Spanish Word of the Day: Bota (boot)

One of my son’s favourite things to do on a rainy day, like many kids his age, is jump in muddy puddles (charcos). Unfortunately, he’ll sometimes run into a large puddle even without his boots (botas) on! Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Bota is a feminine noun that takes the following definite and indefinite articles: A bota can be …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Apestoso (stinky)

The Spanish word apestoso (stinky) is an adjective used to describe an unpleasant smell. It comes from the Latin verb appestare, which means to cause a smell. The Spanish equivalent of the verb is apestar (to smell). Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation The adjective changes depending on the object it’s describing. It becomes apestoso to …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Serpiente (snake)

The Spanish word serpiente derives from the Latin word serpent and is taken from the verb serpere, which means to drag oneself. This name is quite fitting, as snakes drag their bodies along the ground. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation The word serpiente is a feminine noun and it takes the following definite and indefinite …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Pompa (bubble / pomp)

The other day, my four-year-old son received a party bag filled with fun items, including a bubble tub. Unfortunately, he spilled all its contents on our carpet before we could even blow a single pompa (bubble). Such is life! Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation The word pompa comes from the Latin pompa, which in turn …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Mantequilla (butter)

When you eat a piece of toast with honey or jam, do you tend to eat it plain or do you enjoy untar mantequilla (spreading butter) on top to add some extra flavour? I can usually live without it, but there are people who can’t imagine eating toast without butter! Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation Mantequilla …

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Spanish Word of the Day: Fresa (strawberry)

When my son wakes up in the morning, the first thing he asks for is his breakfast (desayuno), which usually consists of cereal (cereales), a few slices of banana (plátano), and one or two sliced-up strawberries. A strawberry in Spanish is known as fresa. Latin American Pronunciation European Pronunciation The word was borrowed from the …

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