Argentine Slang

nfardo, or slang, is common to hear walking along the streets of Buenos Aires. Linguists believe that the term lunfardo may come from the Italian word lombardo, what many Italians called petty thieves and criminals.

Lunfardo developed in the Rio de la Plata region and is used often in Argentina and Uruguay. Lots of the words and expressions originate from Europe and came to Argentina with immigrants from primarily Italy and Spain. Some examples of lunfardo are:

Birra, instead of cerveza, for “beer”

Boliche, instead of discoteca, for “dance club”

Bondi/colectivo, instead of autobus for “bus”

Bronca, for “anger”

Boludo means “stupid” or “idiotic” and can be used as insult or among friends. This word’s origin is from the word bola which means “ball” and could be likened to the British slang “bollucks.”

Cana, instead of policia, is “police”

Chamuyar means to “smooth talk” or “schmooze” A chamuyero is a “smooth talker” or “schmoozer.”

Coima, instead of soborno, for “bribe”

Fiaca, instead of pereza, is laziness

Guita instead of dinero, for “money”

Laburo, instead of trabajo, for “work”

Luca means “1,000 pesos” or 1,000 in general. In the United States, luca would translate into “a Grand”

Macanudo, instead of magnifico or muy bien, for “great” or “cool”

Mina, instead of chica, for “girl”

Morfar, instead of comer, for “to eat”

Pelotudo, similar to the word boludo, but stronger, means “jerk.” Pelotudo comes from the word “pelota” which also means ball.

Pibe, instead of chico, for “boy”

Piola, instead of listo, for “smart”

Pucho instead of cigarillo, for “cigarette”

Quilombo means “disorder” or “disaster”

Re, instead of muy, for “very.” Other forms are requete, which is stronger than re and recontra which is stronger yet.

Trucho, instead of falso, for “fake” 

tags: slang ·