All Questions
8
votes
2answers
155 views
Differences between “aun”, “hasta”, and “incluso” to indicate extremes?
When referring to an extreme example for comparison, English seems to have just one word, even:
Even an idiot could do it.
But Spanish seems to have three:
aun
hasta
incluso
I had always ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
122 views
Are contracted pronunciations of mathematical functions common in spanish?
In mathematics, we have what are called hyperbolic trigonometric functions. For example, hyperbolic sine, hyperbolic tangent, hyperbolic cosine, etc... We generally write these functions with ...
8
votes
3answers
613 views
Translating “looking forward to”
In English, we often used the phrase looking forward to when we are excited about something in the future:
I'm looking forward to seeing you next week!
I'm really looking forward to finals ...
8
votes
2answers
216 views
Best translation of “just wanted to”
In English, I often use "just wanted to" to soften the force of a question or statement:
I just wanted to ask if it was okay with you.
I just wanted to make sure you were coming to the meeting ...
8
votes
3answers
199 views
Are there any subtle differences between “de nuevo” and “otra vez”?
There are two very common ways in Spanish to say the equivalent of "again":
de nuevo
otra vez
But I use them pretty randomly because I've never been able to pick up on any differences in how ...
8
votes
5answers
420 views
What is the diminutive of “pan” (meaning bread)?
Is it:
pansito
panesito
panito
panecino
panecillo (Although this one has most of the time another meaning...)
Why?
I know short question, but seemingly difficult for me. Is there a definitive ...
8
votes
3answers
287 views
Use of “Que” in “Que todo te vaya bien”
Que todo te vaya bien.
Que nos reunamos a las 6.
I've seen, and used, que in this form - it's as if the verb has been dropped, say, espero.
What is the origin of this usage? Is it ...
8
votes
1answer
140 views
¿Por qué se usa el subjuntivo en esta frase?
La portada del libro Guerra de Yugurta (ISBN 968366153X) tiene esta frase:
La Biblioteca Sciptorvm Graecorvm et Romanorvm edita por segunda ocasión la Guerra de Yugurta, los Fragmentos de las ...
8
votes
3answers
307 views
Why is Usted sometimes abbreviated as Vd. instead of Ud.? Is there any difference in usage between the two?
I've noticed that the word Usted can be abbreviated at least 2 ways, the most common of which being Ud. and Vd. to my knowledge. I see how Ud. makes perfect sense, but why is a V used instead of a U ...
8
votes
2answers
226 views
Appropriate way to answer a negative yes/no question
When the question is not a negative question the response for the given question should be:
Q: ¿Tienes carro?
"Sí, tengo." for a positive answer or "No tengo." for a negative one.
No, what if ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
How prevalent is the phrase “qué padre”?
Here in Mexico, the slang phrase qué padre (or various forms such as muy padre, etc) are quite common, with the meaning "how cool".
Is this just Mexican slang, or do other regions use the same ...
8
votes
5answers
271 views
Best way to translate 'uneducated', meaning lacking formal schooling
Generally the Spanish word maleducado more often means rude, rather than unschooled. In light of this, how would one describe someone who is polite and intelligent, but has never been formally ...
8
votes
3answers
467 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
209 views
¿Cómo se describe la temperatura?
Cuando se describe el tiempo, se usa "hace", por ejemplo, "hace frío" o "hace sol". ¿Es lo mismo con la temperatura?
Si es la temperatura de algo, como una persona o comida, ¿es lo mismo?
8
votes
1answer
361 views
What are the accentuation rules in Spanish?
Many native Spanish speakers have trouble determining when accent marks (tildes) should be used and where. What are the rules for accent placement in Spanish? How do you determine whether the vowel on ...
8
votes
3answers
387 views
Words that mean different things in the preterite
There are some verbs that seem to have quite distinct meanings in the preterite tense. I don't know whether they also seem to change meanings to native speakers or if it just seems completely natural ...
8
votes
2answers
486 views
How to translate 'to become?' (hacerse, ponerse, convertirse en, etc.)
I've heard several different words used for 'to become' in Spanish. Obviously sometimes there are specific verbs to use, like 'enfadarse' means to become angry, but often you need to use a verb that ...
8
votes
1answer
97 views
¿Es correcto usar 'amarizar' o 'amartizar' para aterrizar en Marte?
En español, existe un verbo para describir la acción de aterrizar en la Luna: 'alunizar'.
Siguiendo esa misma idea, ¿se puede decir 'amarizar' o 'amartizar' para una nave que aterriza en Marte?
8
votes
2answers
486 views
Audio maps of spanish dialects?
Apart from vocabulary differences, the spanish language has an enormous and fascinating diversity in pronunciation and accents. In my country (Argentina) people from the central inland region have a ...
8
votes
2answers
106 views
Are there any true nouns containing a hyphen in the Spanish language?
In this Spanish Wikipedia: about Guion ortográfico I found mentioned
Separar algunas palabras compuestas.
but there are no examples given.
Are these foreign words or are there proper examples ...
8
votes
2answers
197 views
What makes a question in Spanish rhetorical?
In German, the placement or usage of single words shifts the meaning of a rhetorical question, in English, additionally distinct marker phrases are common for this purpose.
Are there specific ...
8
votes
2answers
122 views
How can I tell someone what I'm reading about?
I was reading a book, and someone asked me, "¿Qué estás leyendo?"
I answered, "Estoy leyendo sobre ..."
The person looked at me funny, but seemed to understand what I said.
Looking back, it makes ...
