All Questions
1
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2answers
189 views
Words for mountain/hill [closed]
English describes landforms that rise above the surrounding land as "mountains" or "hills." What words in Spanish describe a mountain or a hill? What are the differences between them (i.e. what size ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
Translating “kind words” (as in “Thank you for your kind words.”)
In English if someone complements you or expresses their gratitude for something you've done, you can respond with something like, "Thank you for your kind words."
What Spanish phrase would best ...
1
vote
1answer
456 views
Translation of “llevar a cabo”
What does the Spanish phrase llevar a cabo mean in English? What are the most common translations of the phrase into English?
1
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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)?
1
vote
1answer
129 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
3answers
342 views
Translating “to be excited to…”
What is the best way to translate sentences like:
I'm so excited to see you next week!
He's really excited about graduation.
We're excited to have you come visit for Christmas.
Do emocionado and ...
1
vote
1answer
96 views
¿Qué significa la expresión “echar toda la carne al asador”?
¿Qué significa la expresión "echar toda la carne al asador"? Esta frase la he escuchado en México.
1
vote
1answer
33 views
When using object pronouns, should I say “la van a ver a” or “la van a ver”?
If I have a question:
¿Quiénes van a ver a Luisa el domingo?
I can answer it someway like this, using object pronoun (I do not know if this is the right way to say that in English):
Los alumnos van ...
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
4answers
99 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 ...
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" ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Sinónimo de “una especie de” refiriéndose a un tipo o a una descripción no a la definición biológica
En un texto científico asumo que no es apropiado tratar de describir algo como:
X es una especie de resumen de los datos de entrada
No sé que sinónimo utilizar, quizá:
X puede ser visto como ...
1
vote
2answers
160 views
Translating “shrewd” (as in “a shrewd businessman”)
The English word "shrewd" (as in "a shrewd businessman") describes someone who is sharp, clever, crafty, or cunning. For example, a shrewd businessman might come up with a coupon offer that seems ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Difference between “susto” and “aprensión”
Del susto y la aprensión, el rujido ha cesado.
What are the differences between "susto" and "aprensión"?
Both mean fear, no?
Or they have different degrees of fear?
1
vote
2answers
97 views
waste: desperdiciar vs. malgastar
I learned that "waste" in English can be translated as desperdiciar or malgastar in Spanish. What is the difference between these two words? Are there any cases where one is correct and the other is ...
1
vote
1answer
663 views
Translation of “take your time”
In English, when making a polite request, it's common to say "take your time" (to tell the other person there's no need to rush). What is the most natural translation of this into Spanish? Is this ...
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
1answer
110 views
Indicative vs. subjunctive in “no importa qué dice el destino”
If I'm hearing it correctly, there's a line in Carlos Baute's "Colgando En Tus Manos" that says:
No importa qué dice el destino.
I thought that sentence should be expressed:
No importa qué ...
1
vote
1answer
52 views
¿Qué significa “sacalepuntas” en México?
He oido esta expresión en México. Por ejemplo:
Jorge anda muy sacalepuntas.
¿Cuál es su signficado? ¿Por qué?
1
vote
1answer
51 views
how to translate the software specific expression “how to” in Castellano?
There's something in software or websites that is called a "how-to" section, it is like a frequently asked questions (faq) section but with a content closer to be a tutorial of how to do something in ...
1
vote
2answers
108 views
Me gustaría / quisiera / querría
I usually use "me gustaría" when asking for something or expressing myself towards something I would like to do. How about "quisiera" and "querría" can both be used the same way and what are the ...
1
vote
2answers
35 views
Find all forms of a verb, given one form of the verb
Is there any software that I can use to find all forms of a Spanish verb, given one form of the verb? I know of an online tool called Whitaker's Words that does this for Latin verbs, but I haven't yet ...
1
vote
1answer
93 views
Does the phrase 'asegurarse de' (ensures that) need to be followed by a subjunctive?
Cuando se usa la combinación asegurarse de que, ¿debe ser seguida por un verbo en subjuntivo o en indicativo?
Un oración de ejemplo para este caso podría ser (usando ambas posibilidades):
La ...
1
vote
2answers
94 views
Sentences structure: garantizarse
Please advise which one of the following is correct for the English speaking "No one is guaranteed to have a tomorrow"?
If all correct, which one is the best saying?
Nadie se garantiza tener un ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Word usage: serme
I've come across the below sentence:
Este año he decidido serme fiel a mi misma y no mentirme
I checked the dictionary and couldn't find the word "serme". What does it mean?
1
vote
1answer
62 views
holy: santo vs. sagrado
What is the difference between santo and sagrado in translating the English religious word "holy." How are the two words used in religious contexts in Spanish-speaking countries?
