Shortcuts to Learning español

Straight ahead.

To avoid confusion - since derecho can mean “straight” or “right” -- use the following phrase to say “go straight ahead”...

   Siga recto.

Or, if you prefer:  Siga adelante.  “Keep going ahead."

The verb seguir means “to follow” or “to continue” (doing something).

Siga buscando los libros.  Keep looking for the books.

Money talks.

How would you translate the following English-language phrases?...

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How much does it cost?


¿Cuánto cuesta?

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How much do you charge?


¿Cuánto se cobra?

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Do you have change for a ten?


¿Tiene cambio por diez?

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I'm offering 15 dollars to get that one.


Mi oferta es quince dólares para eso.

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You want too much.  I'd pay half.


(Usted) quiere demasiado.  Yo pagaría la mitad.

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The rent increase floored me.  I'll look for a new apartment next week.


El aumento en la renta me asombró.  Buscaré un nuevo departamento durante la semana que viene.

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I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.


Le pagaré con alegría el martes para una hamburguesa hoy.

Money talks

In Spanish you can say, for instance,

Con dinero baila el perro

Poderoso caballero es don dinero

cccmedia wrote:

Straight ahead.

To avoid confusion - since derecho can mean “straight” or “right” -- use the following phrase to say “go straight ahead”...

   Siga recto.

Or, if you prefer:  Siga adelante.  “Keep going ahead."

The verb seguir means “to follow” or “to continue” (doing something).

Siga buscando los libros.  Keep looking for the books.

This was one of the first new words I learned here. The first time was on a bus, when I tried to hand the fare collector a quarter. The second time was walking on a sidewalk and a car was backing out a driveway and a woman directing the driver said "siga." In both instances I took it to mean as pass through or continue.

It's good to know how it's used in another context, or siga recto.

I'm busy, I'll talk to you later

1. Estoy ocupado, voy a hablarte más tarde.
2. Estoy ocupado, hablaré contigo más tarde.

Anyone can explain why #2 is correct and number is 1 is incorrect?

Do you consider this correct as well?

Le hablaré más tarde.

cccmedia wrote:

Do you consider this correct as well?

Le hablaré más tarde.

Good one, I should've been more specific - I was talking to a friend.

So in my case?

Te hablaré más tarde

Technically are all the ways correct with yours being the most concise? I mean to talk that way is it just odd or wrong?

vsimple wrote:

I'm busy, I'll talk to you later

1. Estoy ocupado, voy a hablarte más tarde.
2. Estoy ocupado, hablaré contigo más tarde.

Anyone can explain why #2 is correct and number is 1 is incorrect?

OK, I'm lost.

Didn't you challenge us to explain why #1 is incorrect .. only to tell us later that #1 and #2 are both correct?

Is #1 correct or incorrect in your opinion? 

And how does it make a difference if it's clear that you're talking to a friend?  Both sentences appear to be in the ‘familiar' style of Spanish:  hablarte ... contigo....

cccmedia

cccmedia wrote:

vsimple wrote:

I'm busy, I'll talk to you later

1. Estoy ocupado, voy a hablarte más tarde.
2. Estoy ocupado, hablaré contigo más tarde.

Anyone can explain why #2 is correct and number is 1 is incorrect?

OK, I'm lost.

Didn't you challenge us to explain why #1 is incorrect .. only to tell us later that #1 and #2 are both correct?

Is #1 correct or incorrect in your opinion? 

And how does it make a difference if it's clear that you're talking to a friend?  Both sentences appear to be in the ‘familiar' style of Spanish:  hablarte ... contigo....

cccmedia

Here's the deal, I asked a local what I asked in this thread, and he said that number one was incorrect, and I asked for him to explain to which he couldn't. So I thought let me post this here. After having done a little research I think number one is correct grammatically even if it's quite long for speech. Am I certain no.

And now back to Shortcuts   to learning español....

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Top Ten Ways to say thanks....

