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weekly intercambios, or language exchanges, are a |
In Conversation/Expressions:
- vale: "OK"
- entonces, pues: "then," "well"
- can be used literally, but more often as a sentence-starter or pause-filler
- mas o menos: "more or less"
- *pronunciation: “mao’meno”
- da igual: "doesn't matter to me," "same either way"
- no pasa nada = "no big deal," "don't worry about it"
- *the quintessential southern Spanish phrase that embodies the relaxed lifestyle and attitude of the people here
- no me digas/anda
- literally: "don't tell me!" "walk!"
- really means: "You're joking/kidding!" "No way!" "Get out of here!"
- used to express surprise
- hombre, mujer, tío
- literally: "man, woman, uncle"
- really means: man, dude
- example: "Venga, tío" loosely translates to "Come on, man" used in a joking or irritated manner
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¡Anda! - what I said when there was not one, but two peacocks on our trip to the Carmen de los Mártires |
Vocabulary:
- gracioso: "funny"
- enfadado: "mad, angry"
- tiquismiquis: "picky, fussy" (with food)
- coger: in Spain, a synonym for "tomar" (in other words, not what it means in Latin America)
- la calle: "the street"
- *meaning: while "la calle" is a normal, everyday word, it means so much more; in Spain, "la calle" is the social epicenter of everyday life and activity
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I learned the word "tiquismiquis" very early on in my host stay experience, but because I wanted to communicate to my host mom that I wasn't picky; I mean , who could be when there's paella? |
In Class:
- todo el mundo
- literally: "the whole world"
- meaning: while this would by a hyperbole in English, in Spanish, it simply means "everyone"
- example: many times, a professor will ask if "todo el mundo" is present or if "todo el mundo" has turned in an assignment
- ni idea: "no idea"
- a more colloquial and emphatic way to say "I don't know"
- fíjate: "pay attention," "listen up"
- this is not used in a mean way, but rather a "I'm about to tell you something important, something you need to remember"
Salutations:
- ya está: "that's all," "that's it"
- used as a conversation closer
- hasta luego: "see you later," "until next time"
- *pronunciation: "'(s)ta'wego"
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when you can't decide which tapa to try first, "da igual" - because they are all delicious |
While some of my definitions and pronunciation notes might seem a little odd, it's because you're trying to read it. I've tried my best to communicate the idiosyncrasies and colloquialisms of the Spanish I hear in Granada, but of course it won't make complete sense until you actually hear it. Spanish as a language came alive for me when I came to Granada and started hearing it all around me all the time. So what are you waiting for? Come to Spain and hear it for yourself; experience how Spanish comes alive.
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even though it rained our last day in Morocco, no pasa nada - we were in Morocco! |
Anastasia K. is the Spring 2018 MOJO in Granada, Spain. She is currently a Junior studying English at Liberty University.
Anastasia Kingsley is the Spring 2018 CEA MOJO Blogger in Granada, Spain, and is currently studying at Liberty University.