When someone thinks about the food in Argentina, beef is always the first thing to come to mind. Argentine´s claim it is the best in the world, and so do many foreigners. My personal opinion? It is excellent, but it is not the best in the world. I have tried steaks that are just as good in North America, where there is also some excellent, high quality beef. However, one of the great things about the beef here is high quality beef is easily accessible, and is not too expensive, especially when compared to other food prices. However, just like anywhere, the more you pay, the better the quality, and there is certainly meat that is not worth eating here.

You will find that Argentine beef is definitely a little different than beef in other parts of the world. First of all, in most parts of the world, the cattle tend to be grain fed. Here in Argentina, they have lots of space and the cattle is generally grass fed. Grass fed cattle usually has less marbling, and grows slower, meaning the beef that you eat is older. However, I´m not an expert on the process of Argentine beef, but somehow, they have beef with lots of marbling, and it is very very tender. Some rib eye and filet mignon steaks here practically dissolve in your mouth, and have a delicious buttery flavor!

The beef is nearly always cooked on BBQ using different types of charcoal, which gives it a nice smoky taste. They do not season the meat here, other than a little bit of salt. Be prepared for plain beef, there are no steak rubs here! I am quite fine with that, because the beef is so good, and it does have a great BBQ’d flavor. However, if you like a little flavor added to your meat, the beef here is served with Chimi-Churri, which is a mixture of spices, vinager, and oil. It is always served on the side, and is up to you if you want to put it on your steak!

Some of the cuts of beef here are different, so many times there is no exact translation. Here is a list of the most common, in Spanish and English, and I explain what each cut is like.

Ojo de bife (Rib-Eye) – this is my favorite cut of meat. It is usually fairly tender, well marbled, with excellent flavor.Bife de Lomo (Filet Mignon) – the most expensive cut, also the most tender. Should have very little to no fat. Flavor is good, but not as strong as some of the other cuts. In general, one of the best things you can order on the menu. Filets here in Argentina are deliciously tender!

Bife de Chorizo (new york strip loin) – a good Argentine bife de chorizo is prettty hard to beat.  This cut is from the same part of the cow as a strip loin, so you can expect a juicy and very flavorful cut of meat.  There is some marbeling, and if you get a cheap cut, it can be really fatty.

Vacío (flank steak) – this is a delicious cut of meat and it is not available in most parts of the world. It is a thin cut of meat, from the flank, and has a thin layer of fat on both sides. A good quality vacío is tender, flavorful and very juicy, contains no fat (other than the layer surrounding it.   Argentines love this cut (it is a must have at an asado), especially how the outside gets crispy when cooked slowly over coals.  It is also an interesting cut for foreigners because it is usually a cut they have never tried.  It is important to get good quality vacío, or you could end up with a leathery piece of meat, with more fat than anything else.

Asado/Asado de Tira (short/cross cut ribs) – they are served differently than in North America, as the ribs are cut very short. There is not usually a lot of meat around the ribs, but they are quite flavorful. Another staple that is always served at an Argentine asado.

Asado de Costillar (beef rib) – this is not a common cut in Argentine, but if you can find them, they are delicious! The meat is very tender and juicy, and without too much fat. They are usually preferable to the standard asado de tira, because they are far meatier!

Matambre (similar to a flank steak) – a tougher cut, but can be very juicy and flavorful.  It can be found in various thicknesses, and is often served with a layer of fat on one side.  It is similar to a flank steak,  but comes from a part just beside it.  This cut is not usually found in North America.

Colita de Cuadril (rump steak) – this is the tail end of the rump. Great cut, can be done on the BBQ, or makes a great roast in the oven. Flavorful, very juicy, and very little fat.

Bola de Lomo (knuckle) – located just beside the colita de cuadril, this is the most common cut for milanesas and for lomito sandwiches.  It is a decent cut and can be found very cheap in Argentina.  It is juicy, fairly tender, and does not contain much fat.

Tapa de Nalga (top inside round) – Located beside the Bola de Lomo off of the cows leg near the kneecap.  A very cheap cut, it is somewhat tough.  Is mostly used in stews.

Peceto (eye of round) – comes from the very top of the cow’s rump.  This is a great cut usually used for roasts, but is also sometimes cut into medallions to be served as milanesas.  It is a bit tough, but has good flavor and very little fat.

Entraña (skirt steak) – a bit tough, but very flavorful and juicy. This is a fairly common piece of meat for Argentine asados.

