Updated on February 3, 2024 by Lou Mac
As English speakers, we know that English changes a little between countries. But did you know that Spanish in different countries varies even more?
And what exactly sets Spanish from Latin America apart from that of Spain?
In this post, I’ll tell you exactly what you need to know about Latin American Spanish vs European Spanish. From playful pronunciations to unique vocabulary and grammar quirks, we’re going to see how history has evolved these languages into what they are today!
Latin American Spanish vs Spain Spanish: A Summary
While there are a ton of quirks, the main differences between the two types of Spanish boil down to the following:
- Different pronunciation – for example, Latin American Spanish pronounces c and z sounding like s, while in Spain, they’re usually more “th”-like: you know, that famous “lisp” that everyone talks about? (Just a side note, it’s actually not a lisp!)
- Different vocabulary – a surprising amount of vocab between the regions is not mutually intelligible!
- Different grammar – this includes Spain opting to use the formal usted much less than their Latin American comrades
We’ll discuss all this in detail in the post, but first let’s start off with the historical and colonial roots that have spun these colourful dialects.
Roots of Latin American and European Spanish
Spanish developed in the heart of Europe, evolving from Latin (meaning it’s a romance language) around 1000 years ago. Spain’s own regional diversity and geographical solitude flavoured Spanish with unique features, such as the ceceo, distinción and seseo pronunciations (we’ll hear more about these later).
Then, as most people know, in the 15th and 16th centuries the Spanish set sail for the Americas in the waves of colonisation. In Latin America, Spanish intertwined with indigenous tongues, giving way to colourful vocabulary and tones influenced by Nahuatl, Quechua, Mapuche and more. The sheer size of Latin America, with its mosaic of indigenous cultures, fostered a ton of beautiful regional Spanish dialects.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation is probably the most obvious difference between the two types of Spanish, so we’re starting with that! I’d like to include “accent” here too, but there are so many different accents that it’s impractical to write about them – so here’s a fun video on some different Spanish accents.
So, here are the major differences pronunciation differences:
C and Z
Even if you’re not great with accents, how Spanish speakers pronounce their cs and zs is usually a telltale sign that they’re from Latin America or Spain.
In Latin America you’ll encounter c and z pronounced with an “s” sound, whereas in Spain you’ll likely hear them pronounced as “th.” These ways of speaking are called seseo and distinción, respectively (and you can check out this post for a bit more info).
If we take the words cena (dinner), zorro (fox) and gracias (thanks) for example:
- In Latin America, they will be pronounced se-na, so-rro and gra-si-as
- In Spain, they will usually be the-na, tho-rro, and gra-thi-as
The LL Sound
This typically has three sounds in Spanish, two of which are used exclusively in Latin America: so if you ever hear them used, you’ll know you’re speaking to a Latin American! The most common way of pronouncing ll however is used in Spain and some Latin American countries as well.
- Ll pronounced like “y” – common in Spain and some Latin American countries
- Ll pronounced like “j” – common in Latin American countries like Colombia and Venezuela
- Ll pronounced like “sh” – common in Latin American countries like Argentina and Uruguay
Vocabulary and Expressions
Going back to what I mentioned in the beginning, we know that in English, vocabulary and expressions can differ from country to country.
We’ve all had the delightfully interesting experience of not understanding a word or phrase from a fellow English speaker, and I’m here to tell you that in Spanish this happens much more often.
Where in English it’s mostly our slang words that are different, in Spanish, everyday words such as “tapwater,” “butter” and “policeman” can vary from place to place.
This is deeply influenced by the indigenous languages of Latin America, so Spanish is not only different between Latin America and Spain, but also very different within Latin America!
