09. Daily Conversation and Idioms (ConversaciΓ³n Cotidiana y Expresiones IdiomΓ‘ticas)
09. Daily Conversation and Idioms (ConversaciΓ³n Cotidiana y Expresiones IdiomΓ‘ticas)¶
Learning Objectives¶
- Acquire frequently used expressions in daily conversation
- Understand Spanish idioms and proverbs
- Develop ability to choose appropriate expressions by situation
- Learn basic business Spanish
- Understand differences between spoken and written language
Table of Contents¶
- Greetings and Introductions
- Daily Expressions
- Idioms and Proverbs
- Expressing Emotions
- Business Spanish
- Practice Exercises
1. Greetings and Introductions¶
1.1 Basic Greetings¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Greetings by Time of Day β
β β
β Morning (until ~12:00): β
β Β‘Buenos dΓas! - Good morning! β
β β
β Afternoon (12:00 ~ 20:00): β
β Β‘Buenas tardes! - Good afternoon! β
β β
β Evening/Night (20:00~): β
β Β‘Buenas noches! - Good evening! / Good night! β
β β
β Informal: β
β Β‘Hola! - Hi! β
β ΒΏQuΓ© tal? - How's it going? / What's up? β
β ΒΏCΓ³mo estΓ‘s? (tΓΊ) / ΒΏCΓ³mo estΓ‘? (usted) - How are you? β
β ΒΏQuΓ© hay? - What's up? / How's everything? β
β ΒΏQuΓ© pasa? - What's happening? β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
1.2 Farewells¶
Formal:
- AdiΓ³s. - Goodbye.
- Hasta luego. - See you later.
- Hasta pronto. - See you soon.
- Hasta maΓ±ana. - See you tomorrow.
- Que tenga un buen dΓa. - Have a good day.
- Que le vaya bien. - Take care. (formal)
Informal:
- Β‘Chao! / Β‘Chau! - Bye! (Italian influence)
- Β‘Nos vemos! - See you!
- Β‘CuΓdate! - Take care!
- Β‘Que te vaya bien! - Take care!
- Β‘Hasta la vista! - See you!
1.3 Self-Introduction¶
Basic Introduction:
- Me llamo... / Mi nombre es... - My name is...
- Soy de Corea del Sur. - I'm from South Korea.
- Tengo ... aΓ±os. - I'm ... years old.
- Trabajo como/en... - I work as/in...
- Estudio... - I study...
Conversation Example:
A: Β‘Hola! Me llamo MarΓa. ΒΏY tΓΊ?
B: Mucho gusto, MarΓa. Soy Park. Soy de Corea.
A: Β‘Encantada! ΒΏQuΓ© haces en EspaΓ±a?
B: Estudio espaΓ±ol en la universidad.
A: Β‘QuΓ© bien! Tu espaΓ±ol es muy bueno.
B: Gracias, todavΓa estoy aprendiendo.
1.4 First Meeting Expressions¶
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β When meeting for the first time: β
β - Mucho gusto. - Nice to meet you. β
β - Encantado/Encantada. - Pleased to meet you. (m/f) β
β - Es un placer conocerte/conocerle. - It's a pleasure to meet you.β
β β
β Response: β
β - Igualmente. - Likewise. β
β - El gusto es mΓo. - The pleasure is mine. β
β - El placer es mΓo. - The pleasure is mine. β
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
2. Daily Expressions¶
2.1 Thanks and Apologies¶
Thanks:
- Gracias. - Thank you.
- Muchas gracias. - Thank you very much.
- Mil gracias. - A thousand thanks.
- Te/Le agradezco mucho. - I really appreciate it.
- Muy amable. - Very kind of you.
Response:
- De nada. - You're welcome.
- No hay de quΓ©. - Don't mention it.
- A ti/usted. - Thank you too.
- Es un placer. - It's a pleasure.
Apologies:
- PerdΓ³n. / Perdona. (tΓΊ) / Perdone. (Ud.) - Sorry.
- Lo siento (mucho). - I'm (very) sorry.
