So, you’ve been practicing your Spanish. You can order coffee, ask for directions, and conjugate your verbs like a champ. You feel confident. Then you land in Buenos Aires, and suddenly it feels like you’ve missed a few chapters.
What’s with all the hand gestures? Why is everyone saying “che”?
Welcome to the wonderful, expressive, and unique world of Argentine Spanish! To truly connect with the culture and understand the daily chatter in a café or a lively asado (barbecue), you need to get familiar with the local slang.
Let’s dive into some of the most common words you'll hear on the streets of Argentina. If you're still building your foundation, make sure to review basic concepts like Spanish verb conjugations or noun gender.
Che: The Ultimate Conversation Starter
If you only learn one Argentine slang word, make it this one. Chehey, dude, pal is a versatile word used to grab someone's attention, much like "hey," "dude," or "man" in English. It's so iconic that it became the nickname of the famous revolutionary, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, because he used it so frequently.
You can use it to:
- Get someone’s attention: “Che, ¿me pasás la sal?” (Hey, can you pass me the salt?)
- As a general filler: “No, che, no puedo ir.” (Nah, man, I can't go.)
- Express surprise: “¡Che! ¡Qué bueno verte!” (Whoa! So good to see you!)
It’s an all-purpose word that instantly makes your Spanish sound more Argentine. For more ways to socialize, check out our vocabulary guide on socializing and relationships.
How would you use 'che' to call a friend over?
Boludo / Boluda: The Word of Many Meanings
This is where things get interesting—and a little tricky. Boludodude / idiot (or boluda for feminine) can be one of the harshest insults in the book, or it can be a term of endearment you use with your closest friends.
It all comes down to context and tone.
Drag the handle to compare
The first example, likely said with an angry tone, means "Come on, don't be an idiot! Start the car!" The second, said between friends, is a casual "What's up, dude? All good?"
Use With Caution!
As a learner, it's best to avoid calling anyone boludo. Stick to hearing it and understanding its context. Using it incorrectly can get you into an awkward situation very quickly. Wait until you have a very good grasp of the local culture and friendships.
A slightly softer, more playful version you'll often hear is bolu, a clipped, friendly version used in casual chats or texts.
Quilombo: The Definition of Chaos
Ever been in a situation that is a complete and utter mess? A traffic jam, a disorganized party, a complicated bureaucratic problem? Argentines have the perfect word for that: quilomboa mess, a disaster.
Originally, the word referred to hidden communities of escaped slaves, but today it has completely different meanings:
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A Mess or a Disaster: This is the most common usage.
- “Mi habitación es un quilombo, tengo que ordenar.” (My room is a total mess, I have to clean it up.)
- “El tráfico a esta hora es un quilombo.” (The traffic at this time is a disaster.)
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A Racket or Loud Noise: It can also mean a loud, disruptive noise.
- “Los vecinos hicieron quilombo toda la noche.” (The neighbors made a racket all night.)
This word perfectly captures a sense of chaos and disorder. If you want to talk about making a mess or causing a scene, you can use the verb hacer quilombo.
Let's see if you can put it all together! Unscramble the sentence below.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
A Few More Essentials
While che, boludo, and quilombo are the big three, here are a few more you'll hear constantly:
- Mango: Slang for money, specifically the Argentine peso. "No tengo ni un mango." (I don't even have one peso / I'm broke.)
- Fiaca: A unique feeling of laziness or lack of motivation to do anything. "Quería ir al gimnasio, pero me dio fiaca." (I wanted to go to the gym, but I got lazy.)
- Pibe / Piba: An informal way to say "kid," "boy," or "girl." It’s similar to chico/chica. "Ese pibe juega bien al fútbol." (That kid plays soccer well.)
- Re: An intensifier used before an adjective, meaning "very" or "super." "La película estuvo re buena." (The movie was super good.)
Learning slang is like getting a key to a secret club. It opens up a more authentic, relaxed, and fun side of the language. So next time you're chatting with an Argentine, don't be afraid to throw in a “che” and listen closely for the quilombos and boludos. You'll be one step closer to speaking like a true local. If you want to practice listening to authentic Spanish, try one of our B1 Spanish stories.