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There’s the Spanish you study from textbooks—after which there’s Puerto Rican Spanish, which talks quick, shortens some phrases and skips over letters.
Add the distinctive slang and vocabulary that exhibits up typically in conversations, and also you’ve bought an interesting complete new world of Spanish to soak up.
This information will introduce you to Puerto Rican Spanish, from its sounds and traits to phrases that’ll allow you to mix in with the locals.
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The Historical past of Puerto Rican Spanish
This most-populated U.S. territory (acquired from Spain in 1898) is wealthy in tradition and particularly language. Español puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Spanish) has developed on account of the island’s historical past.
After Spaniards colonized the island, Spanish phrases and phrases melded with these of the native Taíno folks already dwelling there.
Puerto Ricans confer with themselves as boricuas. Working as each a noun and adjective, boricua merely means “Puerto Rican” and is extra extensively used than puertorriqueño, which has the identical which means. The phrase is derived from the title the native Taínos referred to as the island—Borinquén.
How is Puerto Rican Spanish Totally different?
With so many Spanish-speaking nations round, every nation goes to have its personal distinctive phrases and mannerisms—and Puerto Rican Spanish is not any completely different. For instance, it could actually take some getting used to for lots of Spanish learners as a result of some consonants are softened or eliminated!
Right here’s what you must find out about Puerto Rican Spanish:
- R generally turns into L if it’s earlier than a consonant and never in the beginning of a phrase:
- In some areas, RR isn’t rolled and is as a substitute pronounced like H:
- S is commonly silent or pronounced as H if it’s on the finish of the phrase or if it’s proper earlier than a consonant (however not in the beginning of the phrase):
- D turns into silent if it’s between vowels:
- D on the finish of a phrase can also be eliminated lots:
- Widespread phrases typically get shortened in informal speech:
para
→ pa
estas
→ ta
You may hearken to the sounds of Puerto Rico by watching this video from Communicate Spanish Quicker, which shortly exhibits you the way completely different the dialect is from European Spanish and different Latin American varieties:
A number of the traits listed above seem in different Caribbean nations, together with the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Other than the sounds of the language, you’ll additionally have to get to know some in style slang to start out talking Puerto Rican Spanish!
How Tough is Puerto Rican Spanish?
Some learners report difficulties with regards to understanding and replicating Puerto Rican Spanish as a result of pronunciation and vocabulary variations, nonetheless it’s definitely not unattainable to study.
Whereas the core grammar and syntax stay in keeping with broader Spanish norms, learners could encounter challenges in understanding colloquialisms and slang explicit to Puerto Rico.
Nevertheless, though the pronunciation variations in Puerto Rican Spanish could pose a problem for some learners, if you happen to encompass your self with the dialect, you’ll find that it turns into simpler and simpler.
Widespread Puerto Rican Spanish Phrases
1. A fuego
This phrase actually means “on hearth,” however everybody—from toddlers to the aged—makes use of the expression to say one thing is absolutely pleasing or that somebody could be very engaging.
Ese hombre? ¡A fuego!
(That man? He’s on hearth!)
2. Chacho
An abbreviated model of muchacho (boy or younger man) which means “Oh, boy!” If one thing is startling, shocking or simply by some means sudden, you’ll hear “¡Chacho!”
It’s additionally an expression that bridges ideas, type of like a stalling tactic. Asking a pregunta (query) that isn’t simply answered? Anticipate “Chacho” because the reply is mulled over.
3. La piña está agria
“The pineapple is bitter”—one in all my favourite phrases as a result of it’s simply so completely boricua. It’s a Puerto Rican approach to say “instances are powerful.”
This expression is extensively utilized by shopkeepers, waitresses and even lodge clerks to point enterprise may very well be higher.
In a cab, headed out of your lodge to El Morro? Chatting with the driving force, laying down Spanish like a boss as he negotiates the slim streets? Nicely, if you happen to inquire concerning the vacationer commerce and even life normally, it’s possible you’ll hear a sigh, then a muttered, “La piña está agria…”
And if you happen to suppose that’s his manner of claiming you possibly can be beneficiant with the tip, you’re proper!
4. Mijo/a
These are slangy contractions for mi hijo or mi hija (my son or my daughter).
Nevertheless, it’s really a manner of indicating relationship standing amongst acquaintances.
Sound a tad complicated? It’s actually not that difficult. Puerto Ricans are pleasant and hospitable so it’s not extraordinary for an off-the-cuff acquaintance to bestow this implied closeness.
It’s type of like pulling you into la familia (the household). So if somebody refers to you as mijo or mija, really feel complimented.
Nevertheless, word that generally shopkeepers will “undertake” patrons with this little praise to promote merchandise. Maintain up a fairly scarf and ask, “¿Cuánto cuesta este?”
(How a lot does this price?) The reply might very properly be, “Mija, para ti, es muy barato.” (Mija, for you, it’s very low-cost.)
5. ¡No me molestes!
This can be a phrase you don’t wish to hear too typically! When there’s an altercation brewing, locals say “¡No me molestes!” which suggests “Don’t make me offended!”
Take note of this one. It may very well be your warning to filter of the world! Time to take a look at a special membership, maybe?
6. Mira
This phrase actually means “look” however is used to say “hey” if you wish to get somebody’s consideration.
It’s typically paired with Mami—which on this case doesn’t imply mom. Mami is used as an all-purpose manner of getting a lady’s consideration.
Should you’re a gorgeous feminine who catches some man’s eye, don’t be stunned to listen to, “Mira, Mami… ¿Quieres bailar?” (Hey, Mami… wish to dance?)
