Your Guide to Real World Spanish

Learning the Local Language Your Guide to Real World Spanish

by Jared Romey welcome!

CPlease, feel free to share this eBook! This e-book is copyrighted by Jared Romey and Language Babel, Inc. however you may reproduce and share this e-book if the material is not changed in any way and is attributed to the author. This e-book may not be sold by anyone without the express written consent of the author.

8 Green clickable links! Any green text is a clickable link that will launch your browser with the Internet destination. So, the best way to enjoy this eBook is connected to the Internet.

iAbout the information you’re receiving The material in this book is for informational purposes only. It includes information, products or services by third parties for which the author and Language Babel, Inc. do not assume any responsibility or liability. Any opinions found in the material throughout the book and suggested resources are the opinions only of the author or site owner.

[ 1 ] Places you may have spotted Speaking Latino

“Jared is the go-to guy for anyone learning or considering learning Spanish, and he’ll blow you away with how much he knows about the Latin American varieties of the language.” -Donovan Nagel, Mezzofanti Guild: An Online Community of Serious Language Learners

“Romey translates common colloquialisms into English so that Americans can actually understand what the heck locals are saying when they visit South American countries.” - Monica Garske, AOL News

“Acabo de descubrir Speakinglatino.com. Que sitio mas padre, chido, chévere, tuanis, bacán...” -Jake Fisher comment on Facebook

“@JaredRomey ¡¡¡Me ca*** de risa!!! ¡Buenísimo! I had to pause several times to recover from laughing! You made my day!” -@MultiMae from Mae’s Language Lounge Blog via Twitter The Mezzofanti Guild Blog

“Es más, este gringo interesado en el vocablo chilensis creó un verdadero ranking de frases típicas de nuestro país y las tradujo a un vocabulario comprensivo para los turistas, todo a base de experiencias propias que lo han llevado a entender frases como: más inútil que cenicero de moto o andar más doblado que conejo de mago.” -Diario La Nacion Domingo, Chile

[ 2 ] Learning the Local Language

TABLE OF how speaking latino will CONTENTS [ 3 ] How Speaking Latino save you hours and Will Save You Hours and Hours Learning Spanish hours learning Spanish [ 5 ] Who am I?

[ 7 ] On to Learning Learning a foreign language is tough. It takes hours and hours and the Local Real World hours of study, sweat and practice just to achieve the level that a Spanish 5-year old native speaker already achieved. Anyone that denies this [ 8 ] 4 Local Language is lying to you. Dimensions

[ 10 ] There is no reason to make it more complicated for yourself. Yet Why Would You Care to Learn the Local Spanish many people, waste hours in the process without realizing it. of a Particular Country?

[ 12 ] Whether today is your first day of learning Spanish, or you’ve put 8 Secrets to Speak Like a Local in lots of hours (and probably some money too), maybe even you [ 17 ] are already an advanced Spanish learner, Speaking Latino and this Online Spanish Slang e-book will make life slightly easier for you. Dictionaries

[ 35 ] No, you will not be fluent tomorrow. I don’t have a bottle of snake oil Books to sell you that will give you native pronunciation. I will save you time though. The premise of what I will share is simple and yet nobody

[ 2 ] [ 3 ] ever told me this in my early attempts to learn Spanish. Because of my personal experience I want to share this short, powerful sentence so you avoid wasting the time that I wasted.

Here goes: Not all Spanish is the same.

I know it’s simple, almost stupid even. But repeat it out loud: Not all Spanish is the same. I’m serious, say it out loud.

Most people do not understand this simple concept when they begin Spanish. And it is not their fault. Teachers never discuss this. Many “England and of them may not even know either. The truth is this simple statement America are two opens up a complex concept that many people want to avoid. countries separated by a common language.” What do I mean by not all Spanish is the same? Think of English -George Bernard Shaw as a comparison. In the United States, a soda may also be known as pop. In England an elevator is a lift. The hood of a car, a bonnet. Ever heard the term gobsmacked? Or skint? These are common British English words that most Americans would not understand.

Well, the same thing exists in Spanish, only more extreme. A simple example is a drinking straw. Depending on the Spanish-speaking country, the correct word may be pajita, sorbete, sorbeto, pajilla, calimete, bombilla, pitillo or popote. That’s EIGHT different options!

You never ran into that in English before did you?

