Author: Maria del Mar Pérez

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IA and iScribo

Ethical Concerns of Artificial Intelligence

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Hablemos de Inteligencia Artificial: ¿Es Ética? | iScribo

The ethics of artificial intelligence and robotics is a current topic due to the growth of AI. Today, this issue is omnipresent in our lives and raises questions such as ‘can AI be moral?’ in the debates about the ethical concerns of artificial intelligence.

At iScribo, we believe it is time to talk about the moral implications of artificial intelligence in terms of safety and ethics. To this end, we bring you the keys to its development and what is being done and can be done to integrate it into our lives in the best possible way.

AI Moral Issues

Since AI can make autonomous decisions, the impact on society is significant and many people are against artificial intelligence.

To ensure safe practice, AI must consider:

– Data protection: ensuring users’ privacy will play in AI’s favour as the years go by. Companies have a lot of responsibility in this regard.

– Responsibility and security: as we are all responsible for our actions, AI also. AI can be a very powerful weapon, so it must ensure that it is robust against attacks and manipulation.

– Transparency: it is important for people to understand what is being done and how to build trust.

– Discrimination: AI must strive to be fair and accessible to everyone to apply appropriate ethics.

– Social impact: especially on the employment landscape as many jobs are being reinvented with the advance of AI.

Debates About Artificial Intelligence

There are some famous debates about the ethics and morality of artificial intelligence that have caused a lot of discussion. Many scientists, such as Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk, have questioned the risks of the use of AI and the acceleration of its development, and called for a global agreement on the ethics of artificial intelligence. It is striking, however, that scientists of this level have contributed to the development of this type of technology.

Another debate nowadays is the use of algorithms and the discrimination they can provide when it comes to creating biases. Take, for example, banks’ lending decisions.

However, we believe that the debate of most concern today is the use of AI in the employment landscape. Job automation is a concern in an increasingly crowded world with a latent job shortage. We need to focus on the fact that AI also creates opportunities.

Think about the ability of machines to behave like humans. Many scientists argue for the emulation of human intelligence while others advocate the development of AI with different potentials.

Have you ever seen a self-driving car? It generates a lot of debate, for example, what does the vehicle do when important decisions have to be made? Imagine an accident situation where the autonomous vehicle had to decide whether to protect the passenger or an external person, such as a pedestrian.

Science Fiction and AI

Many of society’s concerns about AI are motivated by science fiction and the film industry. Science fiction deals with the ethics of AI and its impact on society in an entertaining and unique way but we must not forget that it is science fiction and presents dystopias. Some famous films that deal with this issue are Steven Spielberg’s ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence’, Stanley Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, Ridley Scott’s ‘Blade Runner’ and its later versions and Alex Garland’s ‘Ex Machina’.

Digital platforms have also recorded series dealing with AI such as ‘Black Mirror’ or ‘Westworld’.

iScribo & Social Evolution

Governments and companies are working to establish moral limits to AI so that it is used for the benefit of society and not to its detriment.

There are many other debates besides the ones we have presented in this blog post, do you know of any other? Do you have ethical concerns of artificial intelligence?

iScribo believes in artificial intelligence as a working tool to help you improve your documents when writing in Spanish. Our technology can develop a tool that corrects your Spanish in real time as you write. Have you already tried the iScribo corrector? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Culture around Spanish language

Dream Vacation: What to See in Peru in 7 Days

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Vacaciones de Ensueño: Qué Ver en Perú en 7 Días | iScribo

iScribo has the answer when people wonder about what most amazing places are to visit in Peru. This country is full of wonders from north to south and from east to west. If you are looking for adventure, nature and history for your holiday, we have the dream vacation for you which includes a complete Peru holiday itinerary.

What to do in Peru for a week? Find your flight, buy it and start planning the most beautiful routes with our guide on what to see in Peru in 7 days. iScribo shows you unique places to visit in Peru, a natural paradise that will not leave you indifferent. If you have 7 days in the country, apart from the time you spend flying, we suggest an itinerary with the highlights.

