All Questions
6
votes
4answers
7k 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?
0
votes
2answers
114 views
What is the best way to refer to those of Spanish descent or language?
In English there are several ways to refer to people who speak Spanish or are from a Spanish-speaking country: Hispanic, Latin, Latino, Chicano, Spanish-speaking, etc.
What equivalent terms exist in ...
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Difference between 'podría estar' and 'estaría'
This question could apply to a number of verbs I guess, including:
podría ser OR sería
podría hablar OR hablaría
podría comer OR comería
Which could be generalised as 'conditional ...
5
votes
1answer
453 views
Is there a translation for 'Piloncillo'?
The dictionary says brown sugar but azúcar moreno is brown sugar. Besides piloncillo is solid and not a powder. I'm having a hard time explaining to Americans what piloncillo is.
8
votes
3answers
199 views
How to say instead (when at the end of a sentence)
I know how to say,
Do Y instead of X
using 'en vez de' or en 'lugar de'
But how should I say something like
Learn Spanish instead.
Can I end a sentence with 'instead' or must I always ...
6
votes
2answers
657 views
Difference between “favor de” and “por favor”
What's the difference between "favor de" and "por favor"?.
Examples:
Favor de lavarse las manos después de ir al baño.
Por favor lávese las manos después de ir al baño.
Hazme favor de ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
What does the slang “cerote” mean?
I know this is a slang expression from Central American people. I don't remember the context but it was something like:
Eres un cerote! (from a pretty angry girl)
I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean ...
5
votes
1answer
107 views
Words for “size”
I know there are multiple words for size in Spanish, but I'm quite fuzzy on when to use them.
The two most common seem to be tamaño and talla, although in some contexts (like shoes), número seems ...
1
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? ...
3
votes
1answer
99 views
Is there a name for the inner part of the elbow?
Is there a name in Spanish for the inner part of the elbow (on the opposite side of the part we call "elbow")? If not, how would it best be described?
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?
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Translation of “baking” [closed]
Is there a common Spanish word for the English "baking" (as in using the oven to make cookies, bread, cakes, etc.)? If not, what is the best way to describe the activity (when it's not known exactly ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views
Translation of “range” (as in age range)
Is there a simple translation of the English "range" as in the phrase "age range"? If not, how would "age range" best be translated?
0
votes
2answers
138 views
Translation of “a simple vista”
What is the most idiomatic English translation of the Spanish phrase a simple vista? Does it mean "at first glance," or does another expression fit better?
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Translation of “contra viento y marea”
What is the most idiomatic English translation of the Spanish phrase contra viento y marea?
3
votes
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 ...
4
votes
3answers
282 views
How formal is cuán? What are the informal alternatives?
How formal is the Spanish word cuán? When is it appropriate to use, and when does it seem out of place? How are sentences using cuán normally expressed in informal speech?
1
vote
1answer
60 views
Response when you don't understand what's said before ¿…, verdad?
What are the possible responses to a sentence you don't hear or understand that ends in ¿verdad?
For example:
Mañana vas a ..., ¿verdad?
In English you could say something like "Isn't what ...
11
votes
6answers
1k views
Can I learn to roll my R's?
Whenever I try to say words like perro or arroyo, I sound like I'm telling a pirate joke. I can identify the sound I'm supposed to make and I've been told how my tongue is supposed to move, but I ...
7
votes
3answers
262 views
What is the difference between 'hallar' and 'encontrar'?
If I find something I lost, should I use 'hallar'?
For example, I found missing keys and said to my wife '¡Hallé las llaves!' she replied '¿Las encontraste?' Then a discussion about Hallar vs ...
7
votes
2answers
161 views
Basque words in Spanish vocabulary
Which are the words, parts of words and structures coming from Basque to Spanish language? And possibly in which periods did they become part of spoken Spanish and official Spanish (Castellano)?
4
votes
1answer
7k views
¿Cómo se dice, “a caso” o “acaso”?
En español, cual de las dos siguiente es la forma correcta para hacer la pregunta:
¿A caso estuviste ahí?
o se debe de decir:
¿Acaso estuviste ahí?
4
votes
1answer
93 views
What is the origin of word endings like -ducir, -vocar, -locar, -ludir, -mitir?
The word-endings -ducir, -locar, -vocar, -ludir, -mitir are quite common, each can take a lot of common prefixes to form real words, for example:
conducir, producir, introducir, aducir, inducir, ...
4
votes
3answers
412 views
Names of children's games
There are many children's games that are played throughout many parts of the world. Do the following games exist in Spanish-speaking countries, and, if so, what are they called? (I found many of these ...
4
votes
2answers
318 views
Translation of “to talk behind someone's back”
What is the typical Spanish translation of the English idiom "to talk behind someone's back" (as in saying something bad about another person to others instead of to them directly)?
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
Translation of “to play favorites”
What is the best Spanish translation of the English idiom "to play favorites" (as in favoring individuals in a group instead of treating everyone equally)?
