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:
"To be the milk! (Both to express positive and negative feelings)
“To have bad milk”- To be bad tempered
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.
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?
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”.
“¿Sabes a María?” or “¿Conoces a María?”
“¿Sabes Tailandia? or “¿Conoces Tailandia?”
After watching this video you won’t mistake the two again!
Feliz...
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?
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.
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.
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
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:
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”!
Literally, you can fry an egg in the street!
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...
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...
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!
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
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