Notes in Spanish: Recent Episodes
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Where do you get free tapas in Spain – and how does this delicious system work? Do you get free tapas here in Madrid? At the end of this video we visit a terraza and do the test – will we get free food or not?
Vocab from today’s video:
Aceitunas – Olives
Pintxos – Basque tapas
Son verdaderas delicias – They are real delicacies
En una rebanada de pan pequeña – On a small slice of bread
Un huevo frito de codorniz y una rodaja de morcilla — A fried quail egg and a slice of blood sausage
Un trozo de bacalao – A piece of cod
¿Me puedes traer unas aceitunas? – Can you bring me some olives?
Agua con gas – Sparkling water
A ver qué nos dan – Let’s see what they give us
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The post Where To Get Free Tapas in Spain — And How It Works! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
As a student asked us in a recent Q and A, what on earth does that most Spanish of Spanish words, venga, really mean anyway?
Well, we’ll get to its multiple meanings in a minute, but one thing I know is this:
The last Spanish words you want to hear at 3am are “¡Venga! ¡Despiértate!”
Last night, that’s exactly what I heard.
Even with the ventilador de techo – the ceiling fan – at full blast, sleeping in Madrid in June is hard enough as it is.
But when I finally managed to fall into a deep slumber, I suddenly heard Marina saying:
“¡Venga! ¡Despiértate! Tenemos que recoger la ropa!” – Come on, wake up, we have to get the washing in!
I realised it was raining hard outside – a big enough surprise already on a hot Madrid night, and totally unexpected.
Marina, of course, had remembered we’d left all the washing outside, expecting it to be perfectly dry by morning.
We both rushed downstairs and out onto the terrace behind the house to pull the soaking clothes out of the rain.
Now, “venga” is one of the most common Spanish words there is, and lots of people get rightly confused about what it means.
So here you have it:
The three most common meanings of venga.
Number 1: Venga = Come on
The way Marina used it in the middle of the night, Venga… despiértate – Come on… wake up…
Number 2: Venga = Get a move on
Venga, daros prisa, vais a llegar tarde al cole – Get a move on, hurry up, you’re going to be late for school
Which is exactly what we say to our kids most weekday mornings.
Number 3: Venga = No way, I can’t believe it
“Venga ya”, or “venga hombre” brilliantly express disbelief. For example:
Hoy en el trabajo me han subido el sueldo un 50% – Today at work I got a 50% pay rise
Venga ya, no me lo puedo creer – No way, I can’t believe it
So venga is one of these wonderful, versatile words that make Spanish conversations flow so naturally.
You’ll never find “Venga ya” in an app exercise about “going to the museum,” but you’ll hear it constantly in real Spanish life.
That’s exactly the kind of real Spanish packed into our podcasts, videos and courses – the Spanish that makes your conversations come alive, just like Marina’s midnight washing rescue mission.
It’s getting a handle on these common, multi-faceted words that makes learning and living this language such a joy.
Por cierto – By the way… The washing dried perfectly indoors by morning, but I never recovered that perfect deep level of slumber again!
Un abrazo desde Madrid,
Ben y Marina
P.S. If you want to collect hundreds more wonderful, versatile Spanish words like “venga” – the ones that make Spanish conversations flow naturally and bring all the joy to this wonderful language – check out our courses now.
They’re packed with the real Spanish you’ll actually use, not the textbook stuff that leaves you clueless when someone suddenly shouts “¡Venga!” in real life – or in the middle of the night.
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The post What does Venga really mean in Spanish? appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we discuss the amazing change in everything – sleep, food, work, social life – now the heat has suddenly arrived, from a stunning location in Madrid. Vocab listed below.
Vocab from today’s video:
Estoy achicharrado – I’m roasted (overheated)
Se duerme regulín – You don’t sleep so well
El sueño empieza a flojear un poco – Sleep starts to suffer a bit
Las persianas – The blinds
Ahora lo he pillado – Now I get it
Ya no te apetece un guiso – You don’t feel like stew anymore
Platos de cuchara, fuera – ‘Spoon foods’ (lentils, beans etc) are out
Sandia en cantidad – Loads of watermelon
La vida social en mayo y junio en Madrid es brutal, se dispara – Social life in May and June in Madrid is amazing, it goes crazy
¡Me está pinchando el rosal y pensé que era un bicho! – The rosebush is pricking me and I thought it was an insect!
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The post Hot Summer Spanish – The Heat Arrived! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we tell the story of Ben’s trip to Toulouse and how what he did there will double your Spanish fluency!
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Vocab from today’s video:
Brilla el sol – The sun is shining
Hablaba francés – I used to speak French
Cuñado – Brother-in-law (beau-frère in French!)
Sobrinos – Nephews
Nuestros consejos – Our advice
Le da igual cometer errores – He doesn’t mind making mistakes
¿Cómo se siente uno? – How does it make one feel?
¡Éxito total! – Total success
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The post How to Double Your Spanish Fluency appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we tell the story of when we each met each other’s families for the first time – it was quite the headache!
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Vocab from today’s video:
De Madrid al cielo – Madrid is the nearest thing to paradise (typical saying in Madrid)
Un dolor de cabeza impresionante – A mighty big headache
El cerebro se queda hecho sopa – Your brain ends up fried (literally “made soup”)
Hoy en día, como si nada, ¿no? – Today it’s totally fine, isn’t it?
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The post Meeting the Family in Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we answer your great questions on where to go in Spain, how to study better, are the Spanish not polite enough, how to remember vocab, and much more!
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Vocab from today’s video:
Mi hija estaba pasada de rosca – My daughter was overtired
Los Españoles van directos al grano – Spanish people get straight to the point
Si eres británico a lo mejor este paisaje lo tienes muy trillado – If you are British you’ve probably seen this kind of landscape endless times
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The post Best Places to Visit in Spain and More Q and A appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we tell the story of an amazingly challenging and exciting trip, and how you can challenge your Spanish for maximum fluency progress!
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Vocab from today’s video:
No se puede estar mejor – Couldn’t be better
¿Qué te parece? – What do you reckon?
A última hora de la tarde la nieve ya estaba regulín – By the end of the afternoon the snow wasn’t great
Esquiamos a tope – We skied our hearts out
Lo dimos todo – We gave it our all
Va volado – He goes like the wind
Me siento potente – I feel powerful/strong
Con ganas de más reto – With a desire for more challenges
De hacer alguna cosa que le de un poco de vidilla al cuerpo – To do something that gives a bit of life to the body
Les da pánico hacer un intercambio – They are terrified about doing an intercambio
A por ello – Go for it
Un país hispanohablante – A Spanish-speaking country
Tenemos un retito fino – We’ve got a real challenge on our hands
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The post Challenge Your Spanish For Faster Fluency! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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In this first part of our Real Spanish Experience workshop we look at how listening is key to faster fluency.
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Vocab from today’s video:
Cotilleando – Being nosey
¿Puedes hablar más despacio por favor? – Can you talk a bit more slowly please
La comida más tardía que hemos tenido – The latest lunch we’ve ever had
¿Ya no existe? Vaya – It doesn’t exist anymore, what a shame
Hay que sacarle con grúa – You need a crane to get him up
Hay muchos restaurantes que tienen dos turnos – There are many restaurants that have two shifts
Tomamos un desayuno potente a las diez y media – We have a huge breakfast at 10.30 am
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The post Spanish Listening = Fluency! Real Spanish Experience 1 appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we talk about an upcoming event and a trip, both of which have got us really excited!
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Vocab from today’s video:
Viaje de esquí – Ski trip
Estación de esquí – Ski resort
Me has pillado fuera de fuego – You caught me out, I was on another planet
Monitores – Ski instructors or activity monitors
Tenemos mucha ilusión – We are really excited
Son vacaciones de verdad – They are real holidays
La formula ganadora – The winning formula, a win-win
Estamos contentos no, lo siguiente – We are more than happy
¿Qué te hace ilusión ahora mismo? – What are you excited about right now
Estoy muy ilusionado porque voy a Paris la semana que viene – I’m very excited because I’m going to Paris next week
Un planazo – A fantastic plan
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The post Real Spanish Excitement! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Today we talk about our YouTube vs Podcast habits, what we listen to/watch and when – how about you guys?
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Vocab from today’s video:
Ha dejado de llover – It’s stopped raining
El agua corre por los caminos – Water is running down the paths
En el sofa mientras tejo … o coso – On the sofa while I knit or sew
Pintores que pintan al aire libre – Painters who paint outside (plein air)
Me cuadra – Sounds about right
Compartimos muchas risas – We share lots of laughs
Voy a meter la pata seguro – I’m sure I’ll put my foot in it
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The post YouTube vs Podcasts, Who Wins? appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
In need of some summer sun, today we’re reposting this classic Spanish Gourmet Adventure from Cádiz! Watch and enjoy!
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
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Useful Spanish from the video:
Hemos cruzado España de punta a punta – We’ve crossed Spain from one end to the other
Es pura delicia – It’s completely delicious
¡Mira que pinta tiene! – How good does this look!
The post Southern Spanish Gourmet Adventure appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today’s real Spanish conversation is on our movie, reading and listening habits – and a request for your recommendations for us!
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get 10x more from our podcasts with the best-selling Whole Enchilada bundle pack
Useful Spanish from the video:
Hace un día soleado – It’s a sunny day
Estoy un poco resfriado – I’ve got a bit of a cold
Estoy constipado – I’ve got a blocked up nose/a cold
Nuestra hija está totalmente enganchada con los libros de Harry Potter – Our daughter is totally addicted to Harry Potter books
Son muy entretenidas – They are really enjoyable (las películas)
Orgullo y Prejuicio – Pride and Prejudice
De vez en cuando vemos algo – From time to time we watch something
No estamos enganchados a los series – We aren’t addicted to series
Escucho podcasts y tejo a la vez – I listen to podcasts and knit at the same time
Está enviciado – He’s addicted
The post ¿Qué ves? ¿Qué lees? ¿Qué escuchas? appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we chat about a Spanish-language film that has massively inspired us this week.
