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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.
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.
How do you say thank you and you're welcome in Spanish? Even most non-Spanish speakers know that gracias is the common, standard way to say "thank you" in Spanish, while the most common response is de nada (you're welcome). Today's lesson will help you spice up your spoken Spanish by learning some additional ways to say thank you and you're welcome in Spanish.
Before going any further, let's hear the Spanish word gracias pronounced, paying particular attention to the way that Spanish speakers pronounce the vowels (it should not sound like "grassy a--"). Then, we suggest you practice it yourself!
Gracias.
Thank you.
Caption 39, Cristina Primeros auxilios
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Note that if you want to say what you are thanking someone "for" in Spanish, you should use the Spanish preposition por (rather than para) as we see here:
Así que gracias por su atención
So, thank you for your attention,
Caption 68, Carlos comenta La sucursal del cielo - Part 1
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This brings us to another common Spanish expression, which is equivalent to the English "Thanks for everything":
Gracias por todo.
Thank you for everything.
Caption 86, Tu Música El Ensamble Latino - Part 3
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Now, let's hear a common way to say "Thank you very much" in Spanish:
Muchas gracias.
Thank you very much.
Caption 96, Casabermeja Gastronomía - Part 2
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If you wish to say "Thank you very much" in Spanish even more emphatically, you might choose the following expression, which includes the augmentative form of muchas, muchísimas:
Muchísimas gracias
Thank you very much
Caption 63, Venezolanos por el mundo Karina en Barcelona - Part 3
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Yet another rough equivalent of "thank you very much" or "thanks so much" is the common Spanish expression mil gracias, which literally means "a thousand thanks":
Mm... no, no, mil gracias. No me gusta el café.
Um... No, no, thanks so much [literally "a thousand thanks"]. I don't like coffee.
Caption 3, Tu Voz Estéreo Embalsamado - Part 8
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In addition to the expressions we just learned, certain verbs or verb phrases can be used to convey gratitude. Below, you'll find several, with examples from our Yabla Spanish library.
Agradecer (to thank/be grateful)
Así que, te agradezco, Fredy,
So, I thank you, Fredy,
Caption 49, Viajando con Carlos El año viejo en Colombia - Part 2
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The direct object pronoun lo is often included in the fixed expression te lo agradezco (I appreciate it, I thank you for it, I'm grateful to you for it) when referring to a specific thing or situation:
Y te lo agradezco, pero la verdad,
And I thank you for it, but honestly,
Caption 17, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 8 - Part 8
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Dar las gracias (to thank/give thanks)
Te vengo a dar las gracias.
I'm coming to thank you.
Caption 7, Club 10 Capítulo 2 - Part 7
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Apreciar (to appreciate)
Bueno... pues le aprecio mucho gobernador que me haya contestado.
Well... I really appreciate you, Governor, for answering me.
Caption 17, ¡Tierra, Sí! Atenco - Part 1
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Estar agradecido (to be grateful)
estoy contenta, estoy agradecida,
I'm happy, I'm grateful,
Caption 64, Amaya Recordando - Part 1
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If you wish to say thank you in a more formal setting, you could choose to address the person you are thanking with usted instead of tú or vos, the more formal of the different Spanish ways to say "you." The expression te lo agradezco would hence change as follows:
Bueno, se lo agradezco.
Well, I thank you for it.
Caption 84, Muñeca Brava 48 - Soluciones - Part 3
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The abbreviated Muy agradecido can also function as an alternative to "Thank you very much" in more formal settings:
Muy agradecido, Don Kevin.
Very grateful, Mister Kevin.
Caption 34, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 3 - Part 7
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Finally, the expression Muy amable (literally "very kind") is often used in place of or along with another way of saying "thank you," as we see in the following two captions:
Eh... Sí, señorita, ya voy para allá. Muy amable.
Um... Yes, miss, I'm going there now. [You're] very kind.
Captions 44-45, Tu Voz Estéreo Laura - Part 15
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Bueno, muchas gracias. Muy amable.
Well, thank you very much. [You're] very kind.
Caption 19, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 10
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As we mentioned in the introduction, de nada (literally "of nothing") is the standard equivalent of "you're welcome" in Spanish. Let's hear it a caption that includes both thank you and you're welcome in Spanish:
¡Ay, muchísimas gracias por tu amabilidad! ¡De nada!
Oh, thank you so much for your kindness! You're welcome!
Captions 37-38, Cleer y Carolina En la estación de buses
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Note that an alternative, albeit less common way to say de nada is por nada.
Let's explore a few different ways to say something similar to "you're welcome" in Spanish, starting with one that literally means something along the lines of "There's no reason (to thank me)."
Yo también. Muchas gracias por admitirme. No hay de qué. Es un placer tenerla con nosotros.
Me too. Thank you very much for accepting me. You're welcome. It's a pleasure to have you with us.
Captions 10-11, Negocios Empezar en un nuevo trabajo - Part 2
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Like in English, "My pleasure" is also a suitable response to someone thanking you, as is simply (it's) "a pleasure":
El placer es mío, Adolfo.
The pleasure is mine, Adolfo.
Caption 39, Yago 6 Mentiras - Part 4
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Gracias por venir, Luis. Un placer, Mónica,
Thank you for coming, Luis. A pleasure, Monica,
Captions 2-3, Escribiendo un libro Algunos consejos sobre cómo comenzar - Part 1
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And, finally, as in English, we could thank the person right back!
Muchas gracias. Gracias a ti.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
Captions 50-51, El Aula Azul Los profesores de la escuela - Part 1
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With this in mind, we hope that this lesson has given you a lot of ideas about ways to say thank you and you're welcome in Spanish, beyond just gracias and de nada. Muchísimas gracias por su atención... and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
You have probably heard that double negatives are incorrect because two negatives make a positive. For example, "I don't have none" means "I have some" and "He doesn't know no one" would mean "He knows someone." However, while this holds true in English, the same is not so in Spanish, where double negatives are perfectly acceptable and commonplace! Let's further explore this concept.
As you might know, to create a negative Spanish sentence, you simply add the word "no" in front of the verb. To state a very simple example, while Voy means "I'm going," No voy means "I'm not going."
To add emphasis to the aforementioned sentence, you could add an additional negative Spanish word like nunca (never) as we see below:
No voy nunca.
I'm never going/I'm not ever going.
Despite the fact that this sentence's literal translation, "I'm not going never," would be unacceptable in English, as we stated previously, there is nothing negative about Spanish double negatives! Another thing to note about Spanish double negative sentences is that, as we see in the example above, there is often more than one correct way to translate them to English.
The following list of negative Spanish words are often used to create Spanish double negative sentences:
jamás: never, ever
nadie: nobody, no one
ningún: no, not a single, any
ninguno/a: no, none, not one, nobody, no one
nunca: never, ever
tampoco: neither, nor, either
ni: nor, not even
Armed with this information, let's take a look at several examples of Spanish double negatives from our Yabla Spanish library. To help you think about them, we have included their literal translations as well as alternative translations to English in some cases.
No, no, mi amor, no vino nadie a verme, no, no.
