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Have you ever needed to express your decision-making process in Spanish? Whether you're deciding what to order at a restaurant, choosing a career path, or making important life choices, knowing how to talk about making decisions in Spanish is essential for effective communication. Today, we'll explore the key vocabulary, verbs, and expressions that Spanish speakers use when making and discussing decisions.
The foundation of expressing decisions in Spanish starts with knowing the right verbs. Here are the most important ones you'll need:
This is the most direct verb for expressing decisions in Spanish.
Hoy he decidido hacer unas compras por el centro de la ciudad.
Today I've decided to do some shopping in the city's downtown.
Caption 2, Raquel Haciendo compras
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You can conjugate it in different tenses depending on when the decision was or will be made:
He decidido estudiar medicina. (I have decided to study medicine.)
Decidimos irnos de vacaciones este verano. (We decided to go on vacation this summer.)
Decidirán mañana quién será el nuevo gerente. (They will decide tomorrow who will be the new manager.)
When selecting between alternatives, "optar" is a perfect choice.
y los colegios han tenido que optar por el aprendizaje virtual
and schools have had to opt for virtual learning
Caption 37, El coronavirus Efectos y consecuencias
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This verb is typically followed by "por":
Optamos por quedarnos en casa. (We opted to stay home.)
Ha optado por un estilo de vida saludable. (He/She has opted for a healthy lifestyle.)
Opté por no decir nada en ese momento. (I chose not to say anything at that moment.)
"Elegir" is used when selecting from multiple options.
Eligieron esta vía porque el banco dispone de almacenes,
They chose this route because the bank has warehouses,
Caption 26, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 3
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Let's see 'elegir' in action across different time frames:
Elegí el vestido rojo para la fiesta. (I chose the red dress for the party.)
Ellos eligieron un destino diferente. (They chose a different destination.)
Elegiremos al ganador la próxima semana. (We'll choose the winner next week.)
Beyond single verbs, Spanish offers many expressions for discussing decision-making processes:
tomé la decisión hace tiempo de reformar la terraza,
I made the decision some time ago to remodel the terrace,
Caption 33, Soledad El insomnio - Part 2
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This expression is widely used in both personal and professional contexts:
Tomé la decisión de mudarme a otro país. (I made the decision to move to another country.)
Tenemos que tomar una decisión pronto. (We have to make a decision soon.)
Han tomado la decisión de cerrar la empresa. (They have made the decision to close the company.)
Has hecho una buena elección.
You've made a good choice.
Caption 67, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 1
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Let's see how to use this expression:
Hice una elección difícil pero necesaria. (I made a difficult but necessary choice.)
Tendremos que hacer una elección entre las dos opciones. (We'll have to make a choice between the two options.)
This phrase is perfect for decisions still in progress:
No me vengás con el cuento que estás pensando en trabajar,
Don't come to me with that story that you're thinking about working,
Caption 17, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 4
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Notice how this expression works in practice:
Estoy pensando en comprar un coche nuevo. (I'm thinking about buying a new car.)
Estamos pensando en cambiarnos de casa. (We're thinking about moving houses.)
Sometimes we're uncertain about what to choose. Here's how to express that:
Estoy indeciso entre estudiar medicina o ingeniería. (I'm undecided between studying medicine or engineering.)
Están indecisas sobre qué película ver. (They are undecided about which movie to watch.)
No puedo decidirme entre el azul o el verde. (I can't decide between blue or green.)
No se pueden decidir todavía. (They can't decide yet.)
When a choice has been made, these expressions come in handy:
Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que necesitamos más personal. (We've reached the conclusion that we need more staff.)
He tomado la determinación de seguir adelante con el proyecto. (I've made the determination to move forward with the project.)
Now you have the essential vocabulary and expressions to discuss making decisions in Spanish! From the initial thought process with "estar pensando en," to the moment of choice with "decidir" or "elegir," to expressing your final decision with "he tomado la decisión," you're equipped to navigate decision-related conversations with confidence.
Remember that like in any language, context is key. The formality of your situation might determine which expressions are most appropriate. In casual settings with friends, you might simply say "Creo que voy a..." (I think I'm going to...), while in business contexts, more formal expressions like "Hemos determinado que..." (We have determined that...) might be more suitable.
Don't forget to send us your questions and comments about decision-making vocabulary in Spanish!
If you're looking to conduct business in Spanish-speaking countries or with Spanish-speaking clients, learning key business transaction vocabulary is crucial. Whether you're buying, selling, negotiating, or closing deals, these essential Spanish terms will help you navigate the world of business transactions with confidence. Let's dive into some of the most important business vocabulary you'll need!
One of the first things you'll need to know when conducting business in Spanish are the basic words for buying and selling.
Tenemos que ir a comprar algo de comer.
We have to go buy something to eat.
Caption 40, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 1 - La llegada de Sam - Part 4
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vamos a vender productos
we're going to sell products
Caption 12, Santuario para burros Tienda solidaria
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Vas a tener que pagar más dinero.
You're going to have to pay more money.
Caption 9, Fermín Frases y expresiones - Part 2
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These three verbs form the foundation of any business transaction. You might hear them in various contexts, from small retail purchases to large corporate deals.
When discussing business transactions, you'll need vocabulary to describe what you're buying or selling.
¿Ustedes vienen a hacer un negocio y no tienen plata para la mercancía?
You guys come to do business, and you don't have money for the merchandise?
Caption 44, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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estamos ofreciendo productos de calidad,
are offering quality products,
Caption 10, Otavalo Taller Milmarte
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El comercio internacional se refiere a la compra y venta de bienes y servicios entre países.
International trade refers to the buying and selling of goods and services between countries.
Captions 7-8, Vocabulario de noticias Economía - Part 2
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La producción interna de suministros ha disminuido
The internal production of supplies has decreased
Caption 45, Zulbany y Micheel La situación en Venezuela
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Once you've established what you're buying or selling, you'll likely need to negotiate the terms.
que era trabajar con vino y hacer un negocio.
which was to work with wine and create a business.
Caption 15, Montserrat Cata de vinos - Part 1
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nosotros vamos a cotizar más bajo,
we are going to quote lower
Caption 64, Muñeca Brava 2 Venganza - Part 4
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yo voy a hablar con el señor Martínez, a hacerle una oferta también.
I'm going to talk to Mister Martínez, to make him an offer too.
Caption 17, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 5
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Además, me han regalado un veinticinco por ciento de descuento
In addition, they gave me a twenty-five percent discount
Caption 19, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Por cierto, el precio se puede negociar; a eso lo llamamos en español "regatear".
By the way, the price can be negotiated; in Spanish we call that "regatear" [to bargain].
Caption 35, Fuengirola Mercado
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These terms are essential when discussing prices and trying to reach an agreement that benefits both parties.
After negotiations, it's time to finalize the deal using these important terms.
que realizan transacciones de productos financieros.
that carry out financial product transactions.
Caption 10, Vocabulario de noticias Finanzas - Part 3
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La última noticia es que habíamos conseguido un contrato de larga duración.
The latest news is that we had gotten a long-term contract.
Caption 14, Negocios Problemas laborales - Part 3
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Cuando llegamos a enero y tenemos estas facturas y estas cuentas,
When we get to January and we have these invoices and these bills,
Caption 14, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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se me lleva el recibo.
it takes the receipt from me.
Caption 31, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 14
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Building strong relationships is crucial in the business world, particularly in Spanish-speaking countries where personal connections often matter greatly.
Ah, y más que nada, que nos gusta mucho atender al cliente,
Oh, and more than anything, we really like to take care of the customer,
Caption 23, Yabla en Yucatán Jorge
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y el proveedor no ha retirado.
and the supplier has not removed.
Caption 23, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 3
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Él es Rafael, es mi socio.
He's Rafael, he's my partner.
Caption 85, 75 minutos Gangas para ricos - Part 18
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These terms define the various relationships you'll establish while conducting business in Spanish.
Finally, here are some useful phrases that will help you sound more natural in business conversations:
Fue un placer hacer negocios con usted, ¿eh?
It was a pleasure doing business with you, huh?
Caption 43, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 7
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queremos montar un negocio
we want to start a business,
Caption 50, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 14
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y tiene el sentido de llegar a un acuerdo,
and has the sense of reaching an agreement,
Caption 29, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 1
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Y, no, lo que pasa es que aparte le hice firmar un contrato.
And, no, the thing is that on top of that I made her sign a contract.
Caption 7, Muñeca Brava 18 - La Apuesta - Part 10
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Let's practice what we've just learned with the following brief conversation between a supplier and a business owner:
Ana: Buenos días, señor García. Soy Ana Rodríguez, representante de Suministros Globales. | Good morning, Mr. García. I'm Ana Rodríguez, representative of Global Supplies.
Sr. García: Estoy interesado en comprar nueva mercancía para mi tienda. | I'm interested in buying new merchandise for my store.
Ana: Podemos cotizarle precios competitivos si busca hacer un negocio a largo plazo. | We can quote you competitive prices if you're looking to make a long-term business deal.
Sr. García: Actualmente trabajo con otro proveedor, pero ¿ofrecen algún descuento? | I currently work with another supplier, but do you offer any discounts?
Ana: Para clientes nuevos, ofrecemos 15% en su primera transacción. | For new clients, we offer 15% off on their first transaction.
Sr. García: Suena bien, aunque tendré que regatear. ¿Podríamos llegar a un acuerdo de 20%? | Sounds good, though I'll have to bargain. Could we reach an agreement of 20%?
Ana: Podemos ofrecer 18%. Si le parece bien, podemos firmar un contrato hoy. | We can offer 18%. If that works for you, we can sign a contract today.
Sr. García: Me parece justo. Estoy pensando en montar un negocio adicional el próximo año. | That seems fair. I'm thinking about setting up a business next year.
Ana: Excelente. Prepararé la factura y le entregaremos su recibo cuando pague. | Excellent. I'll prepare the invoice and we'll give you your receipt when you pay.
If you're enjoying learning business vocabulary in Spanish, don't miss our "Vocabulario de noticias" series! This collection of 10 videos is perfect for beginners and intermediate learners who want to understand Spanish news related to finances, the economy, international politics, and the environment.
Carlos guides you through essential vocabulary that will help you follow business and economic news in Spanish-speaking media. Take your business Spanish to the next level by learning how these terms are used in real-world contexts!
Having these essential business transaction terms in your Spanish vocabulary is a great starting point for conducting business in Spanish-speaking environments. The more you practice using these terms in real-life situations, the more comfortable you'll become navigating business transactions in Spanish.
Remember that business practices may vary between different Spanish-speaking countries, so it's always good to research specific cultural business norms for the region you're working with.
Don't forget to send us your questions and comments about business vocabulary in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte con tus negocios!
"Quien tiene un amigo tiene un tesoro" (He who has a friend has a treasure) – this popular Spanish saying perfectly captures how friendship is valued across the Spanish-speaking world. While amigo is the most universally recognized word for "friend" in Spanish, the richness of this language offers a colorful variety of terms that reflect unique cultural identities and relationship dynamics.
In this lesson, we'll explore 16 different ways to say "friend" in Spanish, from standard terms used across countries to regional expressions that will help you sound like a local. Understanding these friendship terms won't just improve your vocabulary – it will give you insight into the cultural nuances of different Spanish-speaking communities.
Amigo (male friend) and amiga (female friend) are the most basic and widely recognized terms for "friend" in Spanish. These words are understood everywhere Spanish is spoken and appear in textbooks worldwide.
¡Basta, y no le hables así a mi amigo Sam!
Stop it, and don't talk like that to my friend Sam!
Caption 40, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 4: Sam busca un trabajo - Part 6
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In plural form, you'd use amigos for a group of male friends or a mixed-gender group, while amigas refers exclusively to female friends. It's a completely neutral term that can describe any level of friendship, from an acquaintance you occasionally chat with to your closest confidant.
One important cultural note: In many Spanish-speaking countries, people may call you amigo or amiga even when they've just met you. Waiters, taxi drivers, or shop attendants might use these terms as a friendly gesture, not because they consider you an actual friend.
While hermano literally means "brother" and hermana means "sister," these terms are widely used across Spanish-speaking countries to refer to very close friends who aren't blood relatives. Using hermano or hermana to address a friend emphasizes the family-like bond you share with them. Many Spanish speakers will shorten these to mano or use the diminutive forms hermanito/hermanita to add affection.
