Argentinian Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Embrace Lunfardo

Argentinian Slang Guide

Argentina—a country of tango, mate, and the legendary asado—is also home to a colorful and ever-evolving brand of slang known as Lunfardo. Originating in 19th-century Buenos Aires, Lunfardo has seeped into the everyday speech of porteños (people from Buenos Aires) and beyond, influencing Argentinian Spanish so deeply that many Lunfardo words are used nationwide without people even realizing their origin.

Whether you’re traveling to Buenos Aires (a.k.a. Baires), brushing up on your Argentine Spanish for a Netflix binge, or just fascinated by cultural linguistics, this guide of 100 essential Lunfardo terms will help you sound more like a local—or at least decode what locals are saying sobre la marcha (on the go).

Why Learn Lunfardo?

A Gateway to Culture

Lunfardo terms often reflect the humor, wit, and idiosyncrasies of Argentinian daily life. Understanding them can open doors to deeper conversations, jokes, and references in Argentine media and songs—especially tangos steeped in Lunfardo lyrics.

Navigate Buenos Aires with Ease

From the street markets in San Telmo to bohemian bars in Palermo, you’ll hear words like “che” or “boludo” tossed around freely. Recognizing them helps you keep pace with fast-talking porteños and avoid cultural misunderstandings.

It’s Just Plain Fun

Slang is playful, unpredictable, and full of attitude. Dropping an occasional “¡qué quilombo!” can spark genuine smiles and nods of approval among your Argentine friends.

Fun Fact: According to a study by Academia Porteña del Lunfardo, over 50% of porteños use Lunfardo expressions in daily speech, often mixing them seamlessly with standard Spanish.

Quick Tips for Using Argentinian Slang

1. Mind Register: Some words are strong or borderline offensive if used out of context.
2. Tone & Body Language: Argentines can be expressive. Gesture and vocal intonation can shift a word’s meaning or lighten its edge.
3. Don’t Overdo It: Toss in a few terms here and there—too many can sound forced.
4. Listen & Learn: The best teacher is street life—chat with locals, watch Argentinian shows, or listen to local music.

Greetings & Everyday Expressions (1–10)

1. Che
   • Meaning: “Hey,” “man,” “buddy,” or simply an interjection to get someone’s attention.
   • Usage: “Che, ¿qué hacés? ¿Todo bien?” (“Hey, what’re you doing? All good?”)
2. ¿Qué onda?
   • Meaning: “What’s up?” or “How’s it going?” from Mexican Spanish but widely understood in Argentina
   • Usage: “¿Qué onda, loco? ¿Listo para salir?” (“What’s up, man? Ready to go out?”)
3. ¿Todo piola?
   • Meaning: “Everything cool?” or “All good?”
   • Usage: “¿Todo piola con vos? Me alegro.” (“Everything good with you? Glad to hear.”)
4. ¿Cómo andás?
   • Meaning: “How are you doing?” a casual variation of “¿Cómo estás?”
   • Usage: “Che, ¿cómo andás hoy? Hace calor, ¿no?”
5. ¿Qué hacés, boludo?
   • Meaning: “What’s up, dude?” with a playful “boludo” (buddy/fool).
   • Usage: “¿Qué hacés, boludo? Te esperaba a las 5.”
6. Todo tranqui
   • Meaning: “All chill,” “Everything’s cool.”
   • Usage: “¿Cómo va el laburo? – Todo tranqui, che.”
7. Sale
   • Meaning: “Let’s do it,” “Ok,” from standard Spanish “salir.”
   • Usage: “Vamos a tomar algo, ¿sale?” (“Shall we grab a drink, deal?”)
8. ¡Dale!
   • Meaning: “Come on!” or “Yeah, sure,” extremely common in Argentina.
   • Usage: “Dale, vayamos al cine.” (“Ok, let’s go to the movies.”)
9. Re
   • Meaning: “Very,” “super,” used as an intensifier.
   • Usage: “Esta pizza está re buena.” (“This pizza is super good.”)
10. Cualquier cosa
    • Meaning: “Anything,” but slang-wise can mean “nonsense” or “unbelievable situation.”
    • Usage: “Esa excusa es cualquier cosa—no te creo.” (“That excuse is nonsense—I don’t believe you.”)