No, no, my love, nobody came to see me, no, no.
Caption 1, Yago 10 Enfrentamientos - Part 6
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Literal translation: No one didn't come to see me.
él no dijo nada.
he didn't say anything.
Caption 52, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 3
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Literal translation: He didn't say nothing.
Alternative translation: He said nothing.
No, no tengo ninguno, no... ¿Por qué? ¿Qué propones?
No, I don't have any, I don't... Why? What do you suggest?
Captions 23-24, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 7
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Literal translation: I don't have none.
Alternative translation: I have none.
In addition to the word "no," the placement of additional negative Spanish words like nunca (never), tampoco (not either) or nadie (no one) before verbs can also negate phrases, as in the sentences Tampoco voy (I'm not going either), Él nunca toma alchohol (He never drinks alcohol) and Nadie viene (No one is coming). Therefore, we can also form Spanish double negatives with these words plus an additional negative word, as we see in the examples below. Can you come up with their literal or additional English translations?
Yo ahí tampoco espero nada.
I don't expect anything there either.
Caption 55, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 3 - Part 7
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por él no me preocupo, a él nunca le pasa nada.
I don't worry about him; nothing ever happens to him.
Caption 34, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 10
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Nadie va a ninguna parte.
Nobody's going anywhere.
Caption 31, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 10 - Part 7
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Interestingly, not only are double negatives OK in Spanish, but so are triple negatives and more! Let's take a look at a few examples of this phenomenon, starting with a triple negative sentence:
pues no quiere deberle nada a nadie cuando llegue a la presidencia
for he doesn't want to owe anything to anyone when he gets to the presidency
Caption 53, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Publicidad de Obrador
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Let's see one more:
Nunca he viajado ni en campervan ni en autocaravana.
I've never traveled in either a camper or in a motorhome.
Caption 18, Viajando con Fermín Caravaning - Part 2
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Keep in mind that that although the previous sentence entailed a triple negative, there is no limit to the number of times that the Spanish word ni, which functions as the equivalent of English words like "either," "or," "neither" and "nor," can be used in a sentence. For example, if you wanted to add on some additional modes of transportation on which you had never traveled, you could do so as follows:
Nunca he viajado ni en campervan ni en autocaravana ni en avión ni en helicóptero ni en tren.
I've never traveled in either a camper or in a motorhome or in an airplane or on a train.
Let's conclude this lesson with the frequently-heard double negative phrase nunca jamás (the Spanish equivalent of "never ever," which you can learn more about in our lessons on Never and Ever in Spanish). Let's take a look at this phrase in the context of a Spanish triple negative:
nunca digas nunca jamás.
never ever say never.
Caption 89, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 14
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That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has helped you to better understand the idea of double and even multiple negative sentences in Spanish, and we urge you to both be on the lookout for them and formulate some of your own! And don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
While the letter Z might not be the most common starting point for Spanish words, there are still some important words to know. In this lesson, we’ll explore a few interesting facts about the Spanish letter Z and present a list of Spanish words that begin with this unique letter.
The Spanish letter Z is pronounced as /θ/ in Spain (similar to the English 'th' in 'think') and as /s/ in Latin American Spanish (similar to the English 's' in 'sun'). Let's hear how Carlos (from Colombia) and Xavi (from Spain) pronounce the word corazón in the following sentence:
Esa canción me llegó al corazón. Esta canción me llegó al corazón.
That song touched my heart. This song touched my heart.
Captions 17-18, Carlos y Xavi Diferencia de pronunciación entre España y Colombia - Part 2
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In addition to this difference in pronunciation, the letter Z appears in many commonly used Spanish words. Now, let's dive into our list!
Vamos a utilizar un pelador para la zanahoria
We're going to use a peeler for the carrot
Caption 24, La cocina de Fermín Espaguetis con verduras
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y yo me empecé a sentir como un zángano enamorado.
and I began to feel like a drone in love.
Caption 33, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 6 - Part 2
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Si es que el zapato no le entra,
If the case is that the shoe doesn't fit you,
Captions 64-65, Mónica La media rota
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el día a día del zar Nicolás Segundo y las zarinas.
the daily life of Czar Nicolas the Second and the czarinas.
Caption 21, Adriana La lectura - Part 2
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Me gustan las arias, las óperas, las zarzuelas.
I like arias, operas, zarzuelas.
Caption 10, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana César Lara Hernández
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sabréis que las colas tienen forma de zigzag.
you'll know that the lines have a zig-zag shape.
Caption 19, Soledad El mundo es un pañuelo
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El zinc es un metal muy utilizado en la construcción.
Zinc is a metal widely used in construction.
Mi signo del zodiaco es Leo.
My zodiac sign is Leo.
La bahía se ha convertido en una zona costera de gran concurrencia.
Bahía has become a very crowded coastal area.
Caption 22, Maoli Bahía de Cata
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Esta águila andina que se encuentra en el zoológico,
This Andean eagle that's at the zoo
Caption 91, Quito Zoológico de Guayllabamba - Part 1
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Un "zorro" es aquel muy astuto.
A "fox" is one who is very cunning.
Caption 72, Beatriz Palabras polisémicas - Part 2
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Los agricultores usaban zuecos para trabajar en el campo.
Farmers used wooden clogs to work in the field.
"Que el zumbido tiene que ver con el polvo de las flores", dijo Pigueldito.
"That the buzzing has to do with the dust from the flowers," said Piggeldy.
Caption 33, Pigueldito y Federico Las abejas
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Pregúntale si tiene zumo, pan y galletas para nosotros.
Ask her if she has juice, bread, and cookies for us.
Caption 38, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 2
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la "churdi" porque es zurda,
the "churdi" because she's left-handed,
Caption 56, Mari Carmen La amistad
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These are just a few of the most common words that start with the letter Z in Spanish. Can you think of any other words? Let us know and don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
Have you ever heard the word vaina while watching Spanish-language content or talking with Latin American friends? This seemingly simple word has a rich history and multiple uses in modern Spanish slang. Today, we'll explore the origins and various meanings of vaina, a term commonly used in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
Before we dive into its slang uses, let's take a brief look at the origins of the word vaina:
The word vaina has its roots in the Latin term "vagina". During the times of ancient Rome, this word referred to the sheath warriors used to store their swords. As language evolved, the meaning of vaina broadened to encompass any cover or case designed for sharp objects.
Later on, Spanish botanists adopted the term vaina for use in their field. They applied it to describe the elongated shells or coverings that encase certain seeds and legumes. You might be familiar with some common examples, such as the pods that contain chickpeas and peas.
Now, let's explore how vaina is used in everyday speech in some Latin American countries:
In countries like Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, vaina can refer to almost anything. It's often used when:
1. You don't know or can't remember the name of something.
2. You're referring to a concept or situation in general.
Let's see some examples:
¡Cincuenta mil pesos vale el arreglo de esa vaina!
It costs fifty thousand pesos to fix that thing!
Caption 27, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 7
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Quiubo, pues... Deje esa vaina ahí y camine.
What's up then... Stop with that stuff there and walk.
