago el aguante".
147	Canchero / canchera	Smooth, cocky pro	Se hace el canchero con la tabla, pero nunca surfeó.He acts like a pro with the board, but he's never surfed.	Casual Someone skilled, often with a show-off side. "Hacerse el canchero" is showing off.
148	Cumpa	Pal, buddy	¿Todo bien, cumpa?All good, pal?	Casual Short for "compañero" or "compadre".
149	Mis viejos	My parents	Vivo con mis viejos en Caballito.I live with my parents in Caballito.	Everyday "Mi vieja" is your mom, "mi viejo" your dad. Affectionate.
150	Nene / nena	Kid, babe	El nene se durmió en el auto.The kid fell asleep in the car.	Everyday For children, and as a pet name.
151	Pendejo / pendeja	Kid, brat	Esos pendejos juegan a la pelota toda la tarde.Those kids play soccer all afternoon.	Slang Said with scorn about kids and teens. For an adult, it means they act like a child.
152	Wacho / wacha	Rascal, kid	Ese wacho es terrible, siempre se escapa.That kid is a handful, he always runs off.	Vulgar Mild with kids and friends, but "¡qué guacho!" about an adult calls them a nasty person.
153	Cheto / cheta	Posh, snob	Fuimos a un bar re cheto de Recoleta.We went to a really posh bar in Recoleta.	Slang For people, places and things.
154	Grasa	Tacky, low class	Esa campera es medio grasa.That jacket is kind of tacky.	Slang Can sound classist. Use with care.
155	Argento / argenta	Argentine	Somos re argentos, hasta para tomar mate.We're so Argentine, even in how we drink mate.	Slang What Argentines call themselves, with pride or with a wink.
156	Mochilero / mochilera	Backpacker	El hostel está lleno de mochileros europeos.The hostel is full of European backpackers.	Everyday What locals call budget travelers with a backpack.
157	Malandra	Crook, lowlife	Esa esquina de noche está llena de malandras.That corner is full of crooks at night.	Slang For petty criminals and shady people. Calling someone this is a real accusation.
158	Atorrante	Rascal, bum	¡Qué atorrante, me dejaste sin facturas!You rascal, you left me with no pastries!	Casual Playful with friends, harsh with strangers.
159	Laburo	Job, work	Consiguió laburo en un bar de San Telmo.He got a job at a bar in San Telmo.	Slang From Italian "lavoro". "Laburar" is the verb, and a "laburante" is a hard worker. "Una changa" is an odd job.

