Donde/ Adonde

The word of the day is: 'donde'= where.

In Spanish, 'donde' is used to indicate the place/ point in space of some action or activity... it is also used to ask about the place/ point in space of some action or activity. A related adverb is 'adonde': where (to).

In Spanish, when 'donde' or 'adonde' are used to mean an indeterminate place (when they mean something like 'wherever') and are followed by a verb, the subjunctive should be used. When used in questions, we should place an accent over the 'o', i.e.: 'dónde' or 'adónde' (see examples below).

Examples of usage are:

• Aquí es donde quiero verte (it is here that I want to see you)
• Vengas de dónde vengas (wherever you are coming from)
• Duerme donde quieras (you can sleep anywhere/ wherever you want)
• Quédate donde sea (you may stay anywhere)
• ¿Adónde vamos? (where are we going?)
• ¿Desde dónde quieres ver el desfile? (where do you want to watch the parade from?)
• ¿Por dónde has entrado?  (how did you get in)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'donde' in the song 'Donde estés' sung by Chenoa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMmP0TzLF8

More on 'donde', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=donde

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Cuando

The word of the day is: 'cuando'= when.

In Spanish, 'cuando' is used to indicate the time/ point in time of some action or activity... it is also used to ask about the time/ point in time of some action or activity... or as an exclamation about the time/ point in time of some action or activity. In Spanish, when 'cuando' is used to mean an indeterminate time (when it means something like 'whenever') and is followed by a verb, the subjunctive should be used.

Grammar.- When used in questions or excalamations, we should place an accent over the 'a', i.e.: 'cuándo' (see examples below).

We also use 'cuando' in expressions such as:

• De vez en cuando (from time to time)
• Cuando más (at most)
• Cuando menos (at least)
• Cada cuando (every so often)

Examples of usage are:

• Hoy es cuando quiero verte (it is today that I want to see you)
• Cuando llegues hablamos (when/ whenever you get here we will talk)
• Cuando quieras nos vamos (we will leave whenever you want)
• ¡Cuándo aprenderé! (when will I learn!)
• ¿Hasta cuándo vamos a seguir esperando? (until when shall we have to continue waiting?)
• ¿Desde cuándo conoces a Juan? (since when have you known Juan)
• ¿Para cuándo lo harás?  (when will you have it done/ finished)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'cuando' in the song 'Cuando me enamoro' sung by Enrique Iglesias y Juan Luis Guerra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DO8GsIYfhQ

More on 'cuando', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=cuando

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Allí/ Allá

Today we look at two words: 'allí' and 'allá'= there or over there.

In Spanish, the adverbs 'allí' and 'allá' can often be interchanded and both indicate something about a location (in space) away from the speaker(s) and the listener(s)... in some expressions which indicate an indeterminate location... and in many expressions with related specific meanings (see examples below). However, only 'allá' can be used in epressions such as:

• Muy allá (a long way away)
• Más allá (further away)
• Más allá de... (beyond... )
• El más allá (the afterlife)
• Allá voy (here I come/ go)
• Allá tú (your problem!)
• Allá por... (about/ around...)-time
• Allá para... (about/ around)-time/ future

Examples of usage are:

• Allá por abril (around April)
• Allá para abril (around next April)
• Vengo de allí/ allá (I have [just] arrived from there)
• Soy de allí/ allá (I am from there)
• Pase por allí/allá, por favor (please go round there)
• Allí/ allá mismo (right over there)
• No quiso escucharme, así que allá él (he did not want to listen, so it is his problem)
• Más allá de lo que he oído, no sé nada (I know nothimg more that what I heard)
• El más allá es eterno (the afterlife is eternal)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'allí' in the song 'Quén es la que viene allí' sung by the Chilean group 'Los tres': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR0zYKCffE0

Look up 'allí', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=allí

Look up 'allá', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=allá

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Ahí

The word of the day is: 'ahí'= there.