This is where Speaking Latino comes in.This e-book shares tips with you on how to improve your understanding of the local language. This will save you time early on in the process, especially if you “Those who know have a specific region or country in mind. Even if you don’t, just nothing of foreign understanding that different versions of Spanish exist is a huge step languages know forward. nothing of their own.” Learning languages opens an amazing opportunity for you to -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe understand the world in a new way. It’s tough, hard work and full of frustration. Please always remember to enjoy the journey.

[ 4 ] Who am I?

My name is Jared and I am a native of the United States of America whose first serious attempt at learning languages began in my early twenties. Until then I’d say I had a more or less typical background. After age 5, I lived in one area of the country, never outside the US and had little exposure to Spanish. Then, in my early twenties, a series of fortuitous circumstances completely changed my life.

It began as I suffered through a typical 9-5 existence. My foray Jared Romey into lunch-hour Spanish shook up my life. I quit my job, stopped by briefly to school, and then left the country... for 14 years. Early stumblings in real-world Spanish taught me that a cola isn’t just a soft drink, bicho doesn’t always mean a bug, and boludo may be heartfelt or middle-finger felt. Twelve Spanish-speaking countries, four startups, two bestsellers and a Puerto Rican wife later, I am still confounded by how many Spanish words exist for “panties.”

I am not an educated linguist. I started as a language learner just like you. I’ve spent thousands of hours studying and speaking Spanish. I had a couple years in my life when English barely existed. And with this, I know how difficult learning to communicate in Spanish may be.

As such I will not get into arguing whether local language is a dialect, “Slang is a language regionalism or a separate language. Honestly, I don’t really care that rolls up its which label is placed. What I care about is that if you understand sleeves, spits on its these local differences you WILL communicate better. hands and goes to work.” Since I have spent thousands of hours studying Spanish, researching -Carl Sandburg my books and blog posts, I am familiar with hundreds of language learning resources. So, I encourage you to contact me with any Spanish struggles you are currently suffering. I may be able to help. It won’t hurt to ask. It’s FREE!

[ 5 ] Finally, this is the most extensive list of Local Real World Spanish resources I have seen. Yet I am sure there are more resources undiscovered. Please share any with me that you believe are useful for others. I will spread the word.

[ 6 ] On to learning the local, Real World Spanish...

Spanish is generally considered a simple language to learn in VIDEO “Gallagher and the comparison with languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Language” even German. In Spanish a word is pronounced just as you would expect with most sounds having only one spelling. Gallagher, one of my all-time favorite comedians, points out several pronunciation and spelling headaches in English that make life hard for English learners (I’ve added a couple extras too):

Confusing English pronunciation examples • think, then • laughter, daughter • cook, cool or good food • ache, steak, stake “Our language • bomb, tomb, comb • go, do is funny – a ‘fat • worse, horse chance’ and a ‘slim chance’ are the same thing.” -J. Gustav White For a language learner the only way to differentiate among the above sounds is through memorization. There are hundreds of these differences in English. In Spanish far fewer exceptions to the language exist than in other languages. VIDEO So to some degree Spanish is in fact easier than most languages. “Qué difícil es hablar el español, porque todo Except for one major component that people do not discuss. lo que dices tiene otra definición” Spanish changes significantly from one country to the next. And after 15 years of Spanish study, it still baffles me why NOBODY TALKS ABOUT THIS. As a foreigner learning Spanish you are not told that major differences in the language will hinder your ability to understand and communicate in the language as you travel from one country to the next. This does not just apply to foreigners A song that exposes the that are learning Spanish. Native speakers trying to communicate frustration of learning Spanish.

[ 7 ] with native speakers from different countries also suffer through this.

Here I must highlight that IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO LEARN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE TO COMMUNICATE WITH A SPANISH SPEAKER. However, YOU WILL COMMUNICATE BETTER if you speak to someone in their local language.

