Monday 31 December 2012

Nochevieja


Today's word is: Nochevieja
Image source: Google images
Clase: sustantivo (noun)
Género: femenino (feminine)
Origen: latín (Latin)

In Spanish, “Nochevieja” is a feminine noun of Latin origin, which means New Year's Eve. The noun “Nochevieja” results from joining together the noun “noche” (evening/ night) and the describing word/ adjective “vieja” (old).


The noun “Nochevieja” is used to refer to the last evening/ night of the year and the corresponding festivities.


Some commonly used expressions with the word “Nochevieja” are:
  • El día de de Nochevieja (New Year's Eve/ December the 31st);
    • El día de Nochevieja es el treina y uno de diciembre (New Year's Eve is on December 31st);
  • Cena de Nochevieja (New Year's Eve supper);
    • Tenemos un menú especial para la cena de Nochevieja (we have a special menu for the New Year's Eve supper);
  • Cotillón de Nochevieja (New Year's Eve special dinner dance party- to see in the New Year);
    • El hotel celebra un gran cotillón de Nochevieja (the hotel organises a big New Year's Eve dinner dance to see in the New Year);
  • Fiesta de Nochevieja (New Year's Eve party- to see in the New Year);
    • El hotel celebra una gran fiesta de Nochevieja (the hotel organises a big New Year's Eve dinner dance to see in the New Year);
  • Campanadas de Nochevieja (countdown to the new Year*);
    • Nos gusta escuchar las campanadas de Nochevieja en familia (we like listening to the bells/ to bring in the New Year with the family);
  • Las uvas de Nochevieja (the New Year's Eve grapes*);
    • En la fiesta no pueden faltar las uvas de Nochevieja (without the grapes, it is not a New Year's Eve party);

*Notes
In Spain, it is customary to welcome the new year by eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve. As the clock in Puerta del Sol, Madrid strikes midnight, a grape is eaten at each gong of the clock. Thus the twelve grapes (las doce uvas de la suerte/ the twelve lucky grapes) are eaten to bring in the new year. At 3-seconds intervals, the 12 clock chimes give punters some 36 seconds to consume the customary 12 grapes. The Puerta del Sol clock chimes are usually broadcast live on Spanish TV and the event's history is full of peculiarities and gaffes. Perhaps the funniest one being when the presenter Marisa Naranjo got the time wrong and had some people scrambling to consume the grapes extremely fast, whilst many others ended not eating them at all!


En España se acostumbra a celebrar la llegada del año nuevo tomando 'las uvas' de Nochevieja. Al sonar las doce campanadas del reloj de la Puerta del Sol de Madrid se toma una uva a cada campanada. Así se recibe el año nuevo después de haber consumido las 'doce uvas de la suerte'. Con un intervalo de tiempo entre campanadas de 3 segundos las doce uvas se consumen en 36 segundos. Las campanadas del reloj de la Puerta del Sol se suelen retransmitir en directo por televisión. Al tratarse de una emisión en directo, los anales de esa retransmisión están plagados de anécdotas. Quizás uno de los momentos más memorables sea aquel en el que un error de la presentadora de televisión Marisa Naranjo dejó a muchos españoles sin tomar las uvas y a muchos otros tomándolas de manera precipitada.

Love-Spanish.com loves the word "Nochevieja" in the YouTube clip: Yo no olvido el año viejo -cancion de fin de año

For more on the word "Nochevieja", visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Nochevieja


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Sunday 30 December 2012

Tell Me, Do You Mean To Say That I Look Old?


SCENARIO
Imagine you are talking to a relative, a friend or a colleague. Maybe you have not seen each other for a while and are talking about what you look like now. At some point, the other person says to you something like: "tell me, do you mean to say that I look old?".

In Spanish, he/ she could choose to be less formal and say to you:
Dime, ¿quieres decir que estoy viejo?

On the other hand, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say to you:
Dígame, ¿quiere (usted) decir que estoy viejo?


