Category: Spanish as a language

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Spanish as a language The language today

Regional expressions and idioms: a voyage through the sayings of the Spanish-speaking world

Spanish is a language as diverse as the countries that speak it. Whether in Madrid, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, or Medellín, in every corner of the Spanish-speaking world, you’ll discover unique expressions that can make you laugh, confuse you, or even get you in trouble if you don’t understand them. These phrases and sayings reflect each community’s culture, humour, and history.

Some of these expressions are so amusing that, if taken literally, they seem absurd, while others showcase pure popular creativity. Join us on this journey through some of the most curious and entertaining idioms from Spanish-speaking countries. We’re sure that at least one will surprise you!

Spain: Between “flipar” and “estar en las nubes”

In Spain, colloquial expressions are an art form. When someone says they are “flipando,” it doesn’t mean they are doing somersaults; rather, it indicates they are astonished or surprised. It is also common to hear “Estar en las nubes” to describe someone distracted or absent-minded.

For instance, people from Madrid might exclaim “¡Vaya tela!” when something seems unbelievable to them, whereas in the south of the country, one often hears “¡Ojú!” as a sign of astonishment or weariness. And if a Spaniard tells you that “estás en la parra,” you’d best pay attention, as it means you are not listening to what they say.

Mexico: “Aguas,” “chido,” and “se me hace gacho”

In Mexico, Spanish is steeped in colourful expressions. One of the most well-known is “¡Aguas!”, which has nothing to do with the liquid but is instead a warning to be alert. If something is good or cool, it’s “Chido,” if someone says “se me hace gaucho,” it means that they find something ugly or unpleasant.

If a Mexican tells you “no manches,” they may be surprised or disagree with you, while “estar hasta las chanclas” indicates that someone has had too much to drink. And if you hear “me vale,” it means that the person doesn’t care at all what’s going on.

Argentina: “Un quilombo,” “posta,” and “che”

Rioplatense Spanish also has its repertoire of idioms. In Argentina, “quilombo” refers not to a dance, but to a severe chaos or problem. “Posta” is a way of stating that something is true, similar to “de verdad.” And if someone calls you “che,” they are simply getting your attention.

An Argentinean may say “me la banco” to indicate they can handle a difficult situation. If something “pinta bien,” it is because it has a good prognosis. And if you hear “un pibe,” they talk about a boy or young person.

Colombia: “Estar amañado,” “berraco,” and “vaina”

In Colombia, Spanish has a rhythm that is full of charming expressions. “Estar amañado” means to feel comfortable in a place, while “berraco” can refer to someone brave or, depending on the context, an angry person.

“Vaina” is a catch-all word for anything, whether positive or negative. People who say “me da mamera” express laziness or disinterest. And if you hear “parce,” it’s the Colombian version of “amigo” or “compadre.”

Chile: “Andar o estar pato”, “fome” and “cachar”

Chilean Spanish also has a unique flavour. “Andar pato” means to be broke, while “fome” describes something dull. If a Chilean says “¡cachai?”, they ask if you understand.

“Carrete” is the code word for party, and “hacer una vaca” (do a cow) does not imply animals, but instead gathering money between several people for an ordinary expense. “Andar arriba de la pelota” (to be on top of a ball) is to be drunk, because literally if you get on a ball you lose your balance 🤣. If someone “tira la talla” (throw the size) is joking, and if they tell you “chicotea los caracoles,” (whips the snails) they are hurrying you up since chicota is a type of whip. Suppose someone tells you that “Claudio me está pintando el mono” (Claudio is painting me the monkey) means he called him out or corrected him for something. On the other hand, “pintamono” can also mean to clown around, to make a fool of oneself to get attention, for example, by saying “Claudio is a pintamonos” or what is the same, “Claudio is giving juice”.

To leave someone like a “chaleco de mono” (monkey vest) means that someone spoke badly of him behind his back. And one last thing with animals: “echarse una manito de gato” (to give oneself a kitty hand) means to carefully groom oneself before going out💅.

One language, a thousand ways to express it.

Spanish, like all languages, is shaped by the culture and identity of each country. This is why regional idioms and expressions enrich communication and reflect the history and creativity of their speakers.