It annoys me when I read someone arguing that Spanish is only one language, that everyone speaking Spanish communicates easily and the differences among countries are not important. THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” -Nelson Mandela 4 Local Language Dimensions

You will begin to improve your local Spanish within days, if not hours, of stepping into a new country. As you experience your new local language be aware that 4 basic categories exist where you should “A different language focus your learning. is a different vision of life.” Local Spanish differences fall into these 4 - Federico Fellini categories:

u Vocabulary v Grammar w Pronunciation x Intonation

Vocabulary is perhaps the most time consuming. Each Spanish country’s vocabulary will change considerably. A simple word in one country may be an extremely crude term to avoid in another. Or a basic everyday word such as KITE requires you to learn pandorga, chichigua, chiringa, papalote, papelote, volantin, barrilete and

[ 8 ] cometa (as a quick tip, learn COMETA first, it’s the most universal). “Languages are the only thing worth Grammar variations exist across countries but are not difficult to knowing even learn. In fact, after a few weeks of local exposure you will be copying poorly.” common local sentence structures, verb conjugations and similar -Kato Lombi stuff. At first these differences will sound strange compared to the book grammar you learn but you will quickly adjust to them. Please don’t spend much time fretting over these local differences. Your time is better spent out in the street conversing.

With pronunciation, again there’s really not a lot to cover. Each country’s accent will be different from the basic Spanish you study. Use the 8 guidelines in the next section to focus on these local differences. Again, do not put a ton of time in copying a certain accent. You will automatically absorb it without much effort, simply by talking to locals.

In my opinion, the hardest of the four areas is to consistently mimic the intonation of a language. This requires lots and lots of practice VIDEO (at least for me). I would leave this for the last of the four categories “How songs can help you learn foreign languages to perfect. It is tied closely to the local pronunciation so will and the relationship require you to first understand that before moving to intonation between music and language” differences.

The best advice I can share is to just jump in. The more you are involved with people, culture and the language, the sooner you will master the local language. Have fun!

[ 9 ] Why would you care to learn the local Spanish of a particular country or region?

The most important and perhaps obvious answer to the above VIDEO “Gringo Hablando question is to communicate better. You will quickly learn (as with Español Argentino” other languages) the same word may take on vastly different meanings with only a change in intonation.

In Argentina, when the word “boludo” is pronounced as in “bolUUUUUUdo,” you can bet that there is some American Speaking anger or frustration in the speaker’s sentence. However, Argentine Spanish a curt spitting out of “boludo” may just be a term of endearment used between friends.

People are also more comfortable speaking to someone in their own language. I know this sounds so obvious to the point of stupidity. Of course an Italian speaker will be more comfortable speaking to you in Italian. Even so, people ignore this when it comes to Spanish. VIDEO “Jared Romey Speaking Speaking Spanish from Spain with someone from Chile will not in Spanish” create the same level of comfort as speaking Chilean Spanish to a Chilean.

There’s also the challenge involved in learning a culture enough to mimic it, or at least to fit in. It feels quite good when your Spanish is fluent enough that someone doesn’t recognize where you’re from, Achieving Spanish fluency or that you’re not a native speaker. as an adult is possible.

[ 10 ] Another reason is that it is a good icebreaker when you want to meet people or make someone laugh. It’s always entertaining to hear a foreigner use typical slang phrases, words and pronunciation in unexpected situations. Walk up to a Puerto Rican friend and say “¿Qué’ e’ la que hay?” Your friend will fall over laughing.

The resources in this eBook will help you improve your Local Spanish Vocabulary, the most important of the 4 categories Remember, the mentioned in the previous section. Some of the resources mentioned main reason here will cover portions of Grammar, Pronunciation and Intonation to learn Local but the main focus will be Vocabulary. Spanish is TO COMMUNICATE BETTER. The next section, 8 Secrets to Speak Like a Local, covers practical tips on how to pick up the local Spanish.

The following section shares online resources for Learning the Local Spanish, broken into two parts, 1) resources that cover Spanish from numerous countries and 2) country-specific resources.

The final section is a compilation of books available to help learn local Spanish. I have not included every book available, only the most complete and up-to-date books I found.

[ 11 ] 8 secrets to speak like a local

1. Cross Generations

Does “Dude, how was your weekend?” sound normal? Now what if it was your grandmother asking you the same phrase? What about your brother mentioning that he was “necking” with his girlfriend? Most likely both sound a little “off”.

These are examples of the generational differences that exist in language. Words are continuously dropped, added or take on new meanings. While you learn, spend time with people from different generations. Kids are always non-judgmental and forgiving when it comes to mistakes. Other than the occasional “You talk funny!” comment, their pace and knowledge will match yours (I know it’s a huge ego blow to have a 4-year old correct you, but hey, suck it up!). At the same time, someone 20 years or more older than you will also enrich your language experience. Spending time with people of your generation is easy, but you will have a wider vocabulary and much more fun if you vary this.

