Spanish - Vocab

Not sure of the correct Spanish word to use? Want another example of how to use a Spanish expression in context? Perhaps you would like to know more about regional differences. This is the place for you! You can browse the topics, do a search in the top right corner of this page, or start a new conversation. Don’t be shy!

Tan

Hi everyone. Any simple advice on using "tan" I am struggling a bit with this :?:

2 replies - Last post by leeallen - March 17, 2010

What does it mean

I keep hearing a phrase "Que le pongo" used as "May I help you" or "What would you like". Something to this effect. It doesn't really make sense used this way. What does it mean? Poner means to put.

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - March 15, 2010

Telling someone you're leaving and when you'll be back

Hi, we're house sitting in Costa Rica and the maid here speaks very little English and we speak and understand very little Spanish but I'm learning. Could you please tell me the best way to tell her we're leaving? Does this work? Nosotros estamos saliend...

3 replies - Last post by leeallen - March 3, 2010

what's going on here???

I haven't practiced my spanish for a long time and the whole site changed, how do I listen to the audio courses without downloading it? and see the conversation at the same time one sentence in spanish and one in english one under each-other? like it used...

3 replies - Last post by Antonio - February 16, 2010

Pronunciation of "B" and "V", and "ll"

My written materials indicate that a "v" is pronounced like a "b," i.e., as 'beh." But, in the interactive course, Mauricio seems to go back and forth between this convention, AND pronouncing a "B" like an ENGLISH "...

4 replies - Last post by aowats - February 8, 2010

Spammer's message removed

The message posted recently about learning Spanish through jokes has been removed because it was posted by someone who entered the forum illegally. Nohablo

0 replies - Last post by nohablo - November 27, 2009

Translate please

De qué tiene miedo Sra Flores?

5 replies - Last post by ricardo-rich - November 25, 2009

Cuban Spanish

I'm travelling to Cuba soon and would like any advice on how the Spanish spoken there differs from the Spanish taught in the Rocket Spanish course.

2 replies - Last post by IandeNZ - November 4, 2009

The word "egg"

Hola! Many years ago my husband worked on a chicken ranch in Southern California. As you might imagine the word "huevo" was used extensively, until one day one of the men from Mexico informed my husband that due to the negative connotations of t...

8 replies - Last post by nancyjoyce - October 25, 2009

lesson 3.3 traer/bring

In lesson 3.3 they talk about bringing raincoats and umbrellas to the beach. I've noticed that it is an american habit to (incorrectly ) say bring instead of take. Usually, english speaking people say "bring it here" and "take it there&quo...

0 replies - Last post by DebJay - October 20, 2009

Confusing inconsistencies

I am enjoying the program, but get frustrated with pronunciation... is it "Yo" (with a y) or "Jo" (with a j)? Also, is "b" pronounced as a b or a v? Both of these seem to be pronounced one way or another during the audio le...

2 replies - Last post by Lensman158 - September 21, 2009

The expression "Qué pasa" y "Qué hay"

Does these expressions ( "Qué pasa" y "Qué hay") mean the same as "Cómo estás" y "Qué tal" (how are you)?

1 reply - Last post by nohablo - August 16, 2009

using hace and está when talking about the weather

I understand a little bit why one would use *hace calor, hace frío* and other descriptive weather terms, but... why is *está* used for some things, like *está despejado* or *está nublado*? Since ALL weather is in a temporary state of being it seems one c...

1 reply - Last post by CCardona - August 2, 2009

NEED HELP...

I know this is not where I should post this, but sorry. I am very very serious about becoming FLUENT in Spanish. I was wondering how far this program will actually take me, so anyone who has gone through it already, please inform me. Also, what more can I...

3 replies - Last post by black-chulo - May 31, 2009

Pronunciation Help

I am new to RS, I am starting to go to Peru on Mission trips and I have always wanted to learn Spanish so now is the time :). I was looking through the beginner’s book and lesson 1.1 has the pronunciation of the alphabet, is there anywhere I can get audi...

3 replies - Last post by nohablo - May 30, 2009

Los/Las Bragas

Hi All, In Part 39 of the online course, one of the vocabulary words is "los bragas" for "knickers" or "panties". I have also seen references to "las bragas". Is there a difference between the masculine and feminin...

