The meanings-definitions tag has no wiki summary.
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¿Qué significa “El Pueblo Presidente”?
El lema principal del gobierno actual de Nicaragua es: El Pueblo Presidente!. ¿Qué significa eso exactamente? ¿Hay un "es" tácito (diciendo que el pueblo es presidente)? ¿O se usa presidente como ...
3
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2answers
558 views
Querer vs Amar & Adorar
The words amar and querer according to RAE are synonyms; however, in Colombia, at least, amar is considered a stronger feeling, a highest level of love, if you can say that.
For example, I can tell a ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views
Periférico de sonido en inglés?
English
I was working on a neighbor's computer the other day and, they thought that the speakers weren't working. But, it was actually the "periférico de sonido" that wasn't working. At least that's ...
3
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3answers
467 views
What is “surime”?
I've been trawling through my collection of interesting Spanish words and found one more wich is not in the DRAE, Wiktionary, Larousse Gran Diccionario, Wikipedia, or Google Translate.
surime
My ...
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3answers
1k views
“Dale pues” in Nicaraguan Spanish
In Nicaragua, the phrase "dale pues" is very frequently used. What does the phrase mean, and in what contexts can it be used?
3
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1answer
146 views
Why do definitions use 'que' rather than 'lo que'
For example:
lector - que lee
Why not:
lector - lo que lee
3
votes
2answers
236 views
esperar: wait vs. hope vs. expect
The verb esperar (e.g. Estoy esperándolo.) can be used in at least three senses:
to wait for
to hope
to expect
In English, these all mean very different things:
I'm waiting for you to ...
3
votes
1answer
271 views
“antes que” vs. “antes de que”
What is the difference between the phrases antes que and antes de que? When should each be used? Are there contexts where one is correct and one is incorrect, or are they completely synonymous?
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2answers
3k views
Translation of “ni modo”
The phrase ni modo is used in many varieties of Spanish to mean many different things. What are its possible meanings? Which meaning is most common (i.e. which meaning would you assume if ni modo was ...
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4answers
149 views
¿Cómo se usa el antepretérito?
En clase hemos estado repasando el tiempo pluscuamperfecto. En todos los ejemplos que vimos, usaron el imperfecto del verbo haber. Cuando pregunté a mi profesor sobre el pretérito de haber, nos dijo ...
3
votes
1answer
81 views
Words for on purpose, accidentally, intentionally, unintentionally, etc
English has several words or phrases to express that something was done with or without the person meaning to do it:
purposefully (or on purpose)
accidentally (or on accident)
intentionally
...
3
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4answers
139 views
Repartiera meaning (or what is subjunctive preterite imperfect?)
I'm to the point in my Spanish study that I'm reading books. I often come across words that I might know (such as repartir - to distribute) but the specific form is confusing. I'm hopeful that ...
3
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1answer
172 views
What does “tracatera” mean?
I've been collecting unusual Spanish words for years. I've been going through them to find any that are not in my dictionaries and found this one:
tracatera f
It's not in the DRAE, it's not in ...
2
votes
3answers
316 views
Latinoamérica, Hispanoamérica, or Sudamérica?
Latinoamérica, Hispanoamérica, Sudamérica or other?
For someone living in Venezuela or Chile, for example, what term would I be most likely to hear to describe countries south of the US?
The terms ...
2
votes
3answers
475 views
challenge: desafío vs. reto
The English word "challenge" can be translated to Spanish as desafío (desafiar) or reto (retar). Is there any difference between these words, or are they exact synonyms? If there is a difference, when ...
2
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1answer
281 views
Translating “I don't trust you” (said casually)
I have heard that confiar is a strong word, implying trust and confidence in someone or something. What then is the right way to translate more casual uses of the word "trust"?
For example, let's say ...
2
votes
1answer
246 views
Literal and metaphorical translation of “duende”
I have read that duende can mean both a mythical creature or, metaphorically, a kind of magical sensation to something. What exactly does duende refer to in both senses? How would both of these senses ...
2
votes
1answer
292 views
Does pelón/pelona mean bald or hairy?
I have heard pelón (or the feminine pelona) used to both refer to someone who has no hair and someone who has a lot of hair. Is there any way of distinguishing whether pelón means bald or hairy, or is ...
2
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1answer
75 views
Best English translation of “conmoción”
I was told the Spanish word conmoción refers to a strong feeling of shock or emotion shared by a group of people rather than an individual. It seems like English doesn't have a single word or phrase ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
¿Qué significa abatizar (visto en Nicaragua)?
He visto la palabra abatizar en periódicos de Nicaragua, pero no puedo encontrar la palabra ni en el diccionario de la RAE ni en WordReference.com. ¿Exactamente qué significa abatizar y en cuales ...
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vote
2answers
126 views
Spanish words for cap, cover, lid, etc
What Spanish words can be used to describe a cap, cover, lid, or top (in other words, something placed on top of something, usually to close an opening)? What is the difference between tapa and tapón? ...
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3answers
64 views
How can I translate/describe a “rough idle” to the mechanic?
I need to take my vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose a problem with a rough idle. How do I translate this term, "rough idle" to Spanish?
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1answer
85 views
¿Qué significa la expresión “echar toda la carne al asador”?
¿Qué significa la expresión "echar toda la carne al asador"? Esta frase la he escuchado en México.
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vote
2answers
159 views
Translating “shrewd” (as in “a shrewd businessman”)
The English word "shrewd" (as in "a shrewd businessman") describes someone who is sharp, clever, crafty, or cunning. For example, a shrewd businessman might come up with a coupon offer that seems ...
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vote
1answer
52 views
¿Qué significa “sacalepuntas” en México?
He oido esta expresión en México. Por ejemplo:
Jorge anda muy sacalepuntas.
¿Cuál es su signficado? ¿Por qué?
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vote
1answer
55 views
Word usage: serme
I've come across the below sentence:
Este año he decidido serme fiel a mi misma y no mentirme
I checked the dictionary and couldn't find the word "serme". What does it mean?
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2answers
1k views
What does “chepa” mean in Nicaraguan Spanish?
What does the word chepa mean when used to refer to a person in Nicaraguan Spanish? What are some examples of how it is used?
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1answer
175 views
Speakers' location in determining venir vs. ir
In English, we use the word "come" very loosely (at least in day-to-day spoken English):
Want to come over to my place later?
Can I come over to your house for New Years'?
Can you come meet me at ...
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1answer
43 views
word usage: “furtivamente” and “a escondidas”
Do "furtivamente" and "a escondidas" both mean "secretly"?
They are interchangeable?
For example:
1. entró furtivamente en la habitación.
2. entro a escondidas en la habitación.
The meanings ...
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votes
1answer
561 views
Why does “no sé” mean “I don't know?” [closed]
If "no" means "no", and if "se" means "is", why does "no sé" mean "I don't know"?
This has been a bit of stumbling block for me as I learn the language. I as learn how to learn, I like to know the ...
