HOW TO ORDER YOUR NEXT DRINK IN SPANISH

Spanish speakers love to celebrate any chance they get with a cold beer or a glass of wine. Drinks are a very important part of their culture, and ordering what you want, how you want it, can be a little bit tricky if you don’t know the basics.

Being able to confidently order a drink in public can be a better proof of your Spanish proficiency than any official exam. To pass this trial by fire, you’ll need to know, not only the vocabulary but also the unspoken cultural norms of the Spanish speaking country you are in. Unfortunately, most text books ignore this crucial side of the Spanish language or they even teach you the wrong way to do it. For example, some of you might know the phrase “Yo quisiera un refresco, por favor”, who says that in Spain? No one! This sentence is way too formal and stilted. Sorry for the spoiler.

Today is your lucky day! In this blog we are going to unravel the secrets of how to order a drink in Spanish like a native together with the most typical Spanish drinks to get in a bar.

Phrases for ordering a drink in Spanish

If ordering a drink in Spanish has you in a tizzy, take a deep breath and relax. We can assure you it is a thousand times easier than what your Spanish teacher would have you believe with all those formalities and tong twisters for ordering a simple drink at a bar.

Keep in mind that we are going to focus on the informal way (tú) used mainly in Spain while in Latin América they use the formal way (usted).

To begin with, the waiter might come up to you and star with conversation with:

• ¿Qué quieres tomar? – What do you want to drink?
• ¿Qué te pongo? – What do you want to have?
• ¿Qué quieres beber? – What do you want to drink?
• ¿Ya sabes qué quieres beber/tomar? – Do you already know what you want to drink/have?

As you can see, in Spanish there’s no time for formalities and they ask you straight away what you want to drink. The same applies when you are ordering your drink. Forget about the formal “Can I have a beer, please” English way of asking for something, in Spanish you can simply use the command to order your drink.

• Dame … = Give me …
• Ponme … = Give me …
• Quiero … = I want …
• Tomaré … = I’ll have …
• Me pones … = Give me …
• Para mi … = I’ll have …
• Me traes … = Bring me …

For example, when you’re ordering a drink at a bar the conversation could be:

-Waiter: Hola, ¿qué te pongo? – Hi, what do you want to have?
-Customer: Buenas, quiero una cerveza por favor – Hi, I want a beer, please.

Other useful phrases for ordering a drink in Spain are:

• Dos más, por favor – Two more, please. Use it when you want to order two more drinks of what you were having before.
• Otra ronda – Another round
• Disculpe, la cuenta por favor – Excuse me, the bill please (very formal)
• Nos puedes traer la cuenta, por favor – Could you bring us the bill, please?
• La cuenta, por favor – The bill, please (more straightforward but equally correct)

We know it sounds weird a bit too straight forward. However, that’s the local way of ordering a beer in Spanish. You’ll get the hang of it soon. Now that you know the basics, it’s time to get to know the drinks you could get at a bar.

 

1. Beer (Cerveza)

Spanish speakers are beer lovers, therefore is essential for you to be able to order one without trouble. Unfortunately, ordering a beer in Spanish is a bit more complicated than just “Una cerveza, por favor”. The variation and challenges come in ordering your desired size and type.

1. Caña: the most common type of beer in Spain, it is simply a small glass of draft beer.
2. Doble: normally double the size of a caña, but it might vary depending on the bar.
3. Jarra/Pinta/Tanque: the name of this size of beer will depend on the region you’re in, but technically it is at least equal to a pint and generally the largest draft beer sold.
4. Clara: beer mixed with lemonade or fanta. It is very popular among Spaniards, especially during summer as it is refreshing and the perfect pre-lunch drink as it won’t leave you hazy.
5. Botellín: also known as quinto or tercio, depending on the size. Simply put, a bottled beer.
6. Cerveza sin: for those who don’t want to drink alcohol but still want to enjoy a cold beer in a terrace, this alcohol-free beer would be the solution. A “cerveza sin …” is simply a beer without alcohol. Remember to order the size you want from the above!

 

2. Wine (Vino)

There’s a reason because Spanish wine is popular worldwide, and it is not less common in Spain or any other Spanish speaking countries. From fizzy cañas to full-bodied Riojas, wine is drunk all over the country. So, it is very important that you know the different ways to order a glass of wine in Spanish, you know what they say “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

1. Vino tinto: red wine. Keep in mind that f you don’t specify the preferred region of the wine you want, they’ll give you the house wine.
2. Vino blanco: white wine. Same happens here, it is important that you specify the region to avoid house wine.
3. Vino rosado: rosé wine. This type of wine is not very popular among Spanish speaking countries.
4. Chato: simply a small glass of wine of your choice.
5. Copa de vino: a standard glass of wine of your choice.
6. Botella de vino: a bottle of wine.
7. Cava: sparkling wine, similar to champagne.
8. Sidra: fermented alcoholic juice typically made from apples.
9. Vermut: this wine drink is typically taken before lunch, as its alcohol content is a bit lower than normal wine. It normally contains a variety of herbs and spices mixed with sugar.
10. Sangria: this popular Spanish drink might not be new for you, but it is always a treat. Red wine mixed with chopped fruit and juice, sweetener or sugar, and an alcoholic drink of choice (usually cognac or whiskey).

 

3. Mixed drinks (Copas)

Everyone loves beer and wine, but sometimes you need something a bit stronger. Whether you’re ready to enjoy a nice drink after. Along day or pumping yourself up for a night out, it is important that you know how to order the perfect mixed drink at a bar.

When ordering a copa (mixed drink), it is important that you specify the brand of alcohol you want and the mixer. Some examples are:

1. Copa de gin-tonic: gin and tonic
2. Copa de ron cola: rum and cola

 

4. Shots (Chupitos)

Feeling a little bit cheeky on a night out? Having some shots might your best shout. When ordering a chupito at a bar you need to specify the type of alcohol you want, otherwise, you might get flavored vodka shots or even local drinks such as mistela or cazalla (we don’t recommend them). So, if you want a shot you just need to say:

• Un chupito de + drink
1. Tequila
2. Whiskey
3. Jaggermeister
And so on.

 

5. Coffee and tea (Café y té)

Enough of alcoholic drinks, you could also order an innocent drink to quick start your day, enjoy a little snack or do some work in a coffee shop.

We have an entire blog of how to order coffee in Spanish like a local, so you should check it out if you want to be absolutely prepared to order a coffee without any trouble. Some examples are:

• Café con leche – Coffee with milk
• Cortado – Espresso shot with milk
• Café bombón – Espresso with milk and sweetened condensed milk
• Carajillo – Espresso with a shot of whiskey

The coffee menu in Spain can be unnecessarily long and complicated and therefore a bit scary. But don’t worry, with our guide ordering a coffee in Spanish will be a piece of cake!

Regarding ordering a tea (té), you just need to specify the type of tea you want and if you need any sweetener or sugar with it. Easy peasy!

 

6. Other drinks

We could be speaking about drinks in Spanish the whole day, these Spaniards love having a drink with friends! Drinks are a very important part of their culture, so it will be useful to know some random drinks you could face on a drinks menu in Spanish. Better be safe than sorry!

1. Batido de …: literally a milkshake of your choice. Keep in mind that some milkshakes have proper names, such as a chocolate milkshake could be called “Cacaolaolat” or “Cholek”, depending on the region regardless of the brand. Crazy, huh?
2. Horchata: this traditional Valencian drink is a winner on a hot summer day. It is made from tiger nuts and its normally taken with “fartons”, which are confectionery sweets.
3. Rebujito: typical from the south of Spain, this refreshing drink is made with a special type of white wine, called “Manzanilla”, sprite and mint.
4. Calimocho: a favorite of both teenager and old ladies. This drink is literally cheap red wine mixed with Coca-cola. Sounds horrible, we know it, but you might change your mind after trying it.
5. Granizado: an icy beverage that could be made of fruit or have a neutral flavor and be served with fruit syrup, chocolate syrup or milk, depending on the country and region you order it.
6. Refrescos (soft drinks): it is as simple as saying the brand you want. For example, when ordering a Coca-cola, you just have to say, “Una Coca-cola”.
7. Agua: we can’t forget about water! Depending on the country and even the city you are in, it might be possible they give you tap water for free or that you have to pay for bottled water. Remember to specify the temperature of your water: fría (cold) or del tiempo (room temperature).

 

We hope this guide has helped you get a general view of how to order a drink in Spanish and all the different types of drinks you could find in a Spanish drinks menu. And at this point, you should be able to order a drink in Spanish without a hitch. It wasn’t that difficult, was it? Now it’s time for you to pack your bags and practice all this vocabulary you’ve learned today to order drinks in Spanish like a local.

SPANISH TO GO TO THE DOCTOR

Going to the doctor is never fun. It is particularly challenging when the language is not your mother tongue. Because not only are you navigating new terms, you are likely additionally stressed because you’re not feeling well.

We put together this list of useful vocab if you find yourself in this specific situation. Knowing basic body parts is a good place to start, as well as being able to explain what’s wrong and knowing names for general hospital facilities. Hopefully, you will not need to use most of these, but as they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, let’s get down to work!

GENERAL VOCABULARY

First of all, we are going to have a look at the most common and basic medical vocabulary.

 

FACILITIES AND DEPARTMENTS

• El hospital: The hospital
• La clínica: The clinic
• El ambulatorio: The exam room
• El quirófano: The operating room
• La ambulancia: The ambulance
• La sala de emergencias: The emergency room
• La enfermería: The clinic
• La consulta: Office hours
• La sala de espera: The waiting room
• La farmacia: The pharmacy

 

MEDICAL PERSONNEL

• El doctor/medico: The doctor
• El cirujano: The surgeon
• El enfermero; la enfermera: The nurse
• El/la pediatra: The pediatrician
• El seguro de salud: Health insurance

 

BODY PARTS

This might sound a bit basic for you, but it is important to know how to say the body parts in Spanish if you need to explain your medical problems. This is not an anatomy class, so don’t stress, we will only cover the most common words you need to know to explain your issues to the doctor.

• La cabeza: Head
• El brazo: Arm
• La boca: Mouth
• El codo: Elbow
• El cuello: Neck
• El corazón: Heart
• El dedo de la mano: Finger
• El dedo del pie: Toe
• La espalda: Back
• El pecho: Chest
• La garganta: Throat
• El estómago: Stomach
• La barriga: Tummy, belly
• La pierna: Leg
• El ojo: Eye

 

SYMPTOMS, ILLNESSES AND MEDICINES

Now that we have already covered the basic medical vocabulary, let’s dig into some of the most common symptoms, illnesses and medicaments in Spanish.

 

SYMPTOMS

• Inflamado: Swollen
• Sensible: Sensitive
• Dolorido/a: In pain or sore
• Irritado/a: Irritated
• Urgente: Urgent
• La quemadura: Burn
• La nariz taponada: Stuffy nose
• La fiebre: Fever
• La tos: Cough
• Dificultad para respirar: Shortness of breath
• El mareo: Dizziness
• Estar mareado: To feel dizzy
• El dolor: Pain
• El vómito: Vomit
• La acidez: Heartburn
• Dolor de barriga/d cabeza: Bellyache/Headache
• El picor: Itch

 

ILLNESSES

• El resfriado: Cold
• La gripe: Flu
• La alergia: Allergy
• La insolación: Sunstroke
• La picadura de abeja/avispa: Bee/Wasp Sting
• La herida: Injury
• La fractura: Fracture
• La infección: Infection
• La otitis: Ear infection
• La bronquitis: Bronchitis
• Embarazada: pregnant
• El virus (pronounced veer-rous): virus
• La infección bacteriana: bacterial infection
• La reacción alérgica: allergic reaction

 

MEDICINES AND TREATMENTS

• La pastilla: Pill/Tablet
• La pomada: Ointment/Cream
• El jarabe: Syrup
• El antibiótico: Antibiotic
• El antiinflamatorio: Anti-inflammatory
• El inhalador: Inhaler
• El colirio/Las gotas de los ojos: Eyedrops
• La inyección: Injection
• La cirujía: Surgery
• Los puntos: Stitches
• La venda: Vandage
• La receta: Prescription
• El diagnóstico: Diagnosis

 

USEFUL SENTENCES

Great! Now you know the most common words you might need to use if you go to the doctor in a Spanish speaking country. The question now is, how do you explain your symptoms to the doctor and what is he going to say? In this section, we will learn about the most common sentences to speak about your health and the solutions the doctor might give you.

