Argentinisms II / Porteñisms (particularities of speech in Bs As)

re – the Porteñan way of saying “very”. Since the word starts with “r” it comes out as a double r, giving it even more emphasis as a modifier.

buena onda – literally means “good wave,” but it's used to describe a person as cool. It's often used in combination with the previous, as in “re buena onda.”

Mira vos! – while this would be literally translated as “look at you!” it seems to be used more as though they are saying “huh, how interesting.” An American friend here who is more of an expert in these things tells me it’s like saying “look at you sharing all your knowledge and insights!"

bárbaro! - I always thought this meant "barbaric," and I'm pretty sure I've heard it used that way, but I most often hear it used to mean "how terrific."

side note: If you're noticing a theme in these phrases, it is no coincidence. Porteños are experts at talking effusively about just about everything. Consistent with their reputation for passion, they (esp the women) can make an apple sound like the best thing they've ever tasted, any mountain sound like Everest, a small gesture sound like an incredible sacrifice.

more to come....