If you travel around the Spanish-speaking world, be prepared to discover that what means one thing in your country may be entirely different in another. Best of all, learning these idioms is one of the most enjoyable ways to immerse yourself in a new culture. So, gather your thoughts and continue exploring the fascinating world of words!

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Spanish as a language The language today

The Language of Gastronomy: Unique Spanish Terms for Describing Flavours, Textures, and Traditional Dishes

You sit down at the table, pick up your fork, and with the first bite, a smile spreads across your face. “This is absolutely delicious!” you exclaim, as the aroma of the food envelops you. It’s not just the taste, but the texture, the scent, and the memory each dish brings to mind. Gastronomy possesses its own language, and in Spanish, we have many words and expressions that describe the culinary experience with a precision and passion that few languages can match.

Words That Awaken the Palate

Spanish is a language as tasty as its food. It is not enough to say that something is good; we need nuances, details that express precisely what we feel on the palate. A stew can be “contundente” (strong), dense and full of substance, ideal for replenishing energy. A “meloso” dish has a soft and unctuous texture, like a good risotto or a rice soup. And if a dessert is “empalagoso” (cloying), its sweetness is excessive, almost impossible to finish.

As for flavours, Spanish has specific words to describe sensations that go beyond the basics. The “bitter” of a good coffee is not the same as the “astringent” of a young red wine. Something “spicy” produces a warmth in the mouth, but if it is “especiado” (spicy), it implies a complex mixture of aromas and flavours that do not necessarily burn.

Texture Matters

It’s not solely about flavour in food; texture also plays a crucial role. In Spanish, we describe a food as “crujiente” (crispy) when it makes a sound when you bite into it, like a good crust of bread or a well-cooked fry. If it’s “jugoso” (juicy), it retains its juices and feels fresh and flavoursome, like medium-rare meat or ripe fruit. A “esponjoso” (spongy) cake is light and airy, while a “mazacote” cake is dense, heavy, and sometimes excessively.

Dishes with Unmistakable Names

Beyond the words that describe sensations, gastronomic Spanish also includes the names of dishes that evoke tradition and flavour.

  • Imagine an edible hug! A Mexican taco is like a small corn quilt that lovingly envelops a juicy and flavourful filling. It can be made of suadero, pastor, cochinita or even nopalitos. Still, it always comes with its inseparable entourage: onion, cilantro and a sauce that can make you cry from happiness… or spiciness. It is a festive bite.
  • Spanish tapas are like those friends that never fail: small, varied and always welcome. Each tapa is a short but tasty story from a crunchy croquette that hides a creamy heart to some patatas bravas that challenge you with their spicy sauce.
  • Chancho en piedra is the rockstar of Chilean sauces: simple, rustic, and full of character. It is made with ripe tomatoes, chilli, garlic, and cilantro, all crushed in a stone mortar until the flavours merge intensely. The result is a fresh, vibrant mix with a playful spiciness that awakens the senses. Its name may mislead the unprepared (it doesn’t contain pork, just its tasty spirit), but its fame is well-deserved. It is the ideal accompaniment to warm, kneaded bread and a perfect excuse to share in good company. One spoonful and you’re in Chile!
  • Spanish torrijas are proof that simple ingredients can create authentic delicacies. They are slices of bread that, after being dipped in milk flavoured with cinnamon and lemon, are coated in egg and fried until golden and crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside. Then, they are sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon or dipped in honey, becoming a sweet and comforting snack. Traditional for Easter but welcome all year round, torrijas are the caloric hug that no one refuses.

Gastronomic Expressions

Food is so vital in Spanish-speaking culture that it has given rise to countless expressions. Saying that someone is “como un fideo” means they are skinny, while if they are “hecho un tonel” it implies the opposite. If a dish is “para chuparse los dedos”, it is because it is delicious, and if someone “no da ni un huevo”, it means they are stingy.

Of course, we cannot forget many people’s favorite expression: “pan comido,” which refers to something easy to make. However, not everything in the kitchen is as simple as it seems.

