This is a list of the 25 most popular Argentinian Slang (jerga) words & phrases that I’ve come across.

Thank you Camila 🇦🇷 for teaching me these.

If you want to practice these I’ve created a list on Memrise you can learn.

Argentina has its own flavour of Spanish
A lot of this slang comes from:

A type of informal slang that developed in Buenos Aires through immigration, street culture and working-class neighbourhoods.

One of the most iconic filler words in Argentina.

You’ll hear it constantly.

e.j Che, ¿cómo estás?
Hey, how are you?

The meaning depends completely on:

It can be:

Sometimes all at once 😂

e.j ¡Qué haces, boludo!
What’s up, man!

e.j ¡Sos una boluda! ¡Te olvidaste las llaves otra vez!
You’re such an idiot! You forgot your keys again!

A stronger insult than boludo.

e.j Sos un pelotudo
You’re an idiot

Argentinians often use:

instead of:

e.j Está re lindo
It’s really nice

Very common in Argentina.

e.j Están laburando mucho
They’re working a lot

Informal slang for a woman or girl.

e.j Esa mina es simpática
That girl is nice

Very common word for:

e.j El pibe juega al fútbol
The boy plays football

One of the most useful Argentinian slang words.

Originally it had a different historical meaning, but nowadays it means:

e.j ¡Qué quilombo acá!
What a mess here!

That feeling when you really can’t be bothered doing something.

e.j Me da fiaca levantarme
I can’t be bothered getting up

People from Buenos Aires are called:

because the city is historically a port city.

e.j Los porteños son muy sociables
People from Buenos Aires are very sociable

e.j Ese plan está re copado
That plan’s really cool

Very casual slang.

e.j Ese chabón es mi amigo
That guy’s my friend

e.j Vamos al boliche esta noche
Let’s go clubbing tonight

Someone who acts:

Sometimes:

e.j Qué canchero sos
You’re so confident

e.j Ese bolso es trucho
That bag’s fake

Very common phrase in Argentina.

e.j Tiene buena onda
He’s got good vibes

Pretty aggressive 😅

Literally:

e.j ¡Andá a cagar, boludo!
Screw you, idiot!

Used for someone impressive, talented or admirable.

e.j Sos un grosso, che
You’re awesome

e.j Un chorro me robó el celular
A thief stole my phone

One of the most common words in Argentina.

It can mean:

depending on context.

e.j Dale, vamos
Alright, let’s go

A conversational filler.

Used constantly.

e.j Es lindo, viste?
It’s nice, right?

Can mean:

e.j Qué piola sos
You’re cool

Strong insult.

Literally:

But colloquially:

e.j Ese tipo es un forro
That guy’s an asshole

Argentinians also:

You’ll hear:

all the time.

Meaning:

depending on context.


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And there we go chic@s.

Give these a try and let me know how you get on.

Don’t forget to try a maté 🧉 for good measure.

If you want more support on your Spanish journey click here.

Un abrazo grande,

Harrison


Language for living, not just learning