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get 10x more from our podcasts with the best-selling Whole Enchilada bundle pack
Useful Spanish from the video:
La peli es muy inspiradora – The film is very inspiring
Nos ha hecho reflexionar sobre varias cosas – It’s made us think about quite a few things
Hay un temario – There is a syllabus
Mi aprendizaje es muy autoguiado – My learning is very self-guided
Siempre tenía reto con el – I was always challenged by him
Nos portábamos super bien en sus clases – We behaved really well in his classes
Mi paseo matutino – My morning walk
The post Super Inspiring Spanish Movie appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Discover the secret to the winning Spanish fluency mindset! Check out the useful vocab from the video below.
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get our “How to get fluent fast” PDF report when you sign up for our newsletter here
Useful Spanish from the video:
Mi paseo matutino – My morning walk
Te llamo la atención – She called you out on something
Actitud mental – Mindset
Jugué fatal – I played terribly
La sensación con la que te quedas – The feeling you have afterwards
Al día siguiente… – The next day
Es muy cañera – She’s very full-on
Falta de confianza – Lack of confidence
Te mete caña – She really makes you work hard
Mas allá que ganar… – Above and beyond winning…
Que no van por ahí los tiros… – That isn’t what this is about
Cantidad de veces – Lots of times
Permitirnos brillar – Let ourselves shine
En una situación real me bloqueo – In real-life situations I freeze up
Voy a superar esto – I’m going to get past this
Voy a aprovechar todo mi potencial – I’m going to make the most of all of my potential
Tener confianza – To be confident
The post Spanish Fluency Mindset Secret appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we have a real Spanish conversation about an amazing escape to the Spanish Pyrenees:
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Useful Spanish from the video:
¡Qué más da! – It doesn’t matter
Un día otoñal – An autumnal day
Lo que más me ha chocado – What most surprised me
Estaba bastante lluvioso – It was pretty rainy
Setas azuladas – Blue mushrooms
Un atajo – A Shortcut
Un desvio – A detour
Veranillo de San Miguel – Indian Summer
Nos hizo un día precioso – It was a stunning day
¿Ha merecido la pena? – Has it been worth it?
Breve pero sabroso – Brief but worth it
The post Super Spanish Weekend Escape appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
There’s an inter-family “discusión” (argument) going on about Halloween, who will win?!
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Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get our “How to get fluent fast” PDF report when you sign up for our newsletter here
Useful Spanish from the video:
Una discusión – An argument
Tenemos un festivo – We have a bank holiday (no school, no work)
Caminatas – Walks
Hay mucho más ambiente – There is a lot more atmosphere
Chuches – Sweets, candy
Palomitas – Popcorn
Torrijas – A dessert made with bread and milk
Está ganando posiciones minuto a minuto – It’s getting more important by the minute
No es una fiesta propia nuestra – It’s not one of our own festivals/traditions
The post Spanish Halloween Dilemma! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we discuss a wonderful Spanish proverb that tells us a lot about how Spanish people think about the world!
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get our “How to get fluent fast” PDF report when you sign up for our newsletter here
Useful Spanish from the video, and the Soren Kierkegaard quote:
El hábito no hace al monje – The habit (monks robe) doesn’t make the monk
Los modales – Manners
Somos unos desconfiados – We aren’t very trusting
Somos más pillos/más traviesos – We are a bit more naughty
Queries profundizar más – You want to go deeper
Y lo poco que me vale a veces – And how little it’s worth it sometimes (teaching our kids manners!)
The post Real Spanish: El hábito no hace al monje appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share a real Spanish conversation on the power of walking to solve many of life’s problems! Remember, use the video controls to slow us down to 0.75 speed if you need to!
Fluency tips:
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful conversations like these.
- Learn so much more from them when you use the worksheets in our store.
- Get our “How to get fluent fast” PDF report when you sign up for our newsletter here
Useful Spanish from the video, and the Soren Kierkegaard quote:
Estuve de buen humor – I was in a good mood
Estuve de mala leche – I was in a bad mood
Una cena un poco tensa – A bit of a tense meal
A todos nos sienta bien movernos – Moving makes all of us feel better
Bueno, al grano – Right, let’s get to the point
Agobiante – Worrying, overwhelming
¿Qué te resuena? – What resonates with you?
Menudo poder que te da esto – This really empowers you
Un día redondo – A great day
Yo ni lo intento – I’m not even going to try
Soren Kierkegaard Quote:
Sobre todo, no pierdas el deseo de caminar: cada día camino hacia un estado de bienestar y me alejo de toda enfermedad; he caminado hacia mis mejores pensamientos, y no conozco ningún pensamiento tan agobiante que uno no pueda alejarse de él.
Además, también es evidente que al caminar uno se acerca constantemente lo más posible al bienestar, aunque no lo alcance del todo.
Por otro lado sentándose quieto, y cuanto más se está sentado quieto, más cerca se está de sentirse enfermo. La salud y la salvación sólo se encuentran en el movimiento… si uno sigue caminando, todo irá bien.
The post Real Spanish on the Power of Walking! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Enjoy the great Spanish we picked up in real Spanish situations, and try this top fluency tip!
Fluency tips:
- Collect words you love, and go and find any excuse to use them!
- Remember, it’s OK to leave some words for later on if you think they are too advanced for where you are now.
- Listen to our podcasts, they are full of wonderful words like these. We pick out the best in the worksheets.
- Get our “How to get fluent fast” PDF report when you sign up for our newsletter here
Useful Spanish from the video
¡Te lo juro! – I swear it’s true!
Me lo prometiste – You promised Mama me lo prometiste, que el lunes y el viernes puedo llevar algo dulce, te lo juro – Mum you promised I could take something sweet to school on Monday and Friday, I swear it’s true
8000 metros de desnivel – 8000 metres of difference in altitude
Avituallamiento – Refreshments
Bullicio – Hustle and bustle, noisy atmosphere, hubbub
The post Top Spanish Fluency Tip and Cool Spanish Words appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Watch today’s real Spanish conversation about what we did this summer and how we feel about being back in Madrid, and enjoy improving your Spanish!
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Useful Spanish from the video
Lo bueno si breve dos veces bueno – Good things kept brief are twice as good (typical Spanish saying, similar to “brevity is best”)
¿Cómo lo llevas? – How’s it going?
Venimos con muchas ganas de reencontrarnos con nuestros amigos – We’ve come back really looking forward to seeing our friends again
Contentos de las oportunidades que nos brinda la ciudad – Happy with the opportunities offered by the city
¡Cómo te lo montas! – You know how to live the good life/have a good time!
Diluviaba – It was raining like crazy
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The post Life Back in Madrid! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Photo: In the Pyrenees
Queridos amigos, (translation in English below)
Hemos pasado un verano fantástico viajando por el Reino Unido y luego pasando mucho tiempo en los Pirineos aquí en España.
Nos encantaría saber qué habéis hecho este verano. Por favor, déjanos un breve comentario contándonos sobre tu verano. ¿Dónde has ido? ¿Qué has hecho? ¿Alguien ha estado en España? ¿Dónde?
Photo: In Cantabria
Dear friends,
We’ve been having a fantastic summer travelling to the UK and then spending a lot of time in the Pyrenees here in Spain.
We’d love to know what you’ve been up to this summer. Please leave us a brief comment telling us about your summer. Where did you go? What did you do? Has anyone been to Spain? Where?
Photo: In North Cornwall
Leave your comment telling us about your summer below…
>> Want some fluency-boosting homework for extra credits? Listen to one of our podcasts today and to really get extra-fluent, extra-fast, combine them with the Super Pack for your level in our store!
The post ¿Qué tal tu verano? How’s your summer? appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share once again an incredible walk up to 2200m/6600ft with half a village for an amazing experience!
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The post High Altitude Spanish Adventure! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share all the craziness of a Spanish village fiesta – fireworks, foam parties, ‘charangas’ … and we pull out all the Spanish you need to know at the end of the video!
Beginners – Remember you can slow the video down to 0.75 speed using the YouTube controls, which can make a big difference.
ALL LEVELS:
– Get the fluent report and newsletter mentioned in the video.
– Learn the real Spanish you’ll never find in a textbook or app and get fluent faster with our Spanish learning/worksheet packs.
The post Super Spanish Fiesta! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Can Ben now deal with Spanish social life after 25 years in this amazing country, and what is there to deal with?!
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Useful Spanish from the video
Dimos un paseo de muchas horas en la montaña – We went for a walk for hours in the mountains
¡Qué pereza! – I can’t be bothered
Enganchamos un cafe con el vino – The coffee turned into sharing a wine
Atacar la despensa – Attack the store cupboard
Mermelada de arándanos – Blueberry jam
Haciendo malabares/apaños – Making do with what we had
La tarde tranquila se fue al garete – Our quiet night went out of the window
No se si esta transformación va a ser duradera – I don’t know if this transformation will last
Si quieres hacer reír a Dios, cuéntale tus planes – If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans
P.S. Join thousands of students that have learned more, faster from our podcasts with the the worksheets that accompany our main podcast levels – Check out our Whole Enchilada pack **Now with July-Only-Bonus “SPANISH SPEAKING SUCCESS” Masterclass Video!**
The post Social Life in Spain! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Enjoy another great, authentic conversation in Spanish, today about active vs lazy holidays – which do we prefer?
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Useful Spanish from the video
Torcerse el tobillo – Twist your ankle
Tumbarse en la playa – Lie on a beach
Hacer el vago – To be lazy
Me cuesta ser vago – I find it really hard to be lazy
El chiringuito – Beach bar, small bar in a park
Ben es un culo inquieto – Ben is restless
La cima – The peak
Un esguince – A sprain (sprained ankle)
Una guarreria – Processed food, or junk food. Also,a big mess.
P.S. Join thousands of students that have learned more, faster from our podcasts with the the worksheets that accompany our main podcast levels – Check out our Whole Enchilada pack **Now with July-Only-Bonus “SPANISH SPEAKING SUCCESS” Masterclass Video!**
The post Real Spanish: Active vs Lazy Holidays! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Listen to our conversation in Spanish about food, restaurants and travel – can you answer the challenge question?
