When you visit Argentina, Spanish words like ‘che’ and ‘boludo’ are repeated frequently. These words of the Argentinian slang, el Lunfardo, are used daily by natives all around the country.
If you find yourself in Mexico, it is likely that you will hear the words ‘güey’ and ‘órale’ more often. However, take into account that while these are important words in Mexico, they are never used by Argentines.
This linguistic difference between Hispanic countries happens because the Spanish language is very diverse.
- Can Mexicans Understand Argentinians?
- Is Argentinian Spanish Harder Than Mexican Spanish?
- What Are the Differences Between the Spanish in Buenos Aires vs Mexico?
- The 7 Words and Phrases That Got Me in Trouble!
- How to Learn Argentinian Spanish
- Argentina: Spanish Words and Phrases You Can Learn Now
- Want to Learn More Spanish?
Can Mexicans Understand Argentinians?
As an Argentinian who has lived in Mexico for 10 months, I guarantee you that YES, we can understand each other perfectly well.
Or maybe not so perfectly, but quite well!
There are some Mexico vs Argentina Spanish words that might be problematic. These terms can get you into trouble if you don’t use them correctly.
In this blog post, I’ll share my experience with 7 words that got me in trouble in Mexico vs Argentina.
When you finish reading this post, you’ll see that once you learn which word is used in each country, the conversations will flow more naturally.
Lastly, I’ll give you some tips for learning and speaking Spanish like a local from Buenos Aires.
Is Argentinian Spanish Harder Than Mexican Spanish?
One of the first questions people often ask when it comes to learning Spanish is whether there are any significant differences between the Spanish spoken in different countries.
And the answer is yes, there are some differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. There are 20 countries that speak Spanish as their official language, therefore, Spanish can get quite diverse!
When it comes to Argentine Spanish vs Mexican Spanish, some people find the Argentine accent and intonation more challenging to understand, while others find it easier.
In general, the Argentinian accent has a more musical quality, with more intonation and emphasis on the last syllables. It is often compared to Italian.
What Are the Differences Between the Spanish in Buenos Aires vs Mexico?
- THE PRONOUN ‘VOS’: One of the most noticeable linguistic differences is the use of the pronoun “vos” instead of “tú” in Buenos Aires. This can take some getting used to if you’re used to using “tú” in other Spanish-speaking countries.
- UNIQUE WORDS: Another difference is in vocabulary. There are many words that natives say differently across these two countries. For instance, while in Buenos Aires we call the fridge “heladera”, in Mexico this is called “nevera.”
Let’s take a look at the 7 words that got me in trouble while I was in Playa del Carmen, MX.
The 7 Words and Phrases That Got Me in Trouble!
1) Entraña vs Arrachera (Steak Skirt)
La entraña, steak skirt in English, is my favorite meat cut because it’s lean and tasty. However, when you go to a Mexican grill and look for “entraña” on the menu, you won’t find it.
In Mexico, this meat cut is called “arrachera.” Tacos de arrachera are definitely something to try while in Mexico. They are so good!
But, che, if are planning a trip to Argentina, remember to use the word “entraña” for steak skirt.
2) Palta vs Aguacate (Avocado)
Mexico is the world’s largest producer of avocado. Therefore, avocado for breakfast or in guacamole is one of the most common foods to order.
My problem was that I know that fruit by its South American name: palta. When I ordered tostada con palta in Mexico, it only caused confusion.
Avocados are known as “aguacates” in most of Central America and as “paltas” in most of South America.
In summary, in Mexico, ask for “aguacates.” In Argentina, say “paltas” when you are craving some delicious avocado.
3) Dulce de leche vs Cajeta
Everyone I met in Mexico seemed to know what dulce de leche was.
On the other hand, it was me who wasn’t familiar with the Mexican version of dulce de leche.
In Mexico they prepare dulce de leche with goat’s milk and call it “cajeta.”
La cajeta is very delicious and similar to the traditional Argentinian dulce de leche. However, the word “cajeta” was quite a shocker for me.
