Questions addressing any of the many differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, usage, etc. of the varieties of Spanish spoken through Spain and the Americas.
4
votes
1answer
43 views
Spanish for “snowflake” and “snowman” in various regions?
I found myself needing a word for "snowflake" and "snowman" while talking to family. My nephew was holding a toy snowflake and snowman.
Most spanish-speaking countries live rather close to the ...
4
votes
3answers
75 views
Comida: picante vs picor
Hoy día escuché el término "comida sin picor" para referirse a "comida no picante". En mi caso nunca antes había escuchado el término "picor".
¿En qué países se usa el término "picor"? ¿Qué tan común ...
4
votes
2answers
108 views
What would be a good translation of “becario”?
Let me explain myself, the official definition is "scholarship holder", but in some places it is a position in a company, sometimes is a pro bono position but most of the times is an entry level job.
4
votes
2answers
143 views
¿Cuáles son las distinciones más importantes del castellano amazónico del Perú?
Se dice aquí que hay cinco variaciones del español hablado en el Perú, y que el español amazónico parece predominar en un área geográficamente más extensa que los otros dialectos. Supongo que hay ...
3
votes
2answers
841 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 ...
3
votes
5answers
148 views
A lo de mi abuela / Donde mi abuela
Quiero decir: "Voy a la casa de mi abuela".
En Argentina siempre he escuchado: "voy a lo de mi abuela".
En Chile, parece que utilizan: "Voy donde mi abuela".
Qué suelen decir en los otros paises? ...
3
votes
2answers
661 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?
3
votes
2answers
562 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
3answers
1k views
Most accurate translation of “possum”
What is the most universal Spanish word to describe a possum? What regional variations exist? Does the translation refer specifically to the same animal as the English word, or does it cover a larger ...
3
votes
3answers
446 views
Other spanish synonyms to “Banana”
I remember reading in high school that the word la banana is actually a different word in several different countries. Is this true? If so what are the other similar/equivalent Spanish words for la ...
3
votes
4answers
310 views
Present subjunctive in vos form
What is the rule for conjugating verbs in the vos form in the present subjunctive? If it varies by region, what are the differences?
3
votes
2answers
229 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
294 views
“Septiembre” or “setiembre”?
Setiembre is only used in Peru, AFAIK, but I wonder if there are any other countries where setiembre, as opposed to septiembre, is also valid.
RAE links the definition of setiembre to the definition ...
3
votes
1answer
180 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
39 views
How is the second person singular formed with rioplatense “vos”?
English
I learned my Spanish in Spain, some years ago. Now I am visiting Uruguay and Argentina and coming across the usage of the pronoun vos, and its corresponding different formation of the second ...
2
votes
2answers
278 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
462 views
Describing the common cold or flu in Spanish
In English, when talking about common viruses people often get, there are generally two categories:
a cold is generally more mild and can come with runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc.
...
2
votes
1answer
367 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
1answer
230 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
55 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
164 views
Regional pronunciations of “LL” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to pronounce the consonants y and ll?
I had one teacher that taught me to pronounce "LL" harshly, something like the English "J". Another teacher I learned from told ...
1
vote
2answers
464 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 ...
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 ...
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?
1
vote
1answer
55 views
Myspell and different variants of Spanish
This is somewhat computer related as well.
If one installs myspell package in Ubuntu, it would download files for Spanish Spanish, and files for e.g. Argentinian Spanish would be just symlinks to it. ...
1
vote
1answer
216 views
Studying Spanish at school in a Spanish speaking country
In the Spanish speaking country where you live or have been, up to what age/year level is it compulsory to study the Spanish language at school.
Where I live (English speaking country) it is ...
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?
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?
