The word ‘really’ in Spanish can be translated in many ways, according to context. If you’re learning Spanish, you might already know that sometimes “really” translates to “realmente” or “de verdad.” However, this isn’t always the case.
If you want to sound like a true Argentinian, you need to learn some slang expressions that locals use in everyday conversations. In this post, I’ll teach you 3 funny ways to say “really” in Spanish that will make you sound like a native speaker.
How Do You Say ‘Really’ in Spanish?
3 Funny Ways to Say Really Like an Argentinian
In Argentina, we would normally say the phrase “en serio.” This is sort of similar to saying “in all seriousness.” It is sort of funny to hear this phrase when people say it with an alarming high pitched tone: ¡¿En serio?! See an example below.
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¡¿En serio?!
- ¡Sí, en serio te digo!
Another funny word we use is “posta.” Posta is the slang word for ‘really’ in Spanish. It is mostly used in informal conversations. See the same example as above, but with the word “posta.”
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¡¿Posta?!
- ¡Sí, posta te digo!
The third and last Argentine way to say ‘really’ in Spanish is with the phrase “¿me jodés?” or “me estás jodiendo”. It is actually the equivalent of the phrase “are you kidding?,” but we can use it as an alternative to ‘really’. See the example below.
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¡¿Me jodés?!
- ¡No, no te estoy jodiendo!
What Is ‘Not Really’ in Spanish?
Now, let’s look at how to say “not really” in Spanish. The most common expression used in Argentina is “ni ahí,” which literally translates to “not there.” What it actually means is “not even close”.
The phrase “ni ahí” is a slang way of saying that you don’t believe something to be true or you don’t agree with it. For example, if someone asks you if you like spicy food and you don’t like it at all, you can say “ni ahí” to express your dislike.
To express disbelief, let’s take the example we used above but now with the phrase “ni ahí”:
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¡No! ¡Ni ahí!
- ¡En serio te digo!
How to Say ‘Oh, Really’ in Spanish
The expression “oh really” in Spanish can be translated to “¿ah sí?” or “¿en serio?” However, in Argentina, locals use a funny expression that goes “¿posta?” It’s a slang way of asking if what someone is saying is true or not. For example, if someone tells you that they won the lottery, you can respond with “¿posta?” to show your surprise and disbelief.
Take a look again at the example we used above:
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¿Ah sí? ¿Posta?
- ¡Sí, posta te digo!
What Is ‘Really’ in Spanish Slang?
Last but not least, let’s review how to say “really” in Spanish slang. In Argentina, locals use the expression “posta” to mean “really” or “for real.” Argentinians also say “no te jodo” and “te lo juro por Dios” to confirm that something is true. See the example below.
- Mamá, no me vas a creer. ¡El abuelo ganó la lotería!
- ¿Posta?
- ¡Sí, te lo juro por Dios! ¡No te jodo!
Conclusion
In this post, I’ve taught you 3 funny ways to say “really” in Spanish like an Argentinian. Remember to use “ni ahí” for “not really,” “¿ah sí?” for “oh really,” and “posta” for “really” in slang. Practice these expressions with your Spanish-speaking friends and immerse yourself in the language and culture.
Want to learn more about this topic?
Check out our blog category Word of the Week to learn more about Argentine Slang. You can also find all these words in one resource: our ebook “Help! I Am Dating an Argentinian: The Ultimate Guide to Learn Argentine Spanish”.
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