Here’s all the fun Spanish slang and cool phrases from today’s video:

Estoy pletórico – I’m full of life, full of energy

He empezado el día con buen pie – I’ve started the day very well/happily

He empezado el día con el pie izquierdo – I got out on the wrong side of the bed

Dime donde enchufo la pasta – Tell me where to send the money

Está como una cabra – She’s acting crazy, she’s really flustered

Estoy como una cabra, he perdido las llaves  – I’m going crazy, I’ve lost my keys

Ha perdido el norte – She’s in a real state

He perdido la cabeza – I’m in a real fluster, in a real state

More cool Spanish like this!

There is plenty more cool Spanish like this in all our free Spanish-learning audios! We also highlight this type of phrase specifically in the worksheets for each level (available in our store).

In today’s video we look at the verb LLevar! Get the report and check out the extra phrases in this post:

Download the special free llevar report:
PDF Download link: Totally Understanding Llevar PDF

All the other llevar phrases used in the video (not all are in the PDF!):

Llevarse bien/mal – To get on well or badly with someone
Llevarse como el perro y el gato – Te get on terribly with someone
Me llevo muy bien con mi vecina – I get on really well with my neighbour
Me llevo fatal con mi tío – I get on terribly with my uncle
Mis niños se llevan como el perro y el gato – My kids fight like cats and dogs
Llevarse un buen recuerdo – To have a great memory of something
Me llevo muy buen recuerdo de mi visita a Paris – I have great memories of my trip to Paris
Llevar encima – To carry something with you
¿Llevas el pasaporte encima? – Have you got your passport with you?
¿Llevas el movíl encima? – Have you got your mobile with you?
Lo llevo en modo avion – It’s in aeroplane mode
Llevo una vida de locos – My life is crazy
Llevarse un susto – To get a big shock
Tuve un accidente y me llevé un buen susto – I had an accident and I got a really big shock
Llevarse un premio – To win a prize
He escrito un libro sobre como sobrevivir el siglo 21 y me he llevado un premio – I wrote a book about how to survive the 21st century and I won a prize.

In today’s video we discuss the word ‘ya’, a super useful Spanish word that is incredibly common in day-to-day conversation in Spanish. You can start using it more too!

Notes from the video:

1,2,3…  ¡Ya! – 1,2,3, Go!

Ha subido el precio del café – ¡Ya te digo! – The price of coffee has gone up – You’re right there!

Si le estoy haciendo cosquillas… – ¡Basta ya! – If I’m tickling Marina. Stop it!

Ya que estás aquí, ¿me puedes arreglar la lámpara por favor? – Seeing as you are here, can you fix the light for me please?

¿Estás ya? ¡Ya Voy! – Are you ready to go yet? I’m coming!

¿Cuando comemos? – ¡Ya! – When are we going to eat? Now!

¡Comemos Ya! – It’s time to eat!

Están pasando una situación difícil… Ya…  – They are having a tough time… I know…

¿Estás ya? Ya estoy – Are you ready yet? I’m ready.

¿Has hecho tus deberes? ¡Ya está! – Have you done your homework? It’s done!

¡Ya me levanto! – I’m getting up! Really!

¡Venga ya! No me cuentes tonterías – Come on, don’t talk nonsense.

Y luego ya – And finally…

Vamos a comer, luego vamos a hacer las compras, y luego ya vamos a casa – We are going to eat, then we are going to go shopping, and finally/after that we’ll go home.

Queridos amigos,

We’ve got another great Notes in Spanish video for you below, this time connected with food and pronunciation. Either watch the video through once first to see if you understand it all, or if you would like some help, see the context and language notes below first:

Language notes and context:

In this video we discuss the word ‘un manjar’, which means a food which is really special, or a real delicacy, in this case a German blue cheese that Ben bought after not having had any for a long time. We discuss what is a ‘manjar’ for us, and go on to say that Ben learnt the word from his friend Jorge, who only just recently, after about 4 years, taught me to pronounce his name correctly.

