Understanding Dominican Spanish

Dominican Spanish is one of the fastest spoken variants of the language — and to Spanish learners, it initially sounds like a different language. The key characteristics:

• Swallowed endings: The "s" at the end of words is swallowed or pronounced as "h". "Estamos" becomes "ehtamoh", "vamos" becomes "vamoh"
• D is swallowed: "Pescado" becomes "pe'cao", "cansado" becomes "can'ao"
• R becomes L: "Verdad" becomes "veldá", "comer" becomes "comel". At the end of words, R is sometimes completely swallowed
• Fast pace: Dominicans speak extremely fast and blend words. "¿Qué es lo que hay?" (What's up?) becomes "¿Klk?" (pronounced "keloke")
• Tuteo: Dominicans use "tú" (you) instead of "usted" (formal you) — almost always and with everyone, even strangers and elders. This is not rudeness, but normal

In tourist areas (Punta Cana, Bavaro), a lot of English is spoken. In Las Terrenas, also French and Italian. Off the beaten tourist paths: only Spanish. But a few words of Spanish open doors and hearts everywhere.