Questions tagged [vocabulario]

Significado de una palabra, discusión de su significado según el contexto o vocabulario específico sobre un tema. // Meaning of a word, discussion of its meaning according to context or specific vocabulary on a topic.

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51 votes
11 answers
56k views

Is there a difference between "español" and "castellano"? // ¿Hay alguna diferencia entre "español" y "castellano"?

I always thought the two could be used interchangeably (meaning "the Spanish language"). But I recently got into an argument with someone where they insisted there was a difference (although I didn't ...
Orion's user avatar
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40 votes
4 answers
4k views

Question words: "qué" versus "cuál"

English Often "qué" is translated to English as "what" and "cuál" is translated as "which." However, I know that this is not always the case. Here are some examples. (Please correct me if I am wrong.)...
Alan C's user avatar
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12 votes
5 answers
33k views

¿Cuál es la palabra para algo que no se sabe cómo decir?

En inglés para referirse a algo que no tiene nombre o que no se sabe cómo decirlo, tenemos varias palabras: thing --> What is that thing on the wall? thingy --> How does this thingy work? thingamajig ...
gnarlybracket's user avatar
15 votes
9 answers
2k views

Are there any words that have opposite regional meanings?

Following in the footsteps of EL&U, are there any words that have opposite meanings in different Spanish-speaking regions? We are looking for words that are the same, but have different meanings ...
10 votes
5 answers
1k views

How to say 'Does it come with...?' like at a restaurant

Today I was ordering at the local taqueria and I wanted to ask whether my meal came with chips. The verbatim translation would use the verb 'venir', something like "viene con chips", but this seems ...
ChocolateAndCheese's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
4k views

¿Qué empieza por la letra "F" y se parece a una bombilla?

Hace algunas semanas unos amigos nos prestaron su casa para pasar unos días. En la nevera, vi la chuleta de sonidos iniciales (supongo que alguno de los niños está aprendiendo español). La imagen de ...
Diego's user avatar
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4 votes
5 answers
13k views

Confused over "vacilar"

While browsing a few Spanish language forums today, I came across this: Un amigo y yo estábamos comentando sobre una foto de nosotros en facebook - de hace tiempo... Otro amigo pensaba que quizás ...
TheLearner's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
300 views

What repetitions similar to "mero mero" exist in Spanish? That is, repetition of a word to convey additional meaning

I love the phrase mero mero, meaning top banana (e.g. "No pierdas el tiempo, pide cita de una vez con el mero mero"). I have a vague idea I know some more phrases like this, with the same word ...
aparente001's user avatar
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23 votes
10 answers
19k views

What is the symbol "&" called in Spanish?

The symbol & is a representation of the Latin word et (see DPD, Appendix 4). Wikipedia claims that the symbol itself is called et; however, the DRAE's entry for et doesn't list the symbol as a ...
J. Calleja's user avatar
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21 votes
1 answer
43k views

¿Cuál es el origen de los nombres de los números?

¿De dónde vienen las palabras para nombrar a los números? En especial estoy interesado en el origen de las palabras 'once', 'doce', 'trece', 'catorce' y 'quince'. Usamos un sistema numérico de base ...
Alubeixu's user avatar
  • 311
21 votes
3 answers
22k 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?
jrdioko's user avatar
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16 votes
1 answer
9k views

Words for "East" and "West" in Spanish?

The words I learned when beginning Spanish for east and west are 'este' and 'oeste', which are basically cognates of their English equivalents. But I've been told that there are other words to denote ...
Tom Au's user avatar
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14 votes
6 answers
34k views

Determining gender of words ending in "e"

When learning Spanish, there are basic rules taught about word gender: words ending in o are usually masculine, words ending in a are usually feminine. What about words ending in e? Are there any ...
jrdioko's user avatar
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11 votes
8 answers
49k views

What are the 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 ...
Alfredo Osorio's user avatar
10 votes
5 answers
32k views

"Gafas" vs "anteojos" vs "lentes" vs "espejuelos" in Mexican Spanish

Four different words, same meaning. Both according to Wiktionary as well as Google Images. Which one's preferred in regular speech in Mexico? I don't want to know what official dictionaries or RAE say....
TheLearner's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Antiguo corte de pelo "valcarra"

El tratamento de los nuevos soldados en California por 1820 era, según José María Amador, así: Después de filiado el recluta le hacían tupé y valcarra. El tupé era que le afeitaban toda la mitad ...
Aaron Brick's user avatar
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6 votes
7 answers
11k views

What does "se trata de" mean?