Here are some useful phrases from the video:

Un queso exquisito – A delicious cheese
Un queso azul – A blue cheese
(Un queso) que llevábamos sin tomar como ocho años – (A cheese) that we hadn’t eaten for about 8 years
Tengo un manjar – I’ve got a real delicacy
Unas gambas blancas de Huelva a la plancha – Grilled white prawns from Huelva
Me suena árabe, de origen árabe – It sounds arabic to me, of arabic origin
Dices mi nombre mal – You say my name wrong
Estaría el muy orgulloso – He would be very proud
Tiene un sentido del humor muy interesante – he’s got a very interesting sense of humour.

¿Cuál es tu manjar favorito?

Remember! Our new Advanced 2 audios have started! Listen to episode 1 now!

Un abrazo,

Ben y Marina

Queridos amigos,

¡Tenemos un video nuevo para vosotros!

Watch the video and check out all the real Spanish vocab and phrases we’ve selected from it below. (This is real speed conversation, so don’t worry if it’s tricky if you are a beginner!)

In this video Marina and Ben discuss the effect of the changing of the clocks at the end of March and the arrival of the best weather of the year, which lasts from here until full-on summer arrives.

Useful real Spanish phrases in the video:

Hace un día estupendo – it’s a glorious day

Marina, ¿Qué me cuentas? – Marina, what’s new?

Acaba de llegar la primavera – Spring has just arrived

Escuchando los pajaritos – Listening to the little birds

Hay una cosa que nos ha costado bastante, ¿verdad? – One thing has been really hard for us, hasn’t it?

El cambio de hora – The changing of the clocks

Ahora ajustarte a levantarte a la hora, ¡ay que difícil! – Now to get used to getting up at the right time, wow it’s really difficult!

Ben me ha llamado, “¡vente que estoy fuera!” – Ben called to say “I’m out in the street, come and join me!”

Hay que disfrutar a tope de estos meses – You have to really enjoy these months as much as possible.

Questions related to the video

Feel free to answer in the comments below:

¿Qué tal lleváis el cambio de hora? – How has the clock change been for you?

¿Cuál es tu palabra favorita en el espanglish? –  What’s your favourite Spanglish word?

First the joke!

Un inglés pregunta a uno de Málaga:
-Please, to Antequera?
-Ante arbañí, ahora toy en paro y cojo caracole…

If you don’t get the joke above, don’t worry! Here’s the explanantion:

It’s a play on the heavy Andalusian accent in those parts. While the English guy is asking the way to Antequera, the local guy thinks he’s saying ¿Tu, antes que eras? – What did you used to do?

To which the local replies in his heavy accent, -Ante arbañí, ahora toy en paro y cojo caracole… – which without the accent would read, -Antes albañil, ahora estoy en paro y cojo caracoles… – Before I was a builder, and now I’m unemployed and collect snails.

If you want to hear more about Spanish jokes, check out Advanced Podcast 57, on Lepe Jokes!

And now the video! If you enjoyed last week’s video from Bangkok, here’s another classic related video from our archives, from Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand! Again, it’s from 2007, pre-HD video days!

Feel free to share these resources with your Spanish learning friends!

In 2007 Marina and I travelled to the other side of the world… to bring you more great Spanish video! It’s pre-HD video days, hence the ‘old-school’ video quality!

Get More! How about…

Did you see our newest video, the fun Spanish Fruit and Vegetables Quiz?

Are you still working your way through our Real Spanish Conversations?

…and if you enjoyed this video, please feel free to share it with Spanish learning friends!

Context

In our latest Spanish learning video (with real Spanish conversation followed by analysis in English!) Ben and Marina discuss the heat in Madrid, summer holiday plans, and what challenges they have lined up for the summer.

