In a previous article we discussed what a Puerto Rican parranda is and the popular musical instruments used by the parranderos. After you are already set up and equipped your group, you need a list of traditional Puerto Rican songs. There are plenty of songs that range from religious, passing by, preparing a lechón (ping) […]
LADRON QUE ROBA LADRON Spanish Language Proverb in English
There are variations on how the same Spanish language proverb is known or expressed. For example, the complete saying Ladrón que roba ladrón… can be expressed as: 1. Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón 2. Ladrón que roba a ladrón tiene cien años de perdón 3. El que roba a un ladrón tiene […]
9 English to Spanish Words and Phrases for Bell Ringer Activities
More than once now I have been contacted or run across questions about how to translate bell ringer activities into Spanish. And so here I am sharing the English to Spanish words and phrases I have come across as well as asking for your suggestions. On one occasion Diana, her sister (a public school Spanish […]
Top 9 Reasons Why People Learn Spanish in San Juan, Puerto Rico
The Caribbean island of Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the Unites States where Spanish is the official language. This and many others reasons make San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, a good destination to learn Spanish. Sacha Delgado, owner of the Institute for Spanish Language Acquisition (I.S.L.A.), chatted with Speaking Latino and tell […]
Hispanic Flags With SimilarFlags Around the World
Last week a terrible ruckus was formed when a manipulated video of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro supposedly confusing the Cuban and Puerto Rican flags circulated on the web. To add more to the mess, the Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin retweeted the video, an action that angered Venezuelans even more. Finally, the singer had to […]
First Spanish Lessons: Talking About Your Spanish Studies
When you are in the process of learning a language, you will generally get a lot a questions related to how you learned the Spanish you already know. Nothing kills your confidence more than not knowing how to respond to a question as simple as “how long have you been studying Spanish?” The phrases I […]
Online Spanish Slang Dictionary Directory: 70+ Spanish Slang Titles
Welcome to our online Spanish Slang Dictionary Directory featuring more than 50 Spanish slang dictionaries available, organized by country, language and format. Search for Spanish or bilingual options.
Video: EASINESS Using 3 Puerto Rican Spanish Phrases
Mobile viewers: watch this video here https://youtu.be/utdF1OnjNBE From the Spanish slang dictionary Speaking Boricua, here are three Puerto Rican idiomatic phrases used to express easiness. 1. caerse de la mata: to be obvious. Example: ¡Pues claro, eso se cae de la mata! 2. como guineo en boca de vieja: pronounced “como guineo en boca ‘e […]
How to say PEN in Spanish: Infographic
I have a quick story for you about when I moved from Chile to Argentina and the confusion of how to say pen in Spanish. But first, the quick answer you’re looking for is “bolígrafo” commonly shortened to “boli” for a ballpoint pen. That’s the general word that will be understood almost anywhere you go. […]
The Spanish Slang to English Dictionary List by Country
There are many Spanish slang dictionaries in Spanish, but when you are looking for a specific Spanish slang to English dictionary the options are more limited. This is a work-in-progress list of bilingual Spanish Slang to English dictionaries by country. My goal is to feature all the dictionaries available in print or eBook format as […]
COMO GUINEO EN BOCA DE VIEJA: Puerto Rican Spanish Street Slang Phrase
One of the most hilarious Spanish street slang phrases used in Puerto Rico is como guineo en boca de vieja. This Puerto Rican Spanish expression literally translates to “like a banana in an old lady’s mouth” and means “to pass easily without force.” When using this phrase it needs to be preceded by a verb, […]
The Spanish Language Phrase FELIZ COMO UNA LOMBRIZ in English
You will hear the Spanish language phrase feliz como una lombriz in Latin America. This expression literally translates to “happy as an earthworm.” But the correct way to say feliz como una lombriz in English is by using the phrase “happy as a clam.” In my opinion, this is one expression that sounds better in […]
The List of School Supplies in Spanish That Needs to Go Back to School
It’s back to school time! During my school years, I remember that the list of school supplies and books was long. My mom’s favorite place to get everything at the best prices was in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. Today the dynamic has changed a little and we have mega stores in Puerto Rico that open […]
Mexican Spanish Slang Dictionary: The 4 Best Options in Spanish
Even if you are a native Spanish speaker or you have achieved Spanish fluency, semantic or vocabulary differences among countries will always be a challenge. Whatever your reasons -maybe you will be soon moving to Mexico, or you are getting involved in a romantic relationship with a Mexican you sometimes struggle to understand, or perhaps […]
CON OJOS DE VACA CAGONA: Idiomatic Spanish Slang Expression
Spanish Slang Expression: CON OJOS DE VACA CAGONA Literal English Translation: With eyes of a shitting cow Definition: Really, really scared. If you’ve never seen it, you can imagine how big the eyes of a cow get when it is straining to shit Equivalent in English: Scared shitless You can find this illustration and many others […]