In Argentina, “la cajeta” literally means “vagina.” Therefore, it became a funny joke to say “Acá estoy, en México, disfrutando de esta deliciosa cajeta” to my Argentinian friends.
4) Alquilar Reposera vs Rentar Camastros (Beach Chair)
Going to the beach was my favorite activity in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Sometimes, my boyfriend and I would rent a couple of beach chairs with an umbrella. In Argentina, I would normally say “quiero alquilar dos reposeras y una sombrilla.”
In Mexico, beach chairs are known as “los camastros,” also, Mexicans use the word “rentar” instead of “alquilar” for ‘to rent.’ Therefore, I had to rephrase my sentence and say: “quiero rentar dos camastros y una sombrilla.”
5) Ducha vs Regadera (Shower)
We went camping in Tolantongo, a fantastic place in Mexico with gorgeous waterfalls and spring waters.
At the campsite, I was looking at the signs for bathrooms and showers. For instance, I was looking for “baños” and “duchas.” But the only sign I found read “regaderas.”
¿Para qué quiero una regadera? I thought.
Well, while regaderas in Buenos Aires are used to water the plants, in Mexico a regadera is a shower (for humans).
So, if you can’t find the showers, in Mexico, search for the sign that reads “regaderas,” in Argentina, “duchas.”
6) Pileta vs Alberca (Pool)
Even though most Spanish speaking countries call the pool “la piscina,” Mexico and Argentina are two exceptions.
For Argentinians, the pool is “la pileta,” but for Mexicans it is “la alberca.” This was very confusing!
I was very lucky to be able to use the pool everyday in Mexico. My issue was that, whenever I talked about how much I enjoyed “la pileta,” locals were baffled and I had to clarify “quise decir ‘la alberca’.”
7) Remera vs Playera (T-Shirt)
The last Argentina Spanish word that got me in trouble while I was in Mexico is “remera.”
In Argentina, remera is a t-shirt. However, this word sounds similar to “ramera” which means ‘whore.’
So, it can be quite funny, confusing, or even offensive to say “quiero una remera,” especially if you say it quickly, like me.
In Mexico, th way of saying t-shirts is “playeras,” which was also problematic for me because of my Argentinian pronunciation. I would read it out loud as “pla-she-ra”.
Learn more about the Argentinian pronunciation here: 3 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Argentine Spanish Accent.
How to Learn Argentinian Spanish
After everything I just told you, it is easy to realize that learning Latin American Spanish can be overwhelming. But, don’t run away!
The bright side is that there are lots of things you can do to improve your Spanish without feeling overwhelmed.
Tips for Learning el español argentino:
Immerse yourself in the language. Listen to music, watch TV shows and movies, read books, and try to practice speaking with native speakers. You can begin by listening to the Easy Argentine Spanish podcast here or on YouTube.
Use resources specifically designed for learning verb conjugations for the pronoun ‘vos’. These could include textbooks, online courses, and reading blogs like this one.
Focus on pronunciation. Pay attention to the unique intonation and accent of Rioplatense Spanish, and practice speaking out loud to improve your own pronunciation.
Practice your Spanish every week. You are welcome to join our weekly conversational lessons! Subscribe to our newsletter below to find out more information about them.
Argentina: Spanish Words and Phrases You Can Learn Now
Finally, here are some words and phrases that can help you get started with Argentine slang.
7 Slang Words You Need to Know in Buenos Aires
Che: A common Argentine interjection that can be used to get someone’s attention, express surprise, or show agreement.
Re: Another interjection used to emphasize something, similar to the English word “very”
Boliche: A nightclub or bar.
Boludo/a: It can mean ‘dude’ or idiot, depending on the tone of voice used and context.
Laburar: To work.
Posta: Something that is true or genuine.
Pibe/a: Young person.
By taking the time to learn some of the unique slang words and phrases, you’ll be better prepared for your trip to Buenos Aires and be able to communicate more effectively with locals.
You can find more useful Argentinian slang expressions like these in the category “Easy Argentine Slang” of this blog, click to start learning now.
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