Reactions and feelings 32

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
160	Copado / copada	Cool, nice	Tu amiga es re copada.Your friend is really cool.	Casual The go-to word for "cool". Works for people, places and plans. "¿Te copás?" means "are you up for it?".
161	Joya	Great, perfect	Te paso a buscar a las 8. ¡Joya!I'll pick you up at 8. Perfect!	Casual A happy yes to a plan.
162	Posta	Really, for real	¿Posta que te vas mañana?For real, you're leaving tomorrow?	Slang As a question it means "seriously?". As an answer it means "it's true". "Tirar la posta" is telling it straight.
163	Bárbaro	Great, awesome	¡Bárbaro! Entonces reservo para 4.Great! Then I'll book for 4.	Everyday Works with friends and with your landlord.
164	Groso / grosa	Great, awesome	¡Qué groso el show de anoche!Last night's show was awesome!	Casual Also for a person who's great at something. From "grosso" (big), a word Italian and Portuguese share.
165	Piola	Cool, chill, decent	El hostel es piola y barato.The hostel is chill and cheap.	Casual For something good with no fuss. "Quedate piola" means "keep quiet".
166	Alto / altísimo	Huge, amazing	¡Alto viaje nos mandamos!We had an amazing trip!	Slang Goes before a noun: "alto asado", "alta fiesta". Young people love it.
167	Buenísimo	Great, awesome	¿Nos vemos a las 8 en el bar? ¡Buenísimo!See you at 8 at the bar? Great!	Everyday Says yes to a plan or to good news, many times a day.
168	Zarpado / zarpada	Wild, over the top	El asado estuvo zarpado.The barbecue was insane.	Slang Good or bad by context. "Te zarpaste" means "you went too far".
169	Medio pelo	Mediocre, so-so	El hotel es medio pelo, pero está bien ubicado.The hotel is so-so, but it's in a good spot.	Casual For places, things and people of doubtful quality.
170	De una	Sure, right away	¿Vamos a la playa? ¡De una!Shall we go to the beach? Totally!	Slang An eager yes.
171	Y sí	Well, yes, obviously	¿Venís al asado? Y sí, ¿qué te pensás?Are you coming to the barbecue? Well, yes, what do you think?	Casual Stresses that the answer is obvious.
172	Rescatate	Get a grip, calm down	Rescatate, boludo, que nos van a echar del bar.Get a grip, dude, they're going to kick us out of the bar.	Slang Tells someone to calm down or behave.
173	Bajar un cambio	Slow down, chill	Bajá un cambio, que no hay apuro.Slow down, there's no rush.	Casual Literally "shift down a gear". For someone rushing or getting worked up.
174	Al palo	Pumped, at full speed	Estoy al palo con el viaje, ya tengo todo listo.I'm pumped about the trip, I've got everything ready.	Slang Radio hosts say "música al palo" for music at full volume.
175	Chocho / chocha	Thrilled	Mi vieja está chocha con el regalo.My mom is thrilled with the gift.	Casual Warm and a little old school.
176	Estar manija	Be hyped, eager	Estoy re manija por el recital.I'm so hyped for the concert.	Slang Also "manija" for someone obsessed.
177	Qué bajón	What a bummer	Se suspendió el partido, qué bajón.They called off the game, what a bummer.	Casual "Estar bajoneado" means feeling down. "El bajón" is also the munchies.
178	Qué garrón	What a drag	Qué garrón, perdí el último micro.What a drag, I missed the last bus.	Slang For bad luck or a bad deal.
179	Qué embole	How boring	Qué embole esta cola, hace una hora que espero.This line is so boring, I've been waiting an hour.	Slang "Estar embolado" means being bored.
180	Ya fue	Forget it, whatever	Perdimos el tren. Bueno, ya fue.We missed the train. Oh well, forget it.	Slang Lets something go.
181	Fiaca	Laziness	Tengo una fiaca que no me levanto del sillón.I'm so lazy I'm not getting off the couch.	Casual "Tener fiaca" means you can't be bothered. From Italian "fiacca" (weariness).
182	Qué paja	What a pain, no way	Qué paja ir hasta allá con este calor.What a pain to go all the way there in this heat.	Vulgar Means "laziness" here, but also slang for masturbation. Keep it to friends.
183	Estar podrido	Be fed up	Estoy podrido de esperar el bondi.I'm sick of waiting for the bus.	Casual Literally "rotten".
184	Estar caliente	Be angry	El jefe está re caliente porque llegué tarde.The boss is really mad because I was late.	Vulgar Means angry here, but it also means horny. Context decides.
185	Flashear	Imagine things, be amazed	No te dije eso, flasheaste.I didn't say that, you imagined it.	Slang "Flasheé" can also mean "I was blown away".
186	Mirá vos	Oh really, look at that	¿Tu abuela es de acá? Mirá vos.Your grandmother is from here? Well, look at that.	Everyday Shows interest or mild surprise.
187	Ni ahí	Not at all, no way	No me gusta ni ahí ese lugar.I don't like that place at all.	Slang On its own, "¡ni ahí!" is a flat no.
188	Nada que ver	Not at all, unrelated	¿Son hermanos? ¡Nada que ver! Somos amigos.Are you brothers? Not at all! We're friends.	Everyday Also "that has nothing to do with it".
189	Me da bronca	It makes me mad	Me da bronca que el bondi nunca llegue a horario.It makes me mad that the bus is never on time.	Casual "Bronca" is anger. "¡Qué bronca!" means "how annoying!".
190	Me chupa un huevo	I don't care at all	Lo que piense él me chupa un huevo.I don't give a damn what he thinks.	Vulgar Very rude. Also "me chupa un quinoto", a softer joke version.
191	Que lo parió	Damn, wow	¡Que lo parió, qué golazo!Damn, what a goal!	Vulgar For anger and for amazement. Common at football games.

