The vocabulario tag has no wiki summary.
5
votes
3answers
401 views
What is “ya va” in Venezuelan Spanish?
I heard the expression "llava" / "ya va" (?) being used in Venezuelan Spanish. It seems to have the meaning of "wait a moment", but my Mexican friend don't understand it.
Does anyone who know what ...
5
votes
2answers
270 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 ...
5
votes
5answers
205 views
Computer science, software engineer/developer, and programmer
When visiting Spanish-speaking countries, I've been told various ways to translate these terms:
Computer Science (as in a university degree program)
Software Engineer
Software Developer
Programmer
...
5
votes
2answers
124 views
Usage of “ver(se)” for “to seem/look” (te ves, se te ve, te veo, etc.)
The verb ver can be used in a few different constructions to convey how something looks or seems:
Te ves bonita.
Se te ve mal.
Te veo bien.
For the reflexive constructions, the WordReference entry ...
5
votes
3answers
123 views
¿Cómo se usa la forma femenina de tema?
He leído que la palabra tema se puede usar en la forma femenina: la tema. ¿Qué significa la tema, y cómo se usa? ¿Es común? ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre el tema y la tema?
5
votes
1answer
4k views
Comparing number of words in Spanish and English
In thinking about the expressiveness of Spanish vs. English, I was wondering:
About how many Spanish words exist (in total)
About how many English words exist (in total)
About how many Spanish words ...
4
votes
2answers
122 views
Spanish words for “loop”
I was recently reading a review of a Spanish-English dictionary that picked "loop" as a good example of a word with many possible translations into Spanish. I looked around and found several ...
4
votes
3answers
423 views
How to say something is “annoying” in Spanish?
I have been wondering how to say annoying, adjective and verb, in Spanish (ES). I come from the Northwest of the US and we use this word very often.
I have seen examples using molestar but none of ...
4
votes
3answers
130 views
How do you describe a pie pan in Spanish?
Even my Mexican friends don't know how to say "pie pan" or "pie tin" in Spanish. Google isn't much help, either.
How can I effectively communicate about a pie pan?
Examples:
Disposable, single-use ...
4
votes
1answer
234 views
Names of mythical beings/creatures
Another question I asked made me realize that English has many names for mythical beings. Many of these can refer to both a historical myth or superstition as well as a more modern definition (in ...
4
votes
2answers
203 views
Describing stress in Spanish
In Spanish class, I remember learning that "stress" (as in what someone who is coming up on a deadline feels) isn't commonly spoken of in Spanish-speaking countries for cultural reasons, but it can be ...
4
votes
2answers
474 views
“Vegetable”: verdura vs. vegetal
What is the difference between verduras and vegetales? In what situations can one be used as a translation for "vegetables" and the other cannot?
4
votes
3answers
123 views
Do compounds exist in Spanish which are not nouns or are nouns other than than of the form (3ps verb + pl noun)?
In Romance languages, compound words are much rarer than in Germanic language such as English, but they do exist.
My favourite kind of word formation in Spanish is the one that results in words such ...
4
votes
1answer
91 views
Is fiscalía related to fiscal?
Fiscalía in Spanish refers to a district attorney or public prosecutor. "Fiscal" (in English or Spanish) describes something related to finances. This always confused me because the words are very ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
107 views
Different words for “hole”
Spanish has several words that could be translated "hole" in English:
hoyo
agujero
hueco
bache
boquete
brecha
madriguera
What are the differences between these words? In what situations can each ...
4
votes
3answers
214 views
Etymological origin of “false friends” between Spanish and English
Is there an etymological origin that can be called the main one that has created the list of "false friends" between Spanish and English?
I'm constantly stumbling upon a new "false friend" when ...
4
votes
4answers
786 views
Translation of mild, medium, and hot (food spiciness)
In English, salsa, hot sauce, or other spicy foods are often classified as either mild (not very spicy), medium (moderately spicy), or hot (very spicy). Does Spanish have similar adjectives to ...
4
votes
1answer
131 views
Airport baggage vocabulary
On a recent trip to a Spanish-speaking country, I realized I don't know most of the terms involved in the process of retrieving luggage at a destination airport. I thought it would make sense to ...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Translating “break” (during work)
In the US, it is common for workers to take a half-hour or hour lunch break in the middle of the day, plus two ten or fifteen minute breaks in the morning and afternoon. Spanish has many words that ...
4
votes
1answer
127 views
Do “alborada”, “amanecer”, and “madrugada” refer to the same thing?
In English we have the two words "dawn" and "sunrise".
But in Spanish there are three words, "alborada", "amanecer", and "madrugada".
Do the three Spanish words refer to the same thing? Or is one ...
4
votes
2answers
120 views
What is the meaning of “melaza” in the song “Caras Lindas”?
This is the song. The word is translated by online lyrics, RAE and wordreference.com as molasses. But it doesn't make sense to me in the context.
Somos la melaza que ríe
Somos la melaza que ...
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
2answers
85 views
Backchannels (listener responses) in Spanish
In linguistics, the term backchannel is used to describe the short words or sounds a listener makes during a conversation to acknowledge what the speaker is saying and make known that he is still ...