Food is so vital in Spanish-speaking culture that it has given rise to countless expressions. Saying that someone is “like a noodle” means they are skinny, while if they are “made into a barrel” it implies the opposite. If a dish is “to lick your fingers”, it is because it is delicious, and if someone “doesn’t give even an egg”, it means they are stingy.

Of course, we cannot forget many people’s favorite expression: “pan comido,” which refers to something easy to make. However, to tell the truth, not everything in the kitchen is as simple as it seems.

A Language to Savour

Those who speak Spanish have a unique way of discussing food, rich in nuances, textures, and evocations. Perhaps it is because gastronomy is more than simply eating: it is history, it is culture, and, above all, it is pleasure. The next time you savour a good dish, attempt to describe it with some of these words. Food is not only tasted but also narrated, which is why we know how to relish la sobremesa.

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Improving language Spanish as a language

Common mistakes in Spanish writing (and how to avoid them without losing your mind)

Spanish is a wonderful language, but it is also full of pitfalls even native speakers fall into. Sometimes, we make mistakes out of habit or carelessness without realising it. Here we tell you about some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them without suffering.

1. Confusion between “de que” and “que”

One of the most common mistakes is the incorrect use of “de que”. For example, saying “Me di cuenta que…” instead of “Me di cuenta de que…”. A simple trick is to replace the phrase with “eso”: if “Me di cuenta eso” doesn’t make sense, then the correct word is “de que”. This mistake is so common that it deserves special attention.

2. Incorrect use of commas ❌

Commas can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example:

✅ Correct: “Let’s eat, grandma.” (We talk to grandma about the food.)

❌ Incorrect: “Let’s eat grandma.” (It sounds like grandma is the main dish 😱).

3. Forgotten accent marks on past tense verbs

Past tense verbs often have an accent mark on the last syllable, such as “comió”, “habló” or “decidió”. Forgetting these accent marks is a common mistake that can change the tense or even the word’s meaning. Paying attention to the rules of accentuation is key to avoiding misunderstandings.

4. “Hay”, “ahí” and “ay”

These three words sound the same, but they have very different meanings:

  • Hay: from the verb “haber”. Example: “Hay muchas estrellas esta noche” (There are many stars tonight).
  • Ahí: indicates a place. Example: “El libro está ahí, sobre la mesa” (The book is there, on the table).
  • Ay: expression of complaint or pain. Example: “¡Ay, me he golpeado el pie!” (Oops, I hit my foot!).

Confusing them can lead to meaningless sentences or misinterpretations.

5. Confusion between “because,” “why,” “porqué,” and “por que” ❌

It’s easy to get tangled up with these four forms, but each has a specific use:

  • Porque: Explains a cause. Example: “No vine porque estaba enfermo”. (I didn’t come because I was sick.)
  • Por qué: Used in questions. Example: “¿Por qué llegaste tarde?” (“Why were you late?”)
  • Porqué: It’s a noun that means “reason.” Example:  “No entiendo el porqué de su enojo.” (“I don’t understand why he’s angry.”)
  • Por que: Used when the preposition “por” precedes “que.” Example: “Luchamos por que se haga justicia.” (“We fight for justice to be done.”)

6. “Haiga” instead of “haya” ❌

This error is widespread in colloquial speech and is caused by confusion with the conjugation of the verb “haber” in the subjunctive. “Haiga” is not an accepted form in standard Spanish.

✅ Correct: Ojalá haya más oportunidades.
❌ Incorrect: Ojalá haiga más oportunidades.

These errors are common in various regions and can affect the accuracy of the message.

7. Incorrect use of “sino” and “si no”

Although they sound the same, they have different uses:

  • Sino: equivalent to “but”. Example:  “No es rojo, sino azul”à”It’s not red, but blue”.
  • Si no: conditional. Example:  “Si no estudias, no aprobarás”. à”If you don’t study, you won’t pass”.

Confusing them can alter the meaning of the sentence.

8. “Vinistes”, “fuistes” and other incorrect conjugations ❌

It is common to add an unnecessary “s” at the end of some verbs in the second person singular of the preterite tense.

✅ Correcto: Tú viniste temprano. (You came early.)
❌ Incorrecto: Tú vinistes temprano.

