- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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SOS. Now this one I started hearing from hotel staff. I thought it must be some type of slang or code… So I plucked up the courage to ask what it meant… “That’s it.”
Then the penny dropped….
Eso es. Not SOS!
I didn't know that was so, but it was the first word that popped into my mind. I have no idea where or when I learned it - probably it was suggested to me years ago for that reason and I'd forgotten the reason but not the word. Once or twice I have even managed to work it into a conversation! It is fun to say and has that stress in the middle.Many (most?) non-native Spanish speakers have the same favourite word, because it has all the vowels, sounds really cool, and is so much more interesting than the English equivalent. And the magic word is...
Not incredibly useful on camino though, desafortunadamente.
I kind of like desaparecido, mostly because I can actually pronounce it. Also inmobiliaria, which took me longer to get right.Many (most?) non-native Spanish speakers have the same favourite word, because it has all the vowels, sounds really cool, and is so much more interesting than the English equivalent. And the magic word is...
murciélago (bat, as in the flying mammal)
Not incredibly useful on camino though, desafortunadamente.
The words I tend to use most: "Estoy perdido... donde es ...."
[I'm lost. Where is ......"]
Many (most?) non-native Spanish speakers have the same favourite word, because it has all the vowels, sounds really cool, and is so much more interesting than the English equivalent. And the magic word is...
murciélago (bat, as in the flying mammal)
Not incredibly useful on camino though, desafortunadamente.
You forgot - mi amigo paga!Just simpel..
Dos vino tinto por favor !
Actually, it's pronounced Poyo, with a P. Bollo (pronounced boyo) is a different word. Fortunately nothing rude, but if you order bollo instead of pollo you will get a bread roll. You can buy them at a bollería (bakery).Pronounced Boyo but written Pollo. Chicken.
Sorry to contradict but listen to the staff on the butchery dept at Carrefour in Torrevieja or the market traders in Playa Flamenca market and you will definitely hear boyo!Actually, it's pronounced Poyo, with a P. Bollo (pronounced boyo) is a different word. Fortunately nothing rude, but if you order bollo instead of pollo you will get a bread roll. You can buy them at a bollería (bakery).
Or even more jubilosamente, some of us are jubilados.All of us walk jubilosamente to Santiago.
5 vowels
I think that P-B sound varies by region (as well as by individual, probably). As an English speaker, I just try to soften them both - don't pop so much air when you pronounce the P, and then it comes out closer to a B.Pronounced Boyo but written Pollo.
There's that, and also V's are pronounced with B sound.The initial “P” and “B” are quite similar in how they are pronounced. When I finally took a Spanish pronunciation class (6 years into my studying!) we learned that an initial “P” should be pronounced with no air leaving the mouth; you should be able to say it without blowing out a match placed right in front of your lips. Similarly, “B”s are also pronounced without being exaggerated. They end up very close in how they sound.
https://studyspanish.com/pronunciation/listen-and-repeat/letter_p
This site has good listen and repeat pronunciation exercises for all of the Spanish sounds.
There's that, and also V's are pronounced with B sound.
One needs to simplify the huge challenges of learning Spanish. I suggest not fussing too much about the distinctions between Bino, Vino, and Pino. It might be better to stop substituting different English letters to try (imperfectly) to explain the difference. It is easier to just visualize the P, B or V as written, and mute the pronunciation. Then hope that the context takes care of the rest. You need to be aware of the "problem" when you hear others, and use context then, too.Vino is pronounced Bino
And Por Favor is pronounced Por Fabor !
One needs to simplify the huge challenges of learning Spanish. I suggest not fussing too much about the distinctions between Bino, Vino, and Pino. It might be better to stop substituting different English letters to try (imperfectly) to explain the difference. It is easier to just visualize the P, B or V as written, and mute the pronunciation. Then hope that the context takes care of the rest. You need to be aware of the "problem" when you hear others, and use context then, too.
For that matter, try muting/softening all the consonants in Spanish - including D and T in the middle of words.
That's what I do and it generally works fine. I say that as someone who learned Spanish pretty well as a young adult, then didn't use it for 30 years, and now travel to Spain for one month each year. I well remember the struggles to get where I am. I still get frustrated and sound very much like a foreign visitor, but am almost fluent in that I don't need to translate. Being able to use my Spanish is one of my great pleasure on the Camino.
But learning a little of another language and trying to get the right pronunciation is fun.
