Lesson 21 marks the beginning of Level 2b of Coffee Break French. In this week’s lesson we look at two tiny pronouns which can cause some confusion for French learners: y and en. Please note that lesson 21 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 61 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
Month: July 2009
How do you say ‘football’ in Spanish? Let’s talk about football
How do you say football in Spanish? Well, if you’re a beginner learner of Spanish, you’ve probably come across the word fútbol, which, yes, means football in Spanish. But there’s more to it than just translating the word!
If you’re a fan of the sport and want to chat about it with native Spanish speakers, knowing some key soccer terms in Spanish will help you follow along with matches and participate in lively football discussions. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of football and we’ll answer the question ‘How do you say football in Spanish?’.
Also, we’ll introduce you to some common phrases and expressions used when talking about fútbol in Spanish-speaking countries. But before we start, remember to listen to the audio lesson to build up your listening comprehension skills in Spanish and also to learn more useful phrases.
How do you say football in Spanish?
The simple answer is fútbol. Interestingly, the word fútbol is used to refer to what people in the United States call soccer. The sport is incredibly popular in Spain and Latin America, making it one of the most important cultural phenomena across these regions.
- El fútbol es muy importante en España.
Football is very important in Spain, indeed. But it is also a very loved sport in other countries like Argentina and Mexico.
Essential soccer terms in Spanish
Now that we have answered the question ‘How do you say football in Spanish?’, let’s dive into some basic soccer terms in Spanish that will help you talk like a true fan.
- un partido de fútbol a football match
- el estadio the stadium
- el equipo the team
- el contrincante the opponent
- el equipo visitante the visiting team
- el equipo local the local team
All of these terms are crucial if you want to keep up with conversations or broadcasts when watching a match with Spanish speakers. Let’s see them in a full sentence:
- Vamos al estadio para ver el partido. We are going to the stadium to watch the match.
- ¿Quién es el equipo visitante? Who is the visiting team?
- ¿De qué equipo eres? What team do you support?
Common phrases for football conversations in Spanish
Here are some handy soccer-related phrases in Spanish that you’ll likely hear or want to use during a match or a conversation about the sport.
- ¿Quién va a ganar? Who is going to win?
- No lo tengo muy claro. I’m not so sure.
- Ese equipo es muy bueno. That team is really good. You’ll use this when commenting on a strong performance.
If you want to know what team they support, you can ask:
- ¿Qué equipo quieres que gane? Which team do you want to win?
- ¿Con qué equipo vas? Which team are you supporting?
- ¿De qué equipo eres? What team do you support?
And your answer can start with:
- Quiero que gane el Real Madrid. I want Real Madrid to win.
- Voy con el América. I support América.
- Yo soy del Nacional. I support Nacional.
In Spain, for instance, you might hear about famous teams like Real Madrid, F.C. Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid. Each of these clubs has a massive following, and fans are passionate about discussing their favourite teams.
In Mexico, we have América, Chivas and Toluca among other important ones, and in Uruguay, the key teams are Nacional and Peñarol. These are some examples, but of course, every country has their own derbies.
Understanding how to say football in Spanish is just the beginning. As you dive deeper into soccer terms in Spanish, you’ll find that there’s a whole world of football culture to explore. In fact, although the answer to ‘How do you say football in Spanish?’ is fairly easy, it starts a very interesting and cultural conversation – the perfect chance to polish your Spanish!
So, next time you watch un partido de fútbol, try using some of these phrases and terms with your Spanish-speaking friends. With practice, you’ll be able to keep up with even the most passionate fútbol discussions!
In our next episode, we continue learning and improving our Spanish skills ,and you shouldn’t miss our next lesson because we’ll cover a lot of interesting phrases and vocabulary that will be handy at the airport. ¡No te lo pierdas!
Lesson 30 – Show Time Spanish – Verano Español
It’s time to return to our telenovela, Verano Español. In this sixth instalment, we’ll find out the latest about what’s happening in the Laura – Ángel – Ramón love triangle, and we’ll also hear if things are still ok between Antonio and Iona after Antonio’s the plumber’s visit! In Act II, Mark will help listeners understand the story by working through a series of questions and answers about what happens in this episode.
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Season 2 – Lesson 20 – Coffee Break French
In this lesson, we check whether Anna has done her homework by taking a look at her diary entry using avoir verbs, être verbs and reflexive verbs. In doing so, we review everything we have covered in Lessons 29-21. Please note that lesson 20 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 60 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.
One Minute Italian – Premium pack now available
We’re delighted to announce the premium version of One Minute Italian. The premium version includes four elements which are not available in the public feed:
- pdf lesson guide – a full list of all the words and phrases contained in each of the lessons, helping you to learn how to read and write the words and phrases contained in the One Minute Italian course;
- enhanced podcasts – enhanced versions of the podcasts which can be played on iPods, iTunes and QuickTime Player, showing synchronised flashcards as you listen to the audio;
- the Take-Off Time podcast – in response to listeners’ requests, we’ve created a special 17-minute recording which brings together all the phrases covered in the ten lessons of One Minute Italian, perfect for loading on to your iPod before you board your flight to Italy;
- the Quick Quiz podcast – test yourself with one minute of translations from Italian to English and one minute of English to Italian, based on the words and phrases contained in the lessons.
The premium materials are available for £10.00 GBP and can be purchased for immediate download. Our new one-click access allows you to download all the premium materials in iTunes with one click, ready to load them straight onto your iPod.
Until 16 August 2009 you can use coupon code SUMMER2009 to get a 20% discount on the premium version of One Minute Italian – just £8.00 GBP. If you need to check what this is in your currency, use the currency convertor on our Pricing page.
If you’re ready to purchase, click here to be taken straight to the One Minute Italian purchase page.
