Shortcuts to Learning español

False friends.

secundaria

What a Gringo thinks it means... between first and third place.

What it really means... high school / secondary school.


de repente

What a Gringo thinks it means... filled with contrition for a past sin.

What it really means... suddenly.


destitución

What a Gringo thinks it means... extreme poverty.

What it really means... firing or dismissal.

A word for "poverty" is pobreza.

News Headlines, December 31, 2015....

Poderoso 'El Niño' Alimentado Caos de Clima Hemisférico al Fin del Año....
    2015 el Año Lo Más Caliente en Historia al Superficie del Planeta

Powerful 'El Niño' Fueling Climate Chaos Hemisphere-wide at Year's End....
    2015 Sets New Record as Hottest Year Ever at the Surface of the Earth


Cargos Criminales Contra Bill Cosby en Caso de Asalto Sexual de 2004....
    Cosby Libre en Fianza de $1-Millon 

Bill Cosby Charged Criminally in a Sexual Assault Case From 2004....
    Cosby Free on Bail of $1-Million


DHL en Ecuador Busca a Clientes Con Promoción 'Easy Express'....
    La Empresa Ofrece Descuentos Hasta 25 Por Ciento
        Para Enviar Paquetes Internacionales

DHL in Ecuador Seeks Clients Via "Easy Express" Program....
    The Company is Offering Discounts of Up to 25 Percent
        On International Packages

False friends.

moretone

What a Gringo thinks it means... the big-band sound.

What it really means... a bruise.


flaco

What a Gringo thinks it means... a quarterback for the Ravens.

What it really means...thin.

Esa chica flaca es muy linda.
That thin girl is very cute.


grillo   

What a Gringo thinks it means... device used for cooking ribs and burgers.

What it really means... a cricket.

En el bosque, yo solía oír a los grillos produciendo sus ruidos cada noche.
In the woods, I used to hear the crickets making their noises every night.

pronounced GREE-oh

A Spanish word for "grill" (noun) is parrilla.  pah-REE-yah

False friends.

dime

What a Gringo thinks it is... a coin worth ten cents.

What it means in Spanish... tell me.

Dime tu nombre.
Tell me your name.

From the verb decir.
Pronounced DEE-may.


leer

What a Gringo thinks it means... to stare in an unpleasant way.

What it means in Spanish.... to read.

How to say "to stare" in Spanish... mirar fijamente.

Leer is pronounced lay-EER.


lana

Who a Gringo thinks it is...  Superboy's girlfriend.

What it really means... wool.

False friends.

bárbara

Who a Gringo thinks it is... great North American songstress.

What it really means... barbaric.  Male form of this adjective:  bárbaro.


bastar

What a Gringo thinks it means... a no-good SOB.

What it really means... to be enough.

¡Basta ya!
That's enough, already.


realizar

What a Gringo thinks it means... to realize.

What it really means... to produce or make happen.

Él todavía quiere realizar su sueño a jugar beisbol profesionalmente.
He still wants to make his dream happen to play baseball professionally.

A way to say "realize" is the phrase dar cuenta...

Me dí cuenta ayer que ya era demasiado tarde a viajar a Buenos Aires esta semana.
I realized yesterday that it was already too late to travel to Buenos Aires this week.



                     .

False friends.

titubear

What a Gringo thinks it is... an activity in the private playroom of "50 Shades of Grey."

What it really means... to hesitate.

fastidiar

What a Gringo thinks it means... to refrain from eating for a prolonged period.

What it really means... to annoy.

To "fast" (not eat) is ayunar.


grulla

What a Gringo thinks it means... foul-tasting porridge eaten by kids in
a Charles Dickens novel.

What it really means...a crane (long-necked bird).

News Headlines, Thursday, January 14, 2016....

Turbulence on Wall Street.... Dow Industrials Fall Another 364 Points

Turbulencia en Bolsas de Valores EEUU.... Promedio Dow Se Cae 364 Puntos


Coastal Ecuador:  El Niño Tides Destroy Several Homes in Esmeraldas

La Costa de Ecuador:  Olas de El Niño Destruyen Unos Hogares en Esmeraldas


Tex-Mex Border:  Customs Agents Seize Half a Ton of Marijuana
    Hidden Inside Make-Believe Carrots in a Truck

Frontera de Texas y México: 
    Agentes de Aduanas Agarran Media Tonelada de Marijuana
        Escondida Dentro de Zanahorias Falsas en un Camión

False friends.

chinos

What a Gringo thinks it means... pants made from a strong cotton material.

What it means in Spanish... people from China.


dedo

What a Gringo thinks it means... no longer alive.

What it really means... finger (noun).

The word for "dead" is muerto or muerta.


salar

What a Gringo thinks it means... navy personnel.