2. Know the language you are learning

So you’re learning Spanish? Chinese? Portuguese? That really doesn’t narrow it down much. You need to be aware of much more than the language.

For example, your teacher, where is she from? Where did she grow up? Which city? Is he a native speaker? From which socio- economic level? Answers to these types of questions will help you

[ 12[ 12 ] ] better master the language you learn. As a comparison, think of how many different accents are heard in the United States. Texans, Minnesotans and New Yorkers all have unique accents. The same is true when comparing English accents around the world. Answering the above questions will help you learn and understand the vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and accents you hear. As you become more comfortable with your language you should be able to adjust your vocabulary and accent to your local surroundings, making it easier to fit in.

3. Vary your instructors

This is perhaps the most important point in these 8 secrets. It is easy to fall into the habit of using the same teacher, during the same schedule, and always at the same place. The problem with this is that you will only be exposed to one accent at a time, which severely restricts your exposure to different versions of the language. The best language learning programs offer a mix of teachers from different regions and countries. This allows you to begin to mimic the subtleties of the language and avoids you becoming accustomed to how one person speaks.

Even if you do not have the option of varying teachers, the internet now provides enough material for you to watch videos, listen to podcasts, radio announcements and converse with native speakers live. With a little effort you can begin to appreciate the variances in peoples’ verbal communication.

As a plus, being exposed to a variety of pronunciations and vocabulary will make your first foray into a foreign country less shocking. I promise you that if your language exposure has been with only one person, the first time you visit you will not have an easy time understanding people.

[ 12 ] [ 13 ] 4. Focus your vocabulary development

Any time you begin to learn a language, you always start with the more common words. You are more likely to learn words such as car, telephone, run and ice cream, before you learn analysis, nuclear, vocabulary political or border crossing. The same will be true for slang.

Start with the more common words. What are the most common words in any language? The naughty words! Not only is it a great ice-breaker to meet people (Excuse me, my name’s Jared and I just started learning Swahili. If I get really mad at a taxi cab driver, what could I say to him?…and are there any gestures you could teach me?), you will quickly learn the most common words that most people use. To better grasp the scale of the word, I always use the Grandma Test. Is this something you can say in front of your grandmother? mother? girlfriend? only with the guys? Ladies, why use this test? Because, believe it or not, there are some words that us guys only use with other guys, so it’s best to clarify that at the beginning.

Another good vocabulary segment to develop early is the fillers that are used. In English, words like uh, like, um, well buy time while you think about what to say next. Other languages have these fillers as well. Once you learn them (shouldn’t take more than a day or two with a little help from someone), and use the local fillers instead of your own, your conversations will come across as more fluid and fluent.

5. Gossip, gossip and gossip

When was the first time your English teacher went over the correct usage of “ain’t” with you? Most likely never. At the start of learning a language, most of what we are taught is the formal structure of a language. This is the same with foreign languages. While the formal learning is important, to fit in like a local, you must also learn the street language.

[ 14 ] One of the best ways to do this is to keep abreast of the gossip in VIDEO “SuperXclusivo con La the society pages of the country whose language you are learning. Comay” Most countries have news rags available that report on the newest romantic gossip surrounding actors and actresses. Often, there are also whole television programs dedicated to gossip of the rich and famous. Most of them sprinkle in slang words, double meanings and sexual innuendo. Besides helping you to fit in more like a local, this has another added benefit. Learning about current news, gossip Gossip show from Puerto Rico and celebrities will allow you to participate more in conversations, better understand local jokes, and enjoy everyday life in your adopted country.

6. Ignore What People Say They Say

You might want to read this title a couple times. It’s some weird wording for a local language learning tool. And yet it is extremely important. It means if you ask someone how to pronounce a word their answer MAY NOT be how they truly pronounce it. Again, what they actually pronounce is not how they will tell you they pronounce a word. This seems to defy logic. How can it be? The simple answer is that they are not aware their pronunciation in the flow of a conversation is different from their pronunciation when asked how to pronounce the word alone.

