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From escalating political tensions to unprecedented global divisions, 2025 has been defined by extremes. Throughout the year, we've witnessed a world increasingly split between opposing viewpoints, where moderation seems to have taken a back seat. This reality has led us to select a word that perfectly captures the spirit of our times. Let's reveal Yabla's Spanish Word of the Year 2025.
The word radical is our Spanish Word of the Year 2025. Political polarization, extreme positions, and a growing divide in public discourse have made this term constantly appear in news headlines and everyday conversations across the Spanish-speaking world.
In Spanish, just like in English, radical functions as both an adjective and a noun. The word carries multiple meanings depending on context:
• Extreme or drastic (cambio radical - radical change)
• Fundamental (reforma radical - fundamental reform)
• In politics, describing extreme ideological positions
A person who holds extreme political or lifestyle views
El amigo neohippie radical salsapunk:
The radical salsapunk neohippie:
Caption 49, Juan Sánchez Personajes
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The word radical in Spanish is pronounced rah-dee-KAHL, with the stress on the final syllable.
One of the most common expressions with radical is cambio radical (radical change), which refers to a profound or permanent transformation:
encontraron un cambio radical para su vida.
found a radical change for their lives.
Caption 7, Instinto de conservación Parque Tayrona - Part 5
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The word radical belongs to a family of related terms that have also been prominent this year:
• Radicalización (radicalization) - The process of adopting extreme positions
• Radicalizar (to radicalize) - To make or become radical
• Radicalismo (radicalism) - The ideology or practice of radical politics
While radical captured the essence of 2025, several other words defined key moments throughout the year:
From military operations in conflict zones to airport disruptions and expanding delivery services, drones have been everywhere in 2025. The Spanish word dron comes from the English "drone."
cámaras, trípodes, palo selfie, drones, etcétera,
cameras, tripods, selfie sticks, drones, etc.,
Caption 30, Viajando con Fermín El Caminito del Rey - Part 1
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Immigration policies and enforcement dominated headlines throughout 2025, making deportación a frequently discussed topic across the Spanish-speaking world.
This word describes the growing divide in societies worldwide, where finding common ground has become increasingly challenging.
Trade tensions and tariff policies shaped economic discussions in 2025, making aranceles a term frequently heard in business news and political debates.
So there you have it - our Spanish Word of the Year 2025. What are your thoughts on choosing radical? Can you think of other words that deserved this title? Share your ideas with us, and feel free to tell us what words defined your 2025!
Wenn du Geschäfte in spanischsprachigen Ländern machen oder mit spanischsprachigen Kundinnen und Kunden kommunizieren möchtest, ist es wichtig, die grundlegenden Vokabeln rund um Kauf, Verkauf und Verhandlungen zu kennen.
Ob du Produkte anbietest, Preise verhandelst oder Verträge abschließt, mit diesen spanischen Begriffen kannst du dich sicher in der Geschäftswelt bewegen.
Eines der ersten Dinge, die man im geschäftlichen Kontext auf Spanisch braucht, sind die grundlegenden Verben für „kaufen“, „verkaufen“ und „bezahlen“.
Tenemos que ir a comprar algo de comer.
Wir müssen etwas zu essen kaufen gehen.
Caption 40, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 1 - La llegada de Sam - Part 4
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vamos a vender productos
wir werden Produkte verkaufen
Caption 12, Santuario para burros Tienda solidaria
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Vas a tener que pagar más dinero.
Du wirst mehr Geld bezahlen müssen.
Caption 9, Fermín Frases y expresiones - Part 2
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Diese drei Verben bilden das Fundament jeder geschäftlichen Transaktion – egal, ob im kleinen Laden oder im internationalen Handel.
Wenn du über Geschäftsabschlüsse sprichst, brauchst du Begriffe, um das zu beschreiben, was gekauft oder verkauft wird.
¿Ustedes vienen a hacer un negocio y no tienen plata para la mercancía?
Ihr wollt ein Geschäft machen und habt kein Geld für die Ware?
Caption 44, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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estamos ofreciendo productos de calidad,
wir bieten hochwertige Produkte an
Caption 10, Otavalo Taller Milmarte
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El comercio internacional se refiere a la compra y venta de bienes y servicios entre países.
Der internationale Handel bezieht sich auf den Kauf und Verkauf von Gütern und Dienstleistungen zwischen Ländern.
Captions 7-8, Vocabulario de noticias Economía - Part 2
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La producción interna de suministros ha disminuido
Die inländische Produktion von Lieferungen/Materialien ist zurückgegangen.
Caption 45, Zulbany y Micheel La situación en Venezuela
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Sobald klar ist, was gehandelt wird, geht es häufig um das Aushandeln der Bedingungen. Diese Begriffe sind dabei besonders wichtig:
que era trabajar con vino y hacer un negocio.
nämlich mit Wein zu arbeiten und ein Geschäft zu machen.
Caption 15, Montserrat Cata de vinos - Part 1
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nosotros vamos a cotizar más bajo,
Wir werden ein niedrigeres Angebot machen.
Caption 64, Muñeca Brava 2 Venganza - Part 4
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yo voy a hablar con el señor Martínez, a hacerle una oferta también.
Ich werde mit Herrn Martínez sprechen und ihm auch ein Angebot machen.
Caption 17, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 5
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Además, me han regalado un veinticinco por ciento de descuento
Außerdem haben sie mir 25 % Rabatt gegeben.
Caption 19, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Por cierto, el precio se puede negociar; a eso lo llamamos en español "regatear".
Übrigens, der Preis ist verhandelbar; auf Spanisch nennt man das „regatear“ [feilschen].
Caption 35, Fuengirola Mercado
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Nach den Verhandlungen folgt der Abschluss des Geschäfts. Hier ist spezielles Vokabular gefragt:
que realizan transacciones de productos financieros.
die Transaktionen mit Finanzprodukten durchführen.
Caption 10, Vocabulario de noticias Finanzas - Part 3
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La última noticia es que habíamos conseguido un contrato de larga duración.
Die neueste Nachricht ist, dass wir einen langfristigen Vertrag bekommen haben.
Caption 14, Negocios Problemas laborales - Part 3
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Cuando llegamos a enero y tenemos estas facturas y estas cuentas,
Im Januar werden wir dann diese Rechnungen und Konten haben,
Caption 14, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 1
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se me lleva el recibo.
er/sie nimmt mir die Quittung weg.
Caption 31, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 14
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In der Geschäftswelt spielen persönliche Beziehungen immer eine große Rolle. Diese Begriffe helfen dir, die wichtigsten Akteure zu benennen:
Ah, y más que nada, que nos gusta mucho atender al cliente,
Oh, und vor allem: Wir bedienen den Kunden sehr gern.
Caption 23, Yabla en Yucatán Jorge
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y el proveedor no ha retirado.
und der Lieferant hat es nicht abgeholt.
Caption 23, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 3
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Él es Rafael, es mi socio.
Das ist Rafael, mein Geschäftspartner.
Caption 85, 75 minutos Gangas para ricos - Part 18
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Zum Schluss ein paar Redewendungen, die in spanischen Geschäftssituationen sehr gebräuchlich sind:
Fue un placer hacer negocios con usted, ¿eh?
Es war mir ein Vergnügen, Geschäfte mit Ihnen zu machen.
Caption 43, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 7
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queremos montar un negocio
wir möchten ein Unternehmen gründen
Caption 50, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 14
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y tiene el sentido de llegar a un acuerdo,
und es bedeutet so viel wie eine Einigung erzielen,
Caption 29, Aprendiendo con Silvia Significados, usos y expresiones con "quedar" - Part 1
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Y, no, lo que pasa es que aparte le hice firmar un contrato.
Und außerdem habe ich sie einen Vertrag unterschreiben lassen.
Caption 7, Muñeca Brava 18 - La Apuesta - Part 10
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¡Buena suerte con tus negocios!
(Viel Erfolg bei deinen Geschäften!)
Wir freuen uns über deine Fragen und Kommentare zu diesem Thema! Hasta la próxima!
Whether you're browsing a local market in Mexico City, shopping at a mall in Madrid, or purchasing groceries in Buenos Aires, knowing shopping vocabulary in Spanish is essential for travelers and learners alike. Today, we'll explore the words and phrases you need to navigate any shopping experience with confidence.
Let's start by learning the names of different types of stores you might visit while shopping in Spanish-speaking countries.
The word tienda is the general term for "store" or "shop" in Spanish. You'll hear this everywhere!
Me encuentro en la increíble tienda de Lego aquí en Barcelona,
I'm at the amazing Lego store here in Barcelona,
Caption 5, Víctor en España La tienda Lego de Barcelona
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When you need to buy groceries and household items, head to el supermercado.
¿sabe si hay algún supermercado cercano abierto todavía?"
Do you know if there's any supermarket nearby still open?"
Caption 26, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 4
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In Latin America, you'll often hear centro comercial for shopping mall/center. In Spain, many people also use el centro comercial or simply las tiendas.
y la segunda en el centro comercial Larios en el centro de Málaga.
and the second one in the Larios shopping center in downtown Málaga.
Caption 59, Adriana Mi historia con el café
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Traditional markets remain popular throughout Latin America and Spain for fresh produce, meats, and local goods.
Y muy atentos, porque hoy os he traído hasta El Rastro, el mercado callejero más grande de todo Madrid.
And [be] very attentive because today, I've brought you to El Rastro, the biggest street market in all of Madrid.
Captions 3-4, Con Marta por Madrid El Rastro
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For high-end fashion and specialty items, you might visit una boutique.
Morgan, vamos a la boutique de mi amiga Mousy.
Morgan, we're going to my friend, Mousy' boutique.
Caption 1, Muñeca Brava 7 El poema - Part 4
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Now that you know where to shop, let's learn the key verbs you'll need during your shopping experience.
This is the most essential shopping verb. Comprar means "to buy" or "to purchase."
y voy a comprar al mercado,
and I'm going to buy at the market,
Caption 42, Cataluña y su gente Cristina de Reus
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The opposite of comprar is vender, which means "to sell."
y luego tú puedes vender, eh...
and then you can sell, um...
Caption 47, Isabel y Paula contigo Vida cultural en Madrid - Part 2
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When you're searching for a specific item, use the verb buscar.
Buscar, significa tratar de encontrar algo o a alguien.
"Buscar" [to look for] means to try to find something or someone.
Caption 29, Lecciones con Carolina Mirar, ver, y buscar
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Shopping for clothes? You'll want to probarse (try on) items before buying them.
Si gusta, puede probarse cualquier modelito, ¿ah?
If you want, you can try on any design, huh?
