Brief Porteños Talk Dictionary

Lunfardo is the old city slang. Its authentic version is predominant in tango. In its origin, lunfardo was used by lower classes. Here you have a glimpse.

• bolazo (exaggerated statement or lie)
• busca (jack-of-all-trades)
• cana (police)
• capo (1.The boss. 2. Someone very respected in a field)
• caradura (shameless person)
• chusma (gossip)
• gasolero (someone with a low budget to do things)
• gauchada (favor)
• guita (money - bucks )
• laburar (to work)
• laburo (work, job)
• macanudo (cool, fine)
• mango (the Argentine currency)
• mufa (someone who brings bad luck - jinxs )
• pavada (nonsense)
• petiso/a (short person)
• pilcha (clothes)
• piola (street wise)
• sota (someone who, being guilty, pretends that nothing happened)
• tacho (taxi - cab )
• trucho (lower quality copy of an original item, or item of dubious origin – knock-off )