Diphthongs, Triphthongs, and Hiatus in Spanish
If you dream of speaking Spanish like a native speaker, you need to build your understanding of diphthongs, triphthongs, and hiatus. Don’t worry. I’m here to help! After reading this article, you’ll not only know what these phonetic terms mean, but you’ll also dramatically improve your pronunciation of Spanish words and phrases through practice! Ready? Let’s go! Is Spanish...Read More
7 Easy-to-Fix Pronunciation Mistakes Spanish Learners Make
Perhaps you’ve been studying Spanish for some time, and yet the moment you open your mouth to say something, it’s clear that you’re a native English speaker. Don’t worry! This is due to some easy-to-fix pronunciation mistakes. Most people start studying a language by focusing on grammar and vocabulary, leaving pronunciation on the back burner. And as long as you’re understandable,...Read More
35 Perfect Cognates in Spanish [Words You Already Know!]
Perfect cognates in Spanish make language learning even more fascinating and amusing! Cognates or cognados are words that exist in two languages. These words share similarities when it comes to roots and meaning. There are different types of Spanish cognates and my intention behind this grammar guide is to provide you with support to identify them and use them accurately. Keep...Read More
55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
Ever heard of false friends? And I don’t mean the pseudo-friends you need to watch out for in your social circle. I mean false cognates! False cognates are words that look and sound very similar in two languages, but don’t have the same meaning. The English-Spanish false cognates in our list are definite “conversation killers” that can hinder or entirely derail the message...Read More
Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary, Idioms, and Culture
Your body is so much more than just parts. Did you know that you communicate 90% of your thoughts and feelings nonverbally, through your body language? That’s quite a lot to say without saying anything! If you plan on taking a trip to a Spanish-speaking country, you don’t want to get caught saying something silently that you really don’t mean. In this blog post,...Read More
How to Say ‘You’ in Formal and Informal Spanish
If English is the only language you (currently) speak, the you (formal) concept in Spanish is new. Even if you don’t yet know about the formal and informal you in Spanish, you probably already know when to use each one. Would you call the attention of your teacher by shouting out, “Hey dude”? Of course not! A message you write to your boss is surely different from the one...Read More
50 Spanish Idioms To Use in Your Everyday Conversations
If your goal is to speak Spanish like a native, then at some point you will have to learn to use a variety of Spanish idioms. Why not start today? In this post, I’m discussing what Spanish idioms are and why you should learn them. I will also give you a list of some of the most common Spanish idioms that you can use in your everyday conversations. What’s an Idiom?...Read More
25 Common Subjunctive Phrases in Spanish Conversation
Still confused by some subjunctive phrases in Spanish? Or perhaps you get it now, but you’re ready to master it with a bit more practice. This is normal. The subjunctive mood in Spanish is peculiar in that when you first learn it, it’s uncomfortably foreign—but magically once you practice it, it flows naturally. That’s because you get used to hearing the verbs...Read More
How to Give Compliments in Spanish for Formal and Informal Occasions
Well done! That’s a great job! You look gorgeous! Compliments express something positive about someone. It can be about their work, looks, behavior, or pretty much anything you want. The point with compliments is that they make people feel good. Sometimes, compliments are earned and real, as in professional settings; other times they are just a way of showing...Read More