Every time someone asks me “Why is Argentinian Spanish so different?” I can hear the frustration in the person’s voice.
That is because most people are told that Spanish in Argentina is completely different from other Spanish variants. In fact, a question that is asked many times is:
“Will other Spanish speakers understand me if I learn Argentine Spanish?”
As a teacher and native speaker I can reassure you that everyone will understand you. In fact, if you speak with an Argentinian accent, people will know you learned from an Argentine teacher (this has happened to my students).
So, before we judge poor Argentine Spanish and call it “difficult”, let’s at least take a look at its five main features that make it unique (but not necessarily difficult!).
What Are the Main Argentinian Spanish Differences With Other Variants?
The Argentinian accent is easy to identify because of our unique pronunciation of ‘y’ and ‘ll’ as /sh/, a phenomenom known as yeismo.
For example, “yo me llamo Yamila” sounds more like “sho me shamo shamila.” Therefore, anytime an Argentine speaks, listeners tend to ask “¿Eres de Argentina o Uruguay?” (Yeismo is also a thing in Uruguay).
There are other differences like the use of the pronoun ‘vos’ instead of ‘tú.’
These differences are nothing to be afraid of! In fact, some of these factors will make things easier for you as a student!
Here are 5 reasons why Argentinian Spanish is so different and why it is the best Spanish variant to learn (read until the end).
What Are Five Reasons Why Argentinian Spanish Is Different?
1) Uniqueness of the Argentine accent
Here are three main characteristics of the Argentinian accent or, more accurately, the Rioplatense accent.
- ‘y’ and ‘ll’ sound like /sh/: yo me llamo Yamila becomes sho me shamo shamila
- sometimes the “s” is aspirated; so “vos sos” sounds like /vo’ so’/ and “vos tenés que…” /vo’ tené’ que/
- emphasis is on the last syllable which usually sounds stronger as in “tomá”, “comé”, “escribí”.
Once you are aware of these three key characteristics (yes, just three!), it will be much easier for you to understand Argentinians and to sound like them.
In this video you can listen and repeat after me with an Argentine accent:
2) Exclusive Argentine Spanish words
Argentine Spanish is infused with a blend of indigenous, European, and immigrant traditions. As a consequence, there are some common and basic words that Argentinians say daily but are only understood in Argentina and nowhere else.
While in most countries the word ‘pool’ in Spanish is “piscina,” we call it “pileta.” This also happens with words like “heladera” (fridge), “remera” (t-shirt), and so on.
I know that relearning basic vocabulary can be frustrating, if you’ve already learned different words. However, I want you to view this as an opportunity to truly savour the Argentine culture and language. All in all, these uniquely Argentine words add a touch of authenticity to your language experience.
How Many Words in Argentine Spanish Do You Know? Take the Quiz!
Watch the video below to test your Argentine Spanish skills. ¡Buena suerte!
3) The use of ‘vos’ instead of ‘tú’
As mentioned before, in Argentina we use the pronoun “vos” instead of “tú”.
Now take a deep breath and relax because speaking with ‘vos’ is actually a lot easier than with ‘tú’. Here’s why: When we conjugate any verb in the present tense for the pronoun “vos”, we keep the root of the verb as it is. This means you don’t have to worry about memorizing a list of irregular verbs and how they change.
That’s right – no irregularities to fuss over! For instance, let’s consider the verb “tener” (to have) for the pronoun “tú”. It transforms into “tienes”, incorporating an extra “i” in the first syllable. However, when conjugating “tener” for the pronoun “vos”, it becomes “tenés”, simply adding an accent at the end.
4) Informalities and slang.
The trickiest part, after getting accustomed to the accent, is delving into the realm of Argentine slang.
The colorful Lunfardo (yes, Argentina’s slang has its own name) was significantly influenced by Italian immigrants who left an indelible mark on Argentine culture. They introduced words like “birra” (slang for cerveza, or beer) and “laburo” (slang for trabajo, or job), which seamlessly integrated into everyday Argentine speech.
But Argentine slang goes beyond borrowed words. It’s a dynamic fusion of languages, cultures, and expressions, reflecting the vibrancy of Argentine society.
Slang adds flair and character to everyday conversations, making them uniquely Argentine. So, while mastering the accent is essential, embracing Argentine slang is where the true linguistic adventure begins.
The good thing about the slang vocabulary is that there are certain words that are repeated frequently. Once you’ve learned that short list of words, you’ll be pretty confident speaking with Argentinians.
Find out more about Argentina’s slang in this blog post: Unlock the Secrets of Slang in Argentina to Sound More Natural With Your Friends.
5) Politeness is not our thing.
Sometimes Argentinians might come across as rude because we don’t usually say “por favor.” In fact, we tend to give a lot of commands using the imperative mood.
I am not saying people aren’t polite in Argentina, because we are, but we just don’t sound polite. There’s a difference!
For example, Argentinians wouldn’t say “por favor, toma asiento” (please, take a seat), they’d say “sentate” (seat down). Therefore, to understand a native and sound more like one it is important to learn how to give commands in Spanish using the imperative mood.
More about this topic here: Why Learning the Imperative Mood in Spanish Is So Important to Understand Argentinians
Conclusion
To sum up, why is Argentinian Spanish so different? Because of these 5 reasons:
- 1. The Argentine accent is unique,
- 2. Some words are exclusively Argentinian,
- 3. We use ‘vos’ instead of ‘tú’,
- 4. Argentinians are more informal than other Spanish speakers, and
- 5. We use commands a lot.
Is Argentinian Spanish Worth a Shot?
Absolutely! Sí, sí, sí.
Here are 5 great reasons why you should study Argentine Spanish:
- It’s easier to use ‘vos’ than ‘tú’ because verbs will always be regular. Also, it sounds cool.
- You won’t need to worry about formalities and politeness when you speak.
- It’s a lot easier for the tongue and mouth to pronounce ‘y’ and ‘ll’ as /sh/. Try saying “cepillo”.
- Argentine Spanish sounds Italian and, thus, is a lot more attractive than other variants.
- You’ll be able to truly connect with locals when you visit the breathtakingly beautiful Argentina, making your travel experience unforgettable.