10. Gracias.  Thanks.

9.  Lo agradezco.  Thanks for that.
The verb agradecer means “to express gratitude."

8.  Muchas gracias, señorita.  Many thanks, miss.

7.  Muy amable.  (You're) very nice.

6.  Muchísimas gracias, señora.  Thanks the most, ma'am.

5.  Muy bondadoso.  (You're) very kind.

4.  Lo aprecio.  I appreciate it.
Apreciar means “to value” or “to appreciate."

3.  Me encanta el servicio en esta tienda.  Regresaré. 
I love the service in this store.  I'll be back.

2.  Su servicio me impresionó.  Es fabuloso. 
Your service impressed me.  It's fabulous.

And the #1 way to say thanks in español....

1.  Mil gracias, señor.  A thousand thank you's, sir.

Weather talk.

Top 10 common remarks about the weather....

10.  Hace frío    ....     It's cold.

9.  Hace calor  ....    It's hot. (literally:  it makes heat)

8.  Estoy preocupado con esas nubes ....

               I'm worried about those clouds.

7.  El clima está muy húmido esta semana....

               The weather is really humid this week.

6.  Estamos esperando lluvia en aproximadamente una hora....

              We're expecting rain in about an hour.

5.  La gente de Nueva Inglaterra está lidiando con una tormenta de nieve....

              Folks in New England are dealing with a snow storm.

4.  Usa este líquido (LEE-kee-doh) para protegerle de los rayos del sol....

               Use this liquid to protect yourself from the sun's rays.

3.  La falta de lluvia está sacando el ambiente.....

               The lack of rain is drying out the environment.

2.  Preferimos un clima muy suave.....

               We prefer a really mild climate.

And the #1 weather comment on this list....

1.  Hoy por la mañana era más fría que la teta de una bruja....

               This morning was colder than a witch's tit.

Setting the table.

place setting = cubierto

napkin = servilleta

glass = vaso

fork = tenedor

salt = sal

spoon = cuchara

microwave oven = (el) microondas

knife = cuchillo

chair =  silla

bowl = tazón

Top ways to say goodbye or so-long in español.

10.  Adios -- so long.

9.  Hasta luego -- see ya later.

8.  Sta luego -- abbreviation of #9.

7.  Nos vemos -- see ya.

6.  Que descanse -- take it easy -- from the verb descansar, to rest, relax or take a break.

5.  Ten una buena noche -- have a good evening / good night.

4.  Ten un buen fin de semana -- have a good weekend.

3.  Fue un gusto conocerle -- it was a pleasure to meet you.

2.  Hasta la vista -- until I see you again.

And the #1 way to say goodbye....

1.  Hasta la vista, baby -- how Arnold Schwarzenegger blew away his enemies in the movies.

Heard around the casino's blackjack tables....

Top 10 words and phrases....

10. Blackie en la mesa.  A player has been dealt a blackjack.

9.  Pido el grande.  Deal me a big card.

8.  Hora de barajar.  Time to shuffle the cards.

7.  Seguros.  Announcing a side bet:  insurance (against a dealer blackjack).

6.  Cambio.  Player is asking for chip color change.

5.  Doblo.  Player says he/she is doubling down on first two cards in a hand.

4.  Dos juegos.  Player is splitting a hand into two playable hands.

3.  Retiro.  Player was dealt a poor hand and has decided to pull back half his bet, surrendering the other half to the house.

2.  Diez o veinte.  Dealer is advising player that a hand of Ace-9 may be counted as 10 or 20.  The player is sure to stand on his 20.

And the #1 thing heard at the blackjack table....

1.  Veintiuna.  21.  The dealer announces that the player now has the most favorable point-count.



Casino gaming has been illegal in Ecuador since 2012.  The nearest legal blackjack-table to Quito, Ecuador, is in the border town of Ipiales, Colombia, near Tulcán, Ecuador.