OUR TIP
The question is an invitation for you to say how the other person looks to you. When your reply includes a reference to the person you are talking to, you DO need to be concerned about the level of formality you want to use in your reply.

Basically, you have two levels of formality to choose from. Your choice will be determined by how well you know the person in question and how much familiarity, affinity and closeness you want to convey along with your opinion. Basically, you have two options:

1. Less Formal.- The person you are giving your opinion to is someone with whom you DO have a very good rapport (could be a relative, a friend or a colleague). Along with your opinion, you also want to signal familiarity, affinity or closeness. In such cases, you could choose to be more familiar/ less formal and give instructions such as:
  • No, no creo que estés para nada viejo* (no, I don't think you look old at all);
  • Sí, creo que estás un poco más viejo de lo que te imaginaba* (yes, I think you look a bit older than I imagined you to be);


2. More Formal.- The person you are giving your opinion to is someone with whom you DON'T have a very good rapport (could be a relative, a friend or a colleague). Along with your opinion, you also want to signal that you want to keep your distance. In such cases, you would choose to be less familiar/ more formal and give instructions such as:
  • No, no creo que esté (usted) para nada viejo* (no, I don't think you look old at all);
  • Sí, creo que está (usted) un poco más viejo de lo que le imaginaba* (yes, I think you look a bit older than I imagined you to be);


Now you should practise replying to someone who says to you:
Dime, ¿quieres decir que estoy viejo?

*Please see grammar below

Grammar-”Estar”
The English verb to be has two corresponding verbs in Spanish, “ser” and “estar”. When to use “ser” and when to use “estar” often causes some confusion amongst learners of Spanish. This post deals with the uses of “estar”. A separate series of blog posts is dedicated to the uses of “ser”.

In this post we look at a number of situations in which “estar” is commonly used. “Estar” is commonly used in the following cases:

    1. Continuous Form- Verbs
In Spanish, we commonly use “estar” followed by a gerund to form continuous verb tenses. Continuous verb tenses are used to indicate ongoing actions, which often take place at the time of speaking, but may also take place at other times also.

Although the most common use of the continuous form of verb tenses is found in the present and imperfect tenses, its use is not restricted to those tenses. In fact, the continuous form may be used with all verb tenses. Some examples of the use of “estar” in continuous forms of verbs with a variety of tenses are:
  • Estoy escribiendo una carta (I am writing a letter);
  • Estabas mirando la tele, ¿verdad? (you were watching TV, weren't you?);
  • Pedro estara llegando por la mañana temprano (Pedro will be arriving early in the morning);
  • Hemos estado cenando en un restaurate muy típico (we have been dining in a very traditional restaurant);
  • Estuvisteis viajando por los Estados Unidos (you people have been travelling in the USA);
  • Espero que John y Ann lo estén pasando muy bien (I hope that John and Ann are having a good time);


    2. States
In Spanish, we commonly use “estar”to indicate 'temporary' states* for someone or something. Some examples of the use of “estar” in expressions of this type are:
  • Estoy muy contento (I am very happy- male speaking);
  • Estás triste, ¿verdad? (you are feeling sad, aren't you?);
  • Pedro está muy cansado (Pedro is very tired);
  • María está muy cansada (María is very tired);
  • Estamos muy relajados (we are very relaxed);
  • Estáis todos bien, ¿no? (are you all well, aren't you?);
  • John y Ann están sanos y salvos (John and Ann are safe and sound);

*NB Please note that in this case, 'temporary' does not necessarily mean 'short'. In here, 'temporary' refers to states which have a beginning, an end or both. An example of the 'longer term' meaning of 'temporary' are expressions such as, “está muerto” (he is dead)- which is a pretty long-lasting state to be in!

