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-   -   languages - learning (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/languages-learning-673182/)

pchelpinenglish Jun 20th 2010 12:25 am

languages - learning
 
when i first come to spain i attempted to learn some spanish. I was quite succesful. even at my 50 something years i now speak a good level of spanish. anyway, i used to go out each day with some phrases on a notepad and test them in shops. just wasting assistants time asking questions about products.

Freuqently I went to the little window at the side of macdonalds opposite the bullring and RENFE to buy an ice cream cone. in spanish its called CONO ... cone... later that day I hear a young couple arguing in the street and he kept shouting at her i thought CONO CONO CONO .. iwondered why he was calling her that. later checking with a spanish friend I discovered a word very similar with a very different meaning.

so be careful.. if you have an english keyboard without ñ años and anos are slightly different things. cono and coño are slightly different things.... by he way if you dont have ñ on your keyboard (you'll need it if you go into a spanish chat and someone asks your age - see años and anos above) hold down alt and press 1 + 6 + 4

steviedeluxe Jun 20th 2010 12:41 am

Re: languages - learning
 
Or use a "ny" if you don't have the tilde key...

tengo 50 anyos

It's all in the free beer thread though?

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 7:08 am

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe (Post 8644642)
Or use a "ny" if you don't have the tilde key...

tengo 50 anyos

It's all in the free beer thread though?

Right, it may not be correct but for us 2 finger typists I prefer your method for the ny.....especially with a laptop where there is no number pad.

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 7:30 am

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by pchelpinenglish (Post 8644614)
when i first come to spain i attempted to learn some spanish. I was quite succesful. even at my 50 something years i now speak a good level of spanish. anyway, i used to go out each day with some phrases on a notepad and test them in shops. just wasting assistants time asking questions about products.

Freuqently I went to the little window at the side of macdonalds opposite the bullring and RENFE to buy an ice cream cone. in spanish its called CONO ... cone... later that day I hear a young couple arguing in the street and he kept shouting at her i thought CONO CONO CONO .. iwondered why he was calling her that. later checking with a spanish friend I discovered a word very similar with a very different meaning.

so be careful.. if you have an english keyboard without ñ años and anos are slightly different things. cono and coño are slightly different things.... by he way if you dont have ñ on your keyboard (you'll need it if you go into a spanish chat and someone asks your age - see años and anos above) hold down alt and press 1 + 6 + 4


If anyone finds it difficult to remember the difference it is best to ask for a cucurucho :D

lynnxa Jun 20th 2010 6:05 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 8645119)
If anyone finds it difficult to remember the difference it is best to ask for a cucurucho :D

but you might get mixed up & say cucaracha:ohmy:

licinius Jun 20th 2010 6:40 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by pchelpinenglish (Post 8644614)
Freuqently I went to the little window at the side of macdonalds opposite the bullring and RENFE to buy an ice cream cone. in spanish its called CONO ... cone... later that day I hear a young couple arguing in the street and he kept shouting at her i thought CONO CONO CONO .. iwondered why he was calling her that. later checking with a spanish friend I discovered a word very similar with a very different meaning.

I'd been going to Mercadona for a year before somebody told me I wasn't actually asking for chicken!!! Make sure you pronounce the 'll' in Poll(y)o rather than 'poyo' as I thought it was.

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 6:44 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by lynnxa (Post 8645739)
but you might get mixed up & say cucaracha:ohmy:

I dont know, a nice crunchy chocolagte flavoured one, might tast OK, and considered a delicasy in parts of the world.:D

lynnxa Jun 20th 2010 6:48 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by licinius (Post 8645785)
I'd been going to Mercadona for a year before somebody told me I wasn't actually asking for chicken!!! Make sure you pronounce the 'll' in Poll(y)o rather than 'poyo' as I thought it was.

I'd be more worried if you were putting an 'a' on the end;)

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 6:49 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by licinius (Post 8645785)
I'd been going to Mercadona for a year before somebody told me I wasn't actually asking for chicken!!! Make sure you pronounce the 'll' in Poll(y)o rather than 'poyo' as I thought it was.

You were saying it right, I think I say the LL sound with a mixture of" DJY" sound, if that makes any sense,:confused: but, poyo is fine and understood everywhere.

lynnxa Jun 20th 2010 6:50 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 8645790)
I dont know, a nice crunchy chocolagte flavoured one, might tast OK, and considered a delicasy in parts of the world.:D

so I've heard - but the heladería might not be happy if you said it too loud:lol:

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 6:50 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by lynnxa (Post 8645794)
I'd be more worried if you were putting an 'a' on the end;)


Dont tell lies, you love it with an A on the end.

Dont try and come over as prim and proper, because it just wont wash.

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 6:52 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by lynnxa (Post 8645797)
so I've heard - but the heladería might not be happy if you said it too loud:lol:

But isnt that what you women put on your lips (lipstick);)

lynnxa Jun 20th 2010 6:52 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 8645800)
Dont tell lies, you love it with an A on the end.

Dont try and come over as prim and proper, because it just wont wask.

off with you - too early for that sort of talk:ohmy:


now I have to go wask myself before I go to worh

lynnxa Jun 20th 2010 6:53 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 8645801)
But isnt that what you women put on your lips (lipstick);)

apparently some do


mines coffee flavoured though

JLFS Jun 20th 2010 6:55 pm

Re: languages - learning
 

Originally Posted by lynnxa (Post 8645803)
off with you - too early for that sort of talk:ohmy:


now I have to go wask myself before I go to worh

We will have less P taking, I had already changed the spelling mistake, so dont come over all school marmish.

BTW, it is crushed beetles that goes into lipstick......so no woman should ever turn her nose up at a good chunk of black pudding....


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