Basics & Special Features

Cuban Spanish differs significantly from the Spanish learned in school. Cubans speak quickly, swallow final consonants (especially the "s" at the end of words), and use their own slang that even confuses Spaniards.

Typical Features

• The "s" at the end of words often disappears: "¿Cómo estás?" becomes "¿Cómo etá?"
• The "d" between vowels is swallowed: "cansado" becomes "cansao"
• "Compañero/Compañera" instead of "Señor/Señora" (revolutionary address)
• Cubans almost always use the informal "tú," even with strangers and elders