The verb volar in Spanish means to fly or blow something up. However, in Costa Rica it is used with a series of idiomatic expressions.
For example:
Volar cuchillo – to work with a knife
Volar faja – to punish someone with a strap
Volar fuego – to light something with a match
Volar garrote
Because of the recent uproar about using the caja (The Costa Rican Department of Social Security – CCSS) I have included some terms that may assist non- Spanish speakers (angloparlantes) with Costa Rica’s medical maze.
Ahogarse or atragantarse – to choke
Amígdalas – tonsils
Amigdalitis – tonsilitis
Andadera –
¡Viva la Revolución! – Long live! ¡Viva la revolución!. Long live the revolution!
vivazo or vivo/a – a wise guy, sly person or someone who always tries to take advantage of other people.
vividor/a – a person who is a mooch, sponge or parasite who lives off other people
vivir – to live, experience or go through
Last week’s article covered the first half of the many uses of the verb “pasar.” The verb pasar can mean: to pass an object, to pass on (a bill), to transfer (property) and a lot more. Here are some more idiomatic uses of this verb.
El autobús pasa por mi casa – The bus goes by my house.
¡Cómo pasa el tiempo! –
The verb pasar can mean: to pass an object, to pass on (a bill), to transfer (property) and a lot more. Here are a few of the idiomatic uses of this verb.
¿me pasás la sal, por favor? Can you pass me the salt please?
Nos pasaron a otra habitación – They led us into another room.
Nos pasaron a ver el patrón –
