Hiding everyday phrases in similar sounding words is a perfect demonstration of how much fun we can get from our native language.

Don’t believe me? Read the words below and tell me if you’d have guessed!

I know these phrases to be fairly common in casual conversation in Argentina. I’m not sure they could be heard in other Spanish speaking countries, too.

Porfis = Por favor | Please

Holis = Hola | Hello

Todo viento = Todo bien | All good

¿Y Johnny/Yolanda? = ¿Y yo? | And me?

¿Y Esteban? = ¿Y este? | And this one?

¿Y Boston/Bosnia? = ¿Y vos? | And you?

¿Qué acelga? = ¿Qué hacés/hacen? | What’s up?

¿Qué talco? = ¿Qué tal? | What’s up?

Graciela = Gracias | Thank you

Un mateico = un mate

¿Segurola? = ¿estás seguro? | Are you sure?

Gratarola = Gratis | Free

No pasa naranja = No pasa nada | No problem

Zafaroni = Zafar | To get away with it

Ojota = Ojo | Be careful/Look at that

Hojaldre = Ojo | Be careful/Look at that

Careli = Caro | Pricey

Caripela = Cara | Face

Messi = Me sirve | Works for me

And so? What do you think? Have you spotted a favourite one?

Let me know in the comments,

Happy Spanish learning,

---

You might also want to read these articles:

• Know thyself
  Take this questionnaire to know yourself better as a learner and leverage your learning.
• Redefining what a lesson is
  It’s time for a full disclaimer. What does learning a language look like in 2025?
• ATR | A Todo Ritmo
  Learn what ATR means and when/how it’s used in Argentina.
• Self-talk
  In this article, we talk about the convenience of self-talk in our Spanish practices.
• Little wonders
  This post will give you some short phrases to react naturally in conversations.
• Expressions with DE
  Let’s dive in into a few everyday expressions with DE, shall we?

---