✅ Correcto: Tú fuiste al cine. (You went to the cinema.)
❌ Incorrecto: Tú fuistes al cine.

9. Using “a” and “ha”

“A” is a preposition, while “ha” is the form of the verb “haber”. Example:

•     A:  “Voy a la tienda” à “I’m going to the store”.

  • Ha:  “Ella ha terminado su tarea” à “She has finished her homework”.

Confusing them is a common mistake that can change the sentence’s meaning.

10. “Tubo” and “tuvo”

Although they sound the same, “tubo” refers to a cylindrical object, while “tuvo” is the past tense of the verb “tener.” Example:

  • Tubo:  “El fontanero cambió el tubo dañado”. à“The plumber replaced the damaged pipe.”
  • Tuvo:  “Ella tuvo una idea brillante”. à “She had a brilliant idea.”

Paying attention to these differences is crucial for accurate writing.

Spanish is a rich and nuanced, yet we can sidestep these errors and enhance our communication with some practice. Have you ever made any of these blunders? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Spanish as a language

Sister Languages: Tell Me What Language You Speak, and I’ll Tell You How Quickly You’ll Learn Spanish

Learning a new language is like stepping into a family reunion where you don’t know anyone, but everyone shares a connection. And if the language you want to learn is Spanish, here’s some good news: it has plenty of “siblings” that can make the process much easier (or at least less intimidating). Want to know how quickly you might learn Spanish, depending on your native tongue? Keep reading!

The Romance Family: Close Cousins

Spanish belongs to the Romance language family, descendants of Vulgar Latin. You’re already halfway there if you speak one of its siblings, like Italian, Portuguese, French, Catalan, or Romanian.

For example, if you’re an Italian speaker, congratulations! You probably won’t need an intensive course to grasp basic Spanish. Words like familia (family), vino (wine), or amigo (friend) are practically identical. Even the grammatical structures are so similar they could be neighbours in a dictionary.

Portuguese speakers also have it pretty easy. With grammar that’s almost identical and very similar to vocabulary, the biggest challenge might be pronunciation. But don’t worry—with some practice, you’ll go from obrigado to gracias in no time.

French, while more distant in pronunciation, shares many lexical roots. Words like nation (nación) or important (importante) are almost the same, with a different accent. Watch out for false friends, though! (Embarazada doesn’t mean embarrassée; it means “pregnant.” Oops!)

The Surprise of Romanian

Though further away on the linguistic tree, Romanian is also a Romance sibling of Spanish. Its grammar includes case systems (like Classical Latin), which makes it a bit trickier. However, it shares many similar words, and Romanian speakers often find Spanish more accessible than other languages.

What About English? Distant Cousins

English and Spanish aren’t exactly siblings, but they’re more like distant cousins who greet each other at family gatherings. Both come from the Indo-European family, and while English belongs to the Germanic branch, it has borrowed thousands of words from Latin and Romance.

Thanks to these borrowed words, many academic, scientific, or political terms are easy to recognise: hospital, animal, intelligent, communication, etc. Plus, English and Spanish share straightforward verb structures and an almost identical alphabet, making things a bit easier.

The Germanic Languages: A Little Effort, But Doable

If your native language is German, Dutch, or Swedish, learning Spanish might be a bit more challenging, but it’s far from impossible. Spanish grammar is more flexible than Germanic grammar, which can be a relief. Plenty of words have travelled between these languages over the centuries. Did you know that guante (glove) comes from the Germanic word want?

The Slavic Languages: Unexpected Connections!

Do you speak Russian, Polish, or Czech? Although Spanish isn’t directly related, sharing the Latin alphabet (except for Russian) is advantageous. Slavic languages have sounds similar to Spanish, making pronouncing words like montaña (mountain) or mujer (woman) a bit easier.

Asian Languages: A Fun Challenge

For speakers of languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, learning Spanish might seem like climbing a higher mountain, but it’s not impossible. The biggest difficulties are often the grammar and the concept of gendered nouns (why is a table feminine and a book masculine?). However, Spanish has a big advantage: its pronunciation is much more consistent than English’s, making it a more logical language to learn.