- Disculpa. (tΓΊ) / Disculpe. (Ud.) - Excuse me.
- Fue mi culpa. - It was my fault.
- No fue mi intenciΓ³n. - It wasn't my intention.
Response:
- No pasa nada. - It's okay.
- No te preocupes. - Don't worry.
- EstΓ‘ bien. - It's all right.
2.2 Requests and Permission¶
Requests:
- ΒΏPuedes/Puede + infinitive? - Can you...?
- ΒΏMe podrΓas/podrΓa + infinitive? - Could you...?
- ΒΏTe/Le importa si...? - Do you mind if...?
- ΒΏSerΓa posible...? - Would it be possible...?
- Me gustarΓa... - I would like...
- Quisiera... - I would like... (more polite)
Examples:
- ΒΏPuedes pasarme la sal? - Can you pass me the salt?
- ΒΏMe podrΓa ayudar? - Could you help me?
- ΒΏLe importa si abro la ventana? - Do you mind if I open the window?
Permission:
- SΓ, claro. - Yes, of course.
- Por supuesto. - Of course.
- Adelante. - Go ahead.
- FaltarΓa mΓ‘s. - Of course. (certainly)
- Sin problema. - No problem.
Refusal (politely):
- Lo siento, pero no puedo. - I'm sorry, but I can't.
- Me temo que no es posible. - I'm afraid it's not possible.
- Ahora no es buen momento. - Now is not a good time.
2.3 Expressing Opinions¶
Agreement:
- Estoy de acuerdo. - I agree.
- Tienes/Tiene razΓ³n. - You're right.
- Exacto. / Exactamente. - Exactly.
- Eso es. - That's it.
- Sin duda. - Without a doubt.
- Totalmente. - Totally.
Partial Agreement:
- En parte sΓ, pero... - Partly yes, but...
- SΓ, pero por otro lado... - Yes, but on the other hand...
- Depende. - It depends.
Disagreement:
- No estoy de acuerdo. - I disagree.
- No lo veo asΓ. - I don't see it that way.
- Creo que no. - I don't think so.
- No es cierto. - It's not true.
2.4 Phone Expressions¶
Answering the phone:
- ΒΏDiga? / ΒΏDΓgame? - Hello? (Spain)
- ΒΏBueno? - Hello? (Mexico)
- ΒΏAlΓ³? - Hello? (South America)
- ΒΏHola? - Hello?
Making a call:
- ΒΏEstΓ‘...? - Is ... there?
- Quisiera hablar con... - I would like to speak with...
- ΒΏPodrΓa comunicarme con...? - Could you connect me with...?
- Soy... - I'm...
- Llamo de parte de... - I'm calling on behalf of...
During the call:
- Un momento, por favor. - One moment, please.
- No cuelgue. - Don't hang up.
- ΒΏMe oye bien? - Can you hear me?
- Se corta. - It's cutting out.
- Te llamo luego. - I'll call you later.
- VolverΓ© a llamar. - I'll call back.
