Determining the best possible word to express a concept among several choices.
2
votes
1answer
67 views
¿Qué quiere decir “engatillado”?
Sé lo que dice el RAE sobre la palabra. Sobre los animales y sobre la chapa.
Pero cuando alguien me dice:
Chepe estabas engatillado!
Eso ¿qué quiere decir?
La expresión viene de Colombia.
7
votes
3answers
241 views
When to use “tratar de” and when to use “intentar” for “to try to”?
Spanish has three words that can translate to English to try.
Probar is easy to remember because it's used for sample or taste, like:
Have you ever tried tacos el pastor?
But I never know when ...
3
votes
2answers
48 views
What is the difference between “congestión del tráfico” and “congestión de tráfico”?
What is the difference between these?
congestión del tráfico.
congestión de tráfico.
Thank you in advance!
1
vote
1answer
214 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 ...
8
votes
4answers
557 views
What's the difference between rezar and orar? Are there any other ways to say 'to pray'?
My teacher told me that different religions tend to use different words for "to pray", usually choosing between rezar and orar. Which words are preferred by what religions & in which areas? Are ...
11
votes
3answers
400 views
What is the difference between “personas” and “gente”?
I was translating a sentence for school en Español and I came across the word "people." I looked it up on Google Translate and it gave me "personas" and also "gente." What is the difference between ...
3
votes
4answers
15k views
congratulations: felicidades vs. felicitaciones
English
I have heard both ¡Felicidades! and ¡Felicitaciones! as translations of the interjection, "Congratulations!"
What is the difference between the two, and when is each used?
Español
He ...
3
votes
2answers
411 views
¿Cuál es la palabra correcta, “membresía” o “membrecía”?
Cual es la forma correcta de escribir la siguiente palabra: MEMBRESÍA o MEMBRECÍA, según las normas de la Real Academia de la Lengua Española para el año actual (2013). Por favor incluir referencias ...
5
votes
8answers
833 views
How would you translate the word “badass” to Spanish?
I was thinking maybe of "cabrón" or "chingon" ; however I think those two sound too Mexican specific. Does anybody know a better and less region specific equivalent?
4
votes
5answers
291 views
¿Cuál es la palabra más generalmente aceptada para decir “calzado deportivo”?
Desde hace mucho tiempo he tenido esta duda, pero recientemente en esta pregunta nuevos zapatos por/para España? me surgió nuevamente.
Yo siempre creí que la palabra "zapatilla" era la más ...
6
votes
4answers
8k views
Where did “pico de gallo” get its name?
Does pico de gallo (the type of salsa) literally translate as "rooster's beak"? If so, where did it get that name, and how does that describe the salsa?
5
votes
2answers
284 views
Different words for “stop”
In English, we have a fairly generic verb "to stop" that can be used in many different contexts. For example:
Stop talking to me!
The driver saw the red light and stopped his car.
You really need to ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
Is there a difference between cilantro and culantro in Spanish?
I've seen the American English "cilantro" (British English "coriander") translated into Spanish as both cilantro and culantro. What is the difference? Are they synonyms used interchangeably, or is the ...
2
votes
3answers
445 views
Translation of “real estate”
I have read that "real estate" can be translated as:
bienes raíces
bienes inmuebles
inmuebles
What is the difference between these terms, and which is the most generic translation of "real ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
Differences between “razón de,” “razón por la que,” and “razón para”
I think I've heard three ways of translating "the reason [something happened]" or "the reason [for something]":
la razón para
la razón de
la razón por la que
What is the difference between these ...
2
votes
3answers
330 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 ...
6
votes
6answers
273 views
Is there a Spanish equivalent for the French word “voilà”?
A rough English translation for the French word "voilà" might be "there it is." One of my former Spanish teachers (an American, not a native speaker), would use the word "eso" in this context, in ...
2
votes
2answers
154 views
What is the difference between “por medio de” and “a través de”?
