Tag Archives: expressions
Breaking up is hard to do… Posted by Adir on Dec 21, 2009
OK, let’s talk about marriages in Spanish, but not the sugarcoated version. Let’s talk about when things are not going so well, because our lives are not a textbook, are they? Here are some useful sentences to say when things are not going so well. Algo cambió. – Something has changed. Ella me parece tan…
Échame una mano, por favor. Posted by Adir on Jun 11, 2009
My Brazilian students learning English give me such a hard time when they come across the verb ‘get’ because it has so many different meanings. Spanish is no slouch either, because it has the verb ‘echar’. Check out some of its meanings (there are tons!). 1. to throw, to toss, to cast. Echa la pelota…
Getting into trouble? Te la vas a cargar. Posted by Adir on Dec 19, 2008
There are a number of verbal expressions in Spanish that involve a reflexive verb and the pronouns -la or -las. Check them out. 1. apañárselas, arreglárselas – to manage, to get by. No te preocupes, me las apañaré. (Don’t worry, I´ll manage.). Jorge vive solo y se las arregla bien en la cocina. (Jorge lives…
More expressions! Posted by Adir on Oct 23, 2008
Spanish has thousands of fixed expressions. I have chosen some adverbial phrases with the preposition “a” so you can see how colorful those expressions can be. A ciegas – without thinking A deshoras – at an inappropriate time A diestro y siniestro – left and right A duras penas – with difficulty A fe mía…
Chilean Spanish Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 26, 2008
I went to high school with two Chilean kids and one year I spent Christmas Eve with their families. I ended up learning some Chilean Spanish expressions. Here are some interesting ones: ¿Cachai? – Do you understand? Get it? Agarrar p’al hueveo/leseo/chuleteo – make fun of someone Al tiro – right away, immediately Año de…
Expressions with TOMAR Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 20, 2008
Tomar is a very common verb in Spanish. Here are some uses and expressions with it. 1. to take Tomó el libro en las manos. – He took the book in his hands. El camarero no ha querido tomar la propina que le daba. – The waiter didn’t want to take the tip he was…