Caption 37, Otavalo Zapatos andinos
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When you're ready to complete your purchase, you'll need to pagar.
Vas a tener que pagar más dinero.
You're going to have to pay more money.
Caption 10, Fermín Frases y expresiones - Part 2
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To ask how much something costs, you'll use the verb costar.
pues, te va a costar más o menos.
well, it's going to cost you more or less.
Caption 14, Isabel y Paula contigo Transporte público en Madrid - Part 3
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When you decide to purchase something, you can say Me lo llevo (I'll take it).
Si viene un... extravagante a quererse llevar este, ¿en cuánto también estaría? Este es veinticinco.
If an... extravagant person comes and wants to take this one, how much would it cost too? This one is twenty-five.
Captions 27-29, Otavalo Totora - Part 2
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Being able to ask questions and communicate with shop assistants makes shopping much easier. Here are some essential phrases:
📌 This is probably the most important question you'll ask while shopping!
¿Cuánto cuesta esta cartera?"
How much does this purse cost?"
Caption 33, Ana Carolina Salir de compras
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Use this phrase to ask if a store has a particular item.
¿Tiene esta camisa en azul?
Do you have this shirt in blue?
When a salesperson approaches and you're just browsing, this phrase is useful:
Estoy mirando, gracias
I'm just looking, thank you
Need help finding something in the store? Ask ¿Dónde está...?
"¿Podría usted indicarme dónde está la plaza?"
"Could you [formal] tell me where the plaza is?"
Caption 45, Raquel Las direcciones
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A polite way to get assistance from store staff.
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar a encontrar una chaqueta?
Exceuse me, can you help me find a jacket?
When shopping for clothes, staff might ask you ¿Qué talla usa? The most common sizes are pequeña/chica (small), mediana (medium), grande (large), and extra grande (extra large).
Yo también; voy a preguntar si hay otra talla,
Me too; I'm going to ask if there is another size,
Caption 68, Cleer y Carolina De compras
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📌 It's also very common to refer to sizes by their letters: S (ese), M (eme), L (ele), and XL (equis ele).
Essential when shopping for clothes or shoes and the first size doesn't fit!
Before trying on clothes, you'll need to find el probador (the fitting room).
El siguiente paso es probarte el vestido en el probador.
The next step is to try on the dress in the fitting room.
Caption 31, Raquel Haciendo compras
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Always polite to ask permission before heading to the fitting room.
When it's time to pay, you'll need to know these terms:
The amount something costs is el precio.
He comprado dos por el precio de uno. -Mm...
I've bought two for the price of one. -Mm...
Caption 11, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 7: La gemela - Part 3
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Head to la caja when you're ready to pay.
Desde que José administra la tienda, siempre falta dinero en la caja
Since Jose has been managing the store, money is always missing in the cash register,
Captions 42-43, Carlos explica Los cinco sentidos - Part 4
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The person who processes your payment is el cajero (male) or la cajera (female). Interestingly, cajero is also the term used for an ATM machine, which is called el cajero automático:
¡Oh! ¿Dónde está el cajero automático?
Oh! Where's the ATM?
Caption 36, Natalia de Ecuador Palabras de uso básico
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If you're paying with cash, you're paying en efectivo.
Una pregunta: ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta de crédito o sólo en efectivo?
One question: Can I pay with a credit card or just in cash?
Caption 41, Cleer y Lida Conversación telefónica - Part 2
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Most stores accept credit and debit cards, which are collectively called tarjetas.
La tarjeta de crédito en sí misma no es mala;
The credit card in itself is not bad;
Caption 8, Cuentas claras Sobreviviendo enero - Part 3
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Always keep your receipt, or el recibo, in case you need to return something.
Pasa un chiflón y se me lleva la, la lotería, se me lleva el recibo.
A gust of wind passes by and takes the, the lottery ticket from me, it takes the receipt from me.
Captions 30-31, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 2 - Part 14
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Everyone loves a discount! Look for signs that say descuento or rebaja.
Es muy importante que consigamos el descuento.
It's very important that we get the discount.
Caption 50, Negocios Problemas laborales - Part 1
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Especially popular in Spain, las rebajas are seasonal sales events.
no hay aglomeraciones de gente en las tiendas, en las rebajas.
there are no crowds of people in the stores, at the sales.
Captions 40-41, Soledad Vacaciones de verano
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Here are some common phrases you'll hear or use while shopping:
When something is discounted, it's en oferta.
Ese atún me va a costar uno veinticinco porque está en oferta.
That tuna is going to cost me one twenty-five because it's on sale.
Caption 37, María Fernanda Economía durante el COVID-19
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Use this when trying on clothes to indicate if something fits properly.
¿Me queda bien? Sí, ¿no? -Guapo, guapo, muy bien se ve.
Does it look good on me? It does, right? -Handsome, handsome, it looks very good.
Caption 52, 75 minutos Gangas para ricos - Part 6
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If the price is too high, you can say Es muy caro.
¡Es muy caro!
It's very expensive!
Caption 87, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 2: Sam va de compras - Part 6
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When you find a great deal, it's una ganga!
Una ganga es un objeto que lo venden regalado. Bueno, regalado no, pero que es muy barato.
A bargain is an object that's sold as a giveaway. Well, maybe not a giveaway, but it's very cheap.
Captions 59-60, Con Marta por Madrid El Rastro
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Always good to confirm before you start shopping!
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Do you accept cards?
Caption 62, Natalia de Ecuador Ordenar en un restaurante
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Let's put this vocabulary into context with some practical examples you might encounter:
¿Tiene esta camisa en talla mediana?
Do you have this shirt in size medium?
¿Cuánto cuestan estos zapatos?
How much do these shoes cost?
¿Dónde están las frutas y verduras?
Where are the fruits and vegetables?
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay with a card?
Necesito devolver esto, por favor.
I need to return this, please.
Congratulations! You now have the essential vocabulary and phrases to navigate shopping in Spanish with confidence. From asking for prices to finding the right size, these words and expressions will help you shop like a local in any Spanish-speaking country. Practice using these terms during your next shopping trip, and remember that every purchase is an opportunity to improve your Spanish!
What shopping experiences have you had in Spanish-speaking countries? Share your stories with us, and don't forget to send us your questions and suggestions!
Planning to travel to a Spanish-speaking country? Navigating an airport can be challenging even in your native language, but knowing essential airport vocabulary in Spanish will make your journey much smoother. Today, we'll walk through the typical airport experience step by step, learning key Spanish terms you'll encounter from the moment you arrive until you board your plane.
When you first arrive at el aeropuerto (the airport), you'll need to orient yourself quickly. Most airports have clear signage, but knowing these basic terms will help you navigate with confidence.
The first thing you'll notice are the departure and arrival boards. Look for pantallas de información (information screens) that display current flight information. These digital displays are your first resource for finding your gate and checking your vuelo (flight) status.
En este aeropuerto no se informan de los vuelos. Consulte las pantallas de información.
In this airport flights are not announced. Check the information screens.
Captions 15-16, Raquel Avisos de Megafonía
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Once inside, you'll want to locate the departure and arrival information. The arrivals section is called llegadas, while departures are salidas. If you're picking someone up, head to the llegadas area. If you're traveling, you'll need the salidas section.
Flight information displays typically show:
• Número de vuelo (flight number)
• Destino (destination)
• Hora de salida (departure time)
• Puerta de embarque (gate)
• Estado del vuelo (flight status)
Mi vuelo sale desde la puerta de embarque B siete.
My flight leaves from the boarding gate B seven.
Caption 17, Raquel Avisos de Megafonía
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After confirming your flight details, it's time for el check-in (check-in). You have several options: you can use a máquina de check-in automático (self-service kiosk) or go to the mostrador de check-in (check-in counter).
At check-in, you'll need to present your documento de identidad (ID) and boleto or pasaje (ticket). For international flights, you'll need your pasaporte (passport). The agent will ask about your equipaje (baggage). You might have equipaje de mano (carry-on luggage) and equipaje facturado (checked baggage).
En París, ese... ese boleto de... lo que él vendió sob'... de ese boleto de avión
In Paris, that... that ticket from... what he sold was le'... [what was left] from that airline ticket
Captions 34-35, Víctor en España Gabriel García Márquez - Part 3
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¿Me permite su pasaporte?
May I have your passport?
Caption 18, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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Common phrases you'll hear:
• ¿Puede mostrarme su pasaporte, por favor? (Can you show me your passport, please?)
• ¿Cuántas maletas lleva? (How many bags are you carrying?)
• ¿Cuántas maletas va a facturar? (How many bags are you checking?)
• ¿Cuántas personas viajan? (How many people are traveling?)
• ¿Prefiere asiento de ventana o de pasillo? (Do you prefer a window or aisle seat?)
After check-in, you'll proceed to control de seguridad (security checkpoint). This is where you'll need to show your tarjeta de embarque (boarding pass) and identification again.
At security, you'll need to:
• Remove your cinturón (belt) and zapatos (shoes)
• Place líquidos (liquids) in separate containers
• Put electronic devices in separate bins
• Walk through the detector de metales (metal detector)
Security personnel might ask you to abrir la maleta (open your bag) or explain certain items in your carry-on.
Once through security, you'll be in the área de embarque (boarding area). Use the señalización (signage) to find your puerta de embarque (boarding gate). Most airports have clear directional signs pointing to different gate numbers.
Along the way, you'll pass various servicios (services):
• Tiendas libres de impuestos (duty-free shops)
• Restaurantes y cafeterías (restaurants and cafeterias)
• Baños or servicios (restrooms)
• Salas de espera (waiting areas)
At your gate, listen for announcements about el embarque (boarding). Airlines typically board by grupos (groups) or filas (rows). When your group is called, present your tarjeta de embarque to the auxiliar de vuelo (flight attendant) at the gate.
You'll walk through the pasarela (jetway) to board the avión (airplane). Once on board, find your asiento (seat) and store your equipaje de mano in the compartimento superior (overhead compartment).
• Aeropuerto - Airport
• Terminal - Terminal
• Llegadas - Arrivals
• Salidas - Departures
• Vuelo - Flight
• Puerta de embarque - Gate
• Sala de embarque - Boarding area or departure lounge
la sala de embarque,
the departure lounge,
Caption 66, Carlos explica Los artículos en español - Part 1
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• Check-in - Check-in
• Mostrador - Counter
• Equipaje - Baggage
• Maleta - Suitcase
• Boleto/Pasaje - Ticket
• Tarjeta de embarque - Boarding pass
• Asiento - Seat
• Control de seguridad - Security checkpoint
• Pasaporte - Passport
• Documento de identidad - ID
• Detector de metales - Metal detector
• Rayos X - X-ray
• Baños/Servicios - Restrooms
• Tienda libre de impuestos - Duty-free shop
• Avión - Airplane
• Piloto - Pilot
• Auxiliar de vuelo - Flight attendant
• Pasarela - Jetway
• Embarque - Boarding
• Despegue - Takeoff
• Aterrizaje - Landing
Mastering this airport vocabulary in Spanish will help you travel more confidently in Spanish-speaking countries. Practice these terms before your next trip, and you'll find navigating airports much easier. Remember that airport staff are usually helpful if you need assistance - don't hesitate to ask "Disculpe, ¿puede ayudarme?" (Excuse me, can you help me?).