Baby Books in Spanish: Authentic Learning and Cultural Resources
Many teachers are always on the lookout for authentic learning resources for their classroom. Baby books in Spanish are a fantastic way of introducing or reiterating grammar concepts and vocabulary since repetition is a predominant characteristic of baby books, in general. Since knowledge may be learned through repetition, baby books make a great resource, no […]
How to Create Fun Spanish Lesson Plans
Creating fun Spanish lesson plans can be a complicated process especially when you are trying to create meaningful lesson plans as well. To make sure you have a complete, and effective lesson plan, it is necessary that you create your objectives for the lesson. What should the students be able to do after the lesson? […]
ENTRE LA ESPADA Y LA PARED: Spanish Phrase to English
Translating a Spanish Phrase to English: ESTAR ENTRE LA ESPADA Y LA PARED Literal: To be between the sword and the wall Definition: To be in a difficult, if not impossible, situation Equivalent: Between a rock and a hard place You can find this illustration and many others in my book Speaking Phrases Boricua: A […]
2 Meanings of HUASO in Chile Spanish
The Chile Spanish word huaso has two meanings: 1) a typical Chilean cowboy or country person. For example: Para las Fiestas Patrias los niños se visten de huasos en el colegio. 2) refers to someone uneducated, simple or out of touch with city life. For example: #Confesión: Soy tan huaso que tengo las mismas canciones […]
A CALZÓN QUITADO: Idiomatic Spanish Slang Expression
The idiomatic expression a calzón quitado (sometimes pronounced a calzón quita’o) means no holds barred, holding nothing back, straight to the point. For example: Hablemos entonces a calzón quitado. Despite this illustration being included in my book Speaking Chileno, this is a common Spanish slang expression in Latin America. Do you know any other Spanish […]
A Step by Step Spanish Greetings Lesson
A Spanish greetings lesson is usually one of the first things done at the beginning of a novice Spanish class. Spanish greetings are usually taught as vocabulary words, but why not try to create a bit more excitement? Think about this from the viewpoint of a brand-new learner of Spanish. These greetings are the first […]
2 Videos to Learn Spanish Slang Gestures From Peru
In celebration of Peru’s independence day this weekend, I am sharing two recent Peruvian Slang Gesture Videos that I recorded while on a recent trip to Lima. I always have a great time traveling, exploring new places, trying new food and simply watching people in different cultures. As you can imagine, that is particularly true […]
Spanish Lessons Fast? No way, José!
Doing Spanish lessons fast is not the way to go unless your only goal is to complete a series of lessons in that time frame. Which, by the way, is a bad goal. Learning a language quickly can be detrimental to your comprehension and production of the language. Usually the primary goal of learning a […]
What Type of Adult Spanish Course Should I Take?
Many adults are finding that they need to be able to speak or understand Spanish in their work or personal lives, so much so that they will need some type of formal instruction. There are many different paths to receive this instruction, but the type you choose depends solely on what you want out of […]
How to Speak Spanish In No Time
Learning how to speak a different language can be difficult, but learning how to speak Spanish in no time can be an even harder feat. A variety of things affect the time in which a person learns to speak a language, but usually, the main determinant is the effort put forth by the learner. Several […]
VIANDAS: Argentina Spanish Slang Word
Have you ever run across the word viandas? It is generally translated “root vegetables” or “tubers,” referring to potatoes, sweet potatoes, yuca and other similar vegetables that grow underground. In Argentina, however, the meaning is completely different. The word vianda in Argentina refers to a prepared meal, a lunch or dinner box that a child […]
COMO SAPO DE LETRINA: Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expression
If you happen to visit Puerto Rico, you surely will try some of the local food. And at some point, I guarantee that you will overeat mofongo, rice and beans or one of the many fried foods. At that point you will need a local phrase to express how you feel, and that phrase is: […]
Earn to Speak Spanish So You Learn to Speak Spanish
When people ask me how they can learn to speak Spanish, I often here the excuse that they don’t have any money to get started. The reality is there are a whole ton of free resources online for you to learn Spanish. However, there’s also another way. To learn to speak Spanish you can earn […]
Translating SIN LA SOGA Y SIN LA CABRA Spanish Phrase to English
Translating a Spanish Phrase to English: SIN LA SOGA Y SIN LA CABRA Literal: To remain without the rope and without the goat Definition: A person that tries to take or grab too much, and ends up with nothing Similar Spanish Phrases: Quedarse sin el plato y la comida Equivalent in English: Bite off more […]
Learn Spanish in Puerto Rico: Immersion Program ISLA
A while ago Jared published Speaking Latino’s most controversial post ever –Should You Learn Spanish in Puerto Rico?– where he questions if Puerto Rico is a good destination to learn Spanish. Obviously that is his opinion and I (and many others readers) don’t agree with it. So, now is my time to share my point […]