0 replies - Last post by gloonie - May 2, 2009

Mogote

I have read in Wilpedia and a couple of travel books that the word "mogote" used to describe the small limestone hills in the Vinales area of Cuba actually means "haystack". However my spanish dictionary says that "mogote" m...

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - March 11, 2009

"School Board"

I have looked several places but cannot find a translation for "School Board" referring to the body of persons that actually runs the school. Does anyone know how to say this?

3 replies - Last post by Antonio - December 4, 2008

New here

Hola to all. I decided to start learning Spanish recently, and I wanted to get some opinions on Masculine vs Feminine words. It's so overwhelming and crazy to me at the moment, trying to attach a gender to every single word. Right now, it's almost detr...

6 replies - Last post by Barbara1 - September 12, 2008

lesson 1.5

1. In the audio lesson 1.5 the words: 'por' y 'de' both mean- on. if they mean the same thing then when do I use each one? 2. In the same lesson Mauricio says:"yo soy doctor" wich means I I am(there is no a?) doctor whitch makes it sound like th...

6 replies - Last post by nohablo - August 20, 2008

Necesitar vs Faltar or Hacer Falta

Cuándo platicando con mis amigos, cual es la manera correcta para decir "I need..." ? Grácias Brenda

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - August 20, 2008

tengo

what exactly does the word 'tengo' mean ?

1 reply - Last post by Loriann - August 14, 2008

question

1. Why is it that sometimes when I ask a question people just recomend that I purchase the program'. Isn't obvious that I have it if I'm posting a question? is it possible to post without being a member(purchasing rocket spanish) 2. How come When I click ...

4 replies - Last post by Loriann - August 13, 2008

Reading spanish

Hola, I just began using the Rocket Spanish beginner program this weekend. Just curious how long before I can expect to start doing some easy readers. Any opinions or experiences anyone would like to share? Gracias!

7 replies - Last post by Loriann - August 11, 2008

help

where can I ask questions when there is somthing I don't understand in the lesson? p.s how do you use this? thank you!

1 reply - Last post by Loriann - August 9, 2008

lesson 1.1 y 1.3

in the first free audio lesson I learned that that the word 'estas' means- are you, and then I learned in the third free lesson that the word 'eres' means- are you, if both words have the same meaning how do I know when to use each one? how come you don't...

1 reply - Last post by Loriann - August 9, 2008

Lessons learned...

I haven't posted in a while but I have been busy keeping up with the buletin board and my practicing (and still enjoying it too). A funny thing happened to me last week. I go to a local Mexican restaurant once a week to practice my Spanish (OK - I lik...

3 replies - Last post by CutThatCity - July 1, 2008

Voy and Vas

Hi All, I listen to the audio course and it sounds as if voy and vas are pronounced with a v sound as in victory, then Mauricio sent out a newsletter on tricks to remember voy and said it was like saying "boy I want to go". Then I asked a friend of m...

2 replies - Last post by nohablo - May 29, 2008

lesson 1.4

Word: Funny I was curious on how the word "funny" was spelled. My Spanish dictionary only shows "gracioso" as in "esa la muy gracioso" Lesson 1.4 says "la pelicula fue chestiso" Which is mostly used? I can picture myself using this word quit...

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - May 21, 2008

sacar vs tomar

what is the diffrence between sacar as in quiero sacar su photo and quiero tomar so photo. It appears that tomar is more appropriate in the setting of wanting "to take" but in the less sacar is used.

4 replies - Last post by MARCOS - March 21, 2008

cómo se dice la palabra "block"

How do you say "block" in spanish, as in a street block. All I'm coming up with is "bloques", but in a tape I'm listening to, the first syllable sounds like "cuar. . ."

3 replies - Last post by jones.derek7@sky.com - March 7, 2008

One English word, 2 or more spanish?

Hola! Just started Rocket Spanish in the last 2 weeks and loving it. Working way through slowly but surely and with fun! One question I have is why in many cases would there be more than one Spanish word for one English word. I'll use one example with...

3 replies - Last post by jones.derek7@sky.com - March 7, 2008

Have a bad taste!

I have been searching the Racket Spanish course materials to find out how to wxpress how a thing (e.g. food) tastes. Could someone provide an example of such usage?