EXTRA TIP #1: Note in some of the phrases below that refer to a specific body part, we don’t use possessive pronouns like my head or your arm etc. Instead, you use the definite articles el or la. So a direct translation would be something like “I have hurt in the head” or “the foot” (not my head or my foot). See if you can spot this in the examples below:

 

EXPLAINING YOUR SYMPTOMS TO THE DOCTOR

• Me encuentro mal/No me encuentro bien: I don’t feel well
• Tengo fiebre: I have a fever
• Me duele la cabeza: I have a headache
• Me duele el estómago: I have a stomachache
• Me duele… : I have a …ache
• Estoy mareado: I feel dizzy
• He tenido un accidente: I had an accident
• Me golpeé la cabeza: I hit my head
• Me he cortado: I cut myself
• Me cuesta* respirar: I have trouble breathing
• Me he caído: I fell

EXTRA TIP #2: Me cuesta is a common expression that doesn’t easily translate literally.  You’ve probably heard the verb ‘costar‘ which means to cost (¿cuánto cuesta? ring any bells). In this case however, it means something like ‘to cost myself’, which in a more native translation would mean ‘to have a tough time‘ doing something. So for example, me cuesta mucho encontrar trabajo = I found it very difficult to find work.

DOCTOR’S ANSWERS

• ¿Dónde te duele?: Where does it hurt?
• Tienes que hacerte una prueba: You need to have a test done
• Tienes que ir a urgencias: You have to go to the emergency room
• Compra este product en la farmacia y tómatelo x veces al día: Buy this producto at the pharmacy and take it x times a day
• No es grave: It is not serious
• No puedes beber alcohol cuando tomes esta medicina: Do not drink alcohol when you are taking this medicine
• ¿Es esta la primera vez que le pasa esto?: Is it the first time this has happened to you?
• Necesitas puntos: You need stitches
• Vuelve en x semanas: Come back in x weeks

Spanish Practice: A Spanish Story about Going to the Doctor

We’ve put together a little story in Spanish using many of the words you just learned.  Read the Spanish portion first and practice your translation. Then go back and spot the new vocabulary words.

It’s that time of year again: The Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales have ended, the Thanksgiving leftovers are just about gone and the Christmas tree is going up. The holiday spirit is in the frigid air. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere that is…

For those that live down south, the holiday season means breaking out your flip flops and tank tops. And that’s not the only thing that’s different when December rolls around. We’ve already talked about what makes the holiday season unique in Spain, now let’s get into what it’s like to celebrate the holidays in Argentina.

 

There are two key elements in every holiday celebration in Argentina. The first is common around the world, but the second one is something that sets Argentina apart (although Uruguayans might remind us that they, too, celebrate their holidays this way). Can you guess what these two things are?

If one of your guesses was family, you’re most definitely correct. No holiday celebration would be complete without an argentine’s papás, hermanos, tíos, primos, abuelos and more.

The second key part of the holidays is the asado. An asado in Argentina is like a cook-out or a barbecue, but what sets it apart from your run-of-the-mill cookout is the meat. To do an asado, you need a couple of elements: some friends and family, a parilla (a charcoal grill – see photo) and some meat.

The Asado

We could do an entire post on meat in Argentina; one of the reasons why people theorize that the meat is so good in the gaucho country is because the way the butcher cuts the meat is different in Argentina than most other places in the world. As a result, the names of the cuts are often foreign, even to other Spanish speakers.

To keep it simple, though, a common combo would be as follows: first a round of morcilla (a kind of blood sausage) and chorizo (possible sliced and put on bread to make a choripan), then some vegetables, often morón (red pepper), papa (potato) and cebolla (onion). Throughout the process, there often is a big hunk (or two or three) of meat cooking for a long time. Those meats varies greatly, depending on the tastes of the asador (the person grilling) and their guests, though common cuts are bife de chorizo, colita de caudril, vacío and entraña.

That said, every asado is unique, and what the asador chooses to cook varies greatly. Along with the good cooked on the grill, a good asado often has salads and lots of wine.

Although asados aren’t limited to the holiday seasons by any means – they happen on birthdays, other holidays and sometimes, just because – as the weather warms up, spring starts to turn to summer and the holidays mean vacation days, asados are more common than ever in month of December.

Other than the participation of family in the holiday celebrations, the asado is the most universal element that spans across the country and is a quintessential part of every get-together during the holidays in Argentina. The traditions don’t stop there, though.

Here are 6 more of the most important foods and customs for the month of December in Argentina:

Vitel Toné

You might have heard of this as vitello tonnato – it’s an Italian dish from the Piedmont of Italy that has become a staple of the holiday cuisine in Argentina. The dish consists of thin slices of veal covered in a cold, tuna and mayonnaise sauce, topped with anchovies.

It was originally served on the Italian holiday Ferragosto, celebrated on August 15, and migrated with the arrival of the many Italian immigrants that came to Argentina. Although it started out as a hot dish without mayonnaise or tuna in the 600’s, its turn to become a cold appetizer has made it an important staple of argentine Christmases and New Year’s celebrations.

Midnight: Papa Noel and Fireworks

Like many Spanish-speaking countries, Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel, and like many other Latin-American countries, he comes at midnight. Here’s how the tradition works in many households in Argentina:

Most days, most people in Argentina tend to eat dinner late, with 8 pm being a very early dinner and the most typical time for adults to eat being around 9-10 pm, or later, depending on the family. This is even more true once school is out for the summer.

So, on Christmas night, it’s normal for the asado dinner to last well into the night, with everyone still eating and drinking up to midnight. When the clock strikes midnight, fireworks go off all over the country on Christmas (and they also do on New Year’s in a similar manner).

While the fireworks go off, kids might not notice as one of their family members slips away to get the Christmas gifts. Most families in the larger cities don’t have natural Christmas trees, but fake trees aren’t uncommon. By the time kids come back inside, the gifts are waiting.

Gifts

Although every family is different, each member of the family giving a gift to every single other member of the family, along with Santa Claus piling on the presents (or Papá Noel, in this case), isn’t super common. Instead, it’s more likely that each person will receive a few small items.

Unlike Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere, summery presents like flip flops and summery clothes are much more common than sweaters and pajamas (no ugly sweaters)!

 

The Sweets: Mantecol and Garrapiñada

Every holiday tradition has some kind of sweets involved and it’s no different in Argentina. Two common sweets that adults and kids enjoy alike during the holidays are mantecol and garrapiñada.

Mantecol is the name of a peanut-based nougat candy, while garrapiñada is a kind of caramelized peanut. You might see one or both of these sugary treats on the Christmas table or in a family member’s candy bowl throughout December and into the rest of the holidays. It’s also common to buy garrapiñada from street vendors in the parks in the summer.

Sidra

Sidra, or cider in English, in Argentina shouldn’t be confused with the non-alcoholic fall treat, apple cider. Instead, it’s a thin, fruity and bubbly drink, popped open at the strike of midnight on Christmas and New Year’s. The flavors vary, but common ones are apple, peach and even pineapple.

 

A Christmas display in an Argentine grocery store, featuring Nueces Chandler (walnuts), pan dulce and sidra.

Friends

Although we’ve already established the importance of family in holiday celebrations, friends aren’t to be forgotten in Argentina. Social activities any day of the year are an essential part of every Argentinian’s life – they often take place every day of the week, not just on Fridays or weekends – and the holidays are no different. It’s not uncommon to go out with friends after family dinners and even Argentinians that don’t celebrate one holiday or another will go to the celebrations of the friends’ families.

 

Pan Dulce

Another Italian tradition adopted in Argentina in the pan dulce (sweet bread), also known as panettone (large bread), its Italian name. The large, cylindrical shaped bread is often filled with pasas de uva (raisins) or other frutos secos (dried fruits), although there are also varieties that include chocolate.

It’s not to be confused with the Mexican pan dulce, but instead is similar to the pan dulce consumed in Peru, Uruguay and Paraguay, as well as in parts of Eastern and Southeastern Europe under the name panettone.

Caja Navideña / Employer Gift Giving

Around the holidays, if your part of an office / are an employee of someone, you may very well receive a caja navideña or special christmas gift box. It will likely include Christmas food essentials (like, cider, pan dulce, etc.). They can contain just the basics to boxes that include expensive chocolates and drinks. In addition, they’re often given to people working in buildings, cleaning house, handyman etc. You can find them in just about every supermarket in Argentina around the holidays.

12 Useful Things to Know Before Moving to Spain

Spain, the land of the sun, beautiful Mediterranean beaches, delicious food, and evening streets filled with people. Yes, we all know that. But, what about all the cultural nuances and the unique differences? We’ve already talked to you about learning Spanish before you go. But we also want you to know some additional things about Spanish culture you’ll want to know before you arrive!

 

1. There’s a ton of kissing involved

Don’t be scared if the first time you meet a group of people everyone comes forward to kiss you. Sorry to disappoint you, they all didn’t fall in love with you at first sight, they are just being polite. Even if you have never met someone, the normal way to greet someone is with a little tap on each cheek (no actual kissing is involved – just kissing to the air). A kiss is mandatory when you say hello AND when you say goodbye. You know what they say, when in Rome… “muah muah”.

 

2. Spaniards eat late

You’ll need to adjust to their timetable. Forget about eating at 12 noon and having dinner at 6pm. In general, Spaniards eat lunch between 2 pm and 4 pm and dinner any time after 9 pm. Keeping this in mind is important especially when meeting your Spanish friends for a meal out or when trying to make dinner reservations. Don’t expect many places to be serving you dinner at 6:30 at night. In many areas, you won’t find any restaurant open before 2pm for lunch or before 8:30pm for dinner … and if you do it will be a tourist trap.

It might be shocking to you, but the reason why they eat so late is because of their working hours. You’ll get used to it. Spaniards are definitely a nocturnal bunch!

 

3. Working hours

This might be one of the most important and shocking things to know before moving to Spain. Working hours are very strange for most expats. Most shops are open till 8pm or even later than this. The same goes for some offices, workers might be at work till very late in the evening.

The reason being is because the lunch break can last anywhere from one to two hours. Therefore, don’t plan to get anything done between 1pm and 4pm as many shops and businesses will be close enjoying their long lunch break.

 

4. Sobremesa is a big thing

Have you ever heard the Spanish word sobremesa? There is actually no English equivalent for this popular Spanish pastime. If you haven’t experienced it yet, chances are you will if you find yourself having a meal with any Spanish friends.  For Spaniards, the best part of having a meal is the sobremesa, which is essentially the time spent after finishing your food, simply chatting and hanging out with friends and family. There’s not a specific duration – it can last from 30 minutes to the whole afternoon or evening.

It is very common to lose track of the time and end up having dinner without leaving the table, especially if there are shots of orujo involved (orujo is a pomace brandy from northern Spain). It might sound a bit overwhelming to spend countless hours sitting at the table surrounded by Spanish people, but there’s nothing to worry about. Try to enjoy their company and learn about their culture as much as you can, you will end up loving it.

 

5. Calling everyone “uncle” and “aunt”

Don’t be alarmed if a random person calls you tío or tía (uncle and aunt). You don’t have a secret Spanish family, it’s just a friendly slang that Spaniards call one another. Think about it as if they were calling you buddy or mate.

 

6. Tipping isn’t a big thing

In some countries, like the US, it is common to be very generous with the tip. However, in Spain it’s not necessary. Waiters have an average salary and they don’t rely on tips to make it through the month. Most Spaniards either leave no tip at all, or just a few coins. If you’re going out for a fancier meal, just a 10% tip would be nice for exeptional service, but it is not mandatory.

 

7. Hanging out on the street all the time

Spaniards love being out on the streets at any time of the day. Life is lived outside, no matter the season or the time of the day. You’ll be surprised by the number of bars and restaurants with terraces, and even more with the number of people enjoying a drink in them ALL THE TIME!

 

8. Bureaucracy

Spanish bureaucracy might be the most hated thing in Spain. Be prepared to do multiple trips to the bank, the tax office or any other official institution. A clear example and the nemesis of Spanish workers is the NIE, which is a tax identification number you need to legally work. In Spain you need an NIE for everything. The problem is, in many cases you can’t get a work contract without an NIE, but you can’t get an NIE without a work contract. ¡Loco!

Our tip is to stay calm and be very very patient with them. Plan on having to waste multiple hours going back and forth, filling out countless forms and documents, and talking to a lot of people to get things done. But hopefully, in the end … merece la pena (it merits the penalty / it’s all worth it)!

 

9. Tapas are a way of eating

Almost everyone has heard of tapas. But, do you really know what tapas are? Tapas is basically a bunch of different small dishes, such as patatas bravas or croquetas, and they are meant to be shared. Spaniards love sharing, and it is reflected in the way they eat. Don’t expect very big portions as the main goal of tapas is to have a small bite of everything rather than having a full-size meal.

 

10. No one really has a siesta

Sorry to ruin your dream of taking a nap every single day in Spain, but that stereotype is just a thing from the past when rural workers would have a nap after a long day of working in the fields and avoiding the hottest hours of the day. Nowadays, most Spanish people work in offices so there’s no need to take a nap (officially). If you do take a nap, try not to get caught!