4
votes
1answer
62 views
'Controlar' en lenguaje formal
En el Metro de Madrid, así como en otros lugares en España, aconsejan al usuario por megafonía que "Controle sus pertenencias en todo momento, por su seguridad."
Me da la impresión de que Controlar, ...
4
votes
0answers
98 views
Good *extensible* dictionary software? [closed]
I am looking for a software that could help me create my own dictionary (extension). While there are excellent dictionaries for Spanish out there both freely available on the web as well as commercial ...
3
votes
4answers
702 views
Translating “young man” and “young woman”
In English, we use the phrases "young man" and "young woman" to refer to a person (usually an adolescent) who is older than a "boy" or "girl" but younger than an "adult." It generally indicates ...
3
votes
3answers
190 views
Translating “Help!” (interjection)
In English, if there is any kind of emergency or urgent assistance needed, we use the interjection, "Help!" In Spanish I've seen several:
¡Socorro!
¡Auxilio!
¡Ayuda! or ¡Ayúdame!
Which of these is ...
3
votes
3answers
185 views
Various translations of “ticket”
The English word ticket (that is, a slip of paper used to grant access to something) can be translated several different ways in Spanish:
boleto
pasaje
billete
ticket
entrada
resguardo
What are ...
3
votes
4answers
13k 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
848 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
2answers
111 views
Translation of “slacks” (dress pants)
What is the typical way in Spanish to refer to "slacks" (or dress pants that you'd wear with a suit or other formal clothing)? Is there a universal way to distinguish them from less formal pants? ...
3
votes
2answers
116 views
¿Cómo se dice “Christmas caroling” en español?
Creo que la palabra mejor para "Christmas carol" es villancicos, pero ¿hay una forma como verbo?
Por ejemplo, en inglés se puede decir:
We are going Christmas Caroling tonight at 8.
Pero en ...
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
4answers
178 views
“Toma un tiempo” o “lleva un tiempo”, ¿qué suena más natural?
¿Qué suena más natural en castellano, tomar tiempo o llevar tiempo?
Una actividad que toma un tiempo considerable en ser desarrollada.
Una actividad que lleva un tiempo el ser desarrollada.
3
votes
3answers
91 views
Ways used to refer to another person? [closed]
English
Ways used to refer to another person besides the following:
Huevon
Chavon
Chavo
Loco
Tio
Chico
Compadre
Could somebody point where and how each word could be used ...
3
votes
2answers
115 views
Translation for the adjective “haunting” (as in “a haunting melody”)
What is the best Spanish translation for the English adjective "haunting" (as in "a haunting melody")? WordReference gives three options: evocador, inquietante and inolvidable. Do any of these really ...
3
votes
1answer
245 views
Board game vocabulary
What are the typical translations in Spanish for the following terms related to board games?
board game
board
(playing) pieces
deck of cards
to roll the dice
to move forward
to move backwards
to ...
3
votes
1answer
133 views
shy: tímido vs. reservado vs. vergonzoso vs. penoso
In many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, describing a person who is "shy" can be done with at least four different words:
tímido
reservado
vergonzoso
penoso
What is the difference between ...
3
votes
2answers
189 views
Algún to represent an indefinite quantity?
I'm using the textbook Fuentes: Conversación y gramática, and in it it states:
"To talk about indefinite quantity in affirmitive sentences and questions, use the following adjectives and pronouns."
...
2
votes
3answers
417 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
3answers
80 views
video vs. grabación
What is the difference between video and grabación? In other words, what types of "videos" does each describe? Which of the two would best describe a video recorded using a home video recorder or ...
2
votes
3answers
978 views
Ways to express “to get ready” or “to get dressed”
What verbs in Spanish are used to express the concept of "getting ready" or "getting dressed" (for example, before leaving the house to go out to dinner)? I've seen alistarse, arreglarse, prepararse, ...
2
votes
3answers
481 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
votes
1answer
79 views
Vocabulary related to the nose
What are the most common ways of saying:
to blow one's nose
to pick one's nose
stuffy nose
runny nose
nasal congestion
2
votes
1answer
813 views
Translation of “bed bug” (chinche?)
In English, bed bugs are parasitic insects that can infest beds and the areas where people sleep. Wikipedia shows that the Spanish term for bed bug is chinche. However, my understanding is that ...
2
votes
3answers
158 views
Continuing education after high school [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Spanish After Mango Languages
Recently, I've been interested in learning a language. I took three years of Spanish in high school, and while I did better than the ...
2
votes
1answer
113 views
Are there other “feminine only” adjectives in Spanish besides “embarazada”?
In most if not all Spanish dictionaries I've checked, embarazada is only ever listed in its feminine form unlike all other adjectives I can think of.
Is this semantic because it's considered that ...
2
votes
2answers
147 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?
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Different words for “sign”
Spanish has several words that could be translated "sign" in English:
letrero
rótulo
señal
indicio
cartel
pancarta
seña
What are the differences between these words? In what situations can each be ...