Ready to practice your airport vocabulary in Spanish? Send us a message with your comments or questions about your travel experiences and any other vocabulary you'd like us to cover!
Egal ob du im Restaurant überlegst, was du bestellen sollst, eine berufliche Richtung wählst oder wichtige Lebensentscheidungen triffst – zu wissen, wie man über Entscheidungen auf Spanisch spricht, ist essenziell für gute Kommunikation.
Heute schauen wir uns das wichtigste Vokabular, die zentralen Verben und typische Ausdrücke an, die spanische Muttersprachler verwenden, wenn sie Entscheidungen treffen oder darüber sprechen.
Welche Verben verwendet man im Spanischen, wenn es um Entscheidungen geht? Hier sind die wichtigsten, die du kennen solltest:
Das ist das wichtigste Verb, wenn es darum geht, eine Entscheidung auf Spanisch auszudrücken.
Hoy he decidido hacer unas compras por el centro de la ciudad.
Heute habe ich beschlossen, ein paar Einkäufe in der Innenstadt zu machen.
Caption 2, Raquel Haciendo compras
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Du kannst es in verschiedenen Zeiten konjugieren, je nachdem, wann die Entscheidung getroffen wurde oder wird:
He decidido estudiar medicina. (Ich habe beschlossen, Medizin zu studieren.)
Decidimos irnos de vacaciones este verano. (Wir haben entschieden, diesen Sommer in Urlaub zu fahren.)
Decidirán mañana quién será el nuevo gerente. (Sie werden morgen entscheiden, wer der neue Geschäftsführer wird.)
Wenn man zwischen Alternativen auswählt, ist optar perfekt geeignet.
y los colegios han tenido que optar por el aprendizaje virtual
und die Schulen mussten sich für den virtuellen Unterricht entscheiden
Caption 37, El coronavirus Efectos y consecuencias
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Optar wird typischerweise mit „por“ verwendet:
Optamos por quedarnos en casa. (Wir haben uns entschieden, zu Hause zu bleiben.)
Ha optado por un estilo de vida saludable. (Er/Sie hat sich für einen gesunden Lebensstil entschieden.)
Opté por no decir nada en ese momento. (Ich habe mich entschieden, in diesem Moment nichts zu sagen.)
Elegir wird verwendet, wenn man aus mehreren Möglichkeiten auswählt.
Eligieron esta vía porque el banco dispone de almacenes,
Sie wählten diesen Weg, weil die Bank über Lagerhäuser verfügt,
Caption 26, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 3
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So funktioniert elegir in verschiedenen Zeiten:
Elegí el vestido rojo para la fiesta. (Ich habe das rote Kleid für die Party gewählt.)
Ellos eligieron un destino diferente. (Sie haben ein anderes Reiseziel gewählt.)
Elegiremos al ganador la próxima semana. (Wir werden den Gewinner nächste Woche auswählen.)
tomé la decisión hace tiempo de reformar la terraza,
Ich habe schon vor einiger Zeit die Entscheidung getroffen, die Terrasse zu renovieren,
Caption 33, Soledad El insomnio - Part 2
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Diese Wendung wird sowohl im persönlichen als auch im beruflichen Kontext häufig verwendet.
Tomé la decisión de mudarme a otro país. (Ich habe die Entscheidung getroffen, in ein anderes Land zu ziehen.)
Tenemos que tomar una decisión pronto. (Wir müssen bald eine Entscheidung treffen)
Han tomado la decisión de cerrar la empresa. (Sie haben die Entscheidung getroffen das Unternehmen zu schließen.)
Has hecho una buena elección.
Du hast eine gute Wahl getroffen.
Caption 67, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 1
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So kannst du diesen Ausdruck verwenden:
Hice una elección difícil pero necesaria. (Ich habe eine schwierige, aber notwendige Wahl getroffen.)
Tendremos que hacer una elección entre las dos opciones. (Wir müssen eine Wahl zwischen den beiden Optionen treffen.)
Diese Redewendung passt perfekt, wenn die Entscheidung noch im Prozess ist:
No me vengás con el cuento que estás pensando en trabajar,
Komm mir nicht mit der Geschichte, dass du darüber nachdenkst zu arbeiten,
Caption 17, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 4
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In der Praxis sieht das so aus:
Estoy pensando en comprar un coche nuevo. (Ich überlege, mir ein neues Auto zu kaufen.)
Estamos pensando en cambiarnos de casa. (Wir denken darüber nach, umzuziehen.)
Manchmal wissen wir einfach nicht, was wir wählen sollen. Hier sind Ausdrücke dafür:
Estoy indeciso entre estudiar medicina o ingeniería. (Ich bin unentschlossen, ob ich Medizin oder Ingenieurwesen studieren soll.)
Están indecisas sobre qué película ver. (Sie sind unentschlossen, welchen Film sie schauen sollen.)
No puedo decidirme entre el azul o el verde. (Ich kann mich nicht zwischen Blau und Grün entscheiden.)
No se pueden decidir todavía. (Sie können sich noch nicht entscheiden.)
Wenn eine Entscheidung gefallen ist, sind diese Ausdrücke nützlich:
Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que necesitamos más personal. (Wir sind zu dem Schluss gekommen, dass wir mehr Personal brauchen.)
Jetzt kennst du das wichtigste Vokabular und die typischen Wendungen, um über Entscheidungen auf Spanisch zu sprechen! Von den ersten Überlegungen mit estar pensando en, über den eigentlichen Entschluss mit decidir oder elegir, bis hin zur endgültigen Festlegung mit he tomado la decisión – du bist nun bestens gerüstet, um Entscheidungsgespräche souverän zu führen.
Denk daran: Wie in jeder Sprache ist der Kontext entscheidend. Die Situation bestimmt oft, wie formell du dich ausdrückst. Unter Freunden sagst du vielleicht einfach:
Creo que voy a … (Ich glaube, ich werde …)
In beruflichen Situationen passt eher:
Hemos determinado que … (Wir haben beschlossen, dass …)
Wir freuen uns über Rückmeldungen von dir. Und schicke uns gern deine Fragen und Kommentare! Hasta la próxima!
The letter X in Spanish is one of the most fascinating and unique letters in the entire alphabet. Unlike most Spanish letters that follow predictable pronunciation rules, the letter X can be pronounced in four completely different ways depending on the word and its origin. Today, we'll explore these four distinct pronunciations so you can master this tricky but important Spanish letter.
The most frequent pronunciation of X in Spanish sounds like "ks" - the same as in English. This occurs in three specific situations:
When X appears between two vowels, it always sounds like [ks].
examen (exam) - pronounced "ek-SAH-men"
taxi - pronounced "TAHK-see"
Aunque, yo he de tomar un taxi
Although, I have to take a taxi
Caption 32, Aprendiendo con Silvia Expresiones y significados del verbo tomar - Part 1
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When X is followed by any consonant, it typically sounds like [ks].
texto (text) - pronounced "TEHK-sto"
experiencia (experience) - pronounced "ehks-peh-ree-EHN-see-ah"
El guión es el texto que contiene la historia, los diálogos y las acciones de una película.
The script is the text that contains a film's story, dialogues and actions.
Caption 46, Vocabulario de cine y películas Industria y producción - Part 2
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When X closes a word, it maintains the [ks] sound.
relax - pronounced "reh-LAHKS"
At the beginning of words, X always sounds like a simple "s." This happens because Spanish doesn't naturally start words with the "ks" sound.
xenofobia (xenophobia) - pronounced "seh-noh-FOH-bee-ah"
xilófono (xylophone) - pronounced "see-LOH-foh-noh"
por ejemplo, la marimba, el xilófono o la cortina.
for example, the marimba, the xylophone, or the chimes.
Caption 67, Luis Guitarra Instrumentos musicales
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This is perhaps the most interesting pronunciation! In certain Mexican place names and words of indigenous origin, X is pronounced like the Spanish "j" (which sounds like the English "h").
México - pronounced "MEH-hee-ko"
Oaxaca - pronounced "oh-ah-HAH-kah"
Texas - pronounced "TEH-hahs"
This pronunciation exists because these words come from Nahuatl, where X originally represented a "sh" sound. Over time, this evolved into the modern "j" sound, but the original X spelling was preserved.
La conexión de la música ha venido desde México
The musical connection has come from Mexico
Caption 15, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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The name Ximena (pronounced "hee-MEH-nah") also uses this "j" sound, but it has a different story. Unlike the Mexican place names above, Ximena isn't from Nahuatl - it's an archaic Spanish spelling of the name Jimena.
Es que Susana vio a Vargas con Ximena,
It's just that Susana saw Vargas with Ximena,
Caption 12, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 8 - Part 4
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In a few indigenous place names, X still retains its original "sh" pronunciation from native languages:
Xela (Guatemala) - pronounced "SHEH-lah"
To master X pronunciation in Spanish, remember these simple rules:
Most common: X = [ks] (like English)
Word beginning: X = [s]
Mexican places: X = [j/h sound]
Some indigenous names: X = [sh]
Understanding these four pronunciations will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking Spanish. The letter X may seem complicated at first, but with practice, you'll quickly recognize which pronunciation to use based on the word's origin and position.
Remember, when in doubt, the [ks] pronunciation is usually your safest bet for most Spanish words with X!
We'd love to hear how you're progressing with Spanish pronunciation - don't hesitate to reach out with your questions and feedback!
Die Präposition hacia wird im Spanischen sehr häufig benutzt. Ihre Grundbedeutung ist „in Richtung“ oder „nach … zu“. Je nach Kontext kann sie aber auch „gegen“, „zu“, „für“ oder „ungefähr“ bedeuten. In dieser Lektion schauen wir uns die wichtigsten Verwendungen an – mit vielen Beispielen aus der Praxis.
Die Grundbedeutung von hacia ist „nach … zu / in Richtung von …“. Sie steht bei Bewegungen, bei denen man ein Ziel ansteuert. Hier ein paar Beispiele:
Fue una mañana que yo iba caminando hacia la facultad
Es war eines Morgens, als ich in Richtung meiner Fakultät ging,
Caption 5, Soledad Raspi
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para animarles y desearles suerte antes de su salida hacia el campo.
um sie zu ermutigen und ihnen Glück zu wünschen vor ihrem Aufbruch aufs Feld.