I agree on the fun part, but honestly I don't ever expect to get the pronunciation "right." I'm just cautioning people against getting stuck and focusing on details that may not be critical or possible to master.If only to see the delight on the faces of the native speakers when they are surprised that you got it right
I agree on the fun part, but honestly I don't ever expect to get the pronunciation "right." I'm just cautioning people against getting stuck and focusing on details that may not be critical or possible to master.
I decided to pick my battles in language learning! For example, I don't do "vosotros" and I don't waste any more time studying the complicated imperatives. I learned versions of the most-needed imperatives and I leave the rest to my clumsy improvisations.
(The fact that I can improvise, even clumsily, is testament to a certain fluency.)
Or even more jubilosamente, some of us are jubilados.
Drawing upon my university phonetics courses of about 35 years ago, it is an unaspirated voiceless bilabial stop. In English "b" is a voiced bilabial stop and "p" is a voiceless bilabial stop. But at the start of a word "b" is always unaspirated and "p" is always aspirated. You can tell the difference if you put your hand in front of you mouth and say "path" and "bath". You will feel a puff of air with "path" but not "bath". When the Spanish say "pollo" withithout the aspiration it can sound to English speakers like a "b", because they are looking for the aspiration to tell the sounds apart. It is still different from a word starting with "b", though, where the vocal chords are active during the consonant.Sorry to contradict but listen to the staff on the butchery dept at Carrefour in Torrevieja or the market traders in Playa Flamenca market and you will definitely hear boyo!
Again with my ancient linguistics training, not quite. It is just a sound that we don't have in English that is in some ways like our English "b" and in some ways like our English "v".There's that, and also V's are pronounced with B sound.
I find vocabulary more useful that correct grammar
I am a fan of grammar and like to study my languages that way (not that I have many, but that is my inclination!). Personality matters - extroverts may be happy to just start talking and mimicking but I was more self-conscious and wanted to analyse everything before opening my mouth. An overview of Spanish grammar is important so that we can recognize different forms, even if we can't produce them properly. In order to put vocabulary to use, you need an ability to use the basic verb forms - I still think drills are the fastest way to learn that.Apologies to all for all those bad language programs that overemphasize grammar
That's lovely! Isn't it wonderful to say, "I don't need it." I feel, hopefully, that when I am next able to be on camino, my favourite words would be, "Tengo suficiente."........... I dug around in my very basic Spanish and replied with "No necessito."
Perhaps my least favourite word in Spanish is ¡Ojalá! because it signals an immediate switch into subjunctive verb forms, which I can follow when reading but not really speak.
Again with my ancient linguistics training, not quite. It is just a sound that we don't have in English that is in some ways like our English "b" and in some ways like our English "v".
The English "b", as I just finished writing in another post, is a voiced bilabial stop. The English "v" is a voiced labio-dental fricative. So a "b" is made with the two lips and a "v" is made with the teeth and lower lip. A "b" brings the lips together to momentarily stop the airflow and then releases it (that's why it is called a stop and why you can't extend the sound). A "v" brings the lip and teeth almost together to create friction in the airflow (that's why it is called a fricative and you can extend the sound). The Spanish "v" in "vino" is a voiced bilabial fricative. Because it is bilabial it can sound like a "b" to English speakers. But it isn't quite a "b" because it is a fricative and can be extended.
I am one of those, although very much an amateur. Even the English subjunctive is fascinating, although it is well hidden and fading fast. Read Fowler's guide on it.the subjunctive... it's actually favorite grammar concept for many of us language nerds.
With the words shown, that's a nice little lesson on the subjunctive.Oooh, I love ojalá (although no one likes the subjunctive, of course). I like how it's derived from the Arabic inshallah and I have a special fondness for the Silvio Rodriguez song Ojalá. I once saw him perform it in Havana.
If only it were!Even the English subjunctive is fascinating, although it is well hidden and fading fast.
We need a thread on the subjunctive! If the Not-Serious People can have one, why can't the grammar nerds?If only it were!
Okay with me. But you can't be serious.We need a thread on the subjunctive! If the Not-Serious People can have one, why can't the grammar nerds?
The comments about the subjunctive made me laugh. It's actually the favorite grammar concept for many of us language nerds. It's the grammatical manifestation of a culture (more Latin American than Spanish) that does not live in a black & white world. If you understand the Days of the Dead, you can surely master the subjunctive.
Yes! Either that or "ayudame por favor" (please help me).The words I tend to use most: "Estoy perdido... donde es ...." [I'm lost. Where is ......"]