Caption 73, Tu Voz Estéreo Laura - Part 5
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No se vaya a molestar, Jaime, pero es que esta vaina ya no es seria.
Don't go getting upset, Jaime, but it's just that this thing isn't serious anymore.
Caption 22, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 4
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As you can see, vaina is quite versatile and can replace many nouns in casual conversation.
The word vaina is also used in various idiomatic expressions. Here are some popular ones from Colombia:
- Meaning: "What a pity/shame!" or "That's too bad!"
- Used to express disappointment or frustration
¡Qué vaina! Todos los esfuerzos que estás haciendo para liberarte del asunto, se te acaban de ir al piso.
What a shame! All the efforts that you're putting in to absolve yourself from the issue have just gone down the drain [literally "to the floor"].
Captions 6-9, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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- Meaning: "Stop messing around" or "Cut it out"
- Used to tell someone to be serious or stop causing problems
"¡Déjate de vainas!" "No te hagas problemas" o "No me vengas con cuentos".
"¡Déjate de vainas!" "Don't worry about it" or "Cut the crap."
Captions 38-40, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”
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- Meaning: "What's the problem?" or "What's going on?"
- Used to inquire about a situation or issue
¡Ay! -¿Qué es la vaina?
Oh! -What's going on?
Caption 48, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 5 - Part 7
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- Meaning: "No way" or "Not a chance"
- Used to strongly reject an idea or proposal
"Ni de vainas," que significa, "Ni lo sueñes" o "No lo haré".
"Ni de vainas" ["Don't even think about it" or "No way"], which means, "Don't even think about it" or "I won't do it."
Captions 44-45, Carlos explica Vocabulario: La palabra “vaina”
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To help you understand how vaina is used in real conversations, let's look at a few more examples:
1. "No entendí nada de esa vaina" (I didn't understand any of that stuff.)
2. "Pásame esa vaina, por favor" (Pass me that thing, please.)
3. "¿Cómo es que se llama esa vaina?" (What's that thing called?)
¿En efectivo? Ya vuelo a hacer esa vaina,
In cash? I'll get that thing done right away,
Caption 59, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 2 - Part 10
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Remember, while vaina is widely used in some countries, it may not be as common or have the same connotations in other Spanish-speaking regions. Always be mindful of the local context when using slang terms.
That's it for today's lesson on the versatile word vaina. Next time you're watching a Colombian telenovela or chatting with Venezuelan friends, keep an ear out for this useful slang term. And if you visit countries where it's commonly used, don't be afraid to try out esa vaina in your conversations!
Do you have any other Spanish slang terms you'd like to learn about? Please let us know, and don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
Do you know how to say "Olympics" in Spanish? How about "athlete" or "medal"? In this lesson, we'll explore the names of various Olympic sports, common verbs used in sports, and specific terms related to the Olympic Games. Let's dive into the exciting world of the Olympics.
In Spanish, the term for "Olympics" can be expressed as los Juegos Olímpicos or las Olimpiadas. Both terms are commonly used and understood.
Esto llegó con la nominación de Barcelona como sede de los Juegos Olímpicos en mil novecientos noventa y dos.
This arrived with the nomination of Barcelona as seat of the Olympic Games in nineteen ninety two.
Captions 10-12, El Trip Barcelona
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y ahora estoy trabajando en las Olimpiadas de Londres del dos mil doce,
and now I am working on the 2012 London Olympics,
Caption 8, Álvaro Arquitecto Español en Londres
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Let's see some of the most important Olympic-related terms in Spanish:
el atleta | the athlete
la medalla | the medal
el oro | the gold (medal)
la plata | the silver (medal)
el bronce | the bronze (medal)
el podio | the podium
la ceremonia de apertura | the opening ceremony
la ceremonia de clausura | the closing ceremony
Here are some popular Olympic sports and their Spanish translations:
atletismo | athletics
natación | swimming
gimnasia | gymnastics
baloncesto | basketball
fútbol | soccer
tenis | tennis
voleibol | volleyball
ciclismo | cycling
boxeo | boxing
esgrima | fencing
lucha | wrestling
levantamiento de pesas | weightlifting
remo | rowing
tiro con arco | archery
equitación | equestrian
triatlón | triathlon
tenis de mesa | table tennis
bádminton | badminton
Let's look at some common verbs used in sports, both in Spanish and English:
El equipo juega al baloncesto. (The team plays basketball.)
Ella compite en natación. (She competes in swimming.)
Él ganó la carrera. (He won the race.)
Ellos perdieron el partido. (They lost the match.)
Los atletas corren en la pista. (The athletes run on the track.)
Ella nada en la piscina. (She swims in the pool.)
El gimnasta salta alto. (The gymnast jumps high.)
Él lanza la jabalina. (He throws the javelin.)
Let's practice a little bit with some clips from our library:
Soy directora de Suma Deportes y hoy vengo a hablarles sobre la natación.
I'm the director of Suma Deportes, and today, I'm here to talk to you about swimming.
Captions 21-22, Víctor en Caracas La natación
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un deporte con características similares a la esgrima
a sport with similar characteristics to fencing,
Caption 22, Aprendiendo con Silvia Deportes tradicionales canarios - Part 2
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el ciclismo colombiano dio una muestra de su poderío en la montaña.
Colombian cycling gave a sample of its power on mountains.
Caption 18, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 5 - Part 5
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¿Vos qué vas a saber de boxeo?
What would you know about boxing?
Caption 10, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 2
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Here are some additional terms specifically related to the Olympics:
el anillo olímpico | the Olympic ring
el récord mundial | the world record
el Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI) | the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
la villa olímpica | the Olympic village
la antorcha olímpica | the Olympic torch
el relevo de la antorcha | the torch relay
el himno olímpico | the Olympic anthem
That's it for today. We hope this lesson helped you understand the basic terms related to the Olympics in Spanish. What's your favorite Olympic sport? Do you follow the Olympic Games? Please let us know, and don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
Do you know how to use the definite article el in Spanish? It's one of the most common words in the language, but its usage can sometimes be tricky for learners. In this lesson, we will explore how and when to use el correctly, including its rules and exceptions. Let's dive into the world of definite articles in the language of Cervantes.
Let's start with the basics of the definite article el.
A definite article is used to indicate a specific noun that is known to the reader or listener. In English, the definite article is "the." In Spanish, the masculine singular form of the definite article is el.
We use el with masculine singular nouns. Here are some examples:
el libro (the book)
el perro (the dog)
el coche (the car)
Let's hear how to pronounce this article:
Sin duda, en la actualidad el perro es el animal que más se utiliza como apoyo en este tipo de intervenciones.
Without a doubt, nowadays the dog is the animal that is used the most for support in this type of intervention.
