Spanish is the official language of Chile. Some minority communities use their native language at home, but most people in Chile understand and speak Spanish.

Some of the indigenous languages are still spoken, Aymara in the North, Mapu-dugun, the language of the Mapuche, in the South and Rapa Nui on Easter Island. The Chileans have incorporated many elements from Mapu-dugun in their vocabulary, such as poncho, the short cape worn by Chilean cowboys, and pichanga, which means party.

The type of Spanish spoken in Chile sounds very different from that used in Spain and the rest of Latin America. Chileans speak very fast and as a result leave out certain sounds or syllables from words. For example, hasta luego ("so long") becomes stalugo and dedo (finger) becomes deo. The "s" sound at the end of words is usually dropped or pronounced like an "h." The suffix "ito" and "ita," which means little, is often used at the end of words as a sign of affection.

Chileans use many expressive hand gestures when they are talking. During Pinochet regime, the famous exiled film director Miguel Littín entered Chile disguised as an Uruguayan businessman to make a movie. He had to make an effort not to gesture when he spoke so that he would not give himself away.

Many Chileans have two surnames: the father's surname followed by the mother's maiden name. When a woman marries, she keeps her surname and may add her husband's preceded by "de". Chileans are addressed by their first surname.

English Spanish Yes Si No No Please Por favor Thank you Gracias I'm sorry Lo siento What is your name? ¿Como se llama? See you later (So long) Hasta luego Hello Hola Goodbye Adiós Good morning Buenos días Excuse me Perdóneme How are you? ¿Como esta usted? Nice to see you !Gusto de verte!