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El Monte de Piedad
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When Spanish learners hear the expression llevar algo al Monte de Piedad, it can sound poetic, even mysterious. Literally, it means “to take something to the Mount of Mercy,” but in everyday Spanish it simply refers to pawning an item. This expression has deep roots, going all the way back to Renaissance Italy and the […] More
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10 Spanish Expressions That Are Not Easy to Figure Out. Ya me agarraron de su puerquito.
Here is another batch of ten colloquial Spanish language expressions, their literal meaning, and their closest equivalent in English. Some are humorous, others are very informal, and a few can sound rude or pejorative — so learn them, but use them carefully or just recognize them when you hear them. Spanish Expression Literal Translation Natural […] More
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in Culture, Grammar, Spanish, Translation
The Many Faces of “Pues”: One Tiny Word, So Many Meanings
If you have ever studied Spanish and thought you were starting to understand it, a little word like pues probably appeared and ruined your confidence. Dictionaries will tell you that pues means “since,” or “because,” or “then,” or “so,” and they are not wrong — but they are not fully right either. The truth is […] More
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Some Words Derived from Animal Names
Spanish speakers love to stretch meanings, and animal names are a favorite starting point. Over time, many animal words have spawned new meanings, tools, nicknames, or even insults. They often confuse students because they don’t refer to the actual animal anymore. These are the most obvious examples, but I am sure there are many […] More
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in Culture, Mexico, Spanish, Translation, Vocabulary
Notario Público vs. Notary Public: A World of Difference
Notario Público When Spanish-speaking students first come across the term Notario Público, they are often tempted to translate it directly as Notary Public. After all, the words look the same, and in both cases we are talking about someone who signs and stamps legal documents. But the truth is that the role of a Notario […] More
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El Burro
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word burro has many uses. It can mean donkey, it can mean a big burrito, or even a stubborn person. But in the school context, to ser burro / ser burra for female students, means something very specific: the least smart or the laziest student in the classroom. In other […] More
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in Culture, Mexico, Translation, Video
Señorita Cometa: A vintage Japanese Show that can help you practice Spanish
If you ask many people in Latin America about old TV shows, they might still remember Señorita Cometa (Kometto-san). This was a Japanese children’s series from the late 1960s that was later dubbed into Spanish and shown on television across several countries in the 1970s and 1980s. Even though it was originally Japanese, the Spanish […] More
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in Culture, Funny, Spanish, Vocabulary
Fulano, Mengano and Zutano: The Mysterious and Funny Names of Nobody
If you study Spanish long enough, sooner or later you will hear the words Fulano, Mengano and Zutano. These names don’t really belong to anybody, but they are used to talk about a person without saying the real name, or when the name is not important. For example, someone can say “Fulano me dijo que…” […] More
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Consuegros: Another Spanish Word with No English Equivalent
One of the things students always find fascinating in Spanish is how we have very specific words for family relationships that in English don’t exist. A good example is the word consuegros. Who are the consuegros? Very simple: they are the parents of your son-in-law or your daughter-in-law. In other words, the parents of your […] More
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in Culture, Spanish, Translation, Vocabulary
Tocayo, tocaya: More Than Just Sharing a Name
In Spanish, tocayo is a warm and friendly word you use when someone has the same first name as you. It’s like saying “name twin” in English, but with more charm. If your name is Carlos and you meet another Carlos, you can greet him with “¡Hola, tocayo!” and maybe even smile like you’ve known […] More
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in Culture, Spanish, Translation
Estrenar: One Spanish Word for First-Time Experiences
Estrenar is one of those Spanish words that doesn’t translate into just one simple English word. In English, we often have to use more words, like “wear for the first time,” “use for the first time,” “debut,” or “premiere,” depending on what we are talking about. In Spanish, estrenar works for almost anything you are […] More
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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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