Looking to sound like a true Spaniard? Then learning some colloquial expressions will definitely help you get there.

And today I’m bringing you some of the funniest ones… to do with milk!! 

Yes, I know it’s a bit odd, but us Spaniards seem to be obsessed with milk and the word “leche” means much more than just milk in Spain. In fact, there's a whole range of milk-related phrases that are commonly used every day with very different meanings!

Let’s look at 4 of the most used ones:

Ser la leche

"To be the milk! (Both to express positive and negative feelings)

• Ana es la leche, acaba de montar su propia empresa (Ana is amazing, she’s just launched her own business)
• Mi hermano es la leche, ha llegado tardísimo y ha perdido el avión (My brother is a pain, he arrived really late and missed the plane)

Tener mala leche

 “To have bad milk”- To be bad tempered

• Madre mía, ¡qué mala leche...

“Ser” and “estar” are certainly one of the trickiest verb pairs in Spanish and distinguishing between them and their uses can be a major challenge.

In a previous video and post I explained a very simple way for when to use each of them without endless lists to remember and with no exceptions! Really, is that possible? you may say…

Yes, I promise. You can watch it here.

But sometimes the meaning of a sentence completely changes depending on which of these verbs are used!

For example, if you’re talking about wine, saying “este vino es bueno” and “este vino está bueno” means different things.  

Do you know what the difference is?

In today’s video, we explain these and other very useful examples where using “ser” or “estar” changes the meaning completely!

"Ser" and "Estar" are very important verbs in Spanish and are constantly used in everyday situations and learning how and when...

Do you find it confusing knowing when to use “saber” and when to use “conocer”? Do you often choose one, but are not really sure if it’s the right one?

 

If the answer is yes... then you’re definitely not alone!

This is one of the most common mistakes that I hear all the time and one of the questions that I get asked frequently. And it is totally understandable, because in English there’s only one verb “to know”, for both “saber” and “conocer”.

 

So, is it...

“¿Sabes a María?” or “¿Conoces a María?” 

“¿Sabes Tailandia? or “¿Conoces Tailandia?”

 

Mmmm

 

Find out in this video, where we explain in a quick and simple way when to use “saber” or “conocer” so you get immediate clarity. 

 

After watching this video you won’t mistake the two again!

Feliz...

Something that people often want to improve is learning more expressions, sayings and vocabulary, particularly at an intermediate level and beyond.

 

Because understanding the expressions and key words that you come across is crucial in building your confidence and competence so you’re not lost in the conversation and can quickly work out what’s being said and respond appropriately.

 

So, my question for today is... have you heard the word “vuelta” many times, but you’re not quite sure if you understand what it means because you’ve heard it in very different situations?

 

If the answer is yes, today's video will definitely bring you some clarity.

 

Vuelta comes from the verb “volver”, to return and the root meaning is associated with that. However, the word “vuelta” is part of different expressions which are very popular and the meaning is not so straight forward.

 

We explain it all in...

Now that the clocks have changed and the dark nights have returned... 

¡Hay que abrigarse! - “we need to wrap up!”. “Abrigarse” from “abrigo”- coat

It is the perfect time to have a “plan de sofá y manta” (Spanish expression for being cosy at home, literally "sofa and blanket plan!") and learn some Spanish.

Today we want to share with you a very popular video from our beginners course Connect that covers how to talk about the weather because... who doesn’t like to talk about the weather! 

It includes all of the vocabulary and expressions that you need to feel confident with this topic.

Many people find some of the words and expressions related to the weather in Spanish a bit challenging as they are constructed differently in English. But in this video we break it down so it’s easy to digest and I'm sure you’ll find it very useful.

This is a fantastic topic that can...

Today, I'm very honoured to be interviewed by Lola Gamboa, from Educación digital.

In her podcast "Hoy es un buen día" we discuss how Your Spanish Dreams was born, what made us take the plunge and how we help people speak Spanish so they can integrate with their families and friends in Spain. 

We share our personal experiences learning other languages and how to make it a successful and enyojable experience. We also cover some of the reasons for being blocked with the language ... and how the situation can be completely turned around!

Hit play to discover more:

  

I hope you enjoy it as much I enjoyed recording it!

Access our free course 4 steps to Spanish success

Join the waiting list for our beginner's programme Connect

Find out more about working 1-to-1 with me

¡Qué calor! - It's so hot!

Here in the UK we are going through a few days of very hot weather and we are delighted! It certainly makes us feel closer to Spain, enjoying the long warm evenings outdoors… Bliss!

 In Spanish, we have many expressions related to the heat. Here are 5 cool ones that you can practice straight away: 

1. Sudar como un pollo 

Literally, “to sweat like a chicken”! This expression comes from chickens being slowly roasted and releasing all the juices... So, if you’re feeling really hot and sweaty you can say “estoy sudando como un pollo”!

 

2. ¡Se puede freir un huevo en la calle!

Literally, you can fry an egg in the street!

 

3. Estar aplatanado 

To be “like a banana”, meaning to have no energy, to feel lethargic. So, if you were walking along in the middle of a very hot afternoon all hunched over with the sun beating down on your neck, you’ll likely feel...

Knowing when to use “ser” and “estar” in Spanish can be confusing for most learners at different stages.

And traditional learning doesn’t help with the long lists of cases and examples for using one or the other.

However, there is a very simple way to know which to use… And it’s definitely NOT the permanent vs. temporary “rule” which is not reliable and causes serious confusion further down the line as I explain in today’s video. 

So, no more memorising long lists of complex and confusing categories for when to use one or the other, but rather understanding what each of them really describes.

When we understand this, we can feel confident that we are going to choose the right one! 

Watch the video and finally get to know when to use “ser” and “estar with ease.

Enjoy!

Cristina

P.S. Are there still examples where you’re not sure why one is used and not the other? Let us know and we’ll...

Learning to conjugate verbs in Spanish, in particular the irregular ones, is a common difficulty amongst learners of Spanish. And, to be perfectly honest, I can understand it because it’s very different from English and can seem daunting at first.

However, there are ways in which we can make it easier…

In this video, I reveal 3 top tips on how to approach verbs and conjugations, especially irregular ones so you can learn them quicker

We explore this topic in much more depth in our beginners programme Connect, our 12 week coaching programme that takes you from zero (or very little Spanish) to having your first converstations with Spanish speakers.

We help you build the language (and your confidence!) step-by-step as we break it all down into

The course is not always open, but you can contact us to register your interest and you’ll be the first one to know when we start a new edition. Places are limited!

 

Do you know how to roll your tongue to make the strong “rr” in Spanish? This is one of the most difficult sounds to produce initially for many learners.

Watch this video where Cristina shows you 3 easy steps and a simple technique (which you may already know without realising!) on how to roll your tongue and apply to Spanish words. 

There are also great examples to practice which are going to help you master this sound muy rrrápido!

Let us know how you get on with your practice

¡Hasta pronto!

Pete & Cristina