learning a language in school is one thing; learning colloquial language is an entirely separate beast
words & translations
primera cita~ first date
cita a ciega~ blind date
roncar~ to snore
el/la cotilla ~ a gossiper
viejos verdes~ old men that catcall
quejica~ someone that always complains
lío~ something complicated, a messy situation
tableta de chocolate ~ colloquial way to say "6-pack" (good abs)
vaqueros~ jeans
me suena...~ when something is familiar but you aren't sure why, when you're in an area you know but can't remember the way
estornudar~ to sneeze (and Bless You is ¡Jesús! or ¡salud!)
dependientes ~ sales associates, people that work in stores
terco / testarudo / obstinado~ someone that won't change their opinion, is very stubborn in their beliefs
learning moment:
The streets, my home stay, and my colloquial spanish class
words & translations
mida aproximadamente ~ height
pesa aproximadamente ~ weight
rasgo ~ characteristic
asignatura pendiente ~ something you've always wanted to do/learn but have yet to
una manía ~ a strange quirk, a manic custom
masdrugar ~ wake up early
trasnochar ~ go to bed late
salir de copas ~ go get a drink
tomar algo ~ go get a drink or bite to eat
raíces ~ roots
tener sangre ~ "to have blood" metaphorically, family ties
learning moment:
My first language class today :)
word:
nuts
translation:
fruto seco la nuez ~ cojones
learning moment:
In attempts to show off my Spanish skills, I went along my way, (thanks to the ever-accurate Google translate app), informing waiters of my sister’s nut allergy: “ella tiene alergias a cojones.”
This statement, which although is hopefully true, was not exactly the message I was trying to convey about my 14-year old little sister. Only after cross-checking on another translator site was I horrified (albeit amused) to learn that I had been aggressively telling the service industry of Roses that my sister would be avoiding the type of nuts that grow hair and should never be a topic of discussion at a restaurant, (if ever at all), instead of using the proper translation, “fruto seco.” Dios mio.
word:
toll
translation:
el peaje
learning moment:
Screeching through hair-pin toll booths without a lick of European change in a "rental van" (i.e. tin-can bus)
words & translations
una cerveza ~ beer
una caña ~ mini-beer, small glass
una mediana ~ bottle of beer
una jarra de... ~ a big jar, about a pint
una botella de... ~ a bottle of...
una copa de... ~ a cup of...
cava ~ equivalent of Prosecco, champagne-esque
un chupito ~ shot
sangría ~ ...sangria...
vino tinto ~ red wine
vino blanco ~ white wine
vino rosado ~ rosé wine
tinto de verano ~ like makeshift sangria, its usually red wine mixed with a lemony soda or other sweet drink
¿cuánto cuesta...? ~ how much does...cost?
learning moment:
Crucial bar language (aka crucial survival skills)
words & translations
forzarse su cumplimiento ~ force compliance
puños de hierro ~ iron fist
coaccionar ~ coerce
engaño ~ deception
retos ~ challenges
hacer cumplir ~ enforce
lazos de sangre ~ family ties
learning moment:
First political science lecture at UC3M
word:
Esta es... (female) Este es... (male) Os presento... (either; to a group)
translation:
How to properly introduce someone
word:
tip (gratuity)
translation:
learning moment:
la propina
Decided to treat myself to pedicure once arriving in Barcelona. It was awesome because I had the opportunity to chat with my pedicurist in Spanish (great practice), but the uncomfortable moment came when I had to pay. In the U.S., as tipping is a normal practice for most services, you tip around 20% for a good pedicure. In Spain, tipping is not normal for most services; tips are even pre-included in the restaurant bill. I tried to uncomfortably ask in Spanish if she expected a tip. "¿Qué es 'a tip'? No entiendo. Cuenta 28€". I tried to explain in broken Spanish (in a very round-a-bout way) that usually in the U.S. I pay more than the service costs if the person does a good job. She looked at me like I had three heads. Her response: "Pay more? No? Why pay more? Pedicura cuenta 28€." Exasperated, she directed me to the hairstylist in the salon that spoke "perfect english" to help settle the misunderstanding. I asked him if I should tip her. He said "Excuse me, miss, what is a 'tip'?"