So if you’ve been here for awhile now and started working on that list of things to do in Buenos Aires, you’ve probably already noticed some of the unique jargon in the language– the famous Buenos Aires ‘Lunfardo.’
The slang of this city was first manifested by the criminals and lower-classes of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s which was later used and incorporated in tango lyrics. Today, with no historical prejudice involved, it is a part of the language used by all classes and people, that gives Buenos Aires its’ own bit of spice and variety.
With a distinguished and soft accent that sounds especially nice to the ear, soon you will be calling your friends ‘boludo’, sipping on ‘maté’, and catching the ‘colectivos’ through town just like a local.
Below is a list of the most used words and phrases that you can use to try and relate to the inspiring crowd of Buenos Aires. Remember that some of them need to be used in context and not just to address any person you might meet on the street! Enjoy!
Birra (informal) – Beer
Boliche – Word used for disco or club
Boludo (informal) – Light insult which is used among friends
Bondi (informal) – Argentinean friendly meaning to say bus
Chabón, pibe (informal) – Referring to a guy
Che – Expression used to refer to someone light-heartedly, similar to man
Choripán – Sandwich made of break and Argentinean pork sausage
Colectivo – Bus
Embole – A boring moment
Estar en/al Pedo – To be drunk/Not have anything to do
Gringo – Any foreigner who speaks with a difficult accent to understand
Guita (informal) – Money
Mango (informal) – Equivalent of a peso
Mate – Speical type of tea that Argentineans like to drink
Mina (informal) – Referring to a woman
Pasea perros – The guys who works walking dogs, definitely something you will be seeing everywhere in the city
Quilombo – When something is a big, big mess
Remera – T-shirt
Trucho/a – When something is fake, not real. Also applies to counterfeit items
Zarpado – Someone who goes too far, beyond the limits
Cool site, keep posting!