The FIFA World Cup 2014 starts today with the first match and the opening ceremony. This bilingual infographic features the FIFA World Cup 2014 teams from Spanish speaking countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Spain and Uruguay. It includes these facts and statistics about each team: • First World Cup appearance: Primera […]
MÁS PELADO QUE CULO DE MONO: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish expression estar más pelado que culo de mono. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: Más pelado que culo de mono • Literal translation: To be balder than a monkey’s ass • Meaning: broke, penniless, with no money. The […]
Spanish Saying: PONER UN HUEVO CUADRADO
Here is an illustration of a popular Spanish saying: poner un huevo cuadrado. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Boricua. Spanish Saying: Poner un huevo cuadrado • Literal translation: to lay a square egg. • Meaning: to make a big mistake • Examples: “Apple puso un huevo cuadrado con la nueva versión de […]
UN BOMBITO AL PITCHER: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish expression un bombo al pitcher or un bombito al pitcher. It is featured in the book Speaking Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: Un bombito al pitcher • Literal translation: An easy-to-catch ball for the pitcher • Meaning: something really easy to do, a “freebee.” The word […]
5 Ways to Say Sell Ice to an Eskimo in Spanish
Here is an illustration of the idiom “sell ice to an Eskimo” from the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. I have noticed that depending on the country there are a couple of variations in Spanish. Many variations will depend on the local word for refrigerator in Spanish. Sell Ice to an Eskimo Idiom in Spanish • […]
Chilean Spanish Expression: ANDAR CON LA PIERNA
Here is an illustration of a common Chilean Spanish saying: andar con la pierna. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Chileno: A Guide to Spanish from Chile. Chilean Spanish Saying: Andar con la pierna • Literal translation: to be with the leg • Meaning: to be accompanied by your significant other. The Diccionario […]
QUE TU MANO IZQUIERDA NO SEPA LO QUE HACE LA DERECHA: Spanish Proverb
Here is an illustration of a common Spanish proverb: Que tu mano izquierda no sepa lo que hace la derecha. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. Spanish Proverb: QUE TU MANO IZQUIERDA NO SEPA LO QUE HACE LA DERECHA • Literal Translation: The left hand doesn’t know what the right hand […]
Spanish Saying: ESTAR PARA CHUPARSE LOS DEDOS
Here is an illustration of a common Spanish saying estar para chuparse los dedos that I would like to share with you. Spanish Saying: ESTAR PARA CHUPARSE LOS DEDOS • Literal translation: Finger-licking • Meaning: something tasty (food). • Example: “La pizza que me hizo mi suegro estaba para chuparse los dedos.” La pizza que […]
NO CAMBIES ORO POR COBRE: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish saying no cambies oro por cobre from the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Saying: No cambies oro por cobre • Literal translation: Do not change gold for copper • Meaning: Advice to avoid changing something of value for something else of less value. • […]
Puerto Rican Spanish Slang for Penis: A Bug or a Guy’s Dick?
Puerto Rican Spanish Slang for Penis: A Bug or a Guy’s Dick? What does bicho means in Puerto Rico? The example here is a COMMON mistake that Spanish speakers make in Puerto Rico. A recent restaurant visit in Peru reminded me of one of my first encounters with Puerto Rican Spanish. I had just moved […]
O TE PEINAS O TE HACES ROLOS: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of a common Puerto Rican Spanish saying: o te peinas, o te haces rolos. This phrase also have the variation o te peinas o te haces papelillos. Puerto Rican Spanish Saying: O te peinas, o te haces rolos • Literal translation: Either you brush your hair or you curl it Or […]
DOS JUEYES MACHOS NO CABEN EN LA MISMA CUEVA: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of a common Puerto Rican Spanish saying: dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva. You might also hear the variation dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma jaula. Spanish Saying from Puerto Rico: Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva • Literal Translation: Two male crabs […]
Soccer Terms in Spanish and English: Are You Ready for the World Cup?
As the FIFA World Cup 2014 approaches, the excitement of soccer fans (and not so fans like me) is increasingly evident. And I say that I’m not a fanatic because, first, I’m a woman who does not follow any sports at all; and second, I come from a country (Puerto Rico) where there is no […]
Spanish Sayings: GALLINA VIEJA DA BUEN CALDO
Illustration, meaning and example of the Spanish saying “gallina vieja da buen caldo.” This drawing is featured in Speaking Phrase Boricua, a book that collects and translates popular sayings and phrases used in Puerto Rico (and other Spanish speaking countries).
BICICLETEAR: Argentine Spanish Slang Word
Here is the illustration, meaning and example of the Argentine Spanish slang word “bicicletear.”