Vocab and phrases from the ‘Analysis’ section

¿Qué tal? – How are you?
…Muy bien – Fine
…Regular – So so/not great
…Estamos fatal – We are a complete mess
Todo el mundo tiene insomnio – Everyone has insomnia
El fin de semana que viene prometen 37 o 38 grados – This weekend we can expect 37 or 38 degrees
La fiesta de esta noche promete – I think it’s going to be a great party tonight
La fiesta promete – The party looks like it’s going to be really good
Vamos a viajar a la Selva Negra que me hace mucha ilusión – We are going to go down to the Black Forest which I’m really excited about
A mi me hace mucha ilusión pasar por Suiza – I’m really excited about going through Switzerland
Tienes algún reto para las vacaciones – Do you have any goals /challenges for the holidays?
Descansar y pasármelo bien – Relax and have a good time
Pásatelo bien – Have a good time
Bloc para esbozo – Sketch pad
Bloc – Notepad
Leeré a ratitos – I’m going to read in short bursts

More Great Spanish Learning Resources…

– Learn Spanish with our best materials: Our free Spanish Learning Audio / Podcasts and the Premium Materials in our Store
– Watch more of our Spanish learning videos here
– Sign up for our Spanish-boosting newsletter here

Context

Ben and Marina take a trip to one of their favourite spots in Madrid, the Museo de Sorolla, the green city home of one of Spain’s least known, but most loved painters. Like our video from Monday on Spanish table manners, the second half includes key analysis in English again!

Vocab and phrases from the ‘Analysis’ section

En pleno centro (de Madrid) – Right in the middle (of Madrid)
Se desnudó en plena calle – He took his clothes off right in the middle of the street
Qué gozada – How fantastic
Qué gozada bañarte en el mar – What a joy to swim in the sea
Están hechos en estilo arabesco – They are made in the Moorish style
Le gustaba retratar escenas cotidianas – He liked to paint everyday scenes
En mi vida cotidiana – In my everyday life
Retratos – Portraits
Voy a pintar un retrato – I’m going to paint a portrait
Su obra era caracteristica por la luz y lo llaman el luminismo – His body of work was characteristic for its use of light, they call it ‘luminismo’

Get More Spanish Inspiration!

Gold 2, mentioned in the video, is available here
Watch more of our Spanish learning videos here
Sign up for our Spanish-boosting newsletter here

Context

More fun Spanish learning video from Ben and Marina! We look at the different customs at the Spanish dining table, and Spanish superstitions involving the salt! Do listen to the second half analysis in English to get the most from the video.

Vocab and phrases from the ‘Analysis’ section

No se usa la servilleta – Serviettes aren’t generally used (in the UK)
En España se come mucha ensalada – A lot of salad is eaten in Spain
Otra cosa que se suele ver en la mesa española es una aceitera – Another thing you tend to see on the Spanish table is an olive oil bottle
Me resulta un poco violento pedirles una servilleta – I feel a bit uncomfortable asking them for a serviette
Cuando yo pongo la mesa – When I set the table
Soy un chapuza(s) – I don’t do things properly/I do things in half measures
Hacer chapuzas – To do some DIY
Hacerlo de manera chapuza – To do it not very well

More Great Spanish Learning Resources…

Gold 2, mentioned in the video, is available here
Watch more of our Spanish learning videos here
Sign up for our Spanish-boosting newsletter here

Can’t see the video here? You can see it direct at youtube.com here

Context

Another great Spanish learning video! Ben and Marina tell a quick story about why the Spanish never send ‘thanks’ a few days after a lunch/party etc, and why Ben is a ‘paleto’! Plus we thank all of you that have signed up for Gold Season Two on the first day!

Vocab and phrases from the ‘Analysis’ section

Eres un poco paleto – You are a bit of a country bumpkin
Despiste – Absent-minded
Soy un poco despistado – I’m a bit absent-minded
Mi cuñada – My sister-in-law
Yerno – Son-in-law
Nuera – Daughter-in-law
Aqui hay tomate – There’s some juicy stuff to talk about here!

Muchas gracias once more to everyone that has joined us already in Gold Season Two!

Update: the above-mentioned Gold Season Two is now available as a complete season pack in our store:

Get the Gold Season Two Complete Pack Here.

Can’t see the video here? You can see it direct at youtube.com here

Context

Ben and Marina head off to the Puerta del Sol and find some things have changed!

