News: A few commonly used and heard Spanish words explained

If you live in Spain or are visiting or spending a lot of time there, you certainly have heard certain words that you do not understand what they mean.

Although it is impossible to explain a complete arsenal of Spanish words here, we do so with a few familiar and frequently used words. With this list and short explanation you know the next time you hear the words at least what matters, after all we are still "guiris" in Spain (see first explanation).

Guiri

Perhaps you have heard it as a comment from a Spaniard if you did something weird or just as a short comment. "Guiri" is the word or name that the Spaniards gave to the Western foreign tourists and inhabitants of the country. The word "guiri" is used for both men and women. It does not matter to a Spaniard how long you have been traveling in Spain or how long you have lived there, you will always remain a "guiri", even though you master the language well and you are fully integrated into the Spanish society.

Mañana

Most people think that "mañana" is a common term, but nothing is less true. Of course you will hear the word "mañana" a lot because it means literally tomorrow as in "por la mañana" which means "morning". It is often assumed, however, that the combination "Mañana Mañana" is used to shift to tomorrow, the day after tomorrow (pasado mañana) or next week or ... Anyway, a Spaniard will suffer a setback or failure to meet an appointment call "no pasa nada" faster (nothing wrong). Incidentally, the "ñ" is pronounced as a "nj" so as "manjana".

Hasta luego!

If you want to say goodbye to someone you usually say "hasta luego" which means something like goodbye, until later or until tomorrow (but that is actually hasta mañana). It is called by everyone by default, even if you do not intend to see someone again later or later. If you want to avoid a future meeting, then you better say "adios" or "nos vemos", day or we see each other. If you can not pronounce the word "luego" or if you are in a hurry, you can just say "hasta" and do not mumble anything behind it or just "luego" which is something more popular. On the contrary, more and more "ciao" is also being said, which of course is incredibly Italian.

Vale

The Spanish "vale" can be translated as "ok", "fine", "agree" or "still". It is used mainly as a stop word but there is also a questioning variant "¿Vale?" To see if you have the attention of the conversation partner who will say "vale" or "si". The explicit variant "¡vale!" Is more a confirmation of a preceding statement or question. Incidentally, as always, the V is not pronounced as a v but as a B, so it is "bale".

Venga

If you went to the nightclub a lot in the nineties, you've undoubtedly heard of the Vengaboys (hey ... we're going to Ibiza). The Spanish "venga" can be translated with "come on" and can be used in various ways such as a confirmation or agreement, a denial and to chase something or someone. Grammatically, it concerns the third person singular of the imperative of the verb "venir" (coming).

Diga

If you have ever called a Spanish-speaking person you will probably have heard the word "diga". Contrary to the Netherlands and Belgium, someone who is called does not say his name, you obviously already know that because you call that person. A Spaniard will say in question "¿diga?" Which can literally be translated to "say it". It concerns the third person singular of the imperative of the verb "decir" (say).

Guay

The Spanish "guay" can be translated as "crazy", "cool" or "cool". Especially the young Spaniards use this word a lot, but older people who want to look young will also use it quickly, it sounds cool after all. The word is used less and less because of the childish character but you will still be able to hear it here and there.

Ojalá

The word "ojalá" is not originally a Spanish word but, like many other words of Arabic origin (thanks to the occupation of the Moors). As in Arabic, this word means "if God wants it" but the Spaniards use the term "ojalá" if they want to express a wish that is unlikely to come true (such as winning the lottery).