3. Appearances
In Spanish, we commonly use “estar” to indicate a 'temporary' appearance of someone or something. When used in this way, “estar” may indicate a change in the normal appearance of someone or something. Some examples of the use of “estar” in expressions of this type are:
  • Estás muy guapo (you are looking really handsome);
  • ¡Qué viejo estaba Pedro! (how old was Pedro looking);
  • ¡Estáis jovencísimos! (you are looking very young!);
  • John y Ann están muy altos (John and Ann are very tall);


4. Locations
In Spanish, we commonly use “estar” to indicate the whereabouts of someone or something. That is, “estar” is commonly used to indicate where someone or something is.

  • The whereabouts of someone or something may typically be indicated using expressions involving “estar”, with:
    • Preposition “en” and the names of places;
    • Adverbs of place, such as: “aquí” (here), “ahí” (there), “allí” (there), etc.;
    • Expressions such as: “cerca de” (near to), “lejos de” (far from), “al lado de” (beside) , “enfrente de” (facing), and similar, followed by the names of places;

  • The following are some examples of the use of “estar” to indicate where people or things are:
    • Estoy en mi despacho (I am in my office);
    • Estás en casa, ¿verdad, John? (you are at home, aren't you, John?);
    • Pedro está aquí (Pedro is here);
    • Estábamos cerca de Nueva York (we were near New York);
    • Estáis al lado del cine, ¿no? (you people are next door to the cinema, aren't you?);
    • Las tiendas están en el centro (the shops are downtown/ in the centre of town);

Now you should practise the uses of “estar” with some examples of your own.


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Saturday 29 December 2012

Who Is The Lucky One?

SCENARIO


Imagine you are talking to a relative, friend or colleague about the winner of a raffle/ lottery draw. You know who the winner is, but other person doesn't and asks: "who is is the lucky one?"

In Spanish, the other person could say:
¿Quién es el afortunado?



OUR TIP

Your reply should be quite straightforward. In fact, in some cases, a person's name could be sufficient.




Your could say:
  • Es usted1 (it is you);
  • Es usted1, don Pedro (it is you, don2 Pedro);
  • Es usted1, señor Martínez (it is you, Mr Martínez);
  • Es usted1, doña Isabel (it is you, doña2 Isabel);
  • Es usted1, señora Martínez (it is you, Mrs Martínez);
  • Es Carlos (it is Carlos);
  • Es Ana (it is Ana);
  • Es nuestro amigo Carlos (it is our friend Carlos);
  • Es nuestra amiga Ana (it is our friend Ana);


Notes
  1. This answer implies that you are not on first name terms with the person you are talking to. Click here to see how you could reply when you are on first name terms;
  2. The title don/ doña is followed by a given name;




Now you should practise answering the question:
¿Quién es el afortunado?

This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

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© Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.



Friday 28 December 2012

Tell Me, Is That Shirt Yours?


SCENARIO
Imagine you are with a relative, a friend or a colleague. You are both involved in sorting out a pile of clothes, some of which belong to you and some which belong to other people. At some point, the other person points to a shirt and says to you something like: "tell me, is that shirt yours?".

In Spanish, he/ she could choose to be less formal and say to you:
Dime, ¿esa camisa es tuya?

On the other hand, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say to you:
Dígame, ¿esa camisa es suya?


OUR TIP
The question is an invitation for you to say whether the shirt in question is yours. When saying that something belongs or does not belong to you, you DO NOT need to be concerned about the level of formality in the other person's question. Your main concern should be about identifying the shirt in question and saying something about who that shirt belongs to.

  • Here are some examples of how you could reply:
    • Sí, esta* camisa es mia (yes, that shirt is mine);
    • No, esta* camisa no es mia (no, that shirt is not mine);
    • No, esta* camisa no es mia, es de Pedro (no, that shirt is not mine it is Pedro's);
    • No sé de quien es esta* camisa (I don't know who that shirt belongs to);

Now you should practise replying to someone who says to you:
Dime, ¿esa camisa es tuya?

*Please see grammar below

Grammar-Demonstratives
Basically, Spanish demonstratives are equivalent to the English demonstratives “this” and “that” . Spanish demonstratives can be either adjectives or pronouns.

