Quiz: Using speech to discover origins
Do this quiz to discover how the words a Spanish-speaker uses can reveal where they come from.
Woman in class (2020) by Tima MiroshnichenkoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The differences between the versions of Spanish spoken in the various Spanish-speaking countries reveal where the speaker is from. Do this quiz to find out.
Hispanic woman (2021) by Los Muertos CrewFundación Antonio de Nebrija
1. Do they use the pronoun vos or tú to mean you?
Hispanic young man. (2021) by Los Muertos CrewFundación Antonio de Nebrija
If they use tú, they're probably from Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Cuba, Panama, Peru, or Puerto Rico. But if they use vos, they're more likely to be from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, or Costa Rica. This is no help if the speaker comes from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua because these countries use both pronouns.
Straws (2016) by ChristopherFundación Antonio de Nebrija
2. What is this object called?
Straws (2016) by Jack AllenFundación Antonio de Nebrija
If it is called a pajita, they're probably from Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Equatorial Guinea, or Spain; the word pitillo is more commonly used in Venezuela or Colombia; pajilla in El Salvador; bombilla in Chile; popote in Mexico, and sorbete in Peru and Puerto Rico.
Hot dog (2020) by CottonbroFundación Antonio de Nebrija
3. What word is used to order a hot dog?
Hot dog (2020) by irwan zahuriFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Hot dog in Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic; jocho in Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Mexico; pancho in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Paraguay, and perro caliente or perrito caliente in Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Nicaragua, Spain, and Venezuela.
Popcorn (2020) by Mo AbrahimFundación Antonio de Nebrija
4. What word is used for popcorn?
Popcorn (2020) by Tima MiroshnichenkoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
In Argentina, it is called pochoclos, in Bolivia pipocas, in Colombia crispetas, and in Venezuela cotufas. In Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, and Chile, it is often called palomitas, while in Ecuador, canguil and in Guatemala poporopos.
Peas (2018) by R KhalilFundación Antonio de Nebrija
5. What is the word for peas?
Peas (2018) by Gunshe RamchandaniFundación Antonio de Nebrija
In Spain, the word guisantes is used; in Mexico, chícharos; in Colombia, Argentina, and much of South America, arveja; in Panama, it's petit-pois; in Puerto Rico guandú, and in the Dominican Republic gandules.
Phone (2019) by Luis QuinteroFundación Antonio de Nebrija
6. What is said when answering the phone?
Phone (2019) by Craig AdderleyFundación Antonio de Nebrija
In Uruguay and Argentina, the most usual greeting is Hola (Hi); in Mexico, they say Bueno? (Well?); in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela, you'll hear Aló? (Hello?); in Spain, it's Sí? (Yes?) or Diga (Speak), and in Cuba, you might hear Oigo! (I'm listening!).