Examples of this in languages abound. An extremely common example in Spanish is with words ending in –ado. Many countries cut off this ending during normal conversation. Take the word comprado. Asking someone how to pronounce this word will most “You can never often generate a response of com-pra-do. But when you here understand one the same word in a conversation you may be more likely to hear language until you comprao where -prao rhymes closely with wow. understand at least two.” -Geoffrey Willans So while asking for help is useful, be sure to also listen to how and Ronald Searle words are pronounced during natural conversation between locals.

[ 15 ] 7. Listen to the rhythm

Languages have rhythm and if you pay attention you will easily hear some of those rhythms. Yes, even languages you understand nothing about. The different accents in Spanish each have their own rhythm. Some accents are easier to pick out like Argentina, Chile, Spain and Mexico in part because of their rhythm. Chilean Spanish in particular is often described as having a sing-song quality to it.

Others are a bit more difficult to differentiate: Colombia vs. Venezuela, Bolivia vs. Paraguay, the Central American countries. If you want to learn a specific accent, begin to listen to the rhythms and intonations natives use, even if you do not understand everything they are saying.

8. Learn the Local Gestures

Every place has unique gestures that people in the area understand, but outsiders have no idea what they mean. Often, these gestures are so ingrained in the native speakers’ communication that they forget they even use the gestures. So, if you ask what local gestures people use, they probably won’t be able to answer you.

To get around this, spend some time sitting in a park, restaurant or café and watch the conversations around you. You will begin to see gestures repeated after several sessions. Later, ask someone what these gestures mean. As an added bonus, you will hone your non-verbal skills while you observe, since at some point you will VIDEO understand at least parts of the conversations without hearing a “American Hand Gestures word of it. in Different Cultures”

“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going. -Rita Mae Brown

7 Ways to Get Yourself in Trouble Abroad

[ 16 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

The following is the most extensive collection of online Spanish slang dictionaries available. These sites will allow you to search Spanish slang words and phrases from different countries in Latin America. I have not included every website out there since numerous sites exist with small collections of slang terms, often with obvious errors. The sites here are the best I have found and will help you improve your vocabulary and understanding of local Spanish.

RESOURCE PAGES Visit the Speaking Latino Spanish Resource Pages where I have an updated list of books, websites, videos, articles, flashcards and mobile apps from these and other Spanish-speaking countries: 8 http://www.speakinglatino.com/basic-spanish-slang-resources/ Words from All Spanish-Speaking Countries

Speaking Latino www.SpeakingLatino.com

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish & English Words: 8,000+ Description: As the famous line goes “in full disclosure” this is my own website. I included it not because it is mine, but because it is the most complete website for Spanish slang with English translations I have ever run across. If you find something else, please let me know. There’s plenty of room for more than one of us.

Click on a country to go directly the biggest collections of words and phrases from: Argentina Perú Chile Puerto Rico Colombia Uruguay México

[ 17 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Words from All Spanish-Speaking Countries

Tu Babel www.TuBabel.com

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: 49,000+ Description: Search for a specific term or click “diccionario” at the menu on the top of page to select a country from the map. This will take you to the list of terms available by country. This is a social website and the content is provided by the users.

Words from All Spanish-Speaking Countries

Así Hablamos www.AsiHablamos.com

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: Unknown Description: Search for a specific term or by country. Terms include definition, example, synonym and antonym, when available. This is a social website and the content is provided by the users.

[ 18 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Words from All Spanish-Speaking Countries

1000 Imágenes en la punta de la lengua www.ccdmd.qc.ca/ri/expressions/

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish / English / French Words: 683 Description: Idiomatic expressions, sayings or proverbs. Search or choose from the list. Listen to audios, and look for the equivalent in English or French. Some of the idioms are available in animated cartoons.

Argentina

Glosario de la Biblioteca Virtual Argentina www.biblioteca.clarin.com/pbda/glosario.htm

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 1,484 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order to get the definition in Spanish.

[ 19 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Argentina

Argentine Spanish Slang Dictionary: The Private Parts of Rioplatense Spanish argentineslang.wordpress.com/

Format: Word List Language: English only Words: 235 Description: Use the menu to select a letter and browse for words. Includes the English definition and the part of speech.

Argentina

Términos Criollos en Orden Alfabético from FolkloredelNorte.com www.folkloredelnorte.com.ar/terminos.htm

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 444 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order to get the definition in Spanish.