3. Idioms and Proverbs¶
3.1 Body-Related Idioms¶
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Idiom β Meaning β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββΌββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β Costar un ojo de la cara β To be very expensive (cost an eye)β
β Estar hasta las narices β To be fed up (up to the nose) β
β No tener pelos en la lengua β To speak bluntly β
β Meter la pata β To make a mistake (put foot in it)β
β Tomar el pelo a alguien β To tease someone (pull hair) β
β Dar en el clavo β To hit the nail on the head β
β Estar con el agua al cuello β To be in a tough situation β
β Hacer la vista gorda β To turn a blind eye β
β Quedarse con la boca abierta β To be amazed β
β Ser uΓ±a y carne β To be very close (nail and flesh)β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
3.2 Animal-Related Idioms¶
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Idiom β Meaning β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββΌββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β Ser un gallina β To be a coward (be a chicken) β
β Estar como una cabra β To be crazy (like a goat) β
β Llevarse como el perro y el gatoβ To not get along (dog and cat)β
β Ser un burro β To be stupid (be a donkey) β
β A paso de tortuga β Very slowly (turtle pace) β
β Buscar tres pies al gato β To nitpick unnecessarily β
β Tener memoria de elefante β To have a good memory β
β Ser un pez gordo β To be a big shot (big fish) β
β Dormir como un tronco β To sleep deeply (like a log) β
β Matar dos pΓ‘jaros de un tiro β To kill two birds with one stoneβ
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
3.3 Food-Related Idioms¶
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Idiom β Meaning β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββΌββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β Pan comido β A piece of cake β
β Ser pan de cada dΓa β To be commonplace β
β Importar un pepino β To not care at all (cucumber) β
β Estar como un fideo β To be very thin (like a noodle) β
β Ponerse como un tomate β To turn red (like a tomato) β
β Dar calabazas β To reject, dump (give pumpkins) β
β Ser del aΓ±o de la pera β To be very old β
β Tener mala leche β To have a bad temper β
β Estar como una sopa β To be soaking wet β
β Ir al grano β To get to the point β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
3.4 Color-Related Idioms¶
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ¬ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
β Idiom β Meaning β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββΌββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ€
β Ponerse rojo/a β To blush (turn red) β
β Estar verde β To be inexperienced (green) β
β Quedarse en blanco β To go blank (mind goes white) β
β Ver todo negro β To be pessimistic (see black) β
β Pasar la noche en blanco β To pull an all-nighter β
β PrΓncipe azul β Prince charming (blue prince) β
β Media naranja β Better half, soulmate (half orange)β
β Verlo todo de color de rosa β To be optimistic (see pink) β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ΄ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
4. Expressing Emotions¶
4.1 Joy and Happiness¶
- Β‘QuΓ© alegrΓa! - What joy!
- Β‘Estoy muy contento/a! - I'm very happy!
- Β‘QuΓ© bien! - Great!
- Β‘Genial! / Β‘Estupendo! - Awesome!
- Β‘Fenomenal! - Fantastic!
- Me hace muy feliz. - It makes me very happy.
- No me lo puedo creer. - I can't believe it. (happy surprise)
- Β‘QuΓ© ilusiΓ³n! - I'm so excited!
4.2 Sadness and Disappointment¶
- Estoy triste. - I'm sad.
- QuΓ© pena. - What a shame.
- Lo siento mucho. - I'm very sorry.
- Me da mucha pena. - It makes me very sad.
- QuΓ© decepciΓ³n. - What a disappointment.
- Estoy decepcionado/a. - I'm disappointed.
- Me siento fatal. - I feel terrible.
- No puedo mΓ‘s. - I can't take it anymore.
4.3 Anger and Annoyance¶
- Β‘Estoy furioso/a! - I'm furious!
- Β‘Me enfada mucho! - It makes me very angry!
- Β‘QuΓ© rabia! - How annoying!
- Β‘Es el colmo! - That's too much!
- Β‘Ya estΓ‘ bien! - That's enough!
- Β‘Basta! - Enough!
- Β‘No aguanto mΓ‘s! - I can't stand it anymore!
- Me tiene harto/a. - I'm fed up.
4.4 Surprise and Disbelief¶
- Β‘No me digas! - No way! / Really?
- Β‘QuΓ© sorpresa! - What a surprise!
- Β‘No puede ser! - It can't be!
- Β‘IncreΓble! - Incredible!
- Β‘Anda! - Oh my! (Spain)
- ΒΏEn serio? / ΒΏDe verdad? - Really?
- Β‘Me dejaste helado/a! - You shocked me!
- Β‘QuΓ© fuerte! - Wow! (Spain)
5. Business Spanish¶
5.1 Formal Greetings¶
Email/Letter Opening:
- Estimado/a Sr./Sra. [surname] - Dear Mr./Mrs. [surname]
- A quien corresponda - To whom it may concern
- Muy seΓ±or/a mΓo/a - Dear Sir/Madam
Body Opening:
- Me dirijo a usted para... - I'm writing to you regarding...
- En relaciΓ³n con... - In relation to...
- Le escribo con respecto a... - I'm writing to you about...