However, it is true that on the weekends Spaniards love their siesta after having a big lunch.

 

11. Nothing gets done in August

Do you remember what we said about Spanish bureaucracy? It gets even worse in August. Perhaps it is a bit of an exaggeration, but honestly don’t schedule anything important for August. During the hot summer months, most cities suffer a mass exodus towards the coast and even pharmacies and bakeries will be opening only on a part-time basis, not to mention the government offices.

 

12. Spanish people are loud, very loud

In general, Spaniards are friendly, accommodating and always up for a good time. However, there are few cultural oddities that are very confusing for expats. Keep in mind that conversations are definitely way louder than in any other country. People are used to shouting when talking, so going out for food with a Spanish group can be a bit overwhelming for a first timer. If you want to be heard, you will have to speak up to be at least as loud as they are.

It is also worth mentioning that Spaniards speak fast, it’s like the words come out of their mouths like bullets from a machine gun, which is made even more difficult when your trying to learn the language. That’s why ear training is so essential, and you need plenty of practice listening at natural speeds.  If you’re looking for this kind of practice, be sure to check out our Online Spanish Immersion Course!

Let’s Talk Día de los Muertos

 

It’s día de muertos!

El día de muertos (the day of the dead) takes place principally on Nov 1st & 2nd. It’s often falsely considered the Mexican version of Halloween. But it’s really a traditional tribute to deceased relatives and loved ones, whose spirits come back on those days to visit family and friends. In the Mexican tradition, tiered altars (called ofrendas) are created and adorned with offerings including flowers (flores), candles (velas), food (comida), photos (fotos), incense (copal) and more for those relatives expected to visit.

Photo of una ofrenda:

 

Here’s some essential día de muertos vocab:

ofrendas = altars / offerings
flores = flowers
cempasúchil = Mexican marigold (orange flower in photo above)
velas = candles
copal = incense from dried resin of the Copal tree
fieles difuntos = faithful / dearly departed
alma = soul
alebrijes = spirit animals that guide the dead on their journey
esqueleto = skeleton
calaca = skeleton (Mexican slang)
calavera / calaverita de azucar = sugar skull (ita – is the diminutive form meaning ‘little’)

You may have noticed the photo above is taken from one of the most colorful and animated looks into the día de muertos tradition – 2017’s hit Disney movie Coco. It wasn’t just your average cartoon – it made over $800 million world-wide and became the biggest box-office success in Mexican history!

The original version is in English, but many have said the Spanish language version is just as good – if not better. And lucky enough, in both versions the character ‘Hector’, is voiced by Mexican-born Gael García Bernal (of Mozart in the Jungle fame).

So if you find yourself with some time this week/weekend, consider snuggling up with Coco the movie and watch el día de muertos come to life on the screen. As we recommend with any movie-watching Spanish-practicing experience, watch the Spanish version with Spanish subtitles if you’re able to still follow along. It stretches your brain, but it’s really great Spanish practice. Otherwise, the Spanish version with English subtitles or the English version with Spanish subtitles is good practice too!

Some fun/useful video links below:

Spanish Slang:
10 Words from Argentina

When learning a language, there is one thing you won’t likely find in the books, nor in the classroom. That is the language of the streets, or ‘el slang’.

When you talk with native speakers, though, you’re bound to encounter some slang, and a good way to break the ice with some new native-speaking friends is to throw in a few slang words. You’ll probably draw some good-natured laughs and most native speakers love to teach slang, so once you have a few essential words under your belt, you’re sure to learn many more.

There is a lot of variation in slang from country to country and even city to city, so it’s important to consider what words will help you most in which place or with which people.

Not sure what words to use in Argentina? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve taken trips through Mexican and Spanish slang, now here’s a look at some slang from Argentina!
(Please note that the examples in this post use the voseo, where applicable. Check out our post about voseo for more info!)

 

Spanish Slang from Argentina

 

CHE = HEY (expression, noun)

Spanish Synonym: oye

Che, ¿sabés a dónde van?
Hey, do you know where they’re going?

Arguably the most versatile word in Argentinian slang, this word gave the famous Ernesto “Che” Guevara his nickname, because, like many Argentinians, he said it all the time. It can be used as an interjection to get someone’s attention, as a greeting, and sometimes, it can even be a noun to refer to a person, kinda like “dude.”

CHETO/A = FANCY (adjective, noun)

Spanish Synonym: sofisticado, lujoso, costoso

Ella es muy cheta, siempre compra cosas de marca.
She’s really fancy, she always buys stuff from nice brands.

“Cheto/a” is one of those words that is fairly simple and easy to pick up but has a lot of meaning behind it. Pay attention, because the user can have positive or negative feelings behind using the word, depending on the context. It can also be used as a noun to describe a group of high-class people.

LABURAR, LABURO = WORK (verb, noun)

Spanish Synonym: trabajar

Ayer fue un feriado, pero hoy tengo que ir a laburar.
Yesterday was a holiday, but today I have to go to work.

From the Italian word “lavorare,” this word is commonplace in many conversations between Argentines. Consider using it to ask an Argentine acquaintance, “en que laburás?” (What do you do for work?)

QUILOMBO = MESS (noun)

Spanish Synonym: lío

Él la dejó para estar con su prima y ahora están todos peleando. ¡Que quilombo!
He left her to be with her cousin and now everyone is fighting. What a mess!

This word comes from the Kimbundu word kilombo, and was used in colonial Brazil to describe a village of escaped slaves, but it has come to be used in Argentina without that connotation, rather it describes something that is either literally or figuratively a big mess.

POSTA = REAL, FOR REAL (adjective, noun, expression)

Spanish Synonym: en serio, de verdad

¡Quiero comer un sándwich posta, no ese que solo tiene queso!
I want to eat a real sandwich, not this that just has cheese!

It seems like every variety of Spanish has its own version of this word, but the Argentine one is especially dynamic. You can use it as an adjective or noun or exclamation. You can also use “posta” as a question to confirm if something is true or not, as in:

Vendieron su casa.
They sold their house.
Posta?
For real?

BOLUDO/A = DUDE (noun)

Spanish Synonym: amigo, tipo, estúpido (and regionally – huevón, g¬üey, tío, etc)

After “che,” “boludo” is probably the most well-known Argentine slang word, and it pairs well with “che,” as in the famous “che, boludo!” It’s used to address friends or can also be used as an insult, so proceed with caution, but enthusiasm. You might also hear it modified to another noun, “boludeces,” which are dumb or stupid things that someone might do.

BIRRA = BEER (noun)

Spanish Synonym: cerveza

¿Vamos a tomar una birra?
Wanna go get a beer?

Argentine Spanish’s Italian influence shows through in this one again (“birra” is beer in Italian, and like other aspects of Argentine culture, the word comes from there). It’s also a great word to use to connect with your new Argentine friends.

FIACA = LAZINESS (noun)

Spanish Synonym: pereza

No quiero salir hoy, tengo fiaca.
I don’t want to go out today, I’m tired and lazy.

As with many other conditions in Spanish (like hambre, sed, sueño, etc), “fiaca” is almost exclusively used with “tener” when talking about how someone feels. Saying that you or someone else has “fiaca” is like saying that you’re just not up to doing something (and probably need to be convinced to do it). It also comes from Italian, “fiacca.”

RE = SO, VERY (adverb)

Spanish Synonym: muy, super

Mi mamá averiguó que no vine a la casa anoche y ahora está re enojada.
My mom found out that I didn’t come home last night and now she’s super angry.

“Re” can be used with almost any adjective and sometimes even with other parts of speech, but it goes particularly well with emotions. A good way to think about it is that anytime you might use the word “super” for emphasis, “re” can likely work, too! It’s important to note that this is a particularly informal word, though, and is best kept to informal situations.

TRUCHO/A = FAKE, BAD QUALITY (adjective)

Spanish Synonym: falso, de mala calidad

Si vas a esa tienda, tené cuidado, venden muchas cosas truchas.
If you go to that store, be careful, they sell a lot of fake stuff.

You can use “trucho/a” to say that something isn’t good quality or that something isn’t what it seems – like you expected one thing, but you got another. If applied to a person, it means that they’re a liar. (It’s also an antonym of “posta!” when used as adjective for an object – see above).

 

AHORA VOS

¡Ahora vos! (Now you!) Try to put it all together and use your new slang in the comments and we’ll correct it for you or let you know you’re on the right track. For bonus points, use “vos” where applicable!

Don’t forget to check out our other posts about slang, including slang from Spain and Mexico, and if the examples left you curious about the usage of “vos,” head over to our post about the voseo to learn more about it.

10 WAYS TO ORDER A COFFEE IN SPANISH

It might not come as a surprise to you that Spanish love their coffee, and pretty much in every bar you’ll go you’ll find groups of Spaniards enjoying their cups of coffee. However, ordering a coffee in Spain can be a bit tricky as it is rare that you’ll come up the bar and simply say “un café, por favor”, since there are a lot of ways to order coffee in Spain.

Forget cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites and get ready to enjoy the huge variety of coffee in Spain. Whether you like it black, with milk, iced or even with alcohol, we’ve got you covered with this guide on 10 ways to order a coffee in Spain.

 

1. Café con Leche

Simply put, it is coffee with milk. Probably this is the closest equivalent to a latte you will find in Spain, although the Spanish way is stronger, and it is served with equal parts of espresso and milk. This type of coffee is one of the staples in a traditional Spanish breakfast, so it is a must-try during your time in Spain.

 

2. Café Solo

Café solo is what Spanish people call a shot of espresso, nothing fancy but very effective at keeping you awake. It is typically very strong, so be prepared. If you want to act like a local, you might want to order a café solo after enjoying a menu of the day for lunch.

 

3. Cortado

Literally translated “cortado” means a short one, and it can be described as a café solo topped with frothy hot milk. Commonly known as an espresso machiatto for coffee lovers. Depending on the region you are in, a cortado can have different names. For example, in some regions a cortado is called “manchado” (coffee stained with milk). Whereas in other regions, if you order a café manchado you will get exactly the opposite, a glass of milk with a splash of coffee. Be careful!

 

4. Café con Hielo

Also known as “café del tiempo”. This type of coffee is a summertime favorite across the country and it is simply coffee with ice. When ordering a café con hielo, the barista will give you two glasses: one with hot coffee and another with ice cubes. Now it’s when the fun starts, good luck pouring your hot drink in the glass with ice without spilling any! If you do it, you can be considered as a Spanish coffee expert!

 

5. Café Americano

If the intensity of a café solo puts you off, you can always order a café americano. It contains the same amount of caffeine as a café solo but it’s diluted with more water, so the flavor is less strong. It is not a very popular type of coffee among Spanish people as it can be considered as “dirty water”, but of course you can still enjoy it!

 

6. Café Bombón

If you have a sweet tooth, this is the right coffee for you. This Spanish specialty is a shot of espresso with sweetened condensed milk in a 1:1 ratio. Café bombón was made famous in Valencia and then spread gradually across the country. To make a café bombón, the barista will use a clear glass where they will add the espresso and then the condensed milk, creating two separated bands of contrasting color. Then, you only have to mix them together and enjoy this caffeinated treat.

 

7. Leche Manchada

You can think of this drink as more of a coffee-flavored drink rather than a proper coffee. It can be translated as “stained milk” and it consists of a hot cup of milk with a few drops of coffee to give it a bit of a coffee aftertaste. Perfect for those who are not heavy coffee drinkers but like the subtle flavor of it.

 

8. Carajillo

Want some alcohol in your coffee? A carajillo might sound weird for a lot of people, but it’s fairly popular among Spaniards. This drink is espresso served with rum, whisky, or brandy, depending on the customer preference. Don’t be shy and give this alcoholic drink a shot!

 

9. Café Belmonte

The Mediterranean has a lot of perks, and one of them is this type of coffee. It is a mix of a café bombón with a shot of brandy. Therefore, if you are looking for a sweet alcoholic kick, this is your chance.

 

10. Descafeinado

The coffee tradition is not only limited to the daylight, and decaffeinated coffees are very popular in Spain. Some bars will only have it in instant for (“de sobre”) but you might be lucky and get to enjoy a freshly ground coffee from the machine (“de máquina”). Decide how you want your decaffeinated coffee to be served and enjoy a lovely cup of your favorite type of coffee at night.

 

Other Coffee Vocabulary

As in many places, there is a very strong coffee culture in Spain. Depending on the region, the names might differ, but don’t be afraid to ask the barista. However, knowing the different types of coffees might not be enough to order the right coffee, it is also important to know few other words to help you order at the bar.

