Words

Estado

Estado

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “estado”. It’s a masculine noun meaning “state”, both in the sense of a political state and in the sense of a state of being. When referring to finances, it can translate as “statement”, for example “estado de cuenta” (“bank statement”). In some contexts, it can also translate as […]

Estado Read More »

Tanto

Tanto

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “tanto” in the masculine form, or “tanta” in the feminine form. It can be used as an adverb, adjective or pronoun meaning “so much”. For example: The plural (“tantos”/“tantas”) translates as “so many”. For example: The word is shortened to “tan” before adjectives and adverbs. In these contexts,

Tanto Read More »

Bien

Bien

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “bien”. It’s usually used as an adverb translating as “well” or “OK”. It can also be used as a masculine noun meaning “good”, “benefit” or “property/asset” (especially when used in the plural). “Bien” is easy to confuse with “bueno”. The distinction is similar to that of “good” and

Bien Read More »

Oído

Oído

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “oído”. It’s a masculine noun meaning “hearing” or “ear”, in particular the inner ear. Confusingly, there is another word in Spanish that also translates as ear: “oreja”. However, “oreja” refers more to the outer ear, for example the fleshy part where you might have a piercing. “Oído” refers

Oído Read More »

Cielo

Cielo

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “cielo”. It’s a masculine noun meaning “sky” or “heavens”. It can also be used as a term of endearment with a similar meaning to “darling” or “sweetheart”. The plural can be used as an interjection to express surprise: The word “cielo” comes from Latin caelum, which had the

Cielo Read More »

Disculpar

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “disculpar”. It’s a verb meaning “to forgive” or “to excuse”. In the reflexive form “disculparse”, it translates as “to apologize”. One way to say “sorry” or “excuse me” in Spanish is to simply say “disculpe” (formal) or “disculpa” (informal). The word “disculpar” was formed by joining the prefix

Disculpar Read More »

Vivo

Vivo

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “vivo” in the masculine form, or “viva” in the feminine form. It’s an adjective that usually translates as “alive”. Depending on the context, it can also mean “lively”, “bright” or “intense”. If you want to refer to a live performance or event, you would say it is “en

Vivo Read More »

Correcto

Correcto

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “correcto” in the masculine form, or “correcta” in the feminine form. If you hadn’t guessed, it’s an adjective meaning “correct”. It can also mean “polite” or “proper”, in the sense of being well-mannered, or “honest”. Like the English word “correct”, it comes from Latin correctus meaning “put straight”.

Correcto Read More »

Historia

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “historia”. It’s a feminine noun meaning “history” or “story”. Like the English words “history” and “story”, it comes from Latin historia, which referred to a narrative of past events. Unlike in English, Spanish doesn’t have separate words for history in the sense of studying the past and for

Historia Read More »

Pelea

Pelea

Today’s Spanish word of the day is “pelea”. It’s a feminine noun meaning “fight”. It can refer to either a physical altercation, or a heated verbal argument It comes from the verb “pelear”, meaning “to fight”. “Pelear” came from the Latin word pilus, meaning “hair”. The word originally implied grabbing and pulling someone by the

Pelea Read More »