Demonstrative adjectives in Spanish behave and are used in much the same way as in English. The main difference between Spanish and English demonstratives is that in Spanish, demonstrative adjectives must agree in gender (masculine/ feminine) and number (singular/ plural) with the noun they describe. Spanish demonstrative pronouns must also generally agree in gender (masculine/ feminine) and number (singular/ plural) with the noun they stand for. An exception to this rule this is neuter form of Spanish demonstrative pronouns (see details below).

The following are some important considerations when using demonstratives in Spanish.

    1. Near You
In Spanish, you may use the demonstrative “este” to refer to or stand for something which you consider close to you/ the speaker. This demonstrative corresponds to the English this. To allow the usual agreement with the noun it refers to/ stands for, this Spanish demonstrative adjective and pronoun have four forms each, as follows:

Demonstrative adjective
Singular
Masculine
este
this
Feminine
esta
this
Plural
Masculine
estos
these
Feminine
estas
these
  • Some examples of the use of this demonstrative adjective are:
    • Este libro me lo regalaron (this book was given to me as a present);
    • Esta camisa está sucia (this shirt is dirty);
    • Estos libros los compré ayer (I bought these books yesterday);
    • Estas camisas están limpias (these shirts are clean);


Demonstrative pronoun*
Singular
Masculine
éste
this one
Feminine
ésta
this one
Plural
Masculine
éstos
these ones
Feminine
éstas
these ones
  • Some examples of the use of this demostrative pronoun are:
    • Ese lápiz está roto ¿quieres éste? (that pencil is broken, do you want this one?);
    • Esa camisa está sucia ¿quieres ésta? (that shirt is dirty, do you want this one?);
    • Esos pantalones están rotos ¿quieres éstos? (those trousers are torn, do you want these ones?);
    • Esas zapatillas están mojadas, ¿quieres éstas? (those slippers are wet, do you want these ones?);
*NB Please note the spelling of these demonstrative pronouns (with accents) differentiates them from adjectives.

    2. Near The Person(s) You Are Talking To
In Spanish, you may use the demonstrative “ese” to refer to or stand for something which you consider close to the person you are talking to. This demonstrative corresponds to the English that. To allow the usual agreement with the noun it refers to/ stands for, this Spanish demonstrative adjective and pronoun have four forms each, as follows:

Demonstrative adjective
Singular
Masculine
ese
that
Feminine
esa
that
Plural
Masculine
esos
those
Feminine
esas
those
  • Some examples of the use of this demonstrative adjective are:
    • Ese libro me lo regalaron (that book was given to me as a present);
    • Esa camisa está sucia (that shirt is dirty);
    • Esos libros los compré ayer (I bought those books yesterday);
    • Esas camisas están limpias (those shirts are clean);


Demonstrative pronoun*
Singular
Masculine
ése
that one
Feminine
ésa
that one
Plural
Masculine
ésos
those ones
Feminine
ésas
those ones
  • Some examples of the use of this demostrative pronoun are:
    • Este lápiz está roto ¿me das ése? (this pencil is broken, will you pass me that one?);
    • Tengo la camisa sucia ¿me das ésa? (my shirt is dirty, will you pass me that one?);
    • Tengo los pantalones rotos ¿me das ésos? (my trousers are torn, will you pass me those ones?);
    • Estas zapatillas están mojadas, ¿me das ésas? (these slippers are wet, will you pass me those ones?);
*NB Please note the spelling of these demonstrative pronouns (with accents) differentiates them from adjectives.