Bife Angosto (strip loin) – located along the back of the cow, from the back ribs to the rump. Lots of marbeling, and usually one edge is covered in fat. A cheap option for beef, and usually a bit tough.

There you have it, the major cuts of Argentine Beef. There are still some other cuts, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will answer what I can.

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Unfortunately, this is not the case in Buenos Aires. New Years takes place during some of the hottest possible weather in Buenos Aires, and if you´ve ever experienced the heavy, uncomfortable summers in the concrete jungle, you´d understand why so many people leave the city during the summer. A large majority of the population goes to party in the swanky Punta del Este, or in the mini Buenos-Aires-on-the-ocean (aka Mar del Plata). The result is a huge decrease in the amount of people that are actually IN Buenos Aires for New Years Eve.

Another reason that a Porteño New Year´s isn´t an overly memorable event for foreigners is because the celebration tends to be a family oriented event. Extended families will gather together in the evening for dinner or snacks, and at some point will eat Turron (type of nougat) and Pan Dulce (Pannettone).

On the strike of midnight, there is the required New Year´s toast, followed by fireworks. The younger members of the family will go outside and set off dozens of fireworks, and those that don´t, will watch the fireworks going off throughout the city (starting in the early evening, peaking at midnight, and carrying on till the sun rises). It is also quite common to light candle lanterns that float off into the sky, which looks beautiful when you see candles from everywhere floating through the night sky.

As a traveler, you may not get the chance to partake in these family celebrations, and if this is the case, you will find the city is surprisingly quiet…it actually feels like a Sunday night in the summer. The streets are deserted, most stores, kiosks, and restaurants are closed, even many bars are shut down. It is definitely not the pulsing nightlife that one gets used to in Buenos Aires.

Nevertheless, a fun Buenos Aires New Year´s Eve is still easy to have in this nation´s capital. There are still plenty of house parties going on, a few bars will put on special New Years Eve parties, and there are some clubs that open up later on. Very few put on a night that is much different from a regular weekend night in Buenos Aires, but still offer a place for you and your friends to make it a night to remember.

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Christmas season kicks off on the 8^th of December, the day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Maria.  Although not much is done on this day (especially for the non-practicing Catholics), it is a public holiday throughout Argentina.  In the succeeding days leading up to Christmas are pretty relaxed, and most of the population is working (and sweating) just like during any other summer month.  Stores are noticeably busier, but you won´t find anything akin to the shopping hoards that invade the stores of the north from black Friday onwards.

There are very few businesses or public areas that put up more than a few decorations, nor is there much Christmas music, which you will only hear in a the shopping malls and a few stores (although more and more seem to jump on the bandwagon each year).  The tradition of carolers or families getting together around the fire to sing O Christmas tree is non-existent in Argentina.  Families are more likely to be planning their summer holidays to the coast than be singing about the birth of the Christ child.

The tradition of bringing your children to visit jolly St. Nick at the mall has started to spread widely in Argentina.  Here, Santa Clause is known as Papa Noel, and looks just like he does in New York, Toronto, and Atlanta.  He still comes from the North Pole (even though the south is closer) and has elves and reindeer. Of course, why would Santa change, since there is only one real Santa?

Christmas truly arrives on December 24^th, which is the big day in Argentina.  The 24^th is not a public holiday, but many companies will close and give their employees a day off.  In the evening, extended families get together and begin the festivities with a huge feast.  Being Argentina, this often involves an asado (though not always), but there are also many other dishes that are eaten for Christmas dinner.  Some traditional Argentine Christmas dishes include:

Pionono (thin pastry rolled up with tuna salad), Russian salad (potatoes, carrots, peas and mayo), Roasted Chicken, Waldorf Salad, Stuffed Tomatoes, Beef and Chicken Matambre (cold meat rolled up with egg, pepper, ham, and other items), Vitel Thone (slices of beef with a creamy sauce on top).

This feast is often washed down by pop, wine, champagne, sparkling cider, and beer; note that there is no such thing as eggnog, nor do they drink the usual hot beverages such as hot apple cider, hot chocolate, or spiced wine.  Of course, what can you expect, given the stifling temperatures.

After dinner comes dessert, which some families will start eating right after dinner, and others will wait until after midnight.  Common desserts include pan dulce (Argentine panettone, same as the Italian bread), turrón (type of nougat), candied peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, chocolates, and ice cream.