Captions 40-41, Isabel Lavesa Terapia asistida con animales
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1. Nouns Starting with a Stressed 'A' or 'HA' Sound
When a feminine noun starts with a stressed "a" or "ha" sound, el is used instead of la to avoid a cacophony. However, the noun remains feminine. For example:
el agua (the water)
el águila (the eagle)
el hacha (the axe)
Note that in the plural form, "las" is used:
las aguas (the waters)
las águilas (the eagles)
las hachas (the axes)
2. Nouns That Are Always Masculine
Some nouns are always masculine, even though they might end in "a" or have other endings that might suggest they are feminine. For example:
el mapa (the map)
el día (the day)
el sofá (the sofa)
3. Compound Nouns
Many compound nouns that end in "-a" but are formed by combining two words are masculine. For example:
el sacapuntas (the pencil sharpener)
el paraguas (the umbrella)
el abrelatas (the can opener)
Let's watch the following clip where you can listen to our friend Fermín using the definite article "el" with various words:
La parte delantera del vehículo se llama capó y es donde se encuentran el motor, la batería, el agua, el líquido de frenos y el aceite,
The front of the vehicle is called the hood and is where the engine, the battery, the water, the brake fluid, and the oil are located,
Captions 48-49, Fermín Vocabulario del coche y la conducción - Part 1
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Now, let's practice a little bit more with some examples.
El libro es tan bueno como la película.
The book is as good as the movie.
Caption 20, Karla e Isabel Comparativos
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como: el mapa y el planeta.
like: the map and the planet.
Caption 47, Fundamentos del Español 2 - Nombres y Género
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¡Muy bien! El águila.
Very good! The eagle.
Caption 73, El Aula Azul Adivinanzas de animales - Part 2
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Dejemos a un lado el hacha de guerra
Let's leave aside the axe of war
Caption 22, Bebé Kiéreme
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Remember that el is only for masculine singular nouns. Don't use el with feminine nouns that don't start with a stressed "a" or "ha" sound. For example:
Incorrect: el casa
Correct: la casa (the house)
When the noun is plural, use los for masculine nouns and las for feminine nouns. For example:
el libro → los libros
el agua → las aguas
That's it for today. We hope this lesson helped you understand how to use the definite article el in Spanish. Do you have any questions or comments? Please let us know!
In a previous lesson, we focused on the relative pronouns el que, la que, los que and las que, which usually mean "the one" or "ones that" or "who." This time, we will introduce the remaining relative pronouns in Spanish, learning their English equivalents and how to use them in context.
Relative pronouns in English include "that," "which," "who," etc. in phrases like "the girl who is wearing black," "the house that we bought" and "the truck, which is brand new, broke down already." As we see, these words connect relative clauses like "is wearing black," "we bought" and "is brand new" to let the listener know what or whom specifically is being referred to and/or reveal qualities about them. Let's take a look at the equivalents of these terms in Spanish.
The relative pronoun que is the most commonly seen relative pronoun. It can refer to people or things and mean that, which, who or whom. Regardless of the number and gender of the antecedent (what the pronoun refers to), the relative pronoun que remains the same. Let's look at several examples from the Yabla Spanish video library that describe both objects and people and are translated in some of the aforementioned ways.
Hoy os quiero contar un poquito sobre el último libro que he leído.
Today, I want to tell you a little bit about the last book that I've read.
Caption 8, Adriana La lectura - Part 2
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y me inclino bastante por trabajar el realismo mágico, que es un género.
and I'm quite inclined to work in magic realism, which is a genre.
Caption 4, Julia Silva Su cortometraje "Crisálida"
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Necesito información sobre la mujer que acaba de entrar.
I need information about the woman who just went in.
Caption 32, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 11
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Refer to this lesson on the many uses of the word que in Spanish to hear this usage contrasted with many others.
Like el que, la que, los que and las que, the relative pronouns el cual, la cual, los cuales and las cuales must agree with their antecedent in terms of number and gender. Since this set of pronouns can refer to objects or people, they can be translated as which or who. Let's examine an example of each one, noting the agreement between the relative pronoun and its antecedent.
El tercer sentido es el sentido del gusto, con el cual podemos percibir el sabor de las cosas
The third sense is the sense of taste with which we can perceive the flavor of the things
Captions 33-34, Carlos explica Los cinco sentidos - Part 2
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Conocí a mi... la mamá de mis hijos, la cual tenía familia en Alemania
I met my... the mother of my children, who had family in Germany,
Captions 10-11, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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y también los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez, los cuales son muy famosos
and also, the Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens, which are very famous
Captions 27-28, Aprendiendo con Zulbany Visitando Madrid
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es decir, de opiniones en las cuales emitimos un juicio de valor sobre algo o alguien.
in other words, about opinions in which we cast a value judgment about something or someone.
Captions 11-12, Carlos explica Cómo expresar opiniones en español - Part 3
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Were you able to pick out the antecedents in each sentence and see how their corresponding relative pronouns agree in number and gender? They are: el gusto/el cual (masculine singular), la mamá de mis hijos/la cual (feminine singular), los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez/los cuales (masculine plural) and (las) opiniones/las cuales (feminine singular).
In contrast to the relative pronouns we have seen thus far, quien and quienes can only refer to people. While gender does not matter, quien must be used for just one person whereas quienes is used for more than one. As we see below, the English equivalents of quien and quienes are who and whom.
La una que es la persona quien conduce el bote, que se le dice el lanchero,
[Number] one is the person who drives the boat, who is called the boatman,
Caption 13, Instinto de conservación Gorgona - Part 7
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Los corsarios eran marinos en su mayoría respetables a quienes los monarcas otorgaban las patentes de corso,
The corsairs were, for the most part, respectable sailors to whom the monarchs granted letters of marque,
Captions 57-58, Viajando con Fermín Pasajes (Pasaia) - Part 3
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Note that this use differs from the use of the word quién (with an accent) as a Spanish question word.
In contrast to the relative pronouns we have seen thus far, lo que (what, that, which, that which) and lo cual (which) refer not to an antecedent noun but to an entire antecedent clause. Since these clauses include nouns and verbs and entail concepts and situations, gender is not applicable. Keep in mind that while lo que may refer to something stated explicitly in the sentence or something that is not, el cual must refer to something within the sentence. With this in mind, let's see a few examples:
Pero realmente, lo que hice fue dedicarme a buscar la tierra perfecta.
But really, what I did was devote myself to looking for the perfect land.
Captions 56-57, Amaya Recordando - Part 2
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¿Qué era lo que decía, mamita?
What was it that it said, Mommy?
Caption 16, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 11
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podrán ver objetos colgados por todos lados, lo cual crea un ambiente bastante colorido y surreal.
you'll be able to see objects hanging everywhere, which creates a quite colorful and surreal atmosphere.
Captions 54-55, Viajando con Carlos Andrés Carne de Res
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El Día del Padre (Father's Day) is celebrated on el tercer domingo de junio (the third Sunday in June) in both the United States and in many Latin American countries. Let's talk about some Spanish vocabulary and traditions related to this holiday aimed at showing appreciation for fathers and father figures.
Let's start off by learning 5 different ways to say "father" in Spanish, ranging from more formal to less so, and hear them pronounced:
Mm... ¿y a tu padre, en qué cosas te pareces?
Mm... And your father, how are you like him?
Captions 60-61, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: parecer y parecerse
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Ayer me llamó mi papá.
My dad called me yesterday.
