Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires
A practical, no-BS guide to learning Argentine Spanish. From language schools to survival phrases, here's everything you need to know.
The Hard Truth
Argentine Spanish is Different
Forget everything you learned about "tú." In Argentina, everyone uses "vos" for informal situations. The conjugations are different, and yes, you need to learn them.
Standard Spanish → Argentine Spanish
Tú eres → Vos sos (You are)
Tú tienes → Vos tenés (You have)
Tú hablas → Vos hablás (You speak)
Tú vienes → Vos venís (You come)
The stress moves to the last syllable. It's actually more regular than standard Spanish, but it feels wrong at first.
The most distinctive feature of Argentine Spanish: "ll" and "y" are pronounced like "sh" in "sheep." This is called "yeísmo rehilado."
Calle (street) → CA-sheh
Lluvia (rain) → SHU-via
Yo (I) → SHO
Playa (beach) → PLA-sha
In other Spanish-speaking countries, these sound like "y" in "yes." In Argentina, it's all "sh." You'll get weird looks if you don't do it.
Porteños (Buenos Aires locals) speak fast, drop syllables, and have their own rhythm. Here's what makes it hard:
- • Speed: They talk fast. Really fast.
- • Italian influence: The intonation sounds almost Italian
- • Syllable dropping: "Para" becomes "pa," "para el" becomes "pal"
- • "Que" becomes "ke": But that's standard Spanish
- • S at the end of words: Often barely pronounced or dropped
Don't expect to understand group conversations for at least 3-6 months. One-on-one is much easier.
Rioplatense Spanish (spoken in Buenos Aires and Montevideo) has unique pronunciation that confuses even fluent Spanish speakers from other countries.
The "SH" Rule
Argentines use different words for everyday things. Using standard Spanish words marks you as a foreigner immediately.
Lunfardo originated in Buenos Aires' working-class neighborhoods and prisons. You'll hear these words constantly. Don't use them until you understand the context.
Bus/colectivo
"Tomo el bondi a Palermo"
Work/trabajo
"Tengo mucho laburo hoy"
Money/dinero
"No tengo plata"
Hey/dude
"Che, ¿qué hacés?"
Woman/chica
"Esa mina es re linda"
Guy/hombre
"Ese tipo es mi amigo"
Laziness
"Tengo fiaca de salir"
Bad luck
"Qué mufa que tenés"
To flirt/chat up
"Está chamuyando a la mina"
Cool/smart
"Ese tipo es re piola"
Awesome/big shot
"Messi es un groso"
Mess/problem
"Qué quilombo acá"
Beer/cerveza
"Tomamos una birra?"
Dude/guy
"El chabón no vino"
Party/fun
"Vamos a la joda?"
To support/put up with
"No te banco más"
Cool/nice
"Tu amigo es muy copado"
Vibe/style
"Tiene buena onda"
Good looking
"Tiene buena facha"
Hard worker
"Es un laburante"
Troublemaker
"Es un quilombero"
Money (slang)
"Cuánta guita tenés?"
Bad luck/jinx
"No me toques, soy mufa"
Smooth talker
"Es un chamuyero"
Language Schools (Honest Reviews)
Pros
- ✓ Flexible scheduling
- ✓ Good for beginners
- ✓ Social activities
Cons
- ✗ Can feel touristy
- ✗ Variable teacher quality
Best for:
Short-term visitors, beginners
Honest Review:
Solid choice for getting your feet wet. The social events are genuinely useful for meeting people. Some teachers are excellent, others are just going through the motions. Ask for recommendations.
Pros
- ✓ Professional atmosphere
- ✓ Good facilities
- ✓ Structured curriculum
Cons
- ✗ More expensive
- ✗ Corporate feel
- ✗ Less flexible
Best for:
Serious learners, professionals
Honest Review:
The most 'professional' option. Good if you want structure and don't mind paying for it. Can feel a bit sterile compared to local experiences. Best for people who need to learn Spanish for work.
Pros
- ✓ Affordable
- ✓ Local feel
- ✓ Good value
Cons
- ✗ Older facilities
- ✗ Less organized
- ✗ Mixed levels in groups
Best for:
Budget-conscious learners, long-term residents
Honest Review:
The budget option that doesn't feel cheap. You'll get a more authentic Argentine experience here. Facilities aren't fancy, but the teaching is solid. Great for people staying 3+ months.
