Support
What is Rioplatense Spanish?
It’s the Spanish spoken around the Río de la Plata — in Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Its best-known features are vos instead of tú (vos tenés, vos sos), the “sh” sound for ll and y (calle sounds like “ca-she”), a melodic, Italian-influenced intonation and plenty of local words, some from lunfardo, the city’s slang.
People from any Spanish-speaking country will understand you. You’ll just sound like you learned it in Buenos Aires.
When does El Recreo launch?
Soon — we don’t have a date to announce yet. When the app is available, the App Store link will appear on this site. If you’d like a heads-up, email support@alexriakhin.com.
Which devices will it run on?
iPhone, iPad and Mac. Your progress syncs between them through your iCloud account.
How long is a lesson?
About 15 minutes. Each lesson is a series of short, hands-on steps — choosing, matching, building sentences, listening, role-playing a conversation and, if you like, speaking — so you’re doing something every few seconds instead of reading long explanations.
I’m a complete beginner. Is it for me?
Yes. The course starts at A1 with greetings and survival phrases. A1 is ready: 10 units and 60 lessons that follow your first weeks in a Buenos Aires building and its neighbors. If you already speak some Spanish, it’s a quick way to switch to how porteños actually talk.
Can I hear what it sounds like?
Yes. Every line in the course is voiced in Rioplatense Spanish, and the audio is built into the app, so it works offline. You can hear Sofi, Rubén and the other neighbors on the home page.
Which languages does the app speak?
The lessons teach Rioplatense Spanish, with explanations and translations in English, русский, português (Brasil), français or Deutsch. The app follows your device’s language.
Do I need an account?
No. There’s no sign-up. Your progress is stored on your devices and synced through your own iCloud account. You pick a character, Alex or Sara, so the story can greet you, and that choice stays on your devices too. See the privacy policy for details.
Do I have to use the microphone?
No. Speaking exercises are optional and only use the microphone if you allow it. Your voice is not recorded or sent to us.
How much will it cost?
The first two units are free. After that, each level is a one-time in-app purchase — no subscription — and you can restore it on all your devices. Prices will be shown in the App Store at launch. Nothing is sold on this website.
Still have a question?
Write to support@alexriakhin.com. We read every message.