Midnight is when Santa stops by and leaves the presents, so the children have to be distracted while someone places the presents under the tree.  The family will then take turns opening gifts while eating more sweets.   It is also very common to set off fireworks at midnight and to toast with champagne and cider.  The families that don´t have fireworks will often sit and watch as other fireworks go off nearby.  This is followed by more visiting (and partying for some), and eventually bedtime.

December 25^th tends to be a very quiet day for most Argentines.  Families may get together again, and will usually eat leftovers.  It is a quiet, relaxing family day for most, and is a public holiday.

The only other day that is Christmas related is January 6^th which is mainly celebrated in Argentina by families with small children (it is not a public holiday).  This is the day the three kings visited Jesus with gifts, and in Argentina, the children put grass and water in their shoes on the evening of Jan. 5^th (for the camels) and on Jan. 6, they should find little presents beside their shoes.

This ends the Christmas and New Year´s celebrations, and mean it’s time for summer holidays.

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Argentine Castellano, or better said, caste-SH-ano, is significantly different from all other forms of Castellano (which means the Spanish language).    If you have come here to learn Spanish, be aware that there are many differences, and you will be learning a Spanish that differs a lot from Spanish spoken in all other countries.  That being said, it is still the same language, so it is not a bad thing to learn it here.

There are two major differences in Argentine Castellano that distinguish it from the Castellano spoken in other countries.  These differences are the intonation, and the accent.

1- Intonation – the main reason the Argentine intonation is so different is because of the use of the Vos form.

Vos should not be confused with Vosotros.  In Argentina, when speaking using the 2nd person singular form, they use “Vos” instead of using “Tú” as is used in all other forms of castellano.  This Vos form is conjugated differently.
-  When using Vos, the stress comes on the last syllable of the verb, and for this reason, an accent has to be added.  Ex. Vos hablás – Tú hablas.  Vos cumplís – tú cumples.  Vos comés – tú comes.
-  The Vos form does not do the stem changes that the Tu form does  Ex.  Vos almorzás Tú almuerzas.  Vos querés – Tú quieres.  Vos pedís – Tú pides
**Important note – this difference only exists in the present.  The past, future, subjunctive, are all the same as the Tú form, although they still say Vos.  Ex. Vos fuiste

Commands - also change the intonation of Argentinian castellano.  A normal Tu (informal) command from castellano spoken in other countries has the stress on the 2nd to last syllable (assuming no direct or indirect object pronouns are used):  calla, manda, come, escribe.  In the Vos command form, similar to the present conjugation of verbs, the stress is on the last syllable: callá, mandá, comé, escribí.   Of course, most commands usually have a pronoun attached, so here are some comparison examples of how the commands change.

Other Countries    Argentina
mándamelo               mandámelo
ábrelo                        abrilo
cómelo                      comelo

The other thing to note with argentinian commands, is that they don´t have any irregular commands.   The ones that are irregular in other forms of castellano are regular in argentine.

Other Countries    Argentina
di                               decí
ven                             vení
haz                             hacé

Notice that with the Argentine command form, all you need to do is drop the r, and add an accent.  Really, it is easier than the tú commands.

The location of the stress of the vos form makes a big change in the intonation when speaking Spanish.  However, the intonation is also different here because of the countries Italian roots.  Remember, nearly half the population has Italian roots, and at one point, there were a large amount of Italian immigrants in Argentina.  If you´ve ever heard someone speak Italian, you know their intonation goes way up, and way down, various times in one sentence.  The argentines speak someone like that, way more so than Spanish speakers from other countries.

2- Accent – The Argentine accent is significantly different, namely the “shh” sound.  In Castellano, a “ll” o “y” make a “ye” sound.  This varies from country to country.  For example, in Columbia in is more of a “je” sound.  Here in Argentina, and more specifically Buenos Aires, it is a “sh” sound.  Hence, what you would pronounce “caste-YA-no” in Spain, here is pronounced “caste-SHa-no.”  The verb llegar in Spain is pronounced “Yay-gar” and here is pronounced “Shay-gar.”

So there you have it.  You now know why Argentine Spanish sounds so much different, and now you know how to speak proper Argentine Next step is to learn the Argentine slang and expressions!

Questions….comments?   Let me know!

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If you are visiting or living in Buenos Aires, you probably are trying to learn or improve your Spanish. The obvious way to learn and improve your Spanish would be to take a Spanish course, and then make sure to speak as much Spanish as possible. However, there are many other ways you can improve you language skills, and many of them are free. Read on for a few different approaches on how to improve your Spanish, and having fun while doing so.