Often the best value. You get personalized attention and can focus on Argentine Spanish specifically.
Where to find them:
- • Superprof: Filter by Argentine Spanish specialists
- • Preply: Online tutors, many Argentines available
- • iTalki: Good for conversation practice
- • Facebook groups: "Expats in Buenos Aires" often has tutor postings
- • University bulletin boards: UBA students often tutor
Price range: $10-25 USD/hour for experienced tutors. University students charge less ($8-15 USD/hour).
UBA (Universidad de Buenos Aires) and other universities offer Spanish programs for foreigners. More academic, less hand-holding.
Options:
- • UBA: Most prestigious, rigorous, affordable (~$200-400 USD/semester)
- • Universidad de Belgrano: Good for international students
- • Universidad de Palermo: Modern facilities, more expensive
Best for: Students who want academic credit or a structured, intensive program. Not great for casual learners.
Free & Cheap Ways to Learn
Mate Club
Where: Various bars in Palermo
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 PM
The most popular language exchange. Can get crowded and tourist-heavy, but it's a good starting point. Arrive early to get a seat.
Don't just talk to other foreigners. Force yourself to find Argentines.
Mundo Lingo
Where: Changes weekly
When: Wednesdays, 8 PM
More structured than Mate Club. They use flag stickers to indicate languages. Better for serious practice.
The sticker system actually works. Wear your flags proudly.
Conversation Club BA
Where: San Telmo cafes
When: Sundays, 5 PM
Smaller, more intimate setting. Better for actual conversation practice. Less of a party vibe.
Perfect if you're shy about speaking. The smaller groups are less intimidating.
Find an Argentine who wants to learn English. You meet for coffee, speak 30 minutes in each language. It's free and you make friends.
Where to find them:
- • Tandem app: Specifically for language exchanges
- • HelloTalk: Chat with locals before meeting
- • Meetup.com: Search "intercambio"
- • Language exchange events: Exchange contact info
Pro Tip
Actually Useful
- • Duolingo: Good for basics, gamified, free
- • Anki: Flashcards with spaced repetition (essential)
- • SpanishDict: Best dictionary, includes Argentine usage
- • ConjuGato: Specifically for verb conjugations
- • HelloTalk/Tandem: For finding conversation partners
Skip These
- • Babbel: Expensive, not better than free options
- • Rosetta Stone: Outdated method, overpriced
- • Any app claiming fluency in 30 days: Lies
Argentine Spanish with Juan
Argentine-specific lessons
Butterfly Spanish
General Spanish with Argentine sections
Spanishland School
Grammar explanations
Linguriosa
Argentine culture and language
Netflix is your best friend for learning. Here's the progression:
Month 1-2: English audio, Spanish subtitles
Month 3-4: Spanish audio, English subtitles
Month 5-6: Spanish audio, Spanish subtitles
Month 7+: Spanish audio, no subtitles
Start with shows you already know. Rewatching Breaking Bad in Spanish is easier because you know the plot.
Learning Through Immersion
Pick one day a week where you speak zero English. Not to your expat friends, not at the cafe, nowhere. It's painful but effective.
How to do it:
- • Tell your friends in advance
- • Prepare phrases on your phone
- • Accept that you'll sound stupid
- • Use Google Translate when stuck
- • Celebrate small wins
Start with half-days if full days are too hard. The goal is discomfort. That's where learning happens.
Let's be real: dating a local is the fastest way to learn. You'll be motivated, you'll hear natural speech, and you'll learn all the slang.
The reality:
- • First dates are awkward when you don't understand
- • You'll learn romantic vocabulary fast
- • Meeting their family = immersion bootcamp
- • Breakups teach you emotional vocabulary
Don't date someone just to learn Spanish. But if you're dating anyway, prioritize locals over expats.
If you can work in a Spanish-speaking environment, do it. Even part-time at a local cafe or co-working space helps immensely.