    3. Not Near You (also far from the person you are talking to)
In Spanish, you may use the demonstrative “aquel” to refer to or stand for something which you consider far away from you/ the speaker and the person you are talking to. This demonstrative also corresponds to the English that. To allow the usual agreement with the noun it refers to/ stands for, this Spanish demonstrative adjective and pronoun have four forms each, as follows:

Demonstrative adjective
Singular
Masculine
aquel
that (over there)
Feminine
aquella
that (over there)
Plural
Masculine
aquellos
those (over there)
Feminine
aquellas
those (over there)
  • Some examples of the use of this demonstrative adjective are:
    • Aquel libro me lo regalaron (that book over there was given to me as a present);
    • Aquella camisa está sucia (that shirt over there is dirty);
    • Aquellos libros los compré ayer (I bought those books over there yesterday);
    • Aquellas camisas están limpias (those shirts over there are clean);


Demonstrative pronoun*
Singular
Masculine
aquél
that one (over there)
Feminine
aquélla
that one (over there)
Plural
Masculine
aquéllos
those ones (over there)
Feminine
aquéllas
those ones (over there)
  • Some examples of the use of this demonstrative pronoun are:
    • Este lápiz está roto ¿me das aquél? (this pencil is broken, will you pass me that one over there?);
    • Tengo la camisa sucia ¿me das aquélla? (my shirt is dirty, will you pass me that one over there?);
    • Tengo los pantalones rotos ¿me das aquéllos? (my trousers are torn, will you pass me those ones over there?);
    • Estas zapatillas están mojadas, ¿me das aquéllas? (these slippers are wet, will you pass me those ones over there?);
*NB Please note the spelling of these demonstrative pronouns (with accents) differentiates them from adjectives.

4. Demonstrative Pronouns-Neuter Form
In Spanish, in addition to the masculine and feminine forms of demonstrative pronouns, we also have a neuter form. The neuter form of demonstrative pronouns stands for and refers to general things rather than a specific nouns. In other words, using the neuter form of a demonstrative pronoun in Spanish is equivalent to using an English expression, such as “this thing” to refer to an item without without naming that item.

It should be noted that the neuter form of demonstrative pronouns has no plural. This form of the demonstrative pronoun is also spelled differently*. The neuter form of demonstrative pronouns is as follows:
  • Esto” - This pronoun corresponds to the English “this”. You may use this pronoun to refer to or stand for something close to you, or something you have just said or done without you specifically naming it;
  • Eso”- This pronoun corresponds to the English “that”. You may use this pronoun to refer to or stand for something close to the person you are talking to, or something that person has just said or done, without you specifically naming it;
  • Aquello” - This pronoun corresponds to the English “that”. You may use this pronoun to refer to or stand for something distant from you and the person you are talking to, or something you or that person have said or done in the past without specifically naming it;

  • Some examples of the use of the neuter form of demonstrative pronouns are:
    • Esto no funciona (this is not working – “this” could refer to an item of hardware, a particular arrangement, etc.);
    • Toma esto (take this - “this” could refer to anything you are handing over but you don't want to name specifically);
    • Eso no me gusta (I don't like that - “that” could refer to anything you don't like, but you don't want to name specifically);
    • ¿Qué quiere decir eso? (what does that mean ?- “that” could refer to something the other person has just said);
    • Quería aquello (I would like that - “that” could refer to something you want but don't want to name specifically, maybe just point to it);
    • No quise decir aquello (I did not mean to say that - “that” refers to something you said in the past);
*NB Please note the spelling of the neuter from of demonstrative pronouns (without accents) differentiates them from masculine form of other demonstrative pronouns.

5. Demonstrative Pronouns-Neuter Form (with 'de')
The combination of a neuter form of demonstrative pronouns followed by the preposition “de” may be used to translate English expressions such as “the business of”, “the matter of”, “the question of” or similar.

  • Some examples of the use of the combination of a neuter demonstrative pronoun followed by the preposition “de” are:
    • Con esto de los deberes aprendo español mucho mejor (with this business of homework, I learn Spanish much better);
    • ¿Que te parece eso de trabajar y estudiar? (what is your opinion on that subject of working and studying?);
    • En que quedó aquello de trabajar los fines de semana? (how did that business of working weekends end up?);
Now you should practise the uses of demonstratives with some examples of your own.

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