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in Culture, Grammar, Spanish, Translation, Vocabulary
Madrugar — and the Beautiful Word Madrugada
In Spanish, madrugar means “to wake up very early in the morning.” At first, it sounds simple — just wake up early, right? But this word is more than a clock time. It carries a cultural feeling: starting your day before most people are even thinking about coffee. The word comes from madrugada, which is […] More
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in Culture, Funny, Grammar, Spanish, Vocabulary
Spanish Suffixes: re-, rete-, requete- to Exaggerate
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In Spanish, we can exaggerate meaning by adding special prefixes to adjectives and adverbs.The most common ones are: re- rete- requete- They all mean very, super, extremely — but in a more informal or playful way.Sometimes they are used in everyday speech, sometimes in children’s books, and sometimes just for fun. re- This is the […] More
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AZUL: one word in Spanish, many blues in other languages
If you speak Spanish, azul is simple: it’s blue. Dark blue, light blue, sky blue… still azul. But in other languages (Italian, French, even English), things get a little more complicated. Where does azul come from? And blue? Azul comes (indirectly) from Arabic lazaward, which comes from Persian and referred to lapis lazuli, the blue […] More
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La Doña
When to Use Don and Doña in Spanish If you’ve heard people say Don Juan or Doña María, and you’re wondering what those words mean and when to use them, here’s a quick explanation. Don (for men) and Doña (for women) are respectful titles that go before someone’s first name, not the last name. So […] More
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What Is a “Mercería”? And Why We Don’t See Many of Them in the U.S.
If you’ve ever lived in Mexico or visited often, you’ve probably seen a mercería. It’s one of those small neighborhood stores where people go to buy thread, buttons, elastic, zippers, and all sorts of sewing and craft supplies. Some are tiny — like the size of a hallway — and others, like Mercería del Refugio […] More
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Chespirito Returns to Free TV in Mexico
If you’ve ever spent time in Latin America, chances are you’ve heard of El Chavo del 8 or El Chapulín Colorado. These are more than just TV characters — they’re cultural icons, especially in Mexico and Brazil. Now, the man behind them, Chespirito, is back in the spotlight thanks to a new TV series […] More
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Why Do Some People in Mexico Say “¿Mande?” Instead of “¿Qué?”
If you’ve spent any time in Mexico, you might’ve noticed something different when people don’t hear what you said. Instead of answering ¿Qué? (“What?”), many people say: “¿Mande?” It literally means “Order me?” or “Command me?” — which sounds kind of intense, right? But in Mexico, it’s just a polite way to say, “I didn’t […] More
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What Is Lotería?
If you’ve ever been in a Mexican household during a family gathering or a festive night, chances are someone pulled out a deck of vibrant cards and shouted, “¡El Diablito!” That’s Lotería — a beloved Mexican table game full of color, culture, and nostalgia. How Lotería Works: Bingo with a Twist Lotería is often called […] More
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Decimal Comma or Decimal Point?
If you’ve ever studied Spanish or looked at prices or statistics in different countries, you may have noticed something confusing: numbers don’t always look the same. In most Spanish-speaking countries, the decimal separator is a comma, not a dot. For example: 1,5 litros = 1.5 liters €2.399,75 = 2,399.75 euros This follows the European format, […] More
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Marilyn Monroe’s Birthday
Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1st, 1926 BOTD. The Hollywood star whose legacy continues to captivate the world. While much has been written about her life, few people are aware of her personal and heartfelt connection to Mexico — a country that played a surprisingly meaningful role in her story. A Mexican Heritage Marilyn […] More
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The Mexican Popemobile: From Pope Francis’ Mexico Tour to His Final Journey
A Symbol of Humility A humble Dodge Ram pickup, gifted by Mexico for Pope Francis’ 2016 visit, became an enduring symbol of his legacy when it served as his funeral hearse in 2025. This Mexican-made truck, a Popemobile for vibrant crowds, carried the Pope on his final journey through Rome, embodying his lifelong commitment to […] More
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in Culture, Mexico, Spanish, Vocabulary
Italian Fregare and Mexican Spanish Fregar
If someone in Rome says “Mi hai fregato!” or in Mexico City you hear “¡Me fregaste!”, they’re both saying “You tricked me!” or “You screwed me up!” These phrases, built on the verbs fregare (Italian) and fregar (Mexican Spanish), show a surprising link between two languages. Let’s break it down, with a peek at Rome’s […] More
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