Day 1 – Lima

Lima is one of Peru’s main cities to visit. The capital will provide you with rich gastronomy and culture.

Visit the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can explore the colonial buildings such as the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral, the Palacio del Gobierno and the Palacio Arzobispal.

If you are a bohemian, you cannot miss the Barranco neighbourhood with its picturesque streets and lively nights. There you can also visit the Ermita and the Puente de los Suspiros.

Delight in Peruvian history at the Museo de la Nación, one of the main attractions to see in Peru.

Do you like the beach? Head to the Miraflores district and visit Huaca Pucllana, an impressive archaeological museum.

Day 2 – Cusco

In the very heart of the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is one of the most beautiful and impressive places to visit in Peru for its Inca architecture and history.

Visit the Plaza de Armas with the cathedral and the church of the Compañía de Jesús. Visit the Templo del Sol, known as Coricancha. It is an Inca temple destroyed during the Spanish conquest.

For a panoramic view of the city, head to Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress. Don’t miss the central market of San Pedro.

Day 3 – Valle Sagrado de los Incas

It goes from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Visit the villages of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero and the salt mines of Maras.

The combination of landscapes and cultures will surprise you. Don’t hesitate to get lost in its streets and discover the immense beauty of nature.

Day 4 – Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu is a must if you travel to Peru. Discover the legends and mystery that surround this citadel, which is the iconic archaeological destination per se. This wonder of the modern world, more than two kilometres above sea level, features a striking stone structure called Intihuatana, a ceremonial site for the Incas.

Day 5 – Cusco

Return to the city of Cusco from Aguas Calientes and finish seeing what you haven’t had time to see, which is sure to be a lot – this city has a lot to see!

Explore nearby archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambomachay, you won’t regret it.

Day 6 – Arequipa

Known as the White City because of the type of stone used in its buildings, in Arequipa you can visit (once again) the Plaza de Armas with its Renaissance and Baroque cathedral.

Visit the Santa Catalina monastery and the Yanahuara viewpoint, where you will see the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.

Finally, visit the underground city of Sabandía, built to protect itself from pirates.

Day 7 – Colca Canyon

Did you know that one of the deepest canyons in the world is located here? The Colca Canyon is worth a visit! Here you can admire the majestic condor. So accustomed is it to this landscape that it gives its name to the viewpoint of the Cruz del Condor.

iScribo & Culture

If you have time to spare or you have decided to cut out some of the visits we have suggested about what to see in Peru in 7 days, consider doing the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, you will discover unique landscapes that end in the great citadel. iScribo enjoys the culture of all Spanish-speaking countries and our tool is adapted so that, whatever Spanish you write, you do it the right way. Have you tried it yet? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Writing in Spanish

Semantic Fields and Lexical Structure in Spanish

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Campos Semánticos y Familias Léxicas en Español | iScribo

Semantic fields and lexical structure (lexical family) in Spanish may seem confusing at first glance, but if you identify each concept, you will answer the question ‘how to identify a semantic field?’

Continue reading this iScribo article to learn some semantic fields examples and the difference between semantic and lexical fields in Spanish and how they are formed.

Lexical Families

Lexical families in Spanish are a set of words that share the same root or lexeme, in other words, it is the main part of the word and what gives it meaning and significance. They are also known as ‘word families’.

For example, in the word mesa (table), mes- would be the root and it is what will help us to form word families or lexemes.

How Are Word Families Formed?

To form a word family, you just have to play with its root by adding prefixes or suffixes:

Deporte (sport), root dep-:

deportista, deportivo, polideportivo, deportividad, antideportiva.

(sportsman, sportswoman, sportsman, sportsman, sportsmanship, unsportsmanlike.)

It should be noted that there are some lexical families that are irregular, depending on the origin of each word (its etymology):

Hueso (bone):

huesera, huesoso, óseo, osario.

(bonekeeper, bony, osseous, ossuary.)