Caption 82, Viajando con Fermín Final Copa del Rey
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Hoy fue extraditado hacia los Estados Unidos, otro miembro del cartel de Medellín,
Heute wurde ein weiteres Mitglied in die Vereinigten Staaten ausgeliefert,
Caption 6, Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar Capítulo 1 - Part 13
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Mit Wörtern wie arriba (nach oben), abajo (nach unten), norte (Norden) usw. entspricht hacia dem deutschen Suffix „-wärts“ (aufwärts, nordwärts usw.)
siempre tiene que ir hacia arriba, y cuando haces un trazo grueso, siempre tiene que ir hacia abajo.
Man muss immer aufwärts gehen und wenn wenn man einen dicken Strich macht, muss man abwärts gehen.
Captions 34-36, Adriana Lettering - Part 2
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Y vamos a fondear toda la isla por la costa... yendo hacia el norte.
Und wir werden den Anker überall um die Insel herum auswerfen... nach Norden fahrend.
Caption 11, El Trip Ibiza
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Auch wenn es keine Bewegung gibt, kann hacia „in Richtung von“ oder „zugewandt“ heißen.
de manera que hacia la cama también tenemos otra puerta corredera,
sodass wir in Richtung Bett ebenfalls eine Schiebetür haben,
Caption 51, Viajando con Fermín Caravaning - Part 3
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Un momento después, Pigueldito miró hacia el cielo.
Einen Moment später blickte Pigueldito zum Himmel.
Caption 14, Pigueldito y Federico Refranes
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Mirar hacia el futuro sin dar la espalda al medio ambiente:
In die Zukunft blicken, ohne der Umwelt den Rücken zu kehren:
Caption 91, Tecnópolis El Coronil
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Hier bedeutet hacia so viel wie „gegenüber“, „zu“ oder „für“.
y sobre todo mucha gratitud hacia todos los que elegimos visitar este hermoso rincón de Andalucía.
und vor allem große Dankbarkeit gegenüber allen, die sich entscheiden, diese schöne Ecke von Andalusien zu besuchen.
Captions 47-48, Viajando con Fermín El Día del Turista de Mijas
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que encuentras un público muy abierto hacia ti,
wenn du auf ein Publikum triffst, das dir gegenüber sehr offen ist,
Caption 37, Circo Berlín Lucas - Part 2
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yo sentí cierto rechazo hacia ella,
ich verspürte eine gewisse Ablehnung ihr gegenüber
Caption 33, Soledad Los prejuicios
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In der Zeitangabe bedeutet hacia „gegen / ungefähr / etwa“.
Iré hacia las cinco.
Ich gehe so gegen fünf.
Actualmente se celebran manifestaciones del orgullo anualmente por todo el mundo, hacia finales de junio,
Im Moment werden Demonstrationen des Stolzes jährlich auf der Welt gefeiert, so gegen Ende Juni,
Captions 55-56, Maoli La revuelta de Stonewall
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Hacia = Präposition (in Richtung /ungefähr)
Hacía = Mit Akzent auf dem í, Vergangenheitsform (Imperfekt) von hacer (machen, tun)
¿Usted qué hacía en el salón de ese profesor? ¿Ah?
Was haben Sie im Zimmer dieses Professors gemacht?
Caption 19, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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porque mi abuela hacía muchas croquetas.
Meine Oma machte viele Kroketten.
Caption 37, Con Marta por Madrid El tapeo - Part 1
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Wir hoffen, dass dir diese Lektion deutlich gemacht hat, in welchem Zusammenhang hacia benutzt wird. Mit ein bisschen Übung wirst du die feinen Unterschiede bald ganz automatisch anwenden. Und wir freuen uns immer über deine Fragen und Kommentare! Hasta la próxima!
Have you ever noticed Latin American Spanish speakers saying "este..." when they're thinking about what to say next? If you've wondered what this little word means and how to use it, you're in for a treat! Today we're exploring a common but often overlooked feature of Latin American Spanish: using este as a colloquial hesitation marker or interjection.
While most Spanish learners know este as the demonstrative adjective meaning "this" (este libro = this book), it has another completely different use in spoken Spanish. When used as an interjection, este functions exactly like the English "um," "uh," or "well" - it's a filler word that speakers use when they're hesitating, thinking, or pausing before continuing their thought.
This usage of este is particularly common in Latin American Spanish. When someone says Este... quería contarles algo grave (Um... I wanted to tell you something serious), they're using este to buy themselves a moment to gather their thoughts, just like English speakers do with "um" or "well." Here are some typical contexts where you'll hear this:
Este... necesito hablar contigo (Um... I need to talk to you)
¿Qué tal? Este... Mi nombre es David del Valle. Este... tengo veintiún años. Soy estudiante.
What's up? Um... My name is David del Valle. Um... I'm twenty-one years old. I'm a student.
Captions 1-2, Amigos D.F. El secuestrar
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Este... ¿cómo te explico? (Um... how do I explain this to you?)
Es algo muy divertido y, pues, este... pues, sí.
It's a really fun thing, and well, um... well, yes.
Captions 14-15, Rueda de la muerte Parte 1
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Este... dame un momento (Um... give me a moment)
Este... ¿Qué más? ¿Qué más? ¡Se me olvida cuando nos preguntan!
Um... What else? What else? I forget when we're asked!
Captions 30-31, La Gusana Ciega Entrevista - Part 1
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This use of este is especially prevalent in Latin American countries, where it's a natural part of everyday conversation. You might also hear esto used in the same way, with the same hesitation function. It's important to recognize that when este is used this way, it has nothing to do with pointing to something nearby. Instead, it's purely a conversational tool that helps speakers navigate the natural pauses and hesitations that occur in spontaneous speech.
Este... me voy a fijar si hay.
Well... I'm going to check to see if there's any.
Caption 34, Yago 5 La ciudad - Part 6
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Understanding este as a hesitation marker will help you sound more natural in Spanish conversations and better comprehend native speakers who use these common filler words. While you don't need to actively use it as a beginner, recognizing it when you hear it will make your listening comprehension much smoother.
Next time you're listening to Spanish conversations, keep an ear out for this little word - you'll be surprised how often you notice it once you know what to listen for! What other Spanish filler words or conversational markers would you like to learn about? Share your thoughts with us and don't forget to send us your questions and comments!
Have you ever wondered what cariño means in English? You're not alone! This is one of the most searched Spanish words by English speakers, and for good reason. The truth is, cariño is one of those beautiful Spanish words that simply doesn't have a direct English translation. It occupies a unique emotional space that English just can't capture with a single word.
If you've been struggling to understand what cariño means or how to use it properly, you've come to the right place. Today, we're diving deep into this wonderful word that reveals something beautiful about the Spanish language and culture.
So, what does cariño mean exactly? The word cariño refers to a warm, tender feeling of affection that flows between love and care. It's more than simple fondness but not as intense as passionate love. Think of it as that sweet spot of human connection - intimate yet gentle, caring yet not overwhelming.
When Spanish speakers use cariño, there's an understanding of exactly what kind of emotion they mean. It's applicable to family members, close friends, romantic partners, and even beloved pets, but it carries a particular warmth that's neither casual nor overpowering.
English tends to compartmentalize emotions when it comes to love and affection. We have "love" (which often feels too strong), "like" (too weak), "fondness" (too formal), "affection" (clinical), and "care" (not quite right either). But cariño flows seamlessly between all these categories.
This is similar to how other languages have untranslatable emotional concepts - like Portuguese saudade or Danish hygge. These words capture entire emotional experiences that other cultures recognize but don't have compact ways to express.
Let's look at how cariño is actually used in everyday Spanish conversations:
One of the most common uses of cariño is as a term of endearment, similar to "honey," "dear," or "sweetheart" in English. As we can see in these two clips from our popular series Extr@: Extra en español:
Hola, Pablo, cariño. -Hola.
Hello, Pablo, honey. -Hello.
Caption 9, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 5
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Notice how natural it sounds when used between people who care about each other. You can also use the diminutive form cariñito to make it even more affectionate:
¿A que sí, cariñito?
Right, honey?
Caption 15, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 8: La prima de la dueña - Part 5
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You can also use cariño to express your feelings of fondness toward someone or something. For example, when talking about a beloved tree:
Es un árbol al que le tenemos muchísimo cariño.
It's a tree that we're very fond of.
Caption 51, Estepona Orquidario - Part 1
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The word also appears when talking about doing something with love and care, like in this example about handmade crafts:
que es hecho con mucho cariño, hecho a mano.
which is done with lots of love, handmade.
Caption 57, Otavalo Bisutería Kinty
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Cariño is commonly used when sending emotional support to someone:
Te mando mi cariño y muchos ánimos
I send you my love and a lot of encouragement
Caption 19, Aprendiendo con Silvia Pésame y condolencias - Part 2
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You'll also hear cariño used to express warm hospitality:
a la ciudad de Pasto y que los recibimos con todo cariño
in the city of Pasto, and we welcome you with all our affection,
Caption 11, Pipo Carnavales de Pasto - Part 2
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There are several related words and expressions that complement cariño in Spanish:
Cariñoso/a - This adjective means "affectionate" or "loving"
Con cariño - This phrase means "with love" or "with affection" and is commonly used when signing cards or letters
Tener cariño - This expression means "to have affection for" someone
Understanding cariño reveals how Spanish-speaking cultures have remarkably nuanced emotional vocabulary. While there are English words that can come close to its meaning - like "affection," "fondness," or "love" - none quite captures the complete essence of cariño.
These approximations can serve as helpful guidance for understanding the concept, but they miss the specific warmth and tenderness that makes cariño unique. This is one of the most compelling reasons to learn Spanish: accessing emotional territories that English doesn't map precisely. So when someone asks "what does cariño mean in English," you can explain that while we can approximate it with several English words, it's a beautiful Spanish concept that's best understood in its original form.
What other untranslatable Spanish words would you like to explore? We'd love to hear from you with your questions and comments!
Are you ready to test your Spanish accents skills? This comprehensive Spanish accents quiz will challenge your understanding of tildes (accent marks ´), pronunciation rules, and help you master one of the most crucial aspects of Spanish grammar. Whether you're studying palabras agudas, graves, or esdrújulas, this quiz covers the essential accent mark rules you need to know.
Before diving into our Spanish accents quiz, let's quickly review the fundamental rules that govern when and where to place accent marks (tildes) in Spanish.