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Useful Spanish from the video
Londres – London
La motivation principal de ir a Londres – The main reason for going to London
Ha sido sido muy emocionante – It was really exciting
Los decorados, los vestuarios, las barritas mágicas – The decoration, the costumes, the magic wands
Lo que le mueve más a nuestro hijo mayor – What most interests our son (the eldest)
Una panadería – A bakery
Panes rellenos de mil cosas – Bread stuffed with a thousand things
El postre – The dessert
Un platazo de comida – A massive plate of food
Caprichos/vicios – Things you love/can’t live without/guilty pleasures
Yo soy muy quesera – I love cheese
A nuestros hijos les encanta – Our kids love this
P.S. Join thousands of students that have learned more, faster from our podcasts with the the worksheets that accompany our main podcast levels – Check out our Whole Enchilada pack **Now with July-Only-Bonus “SPANISH SPEAKING SUCCESS” Masterclass Video!**
The post Real Spanish Conversation: Food and Restaurant Trip appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
We’ve escaped the heat of Madrid for cooler weather in the Pyrenees and look forward to lots of mountain adventures this summer!
Below is a video from a couple of summer’s ago, a classic, stunning mountain hike, with lots of great hiking vocab for you, check it out now!
Get ahead with your Spanish-learning Adventure this summer:
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Useful Spanish hiking vocabulary from the video
Estamos haciendo una super ruta de montaña – We are doing a fantastic mountain hike
Balneario – Thermal baths /spa
Un punto de encuentro importante para los montañeros – A big meeting place for mountaineers
Es una ruta con mucha pendiente y muy pedregosa – It’s a very steep and rocky route
Estamos siguiendo un río todo el rato – We are following a river the whole way
Cataratas – Waterfalls
Tiene trozos con mucho desnivel – There are some very steep sections
Te tienes que agarrar a una cuerda metálica – You have to hold on to a metal rope
Estamos siguiendo unos hitos – We are following some way-markers
Esta marca roja y blanca marca las GRs – This read and white marker marks the GR routes
Cruza los Pirineos de lado a lado – It crosses the Pyrenees from one side to the other
Equipo/Equipamiento de montaña – Mountain/hiking equipment
Bastón – Walking stick/pole
Me ayuda mucho en la bajada – It helps me a lot on the descent
Cuando estoy subiendo cuando hay un gran desnivel – When I am going up and it’s very steep
Me ayuda a apoyarme – It helps me support myself
Calzado de montaña con buen agarre – Walking shoes with good grip
El agua a veces correo incluso por el camino – Water even runs down the path sometimes
Llevamos bien de agua – We take a lot of water
Cantimplora – Flask
Agua de manantial – Spring water
Agua del deshielo – Meltwater
Gorro – Sun hat
Crema solar – Sun cream
Un ibón – A tarn/mountain lake
Aquí al lado hay un refugio – There is a mountain refuge just round the corner
Vamos a tomar algo refrescante – We are going to have something refreshing to drink
Judías blancas con chorizo – White beans with chorizo
Macarrones con salsa de tomate y verduras – Macaroni pasta with tomato sauce and vegetables
Pollo asado – Roast chicken
Arroz con leche – Rice pudding
Un cortado – Black / expresso coffee with a little milk
P.S. Join thousands of students that have learned more, faster from our podcasts with the the worksheets that accompany our main podcast levels – Check out our Whole Enchilada pack now.
The post Nuestro verano: ¡Aventuras en la montaña! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we teach you how to pronounce some key words in Spanish so you get off on the right foot in any conversation!
Get Our “Real Spanish Pronunciation Course” Here Now – Early Bird Discount ends soon!
Vocab from this video:
Me cuesta – It’s tough
Nos vamos a asar – We’re going to roast (in this heat)
Ben tiene mucho genio – Ben is a bit grumpy
Get Our “Real Spanish Pronunciation Course” Here Now – Early Bird Discount ends soon!
The post Don’t Talk Like This in Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we teach you how to roll your R’s in Spanish even if you think you can’t! Plus a great student phrase for practicing (see vocab notes below – plus the first pronunciation video from Monday if you missed it!)
Get ready for our “Real Spanish Pronunciation” course coming tomorrow, Thursday – Join our newsletter here so you don’t miss the early-bird special offer!
Vocab from this video:
Doug’s Phrase:
“Un perro marrón y un perrito negro están corriendo muy rápidamente alrededor del carro rojo. ¡Qué raro!”
¡Qué ilusión! – How exciting
¡Qué fácil! – How easy
¡Qué pasada! – How cool, how great
¡Qué guay! – How cool
Una empollona – Someone who studies a lot
Me quedé flipada – I was amazed
Monday’s Pronunciation Video:
Vocab from this video:
Corre aquí una brisita maravillosa – There is a lovely breeze
¡Qué pasada! – How cool, how great
¡Qué ilusión! – How exciting
¡Qué guay! – How cool
¡Qué fácil! – How easy
The post How to Roll Your R’s in Spanish appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we look at the ‘e’ sound and how to say cool phrases with ‘Que’ like a pro!
Get ready for our “Real Spanish Pronunciation” course coming this Thursday – Join our newsletter here so you don’t miss that and Wednesday’s great video!
Vocab from this video:
Corre aquí una brisita maravillosa – There is a lovely breeze
¡Qué pasada! – How cool, how great
¡Qué ilusión! – How exciting
¡Qué guay! – How cool
¡Qué fácil! – How easy
The post Master Spanish Pronunciation appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share a host of wonderful new Spanish words and phrases and give an update on what’s going on this month.
Mentioned in the video: Join our Inner Circle Membership here today – Closes midnight tonight, Wednesday!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Deslumbrado – Dazzled
¿A qué si? – Isn’t that right?
Gazapo – Baby rabbit, a little mistake
Tétrico – Dark, scary, gloomy
La misa era muy tétrica – The mass was a bit dark/gloomy
Perdido de la mano de Dios – In the middle of nowhere
En el culo del mundo – In the middle of nowhere
The post “Tétrico” and Other Great Spanish Words appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share brilliant advice on how to get to the top with your Spanish!
News: Special Spring Sale on our Best Selling Whole Enchilada Course – 25%-Off Until midnight May 1st!
Get this amazing pack here now!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Ben es un poco pesado con sus temas – Ben is a bit of a bore with his things
¡Qué pesado! – What a pain/bore!
Está redondo – It’s spot on
¡Siente la alegría!- Feel the joy
¡No te rindas nunca! – Never give up!
The post Best Advice for Spanish Learners Ever! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we head to Ocaña and ask, is it better to repeat your favourite travel destinations or always try somewhere new?
Homework! Listen to one of our podcasts for your level, and get confident and fluent in Spanish SO much faster with the worksheets that accompany the main podcasts >> Find them in our store now!
Join our newsletter and get our ‘Get Fluent in Spanish Fast’ report!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Nos sabíamos el menú de pe a pa – We new the menu backwards
Entre col y col lechuga – Every now and again it’s good to have a change
The post Spanish Travel – Familiar or New? appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we climb a massive Spanish mountain and share some important news:
Are you an Intermediate or Advanced Spanish learner and want to make massive progress?
Join our Inner Circle Now! Only 100 spots available!
Vocab from the video:
Es maravilloso – It’s amazing
La montaña siempre te transforma – The mountain always transforms you/changes the way you feel
Ocurre algo mágico – Something magic happens
¡No te rindas nunca! – Never give up!
¡A por ello! – Go for it!
Don’t. miss out! Remember if you are an Intermediate or Advanced Spanish learner and want to make massive progress:
Join our Inner Circle Now! Only 100 spots available!
The post Spanish Mountain Adventures appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
We just got back from an amazing adventure – our kids’ school ski trip to Baqueira. Watch the video we made on the same trip a couple of years ago to see how stunning this resort is, and to see if you can answer our challenge question!
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The post El viaje de esquí… appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we discuss an important part of getting fluent in Spanish – believing it!
The Spanish segment is high-level, there are context notes below to help if you need them, and a summary in English at the end of the video. (Remember, if you only understand 5, 10, or 20%, that’s still great! You’re on your way to fluency with us!)
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Context notes to help with the video if you need it:
In the Spanish section we begin by talking about things that were easy for us to learn, then discuss other things that were hard for us to do at first, that we didn’t believe we’d ever do well, but with persistence we managed to get really good at in the end – Can you hear what these were?
Finally, we encourage you to look at other things in your life that you do really well, or have had trouble with in the past and then were able to do well.
In the comments…
Tell us, is there any process in your life that you can look back on and say, yes, I found that really hard but I made it in the end.
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Submarinismo – Diving
Profe de yoga – Yoga teacher
Una prueba de nadar 200m en el mar – A 200m swimming test in the sea
Ya me lo creía – I finally believed it
Lo pude superar – I was able to get past it
Es muy revelador – It’s very revealing
¡No te rindas nunca! – Never give up!
Finally, remember, everyone watching this video can be amazingly good at Spanish – ¡Tu también! – You too!
The post How to get Fluent in Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
What do we do to put balance in our busy lives? And do you know the cool “silver lining” phrase we teach you in the video?
Keep your eyes out for our “Notes in Spanish Platinum Self Study Course”, coming this Thursday!
UPDATE: PLATINUM IS OPEN NOW!
Join our newsletter and get our ‘Get Fluent in Spanish Fast’ report!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
En la gloria – In heaven
En el solecito – In the sun
No hay mal que por bien no venga – Every cloud has a silver lining
El ruido es insoportable – The noise is unbearable
Están tirando la casa entera – They are knocking the whole house down
Equilibrio – Balance
¿Cómo ponemos el equilibrio en nuestras vidas? – How do we put balance in our lives?
Esta mañana he jugado al pádel – This morning I played paddle
Lo mejor es salir al aire libre – The best thing is getting out into the fresh air
No te veo a ti echando mucho la siesta – I don’t see you having many siestas
La bici – The bicycle
Subiendo y bajando cuestas – Going up and down hills
The post Balance, sunshine, and a cool phrase! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Why did all the Spanish people think we were crazy on our trip to the Pyrenees? What would you have done?