Phrases useful in awkward situations involving Gringos and locals.

10.  Perdóname.  Excuse me.

9.  Lo siento.  Sorry (literally:  I feel it).

8.  Fue mi culpa.  It was my fault.

7.  No problema.  *See note below.

6.  Error de novato.  Rookie mistake.

5.  Descuida.  Forget it.  Idiomatic use of the verb descuidar, to neglect.

4.  Yo no lo haré otra vez.  I won't do it again.

3.  No me importa.  I don't care / it doesn't bother me.

2.  Siga nomás.  Go ahead.  In Colombia:  Bien pueda.

And the #1 phrase useful in awkward moments....

1. No sangre, no falta.  No blood, no foul.



*Re #7, no problema....

A similar phrase, "no problemo," is not correct Spanish.  However, it is widely accepted as English/Spanglish slang .. having been popularized by the movie 'Terminator 2' and on the TV program 'The Simpsons.' -- urbandictionary.com

You can just say perdón, too, instead of perdóname.  And don't forget these related words, all used as sort of "social lubricants" to make interactions start and go more smoothly:

disculpe (Usted, formal, pronounced d-SCHOOL-pay) - often said to get someone's attention
Disculpe, señor, ¿me pueda ayudar a entender este horario de bus?
Excuse me, sir, can you help me understand this bus schedule?
(Bumping into someone) ¡Disculpe! - Sorry!

discúlpeme (Usted, formal) or discúlpame (Tu, informal)
Discúlpame, Tomás, no pensé que tú también quisiste venir.
Please excuse me, Thomas, I didn't think you wanted to come, too.
Discúlpeme señora, siga adelante de mí, no le vi esperando.
Sorry, Ma'am, go ahead of me, I didn't see you waiting.

con permiso or just permiso- said when trying to get by someone blocking the way, for instance, or to ask permission to proceed with anything
(Pushing forward, trying to get off a crowded bus) ¡Permiso! Tengo que bajarme aqui.
Please!  I have to get off here.
(Reaching out to pick up an object at a vendor's stall in the market) ¿Con permiso?  May I?

Name that syllable.

Which syllable is stressed in these common words?

HABITO -- habit
DECADA -- decade
SANDUCHE -- sandwich
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hábito

década

sánduche  -- spelled sándwich in some countries.

Top Questions Asked of Gringos by South American Citizens.

10.  ¿De donde viene?

Where do you come from?

9.  ¿Tiene usted familia acá?

Do you have family here?

8.  ¿Cuándo regresará usted a su pais?

When will you return to your country?

7.  ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva usted en este pais?

How long have you lived in this country?

6.  ¿Qué tal esta ciudad?

What do you think of this city?

5.  ¿Donde aprendiste español?

Where did you learn Spanish?

4.  ¿Qué es su trabajo?

What kind of work do you do?

3.  ¿Qué piensas de Trump?

What do you think of Trump?

2.  ¿Tienes novio/novia?

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

And the #1 question that Gringos are asked....

1.  ¿Cuánto pagaste para ese departamento/coche/celu?

How much did you pay for that apartment/car/cellphone?

Isn't it funny how many times we get asked about Donald trump? A lot of cab drivers always ask and then ask what we think about their president or elections.  Since I speak just enough Spanish to get my (I have trouble putting sentences together and pronouncing correctly but know enough words to put in my form of a sentence), I don't always understand the questions they ask me.  If I do understand and don't want to answer or I think they are getting too personal about boyfriend/husband/children questions (esp if by myself) I just play the I don't understand card, and for the most part it's true.

Baseball terminology.

With Major League Baseball's opening day coming up (April 2, 2017), spring training is underway in Florida and Arizona.

If you find yourself watching a game with Spanish audio, here are ten terms that might assist you in understanding the action...