Fillers and everyday words 30

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
192	Re	Very, really	Está re caro el taxi a esta hora.The taxi is really expensive at this time.	Casual Goes before almost any word. "Recontra" is stronger, and "requetecontra" is the top grade.
193	Bueno	Well, OK	Bueno, ¿vamos? Se hace tarde.Well, shall we go? It's getting late.	Everyday Opens half of all sentences. Also means "OK" and closes a chat.
194	Capaz	Maybe	¿Venís a la previa? Capaz, no sé todavía.Are you coming to pre-drinks? Maybe, I don't know yet.	Everyday Also "capaz que" with a verb: "capaz que llueve". Used far more than "quizás".
195	Quilombo	Mess, chaos	El centro es un quilombo a la hora pico.Downtown is chaos at rush hour.	Slang Also a fight or a problem. Very common. It first meant a brothel, and before that a runaway-slave village in Brazil.
196	Listo	OK, done, deal	Listo, nos vemos allá.OK, see you there.	Everyday Closes a plan or a deal.
197	Tomá	Here you go	Tomá, acá tenés el vuelto.Here you go, here's your change.	Everyday Said as you hand something over, like change or a mate.
198	¿Viste?	You know? Right?	Es lejos, ¿viste?, mejor andá en taxi.It's far, you know, better take a taxi.	Everyday Ends sentences all the time.
199	O sea	I mean, so	O sea, ¿venís o no venís?I mean, are you coming or not?	Casual Explains or sums up what you just said.
200	Bah	Well, or rather	Nos vemos a las 8. Bah, a las 9.See you at 8. Well, at 9.	Casual Corrects or softens what you just said.
201	Ojo	Watch out, careful	Ojo con el celu en el subte.Careful with your phone on the subway.	Everyday A quick warning. You'll hear it all the time.
202	Obvio	Of course, obviously	¿Venís a la previa? ¡Obvio!Are you coming to pre-drinks? Of course!	Casual A happy yes. Also "obvio que sí".
203	Tal cual	Exactly, totally	Hace un calor bárbaro. Tal cual.It's really hot. Exactly.	Casual Agrees with what someone just said.
204	Igual	Anyway, still	Está lloviendo, pero igual salimos.It's raining, but we're going out anyway.	Everyday Also starts a sentence: "igual, no pasa nada".
205	Encima	What's more	Llegó tarde y encima no trajo nada.He showed up late, and what's more he didn't bring anything.	Everyday Adds one more complaint to the list.
206	Fijate	Have a look, check	Fijate si el bondi para en la esquina.Check if the bus stops on the corner.	Everyday From "fijarse". "Fijate que..." also means "look, ...".
207	Mal	Really, a lot	Me gustó mal ese lugar.I really loved that place.	Slang Young people put it after a verb to mean "a lot".
208	Una banda	A lot, loads	Te extrañé una banda.I missed you loads.	Slang Works for amounts and feelings: "una banda de gente".
209	Tipo	Like, around	Llegamos tipo 9, más o menos.We'll get there around 9, more or less.	Casual Fills gaps like "like" in English.
210	Ponele	Let's say, sure	¿Vamos a las 10? Ponele.Shall we go at 10? Sure, why not.	Casual A loose yes or "for example".
211	Ahre	Just kidding, lol	Mañana me levanto a las 6 a correr. Ahre.Tomorrow I'm getting up at 6 to go running. Just kidding.	Slang Young people add it after a joke or a wild claim, mostly in texts. Also written "ah re".
212	Qué sé yo	Who knows, I don't know	Qué sé yo, tal vez llueva.Who knows, maybe it'll rain.	Everyday Shrugs off a question. Often said as 1 word.
213	Ni idea	No idea	¿A qué hora pasa el bondi? Ni idea.What time does the bus come? No idea.	Everyday The quick answer when you don't know.
214	Buena onda	Nice, good vibes	El dueño del hostel es re buena onda.The hostel owner is really nice.	Casual The top compliment for a person. "Mala onda" is the opposite. "Onda" alone means vibe.
215	Coso	Thingy, whatchamacallit	Pasame el coso ese para abrir la birra.Hand me that thingy to open the beer.	Casual For any object or person whose name you forget.
216	Al pedo	For nothing, idle	Estoy al pedo todo el día, ¿hacemos algo?I've got nothing to do all day, shall we do something?	Vulgar Also "pointless": "fuimos al pedo". Mild, but keep it casual.
217	Mandarse una macana	Screw up	Me mandé una macana y dejé la llave adentro.I screwed up and left the key inside.	Casual "Macana" is a blunder. "¡Qué macana!" means "what a shame".
218	Zafar	Get by, get away with it	No estudié nada, pero zafé en el examen.I didn't study at all, but I scraped through the exam.	Slang Also "zafa" for "it'll do".
219	Boludear	Mess around	Dejá de boludear y ayudame con las valijas.Stop messing around and help me with the suitcases.	Vulgar Mild. Also "hang around doing nothing". "Una boludez" means a trifle or nonsense.
220	Bancar	Put up with, back	No me banco el calor de enero.I can't stand the heat in January.	Slang "Te banco" also means "I've got your back".
221	Gauchada	A favor	¿Me hacés una gauchada y me cuidás la valija?Can you do me a favor and watch my suitcase?	Everyday From "gaucho". Asking for one sounds friendly.

Time and plans 19

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
222	A la noche	Tonight, in the evening	¿Salimos a la noche? A la tarde quiero descansar.Shall we go out tonight? I want to rest this afternoon.	Everyday Argentines say "a la noche" and "a la tarde" where Spain says "por la noche". "Esta noche" works too.
223	¿A qué hora cenan?	What time do you eat dinner?	¿A qué hora cenan acá? ¿A las 10?What time do people eat dinner here? At 10?	Everyday Dinner starts around 9 or 10 p.m. Most restaurants don't serve food much before 8:30 p.m.
224	Siesta	Afternoon break	En Salta está todo cerrado a la siesta, volvé a las 5.In Salta everything is closed at siesta time, come back at 5.	Everyday In many provinces, mostly the north and Cuyo, shops close from about 1 to 5 p.m.
225	Merienda	Afternoon snack	A las 6 tomamos la merienda con mate y facturas.At 6 we have an afternoon snack with mate and pastries.	Everyday Coffee or mate with something sweet, around 6 p.m. It keeps you going until a late dinner.
226	Temprano	Early	Para cenar, las 8 es re temprano.For dinner, 8 is really early.	Everyday To a local, dinner at 8 p.m. is early. "Más temprano" means earlier today.
227	Al toque	Right away	Te contesto al toque.I'll answer you right away.	Slang Also "en un toque". Not always as fast as it sounds.
228	Finde	Weekend	¿Qué hacés este finde?What are you doing this weekend?	Casual Short for "fin de semana".
229	Juntarse	Meet up	¿Nos juntamos el viernes a tomar algo?Shall we meet up Friday for a drink?	Everyday How friends plan to see each other. A "juntada" is the get-together itself.
230	Feriado	Public holiday	El lunes es feriado, cierran los bancos.Monday is a holiday, banks are closed.	Everyday There are many. Check before you plan.
231	Fin de semana largo	Long weekend	Nos vamos a la costa el fin de semana largo.We're going to the coast for the long weekend.	Everyday Some holidays move to a Monday, so buses and hotels fill up fast.
232	Hacer la gamba	Lend a hand, help out	Haceme la gamba y prestame 5 lucas hasta el viernes.Do me a solid and lend me 5,000 pesos until Friday.	Slang For a small favor or a loan. "Gamba" means someone ready to help. "Gauchada" is the favor itself.
233	Arrancar	Start, get going	¿Arrancamos? Se hace tarde.Shall we get going? It's getting late.	Casual For starting a trip, a party or the day.
234	Caer	Show up, drop by	Caete a casa a la noche.Come by my place tonight.	Casual Also "caer de sorpresa".
235	A las mil y quinientas	Very late	Llegó a las mil y quinientas, como siempre.He showed up really late, as usual.	Casual Argentines run late, so you'll hear it.
236	Hora pico	Rush hour	No tomes el subte en hora pico, va lleno.Don't take the subway at rush hour, it's packed.	Everyday Weekday mornings and evenings. Buses and trains fill up.
237	Clavar	Stand someone up	Me clavó, la esperé una hora.She stood me up, I waited an hour for her.	Slang Also "clavarse" for being stuck with something. "Clavar el visto" is leaving someone on read.
238	Colgarse	Get distracted, forget	Perdón, me colgué y no te contesté.Sorry, I got distracted and didn't reply.	Slang Also "colgado" for a spacey person.
239	Estar a full	Be swamped	Esta semana estoy a full con el laburo.This week I'm swamped with work.	Casual Also "at full blast".
240	Pintar	Feel like, come up	¿Pinta un helado?Feel like some ice cream?	Slang "Si pinta" means "if it happens".

