Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| jerga | /ˈxeɾɡa/ | feminine |
| argot | /aɾˈɡot/ | masculine |
| germanía | /xeɾmaˈnia/ | feminine |
| replana | /replana/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
All terms in this entry refer to unconventional language or slang. The word jerga is frequently used with the preposition de to specify the group or language the slang belongs to, such as jerga juvenil (youth slang).
Which one should you use?
While all the words in this pack mean slang, jerga is the most common and neutral term used in everyday Spanish. In contrast, argot is a more formal term that often refers to specialized terminology or technical jargon used by a specific professional group. The terms germanía and replana also refer to slang.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Jerga is an informal term used in many Spanish-speaking countries to describe the non-standard way people speak in certain social groups. Argot is a more formal option.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Slang varies significantly by region. In Mexican slang, you might hear chido/a (cool), neta (truth), ¡Qué padre! (how cool!) or güey (dude or idiot). In Spain, slang includes mola (it's cool), currar (to work), birras (beers) and tío/tía (dude/girl or man/woman). In Argentina, common slang includes ¡Che! (hey!), boludo/a (dude) and laburar (to work).
How does it change in a sentence?
argot is a masculine noun, while jerga, germanía and replana are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈxeɾɡa/
Did you know?
- The word jerga is thought to have echoic origins, meaning it was originally an imitation of the 'chattering of birds'.
- While jerga is the standard word for slang, using replana refers to a very specific, historical type of underworld or criminal cant.
- While jerga is a common everyday term, using germanía would sound highly archaic or literary to most modern speakers.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo es el problema y el conflicto? es un ejemplo de una oración usando la jerga de rimado de Cockney."How's the trouble and strife?" is an example of a sentence using Cockney rhyming slang.This sentence shows how the word jerga is used to describe a specific type of slang.Tatoeba #5273466 by albrusgher, translation #4251092 by patgfisher
- ¿Cómo es el problema y el conflicto? es un ejemplo de una oración usando la jerga de rimado de Cockney. Significa ¿Cómo está tu mujer?"How's the trouble and strife?" is an example of a sentence using Cockney rhyming slang. It means "How's your wife?"This sentence explains the meaning of a phrase using the word jerga.Tatoeba #5273469 by albrusgher, translation #4251760 by patgfisher
- Debido a que los blogs chinos usan un montón de jerga, no suelo entenderlos tan bien, pero aún así pienso que es bueno para mi aprendizaje de chino.Because Chinese blogs use a lot of slang, I usually don't understand them that well, but I still think it's good for my Chinese.This sentence describes a situation where someone is reading blogs that use a lot of jerga.Tatoeba #1754507 by teskmon, translation #899129 by eastasiastudent
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a music video.
- MateoMe gusta la canción, pero no entiendo su jerga.I like the song, but I don't understand its slang.
- LucíaEs normal, Mateo, es una jerga muy moderna.It's normal, Mateo, it is very modern slang.
- MateoTienes razón, Lucía, es difícil de seguir.You are right, Lucía, it is hard to follow.
- LucíaSolo necesitas escucharla más a menudo.You just need to listen to it more often.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slang” translations and entries jerga, argot, germanía, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries argot, germanía, jerga, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
