Argentina’s streets hum with parrillas, markets and warm conversation, so knowing a few local lines makes getting around feel effortless. A handful of phrases smoothly handles everything from hailing a taxi to ordering dessert at a neighborhood café.
There are 73 Useful Phrases for Tourists in Argentina, ranging from Asado,¿Tiene otro talle? to cover ordering food and asking for sizes; for each phrase you’ll find below Translation (EN),Pronunciation,Context — practical cues to use in real situations you’ll find below.
Should I use tú or vos when speaking with people in Argentina?
Use vos for informal situations—it’s the common singular “you” in most of Argentina—while usted stays for formal contexts like businesses or older people; listen and mirror the form people use with you.
What’s the quickest way to practice these phrases before my trip?
Focus on high-frequency lines (greetings, directions, ordering) and rehearse them aloud with audio or a language app, then try short role-plays or record yourself so pronunciation in the Translation (EN),Pronunciation,Context entries becomes familiar.
Useful Phrases for Tourists in Argentina
| Phrase (Spanish) | Translation (EN) | Pronunciation | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hola | Hello | OH-lah | General greeting; informal |
| Buen día / Buenas | Good morning / Hello | bwen-DEE-ah / BWEH-nas | Morning and general greeting; polite |
| Buenas noches | Good evening / Good night | BWEH-nas NOH-ches | Evening greeting or farewell; polite |
| Chau | Bye | chow | Casual farewell; informal |
| Hasta luego | See you later | AH-stah LWEH-goo | Casual farewell; polite |
| Gracias | Thank you | GRAH-syahs | Polite expression of thanks; universal |
| Muchas gracias | Thank you very much | MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs | Polite; stronger thanks |
| De nada | You’re welcome | deh NAH-dah | Response to thanks; polite |
| Por favor | Please | por fah-VOR | Polite request marker; universal |
| Perdón / Disculpá | Excuse me / Sorry | per-DON / dis-cool-PAH | Apology or to get attention; polite |
| Con permiso | Excuse me (to pass) | kon per-MEE-so | Used to pass through crowds; polite |
| ¿Dónde está… ? | Where is …? | DON-deh ess-TAH | Asking for locations; neutral polite |
| ¿Dónde queda…? | Where is … located? | DON-deh Keh-DAH | Asking location; often used with public places |
| ¿Hay un cajero por acá? | Is there an ATM nearby? | eye oon cah-HEH-ro por ah-KAH | Asking for cash machines; neutral |
| ¿Aceptan tarjeta? | Do you accept cards? | ah-SEHP-tan tar-HEH-tah | At stores or restaurants; practical |
| ¿Me puede ayudar? | Can you help me? | meh PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAHR | Requesting assistance; polite (usted) |
| ¿Me podés ayudar? | Can you help me? | meh poh-DES ah-yoo-DAHR | Requesting help; informal/voseo |
| Necesito ayuda | I need help | neh-seh-SEE-toh ah-YOO-dah | Emergency or urgent assistance; neutral |
| Necesito un médico | I need a doctor | neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh | Medical emergencies; urgent |
| Me robaron | I was robbed | meh roh-bah-RON | Reporting a theft; urgent |
| Perdí mi pasaporte | I lost my passport | per-DEE mee pah-sah-POR-teh | Reporting lost documents; urgent |
| ¿Dónde está la comisaría? | Where is the police station? | DON-deh ess-TAH lah koh-mee-SAH-ree-ah | Safety, police reports; neutral |
| ¿Puede llamar una ambulancia? | Can you call an ambulance? | PWEH-deh yah-MAR oo-nah ahm-bu-LAHN-see-ah | Medical emergency; formal |
| ¿Cuánto sale?/¿Cuánto cuesta? | How much does it cost? | KWAN-toh SAH-leh / KWAN-toh KWEHS-tah | Asking price in shops or markets; neutral |
| ¿Me lo puedo probar? | Can I try it on? | meh lo PWEH-doh proh-BAHR | Clothing stores; polite |
| ¿Tiene otro talle? | Do you have another size? | tee-EH-neh OH-troh TAH-yeh | Shopping for clothing; polite (usted) |
