Differences in South American Spanish
Playa Pocitos, Montevideo, Uruguay. Photo by Ryan Harrison.
Spain Spanish vs. South America SPanish
After spending about 3 weeks in Uruguay and Argentina, I thought I would put together a little survival guide when it comes to their culture and their specific language and lingo. They speak their own Spanish dialect that is unique to the Southern parts of the continent that it is in line with other countries in South America. Just like British English is different than American English, the Spanish we are taught in middle and high school varies from the Spanish spoken in South America.
PRONUNCIATION: “Y” and “Ll” are pronounced as “Sh”
“Como se llama” is pronounced “Como se shama”
“yo” is pronounces “sho”
“ya” is pronounced “sha”
“calle” is pronounced “cashe”
Daddy Yankee is actually Daddy Shankee haha
USTEDES vs. VOSOTROS:
In Spain, to refer to a group, not including yourself, such as “you all”, you would use Vosotros and its verb ending. However, in Latin/South America, you would use Ustedes to refer to “you all”
Ex. Are you going to eat dinner?
Vosotros: Vais a cenar?
Ustedes: Van a cenar?
VOCABULARY: Here is a list of commonly used words that will help you adjust to their dialect when visiting:
You = tú → vos
Very = muy → re
You are = tú eres → vos sos
Money = dinero → plata
Goodbye = adiós → chao (sometimes)
Shoes = zapatos → champiñónes
Socks = calcetines → medias
Cell phone = móvil → celular
Pen = bolígrafo → lapicera/pluma
Car = coche → auto/carro
To park = aparcar → estacionar/parquear
Soda = refrescos → gaseosa
Jacket = chaqueta → campera
Cute = mono → lindo/tierno
Okay = vale → bien or okay
Waiter = camarero → mesero
Ticket = billete → pasaje
To miss (someone) = echar de menos → extrañar
VERB CONJGUATION:
Special stem verbs that change to “ie” and “ue” during conjugation, they will mostly take out the “I” o “u” and pronounce it without. Remember, vos = tú
Tú puedes / Vos podés
Tú quieres / Vos querés
Tú duermes / Vos dormís
Tú vienes / Vos venís
Tú entiendes / Vos entendés
Tú tienes / Vos tenés