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - March 6, 2008

Castellano versus Latin American Spanish

Can someone advise me of common words/expressions whose translation into Castillian Spanish seems to differ from into Latin American as in the Rocket Spanish course. For instance 'I would like' appears to be 'me gustaria' in Latin American but 'yo quisie...

7 replies - Last post by Mauricio - January 10, 2008

Tratar vs Intentar vs Probar

All of these words are defined as 'to try', but what's the difference? Which verb do I use when I'm refering to: - trying to do something - trying on clothes - trying food Examples along with explainations are greatly appreciated. ...

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - January 3, 2008

Question regarding telling time?

In regards to telling what time it is. I find using " para las" to be difficult to remember. Por Ejemplo ( 2:55) Son cinco para las tres In other studies I have done in spanish I learned to say " Son las tres menos cinco" which seems so mu...

2 replies - Last post by MARCOS - December 20, 2007

Want to get this right....

I am on my way to Cancun for a week to celebrate my wife's birthday. I purposely selected a cheaper room at the hotel with the expectation that when we arrive, I will slip the guy at the front desk a $20 bill and ask for a "free" upgrade. A friend of m...

3 replies - Last post by tocayo - October 19, 2007

entonces

having trouble understanding the use of entonces, vs. despues.. any advice.

1 reply - Last post by gailbsmith - September 16, 2007

tomar vs beber?

What are the appropriate situations for using tomar vs beber for "to drink"? I've heard there is an implication that tomar refers to an alcholic beverage. Thanks!

9 replies - Last post by taalibeen - August 30, 2007

How to pronounce the "r"

Hola, I ordered this course a few months ago, but just started using it about 2 weeks ago. My family and I am learning a lot. There are so many words and different pronounciations that it seems overwhelming at times. Quick question: How do you ...

1 reply - Last post by Antonio - August 29, 2007

"The past two weeks.."

How do you express that in Spanish? e.g. 'I've been working a lot the past two weeks' or 'I've been very busy for the past few weeks' Thanks!

4 replies - Last post by Mauricio - August 7, 2007

Words I heard on the radio... Can't figure them out...

Hello- I listen to Spanish language radio on my way to/from work... I find it to be a useful aspect of learning the language. Two things I hear often and can't find in a dictionary-- please help: 1) a word that sounds like "Lie Day"... rhymes wit...

3 replies - Last post by themaze - July 24, 2007

Soy and Estoy

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I have just started learning Spanish and am enjoying it very much so far. I was very concerned at first that I was wasting my money when I bought this course but now it is seeming doable. I have a question about the ...

1 reply - Last post by Mauricio - July 23, 2007

"¡Voy!" or "¡Ya voy!"

What does this mean?

2 replies - Last post by taalibeen - July 6, 2007

Estar con muchas cosas en la cabeza

What does it mean when someone says "Estoy con muchas cosas en la cabeza." Does it mean that the person has "a lot on their mind" as we might say in English? Can you infer something about the seriousness of the person's internal sta...

2 replies - Last post by kaczmk - June 5, 2007

quien como tú

I have heard the phrase "quien como tú" but I'm not sure what it means in context. Here is a recent example (as best as I can recall): "estás descansando hoy pero yo, no .... quien como tú" What does the phrase "quien como ...

2 replies - Last post by Mauricio - May 15, 2007

d sounding like v?

Hi there, I've just started learning spanish and are on the lession 1 audio mp3's. It's great fun and I'm definitely enjoying it. Whilst listening to the audio's, sometimes words such as Disculpe sound like they are said with a 'v' at the begining (i...

2 replies - Last post by Richard-Barrett - May 10, 2007

Derecho

In our lesson we are taught that derecho means straight (ahead) when giving directions. A textbook I have shows that - derecho(a) means -right - as in a la derecha (to the right) or la mano derecha (your right hand). It infers that derecho is the mascul...

2 replies - Last post by schrades - April 9, 2007

me acuerdo and recuerdo

What is the fifference between "me acuerdo" and "recuerdo"? Is "me acuerdo" I remember and "recuerdo" I remember something?

2 replies - Last post by John-Dagen - March 13, 2007

Infeliz

I watch Mexican soaps and often have questions about words. Onda was one, I see you answered that one, thanks. How about infeliz, my dictionary says it means "poor wretch", but it is used to describe people who have done something against someo...

2 replies - Last post by Mauricio - March 8, 2007

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