Teasing and insults 22

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
241	¿Me estás cargando?	Are you kidding me?	¿Me estás cargando? ¿Cuesta tanto?Are you kidding me? It costs that much?	Casual "Cargar" means to tease or joke.
242	Pelotudo / pelotuda	Idiot, dumbass	No seas pelotudo, poné atención.Don't be a dumbass, pay attention.	Vulgar Stronger than "boludo". Fine with close friends, a real insult to anyone else.
243	Forro / forra	Jerk	El forro del taxista no me quiso llevar.That jerk of a taxi driver wouldn't take me.	Vulgar Literally "lining", also slang for a condom. Always an insult.
244	Sorete	Jerk, piece of crap	No seas sorete, devolvele la plata.Don't be a jerk, give him back his money.	Vulgar Literally a turd. A strong insult.
245	Gil / gila	Fool, sucker	No seas gil, te están cobrando de más.Don't be a sucker, they're overcharging you.	Slang Someone easy to fool.
246	Salame	Dummy	¡Qué salame! Se olvidó las llaves adentro.What a dummy! He left the keys inside.	Casual Soft and playful. Literally "salami".
247	Cagar a pedos	Chew out, tell off	Mi vieja me cagó a pedos por llegar a las 6.My mom chewed me out for getting home at 6.	Vulgar Mild and very common, and "me cagaron a pedos" means "I got told off".
248	Garca	Swindler, crook	Ese vendedor es un garca, no le compres.That seller is a crook, don't buy from him.	Vulgar "Cagar" with its syllables flipped. For someone who cheats you.
249	Chanta	Fraud, bluffer	Es un chanta, nunca cumple lo que promete.He's a fraud, he never keeps his promises.	Slang Someone who talks big and doesn't deliver.
250	Turro / turra	Low-life, nasty piece of work	El turro me vendió una SUBE sin saldo.That low-life sold me a SUBE card with no credit.	Slang For someone who acts in bad faith. It can also mean dim.
251	Careta	Fake, square	Se hace el careta, pero en la previa es otro.He acts all proper, but at pre-drinks he's someone else.	Slang Also someone who doesn't drink or use drugs.
252	Chusma	Nosy gossip	Mi vecina es una chusma, mira todo desde la ventana.My neighbor is a nosy gossip, she watches everything from the window.	Slang Said with scorn. Locals also say "chusmear" for snooping.
253	Buchón / buchona	Snitch	El buchón le contó todo al profe.The snitch told the teacher everything.	Slang Also "botón".
254	Hinchapelotas	Pain in the neck	No seas hinchapelotas, ya te dije que no.Don't be a pain, I already told you no.	Vulgar Mild. Also "hinchar" (to nag). "Rompebolas" is a bit stronger.
255	Mufa	Jinx	No vengas a la cancha, sos mufa.Don't come to the stadium, you're a jinx.	Slang Football fans take it seriously. Also "yeta".
256	Agrandado / agrandada	Cocky, full of yourself	Desde que ganó, está re agrandado.Since he won, he's so full of himself.	Casual For showing off.
257	Pecho frío	Gutless, no passion	Ese jugador es un pecho frío, no corre nada.That player is gutless, he doesn't run at all.	Slang From football. For anyone with no fire.
258	Bardear	Trash-talk, start trouble	Dejá de bardear al mozo, no tiene la culpa.Stop giving the waiter a hard time, it's not his fault.	Slang "Bardo" is a fight or a mess.
259	Hacerse el boludo	Play dumb	No te hagas el boludo, sé que fuiste vos.Don't play dumb, I know it was you.	Vulgar Mild. Also "hacerse el gil".
260	Andá a cagar	Get lost, screw you	¡Andá a cagar! Me dejaste plantado.Screw you! You stood me up.	Vulgar Rude, though friends say it as a joke.
261	La concha de tu madre	Son of a bitch	¡La concha de tu madre, me rayaste el auto!You son of a bitch, you scratched my car!	Vulgar Among the worst insults. You'll hear it at football games. Don't use it.
262	Choto / chota	Crappy, lousy	Este celu es re choto, no anda nada.This phone is really crappy, it doesn't work at all.	Vulgar Also slang for penis.

