Many people, especially those who hate textbooks and studying, are sure that finding a Spanish speaking significant other is the key to learning the language. As someone who learned my Spanish in school and then perfected it while living abroad, I can answer this question for you. It Depends Sorry, I’m sure you were hoping […]
Beauty Products Vocabulary: Translating Spanish to English Words
Finding beauty supplies in an unfamiliar place is bad enough, but have you ever considered how difficult it would be to explain what hair conditioner is with limited vocabulary? It would be a lot easier if you just memorize the words for a few key items you might need while shopping in a Spanish speaking […]
Puerto Rican Baby Names: Trendy, Creative and Unique Names from the Island of Enchantment
This is the introduction of the book Baby Names from Puerto Rico: Trendy, Creative and Unique Names from the Island of Enchantment. Puerto Rican Baby Names If you visit the Island of Enchantment, you may notice that many young people’s names are unknown to you. Apparently the tradition of naming the children to preserve the […]
Filler Words and Other Common Chile Spanish Slang Phrases
Becoming fluent in a new language is a long process. If anyone tells you otherwise, it’s a lie. However, there are certain steps that will speed up the process or even trick people into thinking you are more fluent than is the case. We will call them hacks. And with this language hack people may […]
Spanish Word for Grammar
According to RAE, grammar is the part of linguistics that studies the elements of a language, as well as the way in which these are organized and combined. In other words, grammar is the set of rules and principles that govern the use of a specific language. The Spanish word for grammar is gramática. There are other […]
Spanglish Example Photo: FREE EXIT
This is a Spanglish sign posted in Puerto Rico. “SALIDA AUTOMATICA” has been translated to “FREE EXIT.” The correct translation would be “automatic exit”. I’d like to award some Spanglish bonus points for the use of “beeper” in the phrase “No ultilizar beeper para salir” (Do not use a beeper to exit). That is true […]
What is the Best English to Spanish Translation for EXCITED?
When learning a new language, words that are the same or similar in more than one language can be an excellent friends. Spanish is full of friends to English, such as teléfono (phone), carro (car) and even verbs, such as combinar (combine). There is also a long list of Spanish words that have become common […]
Language Learning: Spanish Words for LOVE
In English, you can use the word love in a couple of ways. You can love people, things, actions, or foods. But when it comes to translate love in Spanish, there are particular words you can use. Here are the Spanish words for love. I love you The English I love you has two different […]
How to Say TEACHER in Spanish
In the Spanish language, various terms are employed to describe teachers. These terms change from one country to the next as well as the level of education being taught. El maestro (male teacher) or la maestra (female teacher) is commonly used in elementary school settings. These roles entail providing fundamental education to younger students. In […]
3 Spanish Lesson Plan Ideas for Any Teacher
Let’s Teach in Spanish What Doesn’t Exist in English: Key Unique Patterns in Spanish
16 Slang Words in Spanish for CONDOM
With all the sexy Latins out there -male and female-, you are likely to find yourself in a situation where you need some, ahem, protection. You do not want to be at the make-or-break moment with you could-be Latin lover and falter when it comes to the glove department. Spanish synonyms for condom There are […]
76 Classic Cartoon Character Names in Spanish
Pitufina, Robotina, Mandibulín, Pablo Mármol and Tío Rico McPato… do you recognize any of those names? They were some of the cartoon characters I grew up with. Before VHS recorders, computers, 24-hour television programming and the Cartoon Network, I grew up watching animated programs after school and on Saturday mornings. What we call in Puerto […]
5 Reasons the Spanish Language is Easier than English
Why the Spanish language is easier than English When I was teaching Spanish and dealing with expats in Argentina trying to learn Spanish, I constantly heard about how difficult the Spanish language is to learn. I actually wholeheartedly disagree. I learned through textbooks, the hard way, and I still stand by my stance that Spanish […]
8 Examples of Spanish Language Words With One Letter Difference
When learning a new language, it can be frustrating when you believe you are saying things correctly yet for some reason cannot make yourself understood. Living in Argentina, I have heard foreign friends say “oh they are just pretending not to understand me because they know I am foreign” or something along those lines more […]
What is TUNA in Spanish (and TUNAS)
You might be surprised to learn that la tuna or las tunas in Spanish has at least 3 different meanings in English: the fish, more commonly known in Spanish as atún, a type of fruit and a specific type of musical group (video link below). There’s a difference between tuna and tunas in Spanish and […]
Argentina Spanish Slang Word CONCHA: A Sea Shell or a Woman’s Vagina?