• Taza: mug with a handle
• Vaso: clear glass typically smaller than a mug
• Caliente: hot (milk)
• Templada: mild (mix of hot and cold milk)
• Fría: cold (milk)
• Para llevar: to take away
• En la barra: at the bar
• En la terraza: at the terrace
• Dentro: inside the bar
• Azúcar: sugar
• Sacarina: sweetener

 

If you liked these 10 ways to order a coffee in Spain, download our free PDF cheat sheet on these 10 coffee types and more. Plus, we’ve added common Spanish phrases you’ll need for your next cafe order, like:

I would like to have a espresso
Do you have any sugar/sweetener?
With hot/mild/cold milk
What would you like to have?
What type of coffee would you like to have?
and more …

6 Ways to Stop Repeating Yourself and Add Flavor to Your Spanish

Once you get the hang of some basic Spanish phrases, you might realize that you start saying them a lot. It’s really great to be comfortable, but if you’re too comfortable, they might get overused.

This happens a lot with Spanish words that have been adopted into English, like “adiós,” or phrases that are a direct translation from English, like “pienso que…”. Many native English speakers tend to use these words a lot because they’re most familiar and comfortable with them, which is great to start out with, but as you advance, adding variety to your Spanish is a great way to take it to the next level.
Plus, some words and phrases that native English speakers assume are common in Spanish, because they’re translations of common English phrases or have been adopted into English, aren’t actually as common as they think.

So, to help you get started with varying up your vocabulary, we’ve looked at six common phrases that English speakers tend to use often and come up with some alternatives for you to try to change it up.

 

Stop saying: ¿Cómo estás?

 

Start saying:

 

¿Qué haces?  = What’re you up to?

Although this literally translates as “What are you doing?” and can be used as such, it can also be used informally to ask a friend what they are up to or even just how they are.

 

¿Qué pasa? = What’s up?

Similar to “¿Qué haces?”, “¿Qué pasa?” is a greeting to ask someone what is going on with them. A common response is “nada,” but some people might open up and tell you what is bothering them or what is going on in their lives.

 

¿Cómo va? = How’s it going?

This is often paired directly with “Hola,” as in “Hola, ¿Cómo va?” as a greeting as well as a question and can be used with friends or even among acquaintances that you’re less familiar with.

 

¿Qué onda? = What’s going on?

To ask your closest amigos what is going on, this is a go-to phrase for many Spanish speakers. It’s informal and can be used to address someone directly or to ask what is going on in a given situation. The “onda” is literally the vibe or the feeling of something.

6 Suffixes in Spanish to Multiply Your Vocabulary

Just like in English, Spanish makes use of many suffixes to change the meaning of words. Sometimes suffixes take objects and modify them to people and places and sometimes they can change the type of speech, making an adjective an adverb, for example.

Many of the suffixes draw on basic vocabulary words that early learners might recognize to create more complex words. Knowing those vocabulary words and knowing the general meaning that the most common suffixes have can help learners deduct the meaning of new words, even if they’ve never heard of them before.

We’ve talked about the most common suffix in Spanish, “ito” and its variations, in our post about diminutives. Diminutives work really well in informal speech and they’re a great way to play with vocabulary because they can be applied to just about any word.
The suffixes in this list work a little differently than diminutives, though, because unlike diminutives, which are mostly informal, these suffixes fit just as easily into formal conversation as they do informal conversation. You can think of them as entirely separate vocabulary words with entirely different meanings because oftentimes, they are.

1. – ERO/A

Our first suffix is “-ero/a.” There are a few different ways to use it:
It is most commonly added to a noun to create an occupation. For example, you can take a noun like “pan” (bread) and add the suffix “-ero” to create the word “panadero” to refer to a baker. Other examples of this use are as follows.

Helado (ice cream) -> heladero (ice cream man)
Camion (truck) -> camionero (truck driver)
Verdura (vegetable) -> verdulero (vegetable stand clerk)

You can also use this suffix to refer to a tree that grows fruit:
limon (lemon) -> limonero = lemon tree
coco (coconut) -> cocotero = coconut tree

Or to refer to a space where something is stored:
azucar (sugar) -> azucarero = sugar bowl
moneda (money) -> monedero = wallet/coin purse

 

2. – ÍA

The second suffix on our list is one that you might already recognize. It appears often in the name of restaurants or stores. When added onto a word, it takes an object noun and makes it into a place. Usually the place is where the object is sold or made. Here are a few ways to use –ía:
Again, we’ll look at the example of “pan” (bread). Like with -ero/a, you must slightly modify the word to make the suffix fit, but with the suffix, “pan” becomes “panadería” or bakery.
The same can apply with “verdura” (vegetable). It is changed to “verdulería” to become a vegetable stand.
Some other examples:

helado (ice cream) -> heladería (ice cream shop)
café (coffee) -> cafetería (coffee shop)
taco -> taquería (restaurant that sells tacos)
carne (meat) -> carnicería (butcher’s shop)

 

3. – ISTA

This suffix is another incredibly common one and it’s also a really easy one to pick up. That’s because it can almost always be translated as “-ist” (look familiar?).
Here’s a few examples.

Arte (art) -> artista (artist)
Recepción (reception) -> recepcionista (receptionist)
Dental (dental) -> dentista (dentist)

In addition to more every day occupations, “ista” is also used to imply membership to a group or subscription to an ideology. It can be slapped onto the end of just about any political name or group to show belonging. For example:

Socialismo (socialism) -> socialista (socialist)
Marxismo (Marxism) -> marxista (Marxist)
Clinton -> Clintonista (someone that supports Clinton strongly)
Macri -> Macrista (a strong supporter of Mauricio Macri – the president of Argentina)

There are a few exceptions to this rule, but when in doubt, remember that -ista usually refers to an occupation or something that someone is. One notable exception is from the word “futbol” (football, soccer), which becomes “futbolista,” meaning “footballer” or “soccer player.”

 

4. – DOR/A

The suffix “-dor” is the most dynamic one on our list – it can be used in many different ways, but what all of the different uses have in common is that they are a noun derived from a verb. If you know the verb, then you know that a noun ending in “-dor” is a noun that performs the action of the verb or it is somewhere where that action is performed.
Some examples of words that turn a verb into a noun that does the action that a verb describes:

Secar (to dry) -> secador (hair dryer), secadora (clothes dryer)
Aspirar (to suck) -> aspiradora (vaccuum)
Jugar (to play) -> jugador (player)
Lavar (to wash) -> lavadora (washing machine)

Some examples of words that turn a verb into a noun that describes the place where the action of a verb is carried out:
Probar (to try) -> probador (fitting room)
Comer (to eat) -> comedor (cafeteria)

 

5. – MENTE

This suffix works almost the same way that the English suffix “-ly” can be applied to adjectives to make them adverbs. You can add “-mente” to just about any adjective to make it an adverb. It’s important to note in the formation of these words, if the adjective has a feminine form, then the feminine form is paired with the suffix.

Fácil -> fácilmente (easily)
Rápido/a -> rápidamente (quickly)
Sencillo/a -> sencillamente (simply)
Solo/a -> solamente (only)
Sutil -> sutilmente (subtly)

 

6. – ANTE

With this suffix, you’ll really start to multiply meanings. Like “-dor/a,” it is paired with verbs, but instead of creating a noun, it actually can create a noun and an adjective. The noun is usually an object or person carrying out the action of the verb and the adjective implies that the person or thing it is describing has the quality that it denotes.
Here are some examples. We’ll list the noun first, then the adjective in our translations.

Amar -> amante (lover, loving)
Calmar -> calmante (painkiller, calming/soothing)
Hablar -> hablante (speaker, speaker of a specific language, as in hispanohablante, or Spanish speaker)

 

With just these six suffixes, you can take familiar words, like “pan” or “comer” to the next level and create whole new words. And, when you encounter words that use these endings, you’ll be all the more ready to take a guess at their meaning.

Another day, another crossover Spanish hit! With more than a billion views on YouTube, we feel obliged to cover the Spanish portion

Taki Taki is the latest English-Spanish mixed song to hit the Billboard charts, and not just in the Latino category.  This is in part due to the presence of the mega-famous Cardi B (who has a Dominican father) and Selena Gomez (who doesn’t actually speak Spanish but has Hispanic heritage). They both provide English and Spanish vocals to the track, as does Puerto Rican singer Ozuna.  The track was produced by the French-born DJ Snake.

While perhaps not as explicitly sexual and ‘dirty’ as what may be considered it’s popular bilingual predecessor Despacito, the lyrics are unsurprisingly about seduction, with a lot of talk about booties and pantyhose.

 

What does Taki Taki mean?

First things first, Taki Taki is not only not Spanish, but not any other language either.  It doesn’t mean anything. Or you could say it means anything you want. It’s just a made up word by Ozuna, that seems in the context of the song, to stand for multiple things.

 

Taki Taki Spanish Lyrics & English Translation

 

*First learn this section*

There is one main verse that is repeated over and over again. If you’re going to learn anything to sing along with, learn this since it’s one of the easier verses and is repeated no less than 5 times:

Báilame como si fuera la última vez
Y enséñame ese pasito que no sé
Un besito bien suavecito, bebé

Dance with me as if it were the last time
And teach me that little step that I don’t know
A little very smooth kiss, baby

She gave me that look. You know the one that says, “I have no idea what you just said”. I was telling her about my friend who can get pretty emotional:

Es un hombre que lleva el corazón en la manga (he’s a man who wears his heart on his sleeve).

The problem is that expression doesn’t translate well to Spanish. To her, my friend’s heart, all bloody and beating, was literally on his sleeve. No wonder I got the strange look. These expressions aren’t unique to English.

In fact, if you’ve been learning Spanish, you know that these little phrases come up all the time, which can make a hard language even harder. Especially, when the word-for-word translation sounds like nonsense.

So, Maider and I decided to throw you a bone. We put together a list of 14 Spanish phrases that, when translated literally to English,  make no sense.

Let’s get started

 

1. Hablar sin pelos en la lengua

Literal Translation: To speak without hairs on your tongue
What it actually means: To speak frankly or to pull no punches.

This is an expression that’s universal throughout the Spanish speaking world. If you think about the image, having hair on your tongue makes it hard to speak, much less speak your mind.

Without them, you’re free to be unfiltered, not caring how anyone feels.

 Bea habla sin pelos en la lengua. Vas a entender exactamente lo que piensa de ti.

 

2. Dar Calabazas

Literal translation: Give Pumpkins
What it actually means: Stand someone up on a date

This expression is only used in Spain and its origins are debatable. Apparently, it goes all the way back to ancient Greece. The Greeks didn’t enjoy the humble pumpkin. In fact, they thought of it as an anti-aphrodisiac. I imagine, at the time, giving someone a pumpkin was a harsh way to say, “I never ever want to see you again”.

No no sé que pasó. La esperé por una hora pero nunca llegó. Me dio calabazas.

 

3. Por si las moscas

Literal Translation: For if the flies
What it actually means: Just in case

There are two origins of the phrase. This first comes from the custom of covering your food when you left the table–just in case of flies.

The second involves a dead saint saving a Spanish city from the invading French Army. According to legend, while laying siege to Girona, the French Army made the mistake of plundering the tomb of Saint Narcissus. They didn’t find any treasure. Instead, a cloud of flies buzzed from the tomb and attacked every French soldier in sight. Covered in bites and infected with the plague, the French Army fled Girona in defeat.

Who knows if the second story is true. But, it makes for a great way to remember the expression.

Vamos a llevar unas botellas extras a la fiesta por si las moscas.

 

?? 4. Estoy como un sapo de letrina

Literal translation: I’m like a latrine frog
What it actually means: I’m stuffed

This one comes from Puerto Rico. My guess on the origin? The expression probably came from a time when bathrooms were not the cleanest. I imagine a lot of bugs buzzing around. Which would be a perfect place if you were a frog looking for a big meal to keep you full.

 

?? 5. A huevo!

The literal translation: To egg
What it actually means: Hell yeah!

Here’s when you would use this Mexican expression:

La Selección Mexicana scores a goal: A huevo!

Your boss gives you a raise: A huevo!

You friend ask you, “Do you want another beer?”: A huevo!

You get it.

 

?? 6. Dar Papaya

Literal Translation: To give papaya
What it actually means: Be careful

You’ll most likely hear this Colombian phrase as “No des papaya” which goes deeper than be careful. What they mean is, “Don’t walk around at night, alone, in a bad neighborhood, flaunting your cell phone, with a bunch of cash in your pocket and a big backpack because you’ll look like you’re asking to get robbed “. But “no des papaya” is much easier to say.

 

7. Hablar por los codos

Literal Translation: To talk through the elbows
What it actually means: To talk a lot

This expression doesn’t have a clear origin. But I like to think of it this way. People who talk a lot need a way to hold the attention of their audience. What better way than a sharp elbow to the body to remind someone, “Hey, I’m still talking here”.