Hermanito, ¿yo qué hago? Yo me considero su mejor amigo,
Brother, what can I do? I consider myself his best friend,
Caption 12, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 2
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Traditionally, compadre and comadre refer to a child's godparents or the relationship between parents and godparents. However, these terms have evolved to describe trusted friends, especially in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Calling someone your compadre implies a relationship built on mutual respect and trust. It's often used among men of similar age and social standing. The shortened form compa is also very common, particularly in Mexico.
¡Órale compadre, échese un trago!
Come on, pal, throw down a drink!
Caption 5, El Ausente Acto 1 - Part 7
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The word compañero/a literally means "companion" and is often used in contexts where people share activities, spaces, or goals. This term is particularly common in educational and professional settings. The affectionate shortened form compi is frequently used in Spain to refer to classmates or coworkers with whom you have a friendly relationship.
Mexico has several unique and colorful terms for friends. One of the most distinctive is cuate, which comes from the Nahuatl language, where coatl originally meant "twin" or "snake." In modern Mexican Spanish, calling someone your cuate implies a close friendship, often between men. You might hear expressions like Ese es mi cuate (That's my buddy) or Voy con mis cuates (I'm going with my friends).
Sí iba con mi cuate, con mi patineta.
I was with my buddy, with my skateboard.
Caption 29, Amigos D.F. El secuestrar
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Carnal (derived from carne, meaning "flesh") is another popular Mexican term that equates friendship with family bonds. It's similar to calling someone your "blood brother" in English. This term is predominantly used among men and suggests a deep, loyal friendship that goes beyond ordinary companionship. When someone says Es mi carnal, they're indicating a friend they consider as close as a sibling.
O sea normalmente a los hermanos se les dicen "carnales". Pero yo, pues ahora sí que a mis amigotes, yo les digo "carnales"... -Sí. -porque vienen siendo,
I mean, normally, we call siblings "carnales." But I, well, now, my friends, I do, I call them "carnales"... -Yes, because they are,
Captions 53-55, Pipo Mexicanismos - Part 1
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Güey (sometimes spelled wey) is incredibly versatile in Mexican Spanish. While it can be used as an insult in some contexts, among friends it's a casual way to address each other, similar to "dude" or "man" in English. This term has become such a fundamental part of Mexican Spanish that it's often used as a filler word in casual conversation, much like "like" or "you know" in English.
Esa es una forma también de decirle "¿qué onda, güey?" o algo así.
That's also a way of saying, "what's up, dude?" or something of the sort.
Caption 18, La Banda Chilanguense El habla de México - Part 2
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In Colombia, particularly in Medellín and surrounding regions, parcero (male) or parcera (female) are common terms for friends. These are often shortened to parce in casual conversation. This distinctly Colombian expression became internationally known through music, movies, and TV shows from the region. Saying ¿Qué más, parce? is a typical Colombian greeting between friends.
Parce, venga, yo le digo una cosa, hermano, vea
Friend, come, I'll tell you something, brother, look
Caption 1, Juanes La Plata
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Another uniquely Colombian expression is llave (literally "key"), implying that a friend has the key to your trust. This term is especially common in Bogotá and other regions of Colombia. When someone calls you their llave, they're indicating a high level of trust and confidence in your friendship.
Ay, llave, ese man nos va a dar en la jeta.
Oh, pal, that guy is going to punch us in the face.
Caption 1, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 2
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Peru has its own distinctive friendship vocabulary. Pata (literally "leg" or "paw") is a widely used colloquial term for a friend. You might hear expressions like Es mi pata del colegio (He's my friend from school) or Mis patas vienen a la fiesta (My friends are coming to the party).
Another uniquely Peruvian term is causa, which can be made more affectionate as causita with the diminutive. These terms are especially common among male friends. The origin of this slang term is debated, but it's one of the most distinctive features of Peruvian Spanish.
In Venezuela, pana is one of the most popular words for friend. It's used for both male and female friends without changing form. The term carries a sense of closeness and trust, and you'll hear it frequently in casual conversation throughout Venezuela and neighboring countries.
¡Muévete, pana, que mientras más rápido hagamos esto vamos a tener más tiempo con las nenas!
Move, friend, as the faster we do this we are going to have more time with the girls!
Captions 80-81, NPS No puede ser 1 - El concurso - Part 10
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Venezuelans also use chamo (male) or chama (female) to refer to friends, especially among younger people. These terms can also mean "kid" or "young person" but are often used between friends of any age. These expressions have become emblematic of Venezuelan Spanish and are immediately recognizable as part of the country's linguistic identity.
En Venezuela, se saluda: "¡Épale, chama!"
In Venezuela, people greet each other saying: "Hey, girl!"
Caption 13, Español en las calles Varias expresiones
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Spain has its own distinctive friendship vocabulary. Tío (uncle) and tía (aunt) are perhaps the most widely used casual terms among friends in Spain, equivalent to "dude" or "man" in English. Colega (colleague) has evolved in Spain from its formal meaning to become an everyday term for "buddy" or "mate." Tronco/tronca (literally "trunk") is another distinctly Spanish term, especially popular in Madrid and central Spain.
¡Eh, tío! ¡Qué divertido!
Hey, man! How fun!
Caption 22, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 5: Ha nacido una estrella - Part 9
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In Chile, weón (sometimes spelled huevón or hueón) is an extremely common term used between friends. While it can be offensive in certain contexts, between friends it's a sign of closeness and trust. Be careful with this term, as it requires understanding the proper context and pronunciation. Used incorrectly, it could be perceived as an insult rather than a term of endearment.
In Cuba, asere or acere (with origins in African languages brought to the island) is a friendly and warm way to address a close friend. This distinctly Cuban expression is one of the first slang terms visitors to the island will hear, and it carries a sense of camaraderie and cultural identity.
Understanding the different words for "friend" in Spanish gives you insight into the rich cultural variations in how relationships are perceived and expressed across the Spanish-speaking world. While the basic concept of friendship is universal, the language used to describe it reflects unique cultural perspectives and values.
The next time you're speaking with Spanish-speaking friends, try incorporating some of these regional terms into your conversation. Not only will you impress them with your cultural knowledge, but you'll also create a more authentic connection through language. What about you? Do you know any other words to refer to friends in Spanish? Which one is your favorite? Let us know and don't forget to send us your comments and questions.
Are you struggling with Spanish despite studying diligently? You're not alone. Common Spanish mistakes plague learners at all levels, from beginners to nearly-fluent speakers. In this comprehensive guide, we'll examine 13 of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning Spanish, with clear examples of incorrect and correct usage. By understanding these common Spanish mistakes, you'll avoid embarrassing situations and sound more like a native speaker.
One of the most frequent Spanish grammar mistakes is directly translating "I am 30 years old" to Spanish. While in English we use the verb "to be" to express age, in Spanish we use the verb tener (to have).
❌ Incorrect: Yo soy 30 años. ["I am 30 years old." (literally: "I am 30 years.")]
✅ Correct: Yo tengo 30 años. ["I am 30 years old." (literally: "I have 30 years.")]
This mistake happens because in English we say "I am [age]," but in Spanish, you literally say "I have [age] years."
Hola, yo me llamo Miguel. Tengo veinte años y estudio composición.
Hi, my name is Miguel. I'm twenty years old and I study composition.
Captions 5-6, Amigos D.F. Consejos para la calle
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✏️ Related lesson: "Todo sobre los cumpleaños (All About Birthdays) in Spanish"
English speakers often use the present continuous tense to describe ongoing situations that started in the past. This is one of the common Spanish mistakes with tenses.
❌ Incorrect: Estoy viviendo aquí por 3 años. ["I am living here for 3 years."]
✅ Correct: He vivido aquí por 3 años. / Vivo aquí desde hace 3 años. ["I have lived here for 3 years." / "I have been living here for 3 years."]
When referring to an action that began in the past and continues into the present, Spanish prefers the present perfect ("he vivido") or a present tense construction with "desde hace."
Soy mariachi, soy papá, soy músico y vivo aquí desde hace veinte años en Alemania,
I'm a mariachi musician, I'm a dad, I'm a musician, and I've lived here in Germany for twenty years,
Captions 3-4, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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✏️ Related lesson: "The Present Perfect In Spanish"
Collective nouns like gente (people) are singular in Spanish, even though they refer to multiple individuals.
❌ Incorrect: La gente son amables. ["The people are nice." (incorrectly using plural verb with singular collective noun)]
✅ Correct: La gente es amable. ["The people are nice." (literally: "The people is nice.")]
Remember that agreement must be maintained both with the verb and any adjectives that follow.
la gente es superhospitalaria,
the people are super hospitable,
Caption 72, Adriana y Laura Mijas
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✏️ Related lesson: "Grammatical Agreement in Spanish"
This is a frequent error made by English speakers because of the way we think about remembering in English.
❌ Incorrect: Me recuerdo de mi infancia. ["I remember myself of my childhood." (incorrect reflexive usage)]
✅ Correct: Me acuerdo de mi infancia. / Recuerdo mi infancia. ["I remember my childhood." (two correct ways to express remembering)]
The confusion stems from the fact that in English, we say "I remember," which might lead learners to translate it directly as me recuerdo. However, in Spanish, there are two distinct verbs: acordarse (reflexive, requiring "me acuerdo de") and recordar (non-reflexive, simply recuerdo). The incorrect form "me recuerdo" combines elements of both verbs incorrectly.
Pero ya no recuerdo cuándo fue la última vez que estuvimos juntos viendo un partido.
But now I don't remember when the last time was that we were together watching a game.
Captions 6-7, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 1
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✏️ Related lesson: "35 Spanish Phrasal Verbs"
Many Spanish learners struggle with irregular past participles, often applying regular verb patterns to irregular verbs.
❌ Incorrect: He ponido mis llaves en la mesa. ["I have putted my keys on the table." (incorrect participle)]
✅ Correct: He puesto mis llaves en la mesa. ["I have put my keys on the table." (correct participle)]
Spanish has many irregular past participles that don't follow the standard -ado/-ido pattern. Common mistakes include saying ponido instead of puesto (to put), hacido instead of hecho (to do/make), abrido instead of abierto (to open), and escribido instead of escrito (to write).
Entonces, a las chicas les hemos puesto una flor,
So, we've put a flower on the girls,
Caption 98, Amaya Evento
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✏️ Related lesson: "The Different Uses of the Word Hecho in Spanish"
Prepositions rarely translate directly between languages, creating common Spanish mistakes for English speakers.
❌ Incorrect: Voy en España. ["I'm going in Spain." (incorrect preposition)]
✅ Correct: Voy a España. ["I'm going to Spain."]
In Spanish, en indicates location (being in a place), while a indicates movement or direction (going to a place).
Pues, me voy a Barcelona.
Well, I'm going to Barcelona.
Caption 7, El Aula Azul Conversación: Planes de fin de semana
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✏️ Related lesson: "The Preposition a in Spanish"
This is perhaps one of the most notorious common Spanish mistakes that English speakers make. Both por and para can be translated as "for" in English, but they have different uses in Spanish.
❌ Incorrect: Gracias para la cena. (When thanking someone) ["Thanks by the dinner." (incorrect preposition)]
✅ Correct: Gracias por la cena. ["Thanks for the dinner."]
The correct preposition to use when expressing gratitude in Spanish is por, not para. This is because por is used to indicate reason or cause - you're thanking someone because of the dinner they provided. Por expresses the reason behind your gratitude, while para would incorrectly suggest purpose or destination. In Spanish, we always say "gracias por..." when expressing thanks for something someone has done or given.
Gracias por la toalla.
Thank you for the towel.
Caption 12, Mónica El baño
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✏️ Related lesson: "Por vs. Para: How and When to Use These Spanish Prepositions"
Another common preposition mistake involves thinking "about" something.
❌ Incorrect: Estoy pensando sobre mi futuro. ["I am thinking on/about my future." (incorrect preposition)]
✅ Correct: Estoy pensando en mi futuro. ["I am thinking about my future."]
While sobre does mean about in some contexts, with verbs like pensar, the correct preposition is en.
Yo "estaba en las nubes", pensando en la tortilla que me iba a comer después.
I "was in the clouds" thinking about the tortilla that I was going to eat later.
