Spanish Word of the Day: Barco (ship / boat)

The Spanish word for boat or ship, which is barco, is derived from the Latin term barca. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Barco is a masculine noun, so it takes the following definite and indefinite articles: If you want to specify that you are travelling by boat, by ship or by sea (the last of which implies …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Asistir (to attend / to help)

The Spanish word asistir originates from the Latin word assitere. The word has multiple meanings, but the two main definitions are to attend (as in “to show up and be at a place”) and to help. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation The word asistir is a transitive and intransitive verb. The present, past and future conjugations …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Aguacate (avocado)

The word aguacate derives from the Nahuatl word ahuacatl, which was originally spoken by the Aztecs in México and is still spoken by about 1.5 million people in some parts of the country. Interestingly, ahuacatl translates to testicle in English. It’s believed that the fruit was named by the Aztecs due to its texture, shape, …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Caldo (stock / broth)

An important ingredient in many Spanish dishes is the stock used for flavour and body. This stock or broth is called caldo. The word comes from the vulgar Latin calidus (or callus) meaning hot. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation As a masculine noun caldo takes the following definite and indefinite articles: Lo mejor para un resfriado es …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Pato (duck)

The Spanish word pato (duck) originates from the Hispanic Arabic word páṭṭ and is taken from the classic Arabic word batt. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Pato is a masculine noun and it takes the following definite and indefinite articles: A duckling in Spanish is referred to by its diminutive form, patito. If the gender …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Música (music)

The Spanish word for music is the similar sounding música, with an accent above the letter u. Both the English and Spanish words can be traced back to the Greek mousikē (tekhnē) which means (art) of the Muses. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Similar to the English word, música is used not only to refer to the combination of melodic vocals …

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