What it really means...to put salt on (something).

A "sailor" is marinero.

False Friends.

titubear

What a Gringo thinks it means.... an activity in the private playroom
    of "50 Shades of Grey."

What it really means.... to hesitate.


empeorar

What a Gringo thinks it means.... the head man in ancient Rome.

What it really means.... to get worse.

The Spanish word for "emperor" is emperador.



vigilante

What a Gringo thinks it means... member of a group that takes justice
    into its own hands.

What it means in Spanish... guard or watchman.

In Spanish, the English word "vigilante" translates as justiciero -- hoo-stees-YEER-oh.

False friends.

fideo

What a Gringo thinks it is.... common name for a Latino dog.

What it really means... noodle.


tasador

What a Gringo thinks it means... North American cop with a stun-gun.

What it really means... real estate assessor.



muelle

What a Gringo thinks it is... a stubborn four-legged animal.

What it really means... dock or pier.

Pronounced MWELL-yay.

False friends.

socio

What a Gringo thinks it means... someone who doesn't like to be around other people.

What it means in Spanish... partner.


desesperado

What a Gringo thinks it means... Wild West outlaw.

What it really means... desperate.

A desperado is the Western outlaw.


esquiar

What a Gringo thinks it means... fancy title for a lawyer.

What it really means... to ski.

False friends.

barco

What a Gringo thinks it means... sound a dog makes.

What it really means.... a boat.

Ladrar is the verb "to bark."


lío  LEE-oh

Who a Gringo thinks it is... Jerry Seinfeld's uncle.

What it really means... a mess.


terrícola

What a Gringo thinks it is... a South American soft drink similar to Pepsi.

What it really means... earthling.

And now, Gringos, it's time to play ... Name That Syllable ...

In this feature, three Spanish words are listed, along with the definitions.

Your task is to pronounce each word with the accent on the proper syllable.  Naturally, any accent marks are left off the quiz words at the top.  Answers are listed at the bottom with any accent marks included....


1.  emergencia -- translation: emergency

2.  sanduche -- translation: sandwich

3.  peluqueria -- translation:  hair salon

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Pronunciations:
1.  emergencia  --  ay-mehr-HEN-see-ah

2.  sánduche  --  SAHN-doo-chay

3.  peluquería --  peh-loo-keh-REE-ah

False friends....

hurto

What a Gringo thinks it is... a boo-boo.

What it really means.... a robbery.

alemán

Who a Gringo thinks it is.... a guy who drinks a sweet, fruity kind of beer.

What it means in Spanish.... German (noun or adjective).

allá

What a Gringo thinks it means.... a deity worshipped by many in the Middle East.

What it means in Spanish.... over there.

Allí or ahi means (simply) “there.”

a great posting... a Himalayan gift for learners like me .. Thank you

False friends.

contestar (verb)

What a Gringo thinks it means.... to dispute.

What it really means.... to answer.

“To contest” is disputar.

todo

What a Gringo thinks it is.... the dog from ‘The Wizard of Oz.'

What it really means.... everything.

¿Todo bien?  Is everything fine?

In ‘The Wizard,' Dorothy's pet dog was Toto.

la mente

What a Gringo thinks it is.... the mint candy.

What it really means.... the mind.

The word for “the mint” (the candy) is ”la menta".

False friends.

red

What a Gringo thinks it means.... color of fire engines and ‘delicious' apples.

What it really means in Spanish.... network.

The word for the English word “red” is rojo / roja.

sexto

What a Gringo thinks it means.... activity of the evening in the private playroom of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.'

What it really means.... sixth.

niño

What a Gringo thinks it means.... a number between eight and ten.

What it really means.... boy.

Nina is girl.  Niños means children (or, in context, boys only).

2 nice little phone apps are BestTravel, and Duolingo, they will get you by in a pinch.

False friends.

actualice

What a Gringo thinks it means... real cubes of frozen water.

What it really means... update (verb, imperative).

From the verb actualizar.

Actualice estas cuentas, por favor.  Please update these accounts.

Pronounced: ahk too ah LEE say.

buscar

What a Gringo thinks it means... hybrid vehicle.

What it really means... to look for.

barba

Who a Gringo thinks it is... someone who cuts hair.

What it really means.... chin or beard.

The word for “barber” is barbero.

Very good tips.
I like the Michel Thomas 10 CD starter Spanish set, inexpensive (I bought a used set), easy to use and effective.

Where do you get it,  and why do you like it ?
Thank you in advance

Look  up the prices and reviews on Amazon.com, including  one I just made. I think you can even listen to a sample there.