1. Spanglish

Have you ever heard of speed dating? Well, think of speed dating, but instead of meeting potential dates, you are meeting local Argentines with whom you can practice your Spanish. At the same time, they get to practice English, and it´s all in a fun, casual setting.

Here´s how it works: Depending on the night, you meet up in a bar. It´s a mix of locals and foreigners, and you are paired up for 10 minutes each. For 5 minutes, you speak English, and for five minutes you speak Spanish. After the 10 minutes are up, you rotate, and speak with a different local. Its very casual, lots of fun, and on top of improving your Spanish, it´s a great way to meet new people. Any age can go (over 18), and most nights you will find people of all ages. Cost is $15 pesos, and includes one beer, and something to snack on. For more information, visit: http://www.spanglishba.com/

2. Conversation Exchange

This is a website where you can be paired up with a native Argentine that lives in Capital Federal. You exchange contact information, and then arrange to meet whenever it´s convenient. The idea is to speak in both English and Spanish, so both people can improve.

You can also pair up with someone through online text or voice chat, which is great if you have less time, and can´t get out as much. The site is free, easy to use, and it works great! There are lots of Porteños who are willing to meet up, and not only will you get practice with Spanish, this is also a great way to meet people. Visit: http://www.conversationexchange.com/

3. Get a girlfriend or boyfriend that doesn´t speak English, or speaks very little

What better way to improve your Spanish than dating an Argentine? Far better than having friends that speak Spanish, dating someone who does not speak much English will help you advance very quickly. Not only are you forced to interact in Spanish, you will also be exposed to an Argentine environment – Argentine friends, Argentine parents, Argentine TV, Argentine books and magazines, etc. This is one of the TOP ways to improve your Spanish, and at the same time, you get to be surrounded by another culture!

4. Listen to Argentine music, and learn the lyrics

There is plenty of great music to listen to from Argentina, and if you study the lyrics, you will quickly learn new vocabulary. At the same time, you will be learning more about Argentine culture, and you will understand a whole lot more about the country. Find a style of music you like, then try to find the artists that are popular in that category. Once you find some songs you like, look up the lyrics on line. Type the name of the song, the artist, and the word “letras” (meaning lyrics) into Google, and you´ll get a list of sites with the lyrics written out. Look the words up that you don´t understand, and from then on, when you listen to the song, make sure to listen for the words, and think of the meaning. This method is great for comprehension and learning new vocabulary.

5. Chat online

This may not seem like an obvious method, but chatting with a native speaker is a GREAT way to improve your Spanish, especially if you are a high beginner or low intermediate. Chatting gives you time to think before you “speak.” It also gives you time to look words up online, and to see your sentence structure. You learn a lot by reading the chats of your friend, because you have time to see each and every word, and again, have time to look up words you do not know. I highly recommend chatting with Latin American friends as much as possible, you will learn quickly.

6. Read in Spanish

Reading is another great way to learn Spanish, and if you read magazines and newspapers, you will learn a lot of the common local expressions and phrases. Try to pick a publication that really interests you, and read it regularly. Every week, or every month if it´s a magazine. Don´t look up all the words, just the ones that you need to know to understand what´s written.

Books and magazines are usually better than novels, because the language will be much more colloquial, and the vocabulary won´t be so difficult. On top of that, you will be reading short articles, which is important when reading in another language. If you try reading novels, it is easy to lose interest too quickly, and you risk setting the book aside forever.

7. Join something

It could be a club, it could be volunteer work, it could be a sport, whatever. The important thing is you will be surrounded by Argentines, and forced to take part. Find something that you enjoy, that interests you, and happens on a weekly basis. It can be difficult at first, but will definitely pay off in the long run.

8. Live with people who only speak Spanish, or who speak very little English

Buenos Aires is full of South Americans that are here to study or live, and that look for shared accommodation. If you are looking for a room in a shared apartment, try to find one that is shared with Latin Americans. They often prefer to share with a native English speaker, so that they can also learn some English. This will force you to speak Spanish, and you will learn quickly.

9. Limit the amount of English speaking friends you have, and try to avoid English speaking activities

This is the number one biggest mistake that people make when they come to Buenos Aires, and hope to learn Spanish. They stay in a hostel, meet English speaking friends, go to activities with English speakers, and find it to difficult to break away from that. When you arrive in Buenos Aires, try to limit your group of friends to mainly non-English speakers. Stay away from expat groups, expat bars, and things that are geared to tourists. Although this may not work for everyone, if you are here to learn Spanish this is very important.

