Like a native speaker… A native speaker uses idiomatic expressions, complex sentences and correct grammar. Can we actually achieve a good level of Spanish in order to sound as much as possible as a native speaker? Yes, we can! With resolution and the right techniques, we may sound almost like a native.
What can actually help us in this mission? Idiomatic expressions are undoubtedly a good way to show off you Spanish skills; they will make your speaking more fluent and authentic. helpMadrid has decided to help you and provide you with some Spanish expressions. Brilliant idea, isn’t it?
How to practice efficiently a new language? By moving to the country where it is actually spoken and by looking for a shared flat, your language skills will improve in no time. Our suggestions for the perfect accommodation are often language-related: shared flats are definitely the right choice if you are planning to move abroad. You will save money and you will increase your chances to live with a Spanish speaker!
Are we chatty, isn’t it? One of our New Year’s resolution was “Try to reduce digressions”. Therefore, we will try to be brief and let you go practice Spanish as soon as possible. To sum up, which is the topic of our column about language and language learning? Today’s topic is Spanish expressions that you should definitely learn in order to sound like a native. Before listing these expressions, we would like to thank the Instagram page @partnership_valencia for providing us every week with a new interesting idiom.
HACE UN FRIO QUE PELA
Just because it is winter and this year it is particularly cold here in Madrid, you may find this idiom quite useful.
What does it mean? It’s freezing cold.
NO DAR PALO AL AGUA
We do not know you, but recently we have become extremely lazy, especially during weekends. The sofa is our lover, the blanket our best friend and a warm cup of tea our favourite treat. If this is your mood, you will need this expression to blow your friends off.
What does it mean? To be very lazy.
PLANCHAR LA OREJA
We keep this on the issue! No, it does not hurt, not at all! If you are tired and you want to go to sleep you will have to say “Me voy a planchar la oreja”.
What does it mean? To sleep.
DORMIR LA MONA
You will use this expression if you have drunk a little bit too much (bad done, guys) and you decide to go to sleep. An example may be “Voy a dormer la mona”.
What does it mean? To sleep after an hangover
SE ME VA LA PINZA
It happens sometimes that you have a strange day and you act a little bit weird. Well, in this case, this expression perfectly matches.
What does it mean? To act irrationally.
PONERSE COMO UN TOMATE
If there is something that makes us uncomfortable, our body has often a reaction such as… completely red chicks ahahah. When this happens you actually turn into a tomato.
What does it mean? To blush
AL MAL TIEMPO, BUENA CARA
We use this expression very often, we think it is such a positive attitude that everyone should hang it at home when something negative is happening in his/her life.
What does it mean? To put on a brave face when there is a problem
HABLAR POR LOS CODOS
Do you have a friend or an aquaintance who speaks a lot? Well, to describe this person in Spanish, you have definitely to use this expression.
What does it mean? To talk a lot
MONTAR UN POLLO
Something small just happened, but your friend is nervous and overreacts: he rides a chicken! Not literally ahahaha
What does it mean? To make a scene
ESTO ES COSER Y CANTAR
Have you ever done something extremely easy? This expression corresponds to the English “A walk in the park”.
What does it mean? This is very easy
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Are you going to learn something new? We will! Unfortunately, we still do not sound like natives, but we are working on it and soon we will show off a perfect Spanish… We are dreamers, ahahah.
By the way, we are not completely lost causes and we have an ace in the hole! Some weeks ago, let’s say months, helpMadrid has written a post about the language learning techniques that we have tested over the years (if you are wondering how old we are, we are your own age). Do you remember this post? Just to refresh dusty memories, here some tricks to learn efficiently our Spanish expressions:
# First, move to Madrid and live in a shared flat, the most common housing solution for students and young workers who decide to move far from home or abroad. It will be an unforgettable experience, a way to grow up, open your mind and learning Spanish.
# Then you have to practice regularly with exercises, apps (such as Duolingo) or with the flash card method. About the flash card method, here the instructions. Write the word on a side and the translation on the other one. You choose a random card in the deck and make an effort to translate it or to remember what it means. You learn by playing!
# Meet a tandem partner every week and speak with him/her for a while. We had several and it worked perfectly.
If you are a newcomer or if you have just discovered our blog, check our posts dedicated to Spanish and language learning! We really hope you will enjoy them.
Have you already learned some of the previous expressions? We are doing some flash cards and we are going to organize a game to make our learning afternoon as much pleasant as possible. And as for you, stay tuned and do not miss the next blog post: the February Agenda by helpMadrid, with a lot of events and our favourites…