People & Friendship (11–20)

11. Boludo / Boluda
    • Meaning: “Dude,” “mate,” or literally “idiot,” but used affectionately or insultingly depending on tone.
    • Usage: “Che, boludo, pasame la sal.” (“Hey buddy, pass me the salt.”)
12. Flaco / Flaca
    • Meaning: “Dude,” “chick,” literally “skinny,” used similarly to “bro/sis.”
    • Usage: “Flaca, ¿todo bien? Hace días que no te veo.”
13. Chabón / Chabona
    • Meaning: “Guy / Girl,” somewhat casual.
    • Usage: “Ese chabón es re piola, siempre ayuda.”
14. Loco / Loca
    • Meaning: “Mad,” “crazy,” but also used as “dude” or “man.”
    • Usage: “¿Qué hacés, loco? Tanto tiempo.” (“What’s up, man? Long time no see.”)
15. Pibe / Piba
    • Meaning: “Kid,” “guy / girl,” referencing younger folks.
    • Usage: “Esa piba es una genia en la guitarra.” (“That girl is a genius on guitar.”)
16. Capo / Capa
    • Meaning: “Boss,” “champ,” or “buddy,” praising someone’s skill.
    • Usage: “Sos un capo, boludo, programás increíble.” (“You’re a champ, dude, you program amazingly.”)
17. Grosa
    • Meaning: “Brilliant,” “awesome,” female form of “grosso.”
    • Usage: “Ella es una grosa en matemáticas.”
18. Maestro
    • Meaning: “Teacher,” but slang for “buddy” or “someone skilled.”
    • Usage: “¡Maestro! ¿Cómo va todo?” (“Hey buddy, how’s everything?”)
19. Hermano / Hermana
    • Meaning: “Brother / Sister,” used with close friends.
    • Usage: “Hermano, te extrañé. ¿Cuándo tomamos un café?”
20. Che pibe
    • Meaning: “Hey kid,” typical phrase to address a younger friend or unknown.
    • Usage: “Che pibe, ¿qué estás haciendo acá tan tarde?”

Expressing Emotions & Reactions (21–30)

21. ¡Qué bajón!

• Meaning: “What a bummer,” “That sucks.”
• Usage: “Te despidieron del laburo? ¡Qué bajón!”

22. ¡Qué quilombo!

• Meaning: “What a mess!” “Chaos!”
• Usage: “¡Qué quilombo el tráfico hoy en el microcentro!”

23. ¡A full!

• Meaning: “At full throttle,” or “totally engaged,” from English “full.”
• Usage: “Estoy a full con la tesis, no duermo nada.”

24. Me mata

• Meaning: “It kills me,” expresses humor or frustration.
• Usage: “Esa broma me mata de risa.” (“That joke kills me with laughter.”)

25. Qué cagada

• Meaning: “What a screw-up,” “What a shame,” literally “what a poop.”
• Usage: “Qué cagada que se haya cancelado la fiesta.”

26. ¡De diez!

• Meaning: “Perfect,” “Great,” literally “of ten.”
• Usage: “¿Cómo te fue en el examen? – De diez.” (“How did the exam go? – Perfect.”)

27. Ando medio bajoneado

• Meaning: “I’m feeling a bit down.”
• Usage: “Después de esa noticia, ando medio bajoneado.”

28. Me da bronca

• Meaning: “It annoys me,” “makes me angry.”
• Usage: “Me da bronca que llegue tarde siempre.”

29. Está piola

• Meaning: “It’s cool,” “It’s good,” from “piola” meaning “cord,” but slang for “nice.”
• Usage: “El bar está piola, la música es genial.”

30. Qué paja

• Meaning: “What a drag,” “What a pain,” literally referencing “straw.”
• Usage: “Tengo que estudiar todo el día—qué paja, loco.”

Food & Dining Slang (31–40)

31. Feca

• Meaning: “Coffee,” from vesre (reverse of “café”).
• Usage: “¿Tomamos una feca antes de ir?” (“Shall we grab a coffee first?”)