Homework! Listen to one of our podcasts for your level, and get confident and fluent in Spanish SO much faster with the worksheets that accompany the main podcasts >> Find them in our store now!
Join our newsletter and get our ‘Get Fluent in Spanish Fast’ report!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Estación de esquí – Ski resort
Cayó una nevada espectacular – It snowed an enormous amount
Las masas – The hoards
Era puente en Madrid – It was a long weekend/bank holiday in Madrid
Colas – Queues
Alquilar esquís – Hire skis
Chimenea – Fireplace
Los remontes – Ski lifts
Me has pillada – You caught me out
The post The Spanish think we’re crazy! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
We’re off on a long journey today but where are we going, and what is the best bit about the trip?
Homework! Listen to one of our podcasts for your level, and get confident and fluent in Spanish SO much faster with the worksheets that accompany the main podcasts >> Find them in our store now!
Join our newsletter and get our ‘Get Fluent in Spanish Fast’ report!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Deslumbrado – Dazzled
No nos podemos quejar – We can’t complain
Están de obras – They’re redoing the house/doing work on the house
Nos han dado una tregua – They’re giving us some peace
Preparar la maleta – To pack the suitcase
El viaje de ida – The trip there/outward journey
El viaje de vuelta – The return journey
Puro disfrute – Pure joy
Cuando metemos el pie en el coche – When we step into the car
The post ¡Nos vamos de viaje! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
In today’s video we look at wonderful phrases with the really versatile verb ‘dar’. Use them to sound amazingly good at Spanish!
PLUS! Download Your free 34 Uses of “Dar” PDF report here!
Join our ‘Real Spanish’ newsletter and get our free ‘How to Get Fluent in Spanish Fast’ report!
Vocab from the video:
¿Qué mas da? – Who cares?
¿Qué mas da? Ya te estaba pequeño – Who cares? It was already too small for you (a jersey)
Se me da muy bien el castellano – I’m very good at Spanish
Se me da muy bien coser – I’m very good at sewing
Se me da muy bien arreglar bicis – I’m very good at fixing bikes
Se me dan bien los idiomas – I’m very good at languages
¿Quién da la vez? – Whose turn is it?
Yo soy el último/la última – I’m the last in the queue
¡Qué más da! – Who cares!
Me da grima/asco – That’s horrible/disgusting, I find that disgusting
Me da vergüenza/corte – I’m embarrassed
No me da la gana – I don’t feel like it
Tengo ganas de ir al cine – I feel like going to the cinema
No tengo ganas – I don’t feel like it
Me da igual/lo mismo – I don’t mind
No me da ni frío ni calor – It doesn’t bother me at all
Me da que… – I’ve got the feeling that
Me da que María tiene novio – I’ve got the feeling that Maria has a boyfriend
The post Great Spanish Phrases with ‘Dar’ appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Hola amigas y amigos!
As we get even closer to Real Spanish Coaching Week (last days to sign up!) we want to make sure you’ve got another gem amongst our Notes in Spanish materials, all part of ensuring your “Best Spanish Learning Year Ever!”
Today, we’re sharing our amazing “Mighty Echar” report.
Just how many things can one verb mean? Well, in the case of ‘Echar’, quite a lot! It’s most simple translation would be ‘to throw’, as in ‘Echar a la basura’, to throw something in the bin, or ‘Echar sal’, to add salt to the pot.
But combining ‘Echar’ with other words and phrases turns it into a verb of many talents – add just a few of these top ‘echar’ phrases to your Spanish conversation, and you’re going to start sounding amazingly like a real Spanish speaker!
Download the full report here now:
Download: Notes in Spanish Mighty Echar PDF
Spanish-Boosting Deadline!
Real Spanish Coaching Week enrolment closes Sunday! It’s going to set your year up for total Spanish-learning confidence and success!
Sign up here now if you haven’t joined yet! We’re going to learn so much great Spanish together!
Un abrazo,
Ben y Marina
The post The Mighty “Echar” – What a Verb! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share the story of our friend Gaspar, it’s super-inspiring, full of the “Go for it!” attitude we love at Notes in Spanish!
Join “Real Spanish Coaching Week” here – It’s the fluency-boosting event of the year, where we’ll be sharing more great conversations like this and all our secrets to fast Spanish fluency!
Vocab and phrases from today’s video
Mi abuelo postizo/adoptivo – My adoptive grandfather
De la vieja escuela – Old school
Le gustaba mucho jugar al tenis – He loved playing tennis
Por su corazón, su médico le prohibió terminantemente jugar al tenis. – Because of his heart his doctor strictly forbade him from playing tennis
Su corazón no lo aguanta – His heard couldn’t cope with it
Se cambió de medico y seguía jugando al tenis – He changed doctor and kept playing tennis
¡No te rindas nunca! – Never give up!
¡A por ello! – Go for it!
¡Cuántos más mejor! – The more the merrier!
Don’t miss it! Join “Real Spanish Coaching Week” here – save your seat for just $10 – it’s the fluency-boosting event of the year!
The post The Amazing Gaspar Story ¡No te rindas nunca! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
In this week’s video we discuss how to get to the next level with your Spanish fast, especially when you feel your Spanish is stuck and needs a boost!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report! PLUS you’ll be the first to know about tomorrow’s special 24-HOUR-ONLY “Inner Circle” Opening!
Vocab from today’s video:Os ponemos al día – We’ll get you up to date
Lo hemos pasado genial – We had a great time
Nos ha venido de perlas – It was just what we needed
Nos ha venido al pelo – It was just what we needed
Tenemos muchas ganas de trabajar – We are really excited about working
Estáis al día – You are up to date
Está lloviendo a mares – It’s raining cats and dogs
¡No te rindas nunca! – Never give up!
The post Taking your Spanish to the Next Level, Fast! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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The post A Surprising Way to Get Fluent in Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we discuss the first vital technique for improving your Spanish fluency.
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
And do please share this video with Spanish-loving and Spanish-leaning friends!
Vocab from today’s video:
Ser como una esponja – Be like a human sponge
Llenar la vida con el español – Fill your life with Spanish
Paseando al perro – Walking the dog
The post How to Get Fluent In Spanish appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we discuss real Spanish phrases related to sports and exercise!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
And do please share this video with Spanish-loving and Spanish-leaning friends!
Vocab from today’s video:
Marina es profesora de yoga – Marina is a yoga teacher
No me gusta pasarme de rosca – I don’t like to overdo it
Pasarse de ronca – To overdo it
Te pasas de rosca – You overdo it
Marina me parece que te has pasado de rosca – Marina, I think you’ve overdone it
Juan está pasado de rosca – Juan is overtired
Ser chachas – To be really muscly, “ripped”
Ben que cachas estás – How muscly you are Ben
Estás muy cachas – You are really muscly
Es un cachas – He/she is really muscly, “ripped”
Pura fibra – Pure muscle fibre
Ser un crack – To be amazing at something
Antonio es un crack, siempre que tira a canasta encesta – Antonio is amazing, every time he shoots he makes a basket
Soy un crack haciendo punto – I’m amazing at knitting
Pedro es un poco paquete – Pedro is a bit useless (at sport)
¿Queréis echar una pachanga esta tarde? – Do you want to play a casual game of football this afternoon?
Vamos a darle caña – Let’s really go for it
Quiero desfogarme un poco – I want to let off steam
The post Real Spanish Sports Phrases! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
In today’s video we have a real Spanish conversation about how life changes now it’s got hot!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
And do please share this video with Spanish-loving and Spanish-leaning friends!
Vocab from today’s video:
Nueve meses de invierno y tres de infierno – Nine months of winter and three of hell
Para hacer deporte a gusto es mejor hacerlo a primera hora – To do sports comfortably, it’s better to do it first thing
Hay un montón de quedadas al aire libre – There are lots of outdoor meet ups
Con el calor cambia la dieta – When it gets hot, you change your diet
Comida ligera – Light food
Batidos – Milkshakes
Algo refrescante – Something refreshing
The post Real Hot Weather Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
In today’s video we visit one of our favourite cities in Spain and share wonderful Spanish travel phrases, plus…
BIG NEWS! Join the Notes in Spanish Inner Circle NOW! Limited Enrolment until Midnight this Wednesday May 3rd! It’s the friendliest Spanish learning experience on the net, where we accompany you on the path to total Real Spanish Confidence, Fluency and Proficiency Join Here Now!
Vocab from today’s video:
Callejear – To wander the streets randomly
Callejas – Narrow streets
Ir a la aventura – To go on a travel adventure (no plans or bookings!)
Nos vamos a Andalucia a la aventura ¿te vienes? – We’re going on an adventure to Andalucia, do you want to come?
Me apunto – Count me in
Darse un homenaje – To treat yourself (usually to a special lunch or supper)
A mediodía me voy a dar un homenaje de marisco – At lunchtime I’m going to treat myself to a lovely seafood lunch
Me suenan las tripas – My tummy is rumbling
Se me hace la boca agua – My mouth is watering
Se me hace la boca agua con los productos que hemos visto esta mañana – My mouth is watering from the produce we saw this morning
Join the Notes in Spanish Inner Circle NOW! Limited Enrolment until Midnight this Wednesday May 3rd!
The post Super Spanish Travel Adventure! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share great Real Spanish phrases about going out and having a great time!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
And do please share this video with Spanish-loving and Spanish-leaning friends!
Vocab from today’s video:
Una resaca – hangover
La resaca – Wave receding into the sea/undertow
Un fiestero – Party animal
Ir de copas – To go out for a drink (or several!)
¿Dónde está la marcha? – Where is the nightlife?
Me voy de marcha – I’m going out partying
The post Real Nightlife Spanish for Party Animals! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share straight-from-the-streets Spanish phrases about Speaking Spanish!