It seems like a través de and por medio de can often be used to mean the same thing. What is the difference between them, and in what contexts can you only use one or the other?
3
votes
2answers
71 views
Names of Wedding Reception and Ceremony in Mexico
How do Mexican's refer to the wedding ceremony and the celebration following the wedding? I am attending a Mexican wedding and would like to refer to these events properly.
4
votes
2answers
171 views
¿Qué significa “jalar” en México?
¿Cuál es el significado de "jalar" para cada uno de estos ejemplos?
A pesar de que esta televisión la compré apenas el año pasado, ya no jala.
Ya no estés de ocioso, ¡ponte a jalar!
...
1
vote
4answers
111 views
Spanish words for cake, pie, pastry, etc
English has several specific words for different types of sweet, baked products:
cake
pie
pastry
tart
torte
cobbler
Does Spanish have the same level of detail for describing these sweets? What ...
5
votes
2answers
132 views
Can Spanish distinguish between “lonely” and “alone”?
I learned that solo in Spanish means both "alone" (the simple fact of not having anyone else around) and "lonely" (feeling sad because of being alone). Is there any way of distinguishing between these ...
6
votes
5answers
423 views
Definition of escuela and colegio
Spanish has two generic words for school: escuela and colegio. I have heard different explanations for what phases of schooling each word refers to. For example, I've been told that colegio refers ...
5
votes
4answers
115 views
Difference between “volver” and “regresar”
I understand that both "volver" and "regresar" can mean "to return" as in:
Tengo que regresar mañana...
Tengo que volver mañana...
Is there any difference between these two words? If so, ...
8
votes
2answers
361 views
Armpit: sobaco vs. axila
"Armpit" in English can be translated as either sobaco or axila in Spanish. Is each term used in different regions, or are they both used across the Spanish-speaking world? What is the difference, or ...
4
votes
2answers
117 views
¿Qué palabra se usa para describir a alguien que suda mucho?
¿Qué palabra es adecuada para describir a una persona que suda mucho?
2
votes
3answers
127 views
How to say “later”
I know there are different ways to translate "later," depending on context.
más tarde
después
luego
entonces
en otra ocasión
And perhaps others?
How can I decide which translation of "later" to ...
17
votes
8answers
528 views
How should I translate “table” (as in a data table)?
What should be the correct word in Spanish to translate "table" (as in an arrangement of text or data in rows and columns)?
Somewhere I've read that "cuadro" should be preferred to "tabla", but which ...
4
votes
2answers
114 views
Difference between “un poco de” and “un poco”
What is the difference between the use of "un poco de" and "un poco"?
Why can't we say "Es un poco de moreno"(He has a little dark skin.) but "Es un poco moreno."??
Could you please provide some ...
2
votes
3answers
516 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
181 views
What's the difference between “estar ansioso de” and “estar ansioso por”?
I know that both 'estar ansioso de' and 'estar ansioso por' mean to be excited for something or looking forward to it, but how do I decide which one to use? Do the two have slightly different ...
7
votes
3answers
688 views
Age range of niño, chico, muchacho, joven, etc
Spanish has several words for referring to children:
niño/niña
chico/chica
muchacho/muchacha
joven
Some dialects add others like chavo or chavalo.
What are the approximate age ranges these words ...
5
votes
3answers
168 views
What is the difference between “ser casado” and “estar casado”?
I have read that both ser and estar can be used with casado to give different connotations to the phrase "to be married." What exactly are the differences, and when would you use each verb?
10
votes
3answers
2k views
How do you differentiate between walnuts and pecans in Spanish?
It recently occurred to me that the Spanish nuez can be translated to English as both "walnut" and "pecan." Is the same word really used for both types of nuts? How would you specify which nut you're ...
4
votes
5answers
162 views
“Tener un objeto consigo” vs “Llevar un objeto encima”?
¿Cuál de las dos construcciones es más idiomática y por qué?
Tener un objeto consigo
Llevar un objeto encima
La pregunta es simple, pero es importante los recursos que se den para sustentar ...