Indigenous Languages: Unexpected Links

If you speak languages like Náhuatl or Quechua, you might be surprised to learn that Spanish has borrowed many words from these cultures. Terms like chocolate, aguacate (avocado), or cancha (field) have indigenous roots. Additionally, in many cases, Spanish phonetics adapt well to speakers of these languages.

Spanish: A Language for Everyone

One of the most significant advantages of Spanish is its clarity and consistency. It’s a language with relatively stable grammar rules and pronunciation almost entirely phonetic (what you read is what you say). Plus, with over 500 million speakers worldwide, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice.

Learning Spanish is an exciting journey whether you speak a Romance language, English, or something entirely different. You never know how much you’ll enjoy its expressions, music, or the rich culture that comes with it. And you? What language do you speak? Share your experience learning Spanish, and let’s celebrate the wonders of our linguistic family together!

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Improving language Spanish as a language Writing in Spanish

Spanish and its distinction between ser and estar

As mentioned in previous articles, Spanish is one of the world’s most extensive and diverse languages ​​. It also stands out for a particularity that distinguishes it from many other languages: the difference between the verbs “ser” and “estar” to express the concept of “being” in different senses. This distinction, which may seem complex to non-native speakers, reflects a philosophical and historical depth that has influenced the language’s grammar and how speakers perceive reality.

The distinction between “ser” and “estar”: origin and philosophy

The separation between the concepts of “ser” and “estar” has roots in Vulgar Latin, the colloquial form of Latin spoken by ordinary citizens in the Roman Empire. Although in popular Latin, there was still no differentiation between the verb that referred to the essence or nature of things and the verb that referred to temporary states or conditions, there were esse (to exist) and stare (to stand). As Latin evolved into the Romance languages, Spanish retained these two verbs and expanded their meaning. In contrast, other languages ​​, such as Italian or French, simplified their verbal systems and merged these concepts into a single verb.

Philosophically, the distinction between “ser” and “estar” implies a dual view of reality: a difference between the immutable essence of something and its transitory state or condition. When we use “ser,” we are talking about an intrinsic or defining quality, as in “es una persona gentil.” When we use “estar,” we point to a momentary condition, as in “está cansado.” This usage reflects a complex perception in which Spanish distinguishes between the permanent and the temporary, the essential and the accidental.

Examples in other languages

Spanish is not the only language that distinguishes between two concepts of “being”. In Galician and Catalan, other Romance languages ​​of the Iberian Peninsula, two verbs differentiate between an essential quality and a temporary condition. This distinction is crucial in Galician, for example, where “ser” and “estar” are used in a way essential to understanding the language.

Outside of the Romance languages, modern Greek also has an interesting differentiation between the verb “είμαι” (eímai) to describe more permanent states and additional verbs to describe transitory states, although there is no exact correspondence. In other Indo-European languages ​​, such as Hindi, some verbs specialise in expressing temporary conditions versus permanent states, although they do not function like in English. This trend indicates that the need to separate concepts of ser and estar reflects, in part, how different cultures interpret reality.

Consequences of Teaching Spanish

For students of Spanish as a foreign language, distinguishing between “ser” and “estar” is one of the most challenging aspects to master. This is particularly true for speakers of languages ​​that do not have this distinction—English, for example. In English, the verb “to be” covers both meanings, and the distinction is only inferred from context or additional modifiers. This reliance on context and modifiers to understand the distinction in English can make it challenging for learners to grasp when to use ‘ser’ or ‘estar’ in Spanish, as it requires a shift in understanding how a language can structure and categorise reality more precisely in terms of permanence and temporality.

The different use of “ser” and “estar” not only enriches the vocabulary of Spanish but also provides a powerful tool to express ideas and nuances that in other languages ​​require longer explanations. The language thus reflects a particular sensitivity towards the characteristics of people, objects and situations, showing a nuance that has both linguistic and cultural roots. For example, in Spanish, we can say “él se dejó ser” and “él se dejó estar”, and both expressions refer to totally different things. The first alludes to the fact that he decided to live the life he wanted. The second expression indicates that he abandoned himself, probably referring to his physical condition, causing the years to affect his physical state negatively.