In Spanish, the adverb 'ahí' is used to indicate something about the the location (in space) of the listener(s)/ reader(s)... in some expressions, it indicates a relative point in time, for example 'de ahí en adelante' (from then onwards)... and in many expressions with related specific meanings (see examples below).

Examples of usage are:

• Vengo de ahí (I have [just] arrived from there)
• Soy de ahí (I am from there)
• Estoy cansado, de ahí que no quiera salir (I am tired, hence not feeling like going out)
• Una libra es lo mismo que medio kilo, o por ahí anda (a pound and half a kilo are the same or thereabouts)
• Pase por ahí, por favor (please go that way)
• Ahí tienes (there you have it)
• Ahí mismo (right there)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'ahí' in the song 'Ahí Estás Tú' de Chambao: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBnL4pFKD9Y

Look up 'ahí', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=ahí

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Aquí/ Acá

Today we look at two words: 'aquí' and 'acá'= here.

In Spanish, the adverbs 'aquí' and 'acá' can often be interchanded and both

 indicate something about the current location (in space) of the person speaking... in some expressions, they indicates a current point in time, for example 'de aquí/ acá en adelante' (from now onwards)... and in many expressions with related specific meanings (see examples below).

Examples of usage are:

• Soy de aquí/ acá (I am from here)
• Aquí/ acá estamos (we are here/ here we are)
• Pase por aquí/ acá, por favor (please come this way)
• Hasta aquí/ acá hemos llegado (we have come this far)
• Aquí/ acá mismo (right here)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'aquí' in the song 'Estoy Aquí' by Jesus Adrián Romero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqkjjHBKTzM

Look up 'aquí', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=aquí 
Look up 'aquí', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=acá 

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Claro

The word of the day is: 'claro' = clear.

The spanish adjective claro'/ clara' can be used to indicate that the sky is clear... the sky/ a room/ etc. are bright... a colour is pale/light... or someone's skin is fair.

Related verbs are: 'aclarar' (to clarify), which can be used to seek or give clarification... and 'clarear' (to dawn) (NB.: 'clarear' should not be used in expressions such as: “it dawned on me”).

Related nouns are: 'un claro' (a clearing, for example in the forest, or a clear patch in a cloudy sky)... 'una clara' (the white of an egg... or a type of beer shandy)

Related adverbs are: 'claro'/ 'claramente' (clearly)

Today's word, 'claro' is used in expressions such as 'claro que sí'/ 'claro que no'/ 'claro que... ' which mean: of course

Examples of usage are:

• Ahora el cielo está claro (the sky is clear/ bright now) 
• Mañana se esperan nubes y claros (tomorrow, patchy clouds are expected) 
• Me gusta ese vestido azul claro (I like that light blue dress)
• Necesitamos aclarar todo esto (we need to clarify/ sort out all this)
• Está empezando a clarear (it is beginning to dawn)
• Por favor, habla claro (please speak clearly)
• Claro que soy tu amigo (of course I am your friend)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'claro' in the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXCvoQX1x4w

Look up 'claro', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=claro

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Florida

The word of the day is: 'florida', an adjective which means  flowery and relates to the Spanish noun 'la flor' which means flower.

Related verbs are: 'florecer' (to flourish/ to blossom/ to flower/ to bloom) and aflorar' (to rise to the surface/ to surface)

Examples of usage are:

• El estado de La Florida tiene clima tropical (Florida has a tropical climate)
• Flor de azahar (orange blossom)
• Los árboles florecen en primavera (trees blossom  in the spring)
• El agua aflora por todas partes  (water rises to the surface everywhere)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'flor' in the song “Un Beso Y Una Flor” by José Luis Armenteros y Pablo Herrero, sung here by Nino Bravo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-OvqPW3j6c

Look up 'flor', visit:  http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=flor

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Olvidar

The word of the day is: 'olvidar' = to forget.

The verbs 'olvidar'/ olvidarse' are used to indicate the 'action' of forgeting or not remembering someone or something.

In Spanish, the noun 'el olvido' is used to mean a memory lapse (oversight)... and can also be used to mean the sending of someone or something to a place out of sight/ mind (oblivion/ obscurity).

