Even though I teach this stuff… Sometimes I run into Spanish that I have to read a couple of times before it clicks. I recently came across a great example and snapped a picture of my Kindle so I could share it with you guys: It’s from El mar de la tranquilidad — the Spanish translation of … Read More
Here’s a pop quiz. How do you pronounce the U in these words? Uva Útil Uno Usar Último Usuario Urgente If you grew up speaking English like I did, you most likely pronounced them something like this: ☝️Not the pronunciation you want Uhw -va Uhw-til Uhw-no Uhw-sar / You-sar Uhwl-timo Uhw-suario / You-suario Uhwr-gente This … Read More
A lot of Spanish learners feel like they need more corrections. They worry they’ll never learn without them: “How will I know what I’m doing wrong?” “Won’t the mistake fossilize?” “I don’t want to keep saying something wrong over and over”. I can very much relate to the desire to nip mistakes in the bud. … Read More
I was hoping the hospital in Mexico wouldn’t be too expensive. To be fair, a one night stay here in the states would cost more than my car. But still… When I got the bill last Wednesday, it stung. Woulda been more fun to spend that $2500 on first-class tickets home instead. En mi familia, … Read More
We’re in la dimensión desconocida (the twilight zone) between Christmas and New Year’s, so I’ll keep this week’s Saturday Spanish light. Today I want to share a fun tip that will improve your Spanish… Without having to memorize or study (since, if you’re like me, you’re waiting til Wednesday to restart regular life). Acting your way to great … Read More
As nice as the holidays are, they are unfortunately where many Spanish learning dreams go to die. If you’re not vigilant, your carefully built Spanish routine can disappear amongst all the gatherings, gifts, and last minute work deadlines… And while I do think it’s fine to take breaks now and again… I also know it’s key to … Read More
¡Te la llevo mañana!” “Se lo dije mil veces…” “¿Me lo prestas?” “Nos lo compró ayer.” I remember being thoroughly confused by these ‘me te se nos lo la combinations when I was learning Spanish. But with a bit of practice, it becomes easy and automatic. Today, I’ll show you how, and we’ll do a … Read More
One of the hard things about learning Spanish is that the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know… One area this applies is vocabulary. Viewed all at once, it looks insurmountable. And yet, millions of people manage to learn second languages, learning thousands of words in the process. I can’t tell you … Read More
In the first pages of the classic novel Cien años de soledad, this description appears: —Al ser destapado por el gigante, el cofre dejó escapar un aliento glacial. Dentro sólo había un enorme bloque transparente, con infinitas agujas internas en las cuales se despedazaba en estrellas de colores la claridad del crepúsculo. When opened by the giant, … Read More
I might lose some of you with this reference, but I swear it’s relevant to your Spanish: There used to be a recurring joke in the cartoon Family Guy where they had these two vaguely Scandinavian guys who spoke almost perfect American English… Except for a few small details: “It was so expensive, each drink cost like … Read More