10.  batter

bateador

9.  single

sencillo

8.  pitcher

lanzador

7.  baseball

béisbol

6.  to score

anotar

5.  lefty

zurdo

4.  running

corriendo, from the verb correr

3.  umpire

árbitro

2.  outfield

jardín  Outside baseball, this word also means garden.  hahr-DEEN

And the #1 term on this list....

1.  home run

jonrón -- pronounced hone-ROHN

Hello, I just want to thank you for all of the Spanish tips regarding Spanish in Ecuador.  I am sure these are very useful to many people.

Muchas gracias,  tengas un buen dia

Saludos,

John.

Airplane travel.

Here are ten top phrases you might want to know for your next trip.

10.  When do we arrive in Barranquilla?  ¿Cuándo llegamos en Barranquilla? 

9.  I would prefer a window seat.  (Yo) preferiría un asiento por la ventana.

8.  I'd like orange juice with ice.  Me gustaría jugo de naranja con hielo.

7.  Are there some magazines?  ¿Están algunas revistas?

6.  What time do I need to be at the gate for my connecting flight 721?  ¿A qué hora debo estar a la puerta para mi vuelo de conexión, número 721 (siete-veintiuno)?

5.  Is Internet available on this flight?  ¿Está disponible Internet en este vuelo?

4.  How do you turn on the video system?  ¿Cómo se enciende el sistema de video?*

3.  Where is the nearest emergency exit?  ¿Dónde está la salida de emergencia* la más cerca?

2.  I'll have the chicken, thanks.  Me quedo con el pollo, gracias.

And the #1 phrase for your next air-travel trip....

1.  Excuse me, flight attendant, my seat doesn't recline.  Assist me, please.
Perdón, azafata, mi asiento no se inclina.  Ayúdeme, por favor.


*The Spanish word video is pronounced bee-DAY-oh.
The word emergencia is pronounced eh-mehr-HEN-see-uh.

At the fast-food checkout counter.

10.  I'd like the 5-piece chicken combo including two thighs, at least one breast, a leg and no wings.

Me gustaría la combinación de pollo con cinco presas -- dos muslos, al menos una pechuga, una pierna y no alas.

9.  Please include tomato sauce, mayo and utensils.

Favor de proveer salsa de tomate, mayonesa y cubiertos.

8.  Can y'all supersize my drink?

¿Se puede agrandar mi bebida?

7.  How about an extra order of fries?

¿Qué tal una extra orden de papas fritas?

6.  You're charging too much.  I'd like to speak to the manager.

Están cobrando demasiado.  Quisiera hablar con el gerente/el jefe.

5.  I'm out of small bills.  Can you change a twenty? 

Se acabaron mis billetes pequeños.  ¿Se puede cambiar un billete de veinte?

4.  How late is this outlet open?

¿Hasta qué hora estará abierto este sucursal?

3.  For next time is home delivery possible in El Centro?

¿Para la próxima vez será posible 'domicilio' en El Centro?

2.  15 minutes?  This is supposed to be 'fast food'. 

¿Quince minutos?  Deben ser comidas rápidas.

And the #1 phrase on this list for the fast-food checkout counter....

1.  I'll have the ribs.  Make sure the sauce is separate (from the main dish). 

Me quedo con las costillas.  Asegure que la salsa sea aparte.

What's the difference?

What's the difference between the verbs vender, vencer y vengar?
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vender means to sell.

vencer means to defeat.

vengar means to avenge.

Top phrases for public transportation -- buses, trole, Metro....

10. Where is the entrance (at this station) for going south?

¿Dónde está la entrada para ir al sur?

9.  How far to Megamaxi Six?

¿A qué distancia está Megamaxi Seis?

8.  Please help me with these bags.

Favor de ayudarme con estas bolsas.

7.  Do you have change for five dollars? 

¿Tiene usted cambio por cinco dólares? 

6.  I'd like to get off at Benalcazar. 

Me gustaría bajar a Benalcazar.

5.  Young people, can you offer a seat for someone with pre-existing conditions? 

Jóvenes, ¿pueden ofrecer un asiento para una persona con discapacidades?