32. Birra

• Meaning: “Beer,” from “cerveza.”
• Usage: “Vamos por una birra después del trabajo.”

33. Milanesa

• Meaning: Fried breaded steak, a staple dish. Slang for any breaded cut.
• Usage: “Cenamos milanesa con papas fritas?”

34. Morrón

• Meaning: “Bell pepper,” but sometimes used to call someone silly.
• Usage: “No seas morrón, me pasás la sal?”

35. Chori

• Meaning: “Chorizo,” short form, typical Argentinian sausage.
• Usage: “¿Querés un chori en el asado?”

36. Fiambre

• Meaning: “Cold cut,” or ironically “boring person,” be mindful.
• Usage: “Ese fiambre de jamón está bueno.”

37. Pancho

• Meaning: “Hot dog,” common street snack.
• Usage: “Agarramos un pancho rápido y seguimos.”

38. Asado

• Meaning: “Barbecue,” the Argentinian staple.
• Usage: “El domingo hay asado en lo de mi primo.”

39. Torta

• Meaning: “Cake,” but in some contexts “sandwich” (be mindful of region differences).
• Usage: “Para el cumple, trajeron torta de chocolate.”

40. Mate

• Meaning: Traditional tea-like beverage, but also a symbol of socializing.
• Usage: “Vamos a tomar un mate y charlar un rato.”

Internet & Tech Slang (41–50)

41. Postear

• Meaning: “To post,” from English.
• Usage: “Voy a postear mi foto en Instagram, ¿la viste?”

42. Bajar

• Meaning: “Download,” from “bajar un archivo.”
• Usage: “Bajé la nueva app y está piola.”

43. Ojo con el spam

• Meaning: “Watch out for spam,” from English usage.
• Usage: “No abras ese link, ojo con el spam.”

44. Chatear

• Meaning: “To chat,” from English “chat.”
• Usage: “Chateamos más tarde, me voy al gym.”

45. Full HD

• Meaning: “Very clear,” “straight to the point,” ironically from “full high definition.”
• Usage: “Dale, decime la verdad full HD, sin vueltas.”

46. Zafar

• Meaning: “To manage” or “get by,” used if your phone or net is slow.
• Usage: “Con este Wi-Fi medio lento, zafamos para las tareas.”

47. Feed

• Meaning: “Social media feed,” from English.
• Usage: “Tu feed de Instagram está re lindo, che.”

48. Offside

• Meaning: “Out of place,” borrowed from soccer lingo, used for awkward or wrong comments.
• Usage: “Ese comentario estuvo offside, no da decirlo así.”

49. Hater

• Meaning: “Someone who hates on you,” from English.
• Usage: “Tengo un par de haters en redes, pero no me importa.”

50. QAP

• Meaning: “Qué hay de nuevo?” or ironically “What’s up?” from radio jargon “QAP = on stand by.” (Less common)
• Usage: “Che, QAP, contame tus novedades.”

Love & Dating Slang (51–60)

51. Chamuyar

• Meaning: “To flirt,” “to sweet talk,” or “smooth talk someone.”
• Usage: “El flaco sabe chamuyar, siempre gana en la conquista.”

52. Tirar onda

• Meaning: “Throw vibes,” i.e. flirt or show interest.
• Usage: “Creo que me está tirando onda—me manda mensajitos cada rato.”

53. Estar enganchado

• Meaning: “Be hooked,” or very interested in someone.
• Usage: “Se conocieron ayer y él ya está enganchado.”

54. Media naranja

• Meaning: “Soul mate,” literally “half orange.”
• Usage: “Encontré mi media naranja, estamos re felices.”

55. Levantarse a alguien

• Meaning: “Pick someone up,” or “successfully woo someone.”
• Usage: “¿Lo viste en la fiesta? Se levantó a esa chica en dos minutos.”

56. Meter cuernos

• Meaning: “To cheat,” literally “to put horns.”
• Usage: “Dicen que ella le metió cuernos al novio—qué feo.”

57. Estar de levante

• Meaning: “Be in the mood to flirt or pick up,” referencing “levantar.”
• Usage: “Hoy estoy de levante, no me pierdo la noche en el boliche.”

