Expressions with “ir” (to go) Posted by Transparent Language on May 22, 2008
The verb ir, like its English counterpart to go, has several meanings and sometimes you can´t figure them out by considering indivual parts of the expression. “Ir” is usually used with the preposition a, when it means direction or future time: Voy a estudiar para la prueba. – I´m going to study for the test…
El voseo Posted by Transparent Language on May 18, 2008
Voseo is the use of the second person singular pronoun vos instead of tú. Vos is used extensively as the primary spoken form of the second-person singular predominantly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and in the Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In the dialect of Argentina and Uruguay (known…
Body part idioms I Posted by Transparent Language on May 12, 2008
Today we´re going to learn some idioms related to body parts. PELO – hair No tener pelos en la lengua – not to mince words Le dije que era un sinvergüenza porque yo no tengo pelos en la lengua. – I told him he was shameless because I don´t mince words. Poner los pelos de…
MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SPANISH COURSE Posted by Transparent Language on May 8, 2008
So you´re taking a Spanish course, either at a language institute or college, but you feel you need to do more to go beyond that intermediate-level plateau? Well, as an avid language learner myself, I have gathered here some tips that might help you do some extra work and get your Spanish on to a…
Learning tip: reading newspapers Posted by Transparent Language on May 5, 2008
Not very long ago, breaking news was mostly available in English and the few Spanish-language websites were devoted to local news only. Fortunately, the situation is changing rapidly and nowadays we have very comprehensive sites with updated information. Here´s a list of some interesting sites for you to check out. CNN en español – The…
Chilean Rodeo and Los Huasos Posted by Transparent Language on May 1, 2008
Among all the traditional games and festivals, the rodeo is one of the most exciting, joyful and colorful in Chile. It started many years ago because the farmers needed to arrange their livestock. Each spring the animals are brought down from the hills, where they stay in the winter. This kind of work has to…
Las tareas/los quehaceres Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 28, 2008
Our post today will be about useful vocabulary at home. Here´s a useful list, be sure to write it down in your vocabulary notebook! Actions hacer los quehaceres – do the chores lavar los platos – wash the dishes barrer el piso – sweep the floor fregar el piso – mop the floor lavar la…