Once you have developed a group of Spanish speaking friends, and are part of a Spanish speaking community, then it is fine to seek out English speakers. In fact, it is important to spend at least some time with English speakers, to reduce the risk of culture shock.

10. Find a job where you need to use Spanish

Most foreigners come here, and end up working in a job where they only use their English. Try to find a job where you are working with native Argentines, and have to use your Spanish at least some of the time. It could be in a restaurant, an international company that operates in English and Spanish, a magazine, etc. This forces you to use your Spanish, and puts the pressure in you to do it well.

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In order to understand and master Argentine Spanish, there are a few things you will need to learn first, even if you already speak Spanish. First, you will have to learn and become familiar with the Argentine accent and intonation, which is what gives the Argentine Spanish such a distinct sound.

Once familiar with these different sounds, you will have to learn the differences in grammar, such as the Argentine Vos form. The Argentines use ‘vos’ instead of ‘tu’ in contrast to most countries in the world.

Finally, you will be ready to learn the different vocabulary and expressions that are used here, which is always the hardest part of learning a new dialect. Like all Spanish speaking countries, Argentina has a very distinct vocabulary to what would find in Mexico, Spain, or even its neighbor Chile. It can take many years to learn all of the differences, but learning the most important expressions and vocabulary is fairly simple. The following pages will help you to learn the differences, and become an expert at speaking Spanish in Argentina.

Argentina Spanish – a list of the most common words and expressions used in Argentina, though not necessarily specific to Argentina.

Argentine Slang – a list of typical Argentine slang

Argentine Expressions – a list of the most common Argentine expressions and phrases

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This is a list of some of the most common words and phrases you will hear when speaking to an Argentine. Not all are specific to Argentina, but it is important to know and understand them, because you will be hearing them A LOT! This will help you understand Argentine Spanish and will also help you to sound Argentine.  Keep in mind these are the common colloquial terms that are used, but are not slang.   Check out my other page to learn the most common Argentine slang.

Bueno
1. this is one of the first words you will learn in Spanish, but in Argentina, they use it more than anywhere else. Although this meaning exists in Spanish from all countries, it is used much more often in Argentina, in pretty much every sentence. It is used to mean ‘well’ or ‘alright.’ Bueno, no sé. Well, I don´t know. Bueno, hablamos más tarde? Alright, let´s talk later? Vamos al cine? Bueno. Let´s go to a movie? Alright.
2. used to say something is good. Again, this is used in all Spanish speaking countries. However, in other countries, they may use other descriptive words to say something is good, whereas Argentines use bueno/a to to label any thing as good, all the time. Que tal la carne? Está buena! Conociste a Lucia? Si, está buena!! Did you meet Lucia? Ya, she’s good (as in attractive). Que bueno!! That´s great/Awesome/Right on!

Dale
1. Similar to the “vale”used in Spain, dale is one of the ways Argentines agree to something (like saying ok. Juan: Vamos al cine? Luisa: Dale. Juan: Let’s go to the movies? Luisa: Ok.

Mira Vos
1. The Argentines say this ALL the time. It is said after someone has told you something, and you want to say either “wow, look at you” meaning “what you´re doing is great!” It can also be translated as “is that right?” or “really?” or “wow.” You say it after someone says something that you think is good or that surprises you. Juan: Ayer, fui al banco, despúes estudié por 5 horas, y desúes jugué dos partidos de futbol. Kara: Mira vos! Juan: Yesterday I went to the bank, studied for 5 hours, then played two football games. Kara: Wow, right on. Juan: No tengo plata, porque viajo 5 veces por año. Kara: Mira Juan: I don´t have any Money, because I travel 5 times a year. Kara: Wow, is that right?

Pasa que
1. used to say “the thing is” when describing or explaining something. Pasa que no tengo plata para ir, así que… The thing is, I don´t have any money to go, so…

Tal cual
Used to answer someone and say “yes, exactly,” or “I agree.” Tal cual can be used in many ways, but this particular use is very common in every day speech. Prefiero vivir en el campo porque la gente de los pueblos es mucho más alegre y amable. Sí, tal cual. I prefer living in the country because the people are much more lively and kind. Yes, exactly, I totally agree.

Tipo
1. can be used as a noun (m), meaning “guy.” Ayer hablé con un tipo… Yesterday, I spoke with some guy…. However, in Argentina, this is not as common as they often use other words.
2. In Argentine, it is very common to use it to describe a not-so-specific-time. La fiesta empieza tipo 9. The party starts around 9.
3. It is also used to describe the type or style of something. El restaurant es tipo parilla, pero más elegante. The restaurant is similar to (like) a BBQ restaurant, but more elegant.