58. Hacer ojitos

• Meaning: “Make eyes at someone,” flirting.
• Usage: “Ese pibe me hizo ojitos toda la noche.”

59. Pegote

• Meaning: “Clingy person,” from “pegado” (stuck).
• Usage: “No seas pegote, dale un respiro a tu pareja.”

60. Desencuentro

• Meaning: “Mismatch,” from tango culture, referencing missed connections.
• Usage: “Fue un desencuentro total—no coincidimos en nada.”

Family & Daily Life (61–70)

61. Viejo / Vieja

• Meaning: “Dad” / “Mom,” or “old man / old lady,” affectionate usage in Argentina.
• Usage: “Mi viejo me lleva al aeropuerto mañana.”

62. Laburo

• Meaning: “Work” or “job,” from Italian “lavoro.”
• Usage: “Tengo laburo temprano, no puedo trasnochar.”

63. Estar al horno

• Meaning: “To be in trouble,” literally “to be in the oven.”
• Usage: “No estudié, estoy al horno para el examen.”

64. Hacer fiaca

• Meaning: “Be lazy,” do nothing.
• Usage: “Domingo a la mañana, voy a hacer fiaca un rato.”

65. Chamullo

• Meaning: “Excuse,” or “B.S. story,” from “chamuyo.”
• Usage: “Eso es puro chamullo, no le creas.”

66. Tomar mate

• Meaning: “Drink mate,” but a daily ritual for many families.
• Usage: “En casa, siempre tomamos mate en la tarde.”

67. Tacho

• Meaning: “Taxi,” from “tachero” driver.
• Usage: “Vamos en tacho o subte?”

68. Subte

• Meaning: “Subway,” short for “subterráneo.”
• Usage: “Tomo el subte Línea D para ir al centro.”

69. Cana

• Meaning: “Police,” or “cops,” originally from Lunfardo.
• Usage: “La cana pasó, pero todo tranqui.”

70. Es un bondi

• Meaning: “It’s a bus,” but slang for “it’s complicated.” Also “bondi” = city bus.
• Usage: “Llevar ese trámite es un bondi—todo muy lento.”

Negative Feelings & Frustrations (71–80)

71. Garrón

• Meaning: “Bummer,” “unfortunate situation.”
• Usage: “Qué garrón que se cancele el concierto.”

72. Qué bajón

• Meaning: Repeated: “What a downer,” used for negative experiences.
• Usage: “Qué bajón, se perdió el perro del vecino.”

73. Estar podrido

• Meaning: “To be fed up,” literally “to be rotten.”
• Usage: “Estoy podrido de tanto ruido en la calle.”

74. Es un embole

• Meaning: “It’s boring,” “This is a drag.”
• Usage: “La clase de hoy fue un embole total.”

75. No me jodas

• Meaning: “Don’t mess with me,” or “You’re kidding me,” stronger language.
• Usage: “¿Otra vez llegaste tarde? No me jodas.”

76. Qué macana

• Meaning: “What a shame,” “that’s too bad,” from older slang.
• Usage: “Se rompió la taza favorita de mamá. Qué macana.”

77. Al horno con fritas

• Meaning: “In big trouble,” literally “in the oven with fries.”
• Usage: “Si no pagas hoy, estás al horno con fritas.”

78. No da

• Meaning: “That’s not cool,” “It doesn’t work,” from “no da la situación.”
• Usage: “Ir en shorts a la boda, no da.”

79. Ser un plomo

• Meaning: “To be a bore,” literally “to be lead.”
• Usage: “Tu primo es un plomo, habla de política todo el día.”

80. Al pedo

• Meaning: “Doing nothing,” “pointless,” or “in vain.”
• Usage: “Fui al negocio y estaba cerrado, fui al pedo.”

Pop Culture & Trends (81–90)

81. Bardo

• Meaning: “Trouble,” “drama,” or “argument.”
• Usage: “Se armó un bardo en la fiesta por un ex.”

82. Flashear

• Meaning: “To imagine or trip out,” from “flash.”
• Usage: “Estás flasheando que todo el mundo te odia, cálmate.”