Love and flirting 18

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
263	Me gustás	I like you	Me gustás mucho, ¿salimos el sábado?I really like you, want to go out on Saturday?	Everyday The vos form. "Me gustas" with the stress on "gus" sounds foreign.
264	Lindo / linda	Cute, lovely, nice	¡Qué linda que estás hoy!You look lovely today!	Everyday A top word here. People, places and plans are all "lindo".
265	Chamuyar	Sweet-talk, flirt	Me estuvo chamuyando toda la noche en el boliche.He was sweet-talking me all night at the club.	Slang Also "to bluff". The talk is "chamuyo", and a "chamuyero" is a smooth talker you shouldn't trust.
266	Tirar onda	Flirt, give signals	Creo que la de la barra me está tirando onda.I think the girl at the bar is flirting with me.	Slang Looks, smiles and hints. "Hay onda" means there's chemistry.
267	Levantar	Pick someone up	Anoche levantó a una piba en el boliche.Last night he picked up a girl at the club.	Slang "Levante" is a hookup or a crush.
268	Transar	Hook up	Transaron en la previa y ahora no se hablan.They hooked up at pre-drinks and now they don't talk.	Slang Usually means sex, or at least a serious hookup. For kissing, say "chapar": "se chaparon en la previa". A "transa" is also a drug dealer.
269	Tirar los galgos	Hit on someone	Le tiró los galgos a mi amiga toda la noche.He hit on my friend all night.	Slang More direct than "tirar onda".
270	Facha	Good looks	Ese actor tiene una facha bárbara.That actor is really good-looking.	Casual "Tener facha" is being handsome. "Fachero" means good-looking.
271	Estar fuerte	Be hot	Tu amigo está fuerte, ¿está soltero?Your friend is hot, is he single?	Slang Also "estar bueno".
272	Metejón	Big crush, infatuation	Tiene un metejón bárbaro con la piba de la barra.He has a huge crush on the girl at the bar.	Slang Lunfardo for falling hard for someone.
273	Engancharse	Fall for, catch feelings	Me enganché con un porteño en el viaje.I fell for a guy from Buenos Aires on the trip.	Casual Also getting hooked on a show.
274	Histeriquear	Lead on, play games	Dejá de histeriquear y decile que te gusta.Stop playing games and tell him you like him.	Slang "Histérica" here means a tease.
275	Gorrear	Cheat on	Se enteró de que la gorreaba con la vecina.She found out he was cheating on her with the neighbor.	Slang "Meter los cuernos" means the same. "Ser gorra" also means being a cop sympathizer.
276	Chongo	Casual hookup partner	No es mi novio, es un chongo.He's not my boyfriend, he's a fling.	Slang Someone you sleep with but don't date.
277	Telo	Love hotel	Hay un telo a la vuelta de la estación.There's a love hotel around the corner from the station.	Slang "Hotel" in vesre. You rent a room by the hour.
278	Cortar el rostro	Snub, turn down	Le pidió el número y le cortó el rostro.He asked for her number and she shot him down.	Slang A clear rejection, and younger people say "lo rebotó".
279	Garchar	Have sex	No me cuentes con quién garchaste.Don't tell me who you slept with.	Vulgar The common crude word. Never say it in front of family.
280	¿Tenés novio / novia?	Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend?	Che, ¿tenés novia? Te quiero presentar a mi prima.Hey, do you have a girlfriend? I want to introduce you to my cousin.	Everyday Direct, but normal at a bar or a boliche. "¿Estás saliendo con alguien?" is softer.