Wow! esto esta genial! jamas pense que hubiera gente de habla ingles que quisieran aprender nuestra lengua. me hace sentir tan orgullosa, jejejeje. Soy venezolana, estoy a la orden si alguien quiere un consejito. Saludos a todos!! ahh, si alguno me entendió es porque ya hablan español perfecto! felicidades!

bye!

My husband and I are getting ready to learn Spanish in the USA - and relearn when we move!  You post was helpful...I teach in a high school with many Hispanic students!
Thanks.
Robin (and Joel)

What's the difference?  Answers are below.

What's the difference between a loro, a coro, a foro and a zorro ?
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loro = parrot

coro = chorus or choir

foro = forum or meeting

zorro = fox

Ten Ways to Express Liking or Loving Something / Someone in Spanish....

10. Me gusta esta cena.
    I like this dinner.

9.  Me agrada este parque.
    I like this park.

8.  Me encanta este color.
    I love this color.

7.  Amo a mi novio/novia.
    I love my boyfriend/girlfriend.

6.  Te quiero.
    I ‘luv ya.'

5.  Comer chocolate me da placer.
    Eating chocolate gives me pleasure.

4.  Me cae bien tu primo/a.
    I like your cousin.  (An expression derived from the verb caer, to fall.)

3.  Prefiero hacer el amor en la oscuridad.
    I prefer making love in the dark.

2.  Fútbol estadounidense es lo mejor.
    U.S. football is the best.

And the #1 way to express liking or loving ....

1.  Es chévere.
    It's fantastic / great / cool.

Thanks for all the help. I'm a beginner at learning Spanish

Once you realize all the cognates (those are the words that sound  and look similar to English) ... then you need the REAL tips to making Spanish easier to learn:

Tip #1... Talk...to everyone...your neighbors, your neighbors kids, your dog, the neighbors dog... the cop on the street corner... the nice docotr they take you to see for talking to your neighbors dog... you get the idea.

Tip #2 ... similar to #1 one but on the rocks.  Yes... get a little inebriated with your new friends and listen and ...keep talking.  Slight inebriation will lower your inhibitions and you won´t care that you sound more like Mr. Magoo than Ricardo Montalban.

Tip #3 ... Learn to laugh at yourself, because you will make mistakes.  And here is a freebie, so you don´t have to suffer one of the most excrutiating (especially if you are a guy)

                Embarrassed... is NOT Embarazado...
                Pregnant... is Embarazado...
                         ... you will be averguenzado to make that mistake

Now go out there and TALK SOME SPANISH ...like a pro !

  Thank you, that was funny, and very informative.

Situational phrases for Gringos.

Me conviene.  That suits me .. or .. That works for me.

At the paint store....

Para la sala, me conviene el color verde.  For the living room, the color blue works for me.

Para el comedor, me convienen los colores amarillo y marrón.  For the dining room, the colors yellow and brown work for me.

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Ya dije.  I already said.

To a persistent beggar....

Ya dije no.  I already said no.
    (Say it softly.  The point will still get across.)

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de inmediato  immediately

To the bus driver....

Quisiera bajar de inmediato.  I'd like to get off immediately.

Situational phrases for Gringos.

Browsing in a store....

Salesperson approaches.  ¿En qué le ayude?  How may I help you?

Expat:  Sólo husmeando.  Just browsing. 
Pronounced ooce-may-AHN-doh.

Lost in the city....

Expat:  Estoy buscando esta dirección.  ¿Dónde está?
I'm looking for this address (shows address on piece of paper).
Where is it?

Taxi has already passed the correct address....

Expat:  Ya la pasamos.  Darme la vuelta, por favor.
We've already passed it.  Turn around, please.

Overheard in a taxi.

Doble a la izquierda a esta esquina, por favor.

Turn left at this corner, please.

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Maneje más lento, el conductor de ese camión me parece un poco loco.

Drive slower, the driver of that truck seems a little nuts to me.

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Me conviene a bajar a la derecha pasado la proximal avenida.

It suits me to get out on right side past the next avenue.

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Detente acá ahorita.  Me gustaría visitar una oficina en este edificio.

Stop right now.  I'd like to visit an office in this building.

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Siga recto.  Mi destino está a una distancia de dos cuadras adelante.

Straight ahead.  My destination is two blocks ahead.

Se fue .. Se acabó.

These are two phrases used in Spanish that may not register with most Gringos, even though they come up often in every day speech.

The root verbs here are the irregular verb irse -- meaning “to leave” -- and the regular verb acabarse -- meaning “to finish.”

Se fue means “he (or she) left.”

¿Dónde está Juan?  Where is Juan?
Ya se fue.  He already left.

Se acabó means “it's finished” or “it's over.”

