Buenos Aires: Spanish travel guide

Vos: the porteño “you”

Instead of tú, Argentines say vos, and the verb changes a little. You don't have to use it, but you'll hear it everywhere.

• ¿Cómo andás?How are you doing?Say it: KOH-moh ahn-DAHS
• ¿De dónde sos?Where are you from?Say it: deh DOHN-deh sohsElsewhere: ¿De dónde eres?
• ¿Tenés…?Do you have…?Say it: teh-NEHSElsewhere: ¿Tienes…?
• ¡Che, vení!Hey, come here!Say it: cheh, beh-NEE

The “sh” sound

In Buenos Aires, ll and y sound like the “sh” in “show”: calle is KAH-sheh, yo is SHOH and playa is PLAH-shah. Your device's voice may not do this accent, so trust the pronunciation guide here.

Money and tipping

• Prices and exchange rules in Argentina change often. Check current advice on paying by card or exchanging cash shortly before you go.
• Restaurants: about 10%, usually left in cash, as the tip often can't be added to a card payment.
• Some restaurants add a cubierto, a small cover charge for bread and the table. It isn't the tip.

Five porteño words

• chehey, mateSay it: cheh
• bárbarogreat, fantasticSay it: BAHR-bah-roh
• el colectivothe city busSay it: ehl koh-lehk-TEE-boh
• el subtethe subwaySay it: ehl SOOB-teh
• revery (re lindo = really nice)Say it: reh

Good to know

• Dinner starts late, often after 9 pm, and steakhouses (parrillas) are busiest at 10.
• Friends greet with one kiss on the cheek, men included.
• Buses and the subway use a rechargeable SUBE card.