Cuidate tu tiempo con el. El hombre habla por los codos.

 

8. Echar los Perros

Literal Translation: To throw the dogs (let loose the dogs)
The actual meaning: To flirt, to hit on (Latin America) / To scold (Spain)

The expression comes from bullfights. Back in the day, if the bull quit chasing the matador’s cloak, the crowd would call for los perros. The pack of canines had one job: scratch, bite and bark at the bovine to provoke it to fight.

In Latin America, you might say “me echa los perros” to describe a guy who said every pickup line imaginable to provoke a girl he wants to take home.

In Spain, however, the expression has a much different connotation. Instead of looking for love, some might echar los perros, when they want to give you a big mean piece of their mind.

No me gusta ir  allá. Suele haber muchos hombres que me echan los perros.

 

9. Rascarse la barriga/panza

Literal translation: To scratch the belly
What it actually means: To do nothing, to lay around

To remember this one, picture Homer Simpson, laying on the couch with a Duff beer on his belly. That’s pure rascarse la barriga.

Tu amigo: Que has hecho?

Tu: Nada, rascandome la barriga.

 

10. Estar en el quinto pino

Literal translation: To be in the fifth pine
What it actually means: To be really far away

In the 1700s, five massive pine trees were planted along El Paseo del Prado–then the longest road in Madrid. For Madrilenos, the pine trees acted landmarks that denote how far you were from the city center. If you were near the first pine then you were downtown. If you were close to the fifth pine then you were way out in the sticks.

The expression came into vogue at a time in Spanish history when you had to keep your love life on the down low. So, if you wanted to set a date with your mistress or forbidden lover, you would say “Me encuentras en el quinto pino” (Meet me near the fifth pine).

The phrase stuck, which makes me believe those quiet meetings at el quinto pino didn’t stay very quiet.

No quiero ir allá. Está en el quinto pino y ya tengo mucho hambre.

 

?? 11. Estoy bien crudo

Literal translation: I’m raw
What it actually means: I’m hungover

This is a classic Mexican saying. After putting down one too many beers you feel raw–like you’re not even human anymore.

Apaga la luz! Estoy bien crudo. Tomé como veinte chelas, anoche.

 

12. Montar un pollo

Literal translation: Put together a chicken
What it actually means: To make a scene

This one comes from Spain it doesn’t have anything to do with chickens. The actual term is montar un poyo which means to put together a stone bench. On which you’d stand in a crowded plaza, to talk about a polemic issue and make a massive scene.

Estaba tan enfado con Juanje que monté un pollo en el Carrefour. Le regañe algo fuerte.

 

13. Dormir la mona

Literal Translation: Sleep the Monkey
What it actually means: Sleep it off

You would use this Spanish term to describe when you’ve had too much to drink and need to sleep off the drunkness. Or more likely, the next morning when you gotta sleep off a nasty hangover.

The term comes from the 16th century when it was common at lavish parties to offer wine to monkeys. (I guess back in the day the super-rich wanted to see what drunk monkeys looked like.) The practice caught on so much that a sad drunk person was called a “mona triste” and a happy drunk was called a “mona alegre”. Over time, mona became a term for your drunk self. Of course, when you libated too much you had to let your monkey rest, hence “Dormir la mona”

Estás re borracha, Karen. Vete a la casa para dormir la Mona.

 

14. Hincar los codos

Literal Translation: Nail the elbows
What it actually means: Hit the books

This is a Mexican term paints a gruesome picture of having your elbows nailed to the table. Think of the last time you needed to buckle down and study but kept procrastinating. I bet it would have helped to keep studying if your elbows were nailed to the table.

Si pierdo este examen, pierdo el curso. No puedo salir esta noche. Tengo que hincar los codos.

 

?? = more common in Latin America

 

Wait…we’ve got even more Spanish Idioms

If you like these 14 phrases we have good news for you. Maider and I put together a Free PDF with all the idioms you just learned here plus 11 more essential Spanish expressions. You’ll use these phrases in day-to-day Spanish–no matter where in the world you are.

Spanish Restaurant Phrases

As the waiter inched closer and closer to me my heart would beat harder and harder. I’ll admit it. I was afraid to order.

I was practicing in my head over and over again how to give my order in Spanish. I kept thinking to myself, “Wait is that how you say it?”. “I don’t want to be rude”. What if he doesn’t understand me?”. After 4 years of high school Spanish, I was in Spain, ready to have an authentic Spanish meal. And I couldn’t remember how to order food.

I had what I call Spanish restaurant induced anxiety. The effects include:

Resorting to, “Let’s just cook at the Airbnb…it’s cheaper, right?”. Pointing at menus instead of using your words. And frustrated waiters who think in their head, “Another Gringo”.

If you suffer from restaurant induced anxiety, there is a cure. You won’t have to memorize 89 long phrases. You don’t have to know every food imaginable. In fact, the cure is simple.

In this post, we’re going to reveal to you the only phrases you need to know when dining in a Spanish speaking country. If you’re heading out on a trip to Spain, Mexico or anywhere else in Latin America, this post is the vital guide to get the authentic eats you’re looking for. Whether it’s the hole in the wall joint on the corner or an upscale fine dining.

Most importantly, use these phrases and you’ll blend right in with the locals. (You might even get a compliment or two for your Spanish).

Let’s get started!

 

The only 5 phrases you need to order anything you want

(no matter where you are in the Spanish speaking world)

 

Me pones …
Me das …
Tomo …
Quiero …
Para mi …

 

¿Me pones…?

This is used in Spain to ask for anything in a restaurant, in a bar, when you want to get some pinxtos in Bilbao. Don’t try to translate it literally, because it means something like ‘will you put in front of me’.  But let’s say your brain stops working.  And you can’t remember any of the other phrases we’re about to teach you, this phrase will get you what you need.

 

Waiter: Hola (Hello)

You: ¿Me pones una cerveza por favor? (Can I have a beer please?)

 

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Fun fact: the phrase came from a time when everyone in Spain carried a sack with them to the market. When you needed something you would go up to the stand and say “put it in the bag”. Crazy how things like that stick with a language for so long.

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Tomo …

In Spain they often use the verb tomar (to take) typically when referring to food and drinks.  When your friends say tomamos un café, it means let’s go have a coffee! Think in your head I’ll take, instead of I’ll have …

 

Waiter: ¿Qué quieres para tomar? (What do you want to drink?)

You: Tomo una copa por favor (I’ll take a glass of wine, please)

 

Notice it’s also in the question, ¿Qué quieres para tomar?

 

¿Me das…?

If you are in Latin America me das is all you would ever need. It means will you give me? It’s uncomplicated. It’s polite. And you’ll get exactly what you want.

 

Waiter: ¿Qué quieres para tomar? (What would you like to have)

You: ¿Me das una Corona por favor? (Can you give me a Corona please?)

 

 

Quiero…

In Madrid, everyone is more straightforward. That’s why los madrilenos use quiero to order a beer, more tapas. Whatever your stomach seeks, it shall be granted. And don’t worry, it’s not rude to say. In fact, it was Shakespeare who said brevity is the soul of wit. There is no simpler way to tell someone what you want than to say “I want”.

 

Waiter: ¿Algo para tomar?

You: Quiero un tinto de verano*, por favor. (I want a red wine spritzer, please)

 

Note: You can also use quería (I would like) for added politeness

*Tinto de verano (literal: red wine of summer) is red wine often mixed with a lemon-lime soda.

 

Para mi

After the waiter motions to you to order, you say: Para mi + (what you want). For example:

 

Waiter: ¿Y usted señor? (And you sir?)

You: Para mi, el ceviche, por favor. (For me, the ceviche, please)

 

And if you want to order for a friend who doesn’t speak Spanish, it works great. Here watch:

Waiter: ¿Para usted? (For you?)

You: Para mi, los tacos al pastor. Y para ella, los tacos de camarones (For me, the tacos al pastor. And for her, the shrimp tacos)

 

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Get a FREE PDF Cheat Sheet Of All The Restaurant Phrases You Need To Know Plus More Meal Time Essentials!

Get my FREE Download

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What if you’re not sure what you want to order

Because you’re looking for some local flavor?  We have the perfect phrase:

 

¿Qué me recomiendas?

Be prepared to answer more questions from the waiter. But this one is the key to finding something brand new you won’t find back home.

 

And, what if you need a few more minutes

When you haven’t had the time to look over the menu. And you need some extra time you can use these two phrases:

Todavía no estoy listo (I’m not ready yet)
Necesito más tiempo (I need more time)

 

Waiter: ¿Estás listo para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)

You: No, todavía no estoy listo. (No, I’m not ready yet)

 

What if you need something after you order?

This next question will get you anything you need.

¿Me traes … ? (Can you bring me … ?)

 

Here’s how it works:

Me traes + (what you want) = the waiter will go get it for you.

 

For example, you can say:

¿Me traes la cuenta? (Will you bring me the bill?)

¿Me traes otro tenedor? (Will you bring me another fork?)

¿Me traes más pan? (Will you bring me more bread?)

¿Me traes otra cerveza? (Will you bring me another beer?)

 

As you may have noticed, the majority of these phrases are questions instead of commands. That’s common. And you won’t look (or feel) like a jerk, either.

 

How to get the waiter’s attention

This is always an awkward experience for me until I learned these two phrases:

 

Disculpa (Excuse me)
From my experience, this is more common in Latin America.

Perdón (Pardon me)
This phrase is common in Spain. If you let this one slip in Latin America don’t worry. No one is going to notice. It’s the difference between saying pardon me or excuse me.

 

Should you use tú or usted when talking to waiters?

I wouldn’t worry about being formal or informal in this setting. If you’re in Spain, 99.99% of the time you will use the tú form. In Latin America, if the waiter is older than you, then, to be safe, use usted. If the waiter is younger than feel free to use tú.

 

The questions the waiter will ask you

The flow of a conversation with a waiter follows a standard pattern. Here’s what it will look like:

 

Question 1: ¿Algo para tomar? (Would you like something to eat/drink?).

Your response: Tomo un agua con gas. (I’ll have a seltzer water).

 

Question 2: ¿Están listos para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)

Your response:
Me das/me pones/quiero la ensalada con pollo (I’ll have, or I want the chicken salad)
No, necesito más tiempo (No I need more time)
Todavía no estoy listo (I’m not ready yet)

 

Question 3: ¿Algo mas? (Anything else)

You can respond by saying:
No, gracias (No thank you)
Me pones/me das/quiero/ me traes … (Can you bring me …)

 

Question 4: ¿Puedo retirar? (Can I take your plate?) or ¿Terminaste? (Are you finished?)

Your response:
Si, gracias (Yes, thank you)
Todavía no (Not yet)

 

Question 5: ¿Quieres postre? (Do you want dessert?)

Your response:
¡Si, claro! (Yes, of course)
No gracias, estoy a reventar/ estoy lleno (No thanks, I’m full)
No gracias, me he puesto morado(a) (No thanks, I’m turning purple = I ate too much)

 

When it’s time to go

Here are the phrases you’ll use when you want to pay the bill.

¿Me traes la cuenta? (will you bring me the check?)
La cuenta, por favor (the check please)

The waiter will ask:
¿Quieres pagar con tarjeta o efectivo? (Do you want to pay with a card or cash?).

If you say card, the waiter will ask: ¿Débito o credito? (Debit or credit).

 

Let’s get another round

But how do you say something like:

Can we get another round?

Can I get that on the side?

I really dislike…

 

To give you a cheat sheet on everything you’ve learned here plus a deeper look into the nuance of ordering food in Spanish, we created a phrase book of the 50+ phrases perfect for sounding like a native speaker while you’re at the restaurant or out drinking.

Check it out below:

 

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Basic Spanish Numbers 1-10

“Estoy bueno”

It’s a phrase that could get you in some trouble in Spanish.
Because it doesn’t mean “I’m good” as you might think it does.
It means, “I’m hot”, as in, “I’m attractive”.

That’s why it’s important to know when to use bien and when to use bueno.

Using Bien vs Bueno in Spanish

The words for ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in Spanish are deceptively difficult. They are often used incorrectly by native English speakers, for two main reasons:

1. Because both good and bad can be represented by two different words
2. The words change their meaning depending on if they are used with estar or ser.

Let’s take a closer look:

 

Part 1. Bien vs Bueno

 

Bien

In general, bien is used as an adverb.  It typically means something like well, or all right. In some cases, it’s used to mean quite.

Habla español muy bien =
She speaks Spanish very well

Él trabaja bien con otras personas=
He works well with others

Una casa bien vieja =
A house quite old

¡Bien hecho! =
Well done

 

Mal

The opposite of bien is mal.