In my reading, I've run across several forms of "se trata de", and dictionaries haven't been much help. For example: eran todos hombres libres y se trataba de un feudo feliz y prospero si ...
Tony's user avatar
  • 233
6 votes
1 answer
406 views

¿Por qué "hortera" es, en Madrid, el apodo del mancebo de ciertas tiendas de mercader?

Hortera es adj. despect. coloq. Vulgar y de mal gusto. Apl. a pers., u. t. c. s. f. Escudilla o cazuela de palo. m. En Madrid, apodo del mancebo de ciertas tiendas de mercader. ...
user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Usage of ora vs ahora

Extracto de Desde el tronco de un ombú Ora enseñando los blancos dientes o dilatando las narices ... Which is translated as: Now showing his white teeth and flaring nostrils ... Is "ora" a ...
numberwang's user avatar
5 votes
7 answers
36k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
632 views

Translating "to wind up (doing something)"

In informal English, we use the phrase "to wind up" to describe the final state of a situation, after all is said and done. For example: How did you wind up moving to Kansas after growing up in ...
jrdioko's user avatar
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4 votes
7 answers
746 views

Translating "each other's" in Spanish

I know there are several approximate ways to convey the sense of "each other" in Spanish, some of them being entre ellos, uno al otro, and even mutuamente. However, I am struggling to turn this ...
TheLearner's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
2k views

¿Tiniebla o Tinieblas?

Yo sé que tinieblas significa oscuridad o algo semejante. Mi pregunta es: ¿siempre se usa esa palabra en la forma plural? En mi diccionario también aparece tiniebla, pero nunca lo he escuchado de esa ...
gnarlybracket's user avatar
20 votes
7 answers
5k views

Translation of "bug" to Spanish

What is the best way to translate "bug", as in a misfeature of a computer program or device? Google translate offers a few options, none of which quite seem to fit, except the term itself: bug &...
Flimzy's user avatar
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18 votes
6 answers
49k views

What is the difference between allí and ahí ("there")?

English What is the difference between allí and ahí? Is there any difference in pronunciation between the two? Are there any contexts where one is correct and one is wrong, or are they completely ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
17 votes
11 answers
63k views

How might you say a child is "cute" in Spanish?

Suppose you see a mother with a laughing little 2-year-old. In English, we might exclaim, "how cute!" I've had trouble saying this in Spanish. The word "cute" means something like "beautiful", but it ...
Nathan Long's user avatar
16 votes
5 answers
3k 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 ...
Gordon Gustafson's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
3k 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?
Sergio Cinos's user avatar
  • 1,577
14 votes
9 answers
158k views

Congratulations: should I use "felicidades" or "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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
12 votes
2 answers
18k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
12 votes
4 answers
2k views

Meaning of "todito"

In the book Doña Perfecta, there is the dialogue: ¿Y viene mucho acá? Toditos los días. Nos acompaña mucho... What does "todito" mean? I have a few theories: The same as "todo". Less ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 253
12 votes
6 answers
30k views

"Plátano" and "banana", geographical differences?

I don't really speak Spanish, but I do know a few words and phrases here and there, and enjoy furthering what little knowledge I have. So, today I saw, in a Swedish newspaper, a reference to plantains ...
Christofer Ohlsson's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
126k views

What does it mean when a girl says "te quiero" in this context?