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Vocab from today’s video:
Chapurrear – To speak a few words to get by
Chapotear – Splashing around like a kid in a pool
Ben chapurrea Catalán – Ben speaks a few words of Catalan
Hablar por los codos – To talk non-stop
Nuestra vecina habla por los codos – Our neighbour talks non-stop
Tener mucha labia / tener labia – To be persuasive, to be charming
Mi jefe tiene mucha labia y siempre consigue lo que quiere – My boss is very persuasive and always gets what he wants
No tiene pelos en la lengua – He/she speaks her mind
Mi amiga Ana no tiene pelos en la lengua – My friend Ana always speaks her mind
The post Cool Spanish Phrases about Speaking! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share the Real Spanish you need to get everything you need in a restaurant!
Do share this video with Spanish-learning friends who want to sound incredibly good at Spanish when they order their food!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
Vocab from today’s video:
De primero quiero una sopa / De primero me gustaría tomar la sopa – For the first course I’d like soup
De segundo quiero el filete de merluza – For the the second course I’d like fillet of hake
De postre…. – For dessert
¿Nos puedes traer la bebida? (mientras decidimos) – Can you bring us a drink (while we decide)?
¿Nos puedes traer algo de beber? – Can you bring us a drink please?
¿Nos puedes tomar nota por favor? – Can you take our order please?
Un menú / menú del día – Set lunchtime menu
La carta – The menu
De momento no gracias – Not right now thanks, we’re fine for the moment thanks
La cuenta por favor / Me traes la cuenta por favor – The bill please
Me cobras por favor – The bill please (in a bar)
Nos falta un tenedor por favor – We’re missing a fork
Arroz con leche, natillas, flan, pudin – Rice pudding, custard, crème caramel, pudding (a cake-like crème caramel with fruit)
De toda la vida – Been around forever
Contundente – Filling, rich, substantial!
Al fondo a la derecha – Down the end on the right
The post Real Restaurant Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share a real Spanish conversation, and a great Spanish phrase for spring!
Mentioned in the video: The Whole Enchilada
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Vocab from today’s video:
Vamos a aprovecharlo al máximo – We’re really going to make the most of it
La primavera la sangre altera – Spring makes your blood sing! (literally, spring alters your blood)
Do share this video with Spanish-learning groups and friends! ¡Gracias a todos!
The post Real Spanish Phrase for Spring! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
IMPORTANT NEWS: The Notes in Spanish Inner Circle, as mentioned in the video, is open *just today Wednesday for registration and this month’s theme is food! Join The Inner Circle Here Now! Don’t miss out! CLOSING MIDNIGHT TONIGHT WEDNESDAY!*
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Este bote de tomate frito me viene al pelo – This jar of tomato sauce is just what I needed
Me viene como anillo al dedo – Just what I needed (literally, like a ring to my finger!) With clothing, it fits perfectly.
Me viene caído del cielo – It’s perfect, like a gift from heaven
Has dado en el clavo – You hit the nail on the head, you got it right (for a gift).
Tiquismiquis – Fussy/picky about food
Remember, Our exclusive private community “The Notes in Spanish Inner Circle“, as mentioned in the video, is open *now for registration and this month’s theme is food! Join The Inner Circle Here Now! CLOSES MIDNIGHT TONIGHT WEDNESDAY!*
The post Real Spanish You Really Needed! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we take you out to breakfast in a cool ‘de toda la vida’ bar in Madrid, and Ben narrowly avoids ‘hanger’, or being “enfambriento” as Marina decides to call it in Spanish!!
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to never miss a new video.
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Pan con aceite de oliva virgen y tomate triturado – Bread with olive oil and liquidised tomato
Pan de molde con mantequilla y mermelada – Sliced bread with butter and jam
Huevos revueltos con ibérico – Scrambled egg with Iberian ham
Cortado y americano – Coffee, expresso with a drop or milk, and American style
Zumo de naranja – Orange juice
Almohada – Pillow
Desayuno – Breakfast
Rallar – To grate
Estás en la gloria – I’m in heaven
The post Real Spanish Breakfast in Madrid! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
IMPORTANT! The Notes in Spanish Coach Course mentioned in today’s video is still Open Now for Limited Enrolment! Don’t miss out, we’re closing registration soon!
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach here now!
Words and phrases from this video:
Metí la pata – I put my foot in it
Me niego – I’m not having it
Parecía muy agobiado – He seemed really stressed
Me agobia este jersey – This jumper is too much, it’s too tight, too hot
La plaza de Chinchón mola mogollón – Chinchón Plaza is super cool
Esta peli mola mogollón – This film is amazing, I love it
Es muy teatrero – He’s really theatrical, always joking around
Asadillo de pimientos – Roast pepper salad
Remember! The Notes in Spanish Coach Course mentioned in this video is Open Now for Limited Enrolment and closing soon!
“What’s The Notes in Spanish Coach all about?”
The Notes in Spanish Coach is quite simply the best project we’ve ever worked on, based on our 17+ years as leaders in the online Spanish learning world.
It includes 10 special modules in English and in Spanish (23 videos) covering every aspect of incredibly effective Spanish learning, undoing every block to fluency and total understanding – We’ve covered everything!
We’ve included so many useful tips from our podcast listeners too, so this is an absolute Spanish-learning gold mine, that will save you years of frustration on your Spanish-learning journey to advanced fluency.
This is like sitting down with us, Ben and Marina, for hours as we talk you through the very best ways to learn Spanish and reach fluency in every aspect of Spanish as quickly as possible.
Our whole aim is to ensure you have deliciously rich and effortless Spanish-filled experiences, in real-life Spanish Speaking situations, and sunny warm plazas!
Soon, you too will be sitting and chatting to the waiter and passer’s by, soaking up the culture and real spoken Spanish in beautiful places.
Note: we are only opening this intake of The Notes in Spanish Coach course for a limited number of students and for a few days after which we are closing the doors to focus on welcoming everyone who signs up with personal guidance, private live Q and A’s with us and much more. So be quick, we’re closing very soon, and we don’t want you to miss this amazing opportunity to accelerate your journey to real Spanish fluency – registration is closing soon, so….
It’s Time! The Notes in Spanish Coach is still Open Now for Limited Enrolment!
The post Sunny Plaza Spanish (Marina annoys the waiter!) appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Hola dear Spanish learning friends!
Our latest project, The Notes in Spanish Coach, is open NOW for a limited time only!
You can check it out here right now
You’ll want instant access to this brand-new 10 Module course (with 23 Videos!). The Notes in Spanish Coach distils our 17 years of experience in teaching real spoken Spanish to people all around the world.
It’s designed to help you easily reach your full-fluency dreams, expressing yourself fluently and easily in Real-life Spanish conversations, in wonderful Real-life situations.
PLUS You get to join an exclusive on-line community of real-Spanish-loving peers where you get all your questions answered, AND you can join Ben and Marina LIVE online in exclusive ‘Virtual Coach Cafés’!
Go here now to sign up:
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach
Note: Enrolment is limited so we can fully concentrate on helping all the super-motivated Spanish learners that sign up, with the special community and ‘Virtual Coach Café’ events.
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach Here
Un abrazo desde Madrid,
Ben y Marina
P.S. As we’ve been saying all month, this is probably the most exciting project we’ve ever produced, and we are tremendously excited to open it up to everyone.
We think it’ll make a HUGE difference to accelerating your progress to fluency in real spoken Spanish.Sign up now, nos vemos dentro – we’ll see you inside:
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach
The post [Time Sensitive] Notes in Spanish Coach is: Open Now! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
¡Hola amigos!
Welcome to this special ‘all-access’ page, where you can watch all three of our free, Real Spanish Masterclass videos in one place.
We’ve packed these Masterclasses with amazing tips and tricks from our nearly 2 decades of cutting-edge real Spanish-teaching – these are real accelerators on your path to fluently speaking and fluently understanding the REAL Spanish you’ll never find in a textbook or big-name app – so you have amazing real-life Spanish-speaking experiences!
Quick note… if you’re new to Notes in Spanish, make sure you get our free, real Spanish newsletters, so you don’t miss out on future real-spanish learning content like this, and the amazing events next week – join our newsletter here.
OK, Masterclass Time! Here are all three videos, in order, with vocab from each listed underneath:
Real Spanish Masterclass 1: Five Great Real Spanish Words and Phrases and How to Remember ThemIn this video we share a fantastic trick for remembering wonderful Real Spanish words and phrases, and 5 great real Spanish words and phrases you can use right now to sound amazing at Spanish!
Words and phrases from this video:
Tiquismiquis – Fussy, picky
Marina es una tiquismiquis que no come nada de pescado – Marina is a picky eater, she doesn’t eat any fish (note from Ben, not actually true, she loves fish!)
Ir al grano – To get to the point
Vamos al grano, que hay mucho trabajo por hacer – Let’s get to the point, there’s lots of work to be done
Dejaros ya de tanta cháchara y vamos al grano de una vez – Stop all the chitchat and let’s get to the point once and for all
Enrollarse – To go on and on about something
No te enrolles tanto y vete a estudiar – Stop going on and on and go and study
Enrollarse como las persianas – To talk non-stop, to keep chatting and chatting (literally, to roll on and on like a persian blind!)
Este chico se enrolla como las persianas – This guy never stops talking
Que buen rollo – What a lovely time (slang)
Estoy la mar de bien – I’m really happy, everything’s great
Porque he dormido muy bien, me he tomado un café y me encanta hacer videos para Notes in Spanish – Because I’ve slept really well, I’ve had a coffee and I love making videos for Notes in Spanish.
Real Spanish Masterclass 2: Spanish Understanding SuperpowerIn this second Masterclass we share a Spanish-learning Superpower for understanding fast-speaking Spanish speakers – even in groups!
Words and phrases from this video:
Vale – OK
Baloncesto – Basketball
Un partido de baloncesto – A basketball game
Una merienda – A light meal or snack, often at teatime
Un paseo en bici – A bike ride
Un desayuno rico – A lovely breakfast
Relax total – Total relaxation
Real Spanish Masterclass 3: Top Spanish Fluency SecretIn this third video we share a Spanish Fluency Secret that ensures rapid progress to Spanish fluency, and unforgettable conversations and connection with real people in real Spanish life!