¡Buena suerte!I’m not sure I should be reading this on the eve of my Spanish oral, but I’ve no doubt that the word I would most like to hear tomorrow is aprobado.
Nobody bit on this one. Tranquilo?a collective noun for a group of jubilado
May it be so, @Paladina!!I’ve no doubt that the word I would most like to hear tomorrow is aprobado.
You beat me to it
Don't think that "polvo" will satisfy your hunger so well as the others!Very important words for me: Cacahuetes, polvo, mariscos, gambas, calabacin, rabo de toro . . . okay now I'm hungry
Thank you David for this detailed explanation - I think!Again with my ancient linguistics training, not quite. It is just a sound that we don't have in English that is in some ways like our English "b" and in some ways like our English "v".
The English "b", as I just finished writing in another post, is a voiced bilabial stop. The English "v" is a voiced labio-dental fricative. So a "b" is made with the two lips and a "v" is made with the teeth and lower lip. A "b" brings the lips together to momentarily stop the airflow and then releases it (that's why it is called a stop and why you can't extend the sound). A "v" brings the lip and teeth almost together to create friction in the airflow (that's why it is called a fricative and you can extend the sound). The Spanish "v" in "vino" is a voiced bilabial fricative. Because it is bilabial it can sound like a "b" to English speakers. But it isn't quite a "b" because it is a fricative and can be extended.
This post is just really funny.Pronounced Boyo but written Pollo. Chicken. Patatas Fritas = chips.
Gratuito is a useful word to know. It means free.
Un vino tinto = one red wine
Dos vinos tintos = two red wines.
My favourite "Hablas inglès por favor?" You always get "Un poco" ( little) or "un poquito" (a tiny little bit) as a response but generally their tiny bit of English it far better than my ten years on/off study of Spanish.
Here endeth the first lesson.
Don't think that "polvo" will satisfy your hunger so well as the others!
.
Polbo with b is the Galician word for pulpo. Polvo has a very popular second meaning in European Spanish that I don't dare to put here.Don't think that "polvo" will satisfy your hunger so well as the others!
Que?
Exactamente.So often when I see or hear that word, I am reminded of Faulty Towers.
How about: Raxo con patatas. Una cerveza y una torta De Santiago......Very important words for me: Cacahuetes, polvo, mariscos, gambas, calabacin, rabo de toro . . . okay now I'm hungry and have to go back to Spain.
Yes than you: platano/pradanoI saw many Spanish Plane trees too (Platanus hispanica)
The most important words:Prior to our last Camino, I thought it might be useful to learn some more Spanish.
The aim was to build on my already impressive vocabulary of about 20 words, that dealt mainly with food and drink!
The big goal this time, would be to achieve the ultimate in flexibility and independence…
To be able to book a room over the phone!
So I enlisted the help of Jose who lives in our hometown, and who originally hails from Ponferrada.
Whilst we started with the aim of telephone room booking we soon progressed onto other essentials, such as calling the police, or an ambulance. As well of course as understanding pilgrim menus…
Now my better half came to the first lesson and promptly decided that I should be the linguist for this trip. European languages not being her strong suit. She would merely take on the role of trip ‘ supervisor’…
So the language training amounted to about 6 one hour lessons all up. Much of it taken up with revision. Homework not being My strong suit….
So let’s just say that progress was minimal. A term my school teachers would find very familiar…
So all was going well. I was coping with basic pilgrim menus. Asking for extra pillows and even making hotel bookings on the phone!
And then the cracks started to appear…
I think it was a visit to a rather upmarket restaurant. No pilgrim menus here! The menu was a struggle to say the least…
I could see it coming. “How much did we spend on Spanish lessons”? Thankfully the waiter helped out.
The next major obstacle was a visit to the medical centre in carrion. This whole episode warrants a post of its own! But let’s just say, for now, Jose’s excellent teaching did not stretch to the more intimate parts of a ladies anatomy!
“We should get a refund on those lessons,” exclaimed the patient!
But I digress. My favourite words.
Vale. Pronounced like Barlay. Often repeated in quick succession. Means OK. I love the way it rolls off the tongue.
Huevos y bacon. I made sure Jose taught me this. And soon realised my previous attempts to order eggs and bacon amounted to asking for a plate of Thursdays… No wonder I never got any!
Because huevos (eggs) is, of course, pronounced Webos. Who would have thought! One of my all-time favourite Spanish words. Designed no doubt, to confuse the hell out of foreigners.