| ¿Me puede dar la cuenta? | Can you bring the bill? | meh PWEH-deh dar lah KWEHN-tah | Restaurants; polite (usted) |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please | lah KWEHN-tah por fah-VOR | Restaurants; polite |
| ¿Aceptan efectivo? | Do you accept cash? | ah-SEHP-tan eh-fehk-TEE-voh | Before paying; practical |
| ¿Me trae un vaso de agua? | Can you bring me a glass of water? | meh TRAY-eh oon VAH-soh deh AH-gwah | Dining situations; polite |
| Sin hielo, por favor | No ice, please | seen YEH-loh por fah-VOR | Dining/drinks; polite |
| Estoy a dieta / Soy alérgico a… | I’m on a diet / I’m allergic to… | ehs-TOY ah dee-ET-ah / soy ah-lehr-HEE-koh ah | Dining and allergies; important |
| Una mesa para dos, por favor | A table for two, please | OO-nah MEH-sah pah-rah dos por fah-VOR | Restaurants; polite |
| Tengo una reserva | I have a reservation | TEN-goh OO-nah reh-SEHR-vah | Hotels or restaurants; polite |
| ¿Hay wifi?/¿Cuál es la clave de wifi? | Is there Wi‑Fi?/What’s the Wi‑Fi password? | eye WEE-fee / KWAL ess lah KLAH-veh deh WEE-fee | Hotels, cafés; practical |
| ¿Dónde está el baño? | Where is the bathroom? | DON-deh ess-TAH el BAH-nyoh | Urgent ask in public places |
| ¿Este asiento está libre? | Is this seat free? | ES-teh ah-syen-TOH ess-TAH LEE-breh | Public transport; polite |
| Un pasaje a… por favor | A ticket to … please | oon pah-SA-heh ah … por fah-VOR | Buying bus/train tickets |
| ¿A qué hora sale el tren/autobús? | What time does the train/bus leave? | ah keh OH-rah SAH-leh el tren/ow-toh-BOOS | Transit schedules; practical |
| Colectivo/ Micro | Public bus | koh-lehk-TEE-voh / MEE-kroh | Getting around cities; informal |
| Subte | Subway (Buenos Aires) | SOOB-teh | Buenos Aires metro; practical |
| Taxi / Remis | Taxi / Prebooked car | TAK-see / REH-mees | Transport; ordering rides |
| ¿Me lleva a …? | Can you take me to …? | meh YEH-vah ah … | Taxi or remis; polite/informal |
| ¿Cuánto falta para llegar? | How long until we arrive? | KWAN-toh FAHL-tah pah-rah yeh-GAR | On buses or taxis; practical |
| ¿Dónde puedo cambiar dólares? | Where can I exchange dollars? | DON-deh PWEH-doh kahm-BYAR DOH-lah-rehs | Currency exchange; practical |
| ¿Dónde hay un supermercado? | Where is a supermarket? | DON-deh eye oon soo-pehr-mehr-KAH-doh | Shopping for food; practical |
| ¿Tiene descuento? | Do you have a discount? | tee-EH-neh dehs-KWEN-toh | Markets/shops; negotiating; informal |
| ¿Me lo puede envolver? | Can you wrap it for me? | meh lo PWEH-deh en-vohl-VER | Shopping gifts or breakables; polite |
| ¿Dónde puedo comprar una tarjeta SUBE? | Where can I buy a SUBE card? | DON-deh PWEH-doh kohm-PRAR OO-nah tar-HEH-tah SOO-beh | Public transport card (BA); practical |
| Quisiera / Quería… | I would like… | kee-SYEH-rah / keh-REE-ah | Ordering politely; restaurants/stores |
| Quiero / Quería la cuenta | I want / I would like the check | kee-EH-roh / keh-REE-ah lah KWEHN-tah | Restaurants; requesting bill |
| ¿Me trae el menú? | Can you bring me the menu? | meh TRAY-eh el meh-NOO | Restaurants; polite |
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | What do you recommend? | KEH meh reh-koh-MYEN-dah | Restaurants and guides; polite |
| Empanadas | Meat turnovers (typical snack) | em-pah-NAH-dahs | Food item; ordering/shops |
| Asado | Argentine barbecue | ah-SAH-doh | Typical meal; restaurants or parrillas |
| ¿Tiene mesa libre? | Do you have a free table? | tee-EH-neh MEH-sah LEE-breh | Restaurant seating; polite |
| ¿Hay estacionamiento? | Is there parking? | eye eh-stah-syo-nah-MYEN-toh | Hotels, restaurants; practical |
| ¿Dónde recojo mi equipaje? | Where do I pick up my luggage? | DON-deh reh-KOH-hoh mee eh-kee-PAH-heh | Airports, bus stations; practical |