4
votes
2answers
102 views
¿Es verdad que la palabra 'alrededor' tiene el origen árabe?
Me interesa si ¿la palabra 'alrededor' (o 'al rededor') tiene el origen árabe?
¿Sabeis otras palabras con el mismo origen?
7
votes
5answers
442 views
Difference Between “Computadora” and “Ordenador”
Español
Ví un cartel fuera de una tienda que decía: "Computadoras y ordenadores" en un cuadro "cubano" fuera de New York City,
En un principio, creo que ambas palabras significan "computer". Pero, ...
10
votes
2answers
135 views
Traer and llevar - what is the reference point?
I always have problems concerning traer and llevar. I think I understand the general meaning:
Llevar means "to take", such as when an object is being taken (generally by you) to a place other than ...
3
votes
6answers
275 views
How to say “become” in Spanish?
I can think of at least two different words for "to become" in Spanish. They are "hacerse" and "ponerse."
What's the difference? My understanding is "hacerse" is to become in an ACTIVE way. The ...
4
votes
1answer
118 views
Spanish words for couple, few, handful, several, etc
In English, there are various words to express a small quality of something:
a couple (two of something)
a few (a small number, maybe around 3-5)
a handful (another vague expression for a small ...
8
votes
4answers
545 views
Waterfall: cascada vs. catarata
What is the difference between cascada and catarata as translations for the English "waterfall"? Are they synonyms, or is there a difference?
8
votes
4answers
1k views
“ir a «infinitive»” vs. future tense
There are two ways to indicate a future action, ir a «infinitive» and the future tense. How do I decide which to use when? Is one form more common when spoken or in writing? Is there a regional ...
6
votes
4answers
140 views
¿Cuándo usar “conseguir” o “lograr”?
Me parece que el sentido es de "to manage to do something", pero ¿hay alguna diferencia? ¿Cuál se usa con más frecuencia? ¿Uno es más formal que el otro?
10
votes
1answer
170 views
¿Cuándo usar “excusa” o “pretexto”?
Aparentemente, "excusa" y "pretexto" significan lo mismo.
¿Cuándo usar uno o el otro? Por ejemplo, comparando estas 2 frases:
Buscó una excusa para no venir.
Buscó un pretexto para no venir.
...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre “formación” y “capacitación”?
Estoy escribiendo con mi amiga de Argentina, y ella me habló de su nuevo trabajo. Ella dijo que tenía que tomar un curso de capacitación, pero veo la palabra "formación" en lugar a veces.
¿Cuál es ...
1
vote
4answers
103 views
¿Mejor manera de decir: “como parte de”?
Quiero decirle a alguien algo como:
"como parte de nuestros estudios..."
"ayudado por nuestros estudios..."
"para complementar y mejorar nuestros estudios..."
"en el cuadro de nuestros estudios" ...
8
votes
1answer
123 views
¿Hay diferentes palabras para el hermano de una esposa, y el esposo de una hermana?
Sé que la traduccion de la frase “brother-in-law“ es “cuñado“. ¿“Cuñado" se refiere al hermano de una esposa, el esposo de una hermana, o los dos?
-1
votes
1answer
128 views
Receta de Cocina
Estoy traduciendo una parte de un pequeño script. aparece en http://wp.tutsplus.com/tutorials/theme-development/integrating-google-rich-snippets-into-a-wordpress-theme/
Aquí aparece como queda en ...
7
votes
3answers
556 views
Usage of fea and rico
I'm learning Spanish with Rosetta Stone. The lesson I am currently on has two examples that I don't completely understand.
La leche está fea
El pan está rico
"Fea" seems to be translated ...
8
votes
2answers
226 views
What is the spanish translation for “Account” when referring to a user account on a website?
The English > Spanish translation of account on Google Translate comes up with various forms of the word cuenta.
However, the Spanish > English translation of cuenta returns words relating to ...
