Archive for June, 2010
The “whys” and “becauses” in Spanish Posted by Adir on Jun 21, 2010
In English we use why and because to ask for and give reasons for something. Spanish, however, has four ways of expressing cause and reason. Let’s check them out. 1. por qué – used in a direct or indirect question. ¿Por qué no fuiste a la fiesta anoche? (Why didn’t you go to the party…
Spanish Lesson Beginner 1 Introductions (Part 1) Posted by Laura & Adam on Jun 18, 2010
Hello, everybody! My name is Laura and I will be doing video blogs for you all. I hope they help you see and hear how to pronounce many basic, intermediate, and advanced words and phrases. Let me know what you think! Hola : Hello/Hi (formal or informal) Buenos días : Good day/Good morning Buen día…
Idioms with the verb “echar” Posted by Adir on Jun 17, 2010
The verb echar has more than 30 meanings, according to the Diccionario Salamanca de la Lengua Española, and it also has lots of idioms. Let’s take a look at some interesting idioms with the verb echar. 1. echar a rodar – to fail, to fall through (plans). Echó a rodar nuestros planes con su irresponsabilidad…
Diminutivo de los Nombres Propios Posted by Adir on Jun 16, 2010
Oftentimes, proper nouns have a diminutive form when used in family contexts. Ángel – Angelito Carmen – Carmencita Elena – Elenita Some other names don’t follow this rule and have their own diminutive forms. Let’s see some of them: Alicia – Licha Antonia – Toñi Carlos – Carlitos Concepción – Concha, Conchita Dolores – Lola…
Gazpacho Posted by Magda on Jun 15, 2010
Llega el calorcito, el buen tiempo, y cambiamos los hábitos alimenticios. ¡Y qué mejor y más sano alimento en verano que un buen gazpacho! Para ello necesitaremos hacer la compra, y poner lo siguiente en nuestra cesta: 6 tomates maduros grandes y carnosos 2 pimientos verdes 1 pimiento rojo 1 pepino 1 cebolla grande 1…
Soccer vocabulary, en español Posted by Adir on Jun 14, 2010
Hey, the World Cup is here and if you’re a soccer fan (and studying Spanish) here’s a useful list of soccer terms in Spanish with their translation in English. Enjoy! el árbitro – referee el área de meta – goal / penalty area /the box el balón a tierra – dropped ball el banquillo –…
Mexican culture: song Cucurrucucu Paloma Posted by Adir on Jun 13, 2010
The song Cucurrucucú Paloma was written by Tomás Méndez and first sung by Lola Beltrán. It tells the story of a man whose lover died and is devastated by her absence. He’s so hopeless that he only cries and drinks and the only thing that calms him down is when this little dove (la paloma)…