Even with an extensive background of studying Spanish, we were all shocked at how different the language is in Buenos Aires. Here are some of the things we have learned:
Ex: word used in BA-English-(Spanish word we learned in school)
Food
ananá-pineapple (piña)
asado-Argentina barbecue
champigñones-mushrooms (hongos)
choclo-corn (maíz)
facturas-pastries
fruitlla-strawberry (fresa)
manteca-butter (mantequilla)
mate-popular hot herbal drink like tea; people drink it allllll day long
medialuna-croissant
milanesa-breaded steak filet
minuta-quick meal in a café such as milanesa
morrón-red pepper (pepino)
palta-avocado (aguacate)
Slang (porteñan-english)
banana- a guy who thinks he's really cool; the kind who would play music way too loud in his car
bárbaro- great, wonderful
birra- beer
boliche-nightclub/bar
buena onda-good vibes, fun
copado-cool
che-hey
gato-whore, slut; literally 'cat'
genial-great, wonderful
hinchapelota- someone who bothers you a lot; literally means 'swollen balls'
lunfardo-slang used in Buenos Aires
mina-woman (mujer/chica)
paquete- a person bought along for a double date only as a sidekick/wingman for the real daters
pibe/piba-young person
pirata- a guy who's in a relationship but still goes to the club looking for girls
re- added on to any word means very; ex: rebueno (very good)
tirar ondas- to put out vibes that you're interested in someone
trucho-bogus; used to describe things that aren't what they appear to be
Sayings
¡Chau!-goodbye (adios)
¡Che, boludo!-means 'Hey stupid' among friends, offensive to strangers; literally means someone who has big balls but is really stupid
¿Cómo andas?- How's it going?
¡Fondo blanco!-finish your drink, chug; literally 'white bottom'
¡Que feo!- That's terrible, how horrible
¡Que rico!- How good; delicious
¿Qué onda?-means 'What's up' as in "What's up with that?" for something that is weird/ugly/boring
Other
charlar-to chat
colectivo-bus (autobús)
notebook-laptop
parilla-restaurant that serves asado (grilled meats)
plata-money (dinero)
porteño/a-inhabitant of Buenos Aires; literally 'port person'