By the way, changing the gender and number ending is not considered a lexical family, e.g. niño, niña, niños, niñas (boy, girl, boys, girls.)

Semantic Fields Definition

Semantic fields are words that share a specific theme. In other words, these words share a meaning that is related to each other. We are talking about a conceptual relationship, for example:

Animales (animals:)

Perro, gato, caballo, águila.

(Dog, cat, horse, eagle.)

Since we are talking about semantic fields and their comparison with lexical families, bear in mind that a lexical family can be part of different semantic fields.

To name an example, the lexical family that shares the root or lexeme of the word luz (light) – noun, generates other words such as iluminar (illuminate) – verb, luminosa (luminous) – adjective, and deslumbrante (dazzling) – adjective.

iScribo and Grammar Preservation

To sum up, semantic fields can be grouped by their subject, through a set of related words, while lexical families are the morphology of the language itself and the linking of words through their root. Pure grammar! At iScribo we like to protect and spread the good use of grammar and the Spanish language, so we try to bring you closer to the most technical and grammatical aspects of the Spanish language. Our tool helps you to form word families, have you tried it? Tell us in the comments and also tell us about any lexical family that drags your attention.

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Culture around Spanish language

The 24 Best Spanish Songs to Learn the Language

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Las 24 Mejores Canciones Para Aprender Español | iScribo

Learning Spanish through songs can be the best way to improve your language skills. In addition, it’s possible to learn Spanish by music provide you with a fun experience, which can be an interesting way to pass the time in the summer.

From learning new vocabulary and expressions to differentiating accents from different countries, iScribo provides you with a list of the best Spanish songs to learn the language. Open your favourite music player and create a playlist to get you through the summer to discover how to learn Spanish by listening to music.

Songs to Help Learn Spanish

From the most recent to old Spanish songs that have set trends, Spain has been exporting talent since forever. It’s not all flamenco or the famous reggaeton imported from Latin America, here you can find several Spanish songs for beginners.

1. Eres tú by the group Mocedades: this song from the 60s is a Spanish classic that you’ll still hear among the people today.

2. Con su blanca palidez by Cristina y Los Stop: this Spanish version from the early 70s will give you a lot of play as you can compare it with its original English version.

3. Mi gran noche by Raphael: there is no artist more iconic than the great Raphael. There is no party today without this song.

4. La lista de la compra by María Jiménez & La Cabra Mecánica: to get you into a bit of culture, enjoy this song that fuses pop and flamenco.

5. Bulería by David Bisbal: entertaining song that will make you dance, plus, it’s very summery.

6. Y, ¿Si fuera ella? by Alejandro Sanz: we can’t make a list without Spain’s most influential singer. He still fills concert halls all over the country.

7. A mi manera by Siempre Así: another song to compare with English and to learn about Spanish culture.

8. La Flaca by Jarabe de Palo: this song by Pau Donés, leader of the band, will teach you Spanish from Spain with a Latin twist. We invite you to listen to more of this iconic Spanish band.

9. París by La Oreja de Van Gogh: you can learn Spanish by listening any song from this iconic band.

10. Maquillaje by Mecano: impossible to forget the music of Mecano in the eighties and nineties. This group fought for gender equality and LGTBI+ rights when no one else was doing so. Full of positive vibes!

Mexican Songs to Learn

The variety of Mexican music genres ranges from mariachi, bolero and huapango to the most traditional Mexican music.

11. Bésame mucho by Consuelo Velázquez: it crossed borders and became an international hit.

12. La llorona by Ángela Aguilar: there are many versions, each one more beautiful.

13. Vivir sin aire by Maná: this group has one of the best drummers in the world and their music is enjoyed all over the world.

14. Amor eterno by Juan Gabriel: another artist who has achieved worldwide glory.

15. La Bamba by Ritchie Valens: you probably know it, so we couldn’t resist including it in this list for obvious reasons.

Music in Colombia

Colombia is an iconic country in terms of current songs to learn Spanish because of the amount of talent it exports around the world.