83. Alta fiesta

• Meaning: “Great party,” from “alta” meaning “high.”
• Usage: “Fue una alta fiesta anoche, con DJ y todo.”

84. Qué sé yo

• Meaning: “I don’t know,” or “Beats me.”
• Usage: “Qué sé yo, capaz que llega mañana.”

85. Me copa

• Meaning: “I dig it,” “I’m into it.”
• Usage: “Me copa esa banda nueva, suenan re bien.”

86. Tomátela

• Meaning: “Get out of here,” “Go away,” from “take yourself away.”
• Usage: “Tomátela, no quiero escuchar tus quejas.”

87. Mal flash

• Meaning: “Bad vibe,” or “bad trip.”
• Usage: “Esa peli es un mal flash, me dejó triste.”

88. Re careta

• Meaning: “Fake,” from “face,” or “someone who acts different.”
• Usage: “No me invites a esa fiesta re careta.”

89. Estar al palo

• Meaning: “To be super excited,” or “wired up.”
• Usage: “Él está al palo porque ganó su equipo.”

90. Guita

• Meaning: “Money,” widely used in Argentina.
• Usage: “Necesito guita para la salida de hoy.”

Additional 10 Slang Gems (91–100)

91. Escrachar
    • Meaning: “To expose or shame someone publicly.”
    • Usage: “Lo escracharon en redes por mentir sobre su CV.”
92. Mambo
    • Meaning: “Issue,” “deal,” or “vibe.”
    • Usage: “¿Cuál es tu mambo con ese chico?”
93. Tomar el bondi
    • Meaning: “Take the bus,” “bondi” is bus in Lunfardo.
    • Usage: “Vamos a tomar el bondi a Retiro, sale barato.”
94. Prendé la mecha
    • Meaning: “Spark the fuse,” i.e., “start trouble or hype.”
    • Usage: “No prendás la mecha si no querés problemas.”
95. Me la baja
    • Meaning: “It brings me down,” kills the vibe.
    • Usage: “Ese clima me la baja, prefiero sol.”
96. Se armó
    • Meaning: “It started,” “It’s on,” referencing an event or fight.
    • Usage: “Se armó la joda en la casa de Juan.”
97. De una
    • Meaning: “Right away,” “immediately,” or “for sure.”
    • Usage: “¿Vamos de una a la playa?” (“Shall we go to the beach right away?”)
98. Atado
    • Meaning: “Pack of cigarettes,” or a sticky situation.
    • Usage: “Me das un pucho de tu atado?” (“Give me a cigarette from your pack?”)
99. Encendido
    • Meaning: “Lit,” “energized,” used in parties or sports.
    • Usage: “Estoy encendido, hoy puedo correr 10k fácil.”
100. La posta

• Meaning: “The real deal,” “the truth.”
• Usage: “Te digo la posta: ese bar es el mejor para bailar.”

Conclusion: Dive into Lunfardo with Confidence

¡Listo! You’ve now got 100 essential Lunfardo terms in your arsenal—perfect for conquering the tangy dialect of Buenos Aires. Whether you’re strolling along El Caminito in La Boca or sipping a cafecito in Palermo, these slang words will help you blend in and charm the porteños with your knowledge of local expressions.

Final Tips

• Context Is Everything: Some words like “boludo” or “pajero” can be affectionate among friends but insulting if used with strangers or in a certain tone.
• Watch & Listen: The best teacher is local media—telenovelas, Argentinian YouTubers, or movies (like those starring Ricardo Darín).
• Ease In: Try a few phrases at a time, see how people react, and expand from there.

Call to Action

Which of these Lunfardo terms resonated with you the most? Share your favorites in the comments below, or let us know if there’s a word we missed! If you enjoyed this guide, spread the word on social media. Don’t forget to subscribe for more cultural tips on mastering Spanish and exploring global slang.

Now, it’s time to zambullirse (dive in) to Buenos Aires’ vibrant streets armed with a brand-new Lunfardo vocabulary. Dale—go forth and chat like a genuine porteño!

See Also: Brazilian Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Sound Like a Carioca