Captions 48-49, Beatriz Expresiones relacionadas con el clima
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✏️ Related lesson: "The Preposition en in Spanish"
False friends (or falsos amigos) are words that look similar in both languages but have different meanings, causing frequent Spanish language errors.
❌ Incorrect: Estoy embarazada por tu pregunta. ["I am pregnant because of your question." (false friend mix-up)]
✅ Correct: Estoy avergonzada por tu pregunta. ["I am embarrassed by your question."]
Embarazada means "pregnant," not "embarrassed"! The correct word for feeling embarrassed is avergonzado/a.
✏️ Related lesson: "Top 10 False Cognates in Spanish"
This is a classic false cognate trap that English speakers often fall into when speaking Spanish.
❌ Incorrect: Realizé mi error. ["I carried out/fulfilled my error." (false cognate mistake)]
✅ Correct: Me di cuenta de mi error. ["I realized my error." (correct expression for becoming aware)]
The Spanish verb realizar means "to carry out," "to fulfill," or "to make real," not "to realize" in the sense of becoming aware of something. When you want to express that you've realized or become aware of something, use "darse cuenta de" instead.
Mire, yo me di cuenta de algo muy importante,
Look, I realized something very important,
Caption 13, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 11
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✏️ Related lesson: "Darse Cuenta: The Real "Realize""
English speakers often mix up these two words for expressing "very" and "much" in Spanish, creating common Spanish grammar mistakes.
❌ Incorrect: Tengo muy calor. / Estoy mucho cansado. ["I have very heat." (incorrect intensifier) / "I am much tired." (incorrect intensifier)]
✅ Correct: Tengo mucho calor. / Estoy muy cansado. ["I'm very hot" / "I am very tired"]
Remember that muy modifies adjectives and adverbs (muy cansado), while mucho can be an adjective itself (mucho calor) or can modify verbs (estudia mucho).
"Llevo un mes durmiendo fatal y estoy muy cansado".
"I've been sleeping horribly for a month, and I'm very tired."
Caption 47, Fermín y Manuel El verbo "llevar" - Part 2
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✏️ Related lesson: "Muy vs. Mucho in Spanish"
Some basic expressions in Spanish are constructed completely differently than in English.
❌ Incorrect: Estoy caliente. ["I am hot." (but with sexual connotations)]
✅ Correct: Tengo calor. ["I have heat." (meaning "I am hot" temperature-wise)]
In Spanish, you "have" sensations rather than "being" them. "Estoy caliente" would be understood as "I'm aroused," not "I'm hot temperature-wise."
Tenemos mucho calor.
We are very hot.
Caption 26, El Aula Azul Estados de ánimo
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✏️ Related lesson: "Idiomatic Expressions with The Verb Tener"
The distinction between ser and estar remains one of the most challenging aspects of Spanish, even for advanced learners.
❌ Incorrect: Soy aburrido. ["I am boring." (permanent characteristic)]
✅ Correct: Estoy aburrido. ["I am bored." (temporary state)]
Ser refers to permanent characteristics, while estar refers to temporary states or conditions.
Yo estoy aburrido y usted es... como tener una carga encima.
I'm tired of you, and you are... like having a weight on my shoulders.
Captions 66-67, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 7
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✏️ Related lesson: "Ser vs. Estar: An Easy Trick for Using These Verbs"
Being aware of these common Spanish mistakes will help you sound more natural and fluent in Spanish. Remember that making errors is a natural part of the language learning process – even native speakers sometimes make these mistakes! The key is to recognize them and gradually incorporate the correct forms into your speech and writing.
Practice identifying these errors in your own Spanish, and don't be afraid to ask native speakers for feedback. With time and attention, you'll avoid these common Spanish mistakes and develop more authentic, confident Spanish communication skills.
Which common mistake are you making when speaking in Spanish? Please, send us your comments and suggestions!
Have you ever been traveling in a Spanish-speaking country and suddenly needed to explain that you weren't feeling well? Or perhaps you're preparing for a trip and want to make sure you can communicate effectively if you experience any health issues? Today, we're going to explore the various ways to express pain and discomfort in Spanish, from physical ailments to emotional distress.
Before we explore how to describe pain intensity and discuss medical treatments in Spanish, let's learn how to express immediate pain reactions. In English, we often say 'ouch!' when we feel sudden pain, but what do Spanish speakers say?
The most common pain exclamation in Spanish is "¡Ay!" (pronounced like the English word "eye"). This versatile expression is used throughout the Spanish-speaking world when someone experiences sudden pain:
¿Estás bien ahí? -Sí. Ay, ay... Acá.
Are you OK there? -Yes. Ouch, ouch... Here.
Captions 23-24, Yago 12 Fianza - Part 4
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The intensity of pain is often reflected by repeating "ay" multiple times or extending it:
Mild pain: "¡Ay!"
Moderate pain: "¡Ay, ay!"
Severe pain: "¡Ayyyyy!" (elongated)
Apart from the above expressions, some people may use the interjection "ayayay," to express pain. This common exclamation perfectly captures the experience of pain in Spanish-speaking cultures:
¡Ay, ayayay, ayayay, Flor! ¡Ouch!
Ay, ayayay, ayayay, Flor! Ouch!
Caption 13, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 1
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While "¡Ay!" is universal across Spanish-speaking countries, you might also hear these regional variations:
"¡Ouch!" (pronounced like English "ouch") - Used especially in Mexico and parts of Central America
"¡Uy!" - Used for both pain and surprise
"¡Ay Dios!" or "¡Ay Dios mío!" (Oh God! or Oh my God!) - Used for more intense pain
Ouch. Me quemé.
Ouch. I burned myself.
Caption 73, Recetas de cocina Arepas colombianas
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These exclamations are often followed by descriptions of the pain using the structures we've learned (me duele or tengo dolor de).
In Spanish, there are two main structures used to express physical pain:
This is the most common way to express pain in Spanish. The verb doler (to hurt) is used with the following structure:
Me duele + [singular body part]
Me duelen + [plural body part]
Let's see some examples from our video clips:
Me duele la cabeza.
My head hurts.
Caption 13, Raquel Expresiones para un festival de música.
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Y cuando me duelen las piernas de tanto jugar, mi abuelito me hace masajes con aceite de coco.
And when my legs hurt from playing for so long, my grandpa gives me massages with coconut oil.
Captions 48-49, Guillermina y Candelario Experimentos en la cocina
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Notice that the verb doler agrees with the body part (the thing that hurts), not with the person experiencing the pain. This is because grammatically, the body part is the subject of the sentence.
Another common structure is using the phrase tengo dolor de followed by the body part:
Tengo dolor de cabeza, ¿sí? -¡Ay, Fabiolita!
I have a headache, OK? -Oh, Fabiolita!
Caption 20, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 11
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Aún tengo dolor y uso de vez en cuando
I still have pain, and I wear, once in a while,
Caption 43, Aprendiendo con Silvia Vacaciones y urgencias - Part 2
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Being able to describe the type and intensity of pain you're experiencing can help others understand your situation better:
La salud, muy mal. Me duele mucho la cabeza
My health, very badly. My head hurts a lot
Captions 34-35, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y condicional
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"¿Por qué no llevas tú la moto? Me duele mucho la mano".
"Why don't you drive the motorcycle? My hand really hurts."
Caption 16, Fermín y Manuel El verbo "llevar" - Part 3
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From our video with Raquel and the doctor, we can learn important phrases for a medical consultation:
Usted dirá: ¿Qué le ocurre? Verá, no me encuentro muy bien. He dormido mal porque he estado toda la noche tosiendo. Y me puse el termómetro y marcaba treinta y ocho grados. Tengo fiebre. ¿Y desde cuándo tiene usted estos síntomas? Mal, mal, desde el lunes. Pero el domingo por la noche, ya me dolía la cabeza. ¿Tiene usted tos fuerte? ¿Le rasca la garganta? Sí, me pica. Sobre todo cuando toso fuerte.
Will you tell me: What's going on with you? You see, I don't feel very well. I have slept badly because I was coughing all night. And I used the thermometer and it read thirty-eight degrees [Celsius]. I have a fever. And since when have you had these symptoms? Badly, badly, since Monday. But on Sunday night, my head was already hurting. Do you have a strong cough? Is your throat scratchy? Yes, it itches me. Especially when I cough strongly.
Captions 8-19, Raquel Visitar al Médico
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Similarly, in Cleer's consultation, we see how to describe symptoms:
Cleer, cuénteme, ¿qué puedo hacer por usted? Doctora, hace cuatro días tengo mucha tos y dolor en todo el cuerpo.
Cleer, tell me, what can I do for you? Doctor, for four days now I've had a bad cough and pain in my whole body.
Captions 6-7, Cita médica La cita médica de Cleer - Part 2
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In both doctor consultations, we see vocabulary related to medications:
From Cleer's visit:
Le voy a recetar Paracetamol. Esto le ayudará para el dolor en el cuerpo y por si le sube fiebre. También le recetaré un jarabe. El Paracetamol se lo toma cada seis horas durante siete días y el jarabe se lo toma tres veces al día hasta que lo termine. Intente beber agua por favor.
I'm going to prescribe Paracetamol. This will help for your body pain and in case you get a fever. I will also prescribe you a syrup. You take the Paracetamol every six hours for seven days and you take the syrup three times a day until you finish it. Try to drink water, please.
Captions 24-29, Cita médica La cita médica de Cleer - Part 2
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From Raquel's visit:
Se va a tomar usted este antibiótico. Durante siete días. Si usted ve que al tercer o cuarto día se encuentra mejor, no suspenda el tratamiento.
You are going to take this antibiotic. For seven days. If you see that by the third or fourth day you feel better, don't stop the treatment.
Captions 28-31, Raquel Visitar al Médico
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Once you have a prescription, you'll need to find a pharmacy. Here are some useful phrases:
"¿Dónde queda la farmacia más cercana?"
"Where's the nearest pharmacy?"
Caption 48, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 1
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o, "Disculpe, ¿hay una farmacia por aquí?"
or, "Excuse me, is there a pharmacy around here?"
Caption 11, Curso de español Direcciones en la ciudad
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When communicating about pain or discomfort in Spanish, having a rich vocabulary can help you explain your symptoms more precisely. Here's a comprehensive list of terms to help you describe different types of pain and related medical conditions:
Dolor agudo - Acute/sharp pain
Dolor crónico - Chronic pain
Dolor punzante - Stabbing pain
Dolor palpitante - Throbbing pain
Dolor sordo - Dull pain
Dolor ardiente - Burning pain
Calambres - Cramps
Hormigueo - Tingling
Entumecimiento - Numbness
Picazón - Itching
Dolor de muelas - Toothache
Dolor de oídos - Earache
Fiebre - Fever
Náuseas - Nausea
Mareos - Dizziness
Vómitos - Vomiting
Diarrea - Diarrhea
Estreñimiento - Constipation
Tos - Cough
Congestión - Congestion
Fatiga - Fatigue
Erupciones - Rashes
Inflamación - Inflammation
Hinchazón - Swelling
Estornudar - To sneeze
Toser - To cough
Vomitar - To vomit
Sentirse mareado/a - To feel dizzy
Tener escalofríos - To have chills
Me siento débil - I feel weak
No puedo dormir - I can't sleep
Estoy resfriado/a - I have a cold
Tengo gripe - I have the flu
Estoy enfermo/a - I'm sick
Necesito descansar - I need to rest
¿Es contagioso? - Is it contagious?
In most Spanish-speaking countries, you'll find pharmacies (farmacias) quite easily in urban areas. They often have a green cross sign that may be illuminated at night. Some medications that require prescriptions in countries like the United States are available over the counter in many Spanish-speaking countries, though this varies by country and medication. When visiting a doctor, you might encounter terms like:
médico de cabecera (primary care physician)
consulta (doctor's appointment or office)
urgencias (emergency room)
seguro médico (health insurance)
Being able to express pain in Spanish is an essential skill, especially when traveling. Remember the two main structures: "Me duele/duelen + body part" and "Tengo dolor de + body part." With these structures and the vocabulary we've covered, you'll be well-prepared to communicate any discomfort you might experience and seek appropriate medical help.
Do you have any experiences with expressing pain in Spanish? Have you ever needed to visit a doctor or pharmacy while traveling in a Spanish-speaking country? Let us know and don't forget to send us your comments and questions.