Options:
- • Remote work: Switch your company to Spanish-speaking clients
- • Local jobs: Hospitality, teaching English, startups
- • Volunteering: NGOs always need help, great for practice
- • Coworking: Work from a Spanish-speaking space
Professional Spanish is different from casual Spanish. You'll learn formal structures and business vocabulary.
This is harder than it sounds. Porteños are friendly but have established friend groups. You need to be persistent.
How to break in:
- • Join a sports team (fútbol, paddle, running groups)
- • Take classes (cooking, dance, art)
- • Go to the same cafe/bar regularly
- • Accept every invitation for the first 6 months
- • Learn to love mate - it's a social ritual
Argentines are warm once you're in. The hard part is getting in. Don't give up if it takes time.
El Marginal
HardCrime drama
Authentic prison slang, intense drama
Okupas
MediumDrama
Classic Argentine series, youth culture
La Casa de Papel
MediumHeist
Good for general Spanish
Not Argentine but popular here
Argentina, Tierra de Amor y Venganza
EasyTelenovela
Over-the-top, easy to follow
El Reino
HardPolitical thriller
Modern Argentine politics and speech
Survival Spanish for Expats
Not tourist Spanish - real phrases you need for daily life in Buenos Aires.
Vocabulary you'll need when looking for a place to live.
You'll spend hours in government offices. These phrases help:
"¿Qué número estamos?" - What number are we on?
"¿Dónde hago la cola?" - Where do I line up?
"¿Me falta algún papel?" - Am I missing any paperwork?
"¿Cuánto tarda?" - How long does it take?
"¿Podés sellarme esto?" - Can you stamp this?
"¿Hay que sacar turno?" - Do I need an appointment?
Reality Check
Hopefully you never need these, but memorize them just in case:
"¡Ayuda!" - Help!
"Llámame una ambulancia" - Call me an ambulance
"Llámame la policía" - Call the police
"Me robaron" - I was robbed
"Necesito un médico" - I need a doctor
"¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?" - Where's the nearest hospital?
"Soy alérgico/a a..." - I'm allergic to...
"No puedo respirar" - I can't breathe
Common Mistakes
Words that look like English but mean something completely different:
When to use "vos" vs "usted" (formal you):
Use "vos" (informal) with:
- • Friends and peers
- • People your age or younger
- • Casual settings (bars, cafes, parties)
- • Anyone who uses "vos" with you first
Use "usted" (formal) with:
- • Elderly people
- • Government officials
- • Doctors, lawyers, professionals
- • First meeting in business context
Argentine Exception
Rolling your R's
The double R (rr) and R at the start of words are rolled. Practice with "perro" (dog) vs "pero" (but). If you can't roll your R's, don't stress - you'll be understood.
The J sound
Spanish J is like a strong H. "Jorge" sounds like "HOR-heh," not like English J.
V vs B
In Spanish, V and B sound almost the same - like a soft B. "Vino" and "bino" sound identical.
H is always silent
"Hola" is pronounced "OH-la," not "HO-la."
"Te amo" vs "Te quiero"
"Te amo" is serious - reserved for romantic love or family. "Te quiero" is for friends, casual relationships, and early dating. Don't scare people off with "te amo" too soon.
Personal space
Argentines kiss on the cheek (one cheek) when greeting. Even men greet women this way. Don't go for the handshake - it's cold.
"No" doesn't always mean no
Argentines are indirect. "Maybe" often means no. "We'll see" means probably not. Learn to read between the lines.
Time is flexible
If someone says "I'll be there at 9," they mean 9:30 or 10. Don't take it personally. It's just how things work here.
Realistic Timelines
Survival Mode
Basic greetings, ordering food, asking for directions. You feel lost most of the time.
Functional
Simple conversations, handling daily tasks. Still struggle with fast speech and group conversations.
Conversational
Can hold real conversations, understand most of what you hear. Still make mistakes but you're understood.
Fluent
Comfortable in almost any situation. You dream in Spanish. Locals forget you're a foreigner.
Important
It's Worth It
Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires is frustrating, humbling, and occasionally embarrassing. You'll have days where you want to give up. But when you have your first real conversation, when you make a local friend, when you understand a joke - it's the best feeling in the world. Keep going.
¡Vos podés! (You can do it!)