Category Archives: Vocabulary

Language is more than just a means of communication. It influences our culture and even our thought processes. The idea of give readers a large dose of vocabulary is to improve their comprehension, ability to communicate better and learn idiomatic Spanish.

Happy and Sad

April 29, 2014VocabularyChristopher Howard

Happy (contento/a, feliz and alegre)

Brincar de una pata literally means to hop on one foot or jumping with joy.
Como niño con juguete nuevo is as happy as a child with a new toy. We also say como niño con zapatos nuevos which means like a child with a new pair

To go on a binge

April 16, 2014VocabularyChristopher Howard

Entandarse is to go on a binge. We also say Irse de tanda or Irse de juerga.
Estar a la sombra is to be in jail.
Fiebrazo is a fanatic of soccer or anything else.
Hasta los dientes de algo means to have a lot of something

Un puro chingue

March 25, 2014VocabularyChristopher Howard

Alborotar el panal is to cause an uproar or get someone angry. It Literally means to get the bees or wasps upset.
Basurear is to talk trash to someone or insult them. This expression is often used in sports when one player tries to upset another with colorful language.
Chingue

A hairy experience

February 17, 2014VocabularyChristopher Howard

Con pelos y señales – with all of the detail. Me escribieron con pelos y señales. They wrote me with all of the details.
Dejarle a uno en pelo – to leave someone penniless
Escaparse por un pelo – to have a close call
Hombre de pelo en pecho

More Spanish for those who want to talk like ticos

February 9, 2014VocabularyChristopher Howard

Chuchear – to stab with a knife
Echar patas – to get stolen or robbed. El carro echó patas. The car got robbed.
Gallo viejo con ala mata – there is nothing like having experience gained over the years
Guate – short for Guatemala
Irse de pollo