Caption 53, Carlos y Cyndy La pronunciación en Colombia y Argentina
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Hola, pa, hola, ma.
Hi, Dad, hi, Mom.
Caption 30, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 7
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Papito...
Daddy...
Caption 5, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6
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Sólo un poquito, papi... ¿Sí?
Just a little bit, Daddy... OK?
Caption 8, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6
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Note that the latter two terms can also be used colloquially to say something like "dude" or "baby," depending on the context.
Probably the single best way to show appreciation for your dad is simply pasar tiempo con él (to spend time with him). This might entail going out to a meal, which is a common tradition in the United States as well as in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is also traditional to do large family cookouts or asados (barbecues). Alternatively, you might organize some kind of excursión (outing) with dad, like the one Fermín talks about here:
Hoy nos hemos ido de excursión para hacer senderismo,
Today, we've gone on an excursion to hike,
Captions 2-3, Viajando con Fermín El Caminito del Rey - Part 1
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Giving your dad a little regalo (present) might also help make his day! Hallmark reports that Father's Day is the fourth most popular day to give tarjetas (greeting cards), or make them oneself, which is a common tradition in Mexico. Let's hear this word pronounced:
Por ejemplo, podemos hacer tarjetas para regalos,
For example, we can make cards for gifts,
Caption 14, Adriana Lettering - Part
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Vamos a llenar completamente el tazón.
We're going to fill the mug completely.
Caption 31, Aprendiendo con Priscilla Haciendo pizza - Part 1
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Included in this category might be accessories like un albúm (an album) or un portarretratos (a picture frame). Let's listen to the latter term along with the longer term for "pictures":
un portarretratos con la fotografía de mi hijo.
a picture frame with my son's picture.
Caption 30, Ana Carolina Arreglando el dormitorio
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Qué linda corbata.
What a nice tie.
Caption 2, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 5
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And although a tie is, perhaps, the most popular Father's Day clothing gift, other articles of clothing also rank high on the list, the names for which you can learn in our lesson on articles of clothing in Spanish.
Finally, you might also offer your father kind words like Te quiero mucho (I love you a lot), Eres el mejor papá del mundo (You're the best dad in the world) or simply Gracias por estar ahí (Thanks for being there). Or, wish him a Happy Father's Day by saying Feliz Día del Padre (Happy Father's Day) or simply ¡Feliz Día, Papá! (Happy Day, Dad!).
That's all for today. If you like learning about holiday vocabulary and traditions in Spanish, we recommend you check out more lessons in our archives related to holidays and celebrations, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
Among the months of the year, May stands out with its vibrant energy, blooming flowers, and warm weather in many parts of the world. In this lesson, we'll explore Spanish vocabulary related to el mes de mayo (the month of May), including holidays, events and natural phenomena.
Let's dive in!
May is packed with festivities and special occasions. Here are some key events celebrated during this month:
May 1st is Labor Day in many countries around the world, celebrated to honor the contributions of workers. In Spanish-speaking countries, it's known as el Día del Trabajo.
On May 5th, Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo, commemorating the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It's a day filled with parades, music and traditional Mexican cuisine.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday of May. It's a day to honor and appreciate mothers and mother figures for their love and sacrifice.
The prestigious Cannes Film Festival takes place annually in May, showcasing the best of international cinema. It's a prominent event in the film industry calendar.
May marks the transition to warmer weather and the peak of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Let's explore some vocabulary related to nature during this beautiful month:
May is known for its abundance of blooming flowers. From colorful tulips to fragrant roses to exotic bougainvilleas, gardens come to life in May:
La buganvilla, también conocida como bougainvillea, es una planta originaria de América del Sur conocida por sus vistosas y vibrantes flores.
The bougainvillea, also known as "buganvilia," is a plant [that's] native to South America, known for its attractive and vibrant flowers.
Captions 7-9, Fermín y las plantas Buganvilla
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As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, the sun becomes a prominent feature of May. People enjoy outdoor activities under the warm rays of the sun.
In some regions, May brings occasional showers that nourish the earth and contribute to spring's lush greenery.
Birds are more active in May, building nests, singing melodies and raising their young. It's a time when the air is filled with the sounds of chirping birds.
La primavera se caracteriza, entre otras cosas, por los sonidos de los pájaros cantando desde sus nidos.
Spring is characterized, among other things, by the sounds of the birds singing from their nests.
Captions 2-3, Jacky Canción de los pájaros
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In Spanish culture, there are several expressions and sayings associated with the month of May. Let's learn a few:
This saying emphasizes the idea that the weather conditions in March and April contribute to the beauty of the month of May. Let's hear it:
"Marzo ventoso y abril lluvioso hacen a mayo florido y hermoso".
"Windy March and rainy April make May flowery and beautiful."
Caption 46, Aprendiendo con Silvia Dichos populares - Part 1
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This saying reflects the belief that a blossoming May foretells a fruitful and prosperous year ahead.
This is a reminder that as May weather can be unpredictable, it's wise to be prepared for cooler days. Let's listen to Silvia's explanation about this popular saying:
"Hasta el cuarenta de mayo no te quites el sayo". Nos indica que aunque en mayo puede hacer días soleados y calurosos, el verano en toda regla no llega hasta que haya entrado bien el mes de junio.
"Until May fortieth, don't take off your tunic." It indicates to us that even though in May, there can be sunny and hot days, the full-blown summer doesn't arrive until June has begun properly.
Captions 60-64, Aprendiendo con Silvia Dichos populares - Part 1
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That wraps up our lesson on Spanish vocabulary for the month of May! Did you enjoy learning about May traditions and nature? Feel free to share your favorite May memories or traditions, and don't hesitate to send us your questions and comments.
Do you know what a phrasal verb is? According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, it is "an idiomatic phrase consisting of a verb and another element, typically either an adverb... a preposition... or a combination..." Some common examples of the countless English phrasal verbs are "break down," "break up, "put in," "put on," and so forth, and while there are far less phrasal verbs in Spanish, there are many common ones it would behoove you to know. For this purpose, we have comprised a list of 35 with examples from Yabla's Spanish video library.
While some Spanish phrasal verbs can be translated literally into English, others employ a different preposition than their English counterparts or have totally different literal translations. With this in mind, let's look at the list.
The verb acabar (to finish) plus the preposition de (from/of) plus an infinitive Spanish verb (the "to" or -ing form) means that one "has just" completed some action. Let's take a look:
Acabamos de disfrutar de Jarabe de Palo.
We just enjoyed Jarabe de Palo.
Caption 25, Tu Música Rock en español
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The reflexive verb acordarse de is a synonym for recordar (to remember) in Spanish. Both are used to talk about what one "remembers" or "remembers to" do:
Me acuerdo de estar aquí con mi perro,
I remember being here with my dog
Caption 53, Amaya Recordando - Part 1
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The reflexive verb acostumbrarse plus the preposition a means "to get used to" or "accustomed to" something:
y nos acostumbramos a ir a playas,
and we got used to going to beaches,
Caption 40, El coronavirus La cuarentena en Coro, Venezuela - Part 1
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Yet another reflexive verb, alegrarse de, is used to talk about one being happy or pleased about something. You will often see it alongside the conjunction que plus a verb in the subjunctive mood, as we see below:
Me alegro de que le guste.