The duality between “ser” and “estar” in Spanish is not merely a grammatical issue; it reflects how Spanish speakers perceive reality and distinguish between what is essential and what is transitory. This differentiation, shared to a certain extent with other languages, reveals a cultural depth that is part of the identity of the language. By learning to use “ser” and “estar,” one learns a grammatical rule, and at the same time, one better understands the richness of a language that seeks to capture the essence and change precisely. Isn’t that beautiful?

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you want to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, subscribe to our superb grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Spanish as a language

Perpetual motion. Palindromes and anagrams in Spanish

The word palindrome comes from the Greek meaning “that runs in reverse.” Poetic. Now, in simple words, a palindrome is a phrase or word that can be read equally from left to right and from right to left. Anagrams, meanwhile, are words (or phrases) that result from the transposition of letters within another word.

Palindromes and anagrams are language exercises that turn it into a game and challenge of ingenuity. These games are so old that Duncan Fishwick, British historian, and world authority in Roman history, said that palindrome composition was a pastime of the Roman nobility. One of the most famous multiple palindromes is the famous Sator Square, found in the ruins of Pompeii and present in other remains of Roman buildings.

This palindrome is made up of five letters written in Latin and arranged so that they can be read from left to right or vice versa and from top to bottom and vice versa:

SATOR

AREPO

TENET

OPERA

ROTAS

The meaning of this palindrome is still a subject of study and debate, as opinions are divided between those who give it a religious, cabalistic, or other interpretation linked to the daily events of the time.

Amor, Roma y mora

In contemporary Spanish, one of the excellent references to palindromes is the Guatemalan writer Augusto Monterroso, master of the short story and a prolific inventor of many palindromes.

Monterroso spoke about this game in his text Onís es asesino, an accusatory palindrome, where he reflects on the art of wordplay and how Spanish seems to be a particularly conducive language for wordplay. In this text, he takes a tour of different games that can be played with words, describing meetings with other writers in which they spent entire afternoons or nights playing and sharing his creations. Here are some examples:

¡Acá, caca! Augusto Monterroso

[Here, poop!]

Amo a la paloma. Carlos Illescas.

[I love the Dove]

Odio la luz azul al oído. Rubén Bonifaz Nuño

[I hate the blue light in my ear]

Madam, I’m Adam. James Joyce.

Somos laicos, Adán; nada social somos. Carlos Illescas.

[We are lay, Adam; We are not at all social]

Anagrams are a linguistic game like the palindrome, but less demanding: amor, Roma y mora are all anagrams, but there are also longer ones such as Camilo Ruge, anagram of murciélago (bat).

Anagrams are also a method of encrypting messages, like Lalo Barrubia, a Uruguayan writer (she) whose pseudonym is an anagram of la loba rubia (the blonde wolf). Avida Dollars is another great example of an anagram with an encrypted message. It corresponds to the anagram that André Breton devised to refer disparagingly to Salvador Dalí and his thirst for money at the expense of that of the creator.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you are looking to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant of this language, remember to subscribe to our wonderful grammar checker. We are waiting for you!

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Genders in transition

If Spanish is not your first language, it is not unusual for you to get confused about the gender or the use of articles corresponding to a word. As a rule, a poorly chosen article or an adjectival disagreement does not represent a big problem since the meaning of what you want to say remains intact. But what happens when the article defines the meaning of a word? Well, in that case the matter is a little more complicated.

We talk about homonymous words. They are written and pronounced the same, but their meaning is different and is determined by the article that precedes it. Examples of this type of homonym are:

  1. El cólera (Cholera) and la cólera (anger): the word cólera preceded by the masculine article (el) refers to the disease. It defines it as an acute epidemic disease of bacterial origin, characterised by repeated vomiting and intense diarrhoea. At the same time, la cólera means anger, fury, or rage.
  2. El orden (order) and la orden (command): one meaning of order is placement of things in their rightful place, and the second meaning of the masculine term is “field of subjects or activities in which someone or something is framed.” In the case of la orden, the meaning changes to “command that must be obeyed, observed and executed”.
  3. El capital (capital) and la capital (money): El capital is “the set of assets and economic goods intended to produce greater wealth”; while la capital is a city or locality where the public powers of a State, country, demarcation, province, etc.