Have you ever wondered what quiubo means in Spanish while watching our Colombian shows on Yabla or speaking with Colombian friends? This informal greeting, a perfect example of Colombian slang, appears frequently in Colombian content and is extremely common throughout the country.
Today, we'll explore the meaning of quiubo in English, its origins, and its various uses in Colombian Spanish. You'll discover that this expression is much more versatile than it might initially appear.
The word quiubo (sometimes written as quihubo) comes from the contraction of the greeting phrase ¿qué hubo?, which literally means "what was there?" or "what happened?" Over time, this question transformed into the casual greeting we know today. If you're wondering what quiubo means in English, it's most commonly translated as "what's up?" though its actual usage is often closer to "hello" or "hi," as we'll explore below.
Since it's used as an interjection for greeting, question marks aren't necessary when writing it. You could, however, use exclamation points to emphasize enthusiasm. If you're genuinely asking about someone's state (which is rare given its evolution into a greeting), then question marks would be appropriate.
Before we dive into its various uses, let's listen to how quiubo sounds in real conversation:
¿Quiubo, quiubo, linda? ¿Cómo vas?
What's up, what's up, beautiful? How are you?
Caption 3, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 8
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¡Don Juaco! Quiubo, muchachos, ¿cómo me les va?
Mister Juaco! What's up, guys? How's it going?
Captions 13-14, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 2 - Part 13
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Notice how fluently the word rolls off the tongue - it's typically pronounced as a single, quick word: "kyoo-boh".
While quiubo is often translated literally as "what's up?" Due to its origins, the actual feeling and usage it conveys in Colombian Spanish is more closely aligned with a simple "hello" or "hi." Understanding what quiubo truly means in English requires recognizing that it doesn't necessarily expect a detailed response about how someone is doing - it's just a friendly acknowledgment. Let's explore its various functions:
Most commonly, quiubo works just like "hello" or "hi." It's an informal way to acknowledge someone you know:
¡Quiubo, vecino! ¡Hola, vecino! -¿Cómo le va? -¿En qué le puedo servir?
What's up, neighbor? Hello, neighbor! -How's it going? -How can I help you?
Captions 1-2, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 9
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This example perfectly illustrates how Colombians use this expression in everyday encounters - a warm, casual greeting with no expectation of a detailed response.
No te preocupes, ya vamos a llegar. -Quiubo, millonario, ¿cómo está?
Don't worry, we'll get there soon. -Hello, millionaire, how are you?
Caption 54, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 3 - Part 11
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Interestingly, quiubo can also be used to encourage someone to move faster or take action:
Acá no va a encontrar nada. ¡Quiubo, a ver!
You're not going to find anything here. Hey, let's see!
Caption 43, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 5
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Another example that clearly shows this urging meaning:
¡Quiubo, lo quiero ver, quiero ver!
Hurry up, I want to see you, I want to see!
Caption 19, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 8
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When repeated, quiubo can function as an attention-grabber, similar to saying "hey!" or "listen!" in English. It's often used to either encourage someone to start doing something or to stop what they're doing:
¡Quiubo! ¡Quiubo! ¡Apáguenme ese chucu-chucu, señores!
Hey! Hey! Turn that choo-choo down, gentlemen!
Caption 37, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 1
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Here's another example where it signals urgency:
¡Le dieron!... -Quiubo, quiubo... súbalo.
They hit him! -Hey, hey... Get him in.
Caption 18, Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar Capítulo 1 - Part 14
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Now that you know what quiubo means in Spanish, you can see how this expression exemplifies language evolution. What started as a question (¿qué hubo?) has transformed into a versatile expression used primarily for greeting, but also for urging action and getting attention.
The meaning of quiubo in English varies depending on context, but it's most commonly equivalent to "hello," "hi," or sometimes "hurry up" or "hey!" when used as an attention-getter. By understanding these nuances, you'll better appreciate Colombian Spanish expressions.
Next time you're speaking with Colombian friends or watching Colombian media on Yabla, listen for this common expression - and maybe even try using it yourself! Just remember that it's fairly informal, so it's best used with friends and in casual situations.
Have you heard quiubo used in other contexts? Do you know of similar greeting expressions in other Spanish-speaking countries? Let us know, and don't forget to send us your questions and comments about what quiubo means!
Have you ever been at a Spanish restaurant trying to order a slice of cake or bread but weren't sure which word to use? Do you know the difference between pedazo, tajada, and rodaja? Today, we'll explore the various Spanish words used to describe portions, slices, and pieces, along with their specific contexts and uses.
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Let's start with pedazo and trozo, two of the most common words for "piece" in Spanish. Both terms refer to a part of something that's considered separately from the rest. Let's see them in context:
Vamos a cortar en pedazos pequeños también la lechuga,
Let's also cut the lettuce into small pieces,
Caption 16, Ana Carolina Receta para una picada
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tengo también un trozo de limón.
I also have a piece of lemon.
Caption 34, Soledad Ensalada de alcachofa
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These words have also given rise to some common Spanish expressions. For instance, "ser un pedazo de pan" or "ser un trozo de pan" (literally "to be a piece of bread") describes someone who is kind and good-natured:
Cuando decimos que "es más bueno que el pan" o "es un trozo de pan", nos referimos a una persona buena, bondadosa.
When we say that [he or she] "is better than bread" or "is a piece of bread," we're referring to a good, kind-hearted person.
Captions 17-19, Beatriz Modismos con alimentos - Part 1
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Finally, in colloquial Spanish, "pedazo de" followed by a noun or adjective can be used to intensify its meaning. Let's see an example:
Qué pedazo de mina, ¿no?
What a hot chick, right?
Caption 33, Carlos y Cyndy Comentario sobre Muñeca Brava
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While tajada literally refers to a slice or portion cut from something (especially cooked meat or fruits), this word has developed some interesting figurative meanings in Spanish. Let's look at this clip:
Usted lo único que quería era quedarse con una tajada de eso
The only thing that you wanted was to keep a piece of that,
Caption 72, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 13
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In this context, tajada isn't referring to a literal slice, but rather to a share or cut of profits - often with a negative connotation suggesting questionable dealings. This usage is common in colloquial Spanish throughout Latin America.
The word can also be used more literally when talking about food portions:
si se llevan la tajada más grande del pastel.
if they take the biggest piece of the cake.
Caption 4, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Publicidad de TV - Part 2
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Additionally, in many parts of Latin America, tajada is commonly used to refer to fried plantain slices, showing how versatile this word can be.
The word rebanada specifically refers to a thin, wide, and long portion cut from something, especially bread, slicing from one end to the other:
Ahora esperamos que estén un poco frías; se le quita la concha y después se corta en rebanada.
Now we wait for them to cool down a bit; the peel is removed from it and then it's cut into slices.
Captions 54-56, Zully y Cleer Guisado de ternera
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When you need to describe a circular slice or wheel of food, rodaja is your word. It's commonly used for vegetables and fruits:
Cortamos el tomate en rodajas,
We cut the tomato into slices,
Caption 36, La cocina de Fermín Ensalada mixta
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For very small amounts, Spanish speakers use "pizca" (pinch):
También vamos a utilizar un... una pizca de vainilla,
We're also going to use a... a pinch of vanilla,
Caption 27, Otavalo Proyecto familiar Kawsaymi - Part 5
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1. For general pieces of anything: Use pedazo or trozo
2. For bread slices: rebanada is your best choice
3. For circular food items like tomatoes or onions: Use rodaja
4. For cooked meat or specific food slices: tajada works well
5. For tiny amounts of ingredients: Go with pizca
Remember that usage of these terms can vary across different Spanish-speaking regions. The key is to listen to native speakers and note which terms are most commonly used in your area.
We hope this lesson has helped you understand the various ways to describe pieces and slices in Spanish. Don't forget to practice these terms in context, and remember that, like many aspects of language, usage can vary by region. And don't forget to send us your questions and comments. ¡Hasta la próxima!
The Spanish verb tocar is one of those versatile verbs that can be used in many different contexts. From its basic meaning of "to touch" to its musical and metaphorical uses, let's explore the various ways to use this common Spanish verb.
In its most basic form, tocar means "to touch" or "to feel something with your hands." Let's see an example:
"María le tocó la frente a su hijo para ver si tenía fiebre".
"Maria touched her son's forehead to see if he had a fever."
Caption 17, Carlos explica Vocabulario: El verbo “tocar”
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Tocar is also used when talking about knocking on doors or ringing doorbells:
No me animaba a tocar la puerta.
I didn't dare to knock on the door.
Caption 26, Yago 9 Recuperación - Part 10
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One of the most common uses of tocar is in reference to playing musical instruments:
Con el cantautor cubano Silvio Rodríguez aprendí a tocar la guitarra de una manera diferente
With the Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez, I learned to play the guitar in a different manner
Captions 54-55, Luis Guitarra Influencias musicales - Part 1
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Tocar can also refer to performing or playing specific pieces of music:
"Ese grupo siempre toca las mismas canciones".
"That group always plays the same songs."
Caption 29, Carlos explica Vocabulario: El verbo “tocar”
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Tocar can be used to express that something has emotionally moved or touched someone:
"La poesía que mi hijo escribió para mí me tocó el alma".
"The poetry that my son wrote for me touched my soul."
Caption 44, Carlos explica Vocabulario: El verbo “tocar”
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When talking about bringing up or discussing topics, tocar is commonly used:
Mire, no hablamos del caso, ni siquiera tocamos el tema.
Look, we didn't talk about the case, we didn't even touch the topic.
Caption 28, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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Ah, pues, qué bueno, señor, que usted tocó el tema porque es que yo ya no quiero seguir siendo guardaespaldas
Oh, well, how good, sir, that you touched on the topic because it's just that I don't want to keep being a bodyguard anymore,
Captions 8-9, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 9
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One of the most frequent uses of tocar is to express that it's someone's turn to do something. Let's see an example:
"Yo ya vine esta mañana y cogí hora para las doce. Así que, ahora me toca a mí".
"I already came this morning, and I made an appointment for twelve. So, now it's my turn."
Captions 30-32, Aprendiendo con Silvia La cabina
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This structure "tocar + a + person" is commonly used to indicate whose turn it is in:
- Games: Me toca tirar los dados (It's my turn to roll the dice)
- Tasks: Te toca lavar los platos (It's your turn to wash the dishes)
- Sequences: Les toca a ustedes presentar (It's your turn to present)
In Spanish, tocar is often used to describe situations where circumstances force an action or where something becomes unavoidable. This usage is particularly common in Latin American Spanish. Let's see an example:
dígale que me llamaron y que me tocó salir urgente.
tell him that they called me, and I had to leave urgently.
Caption 11, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 11
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Sí, sí, es que como no me dejaron parquear por aquí me tocó dejar el carro por allá bien lejos.
Yes, yes, it's just that, as they didn't let me park around here, I had to leave the car over there quite far away.
Captions 78-79, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 3 - Part 10
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This construction with tocar implies not just obligation, but often suggests that external circumstances or events made the action necessary. It's different from other Spanish verbs of obligation like deber or tener que because it carries an additional sense of inevitability or resignation to circumstances.
In sports, particularly soccer/football, tocar means to pass the ball:
"Iniesta le tocó la pelota a Messi y el jugador argentino quedó solo frente al portero".
"Iniesta passed the ball to Messi and the Argentine player ended up alone in front of the goalie."
Captions 49-50, Carlos explica Vocabulario: El verbo “tocar”
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Tocar is commonly used when talking about what might happen or what one might receive, especially when the outcome is uncertain or determined by chance or external factors. Let's see an example:
Tengo mucha curiosidad a ver qué me toca hoy.
I'm really curious to see what I'll get today.
Caption 12, Cleer y Carolina Adivinar alimentos - Part 1
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That's it for today's lesson on the Spanish verb tocar. As you can see, this versatile verb has many uses beyond its basic meaning of "to touch." Practice using tocar in different contexts to sound more natural in Spanish. Don't forget to write us with your questions and comments!
Are you familiar with the Spanish preposition hacia? While its most common translation is "toward(s)," whether referring to direction or one's attitude, it can mean different things in different contexts, such as "approximately" or "about" when referring to time. Let's explore these meanings further with a multitude of examples from Yabla's Spanish video library.
When referring to movement with a particular direction or destination, the Spanish preposition hacia can function as the equivalent of not only the English "toward(s)" but also additional prepositions like "for" or "to." Let's take a look at several examples.
