Spanish was introduced in Venezuela by the Conquistador s. Most of them were from Andalusia , and they brought their peculiar accent and usage of words. Others were from the Canary Islands , and because they were extremely isolated from mainland Spain , they had a distinctive accent, too.
Portuguese and Italian Immigrant s came later.
The Spaniards additionally brought Africa n Slave s. This is the origin of expressions such as ''chévere'' ("excellent"), which comes from Yoruba ''ché egberi''. Other non-Romance words came from Native languages, such as ''guayoyo'' (a type of Coffee ) and ''caraota'' (" Kidney Bean ").
- Venezuelan Spanish often shortens words, for example, changing ''padre'' "father" into ''pai'' (pronounced like English ''pie''), and ''para'' "for" into ''pa''. In addition, between vowels is often dropped ( Elision ), as happens in Andalusian Spanish : ''helado'' "ice cream" becomes .
- Another common feature is the aspiration of syllable-final ''-s'', whereby ''adiós'' "goodbye" becomes ).
- As in most American dialects, also, Venezuelan Spanish has Yeísmo (a merger of and ), and Seseo (traditional merges with ). That is, ''calló'' "s/he became silent" and ''cayó'' "s/he fell" are homophones, and ''casa'' "house" is homophonous with ''caza'' "hunt".
- A characteristic common to the Venezuelan, Cuban, Costa Rican and Colombian dialects (also found in Aragonese Spanish ) is the use of the Diminutive and '''-ica''' instead of the standard '''-ito''' and '''-ita'''. But this use is restricted to words with '''-t''' in the last syllable; for example, ''rata'' "rat" becomes ''ratica'' "little rat".
- The second-person singular informal pronoun is usually ''tú'', as in most of Latin America and also in Spain. However, in the north-west states, such as and Táchira .
- The word ''vaina'' is used with a variety of meanings (such as "shame", "pity" and many others) and often as an interjection or a nonsensical filler.
There are several sub-dialects within Venezuelan Spanish.
- The Caracas dialect, spoken in the capital and also used in most forms of Media in the country.
- The Zulian dialect in the north-west of the country, also called '' or '''''marabino''''', which uses voseo, like in the Lara area.
- The Lara dialect, where voseo is also used, but where the verbal declension of Old Spanish is kept (vos coméis)
- The Andean dialect, in particular the state of Táchira near the Colombian border. It is characterized by a non-aspirated pronunciation of s and use of Usted instead of tu, even within informal contexts.
- The Margaritan dialect, spoken in Isla Margarita and in the north-east of continental Venezuela. The Margaritan dialect presents sometimes an interdental when pronouncing pre-vowel 's'.
- = A person of slow thought or slow reasoning. Someone that is lacking skills with the other gender.
- = A passionate demonstration of affection. A warm hug.
- = To gather people disorderly in a small space.
- = To present yourself at a party without being invited.
- = The most beloved corn bread of Venezuela.
- = Leafcutter Ant . (Alt.) a "mulato" with red hair.
- = To pay for something. To be demanded for money. To be robbed.
- = Junk food. A quick snack.
- = An awkward or ridiculous person.
- = A gathering or lively reunion.
- = A party.
- = To skin dive. (Alt.) To discretely admire the physical attributes of an individual.
- = A fuss. synonymous to "bochinche"
- = Superlative. too much.
- = Banana. (Alt.) a well remunerated public position.
- = A sweet corn pancake.
- = Black beans.
- = Blond. (Alt.) A beer.
- = Boy/girl. with suffix '''-ito''' : a kid.
- = Gossip.
- = An exclamation of approval. Cool!. (supposed derivation from Yoruba ''ché egberi'').
- = Of low quality.
- = Goat. (alt.) someone of a high hierarchy in an organization.
- = Thief.
- = Stuff, belongings.
- = Local, native from Venezuela.
- = Typical instrument shaped as a small guitar with four strings. Essential for native music arrangements.
- = Hunger.
- = Iron will. Courage.
- = to make fun of something/someone.
- = To be romantically desilusioned. "to have the Blues".
- = Black coffee prepared in such fashion that is not too strong. Excellent after meals.
- = Foreigner. A native from non-hispanic countries.
- = Something nice, pleasant.
- = Stick (Alt.) Alcoholic beverage (''¡Tómate un palito, pue!'': "have a {Link without Title} drink!")
- = A dear, close friend.
- = To eat.
- = Snacks. hors d'ouvres.
- = Toll.
- Perico = Parakeet. (Alt.) Venezuelan scrambled eggs. (Alt) Cocaine
- = synonymous to "corotos".
- = A party.
- = Rollup metal fence that covers the front part of a store when closed.
- = Yuppie. A wealthy uppish person.
- = A deep fried flour roll filled with cheese. Very common as a snack.
- = Any inanimate object.
- = Carrot (Alt.) Someone that zeals greatly for its own health. A vegetarian.
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