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Qué se le va a hacer – What can you do? What can one do about it? “That’s life”
Un Rioja por favor – A glass of Rioja please
Los incendios que habían ocurrido durante el verano seco – The fires that took place over the summer
We’re Celebrating!This week’s free Masterclass videos are all part of a big celebration around the launch of our amazing Notes in Spanish Coach course this coming Monday February 27th…
“What’s The Notes in Spanish Coach all about?”
The Notes in Spanish Coach is quite simply the best project we’ve ever worked on, based on our 17+ years as leaders in the online Spanish learning world.
It includes 10 special modules in English and in Spanish (23 videos) covering every aspect of incredibly effective Spanish learning – We’ve covered everything!
We’ve included so many useful tips from our podcast listeners too, so this is an absolute Spanish-learning gold mine, that will save you years of frustration on your Spanish-learning journey to advanced fluency.
This is like sitting down with us, Ben and Marina, for hours as we talk you through the very best ways to learn Spanish and reach fluency in every aspect of Spanish as quickly as possible.
Our whole aim is to ensure you have deliciously rich and effortless Spanish-filled experiences, in real-life Spanish Speaking situations.
Soon, you too will be sitting and chatting to the waiter and passer’s by, soaking up the culture and real spoken Spanish in warm sunny plazas…
Full details – with extra surprises – will be published this Monday February 27th when The Notes in Spanish Coach course opens for enrolment – make sure you are ready to jump in!
Note: we are only opening this intake of The Notes in Spanish Coach course for a limited number of students and for a few days after which we are closing the doors to focus on welcoming everyone who signs up with personal guidance, private live Q and A’s with us and much more. So be quick, and don’t miss this amazing opportunity to accelerate your journey to real Spanish fluency – Watch out for Monday’s email!
For now, do share this page with Spanish-loving friends, and leave us a comment below: we’d love to hear about your aspirations for your Spanish speaking life, or any questions you may have about these three videos.
Join our newsletter here if you aren’t currently getting our famous, Spanish-packed ‘Real Spanish Newsletter’!
The post Real Spanish Masterclass – All Access – All 3 Videos! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Hola amigos! Welcome to this third video in our free, Real Spanish Masterclass!
If you missed the first 2 Masterclass videos, we recommend watching them first, here:
1 – Real Spanish Masterclass One
2- Real Spanish Masterclass Two
Today we share a Spanish Fluency Secret that ensures rapid progress to Spanish fluency, and unforgettable conversations and connection with real people in real Spanish life!
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you don’t miss the Spanish-life-changing events coming up next week! (More info. below!)
And please, leave us a comment! we’d love to hear about your aspirations for your Spanish speaking life, or any questions you may have about today’s video.
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Qué se le va a hacer – What can you do? What can one do about it? “That’s life”
Un Rioja por favor – A glass of Rioja please
Los incendios que habían ocurrido durante el verano seco – The fires that took place over the summer
We’re Celebrating!This week’s free Masterclass videos are all part of a big celebration around the launch of our amazing Notes in Spanish Coach course this coming Monday February 27th…
“What’s The Notes in Spanish Coach all about?”
The Notes in Spanish Coach is quite simply the best project we’ve ever worked on, based on our 17+ years as leaders in the online Spanish learning world.
It includes 10 special modules in English and in Spanish (23 videos) covering every aspect of incredibly effective Spanish learning – We’ve covered everything!
We’ve included so many useful tips from our podcast listeners too, so this is an absolute Spanish-learning gold mine, that will save you years of frustration on your Spanish-learning journey to advanced fluency.
This is like sitting down with us, Ben and Marina, for hours as we talk you through the very best ways to learn Spanish and reach fluency in every aspect of Spanish as quickly as possible.
Our whole aim is to ensure you have deliciously rich and effortless Spanish-filled experiences, in real-life Spanish Speaking situations.
Soon, you too will be sitting and chatting to the waiter and passer’s by, soaking up the culture and real spoken Spanish in warm sunny plazas, before incredible lunches!
Full details – with extra surprises – will be published this Monday February 27th when The Notes in Spanish Coach course opens for enrolment – make sure you are ready to jump in!
Note: we are only opening this intake of The Notes in Spanish Coach course for a limited number of students and for a few days after which we are closing the doors to focus on welcoming everyone who signs up with personal guidance, private live Q and A’s with us and much more. So be quick, and don’t miss this amazing opportunity to accelerate your journey to real Spanish fluency – Watch out for Monday’s email!
For now, leave us a comment below: we’d love to hear about your aspirations for your Spanish speaking life, or any questions you may have about today’s video.
The post Real Spanish Masterclass – 3: Top Spanish Fluency Secret appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Hola amigos! Welcome to this second video in our free, Real Spanish Masterclass!
If you missed the first video, we recommend watching it first, here: Real Spanish Masterclass One
Today we share a Spanish-learning Superpower for understanding fast-speaking Spanish speakers – even in groups!
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to get the next video in this Masterclass series (if you already get our newsletters, your good!)
And please, leave us a comment! What situation do you look forward to using this understanding-superpower in? Who would you most like to be understanding perfectly in a real-life Spanish conversation? Let us know in the comments below.
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Vale – OK
Baloncesto – Basketball
Un partido de baloncesto – A basketball game
Una merienda – A light meal or snack, often at teatime
Un paseo en bici – A bike ride
Un desayuno rico – A lovely breakfast
Relax total – Total relaxation
Coming up….We have one more totally free video coming up in our Real Spanish Masterclass series PLUS we’re in the final countdown to this year’s launch of our flagship bilingual video course, The Notes in Spanish Coach.
¡Estamos super ilusionados! – We’re really excited!
There are so many amazing training modules inside this course – two decades worth of learning and teaching experience, so that you can master total Spanish fluency faster and more easily than you ever thought possible.
We’ll be letting you know more about The Notes in Spanish Coach later this week, and sending you the next piece of amazing Spanish-learning content in our next free Real Spanish Masterclass video.
Make sure you open all your emails from us this week so you can be part of the celebrations, and if you don’t get our newsletters yet, sign up here now!
Remember to leave us a comment below – What situation do you look forward to using this understanding-superpower in? Who would you most like to be understanding perfectly in a real-life Spanish conversation?
The post Real Spanish Masterclass – 2: Spanish Understanding Superpower appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Hola amigos! Welcome to this first video in our free, Real Spanish Masterclass!
Today we share a fantastic trick for remembering wonderful Real Spanish words and phrases, and 5 great real Spanish words and phrases you can use right now to sound amazing at Spanish!
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to get the next video in this Masterclass series (if you already get our newsletters, your good!)
And please, leave us a comment! What does speaking real Spanish in real life situations mean to you? Tell us your dream real Spanish scenario in the comments below!
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Tiquismiquis – Fussy, picky
Marina es una tiquismiquis que no come nada de pescado – Marina is a picky eater, she doesn’t eat any fish (note from Ben, not actually true, she loves fish!)
Ir al grano – To get to the point
Vamos al grano, que hay mucho trabajo por hacer – Let’s get to the point, there’s lots of work to be done
Dejaros ya de tanta cháchara y vamos al grano de una vez – Stop all the chitchat and let’s get to the point once and for all
Enrollarse – To go on and on about something
No te enrolles tanto y vete a estudiar – Stop going on and on and go and study
Enrollarse como las persianas – To talk non-stop, to keep chatting and chatting (literally, to roll on and on like a persian blind!)
Este chico se enrolla como las persianas – This guy never stops talking
Que buen rollo – What a lovely time (slang)
Estoy la mar de bien – I’m really happy, everything’s great
Porque he dormido muy bien, me he tomado un café y me encanta hacer videos para Notes in Spanish – Because I’ve slept really well, I’ve had a coffee and I love making videos for Notes in Spanish.
And finally! Coming up….An important few days lie ahead for us at Notes in Spanish. We have two more totally free videos coming up in our Real Spanish Masterclass PLUS we’re in the final countdown to this year’s launch of our flagship bilingual video course, The Notes in Spanish Coach.
It’s nearly ready and we are so excited!
Wait until you see all the amazing modules of training we have for you inside this course – we’ve wrapped two decades of learning and teaching experience into this hugely valuable and entertaining course, so that you can master total Spanish fluency faster and more easily than you ever thought possible.
We’ll be revealing more about The Notes in Spanish Coach later this week, and sending you even more great Spanish-learning content in the rest of our free Real Spanish Masterclass videos.
Make sure you open all your emails from us this week so you can be part of the celebrations, and if you don’t get our newsletters yet, sign up here now!
Remember to leave us a comment below on your dream Spanish-speaking scenario!
The post Real Spanish Masterclass – First Video: 5 Great Real Spanish Words and Phrases and How to Remember Them appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share great real Spanish phrases for feeling fantastic, and why to DARE to use your Spanish!
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to never miss a new video and our great Spanish-boosting project coming up soon!
Words and phrases from today’s video:
¡Atrévete! – Dare to do it!
¡A por ello! – Go for it!
Me siento fenomenal – I feel fantastic
Estoy como un toro – I’m feeling really strong
Estoy lleno/a de energía – I’m full of energy
Estoy que me salgo – I’m on top form
No hay quien me pare – I’m unstoppable
The post Phrases for Feeling Fantastic in Spanish! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we revisit one of our best videos ever – The top 5 ways to sound really good at Spanish, no matter what level you are.
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to never miss a new video and our great Spanish-boosting project coming up soon!
Useful Vocab from the video
Pues nada… – Well…, So…
Pues nada, ¿qué vas a hacer esta tarde? – Well, what are you going to do this afternoon?
Pues nada, tengo que ir al supermercado… así que me voy – Well, I have to go to the supermarket, so I’m off
Pues nada me marcho que pierdo el autobús – Well, I’m off or I’ll miss the bus
Cutre – Shabby, seedy
Qué cutre eres Ben – You are very shabby/unkempt Ben
No seas cutre, cámbiate la camiseta rota – Don’t be so shabby, change that T-Shirt with the holes in
Un bar muy cutre – A very seedy bar
Ese bar es muy cutre – That bar is very seedy
Descuidado – Run down
Cursi – Corny, Tacky, Kitch
Hortera – Vulgar
Majo/a – Lovely
Qué chico más majo – What a lovely guy
Hola maja – Hi lovely
Qué coche mas majo te has comprado – What a lovely car you’ve bought
Madre mía – My goodness, OMG
Madre mía, ¡qué pesado! – My goodness what a pain (for someone that goes on and on)
¡Qué pesado! – What a pain, what a bore!