ESTAR EN PELOTAS: Meaning and Illustration of This Colloquial Spanish Phrase
The Spanish phrases or sayings estar en pelotas or estar en bolas are two ways to colloquially express being naked. Although this illustration is included in the book Speaking Argento: A Guide to Spanish from Argentina, this expression is also used in other countries. Colloquial Spanish Phrase: ESTAR EN BOLAS or ESTAR EN PELOTAS • […]
Puerto Rican Spanish Phrase: CAER COMO BOMBA
Here is another Puerto Rican Spanish phrase commonly used on the island: caer como bomba. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Boricua that you can preview here. Puerto Rican Spanish Phrase: CAERLE COMO BOMBA • Literal translation: like a bomb • Meaning: to not go over well, to not get along with; not […]
EMPATAR LA PELEA: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Have you ever heard the phrase empatar la pelea? This is a common Puerto Rican Spanish expression and I have an illustration of it in my book Speaking Boricua: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: EMPATAR LA PELEA • Literal translation: to tie the fight • Meaning: to make ends meet • Example: “Gracias a Dios que […]
ANDAR CON EL CULO EN LAS MANOS: Chilean Spanish Expression
Here is another illustration from my book Speaking Chileno: A Guide to Spanish from Chile. This drawing illustrates the Chilean Spanish expression andar con el culo en las manos. Chilean Spanish Expression: (ANDAR) CON EL CULO EN LAS MANOS • Literal translation: to be with the ass in the hands (or similar “to be holding […]
LOS PÁJAROS LE TIRAN A LAS ESCOPETAS: Spanish Saying Illustration, Meaning and Example
Spanish Saying: LOS PÁJAROS LE TIRAN A LAS ESCOPETAS • Literal Translation: Now the birds shoot at the shotguns • Meaning: 1. Now the roles are reversed. When a person rebels against his/her superior. 2. Used in situations to call attention to social changes over the generations, that things are the reverse that they used […]
2 Chilean Spanish Slang Expressions for Hangover
Check out these two Chilean Spanish slang expressions for a hangover. These illustrations are from my book Speaking Chileno: A Guide to Spanish from Chile. Cheers! 1. ANDAR CON EL HACHAZO • Literal translation: to be with the axe • Meaning: to have a bad hangover. • Example 1: “Tomé tanto anoche que voy a […]
Learn Gaucho Spanish With These Resources
This is a list of the available resources to help you learn Gaucho Spanish, which is the Spanish from the southern Cone portion of South America.
FREE List of 75 Mexican Spanish Phrases and Expressions
Get a compilation of 75 common Mexican Spanish slang phrases and expressions. It provides definitions and explanations for each expression, offering insights into the colorful and dynamic language used in Mexico.
Canarian Spanish Words: 37 Key Words If You Want To Speak To People From The Canary Islands
by Elena Llorca from Spain2Speak If you have visited the Canary Islands, you will have checked that it is the Spanish region which looks the most like South America –especially like the Caribbean, for its climate and its accent. In fact, the Canary Islands dialect corresponds to the “Atlantic variety,” linked to Spanish-speaking America […]
VIDEO: Puerto Rican Spanish Slang and Colloquial Spanish Expressions
There is no better way to describe Puerto Ricans that by using our own words. Recently I ran across a copy of an old email chain (of the era when Facebook did not exist) with a lot of Puerto Rican Spanish slang and colloquial Spanish words that describe us. The text of the email was […]
Basic Family Vocabulary in Spanish Lesson Plans
Here is a simple lesson plan using a family tree diagram. This image features the basic family vocabulary: el abuelo, la abuela, el padre, la madre, el hermano, la hermana, el tío, la tía, el primo and la prima. I created this image for the activity booklet of the Christmas song in Spanish Cascabel (Jingle […]
La Droguita: Free Puerto Rican Spanish Cheat Sheet
Immerse yourself in the world of Puerto Rican Spanish, and let the language of the island enchant and inspire you! Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a traveler, or simply curious about the world, this cheat sheet is a delightful exploration of the colorful world of Puerto Rican Spanish.
Quick Guide to Peruvian Spanish: A Book for Learning Spanish Vocabulary from Peru
Spanish vocabulary changes significantly from one country to the next. Yet, few people learn about this until they are in a country, stumbling through the local Spanish. Are you learning Spanish? Preparing to visit Peru? Or even just wanting to be more familiar with its specific slang and local words? This book for learning Spanish […]
Diccionario de Americanismos Online: List of Common Abbreviations and Symbols
If you have used the online search tool of the Diccionario de Americanismos you might have noticed that the results include many abbreviations and symbols. The Diccionario de Americanismos online is an exact copy of what you will see in the actual printed dictionary and they use abbreviations to maximize space. Understating them will lead […]
VIDEO Diccionario de Americanismos Online Step by Step: Finding Spanish Slang Words and Phrases
Did you know that the Diccionario de Americanismos is available to search online? The Diccionario de Americanismos is the dictionary of words from Latin America and definitely an excellent reference source. I am so happy that the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española (ASALE) made this incredible search tool available. Last year I bought […]