[ 20 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Chile

Chilean Slang by ContactChile.cl www.contactchile.cl/en/chile-chilean-slang.php

Format: Words List Language: English only Words: Unknown Description: Browse by letter. Only up to letter T.

Chile

Diccionario Chileno by PuroChile.com www.purochile.com/ideas/dicc.php

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: Unknown Description: Search only by word, browse by letter.

[ 21 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Chile

Diccionario de Modismos Chilenos www.mainframe.cl/diccionario/diccionario.php

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: 1040 Description: Search by entering a word or meaning. Browse by letter.

Chile

Glossary Chilenismos from Cachando Chile: Reflections on Chilean Culture cachandochile.wordpress.com/glossary-glosario- chilenismos/

Format: Words list Language: English only Words: 314 Description: Includes a list of hundreds of Chilean words with English definitions and pronunciation. Some of the terms have links to full articles. 8 See also Chile Culinary Glossary

[ 22 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Chile

Diccionario de Chilenismos by Apocatastasis.com www.apocatastasis.com/chilenismos-diccionario. php#axzz24oszkUaU

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 521 Description: An authorized adaptation of the Diccionario del Coa o Arte del Chamullo y la Movida by Ricardo Candia Cares from 1998.

Colombia

Colombianismos by Wikcionario es.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wikcionario:Colombianismos

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 415 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order. Most of the entries include examples of usage. Scroll down to the end of the page to see a compilation of vulgar slang.

[ 23 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Colombia

Diccionario de Parlache Edición Depurada y Actualizada www.tareanet.edu.co/wikitareanet/doku.php/ diccionario_de_parlache_edicion_depurada_y_ actualizada?do=backlink

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: 610 Description: Search by word or browse the complete list in alphabetical order. Does not search by meaning.

Costa Rica

Costa Rican Spanish www.ruralcostarica.com/costa-rican-spanish.asp

Format: Word List Language: English only Words: 469 Description: Use the alphabet menu at the top to go to the list of words available for each letter. Click a word to see the definition in English and synonym in Spanish when available.

[ 24 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Costa Rica

Diccionario de términos Ticos from LaCarretica.com lacarretica.com/index.php?option=com_glossword &view=default&Itemid=81&lang=en

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 471 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order with the definition in Spanish. The search feature doesn’t work.

Dominican Republic

Diccionario de Dominicanismos sites.google.com/site/josellibre2/ diccionariodominicanismos

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 4,892 Description: Use the side panel to search by letter in one of the biggest collections of Dominican slang available online. A lot of the entries include examples.

[ 24 ] [ 25 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Dominican Republic

Dominican Slang Online Flash Cards by Quizlet quizlet.com/1598373/dominican-slang-flash-cards/

Format: Flash Cards and Word List Language: English only Words: 103 Description: See the flash cards or browse the list of words by alphabetical order. Includes audio pronunciation, but not from a native speaker.

Dominican Republic

Glosario de Términos Dominicanos by Colonial Tour & Travel www.colonialtours.com.do/diccionario.htm

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 421 Description: Scroll down to browse the complete list of words in alphabetical order. Most of the entries include examples.

[ 26 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Dominican Republic

Dominicanismos en el Diccionario de la Real Academia Española by Academia Dominicana de la Lengua www.academia.org.do/content/blogsection/26/86/

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 290 Description: This is the list of words from the Dominican Republic that have been included in the Dictionary of the Royal Academy of Spanish Language. Ecuador

Léxico popular ecuatoriano montuvio y de la sierra www.edym.com/books/esp/lexicos/lexicos1.htm

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 148 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order.

[ 27 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Ecuador

Spanish Slang Ecuador www.latinamericalinks.com/spanish_slang_ ecuador.htm

Format: Word List Language: English only Words: 143 Description: A very simple list of words in alphabetical order with English definitions.

El Salvador

Salvadoreñismos by QueOndas.com queondas.com/aqui_estamos/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13 6:salvadorenismos&catid=42:dichos-y-habla- popular&Itemid=30

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 299 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order.

[ 28 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

El Salvador

Dichos Populares by QueOndas.com queondas.com/aqui_estamos/index. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13 4:dichos-populares&catid=42:dichos-y-habla- popular&Itemid=30

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 95 Description: A full list of sayings from El Salvador. There are no explanations in Spanish or English.