In addition to homonyms whose meaning varies depending on the article, two cases can represent a headache for those learning Spanish: 1) nouns that are masculine in the singular and change to feminine in the plural and 2) ambiguous nouns that change the grammatical gender depending on the country.

Nouns that transition from masculine to feminine

Within the wide range of nouns in Spanish, there is a long list of nouns whose gender is masculine and changes to feminine when we pluralise the word. There is no norm nor a name to call this phenomenon. For native Spanish speakers, it probably will not be easy to list the items on the list if they have not stopped to think about it before. Natives know when to apply the grammatical gender change, even if they do not explain it. Let’s review some of these cases:

SingularPlural
El arte (art)Las artes (arts)
El águila (eagle)Las águilas (eagles)
El agua (water)Las aguas (waters)
El alga (seaweed)Las algas (seaweeds)
El ansia (longing)Las ansias
El hada (fairy)Las hadas (fairies)
El ave (bird)Las aves (birds)
El área (area)Las áreas (areas)
El aula (classroom)Las aulas (classrooms)

Finally, another case of gender transition occurs from one country to another. Here, the alternation is due to geographical factors. For example, in much of Latin America, tanga is feminine, while in Spain, it is a masculine noun. In Chile, sartén (frying pan) is masculine, while in Spain it is feminine. Pijama is mainly masculine but feminine in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In Argentina, it is expected to hear about la vodka, while for the rest of the Spanish speakers, it is a masculine noun, so the differences continue.

Keep learning curiosities about the language and the Spanish language, visiting and reading the articles we publish weekly on the iScribo blog. If you are looking to improve your Spanish writing and correct a specific variant, remember to subscribe to our wonderful grammar checker.

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The 20 Most Common Connectors in Spanish

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Los 20 Conectores Más Comunes en Español | iScribo

Connectors allow us to link sentences in a logical order. They are links that give sense to a few sentences within a discourse.

Today iScribo shows you the most common connectors in Spanish, from addition connectives to consecutives. Common Spanish connecting words can contain adverbs, prepositions and conjunctions. Read on to find out more.

Adversative Connectors

They express opposition between two ideas:

1. Ahora bien: La casa que has comprado es bonita, ahora bien, no tiene piscina (The house you bought is nice, but it doesn’t have a swimming pool.)

2. En cambio: Víctor no vendrá al cine, en cambio, sí que irá a la cena (Victor will not be coming to the cinema, nevertheless he will come to the dinner.)

3. Sin embargo: Estuvo enfermo toda la semana, sin embargo, no tuvo fiebre (He was sick all week, however, he had no fever.)

4. No obstante: Carolina no tenía razón, no obstante, nadie le dijo nada (Carolina was not right, but no one said anything to her.)

5. Pero: No supe qué hacer pero improvisé (I didn’t know what to do but improvised.)

Connectors of Addition

As their name suggests, additive connectors add information as well as link elements together:

6. Además: Tendréis que ir a Sevilla además de a Granada (You will have to go to Seville as well as Granada.)

7. Asimismo: iScribo corrige mientras escribes, asimismo te aporta sugerencias (iScribo corrects as you write, moreover it provides suggestions.).

8. Aparte: No quiero salir con ellas, aparte, no me apetece (I don’t want to go out with them, besides, I don’t feel like it.)

9. También: He comprado peras y también manzanas (I have bought pears and also apples.)

10. Por si fuera poco: Llegó tarde y, por si fuera poco, le tuve que preparar la cena (He arrived home and, on top of that, I had to prepare dinner for him.)

Concessive Connectors

They express that the action has been able to be carried out despite obstacles along the way:

11. Aun así: Se hizo muy tarde, aun así, pudo preparar el examen (It was very late, but he was still able to prepare for the exam.)

12. En cualquier caso: Me he pasado dos semanas preparando el viaje. En cualquier caso, no me acordé de esa visita (I have spent two weeks preparing for the trip. In any case, I didn’t remember that visit.)

13. De todas formas: No creo que me dé tiempo, de todas formas, si termino pronto, me paso (I don’t think I’ll have time, in any case, if I finish soon, I’ll stop by.)