4.  I'm getting off, please. 

Bajo, por favor.

3.  Did you see a small brown briefcase? 

Miró usted un pequeño maletín marrón?

2.  Just collect 13 centavos.  I'm a senior. 

Sólo cobrar trece centavos.  Soy de la tercera edad.

And the #1 phrase for the bus....

1. Driver, please, I want to get off immediately. 

Conductor, por favor, quiero bajar de inmediato.

In my experience, all airlines have someone that speaks English.  The only problem I have ever ran into was on Copa from Panama to Miami.  Unless you are extremely fluent in Spanish, don't book these seats.  Trust me it can bring the pilot, and "red" coat management people onto the plane and delay take off.  If you are flying to Orlando, the flight attendants are so much more friendly, accommodating and could care less.  Just my experience....

Meeting someone new.

10.  Hello, my name is Oscar.

Hola, me llamo Oscar.  or  Hola, mi nombre es Oscar.
The verb llamar means to call, so the first translation above literally means "I call myself Oscar."

9.  What is your name?

¿Cómo se llama usted?

8.  Where are you from?

¿De dónde es usted?  Informal:  ¿De dónde eres (tu)?

7.  I am from New Mexico in the United States.

Soy de Nuevo México en los Estados Unidos.

6.  Are you a friend of my cousin?

¿Es usted una amiga de mi prima?

5.  Have you been to this place before?

¿Ha usted visitado este lugar previamente?

4.  What part of this city do you live in?

¿En cuál parte de esta ciudad vive usted?

3.  Are you familiar with a good pizza restaurant?

¿Conoce usted una buena pizzería?

2.  It was a pleasure to meet you.

Fue un placer a conocerle.

1.  See you again.   

Nos vemos.

'Buying' extra time.

Top 10 phrases you can use you get extra time from a taxi driver or in other situations....

10.  Wait .. or .. Wait for me.  Espére .. espéreme. 

9.  I need a little more time.  Me hace falta un poco más tiempo.

8.  I'll be right back.  Ya vuelvo.

7.  Is it possible to wait for me for a brief moment?  ¿Es posible a esperarme un ratito?

6.  This will be easy.  One moment, please.  Esto será fácil.  Un momento, por favor.

5.  I'll just take a moment.  Tomaré solo un momento.

4.  One minute, please.  Un minuto, por favor.

3.  A brief moment, please.  Un momentito, por favor.

2.  This is so easy, I can do it while sleeping.  Esto es tan fácil, puedo hacerlo mientras durmiendo.

And the #1 phrase to buy time...

1.  This'll be worth a tip for you if you can wait just one moment.  Esto vale una propina si pueda esperar solo un momento.

The good, the bad and the ugly -- a Top Ten List.

10.  good                                    bueno

9.  bad                                         malo  (feminine: mala)

8.  ugly                                         feo (pronounced FAY-oh), fea

7.  better                                     mejor (may-HAWR)

6.  best                                        lo mejor

5.  worse                                     peor

4.  worst                                      lo peor

3.  evil                                          malvado, malvada

2.  goodness, kindness             bondad (bohn-DAHD)

And the # 1 entry on this good-bad-and-ugly list....

1.  monsters, criminals and killers       montruos, delincuentes y asesinos

Legal stuff.

Top words used down at the courthouse....

10.  courthouse                                           tribunal

9.  the trial                                                    el juicio -- WEE-see-oh

8.  judge                                                        juez 

7.  to sue                                                       demandar*

6.  attorney                                                   abogado/abogada

5.  the jury                                                    el jurado

4.  the defendant                                        el acusado/la acusada

3.  witness                                                    testigo/testiga

2.  prosecutor                                              fiscal

And the #1 word heard at the courthouse....

1.  the verdict                                                el veredicto



* "plaintiff" is demandante

Overheard at the Pharmacy?