Customer:  Me gustaría comprar mermelada de cereza.  I'd like to buy cherry jelly*.
Store manager:  No es posible.  Se acabó.  That's not possible.  We're all out (of it).


*The noun mermelada can also be translated as “jam” or “preserve."

Another idiomatic use of acabar de you hear often means just, or just now:

Acabo de llegar   - I just (now) arrived

Acabamos de volver de nuestra vacación - We just got back from our vacation

¿Dónde está Juan? Where is Juan?
Acabo de salir.  He just left.

Common words used in giving directions.

está, from the verb estar, “to be” is used to denote location. 

La cancha de básquet está al otro lado del río.
The basketball court is on the other side of the river.

en, meaning “on.”
Mi casa está en la misma calle que las casas de mis tíos.
My house is on the same street as  my uncles' houses.

allí, allá meaning “there” and “over there” (further away).
Más allá is “beyond.”

Mi pueblo actual está allí y mi futura ciudad está más allá de ese valle.
My current town is there and my future city is beyond that valley.

Right and left...

Doble a la izquierda a la próxima esquina.
Turn to the left at the next corner.
No se puede virar a la derecha allí.
You can't turn right there.

En frente, al frente have different meanings...

La panadería está en frente de la escuela.
The bakery is across from the school.
Le esperaré al frente de la iglesia.
I'll wait for you in front of the church.

arriba = up, or upstairs.
Nos vemos arriba.  See you upstairs.

al fondo can mean “at the back” or “at the bottom,” and you may need to listen for context to determine which meaning is used.

En este centro comercial, la ferretería está al fondo del subsuelo.
In this mall, the hardware store is at the back of the underground level.

cccmedia wrote:

Right and left...

Doble a la izquierda a la próxima esquina.
Turn to the left at the next corner.
No se puede virar a la derecha allí.
You can't turn right there.

Straight...a possible source of confusion

Be aware, and beware, because although a la derecha means to the right,
derecho with an "o" not an "a" at the end can mean straight. 

Siga derecho.  Keep going straight.

And then to complicate a bit more, derecho also can mean right,
but in the sense of a civil right as in derecho civil...but also as an
adjective derecho can mean right as a direction.  Remember generally
for an adjective the endings match (see bolded below).  And it can also
mean the finished side as in a fabric.

In context it's easier than it sounds by the above explanation.

Voltea la tela al lado derecho.  Turn the fabric over to the finished side.

Duele mi lado derecho por el golpe.   My right side hurts because of the punch/hit.

Siga derecho hasta la iglesia y entonces gira a la derecha, y la tienda está a la derecha.
Keep going straight until the church and then turn right, and the store is on the right.

Also to avoid confusion you can use directo to mean straight. 
In practice both derecho and directo are used.

¿Vamos a la derecha o a la izquierda?  Do we go right or left?
Vamos directo, vamos derecho.  We go straight, we go straight.

This is great and helps a lot.

It takes a while to digest all the information, but once you start sounding out the words as pronounced in Spanish the sound in your head comprehends and the tones (of each word) have a sense of order.

They say it's harder to learn a language when your'e older, challenge accepted.
If my uncle learnt to fly at 65 years old, I think I can do this.....

The Spanish-English sentences below were posted by ccc, and OsageArcher. I reposted in one post to illustrate how difficult Spanish can seem because there are three translations for "turn", but I get it as Voltea I think is used more so to flip something.

But here's the question, can we use Doble and Gira interchangeably? For example in OsageArcher sentence, "Siga derecho hasta la iglesia y entonces gira a la derecha...", can we replace the gira with doble?

BTW excellent contributions guys.   



Doble a la izquierda a esta esquina, por favor.
Turn left at this corner, please.

Voltea la tela al lado derecho. 
Turn the fabric over to the finished side.

Siga derecho hasta la iglesia y entonces gira a la derecha, y la tienda está a la derecha.
Keep going straight until the church and then turn right, and the store is on the right.

Well, Spanish also usually has several or even many ways to say basically the same thing - just think of all the different ways we might say it in English:

Go right.
Turn right.
Take a right.
Bear right.
Stay right.
Keep to the right.
etc. etc.

Here are just a few I found on the 'net:

toma el desvío de la derecha - take the turning on the right (although desvío means detour)
seguir por la derecha - to keep (to the) right
torcer a la derecha - to turn right

You could also say
vaya a la derecha (go to the right)
da vuelta a la derecha (take a right turn)
se toma la segunda derecha (you take/one takes the second right).

Linguee is a good resource - you can enter in a phrase and see various translations and usages, here for girar and doblar which can be used interchangeably for "to turn" although doblar also means to fold and other meanings:

http://www.linguee.com/spanish-english/ … recha.htmlhttp://www.linguee.com/english-spanish/ … la+derecha