Costa Rican Spanish

Costa Rican Spanish is the form of Spanish spoken in Costa Rica.

Phonetics

The unique or distinguishing characteristics of Costa Rican phonetics include the following:

• Many Costa Rican speakers pronounce the letter "r" not as an alveolar trill, as is done in most Spanish-speaking regions, but as an approximant consonant as is done in English-speaking countries.

Second person singular pronouns

Usted

"Usted" is the dominant second person singular pronoun in Costa Rican Spanish. Some speakers use only "usted" in addressing others, never "vos" or "tu." Such speakers address even small children with "usted."

Vos

"Vos" is a second person singular pronoun used by many speakers in certain "familiar" relationships or informal contexts. Voseo is most commonly used in the university context between students. Some adults use "vos" in order to address children or juveniles, but other adults address everyone regardless of age or status with "usted."

Tú

"Tú" is not used in Costa Rica Spanish. Due in part to the influence of Mexican television programming, however, Costa Ricans are familiar with tuteo, and some television viewers, especially children, have begun to use it in limited contexts.

External links

• Jergas de habla hispana Spanish dictionary specializing in slang and colloquial expressions, featuring all Spanish-speaking countries, including Costa Rica.

See also

• Latin American Spanish