Spanish words are classified into three main groups based on where the stress falls:
Palabras Agudas (Oxytone Words)
Stress on the last syllable
Add tilde when ending in vowel, n, or s
Examples: café (coffee), también (too)
Palabras Graves/Llanas (Paroxytone Words)
Stress on the second-to-last syllable
Add tilde when NOT ending in vowel, n, or s
Examples: árbol (tree), lápiz (pencil)
Palabras Esdrújulas (Proparoxytone Words)
Stress on the third-to-last syllable
ALWAYS carry a tilde
Examples: música (music), rápido (fast)
Diphthongs (two vowels in same syllable) follow the general accent rules, while hiatus (vowels in separate syllables) has special rules. When a weak vowel (i, u) is stressed next to a strong vowel (a, e, o), the weak vowel always gets a tilde to break the diphthong: día (day), río (river).
Some Spanish words are spelled identically but have completely different meanings depending on whether they carry a tilde. For example, más (more) vs. mas (but), tú (you) vs. tu (your), or sé (I know) vs. se (reflexive pronoun). These diacritical accents distinguish meaning and prevent confusion.
Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! This Spanish accents practice quiz includes questions on all major topics. Choose the correct answer for each question.
a) dolor (pain)
b) papel (paper)
c) cancion (song)
d) animal (animal)
a) in the last syllable (co)
b) in the second-to-last syllable (ni)
c) in the third-to-last syllable (tro)
d) It doesn't need an accent
a) lápiz (pencil)
b) dificíl (difficult)
c) rápido (fast)
d) guía (guide)
a) True
b) False
a) Yo no sé si él esta tomando te
b) Yo no se sí él está tomando té
c) Yo no sé sí él esta tomando te
d) Yo no sé si él está tomando té
a) honor (honor)
b) feliz (happy)
c) compas (compass)
d) ciudad (city)
a) True
b) False
a) hipopotamo (hippopotamus)
b) delfin (dolphin)
c) ballena (whale)
d) tarantula (tarantula)
a) Mi tia es mas alta que mi mamá
b) Mí tia es más alta que mi mamá
c) Mi tía es más alta que mi mamá
d) Mi tía es más alta que mí mamá
a) Chile
b) Peru
c) Panama
d) Mexico
The correct answer is canción. Why? Because it is stressed on the last syllable (palabras aguda) and ends with -n, so the accent mark needs to be placed on the last vowel.
No me gusta esta canción.
I don't like this song.
Caption 28, Yago 2 El puma - Part 1
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The correct answer is c) because electrónico is stressed on the third-to-last syllable (palabra esdrújula), so the accent mark is needed.
Era un gran rancho electrónico
It was a great electronic ranch
Caption 15, Hecho en México Documentary - Part 1
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The word difícil is stressed on the second-to-last syllable (palabra grave) and doesn't end in -n, -s, or a vowel, so the accent goes on the second-to-last syllable: di-fí-cil.
Ay, eso va a estar como muy difícil, doctor,
Oh, that's going to be, like, very difficult, Doctor,
Caption 1, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 14
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In the word egoísta, there's a hiatus occurring between the vowels "o" and "í." Since the weak vowel "í" receives the stress, it forces a separation between "o" and "í," placing them in different syllables: e-go-ís-ta. This creates a four-syllable word.
¡Eres un egoísta, un egoísta, un egoísta!
You're a selfish person, a selfish person, a selfish person!
Caption 32, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 8
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Yo: Doesn't need an accent
no: Doesn't need an accent
sé: Accent needed because it's the first person conjugation of the verb saber (to know) in the present indicative
si: Doesn't need an accent when it means "if" in English
él: Accent needed. The pronoun él (he) always needs an accent
está: Needs an accent because it's a palabra aguda ending in a vowel
tomando: Doesn't need an accent because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel
té: Accent needed when referring to "tea" in English
The correct answer is compás because it is stressed on the last syllable (palabra aguda) and ends with -s, so the accent mark needs to be placed on the last vowel.
"compás" o "colibrí".
"compás" [compass] or "colibrí" [hummingbird].
Caption 30, Carlos explica Acentuación Cap. 4: Clasificación de las palabras según el acento
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The plural of árbol is árboles. While árbol is a palabra grave that needs an accent mark because it doesn't end in -n, -s, or a vowel, when we form the plural árboles, it becomes a palabra esdrújula (stress on the third-to-last syllable: ár-bo-les). Since all palabras esdrújulas always need an accent mark, árboles must keep the accent.
donde hay árboles muy grandes
where there are very big trees
Caption 30, Silvia nos cuenta El bosque encantado y las emociones mágicas - Part 2
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The correct answer is ballena because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel, so it doesn't need an accent mark. The other words need accent marks: hipopótamo is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents), delfín is a palabra aguda ending in -n (agudas ending in vowels, -n, or -s need accents), and tarántula is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents).
Tiene la forma y el tamaño de una ballena jorobada.
It has the shape and size of a humpback whale.
Caption 41, Pipo Un paseo por la playa de Atacames
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Mi: Doesn't need an accent when it's a possessive adjective meaning "my"
tía: Needs an accent because there's a hiatus between the weak vowel "í" and the strong vowel "a," creating two separate syllables: tí-a
es: Doesn't need an accent because it's a monosyllabic word
más: Accent needed because it means "more" (distinguishes from mas meaning "but")
alta: Doesn't need an accent because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel
que: Doesn't need an accent when it means "than" in English
mi: Doesn't need an accent when it's a possessive adjective meaning "my"
mamá: Needs an accent because it's a palabra aguda ending in a vowel
The correct answer is Chile because it's a palabra grave ending in a vowel, so it doesn't need an accent mark. The other countries need accent marks: Perú is a palabra aguda ending in a vowel (agudas ending in vowels, -n, or -s need accents), Panamá is a palabra aguda ending in a vowel, and México is a palabra esdrújula (all esdrújulas need accents).
Seguro que se fue con esa secretaria a Chile.
Surely he went with that secretary to Chile.
Caption 11, Muñeca Brava 8 Trampas - Part 14
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9-10 correct: ¡Excelente! You have a solid grasp of Spanish accent rules.
7-8 correct: Great job! You're well on your way to mastering tildes.
5-6 correct: Good effort! Review the rules and keep practicing.
3-4 correct: Keep studying! Focus on the three main categories.
0-2 correct: Don't worry! Start with the basics and practice regularly.
This Spanish accents test covered the essential rules you need to know for proper Spanish pronunciation and spelling. Remember that mastering tildes takes time and practice, but understanding these patterns will significantly improve your Spanish writing and speaking skills.
Keep practicing with these Spanish accent rules, and you'll find that placing tildes becomes second nature. Remember, accent marks aren't just decorative—they're essential for proper pronunciation and can completely change the meaning of words.
We'd love to hear how you did on this quiz! Send us your results and any questions you might have about Spanish accents.
Have you ever found yourself in a Spanish conversation where you wanted to share information but weren't completely certain about it? Learning how to express "as far as I know" in Spanish is essential for nuanced communication. Today, we'll explore seven different ways to convey this idea, from the most formal to the most colloquial expressions used across Spanish-speaking countries.
This is probably the most widely used expression across all Spanish-speaking countries. Que yo sepa literally translates to "that I know" and is used in the same way as "as far as I know" in English.
Que yo sepa, los cadetes de la escuela de aviación no se juntan con negritas como yo.
As far as I know, the cadets from the aviation school don't hang out with black girls like me.
Captions 40-41, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 2 - Part 1
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Examples:
Que yo sepa, la reunión es mañana a las tres.
(As far as I know, the meeting is tomorrow at three.)
No ha llegado nadie más, que yo sepa.
(No one else has arrived, as far as I know.)
A slightly more formal way to express the same idea is por lo que yo sé, which literally means "for what I know." This expression is perfect for more formal contexts or when you want to sound particularly polite.
Examples:
Por lo que yo sé, el proyecto está terminado.
(As far as I know, the project is finished.)
Por lo que yo sé, ella no viene hoy.
(As far as I know, she's not coming today.)
Hasta donde yo sé literally means "up to where I know" and is commonly used in many Spanish-speaking countries. This expression emphasizes the limits of your knowledge about a particular topic.
hasta donde yo sé, el noventa por ciento de los mexicanos, si no es que todos, lo acompañamos con tostadas.
as far as I know, ninety percent of Mexicans, if not all, accompany it with chips.
Captions 67-68, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Karla y el pozole - Part 2
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Examples:
Hasta donde yo sé, el vuelo sale a tiempo.
(As far as I know, the flight is leaving on time.)
Hasta donde yo sé, no hay ningún problema.
(As far as I know, there's no problem.)
This more sophisticated expression, según tengo entendido, translates to "according to my understanding." It's often used in professional or academic contexts when you want to sound more educated or formal.
con el que, según tengo entendido, por la ley del cine colombiano, le descuenta de sus impuestos
with which, as I understand it, due to Colombian film law, it deducts from your taxes
Captions 44-45, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 5
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Examples:
Según tengo entendido, la empresa va a expandirse.
(As far as I understand, the company is going to expand.)
Según tengo entendido, las clases empiezan el lunes.
(As far as I understand, classes start on Monday.)
En lo que a mí respecta means "as far as I'm concerned" and can also express the idea of "as far as I know," especially when talking about personal experiences or opinions.
Examples:
En lo que a mí respecta, todo está bien.
(As far as I'm concerned, everything is fine.)En lo que a mí respecta, no hay inconveniente.
(As far as I know, there's no problem.)
This formal expression, que yo tenga conocimiento, literally means "that I have knowledge of." It's particularly useful in legal, academic, or very formal situations.
Examples:
No hay cambios en el plan, que yo tenga conocimiento.
(There are no changes in the plan, as far as I know.)
Que yo tenga conocimiento, la fecha sigue siendo la misma.
(As far as I know, the date remains the same.)
Finally, según mis conocimientos translates to "according to my knowledge" and is another formal way to express uncertainty while sharing information.
Examples:
Según mis conocimientos, esa información es correcta.
(According to my knowledge, that information is correct.)
Según mis conocimientos, no hay restricciones.
(As far as I know, there are no restrictions.)
Understanding when to use each expression is crucial for effective communication. Que yo sepa, hasta donde yo sé, and según tengo entendido are your go-to options for everyday conversations. They're versatile, widely understood, and appropriate for most situations.
Mastering these seven ways to say "as far as I know" in Spanish will significantly improve your ability to communicate uncertainty and partial knowledge in a natural, native-like way. Whether you're having a casual conversation with friends or participating in a formal business discussion, you now have the tools to express yourself appropriately in any context.