Sayings and expressions 20

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
281	Ni en pedo	No way, not a chance	¿Pagar eso por un café? Ni en pedo.Pay that for a coffee? No way.	Vulgar Mild and very common. A flat no. "Ni a palos" is a softer way to say it.
282	De pedo	By sheer luck	Llegué de pedo al último micro.I made the last bus by sheer luck.	Vulgar Mild and common. Also means "barely".
283	No da	It's not OK, not cool	No da llegar tarde a la cena.It's not cool to show up late to dinner.	Casual Also "it won't work".
284	Estar al horno	Be in trouble	Si no llego al micro, estoy al horno.If I miss the bus, I'm in trouble.	Casual "Al horno con papas" is even worse.
285	Me pica el bagre	I'm starving	Vamos a comer, que me pica el bagre.Let's go eat, I'm starving.	Casual A bit old school, but everyone knows it. Literally "the catfish itches".
286	Ir a los bifes	Get to the point	Dale, andá a los bifes, ¿qué pasó?Come on, get to the point, what happened?	Casual Literally "go to the steaks".
287	Mandar fruta	Make things up, talk nonsense	No le creas, está mandando fruta.Don't believe him, he's making it up.	Slang For bluffing and talking without knowing.
288	Remar en dulce de leche	Struggle in vain	Con este papeleo estamos remando en dulce de leche.With all this paperwork we're getting nowhere.	Casual Literally "rowing in milk caramel".
289	Atar con alambre	Patch up, makeshift fix	El caño está atado con alambre, pero anda.The pipe is held together with wire, but it works.	Casual A national joke about quick fixes.
290	Sacarla barata	Get off easy	Chocó el auto y la sacó barata, ni un rasguño.He crashed the car and got off easy, not a scratch.	Casual For escaping a bad situation with little damage.
291	Tener mala leche	Be spiteful, have bad intent	Tiene mala leche, no le cuentes nada.He's spiteful, don't tell him anything.	Casual For bad luck, say "¡qué mala leche!": "¡Qué mala leche, llovió todo el viaje!" People say both on TV and in front of family.
292	Tener culo	Be lucky	¡Qué culo tenés, ganaste otra vez!You're so lucky, you won again!	Vulgar Mild and very common. "Culo" means butt.
293	Tomarlo con soda	Take it easy	Tomalo con soda, ya va a salir todo bien.Take it easy, it'll all work out.	Casual Literally "drink it with soda".
294	Quemarse la cabeza	Rack your brain	Me quemé la cabeza con el mapa del subte.I racked my brain over the subway map.	Casual Also overthinking.
295	Dar bola	Pay attention	No le des bola, siempre dice lo mismo.Don't pay attention to him, he always says the same thing.	Casual "No me da bola" means "he ignores me", and "no le des ni pelota" means "ignore it completely".
296	Me cayó la ficha	It finally clicked	Recién ahí me cayó la ficha de que me iba.Only then did it sink in that I was leaving.	Casual From old phone tokens dropping into a payphone.
297	Chocolate por la noticia	Thanks, Captain Obvious	¿Hace calor? Chocolate por la noticia.It's hot? Thanks, Captain Obvious.	Casual Sarcastic.
298	Andar como turco en la neblina	Totally lost	Llegué a Constitución y andaba como turco en la neblina.I got to Constitución and I was totally lost.	Casual Literally "to wander like a Turk in the fog".
299	Ponerse la gorra	Act like a cop, be bossy	No te pongas la gorra, solo es música.Don't act like a cop, it's only music.	Slang "La gorra" is the police cap.
300	Agarrarle una vena	Suddenly lose it	Cuando vio la multa, le agarró una vena.When he saw the fine, he blew a fuse.	Casual "Tener una vena" means the same, and "le saltó la vena" is close.

Around Argentina 46

Slang shifts a lot once you leave Buenos Aires, and every province is proud of its own words.

Buenos Aires

Porteño speech is the national baseline, so most of the 300 rows above are Buenos Aires words, and these are a few you mostly hear in and around the city.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
El Conurbano	The ring of towns around the city	Vive en el Conurbano y tarda 2 horas en llegar al laburo.He lives in the towns around the city and it takes 2 hours to get to work.
Arbolito	Street seller of dollars	Los arbolitos de la calle Florida gritan "cambio, cambio".The street dollar sellers on Florida shout "cambio, cambio".
Cartonero	Person who collects cardboard to sell	Los cartoneros pasan por la cuadra a la noche.The cardboard collectors come down the block at night.
Viola	Guitar	Trajo la viola y cantamos toda la noche.He brought the guitar and we sang all night.
Biri biri	Sweet-talk	Anoche le hizo el biri biri a mi prima.Last night he sweet-talked my cousin.

Córdoba

Córdoba city and the hills around it, where students and locals say these with the tonada.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
No charlés	You're telling me, totally	¿Hace calor? ¡No charlés!Is it hot? You're telling me!
Una guasada	A ton	Le echaste una guasada de hielo al vaso.You put a ton of ice in the glass.
Apencar	Tag along uninvited	No me apenqués, que voy solo.Don't tag along, I'm going alone.
Alzarse	Leave, take off	Me alzo, mañana laburo temprano.I'm off, I work early tomorrow.
Chivazo	Fury	Tengo un chivazo por la multa.I'm furious about the fine.
Salir de caravana	Go out partying	El sábado salimos de caravana al cuarteto.On Saturday we're going out partying at the cuarteto.
Ta que pela	It's scorching	A la hora de la siesta ta que pela.At siesta time it's scorching.
Culiao	Jerk. Vulgar, also a crude intensifier. Locals say "culiau".	¡Qué culiao, me chocó el auto!What a jerk, he hit my car!