| ¿Podés hablar más despacio? | Can you speak more slowly? | poh-DES ah-BLAR mahs dehs-PAH-syoh | If you need slower speech; informal/voseo |
| ¿Puede repetir eso? | Can you repeat that? | PWEH-deh reh-peh-TEER EH-soh | Clarification; polite (usted) |
| ¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi? | Where can I catch a taxi? | DON-deh PWEH-doh toh-MAR oon TAK-see | Transport hubs; practical |
| Che | Hey / mate / attention-getter | CHEH | Informal address; friendly |
| Plata | Money / cash | PLAH-tah | Talking about money; informal |
| ¿Dónde está la parada de colectivo? | Where is the bus stop? | DON-deh ess-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh koh-lehk-TEE-voh | Asking local transport; practical |
| Estoy perdido/a | I’m lost | es-TOY per-DEE-doh / per-DEE-dah | Lost in city; asking directions |
| Necesito un cargador de teléfono | I need a phone charger | neh-seh-SEE-toh oon kar-gah-DOR deh teh-LEH-foh-noh | Stores or kiosks; practical |
| ¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa? | Can you show me on the map? | meh PWEH-deh mOS-trar en el MAH-pah | Asking to locate place; polite |
| Perdón, ¿cómo llego a…? | Excuse me, how do I get to…? | per-DON, KOH-moh YEH-goh ah … | Asking for directions; polite |
| ¿Puedo pagar con contacto? | Can I pay contactless? | PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon kon-TAK-toh | Shops, cafes; payment question |
| ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis? | Where is the taxi stand? | DON-deh ess-TAH lah pah-RAH-dah deh TAK-sees | Transport hubs; practical |
| ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? | What’s the house specialty? | KWAL ess lah eh-speh-syah-lee-DAHD deh lah KAH-sah | Restaurants; asking recommendations |
| ¿Puedo tomar fotos aquí? | Can I take photos here? | PWEH-doh toh-MAR FOH-tos ah-KEE | Tourist sites; polite |
| ¿Me puede despertar a las …? | Can you wake me at …? | meh PWEH-deh dehs-pehr-TAHR ah las … | Hotels; service request |
Descriptions
Hola
Simple, universal greeting used everywhere in Argentina. Polite and neutral; pair with “buen día” or “buenas” depending on time. Easy opener for shops, hotels, and meeting people.
Buen día / Buenas
Common Buenos Aires greeting through midday. “Buenas” is an all-purpose hello used any time. Friendly and polite for shops, taxis, and formal situations.
Buenas noches
Used from late afternoon as greeting or when leaving at night. Polite in restaurants, theaters, and formal situations. Also used when saying goodbye for the night.
Chau
Very common informal goodbye throughout Argentina. Safe to use with friends, shopkeepers, and service staff. Avoid in very formal contexts; “hasta luego” is more formal.
Hasta luego
Polite, neutral farewell used in many contexts. Works for temporary goodbyes and when you expect to meet again. Slightly more formal than “chau.”
Gracias
Essential polite phrase. Use after service, directions, or help. Can be strengthened with “muchas gracias” to show extra appreciation.
Muchas gracias
Stronger expression of gratitude. Appropriate after significant help, a meal, or exceptional service. Very common and warmly received.
De nada
Standard, friendly reply to “gracias.” Informal but acceptable in most situations. Alternatives include “no hay problema” or “con gusto.”
Por favor
Essential for polite requests in shops, taxis, and restaurants. Always useful when asking for help. Very common and shows respect.
Perdón / Disculpá
Perdón and informal “disculpá” are used to apologize or to pass someone. “Disculpá” uses voseo-friendly form; both are easy and widely understood.
Con permiso
Say when you need to squeeze past people in buses, markets, or crowded streets. Polite and practical in tight spaces.
¿Dónde está… ?
Core phrase for directions. Add landmarks or places: “¿Dónde está el baño?” or “¿Dónde está la estación?” Useful with “queda” alternative.
