Learning How To Speak Ecuadorian Spanish: Spanish Expressions (with video)

It is time to learn how to speak Ecuadorian Spanish!

Ecuadorian Spanish basic expressions have a slight twist.

Some words are mixed with the indigenous Quechua language.

Although I only visited Quito the people in Ecuador also seem to have a different accent as well.

While on our cruise to the Galapagos Islands with Quasar Expeditions (check them out by the way) I also was able to speak with people from other parts of the country.

Ecuador did remind me of the way Colombians speak Spanish.  Not necessarily in their accents or the words they use but how Spanish in spoken in the country and the way the country is setup.

I’ve always considered Ecuador to be most similar to Colombia and Venezuela when it comes to comparisons to other countries in Latin America.  Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, were all part of one country in the past called Gran Colombia.  The territory of the country extended to Guyana, Panama, and even northern parts of Brazil and Peru.

Many may not even know that Panama was once part of Colombia.

I was very surprised to see the strong influence of indigenous culture in Ecuador.  On the coast, much like Colombia, cities like Guayaquil have strong African populations. The only difference in Ecuador is the strong influence of the indigenous culture and also the appearance of ingenious people in country.  We could compare Ecuador more to Peru than we can with Colombia or Venezuela.

The Basílica del Voto Nacional in Quito

This affects the Spanish language spoken there as it is heavily influenced by the local indigenous language, Quechua.

The Spanish spoken in Ecuador is very proper and easy to understand.  It would be one of the best places to learn Spanish in Latin America if it wasn’t for the influence of the Quechua language. In other words, if you want to learn proper Spanish it is best to go to a country that doesn’t have a strong influence of another language.

Watch the video on YouTube here if you are having any issues below:

According to Wikipedia there are three main dialects in the country split between the coast, the central Andean region, and the Amazon. I wasn’t there long enough to hear the different dialects so we will trust Wikipedia with this.  I only heard two distinct dialects compared with Quito and Guayaquil.

The video was filmed in the popular Mariscal neighborhood of Quito. When staying in Quito would recommend you stay in this neighborhood rather than the old city. The old city can get quite alone at night where as Mariscal has a lot more things happening. There are also a slew of restaurants and bars in the Mariscal area.  Make sure to check out the ever popular Plaza Foch (what can be compared to Time’s Square for Quito although much smaller).

Ecuadorian Slang & Basic Expressions

One of the things

• Chuchaqui – Hangover
  • Pronounced – Choo chah key
• Chevere – Awesome/Cool
  • Pronounced – Cheh vreh
• Chucha Madre! – Shet!
  • Pronounced – Choo chah mah dre
• Andate a la verga  – Go to hell
  • Pronounced – Andah teh ah lah ver gah
• Arrarrai –  very hot
  • Pronounced – Arrah rai
• Achachai – cold
  • Pronounced – Achah chai
• Atatai –  disgusting
  • Pronounced – Atah tai
• Farra/Farrota – To party/A very big party
  • Pronounced – Fah rra/Fah rrota
• Vacile – One night kiss
  • Pronounced – Vah- sileh
• Chumado – Drunk
  • Pronounced – Choo mah though
• Sapo – Fool
  • Pronounced – Sah poh
• Embalado  – Too excited/too much
  • Pronounced – Embah lah thoh
• Agarre – Friends with benefits (agarrar is to grab)

• Puerto Rican Spanish
• Chilean Spanish
• Argentinean Spanish
• Venezuelan Spanish
• Dominican Spanish