All Questions
8
votes
3answers
201 views
¿Qué significa 'va' en “Nos vemos después, ¿va?”
Hoy, por chat, una amiga (de México) dijo:
Nos vemos depués, ¿va?
Entiendo "Nos vemos después", pero qué significa "va" en este contexto?
10
votes
2answers
366 views
Usage of “oso” to express embarrassment
I have heard the idiom
¡Que oso!
...used to express embarrassment by a former acquaintance from Colombia but have never met another Spanish speaker who uses this expression.
My questions:
...
4
votes
2answers
123 views
¿Qué significa “tuanis”?
¿Cuál es el significado de la palabra tuanis? ¿Se escribe tuani o tuanis? ¿En cuáles regiones se usa? Y, ¿es una palabra muy informal, o se puede usarla en otros contextos también?
2
votes
1answer
54 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
106 views
¿Hay una diferencia entre “restaurante” y “restauran”?
¿Cuál es la diferencia, si la hay, entre "restaurante" y "restauran"?
He escuchado la palabra "restauran" algunas veces, pero recientemente la vi en una señal también:
¿Son sinónimos?
1
vote
3answers
65 views
How can I translate/describe a “rough idle” to the mechanic?
I need to take my vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose a problem with a rough idle. How do I translate this term, "rough idle" to Spanish?
3
votes
2answers
125 views
What is the abbreviation for World War II?
¿Cómo se acorta la frase "II Guerra Mundial"?
How do we shorten the phrase "World War II" in Spanish?
We could say "II Guerra Mundial" or "IIGM". Is that standard?
It came up since I was writing ...
-5
votes
1answer
46 views
Spanish to English - List of letters [closed]
I'm looking for a list of the alphabetic letters in the Spanish language (ES), each letter translated into English (EN) by hearing.
For example lets take a word, presented in Spanish & English:
...
9
votes
7answers
651 views
What is the most idiomatic translation of “no way!”
The phrase "no way" is similar to this question about the expression "you wish!" but is perhaps more of an expression of disbelief or rejection of what the other speaker says. It also can be friendly ...
5
votes
2answers
112 views
Definición de “pistear”
Hoy alguien usó la palabra pistear conmigo, en el contexto de una fiesta, o bebiendo. No puedo encontrar una definición relevante. DRAE tiene dos definiciones regionales:
tr. El Salv. Pagar ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
How to translate “surface contamination”
I want to translate a phrase:
Evaluation of surface contamination by beta radionuclides.
I have
Evaluación de contaminación en superficies provocada por radio
nucleótidos beta
I do not ...
5
votes
2answers
116 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 ...
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
2answers
63 views
Recurso literario para convertir “Me explico” en “Mesplico”
Me sale naturalmente juntar ambas palabras.
¿Existe algun recurso literario que valide esta forma de expresion?
"Me explico" -> "Mesplico"
2
votes
2answers
65 views
Early childhood Spanish language immersion accent exposure
Is it important for young children (4 or 5 years old) in a Spanish language immersion program to be exposed to more than one type of Spanish language accent? If the child only hears one accent for the ...
3
votes
2answers
98 views
¿Cuándo utilizar “primer” y “primero”?
¿Por qué se dice primero en 'primero plato' y no primer como en 'primer numero'? ¿Cuál es la differencia? Estoy confundido
3
votes
1answer
61 views
Appropriate expressions of jealousy
A friend of mine in Mexico invited my roommate, LaPorte, and I to an event. I am unable to attend, but my roommate is. In my response, expressing how I wish I could come, I want to say something ...
6
votes
3answers
272 views
“Unsanded Grout” in Spanish
I read about unsanded grout in a DIY blog and want to buy it. But I don't know how to translate that to spanish. What is it called in Spanish or Castellano?
6
votes
5answers
413 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 ...
8
votes
4answers
117 views
¿Qué significa “siempre sí” y “siempre no”?
Este fin de semana estaba en un hotel con una amiga esperando a otros amigos para salir juntos. Mi amiga dijo a la recepcionista: -"Estamos esperando unos amigos. ¿Usted puede avisarnos cuando ...
5
votes
3answers
75 views
Is it acceptable to say Brasilero instead of Brasileño?
On the wikipedia article in spanish about Brazil, both terms, Brasileño and Brasilero, are used as gentilic for people born in Brazil, it also mentions that Brasilero is used only on certain regions ...