16. Hawái by Maluma: this Colombian artist has even sung with Madonna.

17. La camisa negra by Juanes: this is one of the easiest Spanish songs to learn, it is often used in teaching. Take advantage and listen to this great artist with his activist lyrics.

18. Dónde están los ladrones by Shakira: you know her more than enough but it’s worth learning Spanish with her first albums, you won’t regret it.

19. Vida de rico by Camilo: Camilo mixes rhythms and teaches you Spanish in a respectful and beautiful way.

20. La gota fría by Carlos Vives: we love Carlos’ rhythm and positive vibe, don’t miss it.

Other Talents in Latin America

All over Latin America there is unparalleled talent and rhythm, did you know? Maybe it’s the joy of its people or their philosophy of life, but you can’t miss out on everything they bring us:

21. Te extraño, te olvido y te amo by Ricky Martin: the Puerto Rican artist is an icon from the beginning of the century.

22. Torero by Chayanne: this legendary song by the Puerto Rican singer is still heard today.

23. La vida es un carnaval by Celia Cruz: nobody better than the Cuban artist to show us the joy of living.

24. Flaca by Andrés Calamaro: we already loved him with his group Los Rodríguez. This Argentinian artist has made us enjoy music since we were little.

iScribo & Culture

Enrique Iglesias, Bomba Estéreo, Luis Miguel, J Balvin, Marc Anthony, Aitana and so on. We could spend hours talking about our favourite artists. Nobody better than all of them to learn Spanish by music. These songs cover different genres and styles, enjoy them while you learn. Don’t forget to look up their translations and compare them with their English versions, if available. iScribo brings you these songs representing different eras and styles, do you know how to write them? Try our tool and let us know what you think.

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Culture around Spanish language

32 Most Common Names in Latin America & Spain

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32 Nombres más Comunes de Personas en Español | iScribo

A part of the culture of each country is hidden behind the names of its inhabitants. The etymology behind the most common names in Latin America and Spain can tell you about the history of not only each country, but of each people.

Over the centuries we can see that the most common given names in Spain vary very little and that even today we still prefer to be traditional and preserve the culture that defines us.

There are some organisations that help you to know the history of each name or surname so that you can learn a little more about your origins or those of a person important to you. Sit down and read today’s article about the identity of people in Spain and Latin America.

Common Male Names in Spain

As time goes by, we see that most common first names in Spain are repeated almost year after year and through generations. Although we are in a time when foreign names are on the rise, most families still choose to preserve the exclusive and original identity of their origins:

1. Antonio: there is no Spanish family without an Antonio! However, its feminine variant, Antonia, is not so common.

2. Manuel: in regions such as Andalusia, this name is poetry.

3. José: biblical names are still a classic.

4. Francisco: a name that accompanies great Spanish literary figures, such as Francisco de Quevedo.

5. David: has gained ground in recent years to enter the list of the top ten most popular names for men.

6. Juan: as with our number one, there is no family that does not have a Juan among its members.

7. Javier: a mixture of phonemes in a singular name.

8. Hugo: nothing traditional about it but has become very fashionable.

Most Popular Female Names Spain

The most frequent names for women in Spain have evolved further since many of the traditional names have negative connotations because they are derived from the patron virgins of each municipality.

9. María: I’m sure you’ve guessed this one. The explanation is that, at the time of baptism, the priests “advised” that girls should have this name, now it’s just a tradition.

10. Carmen: a name that is becoming more and more common among Spanish girls.

11. Ana: a very international and beautiful name.

12. Laura: names with diphthongs add a musical rhythm that makes you fall in love.

13. Isabel: it seems a bit obvious because of the historical background.

14. Sofia: royalty made it fashionable.

15. Pilar: the patron saint of Spain gives her name to many girls in the country.

16. Dolores: traditional name par excellence that gave rise to the diminutive Lola, widely used internationally.

Most Popular Boy Names in Latin America

It is difficult to generalise when talking about Latin America, as it is made up of many countries in a vast territory, but here is a list of common names found in many Spanish-speaking countries in the New World.