I've been... seeing this girl for about half a year. We're not officially together, but we're pretty playful and there's a lot of flirting. We like each other.. She speaks fluent english but is a ...
nzifnab's user avatar
  • 213
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

Correct terminology for male/female animals

How do I speak about my pet rats in Spanish? Firstly, do I understand correctly that "rata" means "rat" and "ratón" means "mouse"? I also realize that "rato" means "a short while," so does that mean ...
PaulL's user avatar
  • 211
11 votes
3 answers
37k views

What is the difference between "por siempre" and "para siempre" to say "forever"?

I have seen "forever" translated as both por siempre and para siempre. What is the difference? Are there contexts where you must use one or the other?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
11 votes
1 answer
921 views

Plural form of compound words

The plural form of compound words in Spanish is not an easy matter. If the compound word already has its final element in plural form, then the plural form is the same as the singular one: for example,...
Gonzalo Medina's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
5k views

¿Cómo se llama (por regiones) a las notas que se llevan escondidas para copiar en los exámenes?

Viendo los comentarios que los usuarios han ido aportando en ¿Por qué llamamos “chuleta” a las notas que se llevan para copiar en los exámenes? he decidido crear una pregunta para listar todas las ...
Diego's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
3k views

How should I discuss my wife's due date?

How do I tell people when my wife's due date is? I usually say something like "el bebé se debe nacer el cuatro de junio" but I don't know if that's the correct way to say it.
user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
4k views

"Escalpelo" vs. "bisturí"

Mientras visionaba un vídeo en inglés sobre restauración de cuadros, noté que el narrador utilizaba la palabra scalpel para referirse a lo que yo normalmente llamo "bisturí". Esto me hizo recordar que,...
user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
6k views

"Se" and "le" with "usted", but always "te" with "tú"

Why do we say te digo [a ti] / le digo [a usted] but no te preocupes [tú] / no se preocupe [usted] ? Aren't these equal in terms of grammar? If so, why with "tú" in both cases it's "te", but ...
bibat's user avatar
  • 91
9 votes
4 answers
734 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?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
9 votes
2 answers
6k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
8 votes
3 answers
31k views

¿Qué nombre recibe este sonido (o la acción de producirlo)?

¿Cómo se llama (si es que tiene un nombre) el sonido, grito o aullido de guerra que vemos en las películas que los indios nativos americanos hacen cuando van a entrar en combate (o están muy enojados ...
Diego's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
5k views

List of most commonly used Spanish words

When learning vocabulary in a new language, it is useful to focus on very commonly used words first. Are there any resources online (or in print) that give a list of the most frequently occurring ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
8 votes
2 answers
8k views

¿Cómo expresar "sympathy" o "condolence" en español?

Ya sé que esta pregunta es un poco general, así que voy a tratar de especificar: Digamos que un pariente de un amigo murió. ¿Cuáles son algunas palabras/frases que yo podría usar? ¿O que escribiría en ...
gnarlybracket's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
200 views

Let's take a relay bus ride through the world! What are some regional terms for 'bus' in Spanish?

Inspired by a recent question about jardineras (¿Por qué los autobuses de los aeropuertos se llaman "jardineras"?): Let's have a parade of buses from different regions. Add your ...
aparente001's user avatar
  • 10.7k
7 votes
3 answers
4k 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." ...
Ian Hunter's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
862 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.7k
6 votes
4 answers
3k views

Do Spanish speakers use the "¡(No) Hay moros en la costa!" expression?

I found this in Barron's Spanish-English dictionary and it piqued my interest: moro, –a I. adj (musulmán) Muslim II. m, f Muslim ser un ~ inf to be chauvinistic ¡hay ~s en la costa! fig ...
user avatar
6 votes
4 answers
10k views

Término que se refiere a definir una palabra utilizando la misma palabra

No recuerdo cómo se llama cuando en la definición de una palabra empleas el mismo término de modo que la definición queda vacía de contenido. ¿Alguien lo sabe? Ejemplo: ¿Qué es un instrumento? Un ...
dark_pajuva's user avatar