What hours is this pharmacy open?

¿Durante cuales horas está abierta esta farmacia?

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Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Entre las diez de la mañana y las ocho de la noche.

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I'd like two boxes of Drug X.

Me gustarían dos cajitas de Droga X.

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We only have one box left, plus six additional pills.

Sólo una cajita se queda, más seis pildoras adicionales.

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That's fine.  I'll take what you have available.

Está bien.  Me quedo con lo que está disponible.

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Do you sell vitamins(?), for instance:  melatonin.

¿Se vende vitaminas?, por ejemplo, melatonino.

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We're all out.  More is coming next week.

Se acabó.  Llegará más durante la semana que viene.

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We don't accept credit cards, nor debit cards.  Cash only.

No aceptamos tarjetas de crédito, tampoco de débito.  Sólo efectivo.

Ten ways to get someone's attention in español.

10.  Perdón.  Pardon (me).

9.  Disculpe, señorita.  Excuse me, miss.

8.  Con permiso.  Excuse me / pardon me.  (Literally:  with permission.)

7.  Hazme caso, azafata.  Pay attention to me, waitress/server/female flight attendant.

6.  Una pregunta, por favor.  One question, please.

5.  ¡Despiértate!  Wake up!

4.  Mírame, señor.  Look at me, sir.

3.  ¿Estás haciendo caso?  Are you paying attention.

2.  Note (NO-tay) esto.   Notice this.

1.  ¡Atención!  Attention!

How to form most adverbs in español.

Adverbs include words such as weakly, probably and rapidly.

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If the associated adjective does not vary by gender, add -mente.

Example....

Adjective:  suave (smooth, soft or gentle).

Adverb:  suavemente (gently).

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If the adjective varies by gender, use the feminine version ending in 'a' and add -mente.

Example...

Adjective: rápido (rapid or fast).

Adverb:   rápidamente.

Words and phrases to avoid trouble -- or get out of trouble -- in South America.

10.  Lo siento.  Fue mi culpa. 
Sorry.  It was my fault.

9.  Perdón.  No es mi propósito a causar problemas.
Pardon (me).  It's not my purpose to cause problems.

8.  If it appears you cut in line or got in the way...

Disculpe.  Avance, nomás. 
Sorry.  You just go ahead.

Note that the single word nomás means 'just' .. as opposed to the two words no más, which means 'no more'.  The pronunciation is similar, though you may want to pause between words if saying no más in some situations.

7.  Perdon, no entendí la situación.
Pardon, I didn't understand the situation.

6.  Perdóname, no entiendo bien el idioma.  No intentaba a ofender.
Pardon me, I don't understand the language too well.  I wasn't trying to offend.

5.  Perdón.  Un ratito más, por favor.
Pardon.  (Give me) a little more time, please.

(Note that in some parts of South America, the preferred word is spelled and pronounced 'ratico' .. not 'ratito'.)

4.  No sangre, no falta.
No blood, no foul.
(This is an NBA saying .. and needs to be delivered in a light-hearted manner to listener/s who are not extremely angry that you accidentally bumped into them.)

3.  Perdón.  Solo estaba intentando a... (provide your own excuse or explanation here for your behavior.)[/i]
Pardon.  I was just trying to... (explanation).

2.  Perdóname.  Solo soy un extranjero intentando a aprender como a comportarme  correctamente en este pais.
Pardon me.  I'm just a foreigner trying to learn how to behave myself the right way in this country.

And the number-one saying to stay out of trouble in South America....

1.  Pido su perdón.  Fue mi error.  Espero que seamos amigos.  Mi nombre es Lebowski.
Beg your pardon.  It was my mistake.  I hope we can be friends.  Mi name is Lebowski.

Fingers and toes.


The word in español for finger is dedo (DEH-doh).

Thumb is el pulgar.

Index finger is el dedo índice (IN-dee-say)

The middle finger is el dedo corazón.