Vocab and phrases from the ‘Analysis’ section

Han hecho obras en la plaza – They’ve done some work on the Plaza
No hay bancos – There are no benches
El gordo de navidad – The Spanish Christmas lottery
…donde supongo que habra caido algun premio importante – where I think a big prize must have been awarded
El estatua del oso y del madroño – The statue of the bear and the strawberry tree
Un punto de comienzo de las manifestaciones – A starting point for demonstrations
La puerta del sol también aloja el kilometro zero – The Puerta del Sol is home to ‘Kilometer Zero’
Tanto turismo a mi me agota – So much tourism exhausts me
Agotarse – To become worn out
Bacalao rebozado – Battered cod
Está que te mueres – It’s delicious

If you are interested in finding out when Gold Season Two (as mentioned in the video) is next open to the public, please make sure you are signed up for our newsletter, via the form at the top of the right hand column of this page.

Update: the above-mentioned Gold Season Two is now available as a complete season pack in our store:

Get the Gold Season Two Complete Pack Here.

Saludos desde Madrid,

Ben y Marina

Context: Ben and Marina discuss how they get organic food and vegetables delivered to their house, and how the Spanish drink a lot more alcohol-free beer than the British.

Click Here To Get the FANTASTIC Super Simple Spanish Subjunctive Rule Book Mentioned In The Video!

Useful Vocab from the Video

Fruta y verdura biológica / ecológica – Organic fruit and vegetables
Sabe buenísima – It tastes great
Potitos – Pots of baby food
¡Qué rollo! – What a pain/how boring!
Mega rollo – Mega-sized paper roll
En Inglaterra no esta muy bien visto – It’s not well thought of in England (drinking alcohol free beer)
Todo el cultivo es local – It’s all grown locally
Nos lo traen a casa – They deliver it to our house

Click Here To Get the AMAZING Super Simple Spanish Subjunctive Rule Book Mentioned In The Video!

Eleven years ago I learned a secret way of thinking about the Spanish subjunctive that changed my Spanish-learning life! It’s right here in this video:

We recently made this video to help introduce some new friends to Notes in Spanish, but really wanted to share it here too so everyone can benefit from it now. We hope you enjoy it, feel free to leave a comment!

Context: This is the story of how Marina and Ben met, over 10 years ago, here in Madrid. Look below for lots of useful vocabulary from the video! We hope you enjoy it!

Useful Vocab from the video:

Un intercambio – a language exchange

Quedar – to meet (Quedábamos – we used to meet)

Daba clases de inglés – I used to teach English

Una cita a ciegas… con excusa… – A blind date… with an excuse

Hola, ¿qué me cuentas? – What’s up, how are you?

Cuidado, porque ¡mira hasta donde puedes llegar! – Watch out, because look how far you can end up going!

Remember: Make the most of the 36 plus hours of free audio here at Notes in Spanish, and pick up the worksheets if you need a hand!

Ben and Marina are doing an ’80/20′ clean up at home, and have found a great place to get give away some old books…

Watch the video, use the vocab below for a helping hand if you need it, and see if you can answer the two questions at the bottom!

Useful vocab from the video:

No tenemos hueco en las estanterías – we haven’t got room on the shelves

Ben ha metido la pata – Ben has put his foot in it/made a big mistake!

Biblioteca pública – Public library

Me parecía un poco rollo – I found it a bit boring

Asomarse – to glance at, take a quick look at

And now, a couple of questions about the video!

¿Porqué dice Marina que Ben ha metido la pata?

¿Quién, segun las sospechas de Ben y Marina, suele llevarse los libros, y porqué?

Answers in the first comment below! And do leave a comment about the video if you like!

Dejadnos un comentario: ¿Qué tal tus vacaciones? ¿Qué has hecho este verano?

Some useful vocab from the video:

¡Cuanto tiempo! – It’s been a while! / Long time no see!

Acabamos de volver de vacaciones – We’ve just got back from holiday (acabar de + verb – to have just done something)

Descanso total – Total relaxation

Ballenas (f) – Whales

Ya nos toca trabajar – It’s time to get back to work!