4
votes
1answer
93 views
What is the etymology of the “diéresis” or “crema”?
This entry of the Diccionario panhispánico de dudas explains the uses of the diéresis or crema (the ¨ mark) in Spanish (it is mandatory over a u to indicate that this vowel must be pronounced in the ...
4
votes
1answer
158 views
Any rhyme or reason to the names of playing cards?
Playing cards A-10 are named expectedingly, As, followed by dos through diez. But the Jack, Queen and King are called (at least in my experience):
Jota
Qüina
Rey
I can understand calling a card ...
2
votes
2answers
360 views
Proper response to “con permiso”
When someone says con permiso, for example when squeezing through a crowd, what is the appropriate response? For example, in English we might say something like "sorry" or "go ahead."
2
votes
1answer
72 views
Why is “buena” in different places depending on its use? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Significance of adjective placement
In these phrases below, why is the word "buena" in different places?
Are there good things? => ¿Hay cosas buenas?
Are there ...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Is “me gustas” ever right?
We have been taught that gustar is an unusual verb and that you only ever use gusta or gustan depending on whether you like singular or plural things. Would you use "me gustas" to say "I like you"?
3
votes
2answers
188 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
1answer
128 views
Using “qué” or “quién” when talking about people
Imagine for a moment you know who stole your car (some thiefs for example):
Sabemos qué personas lo hicieron.
The above sentence is the same as saying:
Sabemos quiénes lo hicieron. (Persons ...
5
votes
1answer
223 views
A good word for “quest” in Spanish
The translation for Quest is "búsqueda" but it just does not work properly. In English we say "I'm on a quest for the holy grail" this is not quite the same as "I'm searching for the holy grail." So ...
5
votes
1answer
69 views
What adjective ending to use with “algo masculino y/o algo femenino”
When you're using y/o with options of different genders, what's the correct ending to use for an adjective that modifies both?
Specifically, I was writing:
Si entras un usuario y/o contraseña ...
8
votes
1answer
342 views
¿Cómo se dice “cheers” en español?
¿Qué dicen los españoles cuando juntos levantan la copa de vino solemnemente? ¿Cómo se dice "cheers" en español?
6
votes
3answers
575 views
Regional usage and literal meaning of “¡No manches!”
The phrase ¡No manches! is quite common here in Mexico, and it's easy to tell from context when it ought to be used (similar to "No way!" in English), but what does it literally mean? And where is ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
When to add prepositions before an infinitive verb (por/para/a/de)?
With the infinitive form of a verb in English, (e.g. to speak), the word 'to' seems to convey a specific meaning where, in Spanish, an additional preposition is used in some cases.
Examples:
I ...
5
votes
3answers
236 views
What is the plural of 'Cuba Libre' (the beverage)?
For example, how would one say 'More Cuba Libres' in Spanish?
0
votes
3answers
367 views
Interpretation of quotes or famous sayings [closed]
I know you can't translate everything directly, sometimes it doesn't make sense, specially when it comes from quotes.
What would be the best intepretation of the following quotes?:
What goes ...
3
votes
1answer
367 views
When should the subjunctive be used after 'cuando'?
I thought that any statement after 'cuando' should be in the subjunctive tense if it implied anything other than habitual events or was used in a question, but wasn't sure if this is actually the ...
5
votes
1answer
229 views
What do Mexicans always mutter to me after I say, “Feliz año”?
When I say, "Feliz año" to Mexicans, they usually mutter something and trail off. Is this a standard response to my holiday valediction, am I being dissed, or am I being neurotic?
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Is there a consistent rule for constructing reflexive verbs?
Is there a consistent rule to create reflexive verbs?
When utilizing reflexive verbs are all verbs able to become reflexive verbs by adding, se at the end of the infinitive verb?
I.E.: "lavarse", ...
2
votes
3answers
236 views
Difference between usage of “por favor” and “please”
I heard that Spanish puts much less value on "por favor" than English does on "please". If this is true, could someone elaborate? Are there any situations where in English 'please' is expected, but in ...
2
votes
1answer
118 views
How important is 'proper' pronunciation in Spanish and is it incorrect to 'make up' a dialect?
All languages have dialects, but there tend to be "major" dialects (e.g. For English, Canadian/American, a few of the British accents could be considered as the main dialects to consider learning ...
3
votes
2answers
93 views
Are nonsensical lyrics common in Spanish lyrics?
Based on the answer given to my other question, I'd like to know if it's common to have completely nonsensical lyrics in Spanish music. I know English music has some ridiculous lyrics, but generally ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Why is “por” prefered to “para” in the example within?
From Shakira's Suerte:
Yo puedo escalar los Andes solo
Por ir a contar tus lunares
Why is por preferable to para in this case. If one translation of para is roughly "for the purpose of", ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
Difference between some verbs and pronomial forms of the verb with the same translation
SpanishDict translates some verbs and their pronomial forms (+de, +a, etc.) as the same thing. Off the top of my head:
Escapar - to escape
Escaparse de - to escape
Olvidar - to forget
...
