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# rekeche escribió este post despues del almuerzo  

Text by Steven F. Shundich

Special to the Sun-Sentinel

"Having lived in Uruguay for a period of time (six months), I have encountered many native words that in a matter of seconds can transform even the ugliest of tourists into a welcome and honored guest. But before introducing these secrets of Uruguayan communication, it is essential to first master The Nevers of Conversation with an Uruguayan.

Never ask, "And what part of Paraguay do you live in?" Always say. "Oh, yes, Uruguay; the country of 3.2 million Spanish speaking people located on the Atlantic Coast of South America… South of Brazil and North of Argentina—across the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires—granted independence with the help of national hero General Artigas in 1828."

 

Never say, "I am an American." Uruguayans are Americans, too. Say, "I am a North American."

Now, with the basics, how can the door be opened? By using the same key words that the Uruguayan will use.

 

A sampling:

• EhhHHH??!! Covers a multitude of meanings: "Pardon me?", "Excuse me?", or "I do not understand … could you please repeat what you just said?" Something needs clarification.
  Usually this word is shrilled ear-piercingly. Do not be shy; do the same.

• Ta "OK", "Yeah" or "Uh-huh." Perhaps the most secret of all Uruguayan words, ta is short for está bien. Uruguayan eyebrows will surely be raised by your use of the word ta (pronounced "da").

• Opa! "Wow!", "Gee!", "Oops!" or "Hurrah!". The second most secret word next to ta . Opa ! may be thrown into any conversation as long as it is followed by an exclamation point.

• Claro, seguro and cierto "Of course, sure and certain." Use these words to prove knowledge of words other than ta .

• Si-si-si-si-si-si-si "Y es-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes." When something is really, really understood. (Said exactly seven times, diminishing in volume and pitch with each successive si .)

• Que-QUE?! "What-WHAT?!" When something is really, really not understood. Emphasis is always placed on the second que.

• Suerte "Luck." Used when parting company instead of hasta luego or ciao. A real attention- grabber, suerte shows a full grasp of the local economic situation and what each Uruguayan wants the most.

• Bien… Bueno… "Fine … well …" After finally starting a conversation, you may have trouble getting the Uruguayan to stop talking. Without being the least bit offensive—when the invasion of Panama rally needs to be discussed, but that plane just has to be caught—just slip a bien … bueno… into the conversation and you are outta there!

Uruguayan Q&A

• Q What country was host for first World Cup in 1930?

• A The world’s most popular sporting event - held every four years and seen on television by more than 2 billion people - was born in Uruguay. Who was the first champion? Why, Uruguay, of course.

• Q What country won the World Cup in 1950, the last time (before 1990) that the United States participated?

• A The country that stunned favorite Brazil in front of 200,000 samba-dazed Cariocas in Rio de Janeiro was none other than Uruguay. Any Uruguayan, even those who weren’t even born then, can still provide the details of the exciting final moments of the 2-1 triump"

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