We'd love to hear how you use these expressions in your Spanish conversations! Drop us a line with your experiences and any questions you might have about these useful phrases.
Zeit ist eines der grundlegenden Themen im Alltag. Ob man darüber spricht, was man gestern gemacht hat, was man heute tut oder was man morgen vorhat – diese drei Zeitadverbien sind im Spanischen absolut unverzichtbar. In dieser Lektion schauen wir uns an, wie man die spanischen Wörter ayer, hoy und mañana verwendet, ihre Aussprache, typische Bedeutungen und praktische Beispiele.
Ayer = gestern
Hoy = heute
Mañana = morgen
Diese Wörter bilden das Fundament, um über Zeit im Spanischen zu sprechen, und sie kommen ständig in alltäglichen Gesprächen vor.
Ayer (gestern)
A-jer – die Betonung liegt auf der zweiten Silbe.
ayer,
gestern,
Caption 71, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Aussprache: Oy - aber mit einem ganz leichten Hauchlaut „h“ am Anfang: hoy.
hoy,
today,
Caption 81, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Aussprache: mah-NJAH-nah – Betonung auf der zweiten Silbe. Das „ñ“ wird wie „nj“ gesprochen (wie in „Spanien“). Achtung: mañana kann auch „Morgen“ im Sinne von „Tageszeit“ bedeuten – der Kontext macht den Unterschied klar.
Mañana.
Morgen.
Caption 26, Graciela Alfabeto y formación de sílabas
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Vuelvan mañana por la mañana y les atenderemos de ocho a una y media".
Kommen Sie morgen früh wieder, und wir bedienen Sie von acht bis halb zwei."
Captions 49-50, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 4
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Die geläufige Wendung mañana por la mañana bedeutet „morgen früh“ – wortwörtlich „morgen am Morgen“.
Um über heute zu sprechen, wird das Präsens verwendet.
Hoy os traigo un recorrido muy especial
Heute bringe ich euch eine ganz besondere Tour
Caption 2, Fuengirola El Paseo de los Murales de El Boquetillo - Part 1
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y también hoy tenemos la novedad del queso canárico.
und heute haben wir als Neuheit den Kanarischen Käse.
Caption 17, Kowy Queso
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Wird oft mit Futur oder mit der Konstruktion ir a + Infinitiv (wörtlich: „gehen, um zu…“) benutzt.
¿Vamos mañana a la piscina?
Gehen wir morgen ins Schwimmbad?
Caption 7, Fundamentos del Español 4 - Las Preguntas
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No, mañana vamos a llegar a la casa
Nein, morgen kommen wir nach Hause.
Caption 33, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 7
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Um über gestern zu sprechen, werden Vergangenheitsformen verwendet.
Ayer fue miércoles.
Gestern war Mittwoch.
La reunión fue ayer.
Das Treffen war gestern.
Wenn ayer, hoy und mañana sitzen, kann man den Wortschatz weiter ausbauen:
Anteayer = vorgestern
Anoche: gestern Abend / letzte Nacht
Pasado mañana = übermorgen
Esta mañana = heute Morgen
Esta tarde = heute Nachmittag / Abend
Esta noche = heute Abend / heute Nacht
Y anteayer me encontré con unas amigas,
Und vorgestern habe ich mich mit einigen Freundinnen getroffen.
Caption 12, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 3
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Ayer, hoy und mañana sind die elementaren Zeitangaben im Spanischen. Mit regelmäßigem Üben wirst du sie sicher und selbstverständlich verwenden können – ob zum Erzählen, Pläne machen oder Erlebnisse teilen. Wir freuen uns über Rückmeldungen von dir. Und schicke uns gern deine Fragen und Kommentare! Hasta la próxima!
Time is one of the most fundamental concepts we discuss every day. Whether you're talking about what you did yesterday, what you're doing today, or what you plan to do tomorrow, these three time expressions are absolutely essential in Spanish conversation. Today, we'll explore how to say and use the time adverbs for yesterday, today, and tomorrow in Spanish (ayer, hoy, and mañana) with clear examples and practical usage.
Let's start with the basics. Here are the three key time expressions for yesterday, today, and tomorrow in Spanish:
Ayer = Yesterday
Hoy = Today
Mañana = Tomorrow
These three words are the foundation of talking about time in Spanish, and you'll use them constantly in everyday conversation.
The word ayer is pronounced "ah-YAIR." Notice that the stress falls on the second syllable. It's a simple two-syllable word that's easy to remember and pronounce.
ayer,
yesterday,
Caption 71, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Hoy is perhaps the simplest of the three words. It's pronounced exactly like the English word "oy" but with a slight "h" sound at the beginning: "oy." It's just one syllable, making it very straightforward.
hoy,
today,
Caption 81, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 2
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Mañana is pronounced "mah-NYAH-nah." The stress falls on the second syllable, and don't forget that "ñ" makes the "ny" sound. Interestingly, mañana can also mean "morning," but context will always make it clear which meaning is intended.
Mañana.
Mañana [tomorrow].
Caption 26, Graciela Alfabeto y formación de sílabas
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Vuelvan mañana por la mañana y les atenderemos de ocho a una y media".
Come back tomorrow morning, and we'll attend to you from eight to one-thirty."
Captions 49-50, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 4
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Notice how in this example, the word mañana functions as both "tomorrow" and "morning" in the very common Spanish expression mañana por la mañana (tomorrow moning).
Now let's see how to use these time expressions in real sentences. The great news is that they typically go at the beginning or end of a sentence, just like in English.
You can use ayer with past tense verbs to talk about what happened yesterday:
Mañana es sábado
Tomorrow is Saturday,
Caption 21, Aprendiendo con Zulbany Piensa rápido - Part 3
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"La reunión es mañana"
"The meeting is tomorrow"
Caption 58, Carlos explica El verbo "ser" - Part 2
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Hoy is used with present tense verbs to talk about what's happening today:
Hoy os traigo un recorrido muy especial
Today, I'm bringing you a very special tour
Caption 2, Fuengirola El Paseo de los Murales de El Boquetillo - Part 1
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y también hoy tenemos la novedad del queso canárico.
and today we also have the novelty of Canarian cheese.
Caption 17, Kowy Queso
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Mañana is typically used with future tense or "ir a + infinitive" constructions:
¿Vamos mañana a la piscina?
Are we going tomorrow to the pool?
Caption 7, Fundamentos del Español 4 - Las Preguntas
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No, mañana vamos a llegar a la casa
No, tomorrow we're going to get home,
Caption 33, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 7
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Once you master ayer, hoy, and mañana, you can expand your time vocabulary with related expressions:
Anteayer = The day before yesterday
Anoche: Last night
Pasado mañana = The day after tomorrow
Esta mañana = This morning
Esta tarde = This afternoon/evening
Esta noche = Tonight
Keep in mind that anteayer is the preferred and standard form across the Spanish-speaking world, though you might also see antes de ayer (which means the same thing). Additionally, you might hear antier in some Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico and Central America. However, anteayer is the recommended form to use in formal speech and writing.
Y "anteayer" me encontré con unas amigas,
And "the day before yesterday," I met up with some friends,
Caption 12, Aprendiendo con Silvia Horas, fechas y períodos de tiempo - Part 3
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Learning to say yesterday, today, and tomorrow in Spanish—ayer, hoy, and mañana—is crucial for basic communication. These fundamental time expressions will help you talk about your daily activities, make plans, and share experiences with Spanish speakers. With proper pronunciation and regular practice, you'll be confidently using ayer, hoy, and mañana in no time.
We hope this simple guide has helped you understand these essential Spanish time expressions. Please share your thoughts and questions with us—we'd love to hear from you!
Did you know that the Spanish present tense can be used to talk about events that happened in the past or will happen in the future? This flexibility makes the present tense one of the most versatile tools in Spanish grammar.
While we typically use the present tense to describe current actions and situations, Spanish speakers frequently employ it to refer to past and future events in specific contexts. This usage adds immediacy, emphasis, and dramatic effect to our speech and writing.
In this lesson, we'll explore how the present tense can transcend time boundaries, covering both retrospective and prospective uses that will help you sound more natural and expressive in Spanish.
Keep in mind that when Spanish uses the present tense to refer to past or future events, the English translation will sometimes use past or future tenses, as these are the natural choices in English. This is perfectly normal and helps you understand the time reference in context.
The present tense can effectively transport us back in time through two main forms: the historical present and the narrative present.
The historical present shifts the point of reference from the current moment to a past moment, making historical events feel immediate and vivid. This usage is particularly common in biographies, historical descriptions, academic writing, and news reports where recent events are presented with dramatic immediacy.
Lo siguiente fue lo que os he comentado al principio del vídeo: se declara el estado de alarma y el confinamiento durante dos semanas,
The following was what I said to you at the beginning of the video: the state of alarm and confinement are declared for two weeks,
Captions 65-66, El coronavirus Confinamiento en España - Part 1
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In the historical present, we describe past events as if they were happening right now:
Picasso pinta Las Señoritas de Avignon en 1907.
Picasso paints Les Demoiselles d'Avignon in 1907.
En 1519, Cortés desembarca en las costas mexicanas.
In 1519, Cortés lands on the Mexican coasts.
This technique creates a sense of immediacy and brings historical events to life for the reader or listener.
The narrative present is used as a stylistic resource in storytelling to describe past events with greater vividness and dramatic effect. It often appears mixed with other past tenses, creating contrast and emphasis. Here's how it works in casual storytelling:
Estaba durmiendo cuando de repente suena el teléfono.
I was sleeping when suddenly the phone rings.
Common expressions that introduce the narrative present include de repente (suddenly), entonces (then), and cuando (when), which mark sudden or unexpected changes in the story:
Pasa que yo estaba acá de casualidad, cuando de repente aparece la loba escapándose no sé de qué.
What happens is that I was here by chance, when suddenly this she-wolf appears, running away from who knows what.
Captions 87-88, Muñeca Brava 43 La reunión - Part 2
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The prospective present allows us to refer to future events, but unlike the simple future tense, it typically requires additional context to indicate when the action will occur.
The present tense adds certainty and firmness to future commitments:
Sí, sí, sí Pablito, dejame yo lo pienso y... yo... yo mañana te doy una respuesta.
Yes, yes, yes, Pablito, let me think about it, and... I... I'll give you an answer tomorrow.
Captions 30-31, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 13
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When describing planned events or situations we're certain will happen, the present tense emphasizes inevitability:
¡Este fin de semana tengo una presentación y mi papá por fin se va a dar cuenta de que está perdiendo el tiempo
This weekend, I have a performance, and my dad is finally going to realize that he's wasting his time,
Captions 67-68, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 13 - Part 6
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The present tense can create powerful threats by presenting future consequences as inevitable:
No, está acá a veinte cuadras. Acaba de llegar, y dice que si no vas ahora para el hotel, él se viene para acá.
