Questions addressing any of the many differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, usage, etc. of the varieties of Spanish spoken through Spain and the Americas.
6
votes
3answers
256 views
What Spanish term (or terms) work best to describe a glass jar as used for coffee, jam, etc?
A bit earlier in the chat room I mentioned that I needed to buy a new jar of coffee, but that I didn't know how to express that in Spanish.
I want to know a good Spanish word for "jar" in the sense ...
5
votes
2answers
299 views
“Iros” instead of “idos” (imperative of verb “ir”)
I have heard many times the use of the infinitive instead of the imperative in Spanish with the verb "ir". For example:
Si me queréis, irse* (Instead of: Si me queréis, váyanse) [Famous quote of ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Happy Birthday songs in Spanish [closed]
The most recognized song in the English language is "Happy Birthday to You" (the common song sung on someone's birthday). What songs in Spanish are traditionally sung on birthdays (and what are the ...
3
votes
2answers
654 views
What does “haiga” mean?
What is the Spanish word haiga? Is it a properly conjugated form of a verb? Or a regional variant or improper conjugation? Where/when is it used?
6
votes
1answer
164 views
What's the origin of the Panamanian word “biñuelo”? Is it merely a corruption of “buñuelo”?
I was in Panama about five years ago and there was a common deep fried street food called "biñuelo".
Of course there's a regular Spanish word "buñuelo" which means fritter.
So is "biñuelo" just the ...
3
votes
1answer
175 views
How outdated is the Spanish of the Reina-Valera Bible?
I've been told by native Spanish speakers that the Reina-Valera Bible (even the 1960 edition) sounds old fashioned and stuffy. It's one of the reasons our pastor uses other translations.
But when ...
1
vote
2answers
462 views
wallet: cartera vs. billetera
The English word "wallet" (as in something you carry in your pocket to hold money, credit cards, etc.) can be translated into Spanish as cartera or billetera. Are the words synonyms that can be used ...
5
votes
4answers
811 views
to drink: beber vs. tomar
I have heard beber and tomar used interchangeably as translations for the English "to drink." Is there any difference between the two, or are they exact synonyms when describing drinking a liquid? Are ...
3
votes
2answers
559 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
254 views
Translation of “bloody” etc. for frustration (colloquialisms)
A random question,
In English I use words like 'bloody', 'damn', 'darn', 'blimmin', 'bleedin', 'freaking', to express frustration without using harsh swear words. (Ok maybe 'freaking' is just a spin ...
8
votes
2answers
487 views
Audio maps of spanish dialects?
Apart from vocabulary differences, the spanish language has an enormous and fascinating diversity in pronunciation and accents. In my country (Argentina) people from the central inland region have a ...
1
vote
2answers
46 views
Usage of the word acullá
WordReference translates acullá as "yonder." Is this a word that was only used in the past, or is it still used in modern Spanish today? If so, what regions does it appear in and how is it used?
3
votes
2answers
832 views
Translation of “bowl”
I have heard many different translations for bowl (the dish) in different Spanish-speaking countries. What words are normally used to translate "bowl"? Which is most universally understood? What ...
4
votes
6answers
1k views
Meaning and connotations of “gringo”
In the US, "gringo" is usually understood as a disparaging reference to a foreigner (see the Merriam-Webster definition). What exactly does gringo mean in Spanish? Is it neutral, or does it have ...
1
vote
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?
5
votes
4answers
189 views
How regional or widespread are the colloquial “pa” / “pa'” in place of “para”?
In Mexico I sometimes heard or saw the colloquial variant pa' or pa used for para.
But is this just a Mexicanism, also used in Central America, all Latin America, or even in Spain?
4
votes
4answers
1k views
Different words for “beer”
In Mexico, besides "cerveza" we call beer the following:
cheve
chela
pisto (anything with alcohol)
bironga
helada
fría
These are used informally.
Are there any other words used to address beer in ...
3
votes
2answers
227 views
Why “camarada” means friend?
It is common in Mexico to use the word camarada as a way to call informally a friend. For example:
Tengo un camarada que es piloto.
Ayer fuimos a la fiesta un camarada y yo.
RAE defines camarada ...
2
votes
1answer
364 views
reserva vs. reservación
What is the difference between reserva and reservación (as in a reservation that you would make at a restaurant)? Do the two words mean the same thing? Which is used in what parts of the ...
2
votes
2answers
276 views
Spanish names for preterite and imperfect tenses
In school, I learned that the Spanish past tenses were called preterite and imperfect in English, and preterito and imperfecto in Spanish. However, in talking to native speakers I've run across other ...
10
votes
5answers
502 views
How is the letter 's' (or the 's' sound) pronounced in Spain?
I've heard varying things regarding the pronunciation of the 's' sound in Spain. However, no one was willing/able to explain this to me.
How is the 's' sound pronounced in Spain compared to its ...
7
votes
2answers
252 views
What is the most common way to answer the phone?
What is the most universally-used greeting when answering the phone (i.e. way to say, "Hello?")? Are there any circumstances where the greeting would be different (for example, when answering a phone ...
10
votes
6answers
365 views
What are the main differences between Spanish in Spain and Spanish in Latin America? [closed]
A good analogy is that the difference is like those in British and American English, but what are those differences exactly? Is Spanish in Latin America a branch from that in Spain?
5
votes
1answer
100 views
Are there regions or dialects which use both “tú” and “vos”?
In my experience most places use either "tú" or "vos" for the second person singular intimate/informal pronoun.
But I haven't been to every Spanish speaking country and area. Are there places which ...
8
votes
2answers
190 views
Usage of “adiós” in the Basque country
People in the Basque country commonly use local words, such as agur instead of adiós.
According to our former Spanish teacher, usage of adiós is unadvisable in the Basque country because of its ...
6
votes
3answers
169 views
Regional use of “genial”
What parts of the Spanish-speaking world regularly use the word genial? Is it only encountered in Spain, or is it common in other regions as well?
Edit: It seems like it's more widespread than I ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views
Are there vulgarities in Spanish that are universal throughout the language?
The vulgar words I'm familiar with all seem to be local slang. Does Spanish have any words that are universally accepted as vulgar or profane?
2
votes
1answer
229 views
Pronunciation of words ending in -n
It seems that some people pronounce words that end with -n almost as a "ng" sound. "Bien", for example, seems to come out as "Bie[ng]".
Is this a regional issue? What regions use this ...