SOS. Now this one I started hearing from hotel staff. I thought it must be some type of slang or code… So I plucked up the courage to ask what it meant… “That’s it.”
Then the penny dropped….
Eso es. Not SOS!
So what are your favourite Spanish words, or words that you later found out you were using in completely the wrong way ?
only one word..and music to my ears...cervezas...Prior to our last Camino, I thought it might be useful to learn some more Spanish.
The aim was to build on my already impressive vocabulary of about 20 words, that dealt mainly with food and drink!
The big goal this time, would be to achieve the ultimate in flexibility and independence…
To be able to book a room over the phone!
So I enlisted the help of Jose who lives in our hometown, and who originally hails from Ponferrada.
Whilst we started with the aim of telephone room booking we soon progressed onto other essentials, such as calling the police, or an ambulance. As well of course as understanding pilgrim menus…
Now my better half came to the first lesson and promptly decided that I should be the linguist for this trip. European languages not being her strong suit. She would merely take on the role of trip ‘ supervisor’…
So the language training amounted to about 6 one hour lessons all up. Much of it taken up with revision. Homework not being My strong suit….
So let’s just say that progress was minimal. A term my school teachers would find very familiar…
So all was going well. I was coping with basic pilgrim menus. Asking for extra pillows and even making hotel bookings on the phone!
And then the cracks started to appear…
I think it was a visit to a rather upmarket restaurant. No pilgrim menus here! The menu was a struggle to say the least…
I could see it coming. “How much did we spend on Spanish lessons”? Thankfully the waiter helped out.
The next major obstacle was a visit to the medical centre in carrion. This whole episode warrants a post of its own! But let’s just say, for now, Jose’s excellent teaching did not stretch to the more intimate parts of a ladies anatomy!
“We should get a refund on those lessons,” exclaimed the patient!
But I digress. My favourite words.
Vale. Pronounced like Barlay. Often repeated in quick succession. Means OK. I love the way it rolls off the tongue.
Huevos y bacon. I made sure Jose taught me this. And soon realised my previous attempts to order eggs and bacon amounted to asking for a plate of Thursdays… No wonder I never got any!
Because huevos (eggs) is, of course, pronounced Webos. Who would have thought! One of my all-time favourite Spanish words. Designed no doubt, to confuse the hell out of foreigners.
SOS. Now this one I started hearing from hotel staff. I thought it must be some type of slang or code… So I plucked up the courage to ask what it meant… “That’s it.”
Then the penny dropped….
Eso es. Not SOS!
So what are your favourite Spanish words, or words that you later found out you were using in completely the wrong way ?
I don't even like cervesa, but that's still one of the few words I know... thanks to so many other pilgrims who taught it to me!
The comments about the subjunctive made me laugh. It's actually the favorite grammar concept for many of us language nerds. It's the grammatical manifestation of a culture (more Latin American than Spanish) that does not live in a black & white world. If you understand the Days of the Dead, you can surely master the subjunctive.
I am a Spanish speaker from California, and I learned most of my Spanish from Mexicans. I am not fluent, but I do pretty well. When I speak Spanish in Mexico, pretty much everybody knows I am from California by my pronunciation and the words I use - or at least the US if they can't pinpoint the state. When I speak Spanish in other Spanish-speaking countries, people think I live in Mexico.
This refers to pronunciation, but something similar happens with vocabulary: I was born at the border of France and Belgium, but live 48 years in Spain, and last time I came home my sisters told me I speak OLD French.!I am a Spanish speaker from California, and I learned most of my Spanish from Mexicans. I am not fluent, but I do pretty well. When I speak Spanish in Mexico, pretty much everybody knows I am from California by my pronunciation and the words I use - or at least the US if they can't pinpoint the state. When I speak Spanish in other Spanish-speaking countries, people think I live in Mexico. BUT, when I come home from being in Spain, my family can tell where I have been because my pronunciation changes.
That's because English is, at heart, a pidgin which lost most of its grammar by the twelfth century. It only seems difficult now because it has acquired so many scraps of grammar accompanying the words it has pilfered from other languages since then.English speakers have particular difficulty with this one, because in so many cases, the Infinitive and Subjunctive, and often enough Indicative, forms in the language are identical.
That's because English is, at heart, a pidgin which lost most of its grammar by the twelfth century. It only seems difficult now because it has acquired so many scraps of grammar accompanying the words it has pilfered from other languages since then.
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