No, he's twenty blocks away from here. He just got here, and he says if you don't go to the hotel right now, he's coming here.
Captions 8-9, Yago 14 La peruana - Part 12
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The present tense can express commands and instructions for future actions:
Mañana te levantas temprano, desayunas y sales corriendo.
Tomorrow you get up early, have breakfast, and leave running.
Primero compras los boletos y después me avisas.
First you buy the tickets and then you let me know.
Understanding these uses of the present tense will help you communicate more effectively and naturally in Spanish. The retrospective present brings stories and historical events to life, while the prospective present adds conviction and immediacy to future plans and commitments.
Remember that context is crucial—time expressions, situational cues, and discourse markers help listeners understand whether you're referring to past or future events. Practice incorporating these patterns into your Spanish conversations to sound more like a native speaker, and don't forget to send us your questions and comments.
Du lernst Spanisch, gibst dir Mühe – und trotzdem will es manchmal einfach nicht so richtig klappen? Keine Sorge, du bist nicht allein! Egal ob Anfänger oder schon fortgeschritten: Viele typische Fehler passieren einfach, weil wir zu direkt aus dem Deutschen übersetzen. In dieser Lektion schauen wir uns 13 häufige Fehler an, die Deutschsprachige oft machen – natürlich mit Beispielen und einfachen Erklärungen. So kannst du Missverständnisse vermeiden und klingst gleich viel natürlicher!
Im Deutschen sagen wir: „Ich bin 30 Jahre alt“. Aber auf Spanisch funktioniert das anders: Man „hat“ ein Alter.
❌ Yo soy 30 años.
✅ Yo tengo 30 años.
➡️ Wörtlich übersetzt: „Ich habe 30 Jahre.“
Hola, yo me llamo Miguel. Tengo veinte años y estudio composición.
Hallo, ich heiße Miguel. Ich bin zwanzig Jahre alt und studiere Komposition.
Captions 5-6, Amigos D.F. Consejos para la calle
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Viele Lernende sagen sowas wie:
❌ Estoy viviendo aquí por 3 años. [„Ich bin dabei, hier seit 3 Jahren zu leben.“]
✅ He vivido aquí por 3 años. / Vivo aquí desde hace 3 años. [„Ich habe hier drei Jahre gelebt.“ / „Ich lebe seit drei Jahren hier.“]
Denn wenn etwas in der Vergangenheit begonnen hat und bis jetzt andauert, nutzt man im Spanischen das Perfekt oder eine Konstruktion mit „desde hace“:
Soy mariachi, soy papá, soy músico y vivo aquí desde hace veinte años en Alemania,
Ich bin ein Mariachi, ich bin ein Vater, ich bin Musiker und ich lebe seit zwanzig Jahren hier in Deutschland,
Captions 3-4, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Fernando y el mariachi
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„Gente“ bedeutet „Menschen“ – ist aber grammatikalisch Singular!
❌ La gente son amables.
✅ La gente es amable. [„Die Leute sind nett.“ – aber im Spanischen: „Die Leute ist nett.“)]
la gente es superhospitalaria,
die Leute sind super gastfreundlich,
Caption 72, Adriana y Laura Mijas
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Viele verwechseln hier die Verben „acordarse“ und „recordar“.
❌ Me recuerdo de mi infancia.
✅ Me acuerdo de mi infancia. / Recuerdo mi infancia.
[„Ich erinnere mich an meine Kindheit.]
Merke:
👉 acordarse de = reflexiv, z. B. me acuerdo de
👉 recordar = ohne Reflexivpronomen
Pero ya no recuerdo cuándo fue la última vez que estuvimos juntos viendo un partido.
Aber ich kann mich nicht erinnern, wann wir das letzte Mal zusammen ein Spiel angeschaut haben.
Captions 6-7, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 1
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Unregelmäßige Partizipien sorgen oft für Verwirrung:
❌ He ponido mis llaves en la mesa.
✅ He puesto mis llaves en la mesa.
[„Ich habe die Schlüssel hingelegt.“]
Entonces, a las chicas les hemos puesto una flor,
Also gaben wir den Mädchen eine Blume,
Caption 98, Amaya Evento
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❌ Voy en España.
✅ Voy a España.
[„Ich fahre nach Spanien.“]
👉 en = „in“ (Ort)
👉 a = „nach/zu“ (Richtung)
Pues, me voy a Barcelona.
Also, ich fahre nach Barcelona.
Caption 7, El Aula Azul Conversación: Planes de fin de semana
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❌ Gracias para la cena.
✅ Gracias por la cena.
[„Danke für das Abendessen.“]
👉 por = Grund/Ursache
👉 para = Zweck/Ziel
Gracias por la toalla.
Danke für das Handtuch.
Caption 12, Mónica El baño
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❌ Estoy pensando sobre mi futuro.
✅ Estoy pensando en mi futuro.
[„Ich denke über meine Zukunft nach.“]
Mit dem Verb pensar brauchst du immer en, nicht sobre.
Yo "estaba en las nubes", pensando en la tortilla que me iba a comer después.
Ich war „im siebten Himmel“, als ich an die Tortilla dachte, die ich als nächstes essen würde.
Captions 48-49, Beatriz Expresiones relacionadas con el clima
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❌ Estoy embarazada por tu pregunta. [„Deine Frage macht mich schwanger“]
✅ Estoy avergonzada por tu pregunta. [„Deine Frage ist mir peinlich“]
Embarazada = „schwanger“
👉 Das willst du nicht aus Versehen sagen 😅
❌ Realicé mi error.
✅ Me di cuenta de mi error.[„Ich habe meinen Fehler erkannt.“]
Mire, yo me di cuenta de algo muy importante,
Sieh mal, mir ist etwas sehr Wichtiges klar geworden,
Caption 13, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 11
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❌ Tengo muy calor. / Estoy mucho cansado.
✅ Tengo mucho calor. / Estoy muy cansado.
[„Mir ist sehr warm.“ / „Ich bin sehr müde.“]
"Llevo un mes durmiendo fatal y estoy muy cansado".
„Ich schlafe seit einem Monat furchtbar schlecht und bin sehr müde.“
Caption 47, Fermín y Manuel El verbo "llevar" - Part 2
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👉 muy + Adjektive/Adverbien
👉 mucho + Nomen/Verben
❌ Estoy caliente.
✅ Tengo calor.
[„Mir ist heiß.“]
Estoy caliente = Hat eine sexuelle Konnotation – lieber vermeiden 😉
❌ Soy aburrido. [→ „Ich bin langweilig.“]
✅ Estoy aburrido. [→ „Mir ist langweilig.“]
👉 ser = dauerhafte Eigenschaft
👉 estar = vorübergehender Zustand
Fehler gehören zum Sprachenlernen dazu – selbst Muttersprachler machen sie! Wichtig ist nur, dass du sie erkennst und korrigierst. Je öfter du die korrekten Strukturen hörst, liest oder aktiv verwendest, desto sicherer wirst du.
👉 Tipp: Lies spanische Texte, hör Podcasts oder Serien – und achte auf solche Formulierungen!
👉 Frag Muttersprachler, ob sich deine Sätze natürlich anhören.
Welchen dieser Fehler hast du selbst schon gemacht? Schreib uns! Wir freuen uns über deine Fragen und Kommentare! Hasta la próxima!
Have you ever wondered about the Spanish word ojalá and where it comes from? This beautiful expression is one of the most commonly used words in Spanish to express hopes and wishes, but its fascinating origins might surprise you. Today, we'll explore what ojalá means, how to use it correctly, and discover its amazing journey from Arabic to modern Spanish.
According to the Diccionario de la lengua española, ojalá is an interjection that expresses a strong desire for something to happen. Simply put, it means "I hope," "I wish" or "hopefully" in English, and it's used to express wishes, hopes, and desires.
¡Ojalá! ¿No?
I wish! Right?
Caption 15, Escuela BCNLIP Clase con Javi: el futuro - Part 21
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But here's what makes this word truly special: every time you say ojalá, you're actually using a word that has traveled through centuries and cultures to reach modern Spanish.
The word ojalá has an incredible history that takes us back to medieval Spain. It originated from the Arabic Hispanic expression "wa šá lláh," meaning "and God has willed it." Through centuries of linguistic evolution, this Arabic phrase gradually transformed into the Spanish ojalá we use today.
Originally, this expression carried strong religious significance, directly invoking divine will. However, as Spanish developed and the word became fully integrated into the language, most speakers today use ojalá without any awareness of its religious roots. In modern Spanish, it simply serves as a way to express hopes and wishes, regardless of the speaker's religious beliefs or background.
Interestingly, Spanish also has the expression si Dios quiere (God willing), which maintains its obvious religious meaning, making ojalá unique as a hope-expressing word whose divine origins have become invisible to most speakers.
Understanding how to use ojalá correctly is essential for expressing hopes and wishes in Spanish. Let's look at the different ways you can use this versatile word.
You can use ojalá by itself as a complete response to express hope or agreement:
¡Ojalá! ¡Dios te oiga!
I hope so! May God hear you!
Caption 79, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 4 - Part 2
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The most common way to use ojalá is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This construction allows you to express specific hopes and wishes:
y ojalá disfruten del aprendizaje de nuestro idioma.
and I hope you enjoy learning our language.
Caption 56, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín Manuel y El barrilito
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You can optionally add que between ojalá and the subjunctive verb. Both forms are correct and widely used:
Ay, ojalá que sea un buen muchacho, ¿no?
Oh, I hope that he's a good guy, right?
Caption 12, Muñeca Brava 39 Verdades - Part 1
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In Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, you'll often hear ojalá y followed by the subjunctive:
Ojalá y pudiéramos llevarlos a un tribunal
I wish we could take them to court
Caption 12, Los casos de Yabla Errores gramaticales - Part 1
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When learning how to use ojalá in Spanish, it's important to avoid this common error: never use ojalá with an infinitive verb. This is grammatically incorrect in Spanish.
❌ Incorrect: Ojalá encontrar trabajo pronto (This is grammatically wrong - don't use infinitives with ojalá)
✅ Correct: Ojalá encuentre trabajo pronto (I hope I find a job soon)
✅ Correct: Ojalá pueda encontrar trabajo pronto (I hope I can find a job soon)
Now that you understand the origins and grammar rules, you can confidently use ojalá to express your hopes and wishes in Spanish. Remember that this word connects you to centuries of linguistic history, from its Arabic roots to its modern Spanish usage.
