Want this as a printable cheat sheet?
Download the Paraguayan Slang PDF Here 🇵🇾

Want to practice learning the words?
You can learn the list here on Memrise.


Paraguay is one of the most fascinating countries in the Spanish-speaking world 🇵🇾

Why?

Because almost everyone grows up speaking:

the indigenous national language.

The two languages are constantly mixed together in everyday speech, creating a style known as:

It gives Paraguayan Spanish a completely different flavour to anywhere else in Latin America.

The Paraguayan accent itself is:

Like much of South America, Paraguayans also use:

instead of:

Now let’s take a look at some classic:

One of the most iconic Paraguayan words.

Pronounced:

e.j Esa fiesta estuvo mbarete
That party was awesome

e.j Está mbarete tu carro
Your car is really cool

Used for someone pretending to be something they’re not 😂

e.j Ese tipo es un ñembo doctor
That guy’s a fake doctor

e.j Hacés ñembo amigo
You pretend to be a friend

We know:

is huge in:

But in Paraguay?

They drink:

which is:

Basically perfect for the Paraguayan heat 😅

e.j Vamos a tomar tereré
Let’s have some tereré

These tiny words make requests sound:

Kind of like:

in English.

e.j Pasame na
Pass it to me please

e.j No hagas eso ke
Don’t do that, okay?

This comes directly from:

It’s often used instead of:

for possession.

But it can also act as:

like:

e.j Che amigo
My friend

Added onto sentences to soften or turn them into questions.

Kind of like:

e.j ¿Cómo te llamás piko?
What’s your name?

e.j ¿Está bien piko?
Is it okay?

Straight from Guaraní 🇵🇾

Pronounced:

e.j ¡Tranquilo, ndaipóri problema!
Relax, no problem!

Another Guaraní word mixed into daily Spanish.

e.j Ese mitã juega en la calle
That kid plays in the street

Remember, it’s a mixture of:

which makes it one of the most unique forms of Spanish in Latin America.

Learning even a few words of:

instantly helps you connect more naturally with Paraguayans.

So next time you’re sitting around drinking:

throw in a:

If you need support on your Spanish journey, shoot me a message.

Or you can watch free grammar videos here.

Un abrazo,

Harrison

Language for living, not just learning