Rosario

The river city on the Paraná, 300 km northwest of Buenos Aires, where you hear these from locals in bars and at the football. Some are shared with the rest of Santa Fe.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Liso	Tall glass of draft beer	Un liso bien frío, por favor.A cold glass of draft beer, please.
Entrecorte	Sirloin steak (bife de chorizo)	Para mí, un entrecorte jugoso.For me, a sirloin, medium rare.
Canalla	Rosario Central fan	Mi viejo es canalla de toda la vida.My dad has been a Rosario Central fan all his life.
Leproso / leprosa	Newell's Old Boys fan	En esta casa somos todos leprosos.Everyone in this house supports Newell's.
Puñete	Punch	Se sacaron a puñetes en la puerta del bar.They traded punches at the door of the bar.
Praliné	Candied peanuts	Compramos praliné calentito en la costanera.We bought warm candied peanuts on the riverside.

Corrientes and Misiones (Iguazú)

The northeast near Paraguay and Brazil, on the way to Iguazú Falls, where you hear Guaraní words from locals and at chamamé dances.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Gurí	Kid, boy	El gurí se fue a jugar al río.The kid went to play by the river.
Guaina	Girl, young woman	Esa guaina baila chamamé como nadie.That girl dances chamamé like no one else.
Chamigo	My friend	¿Cómo va todo, chamigo?How's everything going, my friend?
¡Angá!	Poor thing!	¡Angá, se le murió el perro!Poor thing, his dog died!
¡Sapucai!	The joyful shout at chamamé dances	Cuando empezó el chamamé, todos largaron un sapucai.When the chamamé started, everyone let out a joyful shout.
Qué sal	What bad luck (Misiones)	Perdí el colectivo, qué sal.I missed the bus, what bad luck.
Ya dá ya	That's enough (Misiones)	Ya dá ya, no me cuentes más.That's enough, don't tell me more.

Mendoza and Cuyo

The wine country at the foot of the Andes, where people share some words with Chile.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Won	Man, dude (ends a sentence)	¿Entendiste, won?Did you get it, man?
Guagua	Baby	La guagua se durmió en el auto.The baby fell asleep in the car.
Chascón / chascona	Messy-haired	Llegó toda chascona del viento zonda.She showed up with her hair a mess from the zonda wind.
Manso / mansa	Huge, great	¡Mansa fiesta la de anoche!Last night's party was huge!
Carlitos	Toasted ham and cheese sandwich (Mendoza)	Pedimos 2 carlitos y una gaseosa.We ordered 2 toasted sandwiches and a soda.
Poto	Butt (San Juan, a word shared with Chile)	Me caí de sentón y me duele el poto.I fell on my backside and my butt hurts.

Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy

The Andean northwest, where Quechua words fill everyday speech.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Chango	Boy, young guy	Los changos tocan en la peña.The young guys play at the folk club.
¡Achalay!	How lovely!	¡Achalay, qué linda zamba!How lovely, what a beautiful zamba!
Churo / chura	Nice, pretty	¡Qué chura está la quebrada hoy!The valley looks so pretty today!
Coquear	Chew coca leaves	Coqueamos un rato para aguantar la altura.We chewed some coca for a while to handle the altitude.
Chuspa	Small woven pouch (for coca leaves)	Sacá unas hojas de la chuspa.Take a few leaves out of the pouch.
Pue	Hey, then (the north's "che")	¿Vamos a la peña, pue?Shall we go to the folk club, then?
Api	Thick purple corn drink	En el mercado de Jujuy tomamos api con tortilla.At the Jujuy market we had api with flatbread.
Guata	Belly	Comí tanto locro que me duele la guata.I ate so much stew my belly hurts.

Patagonia, from Neuquén to Ushuaia

The south, from Neuquén and the Alto Valle down to Tierra del Fuego, where some words come from Mapuche and from nearby Chile. Locals in Neuquén say a few of these less than they used to.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Está privado	He's furious	No le hables ahora, está privado.Don't talk to him now, he's furious.
Dale guaraca	Turn it up, give it all you've got	Llega el estribillo, ¡dale guaraca!Here comes the chorus, turn it up!
Galenzos	Blond people	Esos dos galenzos son hermanos.Those two blond guys are brothers.
¡Qué carnaza!	What a pain (about a person)	No para de hablar, ¡qué carnaza!He won't stop talking, what a pain!
Ganate acá	Stay here (Neuquén)	Ganate acá, que ya vuelvo.Stay here, I'll be right back.
Como raja	Very drunk (Neuquén)	Volvió como raja de la fiesta.He came home very drunk from the party.

Don't mix these up

Word	In Argentina	Elsewhere
Coger	To have sex. Very vulgar.	To take or grab (Spain). Say "tomar el bondi" here.
Concha	Vulgar word for vagina, in many curses	A seashell
Cajeta	Vulgar word for vagina	A milk caramel sweet (Mexico)
Mango	A peso: "no tengo un mango" (I'm broke)	A mango (the fruit)
Tacho	A taxi, and also a trash can	A pot or a bin (Peru, Chile). Nobody there calls a taxi that.
Pileta	A swimming pool	A sink or basin (Spain)
Pendejo	A kid or brat, said with scorn	An idiot or jerk (Mexico), pubic hair (Spain)
Caliente	Angry, or horny. Say "hace calor" for hot weather.	Hot (temperature)
Paja	Laziness ("qué paja"), and slang for masturbation	Straw
Ahorita	Sounds foreign. Say "ahora" or "ya".	Right now, or in a while (Mexico)
Pija	Penis. Vulgar.	Posh or preppy (Spain)
Carro	A cart (a horse cart or a shopping cart). A car is "auto".	A car (Mexico, Colombia, the US)
Tomar	To drink, and to take a bus: "tomar el bondi"	To take or grab
Bombacha	Women's underwear. In the countryside, baggy gaucho trousers.	Underwear is "bragas" (Spain) or "calzones" (Mexico)
Bicho	A bug, or any small creature	Penis, very vulgar (Puerto Rico)
Pollera	Skirt	A folk dress (Panama). A skirt is "falda" in Spain and Mexico.
Saco	A jacket or blazer	A sack (Spain)
Cartera	Handbag, purse	Wallet (Spain)
Pava	Kettle for mate water	A turkey hen
Villa	A shantytown ("villa miseria")	A posh country house
Piña	A punch. Pineapple is "ananá".	Pineapple (most of Latin America)
Torta	Cake	A sandwich (Mexico)
Manteca	Butter	Lard (Mexico)