Madre mía, qué bueno es este tomate rosa – My goodness this rose tomato is good
Madrid mía, no me lo creo – Wow/OMG I can’t believe it
Madre mía, qué calor – Wow it’s hot
¿Qué tal? – How are you?
Bien – OK
Fenomenal – Wonderful
De maravilla – Fantastic
Genial – Great
Pletórico – Bursting with life and energy
Fatal – Terrible
De pena – Awful
Bien… o te cuento – OK… or should I tell you the whole story
Bueno, así así – Well, kind of alright
Ni fu ni fa – OK, I suppose
Buenas… – Hello/Good day (in the street)
Hasta luego – See you later
Thanks so much for learning Spanish with us!
The post Top 5 Ways To Sound Really Spanish appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we share some wonderful Real Spanish phrases about clothes and look at the role of motivation in learning lots of Spanish really quickly.
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to never miss a new video and our great Spanish-boosting project coming up in February!
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Quiero pulir mi español – I want to polish my Spanish
Si se me queda algo en el tintero me lo dices – If I’ve forgotten anything, let me know
Tintero – Ink well
Tintorería – Dry cleaners
Tontería – Something stupid or ridiculous
Que tontería – How silly/stupid/ridiculous
Vísteme despacio, que tengo prisa – Dress me slowly, I’m in a hurry / More haste, less speed
Estoy como un niño con zapatos nuevos – I’m really excited (like a kid with new shoes)
Estar en pañales – To be new at something, you haven’t mastered it yet
El proyecto está en pañales – We’re just starting the project
Estoy aprendiendo a pintar con óleo pero todavía estoy en pañales – I’m learning to paint with oil paints, but I’m still a real beginner
Sacar los trapos sucios – Air your dirty laundry (private matters) in public
No saques los trapos sucios en público – Don’t air you dirty laundry in public
¡Qué bien hablas! ¿Dónde aprendiste? – You speak really well, where did you learn?
The post Real Spanish Phrases about Clothes and Boosting your Motivation! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
Today we look at some wonderful real Spanish phrases with ‘entre’ and discuss the power of consistency when learning a language.
Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to never miss a new video and our great project coming up in February!
The post Cool Spanish phrases with ‘Entre’ and the Power of Consistency! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
¡Hola amigos! Today we share great real Spanish phrases with ‘hasta’ and celebrate ‘Canal Sonrisa’!
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
Get yourself a Spanish-boosting learning pack from our store!
Vocab from today’s video:
Hasta luego – Goodbye, see you tomorrow
Hasta pronto – See you soon
Hasta mañana – See you tomorrow
Hasta la semana que viene – See you next week
Estoy hasta las narices – I’m fed up
Una obra de teatro – A theatre play
Estoy hasta las narices con la obra – I’m fed up with the work being done on the house
Estoy hasta arriba de trabajo – I’m really busy with/at work
Estoy hasta arriba con el trabajo – I’m really busy with/at work
Marina ¿Quieres ir al cine mañana? – Marina, do you want to go to the cinema tomorrow?
No puedo estoy hasta arriba de trabajo – I can’t, I’m really busy with work
Yo llego hasta aquí, más no puedo hacer – I’ve done all I can, I can’t do anything else
Estaré en casa hasta las seis, puedes venir a buscar el paquete… – I’ll be at home until 6, you can come and get the packet
Hasta aquí hemos llegado – That’s it, I’ve had enough, you’ve gone too far
Cojo la puerta y me marcho – I’m walking out of the door and I’m leaving
Estoy encantado/a de la vida… con la vida – I’m really happy, delighted with life
Estoy feliz – I’m happy
Estoy más feliz que un regaliz – I’m really happy (literally, happier than liquorice!)
Estoy que me salgo – I’m really happy
The post Real Spanish ‘Hasta’ Phrases and Canal Sonrisa! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
¡Hola amigos! Today we share wonderful Spanish Christmas treats and festive vocab and phrases!
Useful links:
Join our newsletter list to never miss another video and get our free fluency report!
Listen to our Spanish Christmas podcasts:
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
Get yourself a Spanish-boosting ‘autoregalo’ – a learning pack from our store!
Vocab from today’s video:
¡Menos mal que estás fenomenal! – Thank goodness you feel great
Una mudanza… nos hemos mudado de casa – A house move, we’ve moved house
Te deja fuera de juego – You feel exhausted afterwards
Te deja hecho polvo – You feel exhausted afterwards
¿Qué es lo que viene ahora? – What’s coming up now?
Nos estamos preparando – We’re getting ready
El turrón duro – Hard turrón
Un manjar – A delicacy
Este es turrón de Jijona que también es de almendra pero es blandito – This is turrón from Jojoba which is also made of almonds, but it’s soft
Un mantecado – Spanish Christmas almond biscuit/sweet
Un polvorón – Spanish Christmas almond biscuit/sweet
¡No tengo ni idea! – I haven’t got a clue
Este es un polvorón porque tiene polvitos – This is a ‘polvorón’ because it’s full of dust (polvo)
Está impresionante – It’s amazing
Está buenísimo – It’s delicious
Nochevieja – New Year’s Eve
Estoy a por uvas – I’m all over the place
Nochebuena – Christmas Eve
Navidad – Christmas / Christmas Day
Año nuevo – New Year’s Day / New Year
La noche de Reyes – January 5th, the night before ‘Reyes’
Es cuando se suele ir a la Cabalgata – It’s when everyone usually goes to the Three Kings parade
La Cabalgata – The Three Kings parade
Reyes – The day of the Three Kings
Roscón – Donut shaped pastry
Villancicos – Christmas Carols
Papa Noel – Father Christmas
Los Reyes – The Three Kings
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta de las navidades? – What do you most like about Christmas?
Pues me gusta mucho adornar la casa con los niños, poner el árbol, luces – Well, I really like to decorate the house, put up the tree, lights
Y crear un ambiente muy cálido para pasar esos días, que muchas veces pasamos mucho tiempo en casa – And create a really cosy atmosphere for those days that we often spend a lot of time at home
Pero lo que más me gusta es meterme en la cocina a cocinar con mi hijo – What I most like is to cook in the kitchen with my son
Lo que más me gusta a mi son los polvorones – What I most like are the polvorones
Ya te veo, te lo estás comiendo ¿eh? – I can see that, you’re eating it all, aren’t you?
Autoregalo – A gift you give to yourself
Feliz Navidad y prospero Año Nuevo – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The post Happy Spanish Christmas Delights! appeared first on Notes in Spanish.
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Hola dear Spanish learning friends!
Our latest project, The Notes in Spanish Coach, is open NOW!
You can get it here right now
You’ll be getting instant access to the brand-new 10 Module (22 Videos!) Notes in Spanish Coach course.
It’s designed to help you easily reach your Full-Fluency Dreams, expressing yourself fluently and easily in Real-life Spanish conversations, in wonderful Real-life situations.
PLUS you get the Private Q and A sessions and Priority Email Channel which give you closer access to us than ever before!
Go here now to sign up:
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach
Note: Enrolment is limited so we can fully concentrate on helping all the super-motivated Spanish learners that sign up, with the Private Q and A’s and Priority Email Channel.
Plus, as promised we’ve sorted out a special early-bird discount for you.
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach Here
Un abrazo desde Madrid,
Ben y Marina
P.S. As we’ve been saying all month, this is probably the most exciting project we’ve ever produced, and we are tremendously excited to open it up to everyone.
We think it’ll make a HUGE, inspiring difference to your Spanish.
Sign up now, see you inside:
Get The Notes in Spanish Coach
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Hi dear Spanish-learning friends!
Os queríamos mantener al día – We wanted to keep you up to date… to share some great Spanish, send you some cool photos, and give you a Spanish-boosting challenge.
First: What’s going on in and around Notes in Spanish HQ…
Ha hecho un tiempo estupendo en Madrid últimamente – The weather in Madrid has been fantastic recently – and we managed to have a wonderful lunch up in the sierra with friends on January 1st.
Check out this photo:
And here we are at lunch on the terraza (Jan 1st, not bad!)
The colour coordination was accidental! As we said at the time this photo reminded us of the great Spanish phrase:
“Más vale una vez colorado que ciento amarillo” – better to get something off your chest/give someone a piece of your mind than hold it in and suffer again and again in silence (literal translation, “better once coloured than a hundred yellow”)
Now, cut to one week later, and the same sunny Madrid Sierra looked like this:
Marina said, “Hace un frío que pela” – it’s absolutely freezing – literally, a cold that peels
So January in Madrid is pretty wonderful – snow on the mountains, and the occasional day you can have a long lunch on a terraza.
¡No nos podemos quejar! – We can’t complain!
Latest Project News… (then the Challenge…)
Update on “The Notes in Spanish Coach”:
The Notes in Spanish Coach (coming soon!) combines all our expertise on how to reach confident fluency fast.
We’ve recorded the first few video modules and are heading for an early/mid February launch date.
¡Nos está inspirando un montón! – It’s inspiring US a lot
As Marina said today, just making this course to inspire you with everything we’ve learned about language learning over the past couple of decades is making our own language-learning experience so much richer again too.
As well as learning how to absorb Spanish better and reach confident fluency faster, you are going to learn a TON of real Spanish along the way (every module is recorded twice, in English and Spanish, so you get to choose, or watch both, and we share all our latest favourite words and phrases as we go along).
The first edition of the course will be open to a limited number of learners (so we can give you all dedicated attention), but if you entered your email in the survey to join the ‘early bird’ list to find out when it’s ready, you’re set. If you are subscribed to our newsletter, you’re set too (sign up here if not).
Now: Challenge your Spanish level – jump up to the next one!
Enjoy listening to our podcasts for your level but (and this is really important) do try the level above every now and again, you may surprise yourself and be ready to jump up a level before you expected it.
