“Should I learn Spanish from Spain or from Latin America?” is one of the first questions beginners ask. The short answer: it is the same language, and learning one means understanding the other. But the differences are real and show up constantly in TV shows.
The main differences
Vosotros
In Spain, “vosotros” is the informal plural “you”: “¿Vosotros venís?”. In Latin America, “ustedes” is used for everything: “¿Ustedes vienen?”.
Pronunciation of z and c
In much of Spain, “z” and “c” before “e” and “i” sound like English “th”: “gracias” sounds like “grathias”. In Latin America they sound like “s”: “grasias”.
Everyday vocabulary
| Spain | Latin America (common) | English |
|---|---|---|
| coche | carro / auto | car |
| ordenador | computadora | computer |
| móvil | celular | cell phone |
| zumo | jugo | juice |
| conducir | manejar | to drive |
| vale | está bien / dale | okay |
Voseo
In Argentina and Uruguay, “vos” replaces “tú”, with its own conjugation: “vos sabés”, “vos querés”, “vos sos”. It also appears in other countries, with variations.
Which one to choose
| Your goal | Most useful variety |
|---|---|
| Living in or traveling around the US | Latin American, especially Mexican |
| Traveling in South America | Latin American |
| Living or studying in Europe | Spain |
| Watching TV shows | Both appear a lot |
In practice, the ideal is to pick one to speak and listen to both.
Shows to hear each variety
- Spain: Money Heist (La casa de papel), Elite (Élite), Cable Girls (Las chicas del cable).
- Mexico: Club de Cuervos, Luis Miguel: The Series.
- Colombia: One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien años de soledad).
- Argentina: El marginal, Okupas.
Availability varies by country and service.
With Telidioma
Choose Spanish as your study language and watch on Netflix or YouTube with the Spanish subtitle on top and the translation below. False friend warnings, such as “embarazada” and “constipado”, appear when you click those words. For more, read learning Spanish with TV shows.
Frequently asked questions
If I learn Latin American Spanish, will I understand people from Spain?
Yes. The differences are similar to those between American and British English. After a few days of exposure you adjust.
Which Spanish is more useful for English speakers?
In the United States, Latin American Spanish (especially Mexican) is by far the most common. For studying or living in Europe, Spain Spanish. For TV shows, both appear a lot.
What is Argentine “vos”?
In Argentina and Uruguay, “vos” replaces “tú”, with its own conjugations: “vos tenés” instead of “tú tienes”. It is called voseo and is used in everyday life, including on TV.