Welcome to the second of our two January 2019 Q and A videos! (The first one is here).

Below you will find all of the language notes and links for the video…

Question from James:

Como se dice “I’m getting rusty in something” in Spanish?

Answer:

Mi español está un poco oxidado – My Spanish is a bit rusty
Estoy un poco oxidado con la guitarra – I’m getting a bit rusty on the guitar

Question from Steve:

How do you train yourself to think in Spanish? I have lived in Madrid for over four years, and I still find myself translating at times, and this really slows me down. So when I am at a dinner party with lots of people shouting at the same time, I can never keep up and feel totally unable to join in the conversation. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

Answer:

It took Ben about 5 years to get over this hurdle and to be able to participate actively at loud dinner parties.

Actively try to think in Spanish and keep immersing yourself  in Spanish listening, via films, tv, podcasts, radio etc – fill your life with more Spanish than English.

Question from Ann:

I work in a school with a few English language learners whose first language is Spanish. I know there is another colloquial way to say “it’s your turn” besides “Es su turno.” It’s something like “le toca a ti” but is that grammatically correct?

Answer:

Te toca a ti (informal) / le toca a usted (formal, usted form in Spain) – but in a class the first would be more natural, in Spain at least.

Question part 2:

And, incidentally, do you have any suggested children’s songs that would be well known to Spanish-speaking children.

Answer:

For small kids… Al corro de la patata, Susanita tiene un ratón, El barquito chiquitito, Debajo de un botón. Or search in Youtube for “canciones de niños”.

Question from Anthea:

I have a question about the different ways of saying: I’d like to do this – tengo ganas de hacer esto – me gustaría hacer esto, I’d be pleased to do this – me alegra, me apetece, me encanta, estaría feliz … I know all these phrases exist but I don’t have much sense of the nuance of each, and sometimes wonder if I sound too eager, too formal … I wonder if you could put these various phrases in some order of intensity, or order of politeness, so I could use the right ones in the right context.

Answer:

First of all, the word nuance – in Spanish we say “matiz”, a lovely word.

“Me alegra” doesn’t work in this context, it’s more when you are happy about something, e.g. Me alegra mucho que te hayan dado el trabajo – I’m really happy they’ve given you the job.

Tengo ganas de ir al cine – I feel like going to the cinema
Me gustaría ir al cine – I’d like to go to the cinema
Me apetece ir al cine – I feel like going to the cinema

Estaría feliz de ir al cine – I wouldn’t mind going to the cinema, that would be OK

Me encanta ir al cine – I love going to the cinema (in general)
Me encantaría ir al cine – I’d love to go to the cinema

Question part 2:

Finally what’s the best way to say I’m looking forward to this?

Answer:

See our video on “Expressing enthusiasm and excitement in Spanish”

Question from Gill from New Zealand:

Can you suggest some good phrases for talking about your health, please. In English we have phrases like ‘under the weather’, ‘feeling lousy’, ‘a box of birds’ for feeling great (this might be a New Zealandism, I’m not sure.) Are there some great Spanish phrases you can suggest?

Answer:

Feeling bad…

Estoy pachucho/a – I feel a bit under the weather (not too ill)
No estoy muy católico/a – I’m not feeling great
Estoy hecho un trapo/estoy fatal – I’m felling really terrible

Feeling good…

Estoy pletórico – I’m really full of energy (Origin: Plétora, which means: ‘Exceso de sangre en el cuerpo’, or an abundance of something –  like plethora in English).
Estoy en plena forma – I’m feeling on top of the world
Estoy a tope – I’m really energetic, very active, doing lots of things at the moment

Thank you again to everyone that sent in questions! Make sure you listen to our Real Spanish podcasts and pick up the accompanying Spanish-boosting worksheets in our store!

Facebook: @notesinspanishofficial
Twitter: @notesinspanish
Instagram: @notesinspanish

Thanks once again to all of you who sent in questions this month!