Why not try today?
A massive help here is to use the worksheets. A small percentage of our most active, energised and independent learners use the worksheets with the podcasts and they learn faster and have a much richer real-Spanish experience.
Look at this super listener who started as a Beginner and has used them all the way to the top:
…it really does help massively to use the transcriptions [in the worksheet packs] alongside the audio. I’ve since purchased the Intermediate, Advanced and Gold packages and they’re all just as good. There is so much great material to get through… Highly recommended! – Mark K.
¡Enhorabuena Mark, así nos gusta! – Well done Mark, we love it!
Using the worksheets is like having us by your side saying, ‘this is the word or phrase you really need to pick up on here, use this to sound really good at Spanish right now’ – we list them all in the ‘key vocab’ section in every workhseet. Don’t miss these gems, they’ll set your Spanish apart from other learners. Find the worksheet packs in our store.
(A note for our Beginners – Our Inspired Beginners Super Worksheets Pack now includes Real Spanish Control, specifically designed to help you up to Intermediate faster.)
Whatever your level, are you up for the level-jumping challenge? Get the worksheets in our store and try a level up – with the transcripts and the key vocab lists for every podcast, we think you might get a very pleasant Spanish-boosting surprise.
Un abrazo desde Madrid,
Ben y Marina
P.S. Any questions about levels and packs, just ask in the comments below
The post Spanish Challenge and Lovely Madrid Lunch! appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
What do the Spanish call Christmas cards? How do you pronounce the delicious Gustirrinín, and what are we eating this Christmas?
Remember, nothing beats the combination of our podcasts and our worksheets to learn lots of Spanish – having the transcript makes all the difference! Find the right pack for your level in our store now!
Words and phrases from today’s video:
Me voy a meter contigo – I’m going to have a go at you/wind you up
Un christmas – A Christmas card
Me he españolizado – I’ve been Spanishified
Gustirrinín – Lovely delicious feeling
¡Ay qué gustirrinín un baño caliente en un día tan frío! – What a gorgeous feeling to get into a warm bath on a cold day!
¡Ay qué gustirrinín una tarde de sofá y manta! – It’s so lovely to have an evening on the sofa with a blanket
Pavo – Turkey
Pescado – Fish
Marisco – Seafood
There’s a huge amount of great vocab and phrases in our worksheet packs – you’re on the path to complete fluency and they really help a lot! Find your level in our store now!
The post Christmas Fun, a Scrumptious Spanish Word, and Food! appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
Christmas goodies: Polvorones, Turrón, ¡y mucho chocolate! Hello dear friends!
As usual, at this time of year we love to share our favourite Spanish Christmas carols, and point you to our very own Notes in Spanish Christmas podcasts (one for every level, packed with Spanish Christmas culture and customs!)
First of all, our super Notes in Spanish Christmas podcasts:
Inspired Beginners 16 – ¡Feliz Navidad!
Intermediate 12 – Navidad
Advanced 86 – Feliz Navidad
Get the worksheets (with full transcripts) to go with each one to get all the Christmas vocabulary (and endless amounts of extra, real, straight-from-the-streets Spanish!) There’s a special Christmas sale on now too – just use the coupon code XMAS21 in our store now for a 25% discount (ends Tues 21st!)
The Spanish Carols!
The more you hear them over the years, the more you love them! Here are our all time top three!
First up, Los Peces en el Rio – we are constantly bemused by the line “Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río, Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido” – why are the fish drinking all the water in the river?!
Next in the hit parade, comes the all-time-classic ‘Campana sobre campana’:
And finally, the super-lively Ande Ande Ande,
That’s all for now! Remember our special Christmas sale – use the coupon code XMAS21 in our store now for a 25% discount (ends Tues 21st!)
The post Happy Christmas! Top 3 Spanish Christmas Carols and Podcasts appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
We are often asked how to get young kids to learn Spanish. Obviously if they get to live in a Spanish-speaking country it’s easy, especially if they go to a local school – they’ll pick it up on their own. In our case, with a Spanish mother and English dad, we’ve each spoken our own native language to our kids and they are bilingual in both.
If these two opportunities aren’t available, then the key is to make learning as fun as possible, via songs, and good old TV.
Songs
Kids love singing, in any language! Here are classic Spanish children’s songs you can learn and sing with your kids (the links are to videos, and you can easily Google the lyrics):
A mi burro, El corro de la patata, Vamos a contar mentiras, Pin Pon.
TV
The easiest thing is to find your kids favourite TV shows and, via the audio/subtitle settings available on YouTube Kids, Amazon Prime, or Netflix, set the audio to Spanish. Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol (‘La Patrulla Canina’), or Caillou for example, work brilliantly in Spanish for young kids.
What if they complain and say ‘we want Peppa in English’? Good old-fashioned bribery may be called for – or giving them a little ‘extra’ TV as long as it’s in Spanish. Sooner or later they get used to watching the show in Spanish!
For original, classic Spanish kids shows, try the beautifully innocent Teo and, for something pretty old-fashioned, La Abeja Maya. The Teo series of books are also very good for younger children.
Your involvement
The biggest inspiration for kids to learn another language is the involvement of their parents or grandparents. Are you learning a lot of Spanish at the moment? Do they see you inspired by it?
Keep listening to our podcasts to keep your Spanish on the go too!
The post How to teach Spanish to young kids (2 to 6 year-olds) appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
From the latest Notes in Spanish Newsletter.
Hola amig@s,
¿Nos ayudas a ser más útiles que nunca? Can you help us be more useful than ever?
We are working on two big projects: new advanced-level podcasts (ready in a couple of months), and a brand new course, ‘The Notes in Spanish Coach’ (ready sooner!) We need your help to make this second project as great and as useful as possible.
‘The Notes in Spanish Coach’ (for all levels) is designed to fill you with all of our learning tips, secrets, resources, enthusiasm and LOVE for this wonderful Spanish learning adventure.
¡Va a ser muy, muy útil! It’s going to be very, very useful! And a lot of fun.
BUT… We need your input to make it GREAT! It has to answer YOUR questions, and YOUR challenges with learning Spanish, so we need you to fill out a very short questionnaire to let us know:
-
What your biggest Spanish-learning challenges, questions or difficulties are (we’ll help you overcome them!)
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If you are interested in this course (to get on the early-bird list!)
To answer these questions, please go here to fill out a very short questionnaire now (less than 2 mins):
We’ve recorded a special Spanish-packed thank you video for everyone that fills out the questionnaire!
Thanks so much, we can’t WAIT to hear your challenges and share all this with you, we’ll be in touch with more info very soon.
Un abrazo,
Ben y Marina
P.S. We have a special Christmas promo on now in store too, details on the video page at the end of the questionnaire! Please take a moment to fill it out now – the video at the end is worth it.
The post Exciting Spanish Project (and video thanks) appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
In today’s video, we answer a question in Spanish about whether we ever got to live in our dream house in the country! Do remember to keep listening to our podcasts (combine them with the worksheets in our store to learn even more from the audios!)
Useful Spanish vocab. from the video:
Vivimos a las afueras de Madrid – We live in the outskirts of Madrid
Aprovechamos cada oportunidad para ir al campo – We make the most of every opportunity to go to the countryside
Una casa que compartimos con tres familias más – A house we share with three other families
Cada familia tiene un fin de semana al mes – Every family has one weekend a month
Es más barato alquilar una casa así – It’s cheaper to rent a house like that
En verano vamos a los Pirineos todo el tiempo que podemos – In the summer we go the Pyrenees for as long as we can
En cuanto podemos nos escapamos – We escape whenever we can
Yo todavía tengo el sueño de vivir en el campo – I still dream of living in the countryside
Yo me crié en el campo cerca de Oxford – I grew up in the countryside near Oxford
Se crió en pleno centro de Madrid – She grew up right in the middle of Madrid
Sigue un poco en el aire – It’s still a bit up in the air
Ya veremos, ya os contaremos – We’ll see, we’ll let you know.
The post Our dream house in the country! appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.
In today’s new video one innocent and little-known word from the car workshop leads us to some of the most lovely straight-from-the-streets Spanish phrases we know, plus we end with a funny story of how Ben came unstuck on the phone, and why it really shouldn’t have happened!
Our real Spanish mission!
As usual, we decipher the best Real Spanish for you, as we do in all our real Spanish podcasts. Make sure you accompany them with the worksheets in our store to really get the full richness of the Notes in Spanish real Spanish experience.
Beginner and intermediate learners, check out our Whole Enchilada pack, it really is a complete path from Beginners to a highly advanced level of Spanish fluency:
“…ended up getting The Whole Enchilada … I have gone from Inspired Beginner to practically fluent with the help of this program.” Kristi, certified buyer
“Buying the whole package seemed like a bit of an investment at the time, but now I can’t imagine being without the transcripts. This is the single best investment I’ve made in my self-education approach to learning Spanish.” James, certified buyer
Advanced and Upper-Intermediate learners check out our Advanced Premium Pack, a tailor-made bundle to really enrich your language-learning with real Spanish on a huge variety of topics at the highest level!
Vocabulary from today’s video:
Abollado – Dented
Perito – Insurance adjuster
Perrito – Little dog
Perrito caliente – Hot dog
Chapa – Bodywork/metalwork / bottle tops
Jugar a las chapas – To play bottle tops
¿Has pasado por chapa y pintura antes de la grabación? – Have you done your makeup before the recording?
Está todavía en chapa y pintura – She’s still doing her makeup
Para ya con ese tema, no me des más la chapa – Stop going on about that subject, leave me in peace
No me des la chapa – Stop going on and on about that/leave me in peace
No seas pesado – Don’t be a pain/a bore
A ese tipo no le quiero ver ni en pintura – I don’t want to see that guy ever again
Taller – Workshop
Taller de madera – Woodwork workshop
Taller de alfarería – Pottery workshop
Taller de mindfulness – Mindfulness course
Thanks so much for learning real Spanish with us!
The post ¡No me des la chapa! Cool Spanish phrases from the street! appeared first on Notes in Spanish - Learn Real Spanish With Our Podcasts.