40 Spanish Words That Came from Arabic
Did you know that many Spanish words overlap with words in other languages? Spanish is spoken in the majority of Latin America, some of the Caribbean, parts of the United States and Canada, in Europe, and even in Asia and Africa! Many other languages have influenced Spanish over the centuries, including its pronunciation and vocabulary! Read this article to learn how the language was...Read More
Ya Que vs Porque: What’s the Difference?
Have you been studying Spanish for some time and still don’t understand the difference between ya que and porque? Estudio Español ya que mi familia viene de México.Estudio español porque mi familia viene de México. You’re not alone. But you know what? It will take you about 15 minutes to end the confusion once and for all. In this blog post, I explain the similarities and...Read More
20 Mexican Slang Words You Need to Know Before You Travel
Let’s say that you’ve been studying Spanish for a while. Now you’re ready to visit a Spanish-speaking country to put all that knowledge into practice and measure your progress. Mexico is a great option. It’s close to the States, it’s cheap and it has great food and a lot of fiestas! All you need to know are a few Mexican slang words and you’ll be ready to mingle with the...Read More
Saber Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
To know the meaning of Spanish verbs is an important part of the process of learning Spanish. Knowing how to conjugate these verbs is also essential. To know that the English verb “to know” means both saber and conocer in Spanish will prove useful in conversations. We use the verb “know” a lot in English without even noticing, and in Spanish it’s pretty much...Read More
Respectful Ways to Offer Condolences in Spanish
At sensitive moments, communication is admittedly a little tricky in a foreign language. Do you need to offer your condolences in Spanish but feel unprepared? Are you in a sensitive situation and want to say the right words? Sharing comforting words of care when someone is grieving a death is a way of connecting with others and being empathetic. Read this article to...Read More
Preterite vs Imperfect: A Beginner’s Guide to the Past Tense in Spanish
Ready for a blast from the past? As you may know, Spanish has two past tenses: preterite and imperfect. It’s often tricky to know which to use when, since they both refer to actions in the past. Fortunately, several general guidelines exist to help you realize when to use preterite vs imperfect. It’s also helpful to know which Spanish phrases trigger the use of either the...Read More
The Most Common Ways to Say ‘Have a Good Day’ in Spanish
Friendliness is a universal virtue. Although the phrase “have a good day” in Spanish has become a bit of a cliche, it is still useful to know how to say. It’s always meaningful when said in a heartfelt way in any language. You could argue that the concept of wishing someone a “nice day” isn’t really part of Latin American culture. In that case, que tenga un buen día would be...Read More
How to Use Accidental or Impersonal Se in Spanish Conversation
Imagine you’ve just broken your mom’s favorite flower vase. By accident, of course. What do you tell her? “Mom, I broke your flower vase.” But wouldn’t that somehow imply that you did it on purpose? Wouldn’t she be angry? Or would you say: “Mom, your flower vase got broken,” effectively removing yourself from the picture, shamelessly escaping all consequences....Read More
20 Cheesiest Spanish Pick-Up Lines That Work Every Time
Are you going out and feeling nervous about using pick-up lines in Spanish? This is a tricky subject, so I get it. Pick-up lines are “attention-grabbers” you say to a person you barely know or a complete stranger who’s inspired your sense of romance. Most people find witty pick-up lines to be charming. But beware! Your success depends on how you deliver...Read More