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
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
174 views
Words and phrases with non-evident prejudice
Hace poco aprendí que el origen de la palabra algarabía es la pronunciación de árabe en la lengua árabe. Otro ejemplo notable es la palabra morisqueta.
¿Existen otras palabras o frases de común uso ...
1
vote
1answer
375 views
What are some terms of endearment for a girlfriend/wife? [closed]
What are some Spanish terms of enderment you could use for a girlfriend or a wife? In English I'm thinking things like sweetheart, sweetie, darling, cutie, babe, etc..
Any others that are unique to ...
1
vote
2answers
137 views
me/te/nos hace falta / passive form
So after reading this question I came up with a really bad doubt.
In the past I was using quite often "(no) se hace falta" to say for instance, that "it is (not) necessary to", but I've by then been ...
1
vote
3answers
76 views
Difference between “salvo” and “salvado” (religion)
For expressing the religious concept of being "saved," what is the difference between salvo and salvado? Is there any difference in connotation or formality of the two words? Are there any contexts ...
1
vote
3answers
92 views
Translation of “desafuero” to English
WordReference says that the Spanish word desafuero can be used to refer to the "withdrawal of parliamentary/ministerial privileges." I recently saw this word used in this sense in a newspaper article. ...
1
vote
1answer
68 views
A good free book to get started [closed]
I am a fluent English speaker and I wanted a good FREE PDF to get started with. Primarily, I wish to see if my interests in learning spanish will sustain before I buy an expensive book. I have picked ...
1
vote
2answers
266 views
Equivalent of Joe in spanish? [closed]
I want to remember what a friend's name was I just met. It's on the tip of my tongue, and I keep wanting to say Yohio or Yojo. It was not Jose. I don't remember. He went by Joe as well. I remember it ...
1
vote
0answers
161 views
Good News/Chat/Cultural Podcasts in Spanish? [closed]
I spoke Spanish fluently, but it's been 10 years since I lived in Mexico. I'm definitely past the learn Spanish podcasts listed here.
Are there good news podcasts available? I'm looking for something ...
1
vote
0answers
114 views
What is a good, original Spanish childrens novel to help learn grammar and vocab? [closed]
I want to find a Spanish book that I can read to help practice my grammar and vocabulary.
I've only done about a year of evening classes for adults, but I can read sites like BBC Mundo and have a ...
1
vote
3answers
226 views
Equivalente en idioma inglés de La Real Academia Española [closed]
¿Cuál es el equivalente de la Real Academia Española, en el contexto del idioma inglés?.
1
vote
2answers
107 views
Etymology of “caber”. Why does it share conjugation with “saber”?
Español
¿Alguien me puede explicar por qué los verbos "saber" y "caber" tienen la misma conjugación?
No me sorprende que "saber" sea irregular, que es un verbo muy común, y en todo idioma los verbos ...
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?
0
votes
3answers
130 views
¿De dónde proviene la palabra 'meacamas'?
¿Cuales son el origen y significado de la primera parte de esa palabra, es decir, lo del 'me'?
Si la primera parte es una forma abreviada de meter, o la de otro verbo semejante, en ese caso no está ...
0
votes
1answer
111 views
caja vs. cajón vs. estuche
"Box" in English can be translated into Spanish as caja, cajón, or estuche. What exactly is the difference between these three words? What types of boxes are translated as each? Which would best ...
0
votes
2answers
103 views
Words for “grave”: tumba vs. sepultura
English has several words for burial places, many of which have specific, distinct meanings:
grave
tomb
vault
crypt
mausoleum
sepulcher
As far as I know, Spanish has at least two words for ...
0
votes
1answer
117 views
Translation of “What was your name again?”
In English, if someone has already met someone else but later forgets their name, they might ask them something like, "I'm sorry, what was your name again?" (which is less forceful than a blunt "What ...
0
votes
1answer
859 views
Words for boat, ship, and other seafaring vessels
In English, we have many words to describe the different types of vessels that travel on water:
boat
ship
yacht
dinghy
canoe
kayak
raft
watercraft
vessel
sailboat
barge
catamaran
lifeboat/liferaft
...
0
votes
1answer
307 views
I need a Spanish word list for statistical analysis (as complete as possible) [closed]
English
I need a Spanish word list, as simple as that.
The more complete it is, the better, it should contain as many words as to be a statistically relevant sample.
It can be in any format, xml, ...
0
votes
2answers
116 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 ...
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?
0
votes
3answers
368 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
¿Es correcto “siempre quieren y terminan sometiendo”?
Encuentro en una novela que estoy leyendo el siguiente texto:
De entre todas las manías, sin duda la más habitual es hacer el amor
por las mañanas. A esa hora los hombres siempre quieren y ...