Fue una mañana que yo iba caminando hacia la facultad
It was one morning when I was walking toward my college department [building],
Caption 5, Soledad Raspi
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para animarles y desearles suerte antes de su salida hacia el campo.
to encourage them and wish them luck before their departure for the field.
Caption 82, Viajando con Fermín Final Copa del Rey
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Hoy fue extraditado hacia los Estados Unidos, otro miembro del cartel de Medellín,
Today, another member of the Medellin cartel was extradited to the United States,
Caption 6, Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar Capítulo 1 - Part 13
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When used with direction words like abajo (down), adelante, (forward), arriba (up) or atrás (back), or directions like norte (north), sur (south), etc., hacia can be thought of like the English suffix "ward(s)." Let's take a look:
siempre tiene que ir hacia arriba, y cuando haces un trazo grueso, siempre tiene que ir hacia abajo.
it always has to go upward, and when you do a thick stroke, it always has to go downward.
Captions 34-36, Adriana Lettering - Part 2
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Y vamos a fondear toda la isla por la costa... yendo hacia el norte.
And we're going to drop anchor all around the island along the coast... going northwards.
Caption 11, El Trip Ibiza
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It should be noted that the translations for Spanish sentences like these could also be expressed in English without "ward(s)," for example, one could simply say "it has to go up" or "down" or "going north."
In the absence of movement, the Spanish preposition hacia is frequently used to mean "in the direction of" when indicating orientation or location. Let's take a look:
de manera que hacia la cama también tenemos otra puerta corredera,
so that towards the bed, we also have another sliding door,
Caption 51, Viajando con Fermín Caravaning - Part 3
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Un momento después, Pigueldito miró hacia el cielo.
A moment later, Piggeldy looked toward the sky.
Caption 14, Pigueldito y Federico Refranes
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Mirar hacia el futuro sin dar la espalda al medio ambiente:
Looking toward the future without turning one's back to the environment:
Caption 91, Tecnópolis El Coronil
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With varying translations like "toward(s)" "to," "for" and more, the Spanish preposition hacia can additionally express one's point of view with regards to someone or something.
y sobre todo mucha gratitud hacia todos los que elegimos visitar este hermoso rincón de Andalucía.
and, above all, a lot of gratitude for all of us who choose to visit this beautiful corner of Andalusia.
Captions 47-48, Viajando con Fermín El Día del Turista de Mijas
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que encuentras un público muy abierto hacia ti,
when you encounter an audience that's very open to you,
Caption 37, Circo Berlín Lucas - Part 2
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yo sentí cierto rechazo hacia ella,
I felt a kind of rejection towards her
Caption 33, Soledad Los prejuicios
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When used to talk about time, the Spanish preposition hacia means "around," "approximately" or "about."
Iré hacia las cinco.
I'll go around five.
Actualmente se celebran manifestaciones del orgullo anualmente por todo el mundo, hacia finales de junio,
Currently, pride demonstrations take place annually throughout the world, towards the end of June,
Captions 55-56, Maoli La revuelta de Stonewall
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To conclude today's lesson, we'll mention that you shouldn't confuse the Spanish preposition hacia with hacía (with an accent), the extremely frequently-employed imperfect tense of the verb hacer, which means "to make" or "do." Let's see it in a couple of captions:
¿Usted qué hacía en el salón de ese profesor? ¿Ah?
What were you doing in that teacher's classroom? Huh?
Caption 19, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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porque mi abuela hacía muchas croquetas.
because my grandma used to make a lot of croquettes.
Caption 37, Con Marta por Madrid El tapeo - Part 1
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We hope that this lesson has shed some light on several of the many contexts in which the Spanish preposition hacia can be used as well as many of its translations. Don't forget to write us with your questions and suggestions.
The letter H in Spanish presents a unique characteristic that sets it apart from many other letters in the alphabet: it's silent! That's right - in Spanish, the letter H is not pronounced at all. However, there are many important Spanish words that begin with this letter. Let's explore some interesting facts about the Spanish letter H and learn some common words that start with it.
The name of this letter in Spanish is hache (pronounced "AH-cheh" in English, where the 'ch' sounds like in "church"). Let's hear how to pronounce the name of this letter:
La letra hache es una letra muy fácil de pronunciar porque es una letra muda.
The letter h is a very easy letter to pronounce because it's a silent letter.
Captions 18-19, Fundamentos del Español 10 - La Pronunciación
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While the H is silent in Spanish words like hola or hacer, it does produce a sound when combined with C to form the digraph "ch," as we can hear in these examples:
"Mucho gusto".
"Mucho gusto" [literally "A lot of pleasure"].
Caption 48, Carlos explica Los cinco sentidos - Part 4
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El chachachá, la milonga o el fado
Cha-cha, milonga, or fado
Caption 28, Luis Guitarra No hay más cera que la que arde
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Laura, gracias por haber compartido tu historia con nosotros y con todos nuestros oyentes.
Laura, thank you for having shared your story with us and with all our listeners.
Caption 10, Tu Voz Estéreo Laura - Part 19
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Qué pena interrumpirlo en su hora laboral, pero necesito hablar con usted.
What a shame to interrupt you during your work hours, but I need to talk to you.
Captions 20-21, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 2
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¡Porque el que muestra el hambre no come!
Because he who shows hunger doesn't eat!
Caption 20, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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Tiene mucha hambre.
She's really hungry.
Caption 59, El Aula Azul Conversaciones sobre fotos - Part 2
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Pues, puedes hacer muchísimas cosas.
Well, you can do very many things.
Caption 7, Clara y Cristina Hablan de actividades
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Las croquetas es una masa de harina con leche
Croquettes are a dough made of flour with milk
Caption 17, Con Marta por Madrid El tapeo - Part 1
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que esta audiencia debe ser suspendida hasta que existan garantías para mis clientes.
that this hearing must be suspended until there are guarantees for my clients.
Captions 65-66, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 4
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Mmm... Pero yo sí sé que a ti te encanta comer helado.
Mmm... But I do know that you love eating ice cream.
Caption 12, Cleer Una noticia triste
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Seguramente muchos de ustedes ya han usado algún tipo de herramienta
Surely, many of you have already used some type of tool
Caption 9, Aprendiendo con Carlos Inteligencia artificial - Part 1
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"Romper el hielo": superar la vergüenza al conocer a alguien.
"To break the ice": to overcome embarrassment when meeting someone.
Caption 54, Beatriz Expresiones relacionadas con el clima
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Eh, ahí vamos. Mire, este es mi hijo Kevin.
Um, we're hanging in there. Look, this is my son Kevin.
Caption 16, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 13 - Part 3
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Pero bueno, ha sido una historia de superación absoluta,
But well, it has been a story of absolute overcoming,
Caption 63, Amaya El burrito Valiente
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Hola, amigos de Yabla. Yo soy Adriana.
Hello, friends of Yabla. I'm Adriana.
Captions 1-2, Adriana y Laura Emprendimiento - Part 1
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una hoja de laurel,
a bay leaf,
Caption 26, El Aula Azul Receta de garbanzos
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el hombre más honrado y generoso que he conocido en la vida.
the most honorable and generous man I've met in my life.
Caption 53, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 13
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En español, normalmente no se dice la hora así, exactamente, sino que se tiende a redondear.
In Spanish, typically, the time is not said like that, exactly, but rather people tend to round off.
Captions 8-10, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 2
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Here are a few more frequently used Spanish words that begin with H:
[el] huevo (egg)
[el] hueso (bone)
[el] humo (smoke)
[el] horno (oven)
[el] hospital (hospital)
[el] hotel (hotel)
[el] hombro (shoulder)
[la] habitación (room)
[el] horizonte (horizon)
hermoso/hermosa (beautiful)
Remember that although these words begin with H, this letter is always silent in Spanish unless it appears in the combination "ch." The H in Spanish is like a silent guardian - it's there in writing but doesn't make itself heard!
That's all for today's lesson on Spanish words that begin with H. Can you think of any other common Spanish words that start with this silent letter? Don't forget to send us your suggestions and comments!
Whether you're ringing in the New Year or simply setting new personal goals, knowing how to express your resolutions in Spanish is a valuable skill. While New Year's resolutions in Spanish ("propósitos or resoluciones de Año Nuevo") are a popular tradition, the grammar and vocabulary we'll explore today can help you articulate any type of goal or commitment throughout the year.
Before diving into the grammar, let's look at how native Spanish speakers naturally express their resolutions:
y cuando llega enero, empezamos con todas las resoluciones, que queremos hacer las cosas diferente. Entonces, en un sentido es, quiero bajar de peso, quiero hacer ejercicio, quiero comer más saludable, y en el lado financiero, quiero salir de deudas, quiero comenzar a ahorrar, quiero hacer un presupuesto.
and when January comes, we start with all the resolutions, that we want to do things differently. So, in one sense it's, I want to lose weight, I want to exercise, I want to eat more healthy, and on the financial side, I want to get out of debt, I want to start to save, I want to create a budget.
Captions 20-26, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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As we can see in this example, Spanish speakers often use the verb "querer" (to want) followed by an infinitive to express their resolutions. This is just one of several grammatical structures we'll explore in this lesson.
Before we dive into specific grammatical structures, let's learn some key phrases:
- los propósitos de Año Nuevo = New Year's resolutions
- hacer propósitos = to make resolutions
- cumplir los propósitos = to keep/fulfill resolutions
- intentar = to try
- empezar de nuevo = to start anew
- proponerse = to set oneself (a goal)
When stating your resolutions in Spanish, you can use several constructions:
- Este año voy a... (This year I'm going to...)
- Me propongo... (I intend to...)
- Pienso + infinitive (I plan to...)
- Quiero + infinitive (I want to...)
- Me comprometo a... (I commit to...)
Y yo me comprometo a hacer rendir el mercado,
And I commit to making the supplies last
Caption 21, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 10 - Part 5
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When talking about your resolutions, you might want to use these expressions:
- Espero cumplir con... = I hope to fulfill...
- Mi meta es... = My goal is...
- Este año me dedicaré a... = This year I'll dedicate myself to...
- Lo más importante para mí es... = The most important thing for me is...
When expressing resolutions in Spanish, certain grammatical constructions are particularly useful. Let's explore each one:
This structure expresses immediate future plans and is perfect for resolutions:
Voy a + infinitive = I am going to + verb
Vamos a + infinitive = We are going to + verb
Voy a hacer más ejercicio este año.
I'm going to exercise more this year.
Sometimes, using the present tense can express a stronger commitment:
Desde mañana como más verduras.
Starting tomorrow, I eat more vegetables.
For more distant objectives, use the future tense:
Ahorraré más dinero este año.
I will save more money this year.
Certain verbs commonly used in resolutions require an infinitive:
- Necesito + infinitive (I need to)
- Quiero + infinitive (I want to)
- Debo + infinitive (I must/should)
Necesito dormir más horas.
I need to sleep more hours.
Many resolution-related verbs are reflexive:
- Proponerse = to intend, to set oneself (to do something)
- Comprometerse = to commit oneself
- Dedicarse = to dedicate oneself
Me propongo estudiar todos los días.
I intend to study every day.
Add purpose to your resolutions with the preposition para:
Voy al gimnasio para estar más saludable.
I go to the gym to be healthier.
The construction "dejar de + infinitive" expresses stopping or quitting something. This is particularly useful for resolutions about breaking habits:
- Dejar de + infinitive = to stop/quit doing something
- Parar de + infinitive = to stop doing something
- Terminar de + infinitive = to finish doing something
"¿Cómo llevas lo de dejar de fumar?" "Pues muy bien. Llevo ya un año sin probar calada".
"How are you dealing with the quitting smoking thing?" "Well, very well. I haven't taken a puff for a year now."
Captions 76-78, Fermín y Manuel El verbo "llevar" - Part 2
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Remember, while New Year's resolutions in Spanish follow these same patterns, you can use these structures to express goals and commitments any time:
- En este momento = At this moment
- A partir de hoy = Starting today
- Desde ahora = From now on
Whether you're setting New Year's resolutions in Spanish or making everyday commitments, these grammatical structures and phrases will help you express your intentions clearly. Remember, the key to achieving your goals is not just expressing them well, but also maintaining the consistency and determination to follow through. Good luck with your resolutions and don't forget to leave us your comments and suggestions!
