Bolivia situation guide
Names come with instructions
On the event contact list, every name carries a title that tells you how to address that person: Lic. for anyone with a university degree, Ing. for an engineer, Dr./Dra. for a doctor or holder of a doctoral-level degree, Arq. for an architect, and Don/Doña for a respected figure who doesn't carry an academic title at all, like Don Miguel from Kantuta. Titles are used out loud here, in everyday professional speech, not just on paper; using them is a sign of respect, not stiffness. The one exception is the moment someone invites you past it: 'Decime Roberto nomás' means it's genuinely fine to use his first name and a more relaxed register. Until that invitation comes, stay in usted, and don't be surprised if a senior contact starts using vos with you before you're invited to do the same back. That asymmetry is completely normal in Bolivia; it signals comfort with hierarchy, not distance, and never means you owe anyone deference beyond ordinary courtesy.
Essential vocabulary
- licenciado/a: someone with a university degree The everyday default title in Bolivia, when you're not sure of someone's exact title, 'licenciado/a' rarely offends.
- ingeniero/a: engineer Ing. Roberto Camacho's title on the contact list, the one you'll use with him until he invites you past it.
- doctor/a: doctor (here, a law-degree holder, not necessarily medical) Dra. Patricia Roca's title, 'doctor/a' in Bolivian professional talk covers law and other advanced degrees, not just medicine.
- arquitecto/a: architect Arq. Luis Menacho's title, one more abbreviation to decode correctly on a professional contact list.
- don / doña: honorific for a respected figure without an academic title Don Miguel Terceros of Distribuidora Kantuta gets this instead of a degree title, respect that isn't about a diploma.
- ¿le puedo decir [nombre de pila]?: may I call you [first name]? The polite way to ask permission before switching to a first name, never assume, always ask.
- decime … nomás / tuteame nomás: just call me … / just use tú with me (recognition) The explicit invitation that opens the door to a first name and a more relaxed register, wait for it before switching.
- como usted prefiera: however you prefer Leaves the register choice entirely up to the other person, a safe, warm response when you're not sure what they'd like.
- le presento a…: may I introduce you to… / this is… The formal introduction phrase, the networking power move of connecting two contacts correctly, titles and all.
Bolivian Spanish terms
- don / doña: honorific for a respected, established figure Used with a first name, not a last name, 'Don Miguel', never 'Don Terceros'. It signals respect without implying an academic title.
- nomás: just / go ahead (softening particle) Turns 'decime Roberto' from a command into an easy, genuine invitation, 'nomás' softens a huge share of Bolivian speech.
- ya pues: come on / really, it's fine The little push that opens an invitation like 'Ya pues, decime Roberto nomás', it means the offer is genuine, not a formality.
Useful phrases
- ¿Le puedo decir Roberto, ingeniero?: May I call you Roberto, ingeniero? Asking permission to switch to a first name while still addressing the person's title in the same line.
- Decime Roberto nomás.: Just call me Roberto. The invitation itself (recognition pattern), the explicit signal that it's genuinely fine to switch register.
- Como usted prefiera.: However you prefer. A safe, warm reply when you're not sure whether to switch register and want to leave the choice to the other person.
- Le presento a la Dra. Patricia Roca.: Let me introduce Dra. Patricia Roca to you. The formal introduction pattern for connecting two contacts, always with the correct title attached.
Learn this in the app
Professional Networking in Bolivia, Practical Spanish