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Aug 28, 2021 · Blog. Speaking Chilean is not the same thing as speaking Spanish. By: Chile Travel - 28 August, 2021. Chile’s official language is Spanish, but Chilean Spanish has a very different flavor than other Spanish-speaking countries.
- Language Learning Tips
- Basic Spanish Phrases For Traveling
- Spanish in Chile: Chileans Speak Quite Quickly
- Indigenous Influences on Chilean Spanish
- Chilean Slang
- Spanish in Chile FAQ
- Other Posts You May Like
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.As someone who teaches English as a Foreign Language, I always encourage my students not to be afraid of making mistakes. Maybe that sounds strange, but making mist...Surround yourself with the language as much as possible.As the saying goes, ‘practice makes perfect. If you know people who speak your target language, practice conversing with them. Take language...Find a language exchange group.On Facebook or apps like Meet Up, you can sometimes find Language Exchange Groups. In these groups you can find someone who is learning your first language but who al...Immerse yourself by traveling! If you’re reading this article, chances are you are already planning to do this. I like this tip the best because it’s the most fun and often most effective thing you...Hello. ‘Hola.’ Goodbye. ‘Adios.’ See you later. ‘Nos vemos.’ Good morning. ‘Buenos dias.’ Good afternoon/evening. ‘Buenos tardes.’ Good night. ‘Buenos noches.’ Nice to meet you. ‘Mucho gusto.’ What is your name? ‘Como te llamas?’ or ‘Cuál es tu nombre.’ My name is… ‘Mi nombre es…’ How are you? ‘¿Cómo estás?’ I’m fine, how are you? ‘Estoy bien, ¿cóm...
The first thing I noticed when I landed in Santiago was how quickly Chileans spoke. Aside from how different the Spanish sounded, it was hard to keep up based solely on speed too. Even Peruvians and Argentinians that I met while studying in Chile said they struggled to understand and keep up with Chileans.
There are many Indigenous languages spoken in Chile. Two that have had powerful influences on Spanish in Chile are Quechua and Mapudungun. Quechua has apparently had a slightly stronger influence on Chilean Spanish than Mapudungun. Influences of these languages both show up in the slang spoken in the country, such as in words like ‘guagua’ listed b...
Also referred to as ‘Chilenismos’, here is a list of Chilean slang terms to know before you head to the country.
Is Chilean Spanish different from Mexican Spanish?
Yes. While Spanish is spoken in both Chile and Mexico, Mexican and Chilean Spanish have very different accents and slang.
Is English widely spoken in Chile?
No. While some people do speak English it is not spoken as often as it is in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Why is Chilean Spanish so hard?
There are many reasons why Chilean Spanish is difficult to learn. The slang and the accent are very different from most other Spanish-speaking countries. Chilean Spanish has evolved to include words from many other Indigenous languages in the region such as Mapudungun and Quechua. Add into the mix the quick speed at which many Chileans speak and it’s bound to become difficult to keep up. Even many Argentinians and Peruvians that I met while living in Chile told me that it was hard for them to...
People also ask
Is Chilean slang the same as Spanish?
What does slang mean in Chile?
What language is spoken in Chile?
Why should you learn Chilean slang?
Conclusion: Chilean Spanish. There's probably no Spanish dialect that is as unique as the Spanish of Chile. Many native Spanish speakers don’t understand it, and some even joke about it not being Spanish. In any case, if you have a reason to learn Chilean Spanish you should start today by memorizing these phrases.
- Po — Pues. This versatile word supposedly comes from the Spanish word pues, which in itself is pretty challenging to understand. Po has a similar meaning, and is usually used as a filler word and to add emphasis.
- Weón — Friend, guy, man, idiot. Like many other Chilean slang words, the meaning of this word all depends on the context. If you say it in an angry way it could be an insult, but if you say it in a friendly way it refers to a friend or brother.
- ¿Cachai? — Do you understand? Does it make sense? You better get used to this one, because it is one of the most common Chilean slang terms! People of all ages use it, and it doesn’t get old.
- Cacho — I understand. This is a very Chilean way of saying “I understand,” and you can use it to reply to someone when they say ¿Cachai? You can also say No cacho, which is the same as saying “I don’t understand.”
- Bacán / Filete. You can say any of these two words to express that something is “cool” or “awesome.” Bacán is one of the most common words of Chilean slang, and it’s definitely related to the Colombian “bacano” also used in the same context.
- Fome. If something is boring you to death, Chileans say that it’s fome. ¡Qué fome esta película! How boring is this movie!
- Dar pelota. This is a cool expression that literally translates as “to give a ball.” However, its real meaning has nothing to do with ball games, dar pelota means to pay attention to something or someone.
- Dar jugo. Another interesting expression of Chilean slang which in this case means that someone is talking nonsense. If translated literally it would mean “to give juice.”
May 1, 2024 · Chilean slang might be the missing step in your quest for Spanish fluency. If you've ever felt lost watching Chilean TV, talking to your language partner or listening to Chilean music, click here. This blog post covers 29 must-know Chilean slang words like si poh and bacán, plus examples that show how to use them.
Spanish Slang (from Spain) Venezuelan Slang. Today, we’re covering the most commonly used slang in Chile. 1) Achacarse. If you’re having a bad day and at some point, you start to feel sad, this verb is what you’re looking for. No te achaques – Don’t be sad. 2) Al lote. When something is done in a disorganized or chaotic way.