Questions people ask

What does "che" mean?

"Che" means "hey" or "dude". People use it to get your attention and to fill a pause, often 100 times a day. It's friendly with anyone.

What are the most common Argentinian phrases?

You'll hear "che" (hey, man), "dale" and "¿todo bien?" in your first hour. "Re", "¿viste?" and "boludo" fill almost every chat between friends.

How do people greet each other in Argentina?

You give 1 kiss on the right cheek, even between male friends, and say "buen día" or "hola, ¿todo bien?". Men who don't know each other often shake hands first.

Why do Argentinians say "sh" for "ll"?

In Buenos Aires, "ll" and "y" took on a "sh" sound, so "calle" sounds like "cashe" and "yo" like "sho". Older porteños use a buzzier "zh", and you'll hear a plain "y" in the north.

What does "che boludo" mean?

It means "hey, dude" between friends. With a stranger it sounds like "hey, idiot", so save it for people you know.

What's Argentinian slang for money?

"Plata" is the everyday word, and "guita" is the slangy one. A "luca" is 1,000 pesos, and "no tengo un mango" means you're broke.

What time do people eat dinner in Argentina?

Late. Locals sit down at 9 or 10 p.m., and later on weekends. If you're hungry at 6, do what they do and have a "merienda" with coffee and pastries.

What is a slang word for "Argentinian"?

Argentines call themselves "argentos" or "argentas", and people from Buenos Aires are "porteños".

Is Argentinian Spanish different from Spain or Mexico?

Yes. People say "vos" instead of "tú", "ll" sounds like "sh", and many words differ: "nafta" for gas, "bondi" for bus, "pileta" for pool. Everyone will understand your textbook Spanish, but you'll sound foreign.

How do I say excuse me, thank you and where's the bathroom?

Say "permiso" to get past someone, "gracias" to thank them and "¿dónde está el baño?" for the bathroom. If you're lost, add "no entiendo" and "¿podés hablar más despacio?".

What does "dale" mean?

"Dale" means "OK" or "sure", and it agrees to almost any plan. It also hurries people along: "¡dale, que llegamos tarde!" (come on, we're late!).

What does "boludo" mean?

"Boludo" first meant "idiot", and it still does with strangers. Between friends it means "dude", and you'll hear it in every other sentence.

What is Argentinian slang for "cool"?

"Copado" is the most common. You'll also hear "piola", "groso", "zarpado" and "joya". In Mendoza, young people say "manso".

What is Argentinian slang for "friend"?

"Boludo" is the everyday word between friends, but it's rude with strangers. Safer picks are "amigo", "cumpa", "loco" and, with young people, "ñeri".

How do Argentinians say "I love you"?

"Te amo" is for a partner or close family, and "te quiero" is lighter, so friends say "te re quiero". Couples call each other "gordo", "gordi" or "amor".

What are some Argentinian slang insults and bad words?

The big ones are "pelotudo", "forro", "garca", "la concha de tu madre" and "boludo" with strangers. "Coger", "concha" and "pija" are bad words here even when they're harmless elsewhere, so learn them to avoid them.

What are some Argentinian slurs?

Some words target neighbors from Bolivia and Paraguay, gay people or poor people, so don't repeat them, even at football games. "Negro" can be a pet name or a class slur, so let locals use it first.

What's some funny Argentinian slang?

Try "me pica el bagre" (I'm starving), "chocolate por la noticia" (thanks, Captain Obvious) and "andar como turco en la neblina" (to be totally lost). Locals love it when a visitor uses one.

Is there an Argentinian slang dictionary?

Yes. The Academia Porteña del Lunfardo publishes a lunfardo dictionary, and the Diccionario de americanismos marks each word used in Argentina.

What is lunfardo?

Lunfardo is the street slang that grew in Buenos Aires around 1900, from Italian and other immigrant languages. Many lunfardo words are in daily speech, like "mina" (woman) and "laburo" (job). Older ones like "yeca" ("calle", street, flipped), "matina" (morning) and "biaba" (a beating) now live mostly in tango lyrics.

Do I need to use "vos" in Argentina?

You don't, but it helps. Locals understand "tú", yet "vos" with the stressed endings ("vos tenés", "vení") makes you sound much closer to local.

Slang in other countries

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Sources

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