14. De todos modos: Hace poco ejercicio, de todos modos, ha conseguido bajar de peso (He does little exercise, however, he has managed to lose weight.)

15. Sin bien: Si bien es cierto que se hizo tarde, consiguió llegar a tiempo (Although he was late, he managed to arrive on time.)

Consecutive Connectors

These connectors allow a consequence of the second action to be formulated with respect to the first:

16. Por consiguiente: Estuvo lloviendo toda la noche, por consiguiente, no hay que regar las macetas hoy (It rained all night, so we don’t have to water the plants today.)

17. Así pues: Se me han olvidado las llaves, así pues, tendré que irme a tu casa (I’ve forgotten my keys, therefore I’ll have to go to your place.)

18. Por ende: Se ha ido la señal, por ende, no hemos terminado de ver el programa (The signal has gone out, hence we haven’t finished watching the programme.)

19. Entonces: No queda vino, entonces solo puedes beber cerveza (There is no wine left, thus you can only drink beer.)

20. Por tanto: Hoy no salgo, por tanto, te veo mañana (I’m not going out today, which means I’ll see you tomorrow.)

iScribo & Spanish Grammar

There are other common Spanish connectives, such as the explanatory, sorting or corrective ones, which we will see any other time. iScribo respects Spanish grammar, therefore our corrector helps you write more accurately. Have you tried it? You can do it here.

Categories
Spanish as a language

What Are the Different Forms of Adjectives in Spanish?

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¿Cuál Es el Grado de los Adjetivos en Español? | iScribo

Adjectives are words that accompany or qualify a noun. These words give us more information about the nouns or distinguish them from each other. Adjectives agree in gender and number with the nouns they accompany.

Do you want to know the different forms of adjectives in Spanish? Discover today with iScribo the correct form of adjectives in Spanish.

The grado (form) of the adjective expresses the intensity with which the qualities of the nouns are explained.

What are Adjectives in Their ‘Positive’ Form?

Adjectives in their ‘positive’ form are adjectives in their neutral state, in other words, in their basic form.

Raúl está triste porque su equipo ha perdió. (Raul is sad because his team lost.)

La casa roja de la esquina es la que ha comprado Marta. (The red house on the corner is the one that Marta has bought.)

How to Form the Comparative in Spanish?

The comparative form is used to make comparisons between two or more nouns. It is formed with the adverbs más, menos, tan, igual (and similar), followed by the adjective and que or como:

más/menos/tan + adjective + que/como

There are three types of comparative adjectives:

Comparative of equality: Jesús es tan listo como Pepa. (Jesús is as smart as Pepa.)

Comparative of superiority: Josefa es más hábil que Mario. (Josefa is more skillful than Mario.)

Comparative of inferiority: La piscina de Sonia es menos grande que la de Juan. (Sonia’s pool is less big than Juan’s pool.)

How to Write Superlatives in Spanish?

The superlative form describes the highest level of a quality. There are two types depending on the level of comparison.

On the one hand, there is the relative superlative, which indicates that the adjective describes the highest quality that exists, compared to another element. It is formed with an article, the adverbs más or menos and the adjective itself:

article + más/menos + adjective

Pedro es el más alto de su clase. (Pedro is the tallest in his class.)

El coche es el menos rápido que existe en el mercado. (The car is the least fast on the market.)

On the other hand, we have the absolute superlative, which determines the highest degree of a quality without comparing it to any other element.

El perro es listísimo, sabe lo que le están hablando. (The dog is very clever, he knows what they are talking about.)

Este país es paupérrimo, ojalá alguien hiciera algo por ayudar. (This country is very poor, I wish someone would do something to help.)

iScribo & Grammar

Note that some adjectives are irregular, both in their comparative and superlative forms:

bueno/mejor/el mejor or óptimo

malo/peor/el peor or pésimo

grande/mayor/el mayor or máximo

pequeño/menor/el menor or mínimo iScribo’s spelling and grammar checker helps you to write correct Spanish. Use our tool and find out if you can write the form of irregular adjectives correctly. Do you know any other examples? Tell us about them in the comments.

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