Todo bien
1. This the most common way of asking someone how they´re doing in Argentina. Todo bien che? Si, todo bien. How´s it going man? It´s all good, thanks/I´m fine thanks. Te molesta? No, está todo bien! Am I bothering you? No, it’s all good!

Ya fue
1. you say it when something is over, or has finished, and it´s time to forget about it. Juan: Estoy muy triste, porque me olvidé mi cámara. Simon: Bueno, ya fue. It´s like saying, forget about it, there´s nothing else you can do. The Argentines love to say it.

Muletilla (f)
1. Comes from muleta, which means ‘crutch.’ A muletilla is the word the argentines use to describe colloquial words that they say every sentence, something they can say when they have nothing else to say, as a filler. In English, for example, we say “like ” “you know” or “um.” Here are the most common ones used in Argentina. It is good to know them, but don’t make a habit of using them. Just like the equivalents in English, when they are overused, it sounds really bad.

Viste
1. This is probably the most common, and very Argentine. It is not really used in other Spanish speaking countries. It is nearly an exact translation of “you know” in English. No me gusta ir a la playa, viste, siempre hay mucha gente. I don’t like going to the beach, you know, there’s always a lot of people. Siempre hay mucha basura en la calle viste. There’s always a lot of garbage in the streets, you know? Sí, pero son locas viste? Ya, but they’re crazy, you know?

O sea
Almost identical to “I mean” in English. This is used throughout Latin America. Some people use it in nearly every sentence. Bueno, no sé, o sea, que más puedo hacer? Well, I don´t know, I mean, what else can I do?

Que sé yo
Pretty much identical to “I don´t know” which is it´s literal meaning. Argentines use it all the time as a filler, similar to how we do in English. Es un helado, que sé yo, cremoso y dulce. It´s a type of ice cream that´s, I don´t know, creamy and sweet. Salís esta noche? No, quiero quedarme en casa para, que sé yo, limpiar, ver tele.

Saying “maybe” in Argentina: Quizás and tal vez are not often used in Argentina to say maybe. Here are the more common words used:

Puede ser
1. means “it´s possible.” Puede ser que vaya a Londres. It’s posible I will go to London.
2. maybe, might, we´ll see. Puede ser que vaya a una fiesta. I might go to a party, maybe I´ll go to a party. Querés ir? Si, puede ser. Do you want to go? Ya, maybe/we´ll see.

Capaz
1. maybe, might Capaz que vaya a una fiesta. I might go to a party, maybe I´ll go to a party. Similar to tal vez, quizás, puede ser.

Tal cual
Used to answer someone and say “yes, exactly,” or “I agree.” Tal cual can be used in many ways, but this particular use is very common in every day speech. Prefiero vivir en el campo porque la gente de los pueblos es mucho más alegre y amable. Sí, tal cual. I prefer living in the country because the people are much more lively and kind. Yes, exactly, I totally agree.

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A list of some basic Argentine slang. Naturally, there are many more words to learn, but this makes a good start.

Bajón (f)
1. a downer, something that sucks Es un bajón. Que bajón. That sucks, that´s too bad.

Bancar (v)
1. to tolerate. No me lo banco más. I can’t put up with it anymore.

Barbaridad (f)
1. something that is outrageous.

bárbaro/a
1. great, wonderful, cool. Estuvo bárbara la fiesta. It was a great party. Que bárbaro! Awesome, sweet!

bicho (m)
1. a bug/insect, critter, little animal

Bombilla (f)
1. metal straw with a filter on the end, used to drink mate.

Boliche (m)
1. Refers to a dance club/disco in Argentina. They don´t say disco, nor do they say club.

Boludez (f)
Refers to something that is stupid or ridiculous. El sistema de transporte es una boludez.
Can also refer to something that was really easy. El curso fue una boludez. Saqué un 10. The course was a joke, I got a 10.

Boludo/a (m/f)
Super super common, it is used in pretty much every sentence by Argentines. There are a few uses.
1. if you want to call someone a moron, a goof, an idiot, or a jerk, you call him a boludo. It is not that harsh, not like swearing at someone, but isn´t all that nice.
2. it is also used to say something similar to “hey man.” Here they say “che boludo.”
3. it is also used all the time when talking amongst friends. They like to throw it in most sentences, it´s sort of like saying “man” again, but not really. Used with girls or guys. See below for examples:
Pedro: Vamos al cine? Let´s go see a movie? Juan: Ni loco boludo, sale muy caro. No way man, it´s really expensive.
Pedro: Vas a la fiesta? Juan: No, estoy cansado, me quedo en casa. Pedro: Que? Boludo, es viernes, no se queda en casa.
In the first use, it is an insult. In the others, it is not, but is very colloquial. Don´t say boludo to your boss or your girlfriend´s parents, as an example.