Language Notes for the Video

Tener ganas

– ¿Qué te apetece? – What do you feel like/what do you fancy?
– ¿Qué te apetece comer hoy? – What do you feel like eating today?
– ¿De que tienes ganas? – What do you feel like (less common usage.)

– ¿Tienes ganas de ir al cine hoy? – Do you want to go to the cinema today?
– ¿Tienes ganas de comer algo? – Do you feel like eating something?
– ¿Tienes ganas de comer pollo? – Do you fancy some chicken?
– ¿Tienes ganas de comer algo de fruta? – Do you fancy some fruit?
– ¿Tienes ganas de dar un paseo? – Do you feel like taking a walk?
– ¿Tienes ganas de ir a la playa? – Do you feel like going to the beach?
– Tengo ganas de ir a la playa, ¿te vienes? – I feel like going to the beach, are you coming?

– Tengo ganas de ver a mi hermana – I’m excited about seeing my sister/I want to see my sister.
– Tengo muchas ganas de leer este libro – I really want to read this book.
– Tengo muchísimas ganas de ir a la fiesta esta noche – I really want to go to the party tonight.
– Tengo muchas ganas de irme de vacaciones – I really want to go on holiday.

Enhorabuena / Felicidades

Both words mean ‘congratulations’ and, except for birthdays when you would always use Felicidades, are mostly interchangeable for most events/occasions. Despite that, the most common uses of each word for each occasion would be:

– Los nacimientos (births) – Enhorabuena
– Los cumpleaños (birthdays) – Felicidades
– Las bodas (weddings) – Enhorabuena
– Las graduaciones (graduations) – Enhorabuena
– Las promociones (promotions) – Enhorabuena

Uses of Tardar for lateness

– Voy a tardar un poco más – I’m going to take a bit longer.
– Voy a tardar media hora en llegar – I’m going to take half an hour to get there.
– Me voy a retrasar 10 minutos – I’m going to be ten minutes late.
– Voy a llegar 10 minutos tarde – I’m going to be ten minutes late.
– ¿Cuánto vas a tardar en llegar? – How long are you going to take to get here?
– Voy a tardar una media hora/Tardaré una media hora – I’ll be half an hour.

Thanks again!

Un abrazo desde Madrid!

Ben y Marina

In today’s video we look at ways to express enthusiasm, excitement, and how to say you can’t wait for something in Spanish. Thanks Molly for the question!

Spanish words and phrases from the video:

Estupendo / genial /fantástico /maravilloso – Wow!

¡Qué lo pases muy bien! – Have a great time

¡Disfruta un montón! – I hope you really enjoy yourself

¡Qué sortudo! / ¡Qué suerte tienes! – Lucky you

No puedo esperar mas / estoy super impaciente – I can’t wait

Mañana me marcho a esquiar a los Alpes, estoy super impaciente – I’m going skiing in the Alps tomorrow, I can’t wait!

No puedo esperar, este viernes es mi último día de trabajo antes de las vacaciones – I can’t wait, this Friday is my last day of work before the holidays

Estoy emocionado – I’m so excited

Estoy muy emocionado porque esta tarde me dan mi coche nuevo – I’m really excited because this afternoon they are giving me my new car

Tengo muchas ganas de… – I’m looking forward to…

Tengo muchas ganas de verte – I’m really looking forward to seeing you

Tengo muchas ganas de que nos vayamos de excursión – I’m really looking forward to the outing

Thanks for the question Molly!

In today’s video we look at Christmas holiday greetings in Spanish. Here’s all the great vocab and Spanish Christmas phrases from the video:

Feliz navidad y prospero año nuevo – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (more formal, for writing in a Christmas card)
Feliz navidad – Happy Christmas
Feliz año nuevo – Happy New Year
Que lo pases muy bien estas navidades – Have a wonderful time this Christmas
Que lo pases muy bien estas vacaciones – Have a fantastic holiday
Te deseo unas vacaciones llenas de paz y alegría – May your holidays be filled with peace and joy
Te deseo lo mejor en estas vacaciones – I hope you have a wonderful holiday

We also have many podcasts for all levels that cover Spanish Christmas!

