50 Essential Verb Conjugations and Expressions in Argentinian Spanish

Learning Spanish? You might already know that every Spanish-speaking country has its unique twist on the language. Argentina, with its characteristic “voseo” and rich vocabulary, stands out with a truly distinct flavor. In this article, we’ll explore 50 key verb conjugations and expressions that are essential for understanding and speaking Argentinian Spanish. Whether you’re exploring the book 20 Argentinian Marvels or preparing for a trip to Argentina, mastering these verbs and expressions will help you sound like a true local.

 

1. Basic “Voseo” Conjugations (Present Tense)

The “voseo” is a unique trait of Argentinian Spanish, where “vos” replaces the traditional “tú” for informal second-person singular. Here are ten essential “voseo” conjugations to get started:

Examples:
Standard Spanish: tú hablas, tú tienes, tú vienes, tú quieres, tú puedes.
Argentinian Spanish: vos hablás, vos tenés, vos venís, vos querés, vos podés.

In Argentinian Spanish, notice the shift in stress toward the final syllable, making these forms sound distinctive. Familiarizing yourself with these forms will help you read and understand dialogues in books or movies from Argentina more comfortably, such as those found in The 5-Minute Latin American Spanish Journal.

2. “Voseo” in Commands (Imperative Form)

Argentinians also use specific command forms with “vos.” Here’s how some common verbs change in the imperative:

Examples:
Standard Spanish: habla, ven, corre, escribe, mira.
Argentinian Spanish: hablá, vení, corré, escribí, mirá.

These forms make informal commands softer and more familiar, fitting well into casual conversations in Argentina. For instance, a friend might say, “¡Vení a mi casa!” (Come to my house!) instead of the standard “Ven a mi casa.”

3. Reflexive Verbs and Daily Expressions

Argentinian Spanish uses reflexive verbs for unique idiomatic expressions. Here are some popular phrases:

• Mandarse una macana - To make a mistake.
  Example: "Me mandé una macana en el trabajo." (I made a mistake at work.)
• Darse cuenta - To realize.
  Example: "Me di cuenta de que era tarde." (I realized it was late.)
• Bancarse - To tolerate or deal with.
  Example: "No me banco a esa persona." (I can’t stand that person.)
• Rajarse - To leave quickly or sneak out.
  Example: "Nos rajamos de la fiesta." (We left the party quickly.)
• Quejarse - To complain.
  Example: "Se queja de todo." (He/she complains about everything.)

4. Common Expressions with “Hacer” (To Do/To Make)

The verb “hacer” appears in various idiomatic expressions in Argentina, adding local flair to speech. Here are five examples, plus additional suggestions for daily practice:

• Hacer lío - To cause trouble or make a mess.
  Example: "No hagas lío en la casa." (Don’t make a mess in the house.)
• Hacerse el vivo - To act clever or sly (often with a negative connotation).
  Example: "No te hagas el vivo." (Don’t act clever.)
• Hacerse el tonto - To pretend to be foolish or ignorant.
  Example: "Se hizo el tonto para evitar la tarea." (He pretended to be foolish to avoid the task.)
• Hacer caso - To pay attention.
  Example: "Hacé caso a lo que te dicen." (Pay attention to what they tell you.)
• Hacer falta - To need or lack something.
  Example: "Hace falta más tiempo." (More time is needed.)

5. Expressions with “Andar” (To Walk/To Go)

“Andar” in Argentinian Spanish has many metaphorical uses that go beyond its literal meaning of “to walk.”

• Andar con mala pata - To have bad luck.
  Example: "Este mes ando con mala pata." (This month, I’ve had bad luck.)
• Andar bien/mal - To feel good/bad.
  Example: "Hoy ando bien." (I feel good today.)
• Andar de acá para allá - To be running around or be busy.
  Example: "Ando de acá para allá todo el día." (I’m running around all day.)
• Andar con alguien - To hang out with someone.
  Example: "Ando con mis amigos esta tarde." (I’m hanging out with my friends this afternoon.)

6. Key Verbs from Lunfardo (Argentinian Slang)

Lunfardo is a unique slang that originated in Buenos Aires. These verbs add an authentic feel to Argentinian Spanish:

• Laburar - To work.
  Example: "Tengo que laburar mañana." (I have to work tomorrow.)
• Chorear - To steal.
  Example: "Le chorearon la billetera." (They stole his wallet.)
• Morfarse - To eat (informally).
  Example: "Nos morfamos una pizza entera." (We ate a whole pizza.)
• Escabiar - To drink (alcohol).
  Example: "Vamos a escabiar esta noche." (We’re going to drink tonight.)

7. Expressions with “Estar” (To Be)

“Estar” is another verb frequently used in everyday expressions that differ from standard Spanish:

• Estar al horno - To be in trouble or in a difficult situation.
  Example: "Estoy al horno con el examen." (I’m in trouble with the exam.)
• Estar en pedo - To be drunk.
  Example: "Anoche estaba en pedo." (Last night I was drunk.)
• Estar hecho bolsa - To feel exhausted.
  Example: "Después de correr, estoy hecho bolsa." (After running, I’m exhausted.)

8. Expressions with “Sacar” (To Take Out/To Remove)

“Sacar” has some unique idiomatic uses in Argentinian Spanish that express different emotions and actions:

• Sacar la ficha - To figure someone out.
  Example: "Ya le saqué la ficha." (I already figured him/her out.)
• Sacar de quicio - To get on someone’s nerves.
  Example: "Ese ruido me saca de quicio." (That noise gets on my nerves.)
• Sacar provecho - To take advantage.
  Example: "Saco provecho de todas las oportunidades." (I take advantage of all opportunities.)

Conclusion

Argentinian Spanish is colorful, expressive, and full of unique verb conjugations and phrases that set it apart from other Spanish dialects. By mastering these 50 verbs and expressions, you’ll not only improve your Spanish but also connect more deeply with Argentinian culture. Next time you dive into a book like 20 Argentinian Marvels or find yourself in Argentina, use these verbs to sound like a true local.

Happy practicing, and enjoy your journey through the vibrant world of Argentinian Spanish!