I'm glad you like it.
Caption 15, Los casos de Yabla Problemas de convivencia - Part 2
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Although caer bien literally means "to fall well," like the verb gustar, it is used to describe the idea of "liking." Like gustar and other verbs like gustar, it is usually employed with an indirect object pronoun in sentences where, grammatically speaking, it is the object of the sentence (what is liked) that performs the action. Let's see an example:
Creo que a Lola no le cae bien.
I think Lola doesn't like her.
Caption 60, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 6
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You might have guessed that caer mal (literally "to fall badly") means the opposite of caer bien and functions similarly to convey the idea that one does not like someone or something:
Creo que le caigo mal a mi jefe.
I think that my boss doesn't like me.
Caption 21, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y condicional
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Interestingly, while we get married "to" someone in English, the Spanish verb for "to marry" contains the preposition con, making its translation "'to marry with":
El príncipe se casó con ella
The prince married her
Caption 61, Cleer La princesa y el guisante
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Whereas the Spanish verb contar by itself can have such diverse meanings as "to tell" and "to count," with the preposition con, it means "to count on" (not with!).
Sabes que puedes contar con todas en cualquier momento, en cualquier necesidad que tengamos.
You know that you can count on all of them at any time, for any need that we might have.
Captions 28-29, Mari Carmen La amistad
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As you can see, the phrasal verb dar con does not mean "to give with"! Let's see its correct translation in an example sentence:
Ayer di con mis zapatos.
Yesterday I found my shoes.
Caption 26, Lecciones con Carolina Verbo - dar
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As our friend Carolina explains in her video on the verb dar, which means "to give" on its own, the phrasal verb dar por can mean different things when used with an adjective vs. a participle. Let's see an example of each:
A su marido lo dieron por muerto en la guerra.
Her husband was presumed dead in the war.
Caption 32, Lecciones con Carolina Verbo - dar
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Doy la fiesta por terminada.
I consider the party finished.
Caption 30, Lecciones con Carolina Verbo - dar
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In this case, the reflexive form of the verb dar is employed along with the noun prisa (hurry/rush) to mean "to hurry" or "hurry up":
Pues, dese prisa, se lo está llevando la grúa.
Well, hurry up, the tow truck is taking it.
Caption 38, Los casos de Yabla El perrito malcriado - Part 2
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The Spanish verb dejar plus de plus an infinitive verb means "to stop" or "quit" doing something:
"Mi marido dejó de fumar hace ya cuatro años".
"My husband quit smoking four years ago now."
Caption 26, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados del verbo dejar - Part 2
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We should mention that the negative version of this phrasal verb, no dejar de, can be utilized to express the idea of "always," as we see here:
no deja de haber muchísima gente.
there are always a ton of people.
Caption 18, Con Marta por Madrid La Plaza del Sol - Part 1
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The Spanish version of "to depend on" would be "to depend of" if translated literally:
depende de la porción que vayan a hacer;
it depends on the portion you're going to make;
Caption 27, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Karla y el pozole - Part 2
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Similarly, one falls in love "of" someone instead of "with" them in Spanish:
Me enamoré de un chico, que es el padre de mis hijos,
I fell in love with a guy, who is the father of my children,
Caption 11, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Adriana y la fiesta de los muertos - Part 1
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While encontrarse con sounds like it would mean "to find oneself with," its actual meaning is "to get together" or "meet up with" (which is not too far off!):
Y "anteayer" me encontré con unas amigas,
And "the day before yesterday," I met up with some friends,
Caption 12, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 3
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The Spanish verb echar can have different meanings from "to throw" to "to fire." In conjunction with the preposition a and a verb in the infinitive, however, it means "to start to" do something, usually in a sudden fashion. Let's see two examples:
Se asustó, echó a correr y no hubo manera de cogerlo.
It got scared, it took off running, and there was no way to get it.
Caption 62, Soledad Positivo y negativo
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El marido se echó a reír al ver la cara de sorpresa de su esposa.
The husband burst out laughing when he saw his wife's surprised face.
Caption 32, Cleer El espejo de Matsuyama
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We bet you wouldn't guess that something that seems to mean "to throw of less" is a synonym for extrañar (to miss) in Spanish:
Ay, yo os he echado de menos.
Oh, I've missed you.
Caption 4, Con Marta por Madrid El Palacio Real y Doña Manolita - Part 1
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Estar para literally means "to be for," which is pretty close to its English equivalents "to be up for" or "in the mood" for something:
Es que ya no estoy para tantas vueltas y me siento cansado.
It's just that I am not up for so many rounds and I feel tired.
Caption 44, Guillermina y Candelario El parque de diversiones - Part 1
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Estar por, in contrast, typically means "to be in" or "around" some area or, when accompanied by an infinitive, becomes a phrasal verb that means "to be about to" do something. Let's see an example of each of these uses:
Yo estaba por ahí, todavía estaba caminando, ¿no?
I was around there, still walking, right?
Caption 21, Federico Kauffman Doig Arqueólogo - Part 3
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que todo está por... por... por empezar,
when everything is about to... to... to start,
Caption 65, Amaya Recordando - Part 3
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While hablar alone means "to speak" or "to talk," if you want to express the idea of "talking about" something, use the Spanish phrasal verb hablar de:
Mi amiga Amaya os habló de este lugar maravilloso
My friend Amaya talked to you about this wonderful place,
Caption 7, Montserrat El burrito Luz
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Since the Spanish phrasal verb llevar a cabo can be literally translated as "to take to the ending," it makes sense that its various English equivalents include "to carry out," "do," "perform" and "accomplish":
Para llevar a cabo estas funciones se necesitan tres figuras claves en el proceso terapéutico:
To carry out these roles, three key figures are needed in the therapeutic process:
Captions 35-36, Isabel Lavesa Terapia asistida con animales
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Although the idea of "forgetting" in Spanish is often expressed as a no fault construction (something more like "it slipped my mind"), the more straightforward way to say that one forgot something in Spanish is with the Spanish phrasal verb olvidarse de:
¡Ah! Me olvidé de estos dos elementos.
Oh! I forgot these two items.
Caption 63, Dayana Rutina de belleza y aseo
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Like the English "think of" or "about," the Spanish phrasal verb pensar de is used to talk about the belief or opinion one has of something or someone.
¿Qué piensas de tu nuevo jefe?
What do you think of your new boss?
Caption 77, Carlos explica Tuteo, ustedeo y voseo: Conjugación
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Pensar en, on the other hand (literally "to think on") is used to talk about one's process of thinking "about" something:
pensamos en un país, en una época, en un pueblo.
we think about a country, an era, a people.
Caption 3, Silvina Una entrevista con la artista
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Similar to echar a, ponerse a plus an infinitive verb refers to "starting" an action.
y al verlas como antes se puso a bailar."
and when she saw them like before, she started to dance."
