In lesson 10 of One Minute Greek you will learn a few useful phrases which all learners want to learn.
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Month: June 2009
Lesson 10 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 10 of One Minute Italian you will learn a few useful phrases which all learners want to learn.
Lesson 09 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 9 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn to ask people how they’re feeling and to answer the question yourself.
Essential Spanish travel vocabulary: How to say money in Spanish
When you’re travelling to a Spanish-speaking country, knowing a bit of the language can make your experience much smoother and more enjoyable. One of the most important things to understand is how to handle money. This blog will introduce you to some essential Spanish travel vocabulary, focusing on how to say money in Spanish and phrases that will help you with currency exchange during your trip.
Further examples and phrases are in the podcast version of the episode, so remember to listen to it to make the most of your coffee break!
Understanding the basics: el dinero
The word for money in Spanish is el dinero. It’s a piece of Spanish travel vocabulary you’ll likely hear often during your travels, whether you’re at a market, restaurant, or bank. Knowing this basic word is the first step in mastering how to say money in Spanish. For example:
- Tengo suficiente dinero. I have enough money.
Exchanging money: Cambiar dinero
When you need to exchange your currency for the local money, the verb you need is cambiar, which means to change or to exchange. Whether you’re exchanging U.S. dollars, British pounds, or any other currency, this verb will be essential. Key phrases:
- ¿Se puede cambiar dinero aquí? Can I exchange money here?
- ¿Dónde se puede cambiar dinero? Where can I exchange money?
These questions will be handy when you need to find a place to exchange your currency. For example, if you’re travelling to Spain and need to change your dollars into euros, you might say:
- Me gustaría cambiar 100 dólares a euros. I would like to exchange 100 dollars for euros.
In Latin American countries, you might need to exchange your money for pesos (as in Mexico or Argentina) or soles in Peru. The process is the same, and using the above phrases will help you navigate any currency exchange smoothly.
Withdrawing money: Sacar dinero
Sometimes, instead of exchanging money, you might need to withdraw it from an ATM. The verb for this action is sacar, which means to take out or to withdraw. Some key phrases are:
- Quiero sacar dinero. I want to withdraw money.
- Voy a sacar dinero del cajero automático. I’m going to withdraw money from the ATM.
This Spanish travel vocabulary is particularly useful if you plan to rely on ATMs during your travels, as many people do. Remember that ATMs in Spanish-speaking countries may be referred to as cajeros automáticos.
Currency exchange conversations: practical examples
When you’re ready to exchange your money, it’s essential to know how to ask for the amount you want. Here are a few more examples that will be useful:
- ¿Cuánto quiere cambiar? How much do you want to exchange?
This question might be asked by the teller or person helping you with the exchange.
- Me gustaría cambiar 200 libras a pesos mexicanos. I would like to exchange 200 pounds for Mexican pesos.
- Me gustaría cambiar 300 dólares a soles peruanos. I would like to exchange 300 dollars for Peruvian soles.
These phrases are great additions to your Spanish travel vocabulary, ensuring that you can confidently handle money matters during your trip.
Mastering basic Spanish travel vocabulary is crucial for any beginner learning the language, especially when it comes to money. Understanding how to say money in Spanish and using phrases like cambiar dinero and sacar dinero will help you navigate financial transactions with ease.
Whether you’re exchanging U.S. dollars for euros in Spain or withdrawing pesos from an ATM in Mexico, these phrases will serve you well.
In our next episode, we go to the pharmacy or the doctor’s clinic in Spanish to teach you how to navigate this tricky situation, so don’t forget to check it out and express yourself with confidence on any occasion.
Nos vemos, and happy Coffee Breaking!
Lesson 27 – Show Time Spanish
This week we return to a topic we covered previously – in response to listeners’ requests. It’s time to look at your tricks and tips for language learning. Mark and Alba talk about the suggestion of one of our listeners which involves printing out internet texts and cutting out the words. Listen to the episode for more information and further suggestions! Language topics this week include the alternative forms of the possessive adjectives including mío, tuyo, suyo, and so on. We also look at the phrase una vez, this time not linked to the subjunctive.