Email/Letter Closing:
- Atentamente - Sincerely
- Un cordial saludo - Kind regards
- Quedo a su disposiciΓ³n - I remain at your disposal
- A la espera de su respuesta - Looking forward to your response
5.2 Meeting Expressions¶
Starting the meeting:
- Empecemos la reuniΓ³n. - Let's start the meeting.
- El tema de hoy es... - Today's topic is...
- ΒΏPodemos comenzar? - Shall we begin?
Giving opinions:
- En mi opiniΓ³n... - In my opinion...
- Me parece que... - It seems to me that...
- Desde mi punto de vista... - From my point of view...
- Propongo que... - I propose that...
Asking questions:
- ΒΏPodrΓa aclarar...? - Could you clarify...?
- ΒΏQuΓ© quiere decir con...? - What do you mean by...?
- ΒΏPodrΓa repetir, por favor? - Could you repeat, please?
Agreeing/Disagreeing:
- Estoy completamente de acuerdo. - I completely agree.
- Comparto su opiniΓ³n. - I share your opinion.
- Con todo respeto, no estoy de acuerdo. - With all due respect, I disagree.
- Tengo algunas reservas. - I have some reservations.
Ending the meeting:
- Para resumir... - To summarize...
- En conclusiΓ³n... - In conclusion...
- ΒΏHay alguna pregunta mΓ‘s? - Are there any more questions?
- Gracias por su participaciΓ³n. - Thank you for your participation.
5.3 Business Phone Calls¶
- Buenos dΓas, [company name], ΒΏen quΓ© puedo ayudarle?
Good morning, [company name], how may I help you?
- Quisiera hablar con el departamento de...
I would like to speak with the ... department.
- ΒΏDe parte de quiΓ©n?
Who's calling? (Who is it from?)
- Le paso con...
I'll connect you with...
- Lo siento, estΓ‘ comunicando. / La lΓnea estΓ‘ ocupada.
I'm sorry, the line is busy.
- ΒΏDesea dejar un mensaje?
Would you like to leave a message?
- Le devolverΓ‘ la llamada.
He/She will call you back.
6. Practice Exercises¶
Exercise 1: Choosing Expressions by Situation¶
Choose the appropriate expression.
1. When meeting a friend for the first time:
a) Hasta luego b) Mucho gusto c) De nada
β b) Mucho gusto
2. When someone says "Gracias":
a) Igualmente b) Lo siento c) De nada
β c) De nada
3. When you're angry:
a) Β‘QuΓ© alegrΓa! b) Β‘QuΓ© rabia! c) Β‘QuΓ© bien!
β b) Β‘QuΓ© rabia!
4. When you agree:
a) Tienes razΓ³n b) No estoy de acuerdo c) Β‘QuΓ© pena!
β a) Tienes razΓ³n
Exercise 2: Matching Idioms¶
Match the meanings.
1. Costar un ojo de la cara a) To make a mistake
2. Meter la pata b) To be very expensive
3. Pan comido c) To get to the point
4. Ir al grano d) A piece of cake
Answer: 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
Exercise 3: Completing Dialogue¶
Fill in the blanks.
A: Β‘Hola! ΒΏ_______ tal?
B: Muy bien, ΒΏy tΓΊ?
A: Bien, _______.
B: ΒΏCΓ³mo te _______?
A: Me llamo Ana. _______ gusto.
B: _______, Ana. Soy Pedro.
Answer: QuΓ© / gracias / llamas / Mucho / Encantado
Exercise 4: Formal vs Informal¶
Classify as Formal (F) or Informal (I).
1. ΒΏQuΓ© onda? β I
2. ΒΏCΓ³mo estΓ‘ usted? β F
3. Estimado seΓ±or β F
4. Β‘Chao! β I
5. Quedo a su disposiciΓ³n β F
6. Β‘Nos vemos! β I
Next Steps¶
References¶
- "EspaΓ±ol coloquial" - Real Academia EspaΓ±ola
- "Business Spanish" - Barron's
- "Diccionario de modismos" - Espasa
- SpanishDict Idioms