A related adjective is: 'olvidadizo' and is used to describe someone who forgets things easily.

Examples of usage are:

• Todo por culpa de un olvido (it is all due to an oversight)
• Las obras de ese autor han caído en el olvido (That author's works have fallen into obscurity/ oblivion)
• Hay que olvidar el pasado (you need to forget the past)
• Se me olvidó llamarte (I forgot to call you)
• Pedro es muy olvidadizo (Pedro is a very forgetful person)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'olvido' in the song “Se me olvidó que te olvidé” by Lolita de la Colina and sung by Bebo & Cigala: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs73eGP0BEM

Look up 'olvido', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=olvido

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Límite

The word of the day is: 'límite'= limit.

In Spanish, the noun 'el límite' is used to indicate some boundary.

A related verb is: 'limitar' and is used to indicate the action of setting limits or restrictions

A related adjective is: 'limitado' and is used to describe someting as having limits or boundaries

A related adverbial expression is: 'sin límites' and is used to describe qualities or actions as being limitless, or having no boundaries.

Examples of usage are:

• Todo tiene un límite (there is a limit to everything)
• Limítate a responder (limit yourself to answer questions)
• La velocidad está limitada a 100 kilómetros por hora (there is a 100kph speed limit)
• Gastando dinero sin límites (limitless money spending)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'límite' in the song 'El Límite' by the group La Frontera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xdgMtQ7UiM&feature=fvst

Look up 'límite', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=límite

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Odio

Today's word of the day is: 'odio'= hate.

In Spanish, the noun 'odio' is used to mean feelings of hatred, loathing, abhorrence, detestation, etc.

A related verb, 'odiar' is used to express the feeling of hatred, loathing, abhorrance, detestation, etc.

The adjective 'odioso' is used to describe fellings as: hateful, loathsome, abhorrent, detestable, etc

Ejemplos:

•  Amor y odio son como fuego que no se apaga (proverb)
• Odio la mentira (I hate lies)
• Las comparaciones son odiosas (proverb)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'odio' in Rafael Otero's song "Ódiame" (based on the poem "El último ruego" by Federico Barreto): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFktUDrodYQ

Look up 'odio', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=odio

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Casillas

La palabra de hoy es: 'casilla' = hut/ small house/ pigeonhole.

In Spanish, the noun 'casilla' is also commonly used to mean:

• Each one of the squares in a crossword
• Each one of the squares on board games (e.g.: chess/ checkers/ draughts/ etc.)
• Each one of the squares on a sheet of square paper
• Each cell in a spreadsheet
• A cinema/ theatre box office
• A box shaped compartment in shelves or set of drawers
• A postal box ('casilla postal')
• A dog kennel

A related word, 'casillero' is often used to mean shelves or similar furniture items with pigeonholes. The term 'casilla' is also used in expressions such as:

• Sacar a alguien de sus casillas (to make someone loose his/ her patience or drive someone mad)
• Salirse de sus casillas (to loose one's temper)

Ejemplos:

•  ¡Para ya! me estás sacando de mis casillas (stop! you are driving me mad)
• Todo esto me hace salirme de mis casillas (all this is making me loose my temper)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'Casillas' (the goalkeeper of Real Madrid and the Spanish national football team) after winning the worldcup in 2010. View Casillas, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL5K09onnZE&feature=related

Look up 'casilla', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=casilla

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Mimbre

La palabra de hoy es: 'mimbre' = wicker/ wickerwork.

In Spanish, the noun 'mimbre' is used to indicate the material (osier or willow) used in the making baskets, chairs, etc.

Ejemplos:

•  Cesta de mimbre (wicker basket)
• Quien hace un cesto hace ciento, si tiene mimbres y tiempo (proverb)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'mimbre' in the poem Prendimiento de Antoñito Camborio de Federico García Lorca (The arrest of Antonio Camborio by Federico García Lorca):

Antonio Torres Heredia,

hijo y nieto de Camborios,

con una vara de mimbre

va Sevilla a ver los toros...

