Top 20 Argentinian Slang Words and Phrases You Must Know

Heading to Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital of Argentina? If so, now슬롯사이트�s the time to brush up on your lunfardo or Argentinian Spanish slang! Mastering the Spanish language goes beyond studying basic grammar, vocabulary, and common greetings. Kick your language skills and proficiency up a notch by practicing slang for Argentinian Spanish. Once you do, you슬롯사이트�ll have a strong handle on the color, humor, and authenticity of how Argentines communicate, helping you blend in with the local community so you can connect with your peers on a deeper level. 

Let슬롯사이트�s dig into 20 of the top Argentinian slang words, Argentinian slang phrases, and Argentinian slang expressions to deepen your cultural immersion while studying abroad in Argentina.  

Understanding Lunfardo: A Brief History 

Before we dive into our top 20 list, let슬롯사이트�s briefly explore what lunfardo is. 

Lunfardo originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. It was a form of slang largely influenced by the diverse mix of immigrants from Italy, Spain, France, and other European countries. At the time, many speculated lunfardo was conceived by criminals to communicate without others (mainly the police and prison guards) knowing what they were saying, but this theory has not been confirmed. Over time, lunfardo spread from the lower classes to all sectors of Argentine society, primarily thanks to tango lyrics, which often incorporated lunfardo terms. 

You may see lunfardo and Argentinian slang used interchangeably, therefore understanding the roots of lunfardo is essential as you develop your Argentinian Spanish slang vocabulary.  

Read More: Eat, Drink, Explore: Buenos Aires 

Top 20 Argentinian Slang Expressions and Words 

Argentinian Slang #1: Che 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�H���.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

Beginning with the basics, 슬롯사이트�c���슬롯사이트� is arguably the most quintessential Argentine slang word. It's an interjection used to grab someone's attention, similar to "hey" in American English or "mate" in British English. You슬롯사이트�ll hear it everywhere in Argentina, and it슬롯사이트�s a great way to sound more authentic. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�¿Che, me hacés un favor?슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�Hey, can you do me a favor?슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #2: Boludo/a 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�Dude슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Pal슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Buddy.슬롯사이트� 

Argentinian slang for 슬롯사이트�dude,슬롯사이트� 슬롯사이트�b�DZ��ܻ��슬롯사이트� (for a male) or 슬롯사이트�b�DZ��ܻ岹슬롯사이트� (for a female) can be a term of endearment among friends or a mild insult. It literally translates to "fool" or "idiot," but context is key. Among friends, it's often used affectionately. Keep this Argentinian slang for friend in your back pocket to address someone you consider a pal! 

For example: 슬롯사이트�¿Qué hacés, boludo?슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�What's up, dude?슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #3: Copado/a 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�C�ǴDZ�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

A common Argentinian slang for 슬롯사이트�cool,슬롯사이트� use 슬롯사이트�c�DZ貹���슬롯사이트� when you슬롯사이트�re trying to express a moment of satisfaction, happiness, joy, etc. The word has a positive connotation.  

For example: 슬롯사이트�¡Qué copada esa remera!슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�What a cool t-shirt!슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #4: Mina 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�Girl슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Woman.슬롯사이트� 

Argentinian slang for 슬롯사이트�girl,슬롯사이트� 슬롯사이트�m���Բ�슬롯사이트� is one of the most widespread slang terms in Argentinian Spanish. It is a colloquial term for 슬롯사이트�woman슬롯사이트� the same way we use 슬롯사이트�chick슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�gal슬롯사이트� in American English. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�¿No viste esa mina?슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�Did you see that girl?슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #5: Bondi 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�B�ܲ�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

An essential term for navigating public transportation, 슬롯사이트�b�DzԻ徱슬롯사이트� is Argentinian slang for bus. 

For example: "Voy a tomar el bondi." ("I'm going to take the bus.") 

Argentinian Slang #6: Laburo 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�Work슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Job.슬롯사이트� 

Derived from the Italian word 슬롯사이트�lavoro,슬롯사이트� 슬롯사이트�laburo슬롯사이트� is the Argentine word for 슬롯사이트�work.슬롯사이트� This term is commonplace in many conversations between Argentines, particularly in workplaces. 

For example: "Tengo mucho laburo hoy." ("I have a lot of work today.") 

Argentinian Slang #7: Mango 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�M�DzԱ��.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

Unlike the typical Spanish word for money (슬롯사이트�d���Ա����슬롯사이트�), 슬롯사이트�m���Բ���슬롯사이트� is used in the context of being broke. It슬롯사이트�s a popular slang word to describe someone who doesn슬롯사이트�t have money. 

For example: "No tengo un mango." ("I don슬롯사이트�t have any money.") 

Argentinian Slang #8: Mandar fruta 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�N�DzԲ���Բ���.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

슬롯사이트�Mandar fruta슬롯사이트� literally means 슬롯사이트�to send fruit,슬롯사이트� but in the context of Argentinian slang, it means 슬롯사이트�to talk nonsense슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�to lie.슬롯사이트�  

For example: "No le creas, está mandando fruta." ("Don슬롯사이트�t believe him, he's talking nonsense.") 