Thanks to Bruce for asking this question!

Un abrazo desde Madrid!

Ben y Marina

In today’s video we look at the many uses of the Spanish verb Echar. Watch the video, and download this super, free PDF that accompanies it, which includes all the uses and example phrases with Echar from the video, and more!

Click here to download the free Echar PDF now

Thanks to all of you who sent in questions this month.

Language Notes for the Video

Question 1 – Spanish for ‘What’s the point?’

Mi nombre es Randi. Mi pregunta es: ¿Cómo decir “What´s the point” en español? Por ejemplo: What´s the point in doing that?

Simple answer – ¿Para qué?

Here’s an example: Voy a pedir una subida a mi jefe – I’m going to ask my boss for a raise.

Answer 1. ¿Para qué? – What’s the point?
Answer 2. Total, para lo que te va a servir – Right, for all the good it’s going to do you (much more ironic.)

Question 2 – Useful words for vegetarians in Spanish:

David – my question is part language/part cultural: how, as a vegetarian, should I deal with being given meat-based tapas without appearing rude or ungrateful? I was recently in Granada and felt uncomfortable sending the tapas back.

Answer 1. Muchas gracias, te importaría cambiarme la tapa por una que no tenga carne? Soy vegetariano. – Thank you, would you mind changing it for a tapa that doesn’t have meat? I’m vegetarian.

Answer 2. Culturally . it’s fine! The Spanish always send stuff back! You can’t be too British about it!

To confirm something is vegetarian on a Spanish menu:

Perdona. ¿Este plato tiene carne, pescado o embutido? Es que soy vegetariano – Excuse me, does this dish include meat, fish or cured meat (e.g. chorizo, cured ham)?

Question 3 – Christmas words in Spanish:

Marcus – I have a question regarding the word “navideño”. I saw this word on a poster several years ago, but I rarely see this word used when I read Christmas-related articles in Spanish. I know that people say “árbol de Navidad” for “Christmas tree”, “canciones de Navidad” for “Christmas songs”, “época de Navidad” for “Christmas time”, “regalos de Navidad” for “Christmas presents/gifts”, so when would you actually use “navideño”? Could I instead say:

– árbol navideño – no, this is not common
– canciones navideñas – yes, this is fine
– época navideña – yes, this is fine
– se acerca la época navideña – yes, this is fine

Would it be correct to say this? – Me encanta la época de Navidad, el amor está en el aire y todas las casas de mi ciudad están adornadas con cosas navideñas. – Yes, perfect!

Here are a few more:
7 curiosidades navideñas – the name of a podcast we are releasing soon!
Este mantel es muy navideño – this table cloth is very Christmassy.
Hay un ambiente muy navideño en la plaza mayor – There is a real Christmas atmosphere in the Plaza Mayor.

Question 4 – How to use ‘A flor de piel’.

Marcus – Last month I came across an interesting expression: a flor de piel. If I remember the sentence correctly it went like this: Un día vas a despertar con la nostalgia a flor de piel. Are there any other examples you could give me to correctly use this expression?

Tiene los nervios a flor de piel, mejor que le dejes tranquila – She’s on the edge of her nerves, you better leave her in peace.

Tiene las emociones a flor de piel – Her emotions are just under the surface

Question 5 – using ‘hombre’ in Spanish.

Gill from New Zealand – In the episode about scooters in Madrid, Marina said to Ben, ‘Hombre, tampoco te pases.’ What does that mean, and when would you use it?

Ben said he used to walk across half the city to work, a big exaggeration.

Hombre is used as a filler word, for men or women. It has different meanings.
In this case it means ‘come on’, ‘yeah right’.