Have you ever noticed how Spanish speakers use the word gracia in different ways? Today, we'll explore this versatile word and its various meanings through real-world examples.
One of the most common uses of gracia refers to the special charm or appeal of something:
La gracia de esta ensalada está en el bacalao.
The charm of this salad is in the codfish.
Captions 81-82, Soledad Ensalada de alcachofa
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This meaning extends to physical grace and elegance in movement:
¡Qué salero tiene esta niña!", pero la niña no lleva nada de sal encima, quiere decir que tiene mucha gracia, en su manera de actuar o hablar o bailar.
What a salt shaker this girl has!" but the little girl isn't carrying any salt, it means that she has a lot of charm in her manner of acting or talking or dancing.
Captions 17-20, Aprendiendo con Silvia Frases hechas - Part 1
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Ahora, tenés que levantarte también lentamente con mucha gracia,
Now, you have to stand up also slowly with a lot of grace,
Caption 24, Muñeca Brava 43 La reunión - Part 4
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The word gracia frequently appears in contexts related to humor and entertainment. Let's look at some examples:
Pero bueno, fue un poco de susto y un poco de gracia también.
But, well, it was a bit of a scare and a bit funny too.
Caption 98, Sevilla, España Hotel Kivir - Part 2
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The expression hacer gracia means to find something amusing or funny:
¿Qué cosas te hacen gracia, por ejemplo? Pues me hacen gracia... las comedias de televisión, también los monólogos divertidos y los chistes que cuenta mi hermana.
What things do you find funny, for example? Well, I find funny... TV comedies, also fun monologues, and the jokes my sister tells.
Captions 49-52, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y sentimientos
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Sometimes people try to be deliberately funny:
y mi padre, por hacer la gracia, decidió regalarle a mi madre carbón dulce.
and my father, to be funny, decided to give my mom sweet coal.
Captions 62-63, Isabel y Paula contigo Día de Reyes - Part 1
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Gracia can refer to the unique quality or special characteristic that makes something valuable:
¿Y la gracia de tu trabajo no consiste en no pagar?
And the beauty of your job doesn't consist of not paying?
Caption 43, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 3 - Part 9
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In religious contexts, gracia takes on a spiritual meaning:
Llena las almas la gracia de Dios
The Lord's grace fills our souls
Caption 12, Villancicos Jacky canta "Noche de Paz"
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The word gracia can also be used ironically, often to describe someone's questionable ideas or actions:
donde a alguien se le ocurra la gracia de meterse con algún miembro de mi familia.
where someone has the bright idea of messing with any member of my family.
Captions 3-4, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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When talking about food, "sin gracia" means without taste or bland:
Importante, si no la crema va a quedar muy sosa. O va a quedar sin gracia.
It's important; if not, the cream is going to end up really bland. Or it's going to end up without taste.
Captions 26-27, Cómetelo Crema de brócoli - Part 4
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This versatile expression can mean:
- To find something funny
- To try to be funny
- To amuse someone
Can mean:
- To be naturally funny
- To have charm
- To be ironic (in certain contexts)
Used to describe:
- Something tasteless (in food)
- Something boring or dull
- A person without charm or grace
Refers to:
- The special quality of something
- The purpose or point of something
- The charm or appeal of something
1. Pay attention to context - The same expression can have different meanings depending on the situation.
2. Watch for tone - Especially in ironic uses.
3. Notice regional variations - Some expressions might be more common in certain Spanish-speaking countries.
4. Consider the setting - Religious vs. casual contexts use "gracia" differently.
Remember that mastering the various uses of gracia will help you sound more natural in Spanish and better understand native speakers. Practice using these expressions in your conversations!
Have you encountered other interesting uses of gracia in Spanish? Share your experiences with us! Don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
As 2024 draws to a close, we've witnessed several catastrophic weather events around the world. From the devastating floods in Brazil and Dubai to the recent flooding that struck Valencia, Spain, our Word of the Year reflects the increasing impact of extreme weather events. With that being said, let's reveal Yabla's Spanish Word of the Year 2024.
The word inundación (flood) is our Spanish Word of the Year 2024. Throughout history, floods have shaped societies and transformed landscapes. The following clip shows how the Netherlands learned to respect the power of water after a devastating flood:
El agua, que está muy presente en la vida de los holandeses, les da riqueza, pero a la vez le tienen un gran respeto. Y no es para menos, después de lo que vivieron el treinta y uno de enero del año mil novecientos cincuenta y tres, cuando ocurrió una gran inundación que sumergió el ocho por ciento del país
Water, which is very present in the life of the Dutch, gives them wealth, but at the same time, they have great respect for it. And it's no wonder after what they experienced on January thirty-first of the year nineteen fifty-three, when a great flood occurred that submerged eight percent of the country,
Captions 39-45, Viajando con Fermín Ámsterdam - Part 4
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It's worth noting that the word inundación (flood) comes from the verb inundar (to flood). Let's see how José Miguel uses this verb in the preterite tense:
un temporal que inundó muchos locales y calles de la parte vieja de la ciudad
a storm that flooded many shops and streets in the old part of the city
Captions 42-43, San Sebastián El rompeolas
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While the verb's primary meaning relates to flooding, it can also be used figuratively to mean "to fill" or "to overwhelm":
Durante unos minutos, la brisa de la primavera Árabe inundó el hemiciclo del Parlamento Europeo
For a few minutes, the breeze of the Arab Spring filled the hemicycle of the European Parliament
Captions 1-2, Europa Abierta Premio Sakharov
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The increasing frequency of flooding events worldwide has made inundación a particularly relevant term in 2024. In Spanish, the word can be used in various contexts:
- Inundación repentina (flash flood)
- Zona de inundación (flood zone)
- Riesgo de inundación (flood risk)
- Inundación de mensajes (flood of messages)
- Inundación de solicitudes (flood of requests)
- Mercado inundado (flooded market)
That's it for today. What do you think about our choice for the Spanish Word of the Year 2024? Can you think of other words that could have been chosen? Please feel free to share your comments and suggestions with us.
Whether you're planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country or visiting a local Spanish restaurant, knowing how to order food in Spanish is an essential skill. This comprehensive guide covers everything from making a reservation to paying the bill.
When calling to make a reservation, here's what you'll need:
¿En qué puedo ayudarle? A continuación debes indicar el número de personas que iréis a cenar, a qué hora iréis y en ocasiones podéis decir qué mesa preferís. Quería hacer una reserva para dos esta noche a las nueve.
How can I help you? Next, you must indicate the number of people who will go to dine, at what time you will go and, on [certain] occasions, you can say which table you prefer. I wanted to make a reservation for two tonight at nine.
Captions 7-12, Raquel Reserva de Restaurante
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- Hola, quisiera hacer una reserva/reservación (Hello, I would like to make a reservation)
- Para esta noche (For tonight)
- Para dos/tres/cuatro personas (For two/three/four people)
- ¿Tienen mesa libre? (Do you have a table available?)
- La reserva/reservación está a nombre de... (The reservation is under the name...)
- ¿Tienen disponibilidad entre las ocho y las nueve? (Do you have availability between eight and nine?)
- Preferiblemente una mesa junto a la ventana (Preferably a table by the window)
- ¿Es necesario dejar un depósito? (Is a deposit necessary?)
- Necesito modificar/cancelar mi reserva/reservación (I need to modify/cancel my reservation)
- ¿Tienen algún menú especial esta noche? (Do you have any special menu tonight?)
When you first arrive, you'll need these greeting phrases:
Muy buenas tardes, ¿mesa para uno? Sí, por favor. Tome asiento por favor. Gracias.
[Very] good afternoon, [a] table for one? Yes, please. Take a seat please. Thanks.
Captions 8-11, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- Buenos días/tardes/noches (Good morning/afternoon/evening)
- Tengo una reserva/reservación (I have a reservation)
- Mesa para dos/tres/cuatro (Table for two/three/four)
- Sin reserva/reservación (Without reservation)
- Disculpe, tengo una reserva/reservación a nombre de... (Excuse me, I have a reservation under...)
- ¿Hay mucha espera? (Is there a long wait?)
- Somos parte del grupo de... (We're part of the group of...)
- ¿Podemos esperar en el bar? (Can we wait at the bar?)
- ¿Está el restaurante completo? (Is the restaurant full?)
Once they're showing you to your table:
Eh... ¿Me puede traer agua por favor? Claro, ¿embotellada o de la llave? De la llave está bien. Entonces, eh... la voy a dejar un momento para que mire el menú
Um... Can you bring me water please? Of course, bottled or tap? Tap is fine. So, um... I am going to leave you for a moment so that you can look at the menu
Captions 15-19, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- ¿Podemos sentarnos allí? (Can we sit there?)
- Aquí está bien (Here is fine)
- Mesa para no fumadores (Non-smoking table)
- Junto a la ventana (By the window)
- ¿Podría traernos una silla alta para el bebé? (Could you bring us a high chair for the baby?)
- Necesitamos más espacio (We need more space)
- ¿Tienen una mesa más tranquila? (Do you have a quieter table?)
- Preferiríamos una mesa interior/exterior (We would prefer an indoor/outdoor table)
Time to review the menu options:
¿Puedo ver el menú por favor? Claro, por supuesto. Aquí lo tiene.
Can I see the menu please? Sure, of course. Here you have it.
Captions 12-13, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- La carta, por favor (The menu, please)
- ¿Tienen menú del día? (Do you have a daily menu?)
- ¿Cuál es el especial? (What's the special?)
- Necesito unos minutos (I need a few minutes)
- ¿Tienen el menú en inglés? (Do you have the menu in English?)
- ¿Qué incluye el menú completo? (What does the complete menu include?)
- ¿Me puede explicar este plato? (Could you explain this dish?)
- ¿Tienen sugerencias del chef? (Do you have chef's suggestions?)
- ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? (What's the house specialty?)
Here's how to have a natural conversation about food choices with your dining companions:
¿Sabes? Antes de pensar en los postres, deberíamos pensar en la entrada. ¿Qué te gustaría comer? Ah... No sé, me encantan los aros de cebolla. ¿A ti? A mí los deditos de pescado y también los deditos de mantequilla; son deliciosos. Sí, son muy ricos.
You know? Before thinking about the desserts, we should think about the appetizer. What would you like to eat? Oh... I don't know, I love onion rings. You? I love fish sticks and also butter fingers [a type of pastry]; they are delicious. Yes, they are very delicious.
Captions 54-60, Sofy y Caro Comida en un restaurante
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- ¿Qué tienes ganas de comer? (What do you feel like eating?)
- ¿Ya sabes qué vas a pedir? (Do you know what you're going to order?)
- ¿Qué te apetece? (What appeals to you?)
- ¿Quieres compartir algo? (Do you want to share something?)
- ¿Te gustaría pedir un poco de vino? (Would you like to order some wine?)
- ¿Qué quieres tomar? (What would you like to drink?)
- ¿Pedimos una botella para compartir? (Shall we order a bottle to share?)
- ¿Prefieres tinto o blanco? (Do you prefer red or white?)
- ¿Qué tal si probamos...? (How about we try...?)
- He escuchado que aquí... (I've heard that here...)
- ¿Te parece si pedimos...? (What do you think about ordering...?)
- Podríamos compartir... (We could share...)
Don't hesitate to ask about unfamiliar dishes:
¿Está lista? ¿Ya sabe lo que le gustaría ordenar? Todavía estoy tratando de decidir. ¿Tiene alguna pregunta? Sí, ehm... ¿La lasaña tiene carne? Sí, tiene carne de res.
Are you ready? Do you know what you would like to order yet? I'm still trying to decide. Do you have any questions? Yes, um... Does the lasagna have meat? Yes, it has beef.
Captions 25-30, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- ¿Qué lleva este plato? (What's in this dish?)
- ¿Es picante? (Is it spicy?)
- ¿Es grande la porción? (Is the portion big?)
- ¿Qué acompañamientos tiene? (What sides does it come with?)
- Soy alérgico/a a... (I'm allergic to...)
- ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas/veganas? (Do you have vegetarian/vegan options?)
- ¿Cómo está preparado? (How is it prepared?)
- ¿Se puede hacer sin...? (Can it be made without...?)
- ¿Los mariscos son frescos? (Is the seafood fresh?)
