Idiomatic expressions are an important part of the Spanish learning process and perhaps one of the most difficult. In this book for learning Spanish sayings you will find idioms and proverbs that are commonly used in Puerto Rico.
In many cases, popular sayings cannot just be translated literally. During my 10 years living in Puerto Rico I was able to collect popular sayings in Spanish and match them with an English equivalent. Although you will find Puerto Rican sayings in this book, many of these sayings, proverbs, refranes, modismos or idioms are also used in other Latin American countries.
Speaking Phrases Boricua
A Collection of Wisdom and Sayings from Puerto Rico by Jared Romey
(Refranes Puertorriqueños | Idioms)
This follow-up to the Puerto Rican bestseller, Speaking Boricua, collects the unique Puerto Rican sayings that are passed down from generation to generation. Whether you are looking to share your life’s wisdom with Island friends, trying to get a chuckle from colleagues or just want to better understand Puerto Ricans, Speaking Phrases Boricua offers both English and Spanish versions for these wisdoms (refranes).
Hundreds of them are translated literally into English, explained and, when available, paired with an English equivalent. Here are a few samples:
• In English something extremely white may be said to be as paler as snow, in Puerto Rican Spanish you can say whiter than a nun’s butt-cheek, or más jincho que nalga de monja.
• La gallina vieja da buen caldo, or the old hen makes good broth is a form of saying that a woman’s age does not mean she has lost her touch.
• In English you say make a mountain out of a molehill, to blow something out of proportion. The Puerto Rican equivalent is ahogarse en un vaso de agua, or to drown in a glass of water.
This book includes:
• Hundreds of Puerto Rican sayings translated and explained in English
• 38 illustrations
• An index of English sayings with Puerto Rican equivalents
• Language: Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Note: Contains words that are not appropriate for kids.
Check out these other articles on Spanish Books.
