Thread: term for boyfriend in Argentina

Hi all, I'm looking for an appropriate term for "boyfriend" in Argentina, specifically Patagonia, and specifically the word a teenager would use. When I lived in Chile we would have said "pololo," but that was a while ago, and my sense is that that term isn't used in Argentina, anyway. And "novio" gives me vibes more like "fiance," which is a bit too serious for a teen crush! Suggestions?

Hi, olmue! I think that "novio" is right. However, it's neutral. I really don't know the current term teenagers use in Patagonia. I knew of the term "pololo" in Chile... I also heard that Chileans share certain vocabulary with Patagonia's inhabitants.

However, I know a thirteen-year-old girl who is living in Patagonia and may help us with the appropriate term. I will send her an email and tell you the answer as soon as she replies...

Yes, olmue... novio is the word used for teens and adults, but sometimes it may be considered quite formal to refer to someone who is just a little more than a friend. Teens use the word novios, but if they want to avoid it they say: Juan anda con Julia o Juan sale con Julia o Juan y Julia salen.

Some young people also use the word "amigovios"

Hope it helps!

Hi olume:
We don't have the distinction between boyfriend and fiancé in Argentina. In Spanish we can use prometido for fiancé, but we don't use it in Argentina. As mem said, in a more informal way you can say "él sale con ella" or "ellos están saliendo". But I have also heard this expression in adults, meaning that they don't have a steady relationship yet and they're getting to know each other. For teenagers I think is the same, you can use novio or están saliendo depending on how steady the relationship is.

Novio sería el término más común en la Argentina. En este último tiempo se puso de moda el término "amigovio", que sería algo más informal que un novio...habría que ver si todavía corre...me parece que si...

Thanks so much! I was hesitant to trust my experience in one country when I know full well how it can vary just over the mountains... Novio or amigovio it is!

You are most welcome, Olmue!

Hi everyone!
I agree, "novio" is more like fiance.
I use "chico" o "chica". For example, "Juan es mi chico", o "como anda tu chica?". I don't know if it's used in Patagonia though....

¡Hola Olmue! // Hi Olmue!

Si buscas una sola palabra entonces es 'amigovio' como te han sugerido mis colegas. 'Amigovio' es lo que nosotros llamamos un 'amigo con derecho a roce'. // If you look for a single word it's 'amigovio' as my colleagues had suggested. 'Amigovio' is what we call 'friend with right to touch'.
Generalmente cuando la relación no es formal decimos: 'el chico con el que sale' o 'el chico con el que se está viendo'. // Generally when the relation isn't serious we say: 'the boy she's dating' or 'the boy she's seeing'.

Espero que pueda servirte de ayuda. // Hope this could be of help.
Si tienes alguna pregunta, por favor no dudes en consultarme. // If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.