Now it's time to order:
¿Tiene algún platillo con pollo bajo en calorías? Sí, tenemos una ensalada del chef que tiene pollo. Mmm... Eso suena muy bien. ¿Puedo ordenarla sin cebolla y con el aderezo aparte? Por supuesto.
Do you have any low-calorie chicken dish? Yes, we have a chef's salad that has chicken. Mmm... That sounds great. Can I order it without onions and with the dressing on the side? Of course.
Captions 41-45, Cata y Cleer En el restaurante
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- Para mí... (For me...)
- Quiero... (I want...)
- Para beber... (To drink...)
- De postre... (For dessert...)
- ¿Me puede traer la carne poco/muy hecha? (Can you bring the meat rare/well done?)
- Sin/Con... (Without/With...)
- El aderezo/la salsa aparte (Dressing/sauce on the side)
- Primero queremos compartir... (First we want to share...)
- ¿Puede recomendar un vino? (Can you recommend a wine?)
When you're ready to finish:
Mesera, ¿puede traerme la cuenta por favor? Gracias.
Waitress, can you bring me the check, please? Thank you.
Captions 49-50, Natalia de Ecuador Ordenar en un restaurante
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- La cuenta, por favor (The check, please)
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? (Do you accept cards?)
- ¿Pueden dividir la cuenta? (Can you split the check?)
- Gracias, estuvo delicioso (Thank you, it was delicious)
- ¿Está incluido el servicio? (Is service included?)
- ¿Me puede explicar la cuenta? (Can you explain the bill?)
- Hay un error en la cuenta (There's an error in the bill)
- ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo/con tarjeta? (Can I pay in cash/with card?)
- Quédese con el cambio (Keep the change)
- ¿Puedo hacer una reserva? - Can I make a reservation?
- Quisiera reservar una mesa - I would like to reserve/book a table
- Para esta noche/mañana - For tonight/tomorrow
- ¿A qué hora tienen disponibilidad? - What time do you have availability?
- Mesa para [número] personas - Table for [number] of people
- A nombre de... - Under the name of...
- ¿Tienen mesas disponibles? - Do you have tables available?
- ¿Hay que hacer reserva? - Do we need to make a reservation?
- Buenos días/tardes/noches - Good morning/afternoon/evening
- Tengo una reserva a nombre de... - I have a reservation under...
- Sin reserva - Without reservation
- ¿Hay mucha espera? - Is there a long wait?
- ¿Podemos esperar en el bar? - Can we wait at the bar?
- ¿Está el restaurante completo? - Is the restaurant full?
- Somos parte del grupo de... - We're part of the group of...
- ¿Podemos sentarnos allí? - Can we sit there?
- Junto a la ventana, por favor - By the window, please
- En la terraza/al aire libre - On the terrace/outside
- Mesa para no fumadores - Non-smoking table
- ¿Tienen una mesa más tranquila? - Do you have a quieter table?
- Necesitamos una silla alta para el bebé - We need a high chair for the baby
- Preferiríamos una mesa interior - We would prefer an indoor table
- Para beber quisiera... - To drink I would like...
- ¿Qué vinos tienen? - What wines do you have?
- Una botella de... - A bottle of...
- Agua con/sin gas - Sparkling/still water
- ¿Tienen bebidas sin alcohol? - Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?
- Un café solo/con leche - Black coffee/coffee with milk
- ¿Me puede traer más agua? - Can you bring me more water?
- ¿Puedo ver la carta/el menú? - Can I see the menu?
- ¿Tienen menú del día? - Do you have a daily menu?
- ¿Cuál es el especial de hoy? - What's today's special?
- ¿Qué me recomienda? - What do you recommend?
- ¿Tienen el menú en inglés? - Do you have the menu in English?
- Necesito unos minutos más - I need a few more minutes
- ¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa? - What's the house specialty?
- ¿Qué contiene este plato? - What does this dish contain?
- ¿Es picante? - Is it spicy?
- ¿Cómo está preparado? - How is it prepared?
- ¿Es grande la porción? - Is the portion big?
- ¿Qué acompañamientos tiene? - What sides does it come with?
- ¿Los mariscos son frescos? - Is the seafood fresh?
- ¿Se puede hacer sin...? - Can it be made without...?
- Soy alérgico/a a... - I'm allergic to...
- No como... - I don't eat...
- Soy vegetariano/a - I'm vegetarian
- Soy vegano/a - I'm vegan
- Sin gluten, por favor - Gluten-free, please
- ¿Tienen opciones sin lácteos? - Do you have dairy-free options?
- ¿Pueden prepararlo sin...? - Can you prepare it without...?
- Estoy listo/a para ordenar - I'm ready to order
- Para empezar... - To start...
- De primer plato... - For the first course...
- De segundo... - For the second course...
- Para mí... - For me...
- Quisiera... - I would like...
- Lo mismo para mí - The same for me
- Sin cebolla/ajo - Without onion/garlic
- La carne poco/muy hecha - The meat rare/well done
- El aderezo/la salsa aparte - Dressing/sauce on the side
- Con extra... - With extra...
- ¿Puede cambiarse la guarnición? - Can the side dish be changed?
- Sin sal/azúcar - Without salt/sugar
- Tibio/caliente, por favor - Warm/hot, please
- ¿Me puede traer...? - Can you bring me...?
- Falta... - We're missing...
- Necesitamos más... - We need more...
- ¿Pueden rellenar los vasos? - Can you refill the glasses?
- La comida está fría/caliente - The food is cold/hot
- Esto no es lo que pedí - This isn't what I ordered
- Está delicioso - It's delicious
- La cuenta, por favor - The check, please
- ¿Puede traerme la cuenta? - Can you bring me the bill?
- ¿Aceptan tarjetas? - Do you accept cards?
- ¿Pueden dividir la cuenta? - Can you split the check?
- ¿Está incluido el servicio? - Is service included?
- Hay un error en la cuenta - There's an error in the bill
- Quédese con el cambio - Keep the change
- Gracias - Thank you
- Por favor - Please
- Con permiso - Excuse me
- Disculpe - Excuse me (to get attention)
- Buen provecho - Enjoy your meal
- Estuvo delicioso - It was delicious
- Hasta luego - See you later
That's it for today's complete guide on how to order food in Spanish! Whether you're dining in Spain or Latin America, these essential Spanish restaurant phrases will help you handle any dining situation with confidence. Practice these expressions before your next visit to a Spanish-speaking restaurant - they're your key to a smooth dining experience. Remember, learning how to order food in Spanish takes practice, so don't be afraid to use these phrases whenever you can. Don't forget to write us with your questions and comments!
Welcome to our beginner-friendly guide to the parts of the house in Spanish! Whether you’re a new learner or brushing up on your vocabulary, this lesson will teach you the Spanish words for different rooms and areas in a house. Plus, you’ll learn how to pronounce each term clearly and naturally.
Knowing the names of the rooms and parts of the house in Spanish is essential for describing your daily life, discussing where things are located, or even giving a house tour. This vocabulary is practical, especially if you’re traveling, living abroad, or interacting with Spanish-speaking friends and family.
But before we dive into all the different parts of the house, let's start with the most important word - do you know how to say "house" in Spanish?
Todo el mundo tiene afán de llegar a la casa por lo del toque de queda.
Everyone is eager to get home because of the curfew thing.
Caption 3, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 9
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Let’s start with the basics! Below is a list of key rooms and parts of the house in Spanish, along with video clips for each term. Listen carefully to each clip, then try saying the word out loud to get comfortable with the pronunciation.
Mire, joven, esta es la sala,
Look, young man, this is the living room,
Caption 18, Otavalo Departamento
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Ay, pues, mija, déjesela ahí en la cocina.
Oh, well, dear, leave them there for him in the kitchen.
Caption 27, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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En este vehículo en concreto, el baño es muy característico
In this particular vehicle, the bathroom is very distinctive
Caption 46, Viajando con Fermín Caravaning - Part 3
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"Usa el dormitorio exclusivamente para dormir.
"Use the bedroom exclusively for sleeping.
Caption 27, Aprendiendo con Silvia Consejos para dormir mejor - Part 1
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Aquí tenemos el comedor;
Here we have the dining room;
Caption 55, Otavalo Proyecto Hayni - Part 2
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Below are additional important parts of the house in Spanish, each accompanied by a video clip to help you learn the correct pronunciation.
Yard/Garden | el jardín (el har-DEEN)
Hábleme de ese dinero que tiene usted enterrado en el jardín.
Talk to me about that money you have buried in the garden.
Caption 93, Los casos de Yabla El examen - Part 3
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Balcony | el balcón (el bal-KOHN)
Tomo unos mates en el balcón
I have some servings of mate on the balcony
Caption 10, GoSpanish La rutina diaria de Sol
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Garage | el garaje (el gah-RAH-heh)
se quedaba en el garaje de la casa de él.
was staying in the garage at his house.
Caption 27, Tu Voz Estéreo Embalsamado - Part 5
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Roof | el tejado (el teh-HAH-doh) or el techo (el TEH-cho)
Please, keep in mind that tejado refers to the exterior roof, especially in Spain, while techo generally means ceiling or roof, commonly used across Latin America.
Entonces, toda, eh... las ventanas, las escaleras, el tejado
So, all, um... the windows, the staircases, the roof
Caption 22, Sevilla, España Hotel Kivir - Part 1
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Ahorita, bueno, le faltó el techo...
Right now, well, the roof is missing...
Caption 75, Playa Adícora Francisco - Part 6
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Basement | el sótano (el SOH-tah-noh)
y ni siquiera sabía porqué estaba entrando en el sótano.
and I didn't even know why I was entering the basement.
Caption 11, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 7 - Part 1
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Wall | la pared (lah pah-RED)
solo por culpa de una humedad en la pared.
just because of a damp patch on the wall.
Caption 45, Tu Voz Estéreo Feliz Navidad - Part 6
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Floor | el suelo (el SWEH-lo) or el piso (el PEE-soh)
In Spain, "floor" (of a house) is typically referred to as suelo. In Latin America, while suelo is also used for floor surfaces, piso is often the preferred term to describe the floor of a house or a building.
"El que tiene muchas sillas para sentarse acaba sentándose en el suelo".
"He who has many chairs to sit on ends up sitting on the floor."
Captions 8-9, Soledad Refranes - Part 2
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Había una cantidad de fotos en el piso
There were a bunch pictures on the floor
Caption 5, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 2 - Part 8
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Window | la ventana (lah ven-TAH-nah)
Y mi hermana y yo corríamos a la ventana
And my sister and I would run to the window
Caption 27, Aprendiendo con Silvia Recuerdos de infancia - Part 1
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Door | la puerta (lah PWEHR-tah)
No. -Ni pa abrir la puerta. Hm!
No. -Not even to open the door. Hmm!
Caption 8, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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Stairs | las escaleras (lahs eh-skah-LEH-rahs)
ya que las escaleras interiores son muy estrechas y empinadas.
since the interior stairs are very narrow and steep.
Caption 21, Viajando con Fermín Ámsterdam - Part 3
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Here are some common ways to talk about different parts of the house in Spanish. Practice these sentences for everyday conversation:
Mi cocina es grande.
My kitchen is big.
La sala tiene un sofá.
The living room has a sofa.
El jardín está detrás de la casa.
The garden is behind the house.
El balcón tiene una vista hermosa.
The balcony has a beautiful view.
El baño está al final del pasillo.
The bathroom is at the end of the hallway.
El comedor es perfecto para cenas familiares.
The dining room is perfect for family dinners.
Mi dormitorio tiene una cama cómoda.
My bedroom has a comfortable bed.
Congratulations! You now know the vocabulary for different parts of the house in Spanish and how to pronounce each word naturally. Practice using these terms in daily conversations to reinforce what you’ve learned. Remember, every time you use these words, you’ll sound more confident and fluent! And don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
One of our attentive users recently asked about an intriguing phrase he encountered in one of our videos: "nos va es a matar." He was curious about the use of "es" in this sentence. "Why is 'es' in this sentence? Two verbs in a row doesn’t seem correct," he commented. If you’ve come across a similar sentence and had similar thoughts, you’re not alone! Today, we're diving into a fascinating feature of Colombian Spanish: the emphatic "es."