Honduras

Hondureñismos Honduras Slang www.honduras.com/espanol/hondure-ismos- honduras-slang/#.UEpj5FTS50i

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 300 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order with the definition in Spanish.

[ 29 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

México

Mexican Slang Words by Mexico Guru www.mexicoguru.com/mexican-slang.php

Format: Words List Language: English only Words: 400 Description: Browse the list of words organized by alphabetical order. Click on the word to find the meaning in English as well as an example sentence in Spanish and English.

México

Diccionario Breve De Mexicanismos from Academia Mexicana de la Lengua www.academia.org.mx/dicmex.php

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: 6,200 Description: Browse words organized by alphabetical order. It is the most complete and reliable source of Mexican slang, but it’s only in Spanish.

[ 30 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

México

Diccionario del español usual en México from CervantesVirtual.com www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra-visor/diccionario- del-espanol-usual-en-mexico--0/html/

Format: Words List Language: Spanish only Words: Unknown Description: This is more than a Mexican slang dictionary. It includes the words that are standard or regional, cult or popular, crude or polite,l used in Mexico.

Panamá

Glossary of Panamanian Spanish from Wiktionary en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Glossary_of_ Panamanian_Spanish

Format: Word List Language: English only Words: 275 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order.

[ 31 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Panamá

Panameñismos from Canajagua.com www.canajagua.com/search.cfm?diccionario=213

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 222 Description: Use the alphabet menu to go to the list of words available for each letter. Click a word to see the definition in Spanish and synonym in Spanish when available. At the beginning of each term you will see in which part of the country that particular word is used. Perú

Jerga Peruana from El Busca Personas www.elbuscapersonas.com.pe/jergas/ jergasperuanas.htm

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 433 Description: Use the alphabet menu to browse the list of words in alphabetical order.

[ 32 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Venezuela

Diccionarios de Palabras, Expresiones, Groserías y demás Venezolanadas www.lachuleta.net/dic/diccionarios/

Format: Word List / Search Engine Language: Spanish only Words: 2,534 Description: A total of 7 dictionaries are available on this page. They are divided by regions, phrases and general terms. Includes the definition, part of speech, example and synonyms in Spanish.

Venezuela

Léxico Venezolano from LaTaguaraSuiza.net www.lataguara.net/lexico.htm

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 333 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order. Get ready to zoom in your screen because the font is tiny.

[ 33 ] online spanish slang dictionaries

Venezuela

Vocablos de uso común en Maracaibo y zonas circunvecinas http://www.corvetteven.com/diccionario.html

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: 177 Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order or use the alphabet menu at the top of the page to jump through the list.

Venezuela

Palabras de uso corriente en el habla popular margariteña http://bit.ly/Pth5LA

Format: Word List Language: Spanish only Words: Unknown Description: Browse the list of words in alphabetical order or use the alphabet menu at the top of the page to jump through the list. The definitions are extensive in most cases.

[ 34 ] books

I compiled this selection of books to help you learn the local Spanish languages. This list comes from my personal journey learning Spanish so there are several countries where I have yet to discover a book. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] to suggest others.

I only included the most up-to-date books for each country.

Some of these books have affiliate links so if you click here and purchase the book I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you for doing this. These commissions help me develop more materials for you. If you are not comfortable with this, just use a search website to find the book title. Either way you will enjoy all the books!

Argentina Chile Speaking Argento Speaking Chileno by Jared Romey by Jared Romey H Bestseller in Chile Language: Spanish / English Language: Spanish / English Description: This is one of my Speaking Description: This is one Latino books based on of my Speaking Latino my time living in Argentina. It translates books. Largely based on over 1500 typical words and phrases in my three years living in Chile, it translates Argentina and includes goofy illustrations over 2000 typical words and phrases and for several terms. It also includes 9 quick includes humorous drawings for several vocabulary guide tables and sections terms. It also includes 13 quick vocabulary about grammar, pronunciation and guide tables and sections about grammar, gestures. pronunciation and gestures.

[ 35 ] books

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Speaking Boricua Speaking Phrases by Jared Romey Boricua H Bestseller in by Jared Romey. Puerto Rico Language: Language: Spanish / English Spanish / English Description: This is one Description: This is one of my Speaking Latino of my Speaking Latino books. It includes books. Hundreds of typical Puerto Rican over 1,500 local words and phrases idioms and sayings are translated into compiled from my 10 years living in Puerto English and when available their equivalent Rico. English phrases are given.