17. Carlos: exported from Spanish royalty, very common in many countries.

18. Luis: a name with a diphthong that adds a sweet rhythm to any man who bears it.

19. Alejandro: an international name with a very powerful meaning.

20. Miguel: usually passed down from father to son in a gesture of tradition and tenderness.

21. Pedro: biblical name that identifies a multitude of boys in Latin America.

22. Fernando: very common combined with another middle name.

23. Eduardo: name coming from the Spanish high society and very widespread in the New World.

24. Joaquín: at last, a name with a hiatus makes it to the lists.

Common Names for Women in Latin America

Many of the most common names for women in Latin America coincide with those in Spain, nevertheless we have been a little more poetic so that you can understand the diversity of Latin America:

25. Carolina: an international name in its Spanish variant.

26. Andrea: although in some Mediterranean countries it is used as a masculine name, in Spanish it is a woman’s name.

27. Gabriela: like other names on the list, it is imported from Spanish high society.

28: Natalia: very popular name, especially in the southern countries.

29: Valentina: imported from Italy.

30. Patricia: name with a catchy rhythm.

31. Daniela: there is also the masculine variant, Daniel, very extended that could be easily added to the male list.

32. Jessica: most probably influenced by the United States.

iScribo in Cultural Diversity

Many names in Spain and Latin America are combined to form compound names, such as José Antonio or Ana María. A long time ago, people of a higher social status would name their kids with up to seven names, that’s right, seven! One was the name they wanted to give the baby, followed by the name of the father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, priest who baptised the baby, godfather or godmother and even an uncle or aunt.

This also coincides with the compound surnames that are still used today by people with noble titles. iScribo embraces the cultural diversity of Spanish. Our tool detects different registers and corrects your documents according to your linguistic needs. Have you tried it yet? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Spanish as a language

Rules for Masculine and Feminine in Spanish

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Claves del Masculino y Femenino en Español | iScribo

Learn what determines masculine and feminine in Spanish today. Some words just need to change the ending to the root but others follow a completely different pattern.

The rules for masculine and feminine in Spanish are easy if you learn them in a logical order. In this article we are going to focus on nouns, adjectives and determiners. Read on so you don’t miss out on the most basic tricks that will always work for you.

Gender of Nouns in Spanish

As a general rule, masculine nouns end in -o (perro, libro – dog, book) and feminine nouns end in -a (playa, motocicleta – beach, motorbike).

As an exception, nouns ending in -e are sometimes masculine and sometimes feminine. To find out which gender they are, you will have to practice:

Masculine: padre, hombre, valle (father, man, valley.)

Feminine: madre, noche, torre (mother, night, tower.)

You will also find that almost all nouns ending in -ción and -sión are feminine: canción, ilusión (song, illusion.)

How to Make Adjectives Feminine in Spanish

In this case it is easier because the adjective will agree with the same gender as the noun.

For example, if we have “árbol” (tree), a masculine noun, the adjective that accompanies it will also be masculine: “viejo” (old).

The exceptions (of course, there are always exceptions to the rule in Spanish) are made up of adjectives that are invariable in gender and number, for example: “grande” (big), “excepcional” (outstanding):

Ayer vimos una película excepcional.

(Yesterday we saw an exceptional film.)

El coche de Pedro es excepcional.

(Pedro’s car is outstanding.)

The Masculine and Feminine in Articles

As with adjectives, determiners agree in gender and number with nouns in Spanish.

Whether they are determinate or indeterminate, we will agree the determiners with the noun:

La estrella que ves en frente brilla más a final de mes.

(The star you see in front of you shines brighter at the end of the month.)

Un barco velero siempre navegará más despacio.

(A sailing ship will always sail more slowly.)

When we have gender neutral nouns in Spanish, i.e. gender-invariant words, we agree the determiners according to the context:

El miembro del parlamento llegó tarde.

