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
A Brief Introduction to Spanish Culture, Traditions, and Beliefs
Spanish culture has contributed powerfully to the evolution of the Spanish language. The customs and identity of Spain stand out for several reasons. Particularly, Spanish traditions are unique and have influenced the culture of Latin American countries. Still, some Spanish traditions are only possible to admire and experience if you take a trip to Spain. The breathtaking...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
The History and Origin of the Spanish Language
The history and origin of Spanish is truly fascinating and a must-know for all Spanish learners. Currently, Spanish is spoken by 400 million people around the world. This number continues to grow, even in countries where Spanish isn’t the official language (such as the United States). Embracing the origin of the Spanish language allows you to understand the journey and...Read More
Top 40 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Trip You Up and Confuse You
If you have studied Spanish for a little while, you’ve likely noticed the many similarities between English and Spanish, especially the words we call cognates. Owing to both languages’ Latin roots, it’s pretty easy to identify the meaning of new words in Spanish—for the most part! Watch out for the trickiest part of learning Spanish: the false cognate. This word looks...Read More
The History and Significance of Guatemalan Jade
What’s all the fuss about Guatemalan jade, you wonder? Here’s a whistle-stop tour of Guatemalan jade: some science, the history, and why it’s so popular. What’s Jade? Jade is a rare metamorphic rock made deep underneath the layers of the earth from thousands of years of heat, pressure, and time. You won’t find a recipe for it on WikiHow, that’s for sure! Since it’s so...Read More
Types of Spanish Music and Latin American Music
What comes to mind when you think of Spanish music? As the philosopher Plato once said: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” The beauty of music is the diversity it has in it, in fact, there are more than 2,500 music genres in the world! In this blog post we explore the elements of Spanish music and how it...Read More
10 Differences in Latin Culture Compared to U.S. Culture
How does Latin culture compare to U.S. culture? We live in a rich and diverse world with a cornucopia of cultures. Although Latin America and the U.S. share the same hemisphere, many cultural differences exist between the two. If you haven’t spent time immersed in Latin culture, some of these differences may surprise you. Ultimately, the key to meaningful and appropriate interactions...Read More
Languages in Spain: How Many Languages Are Spoken in Spain?
The diversity of languages in Spain is both fascinating and shocking. While español is the most common Romance language spoken in Spain, it shares its home with more than 15 other languages—none of which are official, aside from Spanish, but they’re spoken and acknowledged in regional pockets of the country. While Spanish is spoken by more than 572 million speakers worldwide, it’s the...Read More