UPDATE: WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Thanks to all who voted! The winners are, First place: Scott 34% (322 votes); Second Place: Ana 31% (293 votes); Third Place: Pippa 16% (149 votes). Congratulations! I’ll be contacting you today! (And well done to the runners up, who also had great videos!)

Original post…

Marina and I have picked the finalists in our Notes in Spanish Video Competition! It was a very very tough job to pick 5 from all the wonderful videos we recieved. We haven’t been able to reply personally to everyone that entered (or we’d be here all week!) but we want to thank you all again for taking the time to participate – we really enjoyed your videos!

Please take a minute to watch all 5 of the short finalist videos below, and then vote for the one you like most using the special poll under the last video. The voting ends this Thursday July 9th at midnight, and we’ll award prizes (top prize 150 dollar Amazon voucher and more goodies!) to those three lucky winners with the highest number of votes on Friday 10th.

Here are the videos!

Finalist Number 1! Ana: WINNER 2ND PLACE!

Finalist Number 2! Pippa: WINNER 3RD PLACE!

Finalist Number 3! Patrick:

Finalist Number 4! Kjersti:

Finalist Number 5! Scott: WINNER 1ST PLACE!

Here’s the poll. Wathced all the videos? VOTE NOW!!

Muchas gracias! Ben y Marina

Keep boosting your Spanish with our audio!!

In today’s video, in honour of World Environment Day, Marina brings us up-to-date (nos pone al día) on the ‘Bosque Notes in Spanish’, the Notes in Spanish Forest, which has now been planted, with your help, by the charity FAPAS in Asturias, Northern Spain.

You may remember that the 120 cherry trees, donated by Notes in Spanish using a percentage of the profits from the sale of our ‘Crisis Collection’ pack earlier this year, are there to help feed the endangered brown bear population, and to compensate CO2 emissions. In fact, the trees will absorb 4.5 tonnes of CO2 and produce 2.4 tonnes of fruit per year! Thanks so much again to everyone that bought the ‘Crisis Collection‘ and made this possible.

Context: In the video Marina starts out by telling us about a corner of the Retiro park that looks just like the countryside beyond Madrid, and goes on to talk about how the Notes in Spanish trees have now been planted, the care that has been taken by FAPAS in the way they have been planted, and ends by thanking you all for your help again (also, see the helpful vocab list below):

More vocab from the video:

Las afueras de Madrid – The outskirts of Madrid
La encina – Holm oak
El cerezo – Cherry tree
La supervivencia de los árboles – The survival of the trees
El abono – Fertilizer
El ciervo – Deer
La corzo – Roe deer

Finally… Helping more charities AND your Spanish at the same time:

We will continue to support environmental and children’s charities by donating up to 5% of all Notes in Spanish profits every year to good causes.

Buy a Spanisih-boosting pack from our store now and help more than just your Spanish at the same time!

In today’s video Marina talks about how she keeps her English learning fresh and motivating by filling her life with English, through watching films in English, talking to me of course but, importantly, reading lots of books in English.

Plus, she suggests that it’s good to push your limits, to tackle more difficult material than you’re used to if you really want to learn fast.

Do you agree? And as she asks in the video, ¿Cómo llenáis vuestras vidas del español? Comments below please!

P.S. Marina also talks about ‘La Crisis’ Collection coming out this week, recorded with her friend Isabel, an amazing person, as Marina points out.

Update: ‘La Crisis’ Collection is now Live here:

https://www.notesinspanish.com/store/la-crisis-collection.html

Check it out while the early discount still applies!

In today’s video I talk about 2 methods for learning more vocabulary in Spanish (and why I don’t want to cut my hair!)

First of all there is the old-as-the-hills but super-useful ‘folded bit of paper’ method. Secondly there is the best method of all: just by using new Spanish vocabulary you will learn it really fast.

I’d love you to practice right now by telling me about the ‘crisis economica’ in your country at the moment.

If you like you can just comment on your methods for learning more vocab too.

Actually, I’d love your comments on both!

Update: ‘La Crisis’ Collection is now Live here:

https://www.notesinspanish.com/store/la-crisis-collection.html

Check it out while the early discount still applies!