Ella lee mal =
She reads poorly

Ella está mal =
She is ill / not well (either physically or mentally)

Todo va muy mal con mi trabajo =
Everything is going really badly with my work

¡Mal hecho! =
Bad job! / Poorly done!

 

Bueno

Conversely, bueno is used as an adjective. It often translates as good. It can also serve as an interjection which means well, and it serves as a greeting for answering the phone.

Un chico bueno =
A good boy

Tenía un precio bueno =
It had a good price

¡Qué bueno! =
How great!

Bueno, es possible, pero no sé =
Well, it is possible, but I don’t know

¿Bueno? (on the telephone) =
Hello?

Keep in mind a few important things about the use of bueno:

1. It’s gender specific, so if you are describing a female noun, you must use buena

Un chico bueno
Una chica buena

2. It changes based on plurality, so if you are describing anything plural, you must use buenos or buenas

Dos chicos buenos
Dos chicas buenas

3. There is also a special case. When placed in front of the noun, and when the noun is masculine and singular, you must use buen instead of bueno

Un buen chico =
A good boy

Hace un buen tiempo =
It’s nice out (weather) / It’s a good temperature

 

Malo

The opposite of bueno is malo. 

The same rules with bueno also apply to mal0:
– it is gender and plural specific

un chico malo
una chica mala
dos chicos malos
dos chicas malas

– it changes to mal, when placed in front of a singular masculine noun

un mal chico

 

Part 2. Estar vs Ser (with bien & bueno)

As you probably know, ser and estar both mean to be but are used in different circumstances. So not surprisingly, the use of estar and ser with bien or bueno has a different meaning.

Estar 

Look at the following 2 short phrases:

Ella está bien
Ella está buena

These phrases don’t mean the same thing. Here are the translations:

Ella está bien = She is (doing) well / healthy
Ella está buena = She is attractive

If we use their exact opposites/negatives, you would expect similar meanings, though that’s not exactly the case:

Ella está mal = She is not doing well
Ella está mala = she is sick

There can be more than one meaning when using the verb estar with either bien or bueno. Here’s a summary of their different meanings, depending on the situation:

estar bien:

To say someone is doing well / feeling well
Mi abuelo tiene 80 años pero está muy bien
My grandfather is 80 years old but is very healthy

To say something is ok
No pasa nada, si ella viene está bien
No problem, if she comes it’s okay

To say something is correct
Este ejercicio está bien. ¡Enhorabuena!
This exercise is correct. Congratulations!

estar bueno:

To say someone is attractive / hot
Mi compañero de clase me pone nerviosa, está muy bueno
My classmate makes me nervous, he is really hot

To say something tastes good (food)
Esta paella está muy buena ¿Cómo la has cocinado?
This paella is very good.  How did you cook it?

 

Estar: bien/mal vs bueno/malo

 

Ser

Important:

*** Ser cannot be used with bien ***

Ser can only be used with bueno/malo.

 

Using ser with bueno, has a different meaning from either estar bien and estar bueno. Here are the meanings of ser bueno, again depending on the situation:

Ser bueno

To say someone has a good character
Ella es muy bueno – cuando ha encontrado dinero, se lo ha dado a la policia
She is a very good person – when she found money, she gave it to the police

To say something is of good quality
Esta mesa es buena, es de madera de roble
This desk is good quality, it is [made] of oak wood

To say something is good for … something (often your health)
Salir a correr es bueno para la salud
To go out running is good for your health

 

Ser: bueno/malo

 

Summary

So, knowing what you know now, what is the difference between the following two phrases?

Mi novio está muy bueno
Mi novio es muy bueno

Answer:

Mi novio está muy bueno =
My boyfriend is very good looking

Mi novio es muy bueno =
My boyfriend is a very good person

In summary, here are all the meanings of bien and bueno with estar and ser:

Está bien
to be healthy, ok or correct

Está bueno
to be attractive or taste good

Ser bien
doesn’t exist!

Ser bueno
to be of good character or quality, or good for your health

 

Summary: bien/mal vs bueno/malo (Estar/Ser)

 

 

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Direct object pronouns are tiny words with big significance.  They substitute for nouns in phrases where the noun is already known. In English they would be represented by words like it, him or her.

 

Direct Object Pronouns in Spanish:

me
te
lo/la
nos
os
los/las

Be sure to watch the video above to learn how we use them in Spanish.  Then follow along with the translations in English below.

 

Lo, La, Los, Las

When we are talking about things in Spanish we use either lo, la, los or las, depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine, and singular or plural:

Yo veo una bicicleta = I see a bike
Yo la veo en el parque = I see it in the park

Yo veo unas sombrillas = I see some umbrellas
Yo las veo en la playa = I see them at the beach

Yo veo unos libros = I see some books
Yo los veo en la biblioteca = I see them in the library

Yo veo un coche = I see a car
Yo lo veo en la playa = I see it in the street

 

Direct object pronouns in Spanish with people

In some cases we might need to refer to people when using direct object pronouns. In this case, we can also use lo, las, los or las, as well as me, te, nos, or os

Yo lo veo = I see him

Other examples:
Yo te veo = I see you
Él me ve = He sees me
Él los ve = He sees them
Ellos nos ven = They see us

 

Common Phrases using Direct Object Pronouns in Spanish

And, you may have heard some of these direct object pronouns before and just not realized it.  Some common uses include:

Lo sé / No lo sé =
I know [it] / I don’t know [it]

Lo siento =
I’m sorry [I feel it]

 

We hope you don’t ever have to use these, but when you get pissed off, it can really be helpful to yell at someone in their own language and not let on that you’re a foreigner. We don’t like to use this kind of language but do so here for educational purposes only.  Parental discretion advised …

 

Telling Someone Off in Spanish

 

1. 
¡Déjame!

= Leave me alone!

Situation: You find yourself walking the street in a Spanish city and you get unwanted attention by someone coming up next to you and bothering you. Forcefully tell them ‘déjame’ and they should be leaving you alone.

 

Origin: 
The verb dejar means to quit or to leave. Dejame uses the verb in the imperative form, making it a command ‘leave me’.

 

Additional Alternatives:
de éjame in paz = leave me in peace

 

2. Cállate

= Shut up

Situation: You are in a political argument with someone who is annoying you. Maybe suddenly they say something completely inappropriate or something you find offensive. So you might say ‘cállate‘ or ‘bueno, tú cállate‘ (well, you shut up)

 

Origin: The verb callarse means to keep oneself quiet. When used in the imperative (as in callate) it’s like telling someone to shut up.

 

Additional alternatives: These are a little lighter than cállate, a little more polite or humoristic:

Calladito estás más guapo(a) = Hush, you’re more handsome/beautiful. The diminutive ‘ito‘ form changes the feel to be a little less harsh.
Cierra el pico / hocico (coloquial) = Shut your snout (animal mouth). 
In Spanish, there are different names for body parts of animals vs humans. You can say ‘cierra la boca’. but it’s worse to say cierra el pico or hocico, because these refer to animal mouths/snouts.

 

3. Vete

= Go away

Situation: Someone comes into your space (your house, your place of work, your table at a restaurant) and says something inappropriate. In this case, you demand that they leave by yelling vete.

 

Origin: Vete comes from the imperative of irse. Irse is often used just to tell someone you’re leaving as in:
me voy, es tiempo a dormir = I’m going, it’s time to go to sleep.
But, when you add the imperative, it becomes more aggressive.

Remember: the imperative of the verb ir:
yo – (n/a)
tú – ve
ud. – vaya
nosotros – vayamos
vosotros – id
uds. – vayan

 

Additional alternatives:

Vete ya – You can also add ya to add a time element of right now!

Márchate – Marchar in Spanish means to march, however marcharse like irse means to leave. It’s common to hear me marcho in Spanish when someone is leaving a party or get together (similar to me voy). The imperative tú form (marcha) makes it a command, like vete, which means you are telling someone else to leave.

Que te vayas – One more level up from vete and vete ya is que te vayas. Imagine you tell someone ‘vete‘ and they don’t leave. You might then yell ‘que te vayas‘ which is more forceful and means literally ‘that you leave’, as in ‘I already told you once to leave’. Te vayas comes from the present tense subjunctive of irse.

Que te marches – As marchate is very similar to vete, it follows that que te marches is similar to que te vayas. They both mean to leave, suggesting you’ve already been told once, and they have similar levels of aggression

Pírate – Pirarse is used to signify you’re leaving from somewhere, not typically in an aggressive manner. In English we might say, to get going or to take off. When you use in the imperative, as in pírate, it’s a more forceful, telling someone to leave.

Puerta – Puerta in Spanish just means door. But it’s also a colorful way to tell someone to head for the door, as in there’s the door.

Vete a la mierda – Use this one sparingly as it’s very aggressive. Vete a la mierda means you’re telling someone where to go … to hell. The literal translation is ‘go to the shit’, but a better English translation would be ‘to go to hell’ or ‘f&*k off’ in Spanish.

In summary, here’s how we might rank these in terms of how forceful/aggressive they are:

Moderately forceful – Vete / Márchate
More forceful – Vete ya
Forceful – Que te vayas / Que te marches
Forceful (slang) – Pírate
Forceful (slang) – Puerta
Most forceful (offensive)- Vete a la mierda

 

4. Digo lo que me sale del coño / de las pelotas

= I say whatever comes out my a$#

Situation: In a very excited conversation, someone might accuse you of saying things you shouldn’t say. If you disagree and think you should be able to express yourself in whatever way you want you can say, digo lo que me sale del coño or de las pelotas, but see below to find out which one you should be using

 

Origin: In English we might translate this expression to mean ‘you say whatever comes out your ass’.  But this expression means literally, ‘I say what comes out of my (insert private part)’. Pelotas are testicles, and coño is vagina. Turns out, when using this expression you want to make sure that it matches your gender, so generally if you’re a male, use pelotas, if you’re a female use coño.

 

Additional alternatives:

Hace lo que me sale del coño / de las pelotas = You can also substitute hace for digo, to mean I do whatever comes out my* ass (whatever the hell I want).

*One final note: In Spanish, when you talk about body part of someone, don’t use possessive pronouns like my or your. For example, my heart = el corazón (the heart).  Similarly, in this expression, we use del coño and las pelotas, and not mi coño or mis pelotas.

 

5. Te voy a dar

= You’re going to get it! [I’m going to give it to you]

Situation: Imagine a child doing something they shouldn’t be, and you advise them several times to stop doing it. In the end, you might say if you don’t stop it, ¡te voy a dar! (you’re gonna get it!)

 

Origin: This is a perfect example of several Spanish grammar rules in use. Rember:
ir + a + infinitive
ir is always followed by a prepositional a, and verbs following conjugated verbs must be in the infinitive, so we get voy a dar = I am going to give.  When you are talking about doing something to someone, you use the indirect object pronoun (in this case te) in front of the verb ir, so you get … te voy a dar = literally: I am going to give (it) to you. The ‘it’ is implied.

 

Additional alternatives:

Te la vas a ganar – Ganar means to win or to earn. lit: You’re going to earn it!

Te la estás buscando – Buscar means to look for / to search. This phrase means something like ‘You are looking for it’ or could be translated as ‘you’re looking for trouble’.

Te voy a romper la cara – Romper means to break. The literal translation would be ‘I’m going to break your face’. (Note again we say la cara and not tu cara)

Te voy a pegar – Pegar means to hit … I’m going to hit you

Te voy a dar dos ostias 
- Ostias in this case mean hits, as in beatings or whacks. But ostia is a common slang word and has many meanings including, originally, the unleavened bread from communion. Ostia can also mean extraordinary, really great or also really bad. For example:
¡Es la Ostia! (It’s the bomb or it’s the worst, depending on context).

 

6. Que coño …

= WTF

Situation: Someone says something that seems incredible and, at the same time a little offensive. It can be a positive surprise, but normally negative. The closest English translation might be ‘what the f*&k?’

 

Origin: We already learned above that coño is a reference to female private parts. As you’ll see below, there is an equivalent male version, but unlike above, you don’t need to match your gender. You can use either.

 

Additional alternatives:

¿Qué cojones = Instead of pelotas, here we use cojones, which means the same thing (male testicles), but is maybe a bit more vulgar.

… dices/haces/ miras/ quieres?
You have a number of ways to end the phrase, to mean WTF are you … doing/saying/ looking at /do you want?

 

7. ¿Pero tú de qué vas?

= Who do you think you are?

Situation: Imagine someone saying something that implies they believe they are better or superior to other people. You might challenge them by saying, ¿pero tú de qué vas? This is a more aggressive form of saying como te atreves a hacer eso or ‘how dare you do that’!

 

Origin: Literally this phrase means, ‘but what are you going as?’ as in what role you are playing (also used for example to ask what you are dressed up as for Halloween). We don’t have anything exactly similar in English, but translations could be, who do you think you are, or where do you get off?

