When you are learning a new language, it's very common to try to translate everything literally from your native language to your goal language. This is often a mistake either because the grammar and words order are not the same, or because you are saying a long and complex sentence instead of saying only one word. That's why in this article, I will teach you nine simple words that you can use to make your life easier!
I will show you a representative image + the approximate translation+ a short explanation + an example sentence, so that you can understand better. You can also click on the "pronunciation" button to see how that word is pronounced.
So...Let's go to it!
1) Empalagoso:
too sweet.
Have you ever eaten a sweet that is so sweet you don't want to continue eating it?
That is the meaning of this word, when something is so sweet it makes you feel disgusted and all you want to do is to drink water or eat something salty.
Example sentence:
El pastel estaba tan empalagoso que nadie quiso comer más.
The cake was too sweet that no one was able to eat more of it.
2) Madrugar
To wake up in the early morning.
When you have to go to school, you have to "madrugar". When you have an appointment with the doctor it's very likely you will also have to "madrugar". This means that you have to get up in the early morning. maybe at 4, maybe at 5, but no more than 6 am.
Example sentence:
Tengo que madrugar para ir a la escuela,porque tengo exámen a las 6 am.
I have to wake up early because I have to go to school, I'll have a test at 6am.
3) Friolento/a
Someone who is easily affected by cold.
People that are very sensitive to cold are "friolentos". When winter comes, these are the people who wear more coats, shiver more and set the heating system to higher temperatures.
Example sentence:
No puedes esquiar, ¡Eres muy friolento!
You can't ski, you are too sensitive to cold!
4)Desvelarse
keeping awake until late in the night.
This meaning is very easy. "Desvelarse" means that you will keep awake either doing your homework, playing video games or talking to the person you like. The reason can be any, but keeping awake until you look like a zombie is a clear sign that you are "desvelandote". (This is what I'm doing by writing this article at 2 am).
Example sentence:
Desvelarse no es bueno para tu salud.
Staying awake until the wee hours of the morning is not good for your health.
5)Merienda:
Snack in the afternoon.
"Merienda" is the period of the afternoon when you eat a snack. It is usually at 3-4 pm after a couple hours you had lunch, and it's normally something sweet like cookies with coffee.
Example sentence:
Tengo hambre, quiero mi merienda.
I'm hungry, I want to eat a snack .
6)Estrenar
To wear something for the first time.
This is actually a tradition in most Latin countries. When it's December, we usually wear new clothes to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Example sentence:
¿Qué vas a estrenar este fin de año?
What are you going to wear on December 31?
7)Tutear
To say "you" in a more informal way.
In Spanish the word "you" is translated as "Tú" or "Usted". When Spanish speakers want to speak in a more formal way, they use "usted" which sound more respectful. Sometimes, the person you are referring as "usted" doesn't like so much formality and they will ask you to use "tú" instead, so "tutear" means saying "tú".
Example sentence:
Soy tu jefe, pero también soy tu amigo, ¡Me puedes tutear!
I'm your boss, but I'm also your friend you can be more informal with me.
8)Maña
Bad habit.
This is to have a bad habit that you perform on a daily basis. It's not always addictions but also habits that are badly seen by other but the person who has these habits doesn't even realize it's bad.
Example sentence:
¡Tienes la maña de morderte los labios!
You have the bad habit of biting your lips!
9)Trámite:
Paperwork process
This means the whole process of getting some important paper or doing a diligence.
Example sentence:
Ya terminé el tramite para el pasaporte.
I already finished the process of getting the passport.