But for the sake of our post, we’ll just be focusing on vocab differences between Latin American and European Spain today. Let’s have a look at some different vocabulary and phrases:
| English | Latin American Spanish | European Spanish |
| Butter | Mantequilla | Manteca |
| Cream | Crema | Nata |
| Car | Auto, carro | Coche |
| Strawberry | Frutilla | Fresa |
| Young boy | Chico | Chaval |
| Computer | Computador/computadora | Ordenador |
| Cellphone | Celular | Móvil |
| Potato | Papa | Patata |
| To drive | Manejar | Conducir |
Chilean Spanish (and Chilean slang) is a great example of the influence of indigenous language, with many words having roots in the Mapuche language. Here are some examples:
| English | Chilean Spanish | European Spanish |
| Baby | Guagua | Bebé |
| Stomach | Guata | Estómago |
| Policeman | Carabinero | Policía |
| Boyfriend/girlfriend | Pololo/polola | Novio/novia |
Grammar in Latin America and Spain
Vosotros vs Ustedes
One of the most notable distinctions is the use of the pronoun for “you all” (“you” plural.)
In Latin America, ustedes is used as the second person plural pronoun, in both informal and formal situations. On the other hand, in Spain you’ll hear vosotros in informal situations, and ustedes only in very formal situations.
Take the example “You all have a car”:
Ustedes tienen un auto / Ustedes tienen un auto (Latin America, informal / formal)
Vosotros tenéis un coche / Ustedes tienen un coche (Spain, informal / very formal)
Tú vs. Vos
In some Latin American regions, vos is used alongside tú to address someone informally. It’s used especially in Argentina, parts of Colombia and parts of Central America (and is used very informally in Chile). Vos requires distinct verb conjugations and is known as voseo.
In Spain, however, tú is only ever used.
For example:
Vos tenés que ir – You have to go (Parts of Latin America, esp. Argentina)
Tú tienes que ir – You have to go (Spain + parts of Latin America)
Past Tense Usage
In Spain, the present perfect tense (which expresses a past event that has present consequences) is commonly used for past actions. Latin America, meanwhile, tends to favour the preterite tense (the simple past tense).
Let’s have a look:
Fui al supermercado – I went to the supermarket (Latin America)
He ido al supermercado – I have gone to the supermarket (Spain)
Formality in Latin America vs Spain
In the world of spoken language, the way we express formality and politeness have a subtle – but crucial – distinction. Latin American Spanish and European Spanish each have their own quirks, and they’re important to know so that you can act with respect in each place.
In Latin America, the formal usted is used a lot more than it is in Spain – so if you’re in doubt, use usted! Like in Spain, it’s used with those in “higher” positions of power, for example teachers, policemen or bosses.
But in Latin America, they often take it a step further! It’s usually used with anyone that you don’t know (e.g. waiters, shop assistants), but also with people that you do know very well. It’s not uncommon for Latin Americans to address their friend’s parents, grandparents, and even sometimes their own parents or partners with usted (though of course this varies by country).
As a general rule, usted is reserved for very formal situations in Spain.
Here you can find an in-depth guide on when to use usted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Latin American Spanish Understood in Spain and Vice Versa?
Yes! Speakers of Latin American Spanish can understand European Spanish, and European Spanish speakers can understand Latin American Spanish speakers. Sometimes accents, vocabulary, and idioms can pose occasional challenges, but it’s always fun when those situations arise!
Should I Learn Latin American Spanish or European Spanish?
This really depends on your goals. Latin American Spanish is spoken across a vast region, so it’s the practical choice for travellers (and those seeking a broader understanding). European Spanish is great if you’re only planning on going to Spain, or only speaking with Spanish people.
If I had to choose (which I did!) I’d choose Latin American Spanish. But if you’re really struggling to choose, don’t worry! It doesn’t matter as much as you’d think, and you can easily swap to the other dialect if you change your mind (also something that I did, going from European to Chilean Spanish 🇨🇱)
Check out my in-depth answer here:
How Can I Learn a Specific Type of Spanish?
To master a specific type of Spanish, seek out resources and courses that cater to your target variant! This means using region-specific language apps, connecting with native speakers from that area, and immersing yourself in the culture through music and video. Whether you choose Latin American or Spain Spanish, embracing the local culture and dialect will absolutely enhance your language learning journey!
Latin American Spanish and European Spanish, with their unique vocabulary, accents, and cultural influences, offer an interesting glimpse into the Spanish-speaking world.
The influences of history, geography, and culture have shaped these variants, but we’ve only just scratched the surface!
Each dialect is beautiful and unique – I challenge you to get to know them all!
You can get started with my favourite, Chilean Spanish, here.