 

8. Aquí sobras

= You’re chopped liver

Situation: Imagine someone in a group that is not really welcome, for some reason. You might tell them, aquí sobras, and they would know they’re not welcome.

 

Origin: sobras is the term for leftovers. It comes from the verb sobrar which means to be leftover or not needed. When you say aquí sobras, it means essentially ‘you shouldn’t be here’, or you’re not needed here’, as in ‘you are leftovers’. A similar expression would be aquí estas de más = here you are over-stated / too much).

 

9. No te soporto

= I can’t put up with you

Situation: Imagine you’re with someone that is starting to drive you crazy, and you don’t want to be around them any longer because they are irritating you. You can turn to them and say ‘no te soporto‘ which basically means ‘I can’t put up with you any longer!’.

 

Origin: Soportar is more often used to mean support, but can mean more generally to put up with, bear or endure. To say, no te soporto is to say ‘I can’t put up with you’ or ‘I can’t stand you any longer’.

 

10. Que te jodan

= F – you

Situation: You are really angry and wish bad things to happen to someone. This is quite aggressive and vulgar, so only use it if you are really angry and probably plan on not seeing this person again

 

Origin: Jodan is the plural subjunctive of joder, which means to have sex (or the more crude f-word version).  It’s in the subjunctive because you are hoping that this happens to someone else, and not in a good way. The more literal translation would be something like ‘I hope you get f*$ked’ or that ‘they f*$k you’ – like we said, use with caution!

 

Additional alternatives:

Que te den por culo – Den comes from the subjunctive of the verb dar which means to give. And por culo means ‘in the butt’. A more English version may be ‘up yours’.

Being in Love in Spanish

The Spanish culture is known as one of the world’s most romantic nationalities. And we’re sticking with the love theme since it’s still February ;). So here are some of the top Spanish phrases you can use to talk about being in love.

Be sure to keep some of these phrases in your back pocket to use on your Spanish-speaking loved one

 

Me vuelves loco

You drive me crazy
Vuelves is the present tense conjugation of the verb volver, which typically means ‘to return’, ‘to turn’, or ‘turn around’. When used in this expression the English equivalent is ‘to drive you crazy’

 

Me estoy enamorado de …

I am in love with …
The verb enamorar means to fall in love or to become enamored.
Enamorarse, is the reflexive version, used when you’re talking about yourself or someone else falling in love.

Yo me enamoro de tí = I am in love with you
Yo me estoy enamorando de tí = I am falling in love with you
Tú te estás enamorando = You are falling in love
Él se está enamorando = He is falling in love

To say your in love with someone or something, make sure to include the preposition de:
Estoy enamorado de ti = I am in love with you

Enamorado can also be a noun, meaning lover, as in:
Ella es una enamorada de musica = She is a music lover

 

Flechazo

Love at first site/Lovestruck
Flecha in Spanish means arrow. When you add the suffix ‘azo‘ to any word in Spanish it often serves to augment the word. For example perro (dog) becomes perrazo to mean big dog and conversely perrito to mean little dog (see diminutives in Spanish). In the case of flechazo, the ‘azo‘ doesn’t actually come to mean big arrow, but instead means to be hit by the object – in this case, an arrow. Sentí un flechazo = I felt an arrow hit. In a similar fashion, martilla (hammer) becomes martillazo = to be hit with a hammer (oh no!).

You can also stick with the more classic version, amor a primera vista – but seems a little boring relative to flechazo, no?

 

Eres mi alma gemela

You are my soul mate
In Spain they have the concept of soul mates, but the translation is a little more nuanced since gemela actually means twin. So the more literal translation would be ‘you are my soul twin’.

 

Bésame / dame un beso

Kiss me / Give me a kiss
Maybe you’re familiar with the song Besame? Besame comes from the verb besar, which means to kiss. Besame is the imperative, as is ‘dame un beso‘ which means ‘give me a kiss’.

 

Te quiero / Te amo

I love you
Sometimes there’s confusion about the difference between te quiero and te amo. Te quiero literally means I want you, while te amo comes from the verb amar which means to love. Officially, te quiero is used more generally (with friends and family) and te amo for more romantic scenarios. However, in Spain in particular, you can use te quiero for both.

 

Eres mi media naranja

You are my half orange (other half)
This is one of our favorite expressions in Spanish! Not that the Spaniards have a special relationship with oranges, but clearly in this case, both halves of the orange must go together. So, if you are someone’s media naranja, you are the other half of their orange – qué mono (how cute)!

 

Extra’s

Here are a few extra expressions you should recognize:

Eres el amor de mi vida
 – You are the love of my life
Mi primer amor – My first love
El amor es ciego – Love is blind

Chatting about relationships is popular in any language. If you find yourself doing it in Spanish, you’re going to need some specific vocabulary and phrases.

We’ll start with Facebook’s Spanish options for choosing a relationship status. Can you guess what each status below means?

soltero (a)

= single
estoy soltero -> I am single

 

---

Note: The trailing (a) means the spelling is gender dependent. If you are male and single (and talking about yourself), you’d say ‘estoy soltero‘. If you’re female you’d say ‘estoy soltera‘.

---

 

tiene una relación

= has (in) a relationship
In Spanish, Facebook is using tener (to have) in the 3rd person, saying ‘she/he has a relationship’

 

comprometido(a)

= engaged
In this instance, comprometido means, engaged, as in engaged to be married. Note that it can also mean engaged as in being engaged in an activity:
ya estaba comprometido con otro proyecto -> he was already committed to another project
estar comprometido a hacer algo -> to be committed to doing something.
(Also see prometido below)

 

casado(a)

= married
Estoy casado -> I am married
Casado is the past participle of the reflexive verb casarse which means to marry. When you use it in the present tense, you’ll need to include this reflexive:
Casarse con una mujer adinerada -> To marry a wealthy woman.
Vamos a casarnos -> we are getting married
Nos casamos -> we’re married

 

mantiene una unión civil

= in a civil union
mantiene in Spanish means to maintain or to keep. While civil unions are common, many Spanish-speaking countries also use pacto civil de solidaridad (civil pact of solidarity) or sociedad de convivencia (partnership of coexistence)

 

tiene una pareja de hecho

= domestic partnership
The English version of Facebook translates this as a domestic partnership, but the literal translation is something akin to ‘has a defacto partner’.
Pareja in Spanish means partner or couple, and ‘de hecho‘ is used often in to mean ‘in fact’:
De hecho, estaba en Madrid -> In fact, I was in Madrid.

 

tiene una relación abierta

= has (in) an open relationship

 

es complicado

= it’s complicated

 

separado(a)

= separated
estoy separada -> I am separated (female)

 

divorciado(a)

= divorced
estoy divorciado -> I am divorced (male)

 

viudo(a)

= widowed
estoy viudo -> I am widowed (male)

 

That’s the list from Facebook. Here are some additional relationship phrases in Spanish:

 

 

Tengo novio/novia

= I have a boyfriend/girlfriend
You can also say tengo un novio or una novia.

also, note you can use:
mi marido / esposo = my husband
mi mujer / esposa = my wife

 

No estoy buscando algo serio

= I am not looking for anything serious

 

No he superado a mi ex

= I haven’t gotten over my ex
superar means to overcome, surpass or get over.  This expression is in the present perfect, so it means ‘have (not) gotten over’.

 

Amigos con derecho (a roce)

= Friends with benefits
The phrase con derecho literally means ‘with rights‘. You may also see the added a roce, which means to touch/tap, so in this case, you have friends with rights or friends with rights to touch/tap.

 

Estoy prometido

= I am engaged
As we mentioned above, comprometido means to be engaged, but can also have additional meanings more generally. Prometido however, always refers to a romantic engagement. Check out this actual news headline, El cantante británico Ed Sheeran anuncia que está comprometido:

Me prometí justo antes de Año Nuevo. Estamos muy felices y enamorados y nuestros gatos también están encantados

It’s a good time for Spanish TV these days, as there are more and more good quality Spanish TV shows available for your viewing pleasure.  Thank goodness we are no longer doomed to only watching telanovelas or the same ‘Destinos’ episodes we were forced to watch in Spanish class!  And now with all the online streaming availabilty they are just a click away!

We’ve assembled a list of our favorites for Spanish students and tv connoisseurs. Before you start your Spanish binge watching, here are some tips to maximize your Spanish learning:

 

Tip 1. Use Spanish with Spanish

That is Spanish audio with Spanish subtitles. You want to be able to at least mostly follow what’s happening and not give up out of frustration, so if it’s too difficult, the next best thing is Spanish audio with English subtitles.

 

Tip 2. Google Translate is Your Friend

If possible, keep your google translate open on your laptop. This may not be for everyone, but for those with quick fingers, you can immediately translate words you might otherwise miss. Often it can be done fast enough without needing to pause the show. This, only works if you are using Spanish subtitles, which allows you to quickly recognize you don’t know the word and how to spell it.

 

Tip 3. Watch it more than once

We don’t always watch shows more than once (unless you’re a game of thrones fan), but if you’re using these shows to practice your Spanish, you will get more out of them if you can make yourself watch them again. You can pick up new things, and once you know the plot, you have more mental space to pay attention to comprehension and detail in the dialog.

 

Tip 4. Expect to get lost from time to time

You’re not going to understand everything, and perfection is your enemy when learning a language.  Use the experience to stretch yourself as you to try to follow along.  Don’t be afraid to guess or makeup meanings of words and just keep going.  You may end up being wrong, but this is what you’ll have to do in real life anyway.  The advantage of watching the TV show is, if you have the patience, you can go back and understand what’s being said.

 

And there’s always Happy Hour Spanish’s Online Course

Sometimes even the best shows can still be difficult for students to improve your Spanish, because of the slang, the fact that subtitles are not always word-for-word, the length of the video, and the fact that you don’t have a transcript and translation to go back and know exactly what was said.  We created the Happy Hour Spanish Online Immersion course with these issues in mind.  To really improve your Spanish, check out our travel videos and podcasts that are in 100% Spanish with Spanish transcripts and translation!

Top 5 Spanish TV shows to binge and practice your Spanish

So let’s get to the Spanish TV shows! Here are our top picks for Spanish TV shows for Spanish students. We’ve tried to provide links to where you can stream them online. These are all originally in Spanish, so of course we recommend keeping the audio in Spanish. If you’re comfortable with Spanish subtitles, remember to choose closed caption subtitles.

Note: We’re not including Narcos in our list here, only because it is not 100% Spanish language (more like 50/50), and we’ve recommended it previously.

 

1. Money Heist (La casa de papel)

Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 8.4

Sort of a Spanish Ocean’s 8/11/12. Over the course of now 4 seasons (season 4 released April 3, 2020) A group of robbers attempt to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history – stealing 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain. Forbes lists money heist as the most popular foreign language series on Netflix.

Watch on Netflix: Money Heist

 

2. Cable Girls (Las chicas del cable)

Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 7.7

Set in the 1920s, this is the story of four women from different backgrounds newly hired as operators for a phone company.

Watch on Netflix: Cable Girls

 

3. Velvet

Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 8.2

A series with high drama taking place in a fashion house in Madrid Spain in the 1950’s.

Watch on Netflix: Velvet

 

4. Three Days of Christmas (La casa de papel)

Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 6.8

You may think you’re not in the mood for a Christmas story, but this Spanish language miniseries is more dramatic than you might be imagine. Spanning 70+ years in the lives of 4 sisters, each episode of the 3-episode mini-series takes place on Christmas day at different time periods in the lives of 4 sisters.

Watch on netflix: Three Days of Christmas

 

5. Gran Hotel

Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 8.5

Having been dubbed the Spanish Downton Abbey, the series follows the drama of a family-owned hotel in the Spanish countryside, set in 1905.

Watch on Netflix: Grand Hotel 

 

Bonus #6. Celia

Setting: Cuba
imdb 8.0

A series following the life story of Celia, who broke through the white-male dominated salsa music scene in Cuba to become the queen of salsa.

Watch on Hulu: Celia

 

Honorable Mentions / No longer available on Streaming

The following were previously recommended, but are not currently showing on Netflix US, Hulu or other streaming services, but may still be able to be purchased or streamed from different sources.  Let us know in the comments if you find somewhere to watch them!

 

– Llamame Francisco

(Call me Francis)
Setting: Argentina
imdb 7.9 

This series isn’t as religious as you might think considering it’s about the current pope.  The series chronicles a vignette in his young life in Argentina in a time when the country is torn apart by military dictator Jorge Rafael Videla.

 

– Lady, la vendadora de rosas

(Lady, the rose seller)
Setting: Colombia
imdb 8.9

Based on the real life of Lady Tabares, who went from poverty to fame, and then to facing prison for a horrible crime.

