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Mexican Slang Essentials: ¿Qué onda?

If you spend any significant amount of time socializing in México, or even here in some parts of the US, “¿Qué onda?” is a question you simply can’t escape from.  Like tacos or mezcal, it is an absolute staple of Méxican culture! So let’s take a look at the meaning

Tres traducciones de “race”

(1) RACE AS RAZA When used in reference to a person’s lineage or genetic group, we translate “race” as “raza”: Las prácticas culturales varían notablemente entre las personas de diferentes razas. Cultural practices vary greatly among people belonging to different races. En Nueva York viven personas de muchas razas, culturas y

Isabel la Católica

Click here to listen to all about Isabel la Católica: Isabella I (Madrigal de las Altas Torres, 22 April 1451–Medina del Campo, 26 November 1504) was Queen of Castille. She was married to Ferdinand II of Aragon. Isabella and Ferdinand are known for completing the Reconquista, ordering conversion or exile

Macho / Hembra

If el gato is a male cat and la gata is a female cat, what would be the word for a male rat since la rata is the word for a female rat. El rato? No quite so! La rata applies to both the male and female rat: Hoy vi una

Argentine Slang Essentials: Che

The Wondrous Origin of the Word CHE Slang words are often tethered to other ideas and attitudes that simply cannot be expressed as succinctly without them, and the slang word “che” commonly used in Argentina, Uruguay and in the Spanish autonomous community of Valencia is no different. With its colorful

Tres traducciones de “time”

(1) TIME AS TIEMPO When we talk about a certain period in between events or the passing of minutes, days, weeks, etc, we translate “time” as “tiempo”: Se nos acabó el tiempo y no pudimos terminar el exámen. We ran out of time and we couldn’t finish the exam. El tiempo

Mexican Slang and The Curious Case of “Aguas”

Water is such an essential part of life, and -not surprisingly- it is one of the first words you learn in any language. So I’m sure that you already know that the Spanish word for water is agua, but did you know that this word has other meanings? One common

Should I say ‘cambiar de mente’ or ‘cambiar de idea’?

Always say “cambiar de idea” o “cambiar de opinion”. When we talk about altering one’s opinions or decisions, the correct equivalents are “cambiar de idea” and “cambiar de opinión”. “Cambiar de mente” is a literal translation from the English expression “to change one’s mind” that would only make sense in

Are “aggressive” and “agresivo” the same?

“Aggressive means agresivo, right?” Well, yes and no. When we use this adjective to describe a violent situation or someone who is hostile and always ready to pick a fight or an argument, agresivo is the correct equivalent. Su comportamiento reciente es muy agresivo; sus padres están preocupados por él.