As mentioned in the post Puerto Rican Spanish Slang for Penis: A Bug or a Guy’s Dick?, a completely innocuous word in one country may mean something seriously crude in another. This time the word is concha which in many countries has the sole meaning “sea shell.” Above, I stand in front of the sign […]
Language Learning: Spanish Phrases and Usages of the Word PAPA
Yes, SEVEN meanings with just the four letters P-A-P-A. And if you mix in a couple other words with PAPA then there are even more. In a recent article Ignore These 5 Fundamentals to Become Fluent Faster I stated that beginning Spanish learners should ignore the El/La articles on nouns, as well as the accents […]
CAGAR: The Second Most Important Chile Spanish Slang Word
Certain words in a country turn out to be words that are heard daily, hourly and sometimes even every few minutes. Since these words are a fundamental part of the local language, learning them will quickly expand your vocabulary. They also have the added benefit of making you sound more like a local. HUEVEAR: The […]
Spanish NFL Infographic: English Names in Spanish of The NFL Teams
Last weekend I was trapped in a Sunday Football get-together. All the Americans were hypnotized watching the game and between commercial breaks, I was able to chat with a friend from Mexico. She asked me if I have ever heard the names of the NFL teams in Spanish. I was completely puzzled, because for me […]
LOS COLORES DE MI TIERRA: Video and Song to Learn Colors in Spanish Plus 7 Other Words
Before YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, a famous house paint commercial from Puerto Rico became viral locally during the 1990’s. To promote their company, Harris Paints created a song with Caribbean rhythms and a patriotic lyric coupled with images of colorful splashes of paints. Frequency and a captive audience ensured this song stuck in the minds […]
Spanish Language Word GORDO: Insult, Compliment or None of the Above?
The word “gordo” is translated as “fat” so you would think there wouldn’t be much room for discussion about this word. But hey, this is Spanish and simple words are often a lot more versatile then they seem. Gordo in Spanish doesn’t always have to refer to weight. In some Latin American countries, people will […]
3 Learning Aids That Helps Kids Speak Spanish… And Adults Too!
I have taught Spanish to children as young as 3 and to adults well past retirement. I certainly use different materials and approaches based on their ages, but when it comes to beginners, there are a few things I believe work for all age groups. So, adults too should use materials for children to learn […]
How to Speak Spanish: When Accent Stresses and Spanish Pronunciation Do Matter
In Jared’s article Become Fluent Faster By Ignoring These 5 Spanish Fundamentals, he recommends that you forget about perfecting your Spanish pronunciation and ignore written accents altogether when you are trying to learn Spanish quickly. While in some ways I agree with this, I can also argue quite the opposite in some cases. When it […]
15 Spanish Words and Phrases to Understand Three Kings Day
For Latin America, Christmas Holidays does not end on December 25th with the celebration of the birth of Baby Jesus and Santa Claus bringing gifts to children. In fact, this is just the beginning because twelve days after Christmas, we celebrate El Día de Reyes on January 6th. This day is also known as the […]
A Basic Spanish Lesson on Conjugating Verbs Like GUSTAR
The verb GUSTAR and other verbs like GUSTAR confuse many Spanish students because these sort of verbs do not really exist in English. The literal translation of GUSTAR is “to please” which is unfortunate for anyone who has to teach high school Spanish as you will have to tell them the way to say “I […]
5 Curious Facts About Cinco de Mayo
Click here to get these printable posters in Spanish and English in different sizes. 5 Curious Facts About Cinco de Mayo The Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) celebration commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is a festivity from Mexico that in the United […]
Spanish Language Day and International Book Day Spanish Lesson Plan and Class Resources
Spanish Language Day on April 23rd is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the importance of the Spanish language, which is spoken by millions of people around the world. On this day, events are organized all over the globe to celebrate and promote the language. It is a great way for Spanish speakers […]
Greetings in Spanish: 11 Ways to Say “How’s it going?” in Spanish INFOGRAPHIC
Here is a collection of 11 phrases used by locals in Latin America and Spain to say “How’s it going?” or ¿Cómo te va? in Spanish. Free printable!
Christmas Spanish Lesson Plan and Class Activities: La Navidad en los Países Hispanohablantes
Christmas is an important holiday in Latin America. It represents the birth of Jesus Christ, a religious figure that is celebrated by Christians around the world. For many Latin Americans, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration with family and friends. During this season, it is tradition to exchange gifts, prepare traditional meals, decorate […]
First Steps to Flipping a Spanish Classroom
What is flipping and how to start this teaching approach with your Spanish classroom. Read these tips before you start!