The fourth or ring finger is el dedo anular (anillo being a word for 'ring').

The pinky is el meñique (men-YEE-kay).

There are alternate names for some of the fingers.

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The toes:  dedos del pie or, in context, simply dedos.

Usually. 


Top Ten Ways to Say What You Usually Do or Something Similar

10.  generalmente generally  (hen-eh-rahl-MEN-tay)

9.  ordinariamente  ordinarily

8.  regularmente  regularly

7.  Suelo (plus root form of verb)   I am used to (doing such and such).
Suelo evitar a personas enojadas.
    I am used to avoiding angry people.

6.  a menudo  often

5.  frecuentemente  frequently

4.   siempre  always

3.  (yo) solía (plus root form of verb)  I used to (do such and such).

2.  normalmente normally

And the number one way to say 'usually' ...

1.  usualmente  usually  (oo-soo-ahl-MEN-tay)

I got it.

Ten ways to tell a Spanish-language native speaker that you understand what he or she is attempting to tell you .. or that you don't understand all of it.

10. Entiendo.
I understand.

9. Si, señor.
Yes, sir.

8. Si, tan verdadero.
Yes, so true.

7. Exactamente.
Exactly.

6. Sin duda.
Without a doubt.

5. Hable (OBB-lay) mas lentamente, por favor.
Speak slower, please.

4. Favor de repetir eso.
Please repeat that.

3. ¿Qué significa la palabra (a word you don't understand)?
What does (insert Spanish word) mean?

2. Favor de explicar esa oración.
Please explain that sentence.

And the number-one way to tell someone that you 'got it'...

1. ¡Lo capto!
I get it!

Asking for assistance in español.

Ten ways to request assistance....


10.  Please help me with (insert problem here).

Favor de ayudarme con (insert problem here).


9.  Who can help me do (something)?

¿Quién puede ayudarme hacer (something)?


8.  This thing is broken.  Is there someone around who can fix it?

Esta cosa esta rota.   ¿Está alguien que pueda repararlo?


7.  We can't find City X.  Do you know the correct route?

No podemos encontrar Ciudad X.  ¿Conoce usted la ruta correcta?


6.  Our gasoline supply is running out.  Where is it possible to get gas?

Nuestro suministro de gasolina se está acabando.  ¿Dónde sea posible a obtener gasolina?


5.  Do you know the way to San José?

¿Sabe la ruta hacia San José?


4. Why is this street blocked off?

¿Por qué está obstruida esta calle?


3.  Help us, please.  That bad guy is following us.

Ayúdanos, por favor.  Ese maldito está persiguiéndonos.


2.  My passport is lost.  Where is the U.S. Embassy?

Mi pasaporte está perdido. ¿Dónde está la embajada de los Estados Unidos?


And the number-one way to request help...

¡Auxilio!

1.  Help!

Questions Expats Are Asked .. and How They Can Be Answered.

Top Ten Questions Asked to Expats by Taxi Drivers, New Acquaintances and Members of the Opposite Sex .. With English Translations ...


(Part One)


10.  ¿De dónde viene usted?

Where do you come from?

Soy estadounidense, nacido en Nueva York.

I'm from the USA, born in New York.


9.  ¿Cuánto tiempo lleva usted en Quito?

How long have you been in Quito?

Llevo dos años.

I have been here two years.


8.  ¿Está usted casado?

Are you married?

No.


7.  ¿Tiene usted familia en Ecuador?

Do you have family in Ecuador?

Debido a asuntos de seguridad en Sudamérica, prefiero a no revelar información al respecto.

Do to securiity issues in South America, I prefer not to reveal information about that.


6. ¿Le gusta Ecuador?

Do you like Ecuador?

Me gustan mucho la gente y el clima.
No tan mucho la contaminación de bus.  Tampoco los perros salvajes.

I really like the people and the climate.
Not so much the bus fumes.  Nor the stray dogs.


(to be continued)