¿Dónde queda…?
Common for asking location of neighborhoods, stations, or attractions. “Queda” is widely used in Argentina to ask how a place sits or is located.
¿Hay un cajero por acá?
Helpful for travelers needing pesos. “Cajero” or “cajero automático” is understood everywhere. Useful before paying in cash.
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Ask before ordering or shopping. Many places accept cards but small shops may not. Useful to avoid surprises when paying.
¿Me puede ayudar?
Formal polite phrasing. In casual settings you might hear voseo “¿Me podés ayudar?” Useful for staff, police, or locals when you need help.
¿Me podés ayudar?
Common everyday way to ask someone for help in Argentina. Polite enough for most interactions; use with locals in informal contexts.
Necesito ayuda
Direct and useful in emergencies. Use with staff, police, or passersby. Pair with specifics like “médico” or “policía” as needed.
Necesito un médico
Clear phrase to request medical attention. Say if you or someone with you is injured or ill. Follow with symptoms or location details.
Me robaron
Short way to report a robbery to police, hotel staff, or embassy. Useful for initiating help and filing reports. Be ready to give details and location.
Perdí mi pasaporte
Essential phrase at embassies, police stations, or hotels. Use immediately if passport lost or stolen; staff will guide next steps.
¿Dónde está la comisaría?
Ask to locate a police station to report incidents or get official help. “Comisaría” is standard term across Argentina.
¿Puede llamar una ambulancia?
Polite formal request to have an ambulance called. In urgent situations, use direct “¡Necesitamos una ambulancia!” to convey urgency.
¿Cuánto sale?/¿Cuánto cuesta?
Both forms are common; “¿Cuánto sale?” is very colloquial in Argentina. Use to ask price of items, fares, or menu dishes.
¿Me lo puedo probar?
Ask in stores to try clothes. Voseo alternative “¿Me lo podés traer para probar?” is common when asking a salesperson for help.
¿Tiene otro talle?
Useful in stores when size isn’t available. Voseo “tenés” is common in sales counters; both forms understood.
¿Me puede dar la cuenta?
Polite way to ask for the check. Informal “¿Me traés la cuenta?” uses voseo and is very common in casual eateries.
La cuenta, por favor
Short, direct, and polite. Works well in any dining setting. Follow with “separada” for separate bills.
¿Aceptan efectivo?
Ask this if you prefer to pay in pesos. Some tourist spots accept foreign currency, but many small places only take cash.
¿Me trae un vaso de agua?
Polite request for water at cafés or restaurants. Replace with “con/sin gas” to specify sparkling or still water.
Sin hielo, por favor
Useful if you prefer drinks without ice. Some locals prefer drinks with less ice. Polite and simple for bars or waitstaff.
Estoy a dieta / Soy alérgico a…
Tell kitchen staff dietary restrictions or allergies. “Soy alérgico a…” is essential; women say “alérgica.” Be explicit about foods to avoid.
Una mesa para dos, por favor
Standard reservation phrase when arriving without booking. Add “a las ocho” to include time. Useful at busy restaurants.
Tengo una reserva
Use when you booked ahead. Staff will ask your name. Useful to confirm or modify your booking upon arrival.
¿Hay wifi?/¿Cuál es la clave de wifi?
Ask for internet access and the password. Many cafés and hotels provide free Wi‑Fi; “clave” equals password.
¿Dónde está el baño?
Essential phrase for restaurants, museums, and transport hubs. Polite and direct; “baño” is universally understood.
¿Este asiento está libre?
Ask before sitting in a seat on buses or trains. Respectful and common behavior in crowded transport.
Un pasaje a… por favor
Useful when buying tickets at kiosks or booths. Specify destination and type (ida y vuelta for return). Helpful in long‑distance bus travel.
¿A qué hora sale el tren/autobús?
Ask for departure times at stations or kiosks. “Colectivo” or “micro” are alternative words for bus regionally.
Colectivo/ Micro
Colectivo or “micro” refers to city buses. Ask for route numbers and stops. Drivers or helpers can say where to get off.
Subte
Subte is the local term for the Buenos Aires underground. Useful when navigating the city; combine with line letters like “línea B.”