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Lesson 09 – One Minute Turkish
In lesson 9 of One Minute Turkish you will learn to ask people how they’re feeling and to answer the question yourself.
Lesson 09 – One Minute Gaelic
In lesson 9 of One Minute Gaelic you will learn to ask people how they’re feeling and to answer the question yourself.
Lesson 09 – One Minute Greek
In lesson 9 of One Minute Greek you will learn to ask people how they’re feeling and to answer the question yourself.
Lesson 09 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 9 of One Minute Italian you will learn to ask people how they’re feeling and to answer the question yourself.
Season 2 – Lesson 17- Coffee Break French
In this lesson, we look at the other verbs that take être as their auxiliary verb in the perfect tense and we consider a way to remember them. Please note that lesson 17 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 57 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
Lesson 08 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 8 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn to count from one to ten.
Lesson 08 – One Minute Turkish
In lesson 8 of One Minute Turkish you will learn to count from one to ten.
Lesson 08 – One Minute Gaelic
In lesson 8 of One Minute Gaelic you will learn to count from one to ten.
Lesson 08 – One Minute Greek
In lesson 8 of One Minute Greek you will learn to count from one to ten.
Spanish Fact File: Using quedar
Quedar is one of those words which can mean a number of things in Spanish, depending on the context and how it is used. In this fact file we’ll be taking a look at the verb, and outlining the main ways in which it is used.
QUEDAR – to remain, to be left
The first use we’ll consider is when quedar means “to remain” or “to be left”. Consider the following examples:
- Quedan dos huevos – There are two eggs left / Two eggs remain.
- ¿No te queda dinero? – Don’t you have any money left?
When quedar is used in this way, it’s important to remember what the subject is. In the first example, quedan dos huevos, the verb quedar is used in the 3rd person plural, the ellos form, because the subject is dos huevos. Perhaps this is easier to understand if we concentrate on the English translation “two eggs remain”. Likewise, in ¿no te queda dinero? the subject is dinero. A more literal translation which may help you understand this further is “to you no money remains?” It obviously sounds a little, but it should help you understand quedar used in this way a little more.
QUEDAR – to suit
The verb quedar can also mean “to suit” when referring to clothes. Let’s have a look at two further examples:
- ¿Me queda bien esta falda? – Does this skirt suit me?
- No te queda mal esa camiseta – That t-shirt doesn’t look bad on you.
In this use of quedar, the subject of quedar is quite clear: in our example sentences the subject was “this skirt” and ‘that t-shirt”.
QUEDAR – to meet
A very common use of quedar is “to meet”, eg. when making arrangements.
- Quedamos a las ocho – We’re meeting at eight o’clock.
- He quedado con Ángel en la plaza mayor – I’m meeting Ángel in the Plaza Mayor.
In this case the use of the verb is very straightforward.
QUEDAR EN – to arrange to do something, to agree to do something
This is a slightly more complex use of quedar and in this situation, quedar must be followed by en:
- No quedaron en nada – They didn’t agree on anything
- Quedemos en vernos el jueves – Let’s arrange to see each other on Thursday.
- Hemos quedado en ir al cine – We’ve agreed/decided to go to the cinema
Note that when quedar en is followed by a verb, the verb will be in the infinitive, eg. hemos quedado en ir al cine.
QUEDARSE – to stay, to remain
When quedar is used as a reflexive verb it means “to stay” or “to remain”. Consider the following examples:
- Me quedé en casa – I stayed at home.
- Se quedan con sus amigos – They are staying with their friends
This is a very common use of the verb.
So, hopefully you have now mastered quedar in its various uses.
Audio episode – please note that you currently have to be a member of Show Time Spanish Season 2 to access the audio below:
[audio:https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/thevault/sts2/sts-26-bonus-quedar.mp3]Lesson 08 – One Minute Italian
In lesson 8 of One Minute Italian you will learn to count from one to ten.