Read More: The 6 Best Places to Learn Spanish Abroad 

Argentinian Slang #9: Posta 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�Real슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�True.슬롯사이트� 

슬롯사이트�P�Dz��ٲ�슬롯사이트� is used to confirm the truth of a statement. It슬롯사이트�s best used to explain that something is real. 

For example: "¿En serio?" (슬롯사이트�Really?슬롯사이트�) / "Sí, posta." (슬롯사이트�Yes, really.슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #10: Estar al pedo 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�F�����.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

Use the Argentinian slang expression 슬롯사이트�estar al pedo슬롯사이트� to express when you슬롯사이트�re free, you have nothing to do, or when you슬롯사이트�re idle. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�Estoy al pedo, ¿querés salir?슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�I'm free, wanna go out?슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #11: Groso/a 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�G���𲹳�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

"Groso" (for males) and "grosa" (for females) is used in the context of describing someone as great, amazing, or awesome. It슬롯사이트�s a high compliment in Argentine slang. 

For example: "¡Sos un groso!" ("You슬롯사이트�re awesome!") 

Argentinian Slang #12: Joya 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�P����ڱ𳦳�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

"Joya" literally means "jewel" but in Argentinian slang, it means "perfect" or "great." 

For example: "¿Todo bien?" ("All good?") / "Joya." ("Perfect.") 

Argentinian Slang #13: Re 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트��𲹱�����.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

"Re" is a prefix used to intensify adjectives, similar to "really" or "very" in American English. 

For example: "Estoy re cansado." ("I슬롯사이트�m really tired.") 

Read More: Popular Argentine Hand Gestures 

Argentinian Slang #14: Pibe/a 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�K����.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

"Pibe" (for boys) and "piba" (for girls) are informal terms for children or young people. 

For example: "El pibe está jugando afuera." ("The kid is playing outside.") 

Argentinian Slang #15: Flashear 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�F��������슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;&�Բ�����;

This Argentinian slang word refers to something unrealistic or false. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�Estás flasheando, eso no pasó.슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�You're making that up, that didn't happen.슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #16: Zarpado/a 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�Really good슬롯사이트� or 슬롯사이트�Impressive.슬롯사이트� 

The literal translation of 슬롯사이트�z�����貹���슬롯사이트� is 슬롯사이트�to set sail슬롯사이트� but in Argentinian slang it's used to describe something outrageous, impressive, and all around good.   

For example: 슬롯사이트�¡Qué zarpado ese gol!슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�What an amazing goal!슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #17: Quilombo 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�C�󲹴Dz�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

Dealing with a huge mess? Use the Argentinian slang word 슬롯사이트�q�ܾ����dz�����슬롯사이트� to describe the messy, chaotic, and/or complicated situation. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�No puedo ir, tengo un re quilombo en casa.슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�I can't go, I have a huge mess at home.슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #18: Boliche 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�N������ٳ����ܲ�.슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

If you슬롯사이트�re looking to head to a nightclub with friends, be on the lookout for a 슬롯사이트�b�DZ��������.슬롯사이트� Originally, this term referred to small stores but these days it can refer to both discos and bars. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�¿A qué boliche vamos esta noche?슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�Which club are we going to tonight?슬롯사이트�) 

Read More: Top 10 Spanish Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know 

Argentinian Slang #19: Chamuyar 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�To flirt.슬롯사이트� 

슬롯사이트�C�󲹳��ܲⲹ��슬롯사이트� has many meanings in Argentine slang: To flirt, seduce, or sweet-talk someone. However, it can also mean to lie or exaggerate. 

For example: 슬롯사이트�No le creas, te está chamuyando.슬롯사이트� (슬롯사이트�Don't believe him, he's just sweet-talking you.슬롯사이트�) 

Argentinian Slang #20: Fiaca 

Meaning: 슬롯사이트�L�������Ա����슬롯사이트�&�Բ�����;

"Fiaca" refers to laziness or the feeling of not wanting to do anything. It슬롯사이트�s commonly used to describe a lack of motivation. 

For example: "Tengo fiaca de levantarme." ("I feel too lazy to get up.") 

How to Learn Argentinian Slang 

With these Argentinian slang words and phrases in your pocket, you슬롯사이트�re well on your way to developing your Spanish language skills. Continue to learn and develop your proficiency in the following ways: 

1. Listen and Observe: Pay attention to how locals use these words in different contexts. Listening to Argentine music, especially tango and cumbia, can be particularly helpful. 
2. Practice with Locals: Don슬롯사이트�t be afraid to use these words when speaking with Argentines. They슬롯사이트�ll appreciate your effort to learn their unique slang. 
3. Watch Argentine Media: TV shows, movies, and YouTube channels from Argentina are great resources for hearing slang in action. 
4. Stay Updated: Slang evolves over time, so keep up with new terms and changes in usage. Social media and online forums can be good places to learn what슬롯사이트�s current. 

Put Your Argentinian Slang to Use 

Mastering Argentinian slang is a fun and rewarding way to deepen your understanding of the local culture and connect more authentically with Argentines. Whether you슬롯사이트�re navigating the bustling streets of Buenos Aires or chatting with Argentine friends, these 20 slang words and phrases will help you sound like a true ��ǰ��ٱ�ñ��.  

So, if you슬롯사이트�re heading to Argentina, don슬롯사이트�t just stick to textbook Spanish 슬롯사이트� embrace the lunfardo and watch how it transforms your experience abroad. 

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