(The member of parliament was late.)

La miembro del club de madres ha organizado un acto benéfico.

(The member of the mothers’ club has organised a charity event.)

iScribo And Inclusive Language

Although we have to generalise with the use of masculine to proceed to the formation of the feminine in Spanish, there are always some tricks to use neutral words that include the whole. Although most languages follow masculine patterns, it is always in our hands to help with the social evolution of the language to the most inclusive way. Do you know how to use the masculine and feminine in Spanish? Our spelling and grammar checker corrects your documents in real time – it’s the best way to help you write perfect Spanish! Have you tried it yet? Tell us about it in the comments.

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Culture around Spanish language

16 Useful Phrases for Shopping in Spanish

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16 Frases Útiles Para Ir de Compras en Español | iScribo

Shopping in Spanish language is a fun experience. Every trip should include a shopping day strolling through boutiques to discover what’s hot in the country you’re in these days.

Travelling with friends? Even better, a great day of shopping is always more rewarding if it is shared. At iScribo today we teach you some useful phrases for shopping in Spanish with a guide to help you succeed in a funny day after tourism. Mind the planet! Don’t forget to shop sensibly.

Useful Spanish Shopping Words

1. ¿Dónde se encuentra la tienda de deportes?

(Where is the sports shop?) Or the perfume shop, your favourite fashion shop… It doesn’t matter, you can always change the noun to suit your tastes.

2. Buenas tardes, ¿tienen este pantalón en la talla cuarenta?

(Good afternoon, do you have this pair of trousers in size forty?) Replace the trousers by any other garment or accessory and by your size. Also, remind to convert the size with an accurate chart, sizes differ from countries.

3. Disculpe, ¿esta camiseta está en color rojo?

(Excuse me, is this T-shirt in red?) Choose your favourite colour and the garment you like the most.

4. ¿Me puede indicar dónde se encuentra la sección de caballero?

(Can you tell me where the men’s section is?) Or women’s, children’s, accessories… You have a range of possibilities depending on what you most need or what you are looking for.

5. ¿Dónde está el probador?

(Where is the fitting room?) Of course! You should check that the garment fits you well because when you finish your holidays it will be difficult to return it.

To Be Fashionable

6. ¿Qué accesorios se llevan esta temporada por aquí?

(What accessories are in season around here?) Dress like the locals! There’s nothing more fun for a tourist than immersing yourself in the culture of the country you’re in.

7. Busco unos zapatos que combinen con todo.

(I look for shoes that go with everything.) Sometimes the simplest thing is the most practical. You can apply this philosophy to any country.

8. ¿Qué me recomienda que me lleve?

(What do you recommend I take?) There are times when it is difficult to choose or you just don’t feel like it. Let yourself be carried away by the recommendations of the shop staff, you won’t regret it.

9. Necesito un sombrero pequeño, ¿dónde puedo encontrarlo?

(I need a small hat, where can I find one?) Don’t forget that the sun is treacherous in the summer months and protect your head from sunstroke.

Let’s Be Practical

10. Perdone, ¿cuándo empiezan las rebajas?

(Excuse me, when do the sales start?) Of course, the summer sales are to be taken advantage of, so find out when the shops have wonderful discounts.

11. Este pantalón, ¿lo tienen que tela más fina?

(Do you have other trousers with a thinner fabric?) Don’t be surprised by the summer heat with a fabric that is not appropriate for this season.

12. ¿Cuánto cuesta este artículo?

(How much does this item cost?) More than useful information.

13. ¿Se puede pagar con tarjeta o tiene que ser en efectivo?

(Can I pay by card or do I have to pay in cash?) Find out about payment methods to avoid last-minute surprises.

14. ¿Puedo probarme esta prenda?

(Can I try on this garment?) For hygienic reasons, there are items that you cannot try on, so it is better to ask before you make a mistake.

15. ¿Me puede dar el recibo?

(Can I have the receipt?) Many people call it a ‘tique’, which is a synonym for receipt. You will need it if you regret what you have bought or if you have tried it on again and you are not convinced.