Lesson 26 – Show Time Spanish
This week’s topic is low-cost airlines and the advantages and disadvantages of low-cost travel. Mark and Alba discuss their experiences of flying with low-cost airlines (and indeed with other airlines!) and José introduces two phrases which you can use when you manage to find a real bargain! Language points covered include the use of quedarse, fijarse and no sólo … sino también. Premium members will find a bonus item in this week’s feed – a special bonus episode concentrating on quedar and its various uses. Let us know what you think!
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3 ways to express ‘I would like’ in Spanish
When learning the language, one of the first phrases you’ll want to master is I would like in Spanish. This phrase is essential in everyday conversations, especially when you’re in a Spanish-speaking country and need to order food, ask for directions, or make polite requests.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to express I would like in Spanish, specifically focusing on the word quiero, and we’ll also cover related phrases that’ll be handy in various situations.
In the episode, you’ll learn how to say I would like in a real-life context, so don’t forget to listen to it and continue learning more phrases and useful vocabulary for your daily conversations.
What does ‘quiero’ mean in Spanish?
The word quiero is the first-person singular form of the verb querer, which means to want or to love in Spanish. In most contexts, quiero is used to express a desire or wish, which is why it is often translated as I want in English.
However, quiero is also frequently used to express I would like in Spanish.
Conjugating ‘querer’
To understand how to use quiero, it’s helpful to know the full conjugation of the verb querer. Here’s how it looks:
- yo quiero I want
- tú quieres you want
- él/ella/usted quiere he/she/you want
- nosotros/nosotras queremos we want
- vosotros/vosotras queréis you all want
- ellos/ellas/ustedes quieren they/you all want
Examples of ‘quiero’ in everyday situations
Here are some examples of quiero in the context of buying things at the market.
- Quiero una loncha de jamón. I would like a slice of ham.
- Quiero dos lonchas de jamón. I would like two slices of ham.
- Quiero medio kilo de queso. I would like half a kilo of cheese.
- Quiero probarlo. I would like to try it.
Polite alternatives to say ‘I would like’ in Spanish
While quiero is very useful, there are more polite ways to express I would like in Spanish, especially in formal situations. Two commonly used phrases are quisiera and me gustaría.
Using these alternatives to quiero can help you sound more courteous, which is particularly important in formal settings or when speaking to strangers.
Quisiera
This is often used to make requests. It is the most polite way to express I would like in Spanish. For example:
- Quisiera un vaso de agua. I would like a glass of water.
Me gustaría
This phrase is also used to politely express a desire for something. It is more polite than quiero but a bit less polite than quisiera. For example:
- Me gustaría probarlo. I would like to try it.
Essential phrases for shopping and ordering in Spanish
When you’re out shopping or dining, knowing a few key phrases can make your experience smoother. Here are some practical examples:
- Deme medio kilo de queso, por favor. Give me half a kilo of cheese, please.
- Póngame dos lonchas de jamón. Give me two slices of ham, please.
- ¿Puedo probarlo? Can I try it?
Understanding how to use quiero is crucial for expressing your needs and wants in Spanish. It can be directly translated to I want, but is often used to mean I would like in Spanish.
For more polite expressions, quisiera and me gustaría are excellent alternatives. Whether you’re ordering food, shopping, or simply asking for something, these phrases will help you communicate effectively and courteously in Spanish.
In the next episode, we’ll learn some essential vocabulary and phrases to use in your next trip to a Spanish-speaking country. ¡No te lo pierdas!
Nos vemos and happy Coffee Breaking!
Season 2 – Lesson 16 – Coffee Break French
In this week’s lesson we look at two verbs which take être as their auxiliary verb in the perfect tense, instead of avoir. Please note that lesson 16 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 56 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
Lesson 07 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 7 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn to say that it’s nice to meet someone in Portuguese.