Whether you're hoping for good weather, wishing someone luck, or expressing a deep desire, ojalá is an essential word that will make your Spanish sound more natural and expressive.
We hope this lesson has helped you understand the fascinating origins and proper usage of ojalá in Spanish. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know if you have any questions about this beautiful expression!
Egal, ob du gerade erst mit dem Spanischlernen beginnst oder dein Vokabular auffrischen möchtest – in dieser Lektion lernst du die spanischen Begriffe für verschiedene Zimmer und Bereiche eines Hauses.
Die Namen der Zimmer und Hausbereiche auf Spanisch zu kennen, ist wichtig, damit du deinen Alltag zu beschreiben, über Orte sprechen oder sogar eine Hausführung geben kannst. Dieses Vokabular ist besonders praktisch, wenn du reist, im Ausland lebst oder mit spanischsprachigen Freunden und Familienmitgliedern kommunizierst.
Aber bevor wir alle verschiedenen Hausbereiche durchgehen, fangen wir mit dem wichtigsten Wort an.
Weißt du, wie man „Haus“ auf Spanisch sagt?
Todo el mundo tiene afán de llegar a la casa por lo del toque de queda.
Alle haben es eilig, nach Hause zu kommen wegen der Ausgangssperre.
Caption 3, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 9
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Hier findest du eine Liste der wichtigsten Räume und Hausbereiche auf Spanisch und jeweils dazu einen Videoausschnitt, in dem dieses Wort benutzt wird. Höre dir die Clips an und sprich sie laut nach, um dich mit der Aussprache vertraut zu machen.
Mire, joven, esta es la sala,
Schauen Sie, junger Mann, das ist das Wohnzimmer,
Caption 18, Otavalo Departamento
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Ay, pues, mija, déjesela ahí en la cocina.
Ach, Kindchen, lass sie ihm einfach da in der Küche.
Caption 27, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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En este vehículo en concreto, el baño es muy característico
In diesem speziellen Fahrzeug ist das Badezimmer sehr auffällig.
Caption 46, Viajando con Fermín Caravaning - Part 3
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Usa el dormitorio exclusivamente para dormir.
Benutze das Schlafzimmer ausschließlich zum Schlafen.
Caption 27, Aprendiendo con Silvia Consejos para dormir mejor - Part 1
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Aquí tenemos el comedor;
Hier haben wir das Esszimmer;
Caption 55, Otavalo Proyecto Hayni - Part 2
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Hábleme de ese dinero que tiene usted enterrado en el jardín.
Erzählen Sie mir von dem Geld, das Sie im Garten vergraben haben.
Caption 93, Los casos de Yabla El examen - Part 3
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Balkon | el balcón
Tomo unos mates en el balcón
Ich trinke ein paar Matetees auf dem Balkon
Caption 10, GoSpanish La rutina diaria de Sol
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Garage | el garaje
se quedaba en el garaje de la casa de él.
Er übernachtete in der Garage seines Hauses.
Caption 27, Tu Voz Estéreo Embalsamado - Part 5
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Dach | el tejado / el techo
Zu beachten ist, dass sich „tejado“ insbesondere in Spanien auf das Außendach bezieht, während „techo“ im Allgemeinen Decke oder Dach bedeutet und in ganz Lateinamerika häufig verwendet wird.
Entonces, toda, eh... las ventanas, las escaleras, el tejado
Also, alle, äh... die Fenster, die Treppen, das Dach
Caption 22, Sevilla, España Hotel Kivir - Part 1
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Ahorita, bueno, le faltó el techo ...
Im Moment fehlte ihm halt noch das Dach ...
Caption 75, Playa Adícora Francisco - Part 6
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Keller | el sótano
y ni siquiera sabía porqué estaba entrando en el sótano.
Und ich wusste nicht einmal, warum ich in den Keller ging.
Caption 11, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 7 - Part 1
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solo por culpa de una humedad en la pared.
nur wegen eines Feuchtigkeitsflecks an der Wand.
Caption 45, Tu Voz Estéreo Feliz Navidad - Part 6
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Boden | el suelo / el piso
In Spanien wird der „Boden“ (eines Hauses) üblicherweise als „suelo“ bezeichnet. In Lateinamerika wird zwar auch „suelo“ für Bodenflächen verwendet, „piso“ hingegen wird oft bevorzugt, um den Boden eines Hauses oder Gebäudes zu benennen.
El que tiene muchas sillas para sentarse acaba sentándose en el suelo.
Wer viele Stühle zum Sitzen hat, setzt sich am Ende doch auf den Boden.
Captions 8-9, Soledad Refranes - Part 2
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Había una cantidad de fotos en el piso
Da waren eine Menge Fotos auf dem Fußboden.
Caption 5, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 2 - Part 8
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Fenster | la ventana
Y mi hermana y yo corríamos a la ventana
Und meine Schwester und ich rannten zum Fenster
Caption 27, Aprendiendo con Silvia Recuerdos de infancia - Part 1
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Tür | la puerta
No. -Ni pa abrir la puerta. Hm!
Nein. – Nicht mal um die Tür zu öffnen. Hm!
Caption 8, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 1 - Part 6
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Treppe | las escaleras
ya que las escaleras interiores son muy estrechas y empinadas.
weil die Innentreppen sehr schmal und steil sind.
Caption 21, Viajando con Fermín Ámsterdam - Part 3
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Hier sind ein paar praktische Beispiele, wie du die neuen Vokabeln im Alltag benutzen kannst. Übe sie für mehr Sicherheit in Gesprächen.
Mi cocina es grande.
Meine Küche ist groß.
La sala tiene un sofá.
Im Wohnzimmer steht ein Sofa.
El jardín está detrás de la casa.
Der Garten ist hinter dem Haus.
El balcón tiene una vista hermosa.
Der Balkon hat eine wunderschöne Aussicht.
El baño está al final del pasillo.
Das Badezimmer ist am Ende des Flurs.
El comedor es perfecto para cenas familiares.
Das Esszimmer ist perfekt für Familienessen.
Mi dormitorio tiene una cama cómoda.
Mein Schlafzimmer hat ein bequemes Bett.
Glückwunsch! Nun kennst du die wichtigsten spanischen Begriffe für die verschiedenen Teile eines Hauses. Wir hoffen, die Lektion hat dir Spaß gemacht. Wir freuen uns immer über deine Fragen und Kommentare! Hasta la próxima!
Have you ever needed to express your decision-making process in Spanish? Whether you're deciding what to order at a restaurant, choosing a career path, or making important life choices, knowing how to talk about making decisions in Spanish is essential for effective communication. Today, we'll explore the key vocabulary, verbs, and expressions that Spanish speakers use when making and discussing decisions.
The foundation of expressing decisions in Spanish starts with knowing the right verbs. Here are the most important ones you'll need:
This is the most direct verb for expressing decisions in Spanish.
Hoy he decidido hacer unas compras por el centro de la ciudad.
Today I've decided to do some shopping in the city's downtown.
Caption 2, Raquel Haciendo compras
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You can conjugate it in different tenses depending on when the decision was or will be made:
He decidido estudiar medicina. (I have decided to study medicine.)
Decidimos irnos de vacaciones este verano. (We decided to go on vacation this summer.)
Decidirán mañana quién será el nuevo gerente. (They will decide tomorrow who will be the new manager.)
When selecting between alternatives, "optar" is a perfect choice.
y los colegios han tenido que optar por el aprendizaje virtual
and schools have had to opt for virtual learning
Caption 37, El coronavirus Efectos y consecuencias
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This verb is typically followed by "por":
Optamos por quedarnos en casa. (We opted to stay home.)
Ha optado por un estilo de vida saludable. (He/She has opted for a healthy lifestyle.)
Opté por no decir nada en ese momento. (I chose not to say anything at that moment.)
"Elegir" is used when selecting from multiple options.
Eligieron esta vía porque el banco dispone de almacenes,
They chose this route because the bank has warehouses,
Caption 26, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 3
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Let's see 'elegir' in action across different time frames:
Elegí el vestido rojo para la fiesta. (I chose the red dress for the party.)
Ellos eligieron un destino diferente. (They chose a different destination.)
Elegiremos al ganador la próxima semana. (We'll choose the winner next week.)
Beyond single verbs, Spanish offers many expressions for discussing decision-making processes:
tomé la decisión hace tiempo de reformar la terraza,
I made the decision some time ago to remodel the terrace,
Caption 33, Soledad El insomnio - Part 2
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This expression is widely used in both personal and professional contexts:
Tomé la decisión de mudarme a otro país. (I made the decision to move to another country.)
Tenemos que tomar una decisión pronto. (We have to make a decision soon.)
Han tomado la decisión de cerrar la empresa. (They have made the decision to close the company.)
Has hecho una buena elección.
You've made a good choice.
Caption 67, Fermín y Manuel El pasado - Part 1
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Let's see how to use this expression:
Hice una elección difícil pero necesaria. (I made a difficult but necessary choice.)
Tendremos que hacer una elección entre las dos opciones. (We'll have to make a choice between the two options.)
This phrase is perfect for decisions still in progress:
No me vengás con el cuento que estás pensando en trabajar,
Don't come to me with that story that you're thinking about working,
Caption 17, La Sucursal del Cielo Capítulo 3 - Part 4
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Notice how this expression works in practice:
Estoy pensando en comprar un coche nuevo. (I'm thinking about buying a new car.)
Estamos pensando en cambiarnos de casa. (We're thinking about moving houses.)
Sometimes we're uncertain about what to choose. Here's how to express that:
Estoy indeciso entre estudiar medicina o ingeniería. (I'm undecided between studying medicine or engineering.)
Están indecisas sobre qué película ver. (They are undecided about which movie to watch.)
No puedo decidirme entre el azul o el verde. (I can't decide between blue or green.)
No se pueden decidir todavía. (They can't decide yet.)
When a choice has been made, these expressions come in handy:
Hemos llegado a la conclusión de que necesitamos más personal. (We've reached the conclusion that we need more staff.)
He tomado la determinación de seguir adelante con el proyecto. (I've made the determination to move forward with the project.)
Now you have the essential vocabulary and expressions to discuss making decisions in Spanish! From the initial thought process with "estar pensando en," to the moment of choice with "decidir" or "elegir," to expressing your final decision with "he tomado la decisión," you're equipped to navigate decision-related conversations with confidence.
Remember that like in any language, context is key. The formality of your situation might determine which expressions are most appropriate. In casual settings with friends, you might simply say "Creo que voy a..." (I think I'm going to...), while in business contexts, more formal expressions like "Hemos determinado que..." (We have determined that...) might be more suitable.
Don't forget to send us your questions and comments about decision-making vocabulary in Spanish!
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