Taxi / Remis
Remis is a hired car service common in Argentina; taxis are ubiquitous. Use “¿Me lleva a…?” or “Pará el taxi” to hail.
¿Me lleva a …?
Phrase for giving a destination to a driver. Use “¿Cuánto sale hasta…?” to ask the fare estimate before starting.
¿Cuánto falta para llegar?
Ask drivers or companions how much longer until arrival. Helpful to prepare for stops or transfers.
¿Dónde puedo cambiar dólares?
Ask for “casa de cambio” locations. Many tourists exchange at official places; check rates and commissions.
¿Dónde hay un supermercado?
Useful to find groceries, bottled water, or supplies. Supermarkets are common in cities and suburbs.
¿Tiene descuento?
Ask at markets or for tourist deals. Bargaining is not common in regular stores but common in street markets for souvenirs.
¿Me lo puede envolver?
Ask sellers to package purchases for travel. Useful for souvenirs or fragile items; protects them during transit.
¿Dónde puedo comprar una tarjeta SUBE?
SUBE is the transit card used in many Argentine cities. Ask stations or kiosks where to buy and load credit.
Quisiera / Quería…
Polite ways to order food or request services. “Quisiera” and “quería” are softer than “quiero” and good for polite transactions.
Quiero / Quería la cuenta
Quiero is direct; “quería” is more polite. Use either depending on formality. Both are understood and commonly used.
¿Me trae el menú?
Ask staff for a menu. In many casual places menus are on the table or a single menu is shared, but asking is fine.
¿Qué me recomienda?
Good phrase to ask waiters or locals for popular dishes or specialties. Can yield regional recommendations like empanadas or asado.
Empanadas
A common and essential snack; many fillings available. Ask which are recommended. Pronunciation and concept are widely known.
Asado
Signature Argentine dish—grilled meats at parrillas. When invited to an “asado,” expect social, long meals. Ask about cuts or portions if unsure.
¿Tiene mesa libre?
Ask at the entrance when looking for seating without a reservation. “Reservas” are common for popular spots.
¿Hay estacionamiento?
Ask if you are driving. Some places offer valet or nearby parking lots. Important for car rental travelers.
¿Dónde recojo mi equipaje?
Useful at terminals to find baggage claim. Staff will direct you to the hall or carousel number.
¿Podés hablar más despacio?
Polite, practical request when you struggle to understand. Formal alternative: “¿Puede hablar más despacio?” Both helpful for clear communication.
¿Puede repetir eso?
Ask for repetition when you miss details. Short and polite; use with staff, guides, or fellow travelers.
¿Dónde puedo tomar un taxi?
Ask at hotels or kiosks for taxi ranks. In cities, app-based taxis and radio taxis (“remis”) are also common.
Che
Very Argentine interjection used to call attention or address someone casually. Friendly but avoid overusing with strangers in formal contexts.
Plata
Common slang for money in Argentina. Useful when asking costs or budgets; not offensive—widely used in daily speech.
¿Dónde está la parada de colectivo?
Essential for navigating city buses. Specify the line number if known. Drivers or locals can point you to the nearest stop.
Estoy perdido/a
Tell a passerby or shopkeeper you are lost. Add your intended destination for faster help. Use feminine ending if you identify as female.
Necesito un cargador de teléfono
Ask electronics shops or kiosks for chargers. Bring your plug type; Argentina uses types C and I, adapters may be required.
¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa?
Hand this to locals or staff to confirm an address or route. Very useful with transit maps or offline maps on your phone.
Perdón, ¿cómo llego a…?
Polite and very common phrase for getting step-by-step directions. Follow up with transport options like “a pie” (walking) or “en colectivo.”
¿Puedo pagar con contacto?
Ask when you prefer contactless card or phone payments. Many places accept contactless; still carry cash for small vendors.
¿Dónde está la parada de taxis?
Useful at airports, train stations, and downtown. Hotels commonly call taxis for guests if no stand is visible.
¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?
Good phrase for finding regional or signature dishes at a restaurant. Staff will point to popular or recommended items.
¿Puedo tomar fotos aquí?
Ask at museums, exhibits, or private sites where photography might be restricted. Respectful question avoids problems with staff.
¿Me puede despertar a las …?
Useful when staying in hotels or hostels. Staff will note your wake‑up time; use 24‑hour or AM/PM clarification if needed.