 

– El tiempo entre costuras

(The time in between / The time between seams)
Setting: Spain (castellano)
imdb 8.5 

Taking place during Spain’s civil war, the series follows the life of a young Spanish dressmaker

 

 

One More Spanish TV Show for Beginners

Some of the above are pretty advanced and pretty fast paced Spanish, so we’re going to list one more TV series in Spanish that’s popular for Spanish students.  Its a language-learning series originally broadcast in the UK in 2002, which seems to be a bit of a Friends-style take-off.

Extr@

Setting: Barcelona
imdb  7.4

You can watch the first season free on Youtube here

¿Sugerencias? …

Do you have a favorite series or show in Spanish you’d like to share or recommend? Let us know in the comments

Spanish Tongue Twister # 2

Pablito clavó un clavito ¿Qué clavito clavó pablito?

Key Spanish words you need to know:
clavó – he nailed (past tense 3rd person of clavar = to nail)
clavito – nail (noun)

What it means:
Pablito nailed a nail. What nail did Pablito nail?

Many people setting out to learn Spanish take a moment to first consider which Spanish they should learn.  After all, you don’t want to spend all this time learning the WRONG Spanish, right?

But, is it possible to learn the Wrong Spanish?

The short answer is NO.

Spanish is spoken all over the world, by more than 400 million people – in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Spain to name a few.  And the good news? They all can understand each other.  As an English speaker, do you understand when you’re speaking to an Australian or South American or a Brit?  That’s similar to how Spanish speakers from different regions find conversations with someone from another Spanish-speaking country.

The most important thing is that you spend the time to study and practice, not which Spanish you study practice.

If you prefer Spanish from a specific region, you may want to tailor some your material (and some of your cultural education) to that region. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that all your material needs to be from there. This is especially true for  levels below B1. A majority of all grammar and vocabulary is the same.

Most of your time in early learning is spent working through the basics, not the fine tuning. And it’s mostly in the fine tuning where the regional differences lie.

Also, for differences that do exist, you aren’t able to avoid this simply by learning ‘Latin American Spanish‘ as opposed to Castilian Spanish (or Spanish from Spain). The types of differences that exist are as similar across Latin American countries, as they are between Spain and Latin America, with the use of Vosotros being the biggest exception (see below).

 

So then what’s the difference between Spanish spoken in different regions?

As we said, all Spanish speakers can usually understand each other.  So what are the differences between Spanish from different regions?  Here we consider 3 main distinctions or issues people have:

1. The accent

Not only are there differences in accents between Spanish-speaking countries, but also within Spanish-speaking countries – much like what we find in the United States, where different regions of the country have different accents. As an example, Spain has significant differences in accents between central/northern Spain versus the Andalusia region in southern Spain

Why the accent isn’t as huge a deal as you think when learning Spanish

Re: Listening
It can be true that certain accents can be much harder for some people to hear and understand if you’re not used to them (e.g. learning English with a Scottish accent versus American one).  For students, sometimes learning a less affected accent, like that from Northern Spain, Colombia, or Mexico are easier to learn the basics.

But once you’ve learned some Spanish, hearing a different accent just takes some getting used to. If you are planning on going to a specific region, make sure you expose yourself to some supplemental listening material, to the particular country so you can familiarize your ear with the accent.

Re: Speaking
Many people worry about their speaking accent – thinking that they have to choose it from the beginning, otherwise they won’t be able to get rid of it later on.  If only it were that easy!

Developing an accent in a foreign language is by mostly a conscious choice. It is not the same as the English accent you have now, which was likely an unconscious choice. There are certain things that you will pick up merely by subconscious exposure, but if you want your accent to sound like anything other than an anglophone speaking Spanish, you will need to consciously work at it. And the ability to focus on this aspect of your Spanish usually doesn’t come until higher levels of fluency. This is because in the beginning you are too busy keeping straight the basics, like conjugation and vocabulary (and not taking 5 minutes between sentances to speak) to be able to pay attention to your accent.

As an anecdotal story, I myself spent 3 years in high school in California learning ‘Mexican Spanish’, and now speak with a notable Iberian accent.

Main accent distinctions:

Below are three of the most notable distinctions between Spanish-speaking accents.

The lisp (properly referred to as ceceo)

Region: España (Iberia)
In most regions in Spain, they use a ceceo pronunciation, often referred to as a lisp sound, written as /θ/ in the phonetic alphabet.  Thus in Spain, a word like cinco (5), generally pronounced ‘sinko’, is instead pronounced ‘thinko’.

The double ‘ll’ and ‘y’ becomes a ‘shh’

Region: Argentina
In most parts of Argentina the sounds for double ll and y don’t produce a ‘ya’ sound, but a ‘shh’ sound instead, notated as [ ʃ ] in the phonetic alphabet. So, in Argentina a word like ella is pronounced ‘ey-sha’ instead of ‘ey-ya’.

The S disappears into an H

Region: Andalusia (southern Spain), Argentina, Cuba and others in Latin America.
In some regions the /s/ sound disappears and becomes more like an /h/ sound in some words. For example nosotros becomes more like ‘nohotros‘. And sometimes it can seem like the s is left off all together, as in más, pronounced as ‘mah‘.

 

2. Grammatical anomalies or differences

There are also some grammatical differences between regions that can be worth noting:

– Voseo:

You will find the use of voseo in Argentina and a few other South American countries (as opposed to tuteo (tú) found in the rest of Latin America and Spain). It is when in the place of tú, you use the personal pronoun vos.  See our blog post on voseo for more information.

– Vosotros:

Not to be confused with voseo, vosotros is a personal pronoun and conjugation used in Spain to represent the plural second person (as in you all).  In Latin American countries, they simply use Ustedes for the second person plural.

But again, have no fear, it doesn’t mean you won’t be understood. Even if you go to Argentina and use tú or Mexico and use vosotros, you will be understood, and visa versa.

If you are planning on meeting someone from a particular region, you may want to familiarize yourself with some of the more specific difference just so you’re aware.

 

3. Some vocabulary and expressions

Of course there will be a differences in vocabulary and specific expressions between regions.  For example, in Spain the slang for ‘cool’ is guay and in Mexico it’s chido.

Most of the time this will simply be something your can laugh at.  In a few cases it’s a bit less innocuous, but people will realize where you’re coming from, rather than be offended … e.g. if you’ve ever tried to use the word ‘pants‘ in Britan you’ve probably gotten a snicker, since there pants refers to someone’s underwear?

The Overall Good News: The Differences are Fun

In general, unless you’re creating marketing campaigns for a specific Spanish-speaking country, don’t worry too much about whether you’re learning the right Spanish. The fundamentals across regions are the same, and as a student you can change your accent and learn region-specific phrases if you need to.

And, when you use a word that is not common, or speak with a notable accent from another place, the majority of the time it gives you something to talk and laugh about together. Enjoy speaking Spanish with anyone who speaks it, and enjoy sharing the differences in accents, specific vocabulary and expressions, and grammatical anomalies. At our Spanish group meetups we always have a chat and a laugh about some of the fun differences – and I usually can’t go too long before a we talk about my ceceo accent!

Basic Spanish You Should Learn Before Traveling Anywhere

 

Are you thinking about traveling to a Spanish speaking country to learn the language? Or going for vacation and planning to speak with the locals?

We have one piece of advice for you:

Don’t wait until you get there to start learning.
Learn the basics, and learn them well, so you can use it when you get there.

 

You may be saying …

“But it’s immersion, I’ll just learn it when I’m there”

Is living in a country the best way to learn a language?  It can be. We’ve mentioned before some of the advantages to being in the country like:

• constant exposure,
• forced learning/motivation out of necessity,
• unlimited access to native speakers

But don’t underestimate what you can and should learn on your own before you get on that plane – or overestimate how much easier it will be when you get there.  We don’t recommend showing up as a true beginner if you can help it. Here are a few reasons why learning basic Spanish prior is essential:

 

1. The less you understand, the less you benefit

Immersion is not necessarily the place to do the learning – it’s the place to practice what you’ve already learned. If you haven’t yet learned the basics, most of that great practice will be lost on you. You don’t need immersion to learn the basic Spanish, so master that on your own first. That way you’ll have something a basic framework to work with when you are bombarded with the slang, fast talking, big words, and colloquial expressions when you arrive.

 

2. You’ll still need to study – immersion is not a magic pill

It is tempting to put off studying until you get there, since it will be “easier“. Not necessarily. Don’t believe it all happens by osmosis, and that learning there will be completely different from learning anywhere else.  You will still need to study, and practice on your own.

Be aware that it is entirely possible to move to another country and not learn the language – it happens all the time. Even after people live in a country for years.  Learning a language anywhere still requires work. Immersion doesn’t do the work for you!

 

3. If you want to meet locals, you need to be able to communicate

Many people are patient with foreigners struggling with the language, but there’s a limit for anyone. And there’s only so much connection you can make with another person if you can’t really communicate. To be honest, sometimes meeting locals can be hard even when you have a high level of the language.  Speaking very slowly and with lots of pauses can be difficult for both sides. And if they don’t speak English, you may either give up trying to communicate, remain silent (and boring) in group settings, or  just hangout with other expats who speak English.  And if they do speak English then point #4 will be an issue …

 

4. If you can’t speak Spanish well enough, everyone will be tempted to switch to English

When relationships are on the line, it’s more important to communicate then to let someone practice their Spanish. And if your level is so low you can’t express yourself conversationally, you or your speaking partner will likely switch to English if the option is there. This can even happen at intermediate levels. But if you have a slightly higher level and have mastered at least basic Spanish, you have a much better chance 0f finding a way to keep the communication going in Spanish.

 

So what basic Spanish should you learn before you travel?

Now that we’ve told you what not to do, let’s look at what you should do before you start packing your bags for flight to a Spanish-speaking country.

You can also reference our cheater’s guide to beginner Spanish which details many of these points below.

We recommend as a minimum learn the basic Spanish lessons below:

 

1. Most common basic vocab

Don’t just learn familiar sets of words like animals and furniture.  There are many words in Spanish that don’t fit into the classic basic vocab lessons but are more important and more frequently used (e.g. ‘there are’, ‘almost’, ‘maybe’, ‘sometimes’ etc…). See our list of the 250 most commonly used Spanish words to get started.

 

2. Basic verb conjugation

Understanding how verb conjugation works in Spanish is essential. It’s also not something you will figure out just by listening to the language.  It requires explanation. Don’t wait to learn this lesson.  You can watch our free lesson on AR verb conjugation here.

 

3. Top 5 verbs fully conjugated in the present, past and future

One of the most efficient ways to get conversationally proficient is to master the 5 most common verbs conjugated in the 3 most common Spanish tenses. When you can speak in the present, past, and future using basic verbs like ‘to have’, ‘to go’, ‘to want’, and ‘to be’ you have a lot you can use to communicate.

 

4. A little slang and colloquial expressions

Having a few fun phrases in your back pocket can be helpful not only to communicate, but to show some personality and make the locals smile.  Even if you’re having trouble communicating, throwing out a well-rehearsed line offers a pleasant surprise and can go a long way.  Here are a few of our favorites you can use:

ser pan comido => literal: to be eaten bread => to be easy as pie/ piece of cake.
For example: Estos deberes son pan comido =>  This homework is a piece of cake

pillarse un pedo => literal: to pinch a fart => to get drunk
For example: estoy pillandome un pedo => I am getting drunk / smashed / pissed (british English)

te invito => literal: I invite you => my treat
For example: No preocupes, te invito => Don’t worry, my treat

Or choose your own expressions with our big list of Spanish idioms & expressions

 

5. Practice speaking with another human

We recommend practicing speaking at least a few times with a real human being (though not necessarily a native speaker).

There’s more to learning a language than just grammar and vocab.  Speaking is a unique skill in and of itself.  Putting together all that you’ve learned in an actual conversation can be disorienting and uncomfortable. The more you practice, the less uncomfortable it gets. And if you master the basic Spanish lessons we’ve referenced here, when you are in an actual conversation the basics will be second nature and you’ll have less to think about.

If you don’t currently have any Spanish-speaking friends, you can find a local meetup in your area or find a conversation exchange.

 

Time for your pre-trip preparation

If you’re going to another country to learn the language, you are in for a fantastic experience.  Just don’t squander the time you have now, in which you can learn the Spanish basics and thus get the most out of your travels.

Hopefully, we’ve given you a few places to start your learning from your own living room.  Here’s a recap of some of the resources we’ve recommended to help you get started.

The 250 Most Common Spanish words
Cheater’s guide to learning Beginner Spanish
The Free Course from Happy Hour Spanish
Happy Hour Spanish Survival Spanish Online Course
Happy Hour Spanish Full Immersion Video Course
Find a Spanish Language Meetup
Conversation exchanges

¡Buen viaje!