Look up 'mimbre', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=mimbre

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Aviso

La palabra de hoy es: 'aviso' - del verbo 'avisar' = to give notice/ to warn.

In Spanish, the noun 'aviso' is used to indicate the giving of information, advise, warning.  The noun 'aviso' is also used to indicate the request for care, attention, prudence or discretion. Postings on a public notice board will often carry the heading: 'AVISO'. In Latin America,  'aviso' is often used to mean a publicity advert.

Ejemplos:

•  Cuando llegues me avisas (when you arrive, let me know/ give me a call)
• Se avisa a los señores pasajeros... (this is a call for passangers...)
• Estoy sobre aviso (I have been warned)
• Aviso al público  (public notice)
•  Sin previo aviso (without prior warning/ notice)
• Último aviso para los señores pasajeros... (last call for passangers... )
• Hasta nuevo aviso (until further notice)

Look up 'aviso', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=aviso

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Cuidado

La palabra de hoy es: 'cuidado' = care. In Spanish, 'cuidado' is often used to warn or draw attention to possible dangers.

Ejemplos:

•  Me dedico al cuidado de los enfermos (I deal in patient care)
• Ten cuidado (be careful)
• ¡Cuidado con el perro!  (beware of the dog)
•  Antonio es una persona de cuidado (Be careful with Antonio)
• ¡Cuidado que es listo ese muchacho! (how clever of that boy!)
• Eso me trae (tiene o deja)  sin cuidado (I don't care about that)

Look up 'cuidado', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=cuidado

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Luego

La palabra de hoy es: 'luego' = then/ next/ later on/ afterwards. The term 'luego' means also 'therefore'. In Spanish, 'luego' is often used to place things or actions in order (chronological/ space)... and in expresion: 'desde luego'

Ejemplos:

• Hasta luego (see you later)
• Primero fuimos al cine y luego a cenar  (first we went to the cinema and after we went for supper)
• Hay una farmacia y luego está el banco (there is a chemist and then the bank)
• Pienso, luego existo (I think, therfore I am-René Descartes)
• Desde luego (of course)

Look up 'hasta', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=luego

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Hasta

La palabra de hoy es: 'hasta' = till/ until.
In Spanish, 'hasta' is used indicate an 'end point' or limit to time, space, actions, etc. It can be used to mean 'even' when followed by 'cuando' or a gerund. There are many well known Spanish expressions which include the term 'hasta' (see examples below).

Ejemplos:

• Hasta mañana  (see you tomorrow)
• Hasta luego (see you later)
• Puedo disponer de hasta mil libras  (I have available up to one thousand pounds)
• Hasta que nos cansemos (until we get tired)
• Hasta dormirnos (until we fall asleep)
• Fuimos hasta Córdoba (we went as far as Córdoba)

• Hasta cuando no está claro, no preguntas  (Even when you have doubts, you don't ask)
• Hasta paseando nos cansamos (Even on leisurly walks we get tired)

Look up 'hasta', visit: http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/translation.asp?spen=hasta

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish

Espina

La palabra de hoy es: 'espina' = thorn. In Spanish, 'espina' is also used to mean spine ('espina dorsal')... a bad omen ('mala espina')... and is also used in expressions such as: ('tener una espina clavada')... or ('sacarse la espina'). The diminutive ('espinilla') means the shin/ shin bone... and also a pimple, a spot or a blackhead.

Ejemplos:

• No hay rosa sin espinas  (proverb)
• Este pescado tiene muchas espinas (this fish has lots of bones)
• Este asunto me da muy mala espina (I feel really uneasy about this)
• Pedro ha quedado con una espina clavada (Pedro has been left hurt/ broken-hearted)
• Por fin me saqué la espina (I finally managed to get over a hurt... get even/ get revenge)

Have a look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqlfHcm5a4E (canta: Celia Cruz)

For more Free Spanish:

Follow us on: http://www.love-spanish.com

Twiter: http://twitter.com/LoveSpanish_com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/love.spanish