Caption 60, Cleer Rafael Pombo y "Pastorcita"
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If you wish to talk about what you "worry about," use the Spanish phrasal verb preocuparse por:
que sepan que hay personas que se preocupan por ellas.
so that they know that there are people who are concerned about them.
Caption 8, Transformación Estética
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In her video series on the verb quedar, Silvia mentions the phrasal verb quedarse con, which can have several different meanings including "to keep," "end up with" or "be left." Let's take a look at two captions that include it:
"Tras el divorcio, ella se quedó con el chalé
"After the divorce, she kept the chalet,
Caption 56, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 3
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Toda la familia "se quedó con la boca abierta".
The whole family "was left open-mouthed."
Caption 8, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 7
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As you might imagine, quedarse sin often means the opposite of quedarse con ("to be left" or "end up without"), but it can also mean "to run out of" something:
Nos quedamos sin guitarrista, sin banda y sin concurso; ¡no!
We are left without a guitarist, without a band and without a contest; no!
Caption 16, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6
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No, se quedó sin nafta. -¿Qué?
No, it ran out of gas. -What?
Caption 4, Yago 7 Encuentros - Part 11
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To talk about something or someone you "laughed at," use the Spanish phrasal verb reírse de:
Nos reímos de la muerte.
We laugh at death.
Caption 28, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Adriana y la fiesta de los muertos - Part 3
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As you probably know, salir by itself means "to leave." That said, when referring to leaving a particular place, salir de is the correct Spanish phrasal verb to choose.
Y cuando salimos de la iglesia me dice mi padre:
And when we left the church my father says to me:
Caption 52, María Marí Su pasión por su arte - Part 1
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While it might seem strange to English speakers, the literal translation for this Spanish phrasal verb is "to dream with" (rather than "about"):
y muchas veces incluso sueño con aquellos tiempos.
and very often I even dream about those times.
Caption 49, Clara y Cristina Saludar
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Rather than meaning "to have that," the Spanish phrasal verb tener que plus an infinitive means "to have to" do something:
Todos tenemos que superarlo y tenemos que empeñarnos en ello.
We all have to overcome it, and we have to be set on doing it.
Captions 74-75, Soledad Compartir tus problemas
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When you want to describe something that you're "trying to" do, use the infinitive following the Spanish phrasal verb tratar de:
trato de alimentarme bien, de tomar agua,
I try to eat well, to drink water,
Caption 26, Otavalo Ejercicios
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When talking about "coming to" a place, use the phrasal verb venir a, which translates very literally to English.
¿qué consejos le darías a un turista que viene a Barcelona?
what advice would you give to a tourist who's coming to Barcelona?
Caption 51, Carlos y Xavi Part 4 Tradiciones y comida de Barcelona
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And finally, when used with an infinitive, volver a (literally "to return to") means to perform some action again. Let's see two examples:
volvimos a revalidar el título
we locked in the title again
Caption 90, Viajando con Fermín Final Copa del Rey
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y mi mamá no se volvió a casar,
and my mother didn't remarry,
Caption 55, La Sub30 Familias - Part 2
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After perusing our list of 35 Spanish Phrasal Verbs, we have compiled a list of all of them along with their English translations so that you may study or review them at your leisure:
1. Acabar de: to have just (done something)
2. Acordarse de: to remember/remember to
3. Acostumbrarse a: to get used to/accustomed to
4. Alegrarse de: to be glad/happy/pleased about
5. Caer(le) bien (a alguien): to please (equivalent of "to like")
6. Caer(le) mal (a alguien): to displease (equivalent of "to not like")
7. Casarse con: to marry/get married to
8. Contar con: to count on
9. Dar con: to find
10. Dar por: to presume/consider
11. Darse prisa: to hurry/hurry up
12. Dejar de: to quit or stop (doing something)
13. Depender de: to depend on
14. Enamorarse de: to fall in love with
15. Encontrarse con: to meet up/get together with
16. Echar a: to suddenly start to (do something)
17. Echar de menos: to miss
18. Estar para: to be up for/in the mood for
19. Estar por: to be about to (do something)
20. Hablar de: to talk about
21. Llevar a cabo: to do/carry out/perform/accomplish
22. Olvidarse de: to forget
23. Pensar de: to think of/about (hold a belief)
24. Pensar en: to think about (the thought process)
25. Ponerse a: to start to (do something)
26. Preocuparse por: to worry/be concerned about
27. Quedarse con: to keep/end up with/be left with
28. Quedarse sin: to be left without/end up without/run out of
29. Reírse de: to laugh at
30. Salir de: to leave/leave from (a place)
31. Soñar con: to dream about
32. Tener que: to have to (do something)
33. Tratar de: to try to (do something)
34. Venir a: to come to (a place)
35. Volver a: to do (something) again
That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has helped you to better navigate many of the most common phrasal verbs in Spanish, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
Spanish Language Day, known as El Día del Idioma in Spanish, is an annual celebration that falls on April 23rd. This special date highlights the importance of the Spanish language and its cultural significance. This lesson will delve into the origins of this celebration and explore some key facts about "the language of Cervantes."
Spanish Language Day, declared officially by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2010, is observed on April 23rd. This day serves as a celebration of the Spanish language's significance as an official and intercontinental language, recognizing its rich history and cultural impact.
Initially, celebrations were held on October 12th to coincide with el Día de la Hispanidad (Columbus Day) in certain countries, which commemorates Colombus' arrival to the American continent. However, the date was later changed to April 23rd to align more closely with evolving worldviews and honor the memory of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, who passed away on April 22, 1616 but was buried the next day.
Coincidentally, April 23rd also marks the death of English playwright William Shakespeare. This shared date of remembrance highlights the enduring legacies of both Cervantes and Shakespeare, as well as the global impact of their work and languages.
Spanish boasts 590 million speakers worldwide, making it the world's second most spoken language.
Spanish is among the world's top four most studied languages, with 21 million students currently learning it.
With over 480 million native speakers, Spanish ranks as the language with the second most native speakers worldwide. It is also the third most used language on the internet, highlighting its relevance in the digital sphere.
With widespread use in various sectors across the globe, Spanish serves as a language that facilitates mutual understanding in the realms of culture, business and beyond.
The United States, Brazil and France top the list of countries where Spanish is most commonly learned.
The Spanish language is distinguished by the presence of an official institution, La Real Academia Española (The Royal Spanish Academy), which was founded in 1713. Ever since, this institution has had the mission of ensuring the proper use and unity of the Spanish language, serving as a guardian of linguistic standards and norms while recognizing regional distinctions.
Aside from its millions of speakers, Spanish is also the official language in at least 21 countries, including Spain, the majority of Latin American nations and the African country Equatorial Guinea. Do you know why Spanish is spoken in Equatorial Guinea? Let's hear Carlos explain it:
Igualmente quiero mencionar, que en Guinea Ecuatorial se habla español, gracias a un tratado del siglo dieciocho, a través del cual Portugal le cedió a España este territorio. Se estima que hoy en día el setenta y cuatro por ciento de la población ecuatoguineana, habla español de forma nativa.