6
votes
2answers
594 views
Is there a translation for “cougar”?
I mean cougar as in a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger man. I know the term asaltacunas, but this applies to both men and women, so I would like to know if there is a ...
5
votes
2answers
54 views
Origen de la expresión “tener más moral que el Alcoyano”
Cuando alguien no se da por vencido y sigue insistiendo a veces en España se dice tienes más moral que el Alcoyano.
Alcoyano es el gentilicio de Alcoy (provincia de Alicante), pero ¿cúal es el origen ...
5
votes
4answers
105 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, ...
20
votes
9answers
395 views
Any difference between aquí and acá
I've been taught that aquí and acá are completely interchangable.
From personal observation, acá seems to be used more often than aquí in the context of "I live down this road." Example:
Vivo ...
8
votes
2answers
332 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
100 views
¿Qué palabra se usa para describir a alguien que suda mucho?
¿Qué palabra es adecuada para describir a una persona que suda mucho?
4
votes
2answers
99 views
Do Spanish verbs have principal parts?
When I was studying Latin, I would learn the conjugation of each verb by memorizing its principal parts (for example, "amo, amare, amavi, amatus"). In Spanish, are there any principal parts of a verb ...
2
votes
3answers
113 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
Origen y uso de la frase “Para más inri”
Acabo de leer en un diario español la frase "para más inri", y según el diccionario on-line que ofrecen, significa "por si fuera poco".
Yo nunca había leído ni escuchado tal frase.
Mi pregunta ...
26
votes
3answers
509 views
Origin and usage of “¿” and “¡”
English
I was wondering what the reason is that the inverted exclamation mark ¡ and the inverted question mark ¿ were introduced into the Spanish language and not into most other languages.
Any ...
7
votes
2answers
97 views
Grammar of “¡A comer!”
I was recently staying with a Mexican family, and during lunch, the children (ages 8 and 5) were being rather unruly. The grandmother would command them: ¡A comer!
I have never heard a command in ...
4
votes
2answers
108 views
How can I recognize the conjugation of a verb from its infinitive?
According to this Wikipedia article, it is possible to recognize the conjugation of a Spanish verb from its infinitive. Is it possible to determine the conjugation of a verb (such as pedir, or tener, ...
17
votes
8answers
506 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
31 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre “se me olvidó” y “olvidé”?
¿Cuales son las diferencias semánticas entre "se me olvidó" y "olvidé"?
Ejemplo:
Se me olvido mi teléfono.
Olvidé mi teléfono.
Creo que cuando se usa el reflexivo indica menos ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
“Decoded” Fashion ?
There is a computer programming event next week, "Decoded Fashion". I had write (in Spanish) that I was going to this event.
I found two translations on Google translate: descodificar descifrar.
...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
22 views
Coming “down” or “up” (traveling from one place to another)
In English (at least US English), it is common to use "up" and "down" when giving directions. For example:
When are you coming down to visit us?
I went up to see him for the weekend.
The "up" and ...
4
votes
2answers
59 views
How to translate “quiver”? (mathematics)
In mathematics a quiver is a multidigraph. It is a directed graph that allows multiple arrows and loops. The non-mathematical Wikipedia article on the quiver, corresponds to the Spanish article on ...
6
votes
3answers
147 views
Learn basic vocabulary
I am learning Spanish (Castellano) and want to expand my vocabulary.
There are many vocabulary trainers out there. But some do not come with predefined words and others contain them all. I want to ...
4
votes
2answers
106 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
476 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
172 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 ...
10
votes
2answers
207 views
Why does saber mean both “to know” and “to taste”?
Español
Cuando aprendía español, estaba muy confundido cuando aprendí que saber significa "to know" y "to taste". Los dos verbos en inglés me parecen muy diferentes. ¿Cómo puede ser esto? ¿Cuál es la ...
12
votes
8answers
156 views
¿Se usa 'guácala' fuera de México?
En español mexicano, cuando uno siente algo repugnante es típico usar una palabra onomatopeica: 'guácala' (imita el sonido de vomitar). Es equivalente a decir 'yuck' en inglés. ¿Qué tan común es ...
4
votes
3answers
73 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
623 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
554 views
“Maje” (or “mae”) in Nicaraguan Spanish
What does the word "maje" (pronounced "mae") mean in Nicaraguan Spanish? Could the word be considered offensive, and, if so, in what contexts is it appropriate to use?