Cana (f)
1. The police/the cops.

Capo (adj.)
1. cool, great – refering to a person. Tu amigo es un capo. Your friend is really great.

Cagada (f)
1. sucks, crap, a mess – Que cagada. That sucks. El proceso es una cagada. The process is a mess.

Chabón (m)
1. a guy, similar to ‘Pibe.’

Chamuyero (n)
1. a smooth talker, a sweet talker. Often used to describe guys that say whatever to try to pick up girls.

Chamuyar (v)
The action of being a chamuyo. Sweet talking, trying to pick someone up, scamming someone.

Chupamedias (f)
1. a suck up, brown noser (literally means someone who sucks socks).

Chupar (v)
1. to suck. Also used to talk about drinking alcohol. Vamos al bar a chupar cervezas. Let’s go to the bar for a beer.

Che (m)
1. man. If used amongst friends in this sense, it Is somewhat of a term of endearment (in a very light way). Chau che. Later man. Can also be used with people you don´t know, as a way of addressing them. Vamos che, dejame pasar. Come on man, let me in.
2. hey. Used to get someone´s attention. Che, por acá!. Hey, over here!

Cheto, Concheto (m)
1. snobby. Es un lugar muy cheto. Its a really snobby place.

Club (m)
1. Gentleman´s Club (nude women)
2. Where you join as a member to use the leisure facilities

Colectivo (m)
1. Refers to the city bus in Buenos Aires

Copado/a (adj.)
1. cool, good. Used especially for people, places, events. Tu hermano es muy copado. Your brother is really cool.

Gato (m)
1. a female prostitute, or one acting like a female prostitute. Like calling someone a whore in English.
2. a gay person.

Groso (adj.)
1. something or someone that is great, awesome. Voy a la playa! Que groso! I´m going to the beach! That´s great!!

Guita (f)
1. Money. No tengo gita. I don´t have any money.

Laburar (v.)
1. to work

Lunfardo (m)
1. refers to the street slang and the slang of people who danced tango in Buenos Aires in the earlier 1900s. Many words and expressions are still used today.

Mangos (m)
1. pesos. Me costó 120 mangos! It cost me 120 pesos!

Mate (m)
1. Refers to a special type of tea that the Aregentine´s like to drink.
2. Refers to the gourd in which the Yerba (mate tea) is put

Micro (m)
1. bus that goes out of the city, from one city or town to another

Mina (f)
1. refers to a girl or women (teens and up). It is slightly degrading, but not really. It’s very common to talk among guy friends that you were talking to a “mina”, or met some “minas.”

onda (m)
1. the literal meaning is a wave, like a sound wave. However, it is used to talk about a situation or person in a good way. Tu amigo tiene muy buena onda. Your friend has a great vibe/is really cool. It is not only used in Argentina, but is used a lot, so is important to know.

Pelotudo/a (m/f)
1. an idiot, moron, jerk, just like boludo. It is not used to say “man” or when talking to your friends, in the same way boludo is.

Pibe (m)
1. a kid, boy/girl, though more common to use for a boy

Porro (m)
1. a joint, weed

Porteño/a (m/f)
1. a person that is from the city of Buenos Aires
2. is also used as an adjective to describe something that is very typical of Buenos Aires. Ese bar es bien porteño. That bar is very typical of the bars in Buenos Aires.

Pucho (m)
1. cigarette

Quilombo (m)
1. a mess, a disaster, chaotic. El tránsito en Buenos Aires es un quilombo.

Remera (f)
1. t-shirt

Tipo (masc noun or adv. )
1. a guy conocí a un tipo. I met some guy.
2. around, approximately La fiesta empieza tipo 20h The party starts around 8.

Toque (m)
1. a touch, a little bit. Falta un toque de sal. It’s missing just a touch of salt.

Trucho/a (adj. or m/f noun)
1. fake/counterfeit items. Compré una remera trucha. I bought a counterfeit t-shirt. Esos son truchos. Those are fake.

