La Lenguaje Español

After being in Seville for over a month, I have become somewhat familiar with the idioms used here every day.  So, of course, I’ve come up with a list of my favorites.  These Spanish phrases are not usually taught in a classroom setting and so even though I knew a few of them, most were new to me.  Here are my top ten favorites:


10. Estoy embarazada
This is a common mistake for Spanish beginners.  Using grammatical logic, it would make sense that someone would think this means “I am embarrassed” but the sentence actually translates to “I am pregnant”.  This one always makes for a good laugh, much like the next.


9. Estoy constipado
In English, a person becomes constipated in their bowl movements.  But this sentence in Spanish refers to constipation of the nose.  My director said this to all of the students in my program one of the first days we were in Spain.  Needless to say, it helped break the ice when we all thought he was excusing himself to use the bathroom when actually he only needed to get a tissue.


8. Vale vale
“Vale” is a word that I didn’t know before coming here but is used a lot in everyday conversation.  It is the same and used just as often as “okay”.  It is an important word to know before coming to Spain because it is used so frequently.


7. Encantado
This directly translates to “enchanted” and is said upon meeting someone knew.  Spanish people tend to express more emotion that Americans.  This phrase (which I think holds more meaning than a simple “Nice to meet you”) is paired with two small kisses (“besitos”) of the cheek every time I meet someone new.  It is much more personal than a handshake, and shows how amiable Sevillanos are with everyone.


6. Hasta luego
If I haven’t stressed it enough, the people of Seville are extremely friendly.  Everywhere I go people are always ready to help me whenever I need it.  Equally so, everyone says hello and goodbye to each other.  “Hasta luego”, or “until later”, is used a lot more than “adios” and is usually cut short to “a luegoo” just like “see you later” is cut to “cya” in the United States.


5. Llamar a juan 
This is a common idiom that means to vomit but the literal translation is “To call Juan”.  People use this phrase because the sound people make when they throw up sounds like “juuuuaaaan!”  I love explaining this one out loud, and typing the meaning does not do it any justice.


4. Me da igual
Instead of saying, “no me importa” (or “I don’t care”), Sevillanos use this idiom that has more meaning behind it.  The literal translation, “It gives me the same”, better describes the way a person feels about the two options.  It is more polite and, like most of these idioms, holds more meaning.


3. Dame un toque
Phone calls can be expensive in Spain for anyone that uses a pay-as-you-go phone (like me!).  To “da un toque” is to call someone and hang up after one ring.  Since most phone companies only charge for connected calls, this costs no money.  This prevents being charged for a call that is connected to voicemail if the call isn’t answered.  My friends and I use this phrase as much as “send me a text” is used in the U.S. because it is more or less the same thing.


2. Vale la pena
This is one of my favorites.  It means, “It is worth it”.  I love using this phrase while I am here, because everything seems to be worth it.  I am taking every moment as an opportunity to learn about the world and to grow as a person.  This idiom reminds me of the phrase “You only live once” (which is very popular in the States) because they both hold the same meaning.


And the number one idiom of the Spanish language:


1. No pasa nada
This is my favorite idiom that I have learned so far.  It is the Spanish version of “Hakuna Matata” and means the same thing: “no worries”.  The Spanish way of life is much more relaxed than the way of life in New England.  Sevillanos are more concerned with what they spend their time doing than how much time they take doing it.  They would rather do everything the right way than do everything by a certain deadline.  I have heard “no pasa nada” more than any other phrase since I’ve been in Seville and it is definitely one I will continue to use even when I am back in the states.