There are all sorts of people in milonga. While many of us come only wanting to dance tango, there are indeed some looking for romance. In this blog post we will be covering some Tango Spanish on pick-up lines (piropos), some códigos (unspoken rules) about romance in milonga, and finally the “coffee invitation”, how to offer, accept or reject one.
This is something good to know even if you are not looking for a relationship, so that you won’t be shocked when you are being asked!
Note that here we are using “vos” instead of “tú” and the verbs are conjugated in “vos” form. (Refer to our blog post Speak Spanish like an Argentine for usage of “vos” in Argentina)
Some common pick-up lines or flirting phrase in an Argentine milonga
1. ¡Qué lindo/linda que sos!
How handsome/pretty (are you)!
2. ¡Sos una diosa!
You are a Goddess!
3. ¡Qué facha que tenés!
What a good look you have!
(Be careful with this expression, a lady may look cheap if she says this).
4. ¡Qué linda mirada/sonrisa que tenés!
What a good look/smile you have!
(Sounds a bit corny but could work)
5. Me encandilás con esos ojos.
I am dazzled by these (your) eyes.
After the initial flirting one might go further and ask:
¿Tenés novio/novia?
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Coffee invitation in milonga
In an Argentine milonga, if someone invites you for dancing multiple times (or sometimes even several tandas in a row), this is an indication that he/she has an interest beyond dancing with you.
After dancing several tandas together, one might initiate a “coffee invitation”. Going for coffee together outside the milonga is in fact a subtle invitation to a love hotel (Hotel de alojamiento/ albergue transitorio/motel/telo).
1. ¿Tomamos un café?
Shall we have a coffee?
2. ¿Querés tomar algo después de la milonga?
Do you want to go for a drink after milonga?
3. ¿Vamos a cenar después?
Shall we go have dinner afterwards?
If you fancy your partner of course you can say “¡Sí!” (Yes!). Then you should leave separately with your partner and meet outside the milonga.
How about those who want to say “No”? Apart from a straightforward “No, gracias.” (No, thanks), you may want to soften your rejection by adding some excuses (excusas), such as:
1. Tengo que irme.
I got to go.
2. Estoy apurado/a.
I am in a hurry.
3. No me gusta el café.
I don’t like coffee.
4. No tengo hambre/apetito.
I am not hungry/don’t have appetite.
Some ladies would wear a ring on their ring finger even if they are single to avoid facing awkward situations.
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