SPANISH classes in medellin

Learning Spanish is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and improve your comfort and safety in Medellin, Colombia. When you speak the local language, you open up a world of possibilities.

Spanish is a phonetic language, meaning the pronunciation of each letter or combination of letters does not change. Each letter or combination of letters has a unique sound that is the same for all words, with very few exceptions. This is very different from English, which requires knowing when to use a different pronunciation for each letter or combination of letters when they appear in different words. One of the principal authorities of the Spanish language is the Real Academia Española, which can be found at www.rae.es.

Medellín & Colombian Spanish Basics

Medellin, Colombia belongs to the department of Antioquia. Antioquians (antioqueños), the people who live in the department of Antioquia (including Medellin), are referred to as “paisas.” Paisas have a reputation for being kind and helpful. This kindness can be felt in their way of speaking, such as often responding to “gracias” (thank you) with “con gusto” (with pleasure) instead of “de nada” (you’re welcome).

Here is some basic information about Medellin and Colombian Spanish to get you started:

  • Pronunciation Tips: In Colombia, two consecutive l’s (ll) and a single “y” are pronounced like the “j” sound in the English word “jeans.” Two consecutive r’s (rr), or a single “r” at the beginning of a word, are pronounced as a rolling “r.” The letter “z” is pronounced exactly like an “s.”

  • Formality and "Tutear": “Tuteando” (using the “tú” form when conjugating verbs instead of the “usted” form) is generally done with people you already know, have mutual trust with, and/or have a closer relationship with. For example, “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?) may be used instead of “¿Cómo está?” when speaking with a friend, partner, or close acquaintance. If you would like to be more formal and/or respectful, such as a child speaking with an adult or someone of any age speaking with someone of authority (like a teacher or government official), you may choose to use the “usted” form.

  • The Use of Diminutives: Colombians often use diminutives, such as ending words with -ico, -ica, -ito, or -ita, which gives a softer, more affectionate tone to their conversation and/or slightly changes the meaning of the word. For example, “gato” (cat) may be “gatico” (kitty), “niño” (boy) may be “niñito” (little boy), “amigo” (friend) may be “amiguito” (little friend), and “ahora” (now) may be “ahorita” (later).

  • Local Everyday Vocabulary: In Colombia, an “umbrella” is referred to as a “sombrilla,” a “drinking straw” is referred to as a “pitillo,” and a “hangover” is referred to as a “guayabo.”

  • Day-to-Day Slang: Colombians use a lot of slang (jerga) in their day-to-day, informal conversations, such as ¿Qué más?, ¿Qué hubo?, ¡Ave María!, parce or parcero, dar papaya, mañe, pararse bolas, tragado(a), genial, berraco(a), teso(a), hacerse caso, gonorrea, asco, and codo. For a list of Colombian jargon, words, and meanings, see www.dancefree.com.co/diario/jerga-en-colombia.

Practicing Spanish in Medellin

One great way to meet people, practice your Spanish, and share your English is by participating in local language exchanges (intercambios de idiomas). Several times a week, DANCEFREE hosts one of the most popular language exchanges in Medellin. For more information about our language exchanges (date, time, etc.), view our calendar of events. You may just show up for our language exchanges. No reservation is needed. Adults only. Bring ID.

Class Schedule & Pricing in Medellin

DANCEFREE offers private Spanish classes (tutoring), in person in Medellin, Colombia, and online via Zoom and Google Meet. Our in-person classes are 7 days a week and our online classes are on weekdays only, subject to availability.

If you would like to take private Spanish classes, click here to view the steps for beginning private classes. If you would like to view our calendar for language exchanges, dance classes, socials, and more, click here.