If you are interested in buying an Argentine book about slang, your best option is “Che Boludo: A gringo’s guide to understanding the Argentines.” by James Bracken. It is a useful book, and is very current – all the expressions you find in the book are used kind often here. The book is slightly limited in that it does not provide many examples, so often you don’t understand how it may be used in speech. Also, it doesn’t indicate which are really common, and which ones you won’t hear very often. It can be purchased in the main bookstores in Buenos Aires.

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Pastry
There are tons of different recipes for the dough, a lot of it depends on what part of Argentina the empanadas are from. Two recipes are included below, one using butter, and the other using lard. The ones with lard will be more tender and fluffy.

**It’s not always easy to find the time to make the dough. You can always buy the empanada dough, and make your own fillings. However, homemade dough is always much better**

Empanada Pastry with Butter

2c. flour
100g butter, cut into pieces
Pinch of salt

In a large bowl, combine flour and butter with a pastry cutter, or two knives. Once the dough is in pea sized pieces, add the luke warm water. Knead together with your hands until well-mixed. Cover, and let stand until your empanada fillings are ready.

Empanada Pastry with Lard
¼ kg flour
50g lard
1 egg
Cold water

Mix flour with lard. Add the egg, knead together, and add enough water for the dough to stick together. Once it forms a nice ball, leave it covered until your empanada fillings are ready.

Once you are ready to make your empanadas, roll out the dough until it is quite thin, about 2mm. Cut into circles about 12 cm in diameter. Fill the center of each circle with desired empanada filling. Fold and pinch the edges shut, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake at 300F until golden brown.

**Empanadas can be fried as well, although it is more common to find them baked (in Buenos Aires).  If you want to fry them, you can do so with oil in a frying pan, or put them in a deep fryer**

Empanadas with Chopped Meat
1/2 kg of bola de lomo. If you are not in Argentina, you can use any meat that is easy to cut, and has very little fat.
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
1 red pepper
½ cup green olives
2 hard boiled eggs
Salt, pepper, cumin, and ground chillie peppers

Make sure all ingredients are chopped very fine, except the meat and the eggs. These can be a little bigger, in strips about 1 inch long. Add some oil to a large frying pan. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until onion becomes transparent. Add meat, chopped red pepper, and olives. Simmer until meat is cooked and peppers are tender. Then add chopped egg, and season with the salt, pepper, cumin, and ground chilli peppers. Let cool before filling empanadas.

Ham and Cheese Empanadas
In Argentina, there is ham and cheese for just about everything. Here is a typical recipe for the filling of ham and cheese empanadas. These come out of the oven oozing with melted cheese, and are a real delight!!

Ham slices or cubes (if they are ham slices, the thicker the better. Cut them into inch long strips)
Two cheeses of your – one should be cut into cubes, and the other should be grated. Any kind of hard or semi hard cheeses can be used – mozzarella, roquefort, cheddar, parmesan, gouda, etc.
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Mix ingredients well and fill empanada shells.

Chicken Empanadas
1 large chicken breast, with bone
1 onion
1 clove garlic
1 red pepper, chopped fine
Paprika, salt, and pepper to taste

Boil chicken breast until cooked. Remove from water and cool. Pull chicken off the bone in strips. Add onions and garlic to a frying pan, sauté until transparent. Add chopped red pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes. Add chicken, and spices. Sauté for 3 more minutes until flavors blend. Remove from heat and cool before filling empanada shells.

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The festival is essentially two events that happen at the same time. The first is a huge tango festival, which can be described as “everything relating to tango.” The highlight is all of the tango shows, ranging from traditional to electronic tango, and some of them by the best known tango groups in the world. You get to see loads of tango performances, and all of them for free! However, this festival is much more than just watching tango.

If you are interested in learning more about tango, as well as how to dance, there are various free seminars and dance classes. These classes are put on by some of the finest teachers in the city, and are available for both beginners and advanced.

Some other highlights of the event:

• A Tango fair, which sells all sorts of products relating to tango – specifically clothes, music, and art.
• A selection of cinema about tango
• The presentation of books about tango
• Clinics for tango musicians, or anyone interested in tango music
• Conferences

To finish of the two weeks of tango is the World Tango Championships. The top tango dancers in the world compete to be named as the top dancers in the categories of Tango Salon and Tango Escenario.

Although all performances and events are free, you still have to pick up tickets.   Most of these have to be picked up within the first few days of the festival, and if you miss it, you won’t be able to get into most shows. For more information, visit the main site at http://www.mundialdetango.gob.ar/.

When: End of August
Where: Various locations throughout the capital
Why: You have even the slightest desire to see Tango or to learn more about it.

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