The emphatic "es" (also known as "es enfático") is a grammatical structure used in Colombian Spanish to add emphasis to a particular part of a sentence. It's not actually two verbs in a row, as our user thought, but rather a special particle that highlights important information. Let's see an example with the phrase that confused our user:
pero ese man nos va a dar es en la jeta, nos va es a matar.
but that guy is going to punch us in the face, he's going to kill us.
Caption 47, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 13
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In this clip, you'll hear "nos va es a matar." A standard Spanish version would be "nos va a matar" (he's going to kill us), but the insertion of "es" adds emphasis, similar to saying "what he's going to do is kill us" in English.
The emphatic "es" can take three forms: es, fue, and era. These correspond to the present, simple past, and imperfect past tenses. The choice depends on the tense of the main verb in the sentence. For example:
- Present: Ella está estudiando es derecho. (She is studying law.)
- Simple past: Yo vi fue un poco de Deporte Gráfico. (I saw some Deporte Gráfico magazines.)
- Imperfect past: Ellos buscaban era dinero. (They were looking for money.)
Aquí yo vengo es a descansar.
I come here just to rest.
Caption 10, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 3 - Part 5
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The emphatic "es" has two main uses:
1. Contrastive Focus: It's used to highlight a contrasting element in the sentence. In this case, "es" appears immediately before the contrasting element.
Example: Tú tienes que decírselas es a ella. (You have to tell them to her [not someone else].)
2. New Information Focus: It's used to mark the entire predicate as new information. In this case, "es" appears as early as possible in the predicate.
Example: Me quiero es encerrar con mi tía allá. (What I want is to lock myself up with my aunt there.)
Vamos es a golpear, aquí traemos es todo el repertorio que es. -¡Eh, eh!
We are going to rock, here we bring all the repertoire. -Eh, eh!
Caption 97, ChocQuibTown De donde vengo yo
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Interestingly, although the emphatic "es" looks like a conjugated form of the verb "ser" (to be), it actually functions as a particle. This means:
- It doesn't create a new clause in the sentence.
- It can appear before words of almost any class (nouns, adjectives, adverbs, etc.).
- It's most commonly used before direct objects, but can also appear before indirect objects, adverbial phrases, and even between an auxiliary verb and a main verb.
That's it for today. Have you heard the emphatic "es" before? Try using it in your next conversation with Colombian friends and see how they react! Don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
If you find yourself a bit lost in a Spanish-speaking country or simply need to know where the closest restaurant, train station, landmark, etc., is located, it's important to know how to ask for directions in Spanish. Today's lesson will teach you some important phrases and vocabulary for doing so.
To approach a stranger, you might say some polite equivalent of "Excuse me," like Permiso, Disculpe or Mande in certain countries, or perhaps some greeting like Hola (Hello) or Buenos días (Good Morning), Buenas tardes (Good afternoon) or Buenas noches (Good evening), depending upon the time of day. We also recommend that, of the many ways to say "you" in Spanish, you choose the more formal one: usted, and/or address the person as señor (sir), señora (ma'am) or señorita (miss). Armed with this information, let's learn some fixed expressions that you could use as openers, all of which essentially mean "Can/could you tell me...?"
¿(Usted) me puede/podría decir...?
¿(Usted) me puede/podría indicar...?
¿(Usted) me puede/podría señalar...?
Now let's hear one of the aforementioned phrases connected to a typical way to ask about the location of something in Spanish:
Eh... ¿Me puede decir dónde está la calle Güemes?
Um... Can you tell me where Güemes Street is?
Caption 33, Español para principiantes Saludos y encuentros
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As we hear, ¿Dónde está(n)...? (Where is/are...?) is one of the most common ways to ask about location in Spanish. Let's learn some more useful phrases to do so:
¿Cómo llego a...? (How do I get to...?)
¿Hay un/a... cerca de aquí? (Is there a... around here?)
¿Sabe si está por aquí...? (Do you know if... is around here?)
¿Cuál es la mejor forma de llegar/ir a...? (What's the best way to get to...?)
Busco/Estoy buscando... (I'm looking for...)
¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa...? (Can you show me on the map...?)
Now, let's hear some of these, on their own or in combination, in action:
Disculpe, ¿hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
Excuse me, is there an airport around here?
Caption 11, Curso de español ¿Disculpe, hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
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Eh... ¿Podría decirme cómo llegar al aeropuerto?
Um... Could you tell me how to get to the airport?
Caption 13, Curso de español ¿Disculpe, hay un aeropuerto por aquí?
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Por cierto, ¿cómo llego a la cascada?
By the way, how do I get to the waterfall?
Caption 69, Aprendiendo con Priscilla Pidiendo direcciones
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¿Usted sabe dónde está el museo del Prado? Usted.
Do you [formal] know where the Prado Museum is? "Usted."
Caption 15, Fundamentos del Español 6 - Tú y Usted
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Next, let's learn some useful vocabulary in anticipation of some answers we might receive upon asking for directions in Spanish.
Let's start with the basic directions, right and left, as well as the cardinal and ordinal directions in Spanish:
la izquierda: left
la derecha: right
el norte: north
el sur: south
el este: east
el oeste: west
el noreste/nordeste: the northeast
el noroeste: the northwest
el sudeste/sureste: the southeast
el sudoeste/suroeste: the southwest
Note that when indicating directions, these words are usually used with the prepositions a (to) or hacia (to/toward). Let's see some examples:
está situado al este de la bahía.
is located to the east of the bay.
Caption 22, Viajando con Fermín Pasajes (Pasaia) - Part 1
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Por ejemplo, si tenemos que ir hacia la derecha, deberemos girar el volante hacia la derecha y si queremos ir hacia la izquierda, deberemos girar el volante hacia la izquierda.
For example, if we have to go right, we will have to turn the steering wheel to the right and if we want to go left, we will have to turn the steering wheel to the left.
Captions 38-41, Raquel y Marisa Aprender a conducir - Part 2
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Interestingly, all of the above-mentioned nouns can also function as adjectives, for example, la punta norte (the northern tip) or el lado izquierdo ("the left side," noting the change from a final "a" to an "o" to agree grammatically with the singular masculine noun). Another example of this is the fact that, like in English, Spanish uses the word mano (hand) to talk about "the right" or "left hand side":
Ve, entrá y la primera oficina que encontrás a mano derecha; ahí es.
Go, go in, and the first office you'll find on the right hand side; it's there.
Caption 74, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 12
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Let's take a look at some additional directional words and phrases.
abajo: down
arriba: up
al lado de: next to
cerca de: close to
enfrente de: in front of/across from
derecho: straight/straight ahead/right
detrás de: behind
recto: straight/straight ahead
todo derecho/recto: straight ahead
As we already learned that the adjective derecho means "right," you may have been surprised to see in the list above that it can also mean "straight" or "straight ahead." Let's see examples of each usage:
¿Sigo derecho y no lo saludo?
Keep going straight and not say hi to him?
Caption 26, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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"Mi guitarra está al lado derecho mío".
"My guitar is on my right side."
Caption 17, Kowy Vocabulario
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Let's take a look at many oft-used verbs for talking about how to get places in Spanish, a few of which we've already seen:
estar: to be located
quedar: to be located
llegar: to get there
seguir: to continue, keep going
doblar: to turn
girar: to turn
tomar: to take
pasar: to pass
cruzar: to cross
Now, let's see a couple of these in clips from the Yabla Spanish video library:
Señora, ¿y usted sabe dónde queda esa whiskería?
Ma'am, and do you know where that whisky bar is?
Caption 82, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 3 - Part 1
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debo girar por la calle de la izquierda.
I should turn down the street on the left.
Caption 50, Raquel Las direcciones
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Finally, we'll look at just a few of the many directions-related nouns that might come up as things to keep your eyes out for on your way to some destination:
el edificio: the building
la señal de pare/alto: the stop sign
el semáforo: the stop light:
el camino: the road
la carretera: the highway
la calle: the street
la esquina: the corner
la intersección: the intersection
Let's conclude today's lesson with a little blurb that includes several of the terms we have learned today:
Cuando salgas, caminas a la derecha, cruzas el semáforo y a tu derecha verás un edificio blanco grande.
When you leave, you walk to the right, you cross the traffic light, and to your right, you'll see a big white building.
Captions 22-24, Cleer y Lida Llegando a una nueva ciudad
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We hope that this vocabulary will help you to feel more confident both asking for directions in Spanish and understanding many potential answers when you do... and don't forget to write us with your questions and suggestions!
In Spanish, vowels play a key role in how syllables and words are formed, especially when multiple vowels appear together. Today, we will explore three key concepts related to vowel interaction: diphthongs, triphthongs, and hiatuses.
A diphthong occurs when two vowels are combined within the same syllable. In Spanish, these vowels can either be both closed vowels (i.e., "i" and "u"), or one open vowel (like "a," "e," or "o") paired with a closed vowel.
"Cuando fuimos a Italia nos quedamos una semana en Florencia".
"When we went to Italy, we stayed for a week in Florence."
Caption 21, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 3
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Both Italia and Florencia end with a diphthong, combining the closed vowel "i" and the open vowel "a" in the last syllable.
Popayán es una ciudad que está ubicada en el sudoeste de Colombia,
Popayan is a city that is located in the southwest of Colombia,
Caption 3, Viajando con Carlos Popayán - Colombia - Part 1
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In the word ciudad, the diphthong is found in the second-to-last syllable, formed by the two closed vowels "i" and "u."
These vowel combinations create fluid sounds within a single syllable, a common feature in many Spanish words.
A triphthong is when three vowels are pronounced together in a single syllable. For a triphthong to occur, there must be an open vowel (like "a," "e," or "o") sandwiched between two closed vowels (like "i" and "u").
como por ejemplo, en "vosotros estudiáis".
like for example, in "vosotros estudiáis" ["you guys study"].
Caption 24, Carlos explica Acentuación Cap. 5: Diptongo, triptongo, hiato
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This word is a great example of a triphthong. The open vowel "a" is surrounded by the two closed vowels "i," creating a single syllable where all three vowels are pronounced together.
Fermín también me preguntaba quién toma más mate, si Uruguay o Argentina.
Fermín was also asking me who drinks more mate, whether Uruguay or Argentina.
Captions 49-50, Viajando con Fermín La Feria Internacional de los Países de Fuengirola - Part 2
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The "y" at the end of Uruguay acts like the vowel "i," forming a triphthong along with the "u" and the "a" earlier in the word.
Triphthongs are less common than diphthongs but are often found in verbs conjugated for the second-person plural form in Spain.
A hiatus occurs when two vowels appear together but belong to different syllables. This can happen when the two vowels are both open or when there is an emphasis on a closed vowel next to an open vowel.
Sobre todo para aprender idiomas es fundamental leer.
Especially to learn languages, it's essential to read.
Caption 5, Adriana La lectura - Part 2
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In leer, the two "e"s are pronounced separately, each belonging to a different syllable: le-er. This breaks up what could have been a diphthong.
Es que ahí está pintado el egoísta ese.
It's just that that's exactly like that selfish guy.
Caption 55, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 10
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In the word egoísta, we see a hiatus between the vowels "o" and "í." The closed vowel "í" is stressed, creating a break between "o" and "í" and making them part of separate syllables: e-go-ís-ta.
Es decir, estás teniendo un buen día,
In other words, you're having a good day,
Caption 20, Soledad Personas tóxicas
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In the word día, the closed vowel "i" is emphasized, creating a break between the "i" and the open vowel "a," resulting in two syllables.
"¿Quién eres tú?", preguntó Ada al ver a un búho que bajaba volando.
"Who are you?" Ada asked when she saw an owl that was flying down.
Captions 4-6, Silvia nos cuenta El bosque encantado y las emociones mágicas - Part 3
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Even though the "h" is silent in Spanish, it doesn’t interfere with the vowel interaction. In búho, the two vowels "u" and "o" are part of different syllables, forming a hiatus.
Understanding diphthongs, triphthongs, and hiatuses is essential for mastering Spanish pronunciation and accentuation. Diphthongs and triphthongs allow vowels to merge into smooth sounds within syllables, while hiatuses create a clear division between syllables, even when vowels are side by side.
By recognizing these patterns, learners can improve their fluency and pronunciation accuracy in Spanish. This concludes our lesson on vowel interaction in Spanish. Hopefully, this has helped clarify how vowels work together in different ways, and don't forget to write us with your questions and suggestions.
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