16. Muchas gracias por su ayuda.

(Thank you very much for your help.) When you help us with our purchases, you are making our task easier than we think. Always be kind, you will see that the results are better and there is nothing like making someone’s day.

iScribo and the Correct Use of Spanish

Speaking and writing well in Spanish is essential wherever you are to preserve and spread the good use of the language. There is nothing more gratifying than a long day of shopping knowing that you have used the language as it deserves to be used. These are small, everyday tests that encourage you. Writing and speaking Spanish well is in your hands. Try our Spanish spelling and grammar checker. It also suggests improvements and synonyms, so you can learn as you write. Use it with any type of document and Spanish register, you will see that its results will surprise you. Have you tried it yet? Before you go, can you tell us in which Spanish-speaking countries you have been shopping?

Categories
Culture around Spanish language

20 Tips In Spanish For Going to a Restaurant

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20 Consejos en Español Para Ir a Un Restaurante | iScribo

Whether it is for business or pleasure, when visiting a country, going to a local restaurant is highly recommended, sometimes even mandatory. Do you want to go to a restaurant? There are phrases to order in a restaurant in Spanish that can be key to a completely satisfactory experience.

Language problems can lead to miscommunication and, therefore, an unpleasant situation that could have been avoided.

Read on to discover some tips on how to order food in a restaurant in Spanish so you only have to worry about preparing for your trip. Discard and avoid all the unnecessary stress of being in a foreign country and stepping out of your comfort zone. Eating abroad can be an unforgettable experience as many of the memories we create often come from the cuisine.

First Steps

Do you wonder how to ask for something at a restaurant in Spanish? Decide what type of restaurant you want to visit – you can ask someone who has already traveled to that country or friends you know who live there.

1. ¿Qué restaurante me recomiendas?

(Which restaurant do you recommend?)

2. ¿Hay algún restaurante cerca que sirva comida típica?

(Is there a restaurant nearby that serves typical food?)

Once you know where to go, we are going to give you some tips on booking a table in a restaurant in Spanish as you don’t want to wait, sometimes a long time, for the terrace to become free:

3. Me gustaría reservar una mesa para hoy a las 20 horas para tres personas.

(I would like to reserve a table for today at 8 pm for three people.)

4. La reserva es a nombre de Pedro Martín y mi número de teléfono es 123 456 789. Gracias.

(The reservation is in the name of Pedro Martin and my telephone number is 123 456 789. Thank you.)

Once at the Restaurant

5. Buenas tardes, tengo una reserva a mi nombre.

(Good afternoon, I have a reservation in my name.) This way you won’t have to wait for an available table.

6. ¿Nos puede traer agua mineral, por favor?

(Can you bring us some mineral water, please?) Water is a must for a meal.

7. ¿Tiene la carta de vinos?

(Do you have the wine menu?) If you wonder how to order how to order in a restaurant, think first that there is nothing more typical than accompanying a meal with a good local wine.

8. ¿Cuáles son las especialidades de la casa?

(What are the house specialties?) You’ll want to try the local specialties.

9. ¿Tienen algo fuera de carta?

(Do you have anything off the menu?) The local market always surprises the locals with some fresh product to prepare something special that day.

During the Meal

10. ¿Puede traernos otra botella de vino?

(Can you bring us another bottle of wine?) Conversations and after-food conversation in Spain, for example, can last a long time!

11. ¿Podría pedirle otro plato para acompañar este?

(May I ask for another dish to go with this one?) Don’t leave with an empty stomach…

12. Perdone, ¿sería posible pedir este plato sin cebolla?

(Excuse me, would it be possible to order this dish without onions?) Most restaurants adapt to the tastes and needs of the diners.

13. ¿Cuál es el postre típico de la zona?

(What is the typical dessert of the area?) Try what they recommend, it is always the best.

14. ¿Nos puede dar la carta de postres?