Tampoco te pases – don’t exagerate

Hombre Can also mean ‘well…’ for example:

– No seria mas fácil para ti ir a San Sebastián en el tren?
– Hombre, no lo había pensado.

Thanks again to all you who sent in questions this month!

The other Q and A videos from this month:

Seasonal Christmas Holiday Greetings in Spanish

The Mighty Echar! Super Useful Spanish Verb

Un abrazo desde Madrid!

Ben y Marina

Today’s video is connected to our Notes in Spanish Conversations podcast, La Vendimia. The first part of the video is in English, and from 4m50s we only speak Spanish – hopefully the first half of the video will prepare you for that.

In today’s video we look at words that use -azo or -aza to add emphasis, using these words will make you sound very good at very real Spanish.

Words and phrases from the video:

Un marronazo – a real pain in the neck, a nightmare
Un marranazo – a big pig
Eres un guarro – you are a real pig
Que gustazo, que bien se está al sol – how lovely, how nice it is to be out in the sun
Un cochazo – A big or impressive car
Que cochazo te has comprado – what a big car you have bought
Un perrazo – A big dog
Menudo perrazo se me ha echado encima hoy – What a huge dog jumped up on me today
Una madraza – An incredible mum
Que madraza – What a mum!
Un padrazo – A fantastic dad
Es un padrazo – he’s a really amazing dad
Un puñetazo – A thump
Mama, me ha dado un puñetazo – Mum, he just thumped me
Un portazo – A door slam
No des un portazo – Don’t slam the door
Pedazo – A portion
Que pedazo de casa te has comprado – What an incredible/enormous house you’ve bought
Ese hombre tiene un pedazo de nariz – That man has an enormous nose
Pedazo de video que acabamos de hacer – what a fantastic video we’ve just made

Other examples of the suffix -azo to add emphasis:

Tener morrazo – to be very cheeky
Mi hermana tiene un morrazo, nunca ayuda en casa – My sister is very cheeky, she never helps at home
Un golpazo – whack, crash
Me he dado un golpazo con el coche – I’ve really pranged the car
Un currazo – A big piece of work (from curro, which is slang for work)
He hecho un currazo en casa hoy, he limpiado la cocina a fondo – I’ve done a massive amount of work at home today, I’ve cleaned every inch of the kitchen.

Vocab from this video:

Está en Babia, Está en las nubes, Está en su mundo, Está despistado – All mean: she/he is lost in his own thoughts, she/he’s in a dream

Es un despistado – she/he’s a dreamy person

Ha perdido el norte – she/he’s a bit lost

Big News! Notes in Spanish Conversations and The Real Spanish Archives report!

On Monday November 5th (this coming Monday!) we release the first episode of our new, weekly, Notes in Spanish Conversations podcast.

UPDATE! It’s available now here!

PLUS, we’ll be letting all our listeners know about a very special way to support our work, and how to get hold of the 18 page Real Spanish Archives report mentioned in the video – it’s great for ALL levels, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

How can I get the Real Spanish Archives report?

Stay tuned to our newsletter (you can sign up via this page if you haven’t already, and we’ll let you know first thing on Monday about how to get the report, how to listen to the new audios, and how to get the new transcripts. Not long now!

Who is the new ‘Notes in Spanish Conversations’ podcast for?

Advanced and Inspired intermediate listeners – If you are Advanced, these audios and the transcripts will help keep you at the highest level. If you are a higher level and Inspired Intermediate listener, the transcripts will help you get a LOT out of the new audios.

What will be in the transcripts?

These new transcripts include a full transcript of our conversation, and a special list we call ‘Real Essential Spanish’, where we pick out the most important real Spanish words and phrases from our conversation, what we feel you really need to know whatever your level.

How can I get the weekly transcripts?

We’ll let you know on Monday – we’re using a new system that will easily deliver the new transcripts for you week by week, to coincide with the new audios every Monday. So stay tuned! Whatever your level! All will be revealed on Monday!

UPDATE! It’s all available now here!