One of the most difficult aspects of a language to master is the usage of idiomatic expressions. Idiomatic expressions are phrases that carry a specific meaning within the language. Normally, there is no logical way of translating them word by word. The only way to learn them is to memorize
You probably know what “la cuenta” means if you have been at a Spanish restaurant. “El cuento” is not a bill just for boys. It means a tale, a short story, or simply, a story. Un cuento chino: a complicated and unbelievable story, a cock-and-bull story. Tener más cuento que
A mitad de año: halfway through the year, at midyear. A lo largo de este año: over the course of this year. A lo largo de los años: over the years. A sus (29, 35, 42, etc) años: at the age of (29, 35, 42, etc) /at (29, 35, 42,
Aguinaldo: Christmas bonus, Christmas box money. Árbol de Navidad: Christmas tree. Budín de Navidad: Christmas pudding. Cena de Navidad: Christmas dinner. Corona navideña: Christmas wreath. Día de Navidad: Christmas Day. En Navidad / Navidades / Pascuas: at Christmas (time). ¡Feliz Navidad!: Merry Christmas. Gordo navideño, de Navidad: Christmas jackpot. Lotería
Cuestión de vida o muerte: a matter of life and death. Dar muerte a algo / alguien: to kill something or someone. De mala muerte (colloquial): lousy, crappy. De muerte (col.): (susto) terrible; (fantástico) fantastic, terrific, out of this world. Debatirse entre la vida y la muerte: be fighting for
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
A buena luz: thoughtfully, after some reflection. A la luz de: in light of. A primera luz: at first light, at the break of dawn. A todas luces: to do something with confidence and certainty. Bombilla, bombita: light bulb. Brillar con luz propia: to stand out on your own, to succeed.
Cuernear: to cheat on someone. Cornudo: cuckold. Echar una cana al aire: to cheat on someone, to sow one’s wild oats. Estar de pirata: to go out with a woman in secrecy to hide that you are cheating on your wife. Engañar: to cheat on someone. Tener un romance: to