una copa vs un vaso

 HI all

Hope you have all had a great time over this holiday time or break. 

In lesson 4.4 they talk about un vaso de vino. According to Babbel one should use una copa.

Are these interchangeable?

Thanks 

Maxie

HI There

Thank you Babbel just made the distinction that it is a copa de vino not a vaso. Whereas Rovket uses vaso. Which sounds more correct at any rate. Maybe European Spanish vs South American.

Just asked my husband an in European Portuguese it is a “Cop de Vinho” 

Interesting!

Maxie

Hi there

Still doesn't address why Babbel says it is a cop and not vaso de vino. In European Potuguese it is cop de Vinho. Maybe the tutors can shed some light on this. Sputh American Spanish vs European Spanish

Maxie 

Here's a data point for you.  I learned “un vaso de vino” in my Pimsleur course. But in 2018 when I was in Cuenca, on a slow night in the bar the bartender ws practicing his English while I practiced my Spanish. I asked him for un vaso de vino blanco, and he said that for wine it's unan copa, not un vaso.

Whether that's just Cuenca, or Ecuador, or Latin America, I don't know. But I do remember the corection.

Hi Stan

Interesting thar Plimsleur used Vaso,but a native speaker used copa maybe regional.

Language has so many idiosyncrasies. Mozambican Portuguese can be quite differnt to Portugal a then Brazilian very different.

If you celebrate New Year have good one with lots of fun

Maxie

HI All

Well said, I agree

Maxie

I too found it odd to hear Rocket Spanish say un vaso de vino. In various studies prior to Rocket Spanish, I was taught that when it comes to wine, the glass is not referred to as a glass (un vaso), instead the correct terminology is a cup of wine (una copa de vino) even though the wine is not actually served in a cup. 

I am living in Ecuador. During my first year here, a woman from Colombia informed me that una copa de vino is used when referring to a glass of wine. 

To me, the point about enjoying the wine and company is a side issue. I am able to enjoy the wine without learning Spanish. 

Questioning whether or not there is communication and understanding is also a side issue; which is a reminder to speak without worrying about making mistakes. We learn by our mistakes. If we wait for perfection before we start speaking Spanish we will never begin to speak. 

People have different goals. My preference is to learn how to speak Spanish as the locals do. That being the case, here in Ecuador, and perhaps all of South America, I will refer to a glass of wine as “una copa de vino”. I suspect that the experts at Rocket Spanish are correct in saying un vaso de vino, but that it is applicable to other parts of the Spanish-speaking world than where I am.  

Hi BrooksF3

I would love to be in an immersion setting for any language.. Luckily when I do travel to countries where I speak the language even basic, I am not at all shy to speak. When I went to the butcher's at Christmas the guy that served me is origianally form Chile. He was very gracious corrected me when I mixed it with Portuguese too. I really believe that it helps to just speak. The part of language that is the most difficult to get over when learning any languge. If there are mistaked in this email, please excuse me. I have been in bed with Covid for 3 days and my brain has gone to mush. 

Have a good new year

Maxie

Hi Al22

Thank you for the good wishes an feeling better today. I don't even want to do language. Am so croaky that it doesn;t always recognize my voice. Hopefully next week will be back uo to speed

take care

Maxie

¡Hola a todos!

¡Muchas gracias por sus preguntas!

What an interesting debate! The etymology of words in different languages is such a complex and beautiful topic.

It looks like three different drinking vessels have been discussed. Beginning with una copa "a glass," the Real Academica Española describes this vessel as a stemmed glass. It is important to note that this is not the only use of copa "glass" you may also hear it used to describe a unit of consumption for an alcoholic beverage, for example. 

However, the issue for English speakers is that we tend not to differentiate the glass type we use in our own language. For example, we are happy to say “a glass of wine” without specifying the kind of glass. As such, it can be tricky to identify when using una copa “a glass" in a conversational setting is appropriate.  

In addition, una copa “a glass” can refer to any stemmed glass, so it does not need to be used solely in relation to wine. This does not mean that the phrase un vaso de vino, "a glass of wine," is incorrect; rather, it refers to a different kind of glass. Un vaso “a glass," is a fairly versatile word as the Real Academica Española describes it as referring to a vessel that can be made from a range of materials and of different sizes. 

Una taza, "a cup," on the other hand, is a little different; this word is most commonly used to refer to a vessel for hot beverages. For example, una taza de café, “a cup of coffee." In essence, una taza “a cup" can be used in Spanish in the same context where we might say “a cup" or “a mug" in English. 

In my experience, una copa “a glass" is not more commonly used in Spain than in South America and vice versa. Although, as with all languages, there will always be regional and local preferences. 

I would also commend Allan on his point about fluency. While discussions such as this one are interesting and important, a strong focus on developing natural-sounding speech is a great approach to learning Spanish.  

¡Que tengan un buen día!

Indy

¡Hola Maxie! Espero que no estás todavía enfermo.