brisca

Hi all,
I try to learn a new Spanish word or expression every day (and then I try to retain it for more than a day! )

I wonder whether people might be interested in exchanging useful new words they've learnt, and that way we'll all have the chance to learn several new phrases and so on.
It doesn't have to be on a daily basis, and it doesn't have to be anything terribly intellectual (mine won't be!)
I often hear words or expressions, and then need to hear them several more times in order to feel confident of using them in the right context! If we share information, we should all be able to build our vocabulary more quickly.
It doesn't matter whether you've only just mastered "hola", or if you've been here for ages and are pretty fluent - we can all help each other.

Native Spanish speakers - perhaps you could put us right if you notice we've dropped a clanger!?

I'll start off with:
Me da vergüenza (I am embarrassed) This is the more formal way of saying it,

or

Me da corte This is a less formal way of saying the same thing

Maybe we could all put this expression to good use while we're busy making language faux pas!?


What do you all think?
Regards, Sam.

Big Pete

Sounds a good idea to me , and i am not to verguenza to say so

jood

Muchas gracias for a brill idea!

spain

Hi all,
I try to learn a new Spanish word or expression every day (and then I try to retain it for more than a day! )

I wonder whether people might be interested in exchanging useful new words they've learnt, and that way we'll all have the chance to learn several new phrases and so on.
It doesn't have to be on a daily basis, and it doesn't have to be anything terribly intellectual (mine won't be!)
I often hear words or expressions, and then need to hear them several more times in order to feel confident of using them in the right context! If we share information, we should all be able to build our vocabulary more quickly.
It doesn't matter whether you've only just mastered "hola", or if you've been here for ages and are pretty fluent - we can all help each other.


count me in

"pasado mañana" - day after tomorrow

MnM

guapo (masculine) - handsome
guapa (feminine) - beautiful

You often hear people greeting their friends in this manner:

Hola guapo/guapa

chrisw

Hi all,
Great idea Big Pete.
Your example brought a smile. You know when you just can't remember a word, and that some Spanish words are very similar to English? Like presentar - to presrent, and preparar - to prepare. And the old grey matter just won't play ball in the recall department, so you decide to apply the same for the English word you want, converting it into Spanish.
Like embarrrassed, and you figure well that's got to be embarasada hasn't it? So you offer up with great confidence "estoy embarasada"
Only to be told that you have just announced instead "I am pregnant!!" OOPS!!

Heres one for your list which is very appropriate for me. When you are unable to reteive what you were about to say and it has totally abandoned you.

Me he a ido el santo al cielo -- roughly translated, it has gone to the saint in the clouds/I knew it, but its gone for now!

TruBrit

one seriously needs spanish living here and that's the truth

how about i begin with ~ manuel

Fred James

There is a useful site which will send you a daily email with a Spanish word and its usage every day.

http://www.spanishlanguage.co.uk/palabradia.htm

Mrs eddie

What a fab idea Brisca.....

And Fred I've just subscribed to that website you've given.....thank you

poollounger

For those of us who live in the country, when the cocks crowing at dawn gets to your visitors (I have gotten used to it) head for the pharmacia and ask for tapones. And just remember that tampones are something very different.

brisca

Thanks for that link, Fred!
I've just subscribed too

mrsjdr

Good idea, been here nearly six years, had lessons, and at first was learning a phrase a week, but brain will not keep info in and I forget everything again , must try harder! Will look at that website now.

brisca

Here's my thought for the day........something I've found very handy.

The verb "tener que" (to have to)

i.e
Tengo que salir I have to go out

Tiene(s) que pagar You have to pay

Tenemos que ir We have to go

Before I knew this, I always used "necesitar " (to need) but it seems that tener que is used much more often (and is probably more correct?)

MnM

Breaking down the verb

To have = Tener

tengo I have
tienes You (singular) have
tiene He/she/it has
tenemos We have
teneis You (plural) have
tienen They have

mikelincs

Thanks, just subscribed myself.