8
votes
1answer
364 views
Difference between “hay”, “ay” and “ahí”
These are commonly misused when writing, and can be very confusing for someone that is learning Spanish. These three words have a very different meaning and they are used in a very different context.
...
8
votes
1answer
108 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?
8
votes
3answers
129 views
Complemento vs. Suplemento
Is there any difference between the word "complemento" and "suplemento"? Do they really have the exact same meaning?. RAE (Real Academia Española) defines both as:
Cosa o accidente que se añade a ...
8
votes
2answers
195 views
¿Qué tipo de palabra es «alto»?
En las intersecciones, es común ver una señal roja y octagonal que dice "alto", el mismo tipo de señal que en inglés dice stop.
En inglés, stop es un verbo imperativo, pero no creo que haya un verbo ...
8
votes
7answers
460 views
¿Qué palabra se usa para describir cuando un pago cubre hasta cierta fecha?
Soy el autor de una aplicación de computadora para administrar Casas de Empeños en Puerto Rico. Cuando un cliente debe tres meses de intereses, podría perder la prenda, pero si solo paga dos meses de ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
98 views
Usar puntuación extra para expresar incredulidad
En inglés a veces, se usa puntuación extra para indicar confusión o ira en una frase, como en:
He said what??
Are you serious?!
etc.
Porque se pone ciertos tipos de puntuación al principio y ...
8
votes
3answers
409 views
“You look good” versus “You smell good”
It is my understanding that "you look good" translates as, "te ves bien" and that you see well (as in, your vision is good) can be said as "tu ves bien."
However, saying you smell good and your ...
8
votes
1answer
226 views
What's the difference between “sólo”, “únicamente” and “solamente”?
According to the RAE:
solo o sólo.
adv. m. Únicamente, solamente.
In what situations is preferred to use one over the other?
Are they interchangeable?
Sólo es una pregunta ...
8
votes
2answers
204 views
Acordar or recordar? What's the correct use? ¿Cuál es el uso correcto?
Español
Comunmente escucho gente decir "¿oye, te acuerdas de esa película?", así como también escucho "¿oye, recuerdas esa película?."
Siempre he creído que la acción de un recuerdo viene del verbo ...
8
votes
1answer
107 views
Is it acceptable to leave out the inverted punctuation marks?
Is it acceptable to leave out inverted question marks and exclamation points (¿ ¡) from questions and exclamatory sentences?
I ask this because some computers and other devices I use won't let me add ...
8
votes
1answer
114 views
Origen de la conjunción copulativa “y”
Mi lengua materna es el español, hablo también francés y hace unos días estuve en Italia.
Me he dado cuenta de que tanto en francés como en italiano, la principal conjunción copulativa (lease la ...
8
votes
2answers
142 views
¿Quienes son más afectados por el ustedeo?
He encontrado que varias veces, mi empleo del español en conversación es afectado por el llamado "ustedeo". Afecta mis relaciones con gente que acabo de conocer, porque muchas personas piensan que ...
8
votes
2answers
190 views
Usage of “adiós” in the Basque country
People in the Basque country commonly use local words, such as agur instead of adiós.
According to our former Spanish teacher, usage of adiós is unadvisable in the Basque country because of its ...
8
votes
1answer
109 views
Indirect object and “le”
La madre le lava la cara a la niña.
In that sentence, why is the word "le" there? The sentence already has a indirect object ("a la niña"), but removing the "le" makes the sentence to sound ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
“xq” in Internet slang/abbreviations
In informal chat conversations online, I have seen Spanish speakers write the abbreviation "xq." What does this stand for, and why?
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"?
7
votes
4answers
1k views
What's the meaning of the expression “nada que ver”?
What's the meaning of the expression "nada que ver"?
In which countries is used?
Here are some examples:
Lo que dices no tiene nada que ver con lo que estamos discutiendo.
Conversation between ...
7
votes
4answers
160 views
Is/Was there a Basic Spanish?
There is a whole Wikipedia written in Basic English. This leads to the question if something similar exists for Spanish. Maybe a type of controlled language for teaching aboriginals a simplified ...
7
votes
6answers
173 views
What is the difference between “herramientas” and “útiles?”
My understanding is that they both mean "tools." But could they be references to different types of tools?
¿Cuál es la differencia entre "herramientas" y "útiles?"
Mi entendimiento es que ambos ...
7
votes
5answers
403 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, ...
7
votes
4answers
343 views
How did the words “mataburros” and “tumbaburros” come to mean “dictionary”?
The recent question about irregular plurals led me to a couple of odd and interesting words that apparently mean "dictionary" in at least one sense each:
mataburros
tumbaburros
The connection ...
7
votes
4answers
109 views
How to translate “open source” and “free software” and keep the distinction?
In English, when describing software you say "open source" to refer to software that's source code has been made available under a license.
"Free software" refers to 'truly free' software that can be ...
7
votes
3answers
533 views
Translation of “Welcome back!”
In English, if someone has been gone for a while and has recently returned, it's common to greet them by saying, "Welcome back!" (or "Welcome back from your trip!", etc). What is the most natural way ...
7
votes
3answers
129 views
Translation of “contact info”
What is the best way to say contact info in Spanish (as in a list of phone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses, etc. of a person or business)?
7
votes
5answers
159 views
¿Existen las palabras «nosotras» y «vosotras»?
¿Es posible usar nosotras o vosotras? Nunca las he oido, pero pienso que talvez son como ellas, pero para la primera persona y la segunda persona, respectivamente. Han oido ustedes estas palabras?
7
votes
2answers
160 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)?
