Argentine Spanish on the Go: An Introduction for Beginners and Novices

Book Synopsis: Dear Readers: I've recently improved and updated this book! This book is intended to be a basic introduction to Spanish as it's spoken in Argentina (and likely also in Uruguay). The grammar of Argentine Spanish is essentially the same as in standard Latin American Spanish; the main difference being the use of the pronoun "vos". For that reason I have provided the verb forms as they correspond to that pronoun (rather than the pronoun "tú" of Standard Spanish), since Argentines rarely use the pronoun tú, even though they certainly understand it. I've also included a chapter that explains the "voseo" more in detail, as well as a chapter that talks about pronunciation and vocabulary differences in Argentine Spanish when compared to Standard Spanish. PLEASE NOTE: This book is NOT a book on Argentine slang (although it may contain a few slang words). For those, interested in slang words (Argentine slang is commonly referred to as "lunfardo"), I recommend looking for a book or article specifically on that topic. This book contains a pronunciation guide, phrases useful in daily life, important vocabulary and basic grammar. It does not contain audio cds, photos or tourist information. Table of Contents Abbreviations Pronunciación Accent and Syllable Stress Pronouns Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns Definite and Indefinite Articles Indefinite Articles Definite Articles En casa (at home) Las profesiones* (professions) The Verb tener (to have) The Verb necesitar (to need) En clase (in class) La gente (people) Sir, Ma’am, Mr., Mrs., Miss Greetings, Farewells, Useful Phrases Los saludos (greetings) Las despedidas (farewells) What’s up? Frases útiles (useful phrases) Understanding and Being Understood Asking for Help Talking on the Phone Hablar de vos (talking about yourself) Who are you? Adjectives of Nationality The Verb poder (can) Idiomas/Lenguas (languages) Los países (countries) Las ciudades (cities) Las presentaciones (introductions) La familia (family) Describir a las personas (describing people) The Verb ser (to be) Adjectives of Description Describing Hair and Eyes La ropa (clothes) Los colores Los números Hablar de la hora (telling time) Los días de la semana (days of the week) Los meses del año (months of the year) Las estaciones del año (seasons of the year) Días y fechas (days and dates) Las actividades (activities) The Verb ir (to go) Los lugares (places) The Verb estar and Location Pedir indicaciones (asking for directions) Viajar (traveling) El tiempo (the weather) El cuerpo humano (the human body) The Head The Face Neck, Shoulders, Back Arm and Hand Torso and Organs Leg and Foot Comidas y bebidas (food and drinks) The Verbs comer, tomar and servir Ordering Food or Drink El desayuno (breakfast) El almuerzo (lunch) Las bebidas (drinks) La mesa (the table) La fruta (fruit) Las verduras (vegetables) Las carnes (meats) Los mariscos (seafood) Los postres (desserts) Misceláneo (Miscellaneous) La cocina (the kitchen) Forming and Answering Questions Answering yes/no Questions Interrogative vs. Yes/No Questions Interrogative Words and Phrases Syntax and Omission of Pronouns Regular Verbs in the Present Tense Irregular Verbs in the Present Tense Regular Verbs in the Preterite Tense Irregular Verbs in the Preterite El imperfecto (the imperfect past) Los tiempos perfectos (the present and past perfect) Irregular Participles The Verb haber El futuro y el condicional (future and conditional) Irregular Stems Verb Forms and Constructions Important Words Adjectives of Feelings and Conditions Tricky Words Grammatical Differences El Voseo In the Present Tense Stem-Change Verbs Commands Pronunciation Differences Vocabulary Differences Loan Words Argentine Slang Alternative Terms Unique Words