Language: Spanish / English | English / Spanish

Description: An extensive collection of 1,500 Chilean words and phrases in a simple, almost pocket-sized book with close to two hundred pages. The book presents the words in a list format alphabetically, Chilean to English and then English to Chilean. Later words are presented a second time by topic. 8 Paperback | Kindle

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Colombia Dominican Republic Quick Guide to Diccionario de Colombian Spanish Dominicanismos by by Language Babel Carlos Esteban Deive

Language: Language: Spanish / English Spanish only

Description: More Description: More than than 450 words and 2,000 entries. It was first phrases explained in English. Most of the published in 1971, this updated edition is terms include synonyms and antonyms in from 2002. Spanish plus an example. This is a book that I compiled. 8 Paperback

8 Kindle Mexico Mexico Así habla el mexicano Diccionario breve de by Jorge Mejia Prieto mexicanismos by Guido Gómez De Language: Silva Spanish only Language: Description: A Spanish only basic book originally published in 1984 and Description: A hardcover book in true currently on its 15th printing, with clear dictionary format with over 230 pages of and sometimes detailed explanations of 5,400 words and phrases. Many of the word meanings. Also includes a great entries are for generic words that are not bibliography of Mexican Spanish books as unique to Mexico. far back as the late 1800s. 8 Paperback 8 Hardcover

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Mexico Peru El Chingonario Léxico Peruano: by Editorial Otras Español de Lima Inquisiciones by Luisa P. Portilla Durand

Language: Language: Spanish only Spanish only

Description: Although this book only Description: Extremely detailed focuses on one word, chingar, there are explanations (many are a full page) and over 150 uses mentioned. This is a great citations for each from the popular press, book to understand the most diverse including examples of usage. word in Mexican Spanish. Available in Perú only 8 Paperback | Kindle | Nook | Mobile App Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Puerto Rico y el La Lengua Boricua lenguaje by Luz 1 & 2 by Raymond Nereida Pérez Giovanni Ramos Rosario Language: Spanish Language: Spanish only Description: 40 articles that will give you the Description: One of the origin and background most recent collections of Puerto Rican of words from Puerto Rico. words, phrases and idioms with more than 2,000 entries in two books. Short and to 8 Paperback the point meanings in Spanish. Book 1 8 Paperback | Book 2 8 Paperback | Kindle | Nook |

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Venezuela The Criollo Way: A Brief Guide to the Slang and Idioms of Venezuela by C. Bashleigh.

Language: Spanish with English definitions

Description: Unfortunately this is the only book I have found for Venezuelan Spanish, published in the late 1960’s so I am sure the local slang has changed significantly. I learned about this book from a friend who lived in Venezuela in the 1990’s so at least until then it was the newest book available.

8 Used

General Diccionario de Jergas El español de España de Habla Hispana y el español de by Roxana Fitch América: Vocabulario comparado Language: by Antonio Molero Spanish only Language: Description: This book Spanish only is the largest collection of Spanish slang currently available and is Description: This book is a table of published by the website with the same common Spanish words compared name. among Spain, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico and Uruguay. The vocabulary 8 Paperback | Kindle is grouped by topics such as food, transportation, money, animals, etc.

8 Paperback

[ 39 ] It’s easy to stay in touch with Speaking Latino!

The best way to support Speaking Latino is to stay in touch and to spread the word. If you’re feeling especially generous a positive Amazon review would be fabulous for any one of the books. The Speaking Latino books are lots of fun. I promise. -Jared

www.SpeakingLatino.com

Speaking Latino Speaking Latino & [email protected] BabbleGlot

@jaredromey Speaking Latino Speaking Latino RSS

Illustrations from the section 8 Tricks to Speak Like a Local via flickr under the Creative Commons license Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) 1. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0031 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2364659873/) 2. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0059 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2364667079/) 3. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0025 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2364652529/) 4. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0038 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2364661701/) 5. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0026 (http://www.flickr. com/photos/lumaxart/2365483138/) 6. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0052 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2364666439/) 7. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0115 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumaxart/2365527788/) 8. LuMaxArt FS Collection Orange0016 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ lumaxart/2365483758/)

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