I also want to mention that in Equatorial Guinea, Spanish is spoken, thanks to an eighteenth-century treaty through which Portugal ceded this territory to Spain. It is estimated that today, seventy-four percent of the Equatoguinean population speaks Spanish natively.
Captions 61-67, Carlos explica Recursos para consultas del español - Part 1
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In addition to Spanish Language Day, Book Day is also celebrated every April 23rd to pay tribute such renowned writers as Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. This tradition, initiated by Vicente Clavel Andrés in 1923, has become an international celebration via which UNESCO promotes culture and intellectual property protection.
The city of Barcelona, Spain, also marks this date with a very unique celebration: Sant Jordi's Day! Let's find out more about it:
un día como hoy, Sant Jordi, es el día en que se une el amor y la cultura. Además de ser el Día del Libro, para nosotros aquí en Barcelona tiene una tradición muy especial. A las mujeres se les suele regalar rosas, por una tradición y un cuento maravilloso de una doncella que estaba en peligro y fue rescatada por un príncipe de aquel peligroso dragón. Hubo un momento en el que ese amor se transformó en una rosa y es por ello que a ellas se les regala una rosa. Regalan ellas a ellos un libro, por ser parte del Día del Libro; así que es una tradición muy bonita.
a day like today, Sant Jordi, is the day that love and culture come together. In addition to being Book Day, for us here in Barcelona, it has a very special tradition. Roses are typically given to women due to a tradition and a wonderful tale of a maiden who was in danger and was rescued by a prince from that dangerous dragon. There was a moment in which that love became a rose, and that's why they [female] are given a rose. They [female] give them [male] a book because it's part of Book Day; so, it's a very nice tradition.
Captions 53-63, Víctor en España La fiesta de Sant Jordi
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With this clip, we have come to the end of this lesson. As you can see, studying Spanish is one of the best intellectual and cultural investments that you can make. We hope you keep learning Spanish, and don't forget to send us your suggestions and comments.
Are you familiar with the Spanish relative pronouns el que, la que, los que and las que? Do you know how to use them? Today's lesson will explain the differences and similarities between these four Spanish phrases, all of which are most typically translated as "the one" or "ones that" or "who."
Like other relative pronouns, el que, la que, los que and las que are used to introduce relative clauses, which provide more information about a noun or noun phrase. Let's see an example:
Al principio, las traducciones al español son las que serán visibles para los estudiantes.
At first, the translations to Spanish are the ones that will be visible for the students.
Captions 39-40, Tutoriales de Yabla Cómo crear clases
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Here, las que is used to introduce the relative clause serán visibles para los estudiantes, making it clear that the "the ones" referenced are those that "will be visible for the students." Note that, in this case, las que is chosen because it refers to the feminine plural noun las traducciones (the translations) as these relative pronouns must agree with the nouns they refer to in terms of number and gender as broken down below:
el que ("the one that" or "who" for masculine singular nouns)
la que ("the one that" or "who" for feminine singular nouns)
los que ("the ones that" or "who" or "those" for masculine plural or mixed nouns)
las que ("the ones that" or "who" or "those" for feminine plural nouns)
The noun to which the relative pronoun refers is known as an antecedent or referent. Be aware that while antecedents are sometimes mentioned explicitly in sentences containing the relative pronouns el que, la que, los que and las que (as was las traducciones in the aforementioned example), in other cases, the speaker understands what is being referenced based on the previous conversation. Let's look at each of these relative pronouns in sentences with and without antecedents.
Antecedent:
Ese dato es el que necesitamos, hermano.
That piece of information is the one that we need, brother.
Caption 27, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 4 - Part 12
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Here, we see that the relative pronoun el que refers to the masculine singular antecedent dato (piece of information).
No Antecedent:
¿El que me había robado a Cata?
The one who had stolen Cata from me?
Caption 5, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 11 - Part 2
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Although there is no antecedent in the sentence, we know from the previous dialogue that the speaker is referring to a boy named Sergio Casas, warranting the choice of the singular masculine el que. Remember that even though the third person singular male pronoun él has an accent to distinguish it from el meaning "the," the relative pronoun el que should not be written with an accent, even when referring to a specific male person.
Antecedent:
Yo soy la que le da el toque especial al grupo.
I'm the one who gives the group that special touch.
Caption 21, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6
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In this case, the female speaker's use of the word Yo (I) sheds light on her choice of the feminine singular la que.
No Antecedent:
La que cantaste.
The one you sang.
Caption 6, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Karla y Fernando hablan de música
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Here, it is clear to the listener based on the subjects' conversation topic that the speakers is referring to una canción (a song).
Antecedent:
clientes como usted son los que necesitamos.
clients like you are the ones we need.
Caption 49, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 2 - Part 10
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The inclusion of the noun clientes leaves no doubt as to what los que refers to.
No Antecedent:
Los que viven en sus casas siempre andan por su misma zona
The ones who live in their homes always roam around their same area
Caption 25, Fermín y los gatos Mis gatas vecinas
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Since gatos (cats) is the subject of the video, we understand that los que refers to them. Let's see an additional example where los que is translated as "those":
Para los que no me conocen, mi nombre es Karina García
For those who don't know me, my name is Karina García,
Caption 2, Venezolanos por el mundo Karina en Barcelona - Part 2
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Antecedent:
cosas parecidas a las que hacemos con los textos en papel.
things similar to the ones we do with text on paper.
Caption 13, Club de las ideas Libertexto
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The feminine plural noun cosas is stated prior to las que to let us know the antecedent.
No Antecedent:
Y las que te faltan por conocer.
And the ones that you still have to experience.
Caption 40, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 1 - Part 10
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Interestingly, las que also refers to las cosas (the things) here, which came up one sentence prior in this conversation.
Note that when the relative pronouns el que, los que, la que and las que are preceded by prepositions, they can be translated with a vast array of terms such as "which," "that," "when, "where," "who" or "whom," dpending upon what they refer to. Let's take a look at some examples where we have also highlighted the prepositions that accompany these relative pronouns.
El material con el que fue construido
The material with which it was built
Caption 14, Paseando con Karen Bienvenidos a Parque Fundidora
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Madrid es una ciudad en la que se respira historia.
Madrid is a city where one breathes history.
Caption 19, Con Marta por Madrid Lavapiés y la corrala - Part 1
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Another possible translation in this example would be "in which."
Cada noche escribo en él las cosas por las que estoy agradecida.
Every night, I write in it the things that I'm grateful for.
Captions 42-43, Aprendiendo con Silvia Las emociones - Part 13
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Although "for which" could be an alternative, more formal translation, "that" is the more colloquial choice.
Ha habido días en los que había más de treinta incendios activos,
There have been days on which there were more than thirty active fires
Caption 48, Soledad Incendios
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You probably inferred that "when" could substitute "on which" in this utterance. Let's see one more:
como una persona muy distinta a mí y con la que yo no podría tener una conversación distendida
as a very different person from me and with whom I wouldn't be able to have a relaxed conversation
Captions 54-55, Soledad Los prejuicios
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That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has helped you to better understand the somewhat tricky relative pronouns el que, la que, los que and las que and their different uses and translations, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
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