7. ¡Wepa!
One other of my favourite Puerto Rican expressions, that is positively a slang time period that has no literal anchor.
Free translations can be “Yay!” “ Nice job!” or “Congrats!”
The 2 syllables will be drawn out so the tiny phrase appears larger. It’s only a enjoyable, all-around comfortable phrase.
Be happy to make use of it lots. Everybody else does!
8. Nítido
This simply means “cool.” So if you happen to like one thing, “Está nítido“
(It’s cool) works nice.
9. Chavos
This can be a slang expression for money. Should you’re going to seize some tostones
(fried plantains) and cerveza
(beer), put some chavos in your pocket.
This phrase really comes from the colonial outdated Spanish—ochavo—a contraction which means “one eighth.” It’s a reference to the “items of eight” carried by the Spanish settlers.
10. ¡Se lució el chayote!
This can be the funniest translation on the road, though it’s a little bit of a head-scratcher.
It’s an enormous leap from una verdura (a vegetable) to unhealthy habits, however that’s the gist of it.
Chayote is a squash, so this can be a approach to say somebody is appearing/showing like a chayote—nevertheless it means they’re being a jerk. I suppose there are worse issues to be than a backyard squash however in Puerto Rico, this can be a delicate insult.
Somebody exhibiting off only for the heck of it’d earn this comment. It’s not a pleasant factor to say, however positively not that terrible—only a disparaging remark that has 1,000,000 functions.
Did a loudmouth reduce the road at a well-liked dance membership? Anticipate to listen to a refrain of “¡Se lució el chayote!“
11. ¡Coño!
This expression is widespread in Spanish-speaking nations globally, and it’s used fairly freely in Puerto Rico, too.
Principally, it means, “Rattling it!”
Should you discover one of many lovely cobblestone streets, ¡Coño! is the expression to make use of.
When the waitress studies the kitchen is out of mofongo, ¡Coño! applies right here, too.
You’ll hear it all over the place, so it’s greatest to know what it means! Who is aware of? Possibly you’ll use it a couple of instances, too.
Simply watch out when utilizing this phrase outdoors Puerto Rico, because it has a way more vulgar which means in different Spanish-speaking nations!
12. Voy a caballo y vengo a pie.
“I’m going in on a horse and return on foot.” Colourful, don’t you suppose?
This expression will be heard often in gaming areas of the various casinos in San Juan, which means that somebody misplaced all their cash. It will possibly additionally apply to nearly any enterprise the place somebody doesn’t revenue.
So if you happen to’re going playing, ensure you don’t lose all of your chavos (cash) and return with out your caballo (horse)!
13. Guagua
Guagua is a slang time period for the various buses that run by means of San Juan, Previous San Juan and the encircling communities. They’re handy as a result of there are a whole lot of blocks to cowl and the temperatures will be excessive, however don’t depend on the guaguas to run on schedule. They arrive once they arrive, with out apology or clarification.
14. Irse pa’ la isla
To go to the nation—to see the island past San Juan.
This can be a very helpful addition to your Spanish vocabulary if you happen to plan to go exploring the quaint cities and delightful playas (seashores) outdoors town limits.
Methods to Observe Puerto Rican Spanish
Puerto Rican Spanish will be romantic, mushy and lilting, with nuances that deepen meanings past the abnormal. It’s a musical expertise all its personal, the results of the surface influences that blended so sweetly with the indigenous language.
Briefly, this enchanted island doesn’t communicate Spanish the way in which the remainder of the globe does. Visiting offers vacationers an opportunity to get pleasure from a particular language expertise.
One approach to follow listening to Puerto Rican Spanish is thru interviews, vlogs and different on-line movies. For instance, right here’s an interview with Ozuna, a well-known Puerto Rican singer:
One other well-known Puerto Rican singer can be Pedro Capo. Discover how he says graciah as a substitute of gracias:
You too can seek for some genuine Puerto Rican movies with interactive subtitles and different learner-friendly instruments on the FluentU program. Puerto Rican music movies specifically is perhaps useful. You too can take a quiz after every clip to see how a lot of the language you understood.
Familiarize your self with the sounds of Puerto Rico whereas studying the useful phrases above, and also you’ll have the ability to join with locals as you benefit from the heat winds and sandy seashores of the island!
¡Wepa! (Nice job!)
Obtain:
This weblog submit is accessible as a handy and transportable PDF that you simply
can take anyplace.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)
And One Extra Factor…
Should you’ve made it this far which means you most likely get pleasure from studying Spanish with partaking materials and will then love FluentU.
Different websites use scripted content material. FluentU makes use of a pure strategy that helps you ease into the Spanish language and tradition over time. You’ll study Spanish because it’s really spoken by actual folks.
FluentU has all kinds of movies, as you’ll be able to see right here:
FluentU brings native movies inside attain with interactive transcripts. You may faucet on any phrase to look it up immediately. Each definition has examples which have been written that can assist you perceive how the phrase is used. Should you see an attention-grabbing phrase you don’t know, you’ll be able to add it to a vocab checklist.
Evaluation an entire interactive transcript underneath the Dialogue tab, and discover phrases and phrases listed underneath Vocab.
Be taught all of the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s sturdy studying engine. Swipe left or proper to see extra examples of the phrase you’re on.
One of the best half is that FluentU retains observe of the vocabulary that you simply’re studying, and offers you additional follow with troublesome phrases. It’s going to even remind you when it’s time to evaluation what you’ve discovered. Each learner has a very personalised expertise, even when they’re studying with the identical video.
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