Learn Spanish
Learn Basic Spanish with CHIP!
Basic Spanish Words and Phrases:
Making an effort to learn some Spanish is essential if you are going to visit Chile. English is not as widely spoken as in European countries, for example. Most Chileans you meet, however, are patient and eager to help you learn. Here are some helpful words and phrases:
Yes – sí
No – no
And – y
with – con
without – sin
before – antes
after – después
soon – luego
now – ahora , al tiro
here – aquí, acá
there – allí, allá
Greetings Hello – hola
Good Morning – buenos días
Good Afternoon – buenas tardes
Good evening/night – buenas noches
Goodbye – Chao or "Chau"
Please – Por favor
Thank you – Gracias
You’re welcome – de nada
Asking Questions
I don’t understand – no entiendo
I don’t speak Spanish – No hablo castellano
Where is/are __? – ¿Dónde está/están __?
Is there/are there ___? – Hay ___?
When – cuándo
How – cómo
How much does __ cost? – ¿Cuánto cuesta __?
Chilean Slang:
If you already know some Spanish, you might be surprised by the Chilean version. A history of isolation from the rest of Latin America created an accent that makes Chilean Spanish difficult even for some native Spanish speakers. Chileans do not pronounce some letters. The ‘s,’ ‘b,’ and ‘d’ sounds are left out of some words. For example, some Chileans say "Esta’o’ Uni’o’" instead of "Estados Unidos."
Chilean professionals only do this subtly, so do not worry too much. Chileans do not use the "tú" verb-form the same way that most Spanish speakers do. Most verbs use the verb-ending to the "vosotros" form, without pronouncing the final "s." For example, Chileans say "hablaí" instead of "hablas" and "tení" instead of "tienes." This, however, is not a rule. You can safely use the traditional verb-form. Chileans use many words that are not used in other Latin American countries.
The following are some examples of Chilean slang (modismos).
Al tiro – immediately, now
Bacán – awesome, cool
¿cachaí? – Do you understand?, you know
Caleta – a lot
Carrete – party
Choro – cool, fun
Copete – alcohol
Condoro – mistake
Cuico – yuppy, upper class (derogatory)
Curado – drunk
Ene – a lot
Filo – forget about it
Fome – boring
Gallo/galla – guy/gal
Guagua – baby
Huevón – jerk (when used as insult), man or buddy (when used in friendly manner)
Lata – boring
Micro – city bus
Mino/mina – dude, chick
Pega – job
Piola – relaxed
Pituto – person who is a connection
Pucha – expression of dissatisfaction, like "lame" or "darn"
If you already know some Spanish, you might be surprised by the Chilean version. A history of isolation from the rest of Latin America created an accent that makes Chilean Spanish difficult even for some native Spanish speakers. Chileans do not pronounce some letters. The ‘s,’ ‘b,’ and ‘d’ sounds are left out of some words. For example, some Chileans say "Esta’o’ Uni’o’" instead of "Estados Unidos."
Chilean professionals only do this subtly, so do not worry too much. Chileans do not use the "tú" verb-form the same way that most Spanish speakers do. Most verbs use the verb-ending to the "vosotros" form, without pronouncing the final "s." For example, Chileans say "hablaí" instead of "hablas" and "tení" instead of "tienes." This, however, is not a rule. You can safely use the traditional verb-form. Chileans use many words that are not used in other Latin American countries.
The following are some examples of Chilean slang (modismos).
Al tiro – immediately, now
Bacán – awesome, cool
¿cachaí? – Do you understand?, you know
Caleta – a lot
Carrete – party
Choro – cool, fun
Copete – alcohol
Condoro – mistake
Cuico – yuppy, upper class (derogatory)
Curado – drunk
Ene – a lot
Filo – forget about it
Fome – boring
Gallo/galla – guy/gal
Guagua – baby
Huevón – jerk (when used as insult), man or buddy (when used in friendly manner)
Lata – boring
Micro – city bus
Mino/mina – dude, chick
Pega – job
Piola – relaxed
Pituto – person who is a connection
Pucha – expression of dissatisfaction, like "lame" or "darn"