Spanish has lots of words that don’t have an exact equivalent in English. Here are 14 such words that are hard to translate into English.
1. Antojo – A sudden craving or strong desire
Example: Tengo antojo de chocolate. – I have a craving for chocolate.
2. Aprovechar – To make good use of something or take advantage of an opportunity
Example: Hay que aprovechar el tiempo. – You have to make good use of your time.
3. Cariño – Affection, fondness, or love expressed warmly
Example: Le tengo mucho cariño. – I have a lot of affection for him.
4. Chévere (Colombia, Caribbean) – Cool, great, or awesome
Example: La fiesta estuvo chévere. – The party was awesome.
5. Desvelarse – To lose sleep or stay awake unintentionally
Example: Me desvelé pensando en el examen. – I couldn’t sleep thinking about the exam.
6. Ensimismado/a – Deeply absorbed in one’s thoughts
Example: Estaba ensimismado mirando el mar. – He was lost in thought while looking at the sea.
7. Estrenar – To use or wear something for the first time
Example: Voy a estrenar mis zapatos nuevos hoy. – I’m going to wear my new shoes for the first time today.
8. Friolento/a – Someone who feels cold easily
Example: Soy muy friolenta. – I get cold very easily.
9. Ganas – Desire, motivation, or willingness to do something
Example: Tengo ganas de viajar. – I really feel like traveling.
10. Ilusión – Hope, excitement, or joyful anticipation
Example: Tengo mucha ilusión por el viaje. – I’m really excited about the trip.
11. Madrugar – To wake up very early
Example: Tengo que madrugar para ir al trabajo. – I have to wake up very early to go to work.
12. Sobremesa – Time spent talking at the table after a meal
Example: Nos quedamos de sobremesa hablando durante horas. – We stayed at the table talking for hours after the meal.
13. Tutear – To address someone using the informal pronoun “tú”
Example: En España es común tutear a los compañeros de trabajo. – In Spain it’s common to use the informal “you” with coworkers.
14. Vergüenza ajena – Cringe, or embarrassment felt on behalf of someone else
Example: Ese video me dio mucha vergüenza ajena. – That video made me cringe.
