Spain or Latin America? Spot the Spain Spanish Word (10-Question Quiz)
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Spanish is spoken in more than 20 countries, and they don't all use the same words. Order a jugo in Madrid and you'll get your juice, but you'll sound like you've just flown in from Mexico City. 😄
At Fun Learning Spanish we teach the Spanish they speak in Spain: vosotros, zumo, móvil and all. So, can you spot the Spain Spanish word? Ten questions, A1 to A2 level. Answers are under each question. No peeking! 👀
1. You're in a café in Madrid and you want orange juice. Do you ask for…
a) un zumo de naranja b) un jugo de naranja
Show the answer
✅ a) un zumo de naranja. In Spain it’s zumo. Jugo is what you’ll hear in Latin America.
2. Your Spanish friend offers you a lift. What are you getting into?
a) un carro b) un coche
Show the answer
✅ b) un coche. Coche in Spain. Carro is Latin America (in Spain a carro is more of a cart).
3. You need to check your emails. In Spain you'd use…
a) el ordenador b) la computadora
Show the answer
✅ a) el ordenador. Spain says ordenador, from the French “ordinateur”. Latin America went with computadora.
4. “Can I charge my… ?” In Spain it’s…
a) el celular b) el móvil
Show the answer
✅ b) el móvil. Móvil in Spain, celular in most of Latin America.
5. You order a plate of spicy potatoes in a Spanish bar. They are…
a) papas bravas b) patatas bravas
Show the answer
✅ b) patatas bravas. Patatas in Spain. Papas is Latin America (and the Canary Islands, just to keep you on your toes).
6. A Spaniard asks if 9 pm is OK for dinner. The most Spanish way to say “OK!” is…
a) ¡Vale! b) ¡Órale!
Show the answer
✅ a) ¡Vale!. Vale is everywhere in Spain. ¡Órale! is very Mexican.
7. You're talking to a group of friends in Seville. “Are you lot coming?” is…
a) ¿Venís vosotros? b) ¿Vienen ustedes?
Show the answer
✅ a) ¿Venís vosotros?. Spain uses vosotros for “you lot” with friends. Latin America uses ustedes for everyone.
8. Something is really cool. In Spain you say…
a) ¡Qué guay! b) ¡Qué chévere!
Show the answer
✅ a) ¡Qué guay!. ¡Qué guay! is pure Spain. Chévere is Venezuela, Colombia and nearby.
9. You hire a car in Málaga. What are you going to do?
a) manejar b) conducir
Show the answer
✅ b) conducir. Spain says conducir. Manejar is the Latin American way.
10. You need to get to the beach. You wait for…
a) el autobús b) el camión
Show the answer
✅ a) el autobús. El autobús in Spain. In Mexico a camión can be a bus, but in Spain it’s a lorry. Don’t try to get on one.
How did you do? 🏆
- 10/10: ¡Eres más español que la tortilla de patatas! 🥔 You could order a caña in Madrid with your eyes shut.
- 6 to 9: ¡Casi! Almost there 💪 A couple more trips to Spain and you’ll be sorted.
- 0 to 5: ¡Ay, madre! 😅 Don’t worry, both are real Spanish. But if you’re off to Spain, start with the Spain words.
🇪🇸 Want the full story? Read our Spain Spanish vs Latin American Spanish: The Complete Guide, covering words, vosotros, the "th" sound and slang.
🖨️ Want it on paper? Grab the free printable version of this quiz for the classroom or the kitchen table. And if you're heading to Spain, the free Top 50 Spanish Phrases PDF has the Spain Spanish you'll actually use.
📱 Want more practice? Save the words that caught you out in the Fun Learning Spanish app and practise them with games, flashcards and daily quizzes. It's free to start! 👉 Try the Fun Learning Spanish app 🚀
🎯 What's your Spanish level? Take our free Spanish level test: 12 quick questions, from A1 to C1, with where to start next.