(Can you give us the dessert menu?) You will surely find some homemade liqueur to go with your favorite sweets.

15. ¿Tienen café descafeinado?

(Do you have decaffeinated coffee?) Maybe you don’t need more energy for the rest of the day.

Before you Go

16. Muchas gracias por todo, la comida estaba buenísima.

(Thank you very much for everything, the food was great). A good meal in the best company is always appreciated.

17. ¿Nos puede traer la cuenta, por favor?

(Can we have the bill, please?) The most unpleasant part of a meal… isn’t it?

18. ¿Podemos pagar por separado?

(Can we split the bill, please?) A trendy thing to do.

19. ¿Podemos pagar con tarjeta?

(Can we pay by card?) The most convenient way to go out nowadays.

20. ¡Hasta la próxima, volveremos pronto!

(See you next time, we’ll be back soon!) There is nothing more satisfying for the restaurant than expressing gratitude. But, mind you, say it only if you really mean it and intend to come back, there is no need to lie.  

iScribo and the Diversity of Spanish

Bear in mind that each Spanish-speaking country is different, so when it’s time to go to a restaurant, think that the vocabulary of a restaurant in Spanish varies from one area to another. For example, in Spain we call the person who works in the restaurant and serves the food “camarero/a” while in Venezuela they are called “mesero/a”.

Remember to always ask and communicate with kindness no matter what country you are in. Spanish-speaking countries generally make their living in the service sector, so the workload is usually high. iScribo helps you improve your written Spanish, which you can then practice speaking. And you, do you know more phrases to order in a restaurant in Spanish? Have you ever identified the difference in words from one Spanish-speaking country to another? Have you already tried iScribo? Tell us about it in the comments.

Categories
Spanish as a language

6 Spanish Expressions for Summer and Their Meaning

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6 Expresiones y Dichos de Verano en Español | iScribo

Summer sayings and proverbs are an institution in Spanish language. Expressions for summer and heat are used throughout the year, but more frequently during these months.

Are you excited for the summer holidays? We must say that we do love summer and Spanish summer phrases! As we already introduced you a few months ago with seasonal expressions, this article aims to help you learn or refresh some expressions about summer that will make you smile.

Summer Idioms and Their Meaning  

We are going to be a bit traditional in this section but it is more than necessary:

1. Hacer el agosto: (make the August, literally) means to make a good deal, as businesses do during this month of summer. In the old days it was related to the storage of the harvest and its use in this very hot month.

2. Pasar una noche de perros: (spending a dog’s night, literally) means that falling asleep on a summer night can be a challenge. The sweltering heat in some areas is not conducive to a good night’s rest. This saying is related to the nightly barking of dogs that prevent neighbours from getting a good night’s rest.

3. Si quieres vivir sano, madruga en el verano: (if you want to live healthy, get up early in the summer, literally) this means that in order to have quality days, it is better to get up early and take advantage of the hours of less heat.

Popular Phrases

Society’s creativity has provided us with some phrases that, over time, have become part of our daily lives:

4. Morirse de calor: (die of heat, literally) we use the verb “morir” in a figurative sense when we experience some extreme sensation, for better or worse. In summer, the intense heat favours the use of this phrase.

5. ¡Cómo aprieta el Lorenzo!: (Lorenzo y squeezing us, literally) the sun is called Lorenzo because the feast of San Lorenzo is celebrated on 10 August in Spain, one of the hottest days of the year. By the way, you can also take advantage of this day to see the famous “tears of San Lorenzo“, an impressive shower of stars.

6. Irse de terraceo : (Going out looking for terraces, literally): with the good summer weather it is more than obligatory to enjoy a few beers on the terrace of a bar, especially at night, is there anything more Spanish than that?

iScribo and Language Preservation

We love to protect and spread the good use of the Spanish language. Our spelling and grammar checker corrects as you write so that your documents have the quality they deserve. Have you tried it yet? Do you know any more Spanish expressions for the summer? Tell us in the comments all the expressions about summer that you know.

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