Season 2 – Lesson 19 – Coffee Break French
This week we look at demonstrative adjectives: different ways of saying “this”, “these”, “that” and “those”. We will also have the chance to practise the perfect tense. Please note that lesson 19 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 59 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 29 – Show Time Spanish
In this week’s episode, Alba and Mark are en la cocina, making a Spanish tortilla. The episode is slightly different from our usual episodes as the audio was recorded live in the kitchen rather than in the studio. There’s no “Act II” this week as the conversation follows the entire process of making the tortilla.
Have a look at the photos of our culinary exploits below, and why not try making a tortilla yourself and send us your photos to network [at] radiolingua.com.
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Spanish health vocabulary: essential phrases and symptoms
Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging, especially in specific areas like health. Whether you’re travelling or living in a Spanish-speaking country, knowing basic Spanish health vocabulary can make a big difference when seeking medical help.
In this blog, we’ll cover some essential Spanish health vocabulary that every beginner learner should know. By the end, you’ll feel more confident talking about your health in Spanish!
In the episode, we cover more grammar and vocabulary, so don’t forget to listen to it to expand your knowledge and also to know how to pronounce these useful phrases. ¡Vamos!
Expressing pain in Spanish
One of the most important pieces of knowledge to have in your Spanish health vocabulary is knowing how to explain where you feel pain. In Spanish, there are a few easy-to-remember structures that can help you describe your symptoms.
- Me duele la cabeza. My head hurts.
- Me duelen los pies. My feet hurt.
These simple phrases are incredibly useful, as they allow you to quickly communicate your pain to others. If you are not familiar with how to use this, our previous episode and blog article about me duele… may help you. The best part is that you can combine what you learnt in the previous episode with this new Spanish health vocabulary.
Describing specific types of pain
If you’re experiencing a particular type of pain, you can use the structure tengo dolor de.. I have pain in… Here’s how to describe some common symptoms in Spanish:
- Tengo dolor de cabeza. I have a headache.
- Tengo dolor de estómago. I have a stomachache.
- Tengo dolor de garganta. I have a sore throat.
This structure is very versatile and works for different parts of the body, helping you express discomfort clearly and effectively.
Common symptoms in Spanish
Beyond pain, there are a few other Spanish health vocabulary essentials that you should know. For example:
- Estoy mareado / mareada. I feel dizzy.
If you’re feeling lightheaded or dizzy, this is the phrase to use.
Learning to describe how you’re feeling is a crucial part of Spanish health vocabulary, especially when discussing symptoms. It not only helps you feel more prepared in medical situations but also increases your confidence when communicating in everyday situations.
Asking for medicine at the pharmacy
When you’re at a pharmacy, you might need to ask for specific medication. Knowing how to request medicine in Spanish can save you time and help you get the right treatment.
Here are some useful Spanish health vocabulary phrases that you can use at the pharmacy:
- ¿Tiene algo para la tos? Do you have something for a cough?
- ¿Tiene algo para el estómago? Do you have something for the stomach?
- ¿Tiene algo para la cabeza? Do you have something for a headache?
These simple questions allow you to directly ask for over-the-counter medication that can help with common symptoms.
Types of medication
Once you’ve asked for something to relieve your symptoms, it’s good to know the basic types of medication in Spanish. Here are a few you’ll likely encounter:
- Una pastilla. A pill.
- Un comprimido. A tablet.
- Una crema. A cream.
- Un jarabe. A syrup.
Each of these medications is common in Spanish-speaking countries, so knowing their names can help you understand what the pharmacist is offering.
Learning Spanish health vocabulary and common phrases for symptoms in Spanish is an essential step for beginner learners. Whether you’re travelling or living in a Spanish-speaking country, knowing how to communicate your health needs can make all the difference.
Start with these basic phrases, and soon you’ll feel more comfortable talking about your symptoms and understanding what you need to feel better.
So next time you’re feeling under the weather, don’t hesitate to use phrases like me duele la cabeza or tengo dolor de garganta to describe your symptoms in Spanish. You’ll be on your way to getting the help you need in no time!
We hope you find this Spanish health vocabulary useful, as in our next episode, we will change the topic, but continue to improve your language skills. If you’d like to be able to talk about sports in Spanish, don’t miss it!
Nos vemos, and happy Coffee Breaking!
Lesson 28 – Show Time Spanish
The topic for this week’s episode of Show Time Spanish is food, or tapas in particular. Alba has recently had a bad experience in a tapas restaurant in Scotland, compared with her normal experiences of tapas in Spain. Mark and Alba talk about different tapas and their experience of eating Spanish food in Spain and elsewhere. Language points covered include ojalá, the word cobrar and si clauses. In this week’s intermedio, José introduces a couple of phrases which help you disagree with people emphatically.
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Understanding “no me siento bien” and “estoy enfermo” in Spanish
If you’re just starting to learn Spanish, you’ll quickly realise that knowing how to talk about how you feel is essential. In this blog, we will focus on two common phrases: no me siento bien and estoy enfermo.
So, whether you’re feeling great or under the weather, being able to express this clearly is key to communicating in everyday situations. We’ll also look into other useful expressions to help you talk about sickness or discomfort.
Listen to the podcast version to get the right pronunciation of the phrases we’ll be learning today.
What does “estoy enfermo” mean?
Let’s start with one of the most important phrases: estoy enfermo. This simply means I am sick. It’s used when you’re feeling ill and want to let someone know. If you’re a female speaker, you would say estoy enferma, changing the “o” to “a” to match your gender.
But there’s more than one way to express that you aren’t feeling well. You might also hear people say no me siento bien, which means ‘I don’t feel well’. This is a softer way of saying you’re unwell, and it’s commonly used in everyday conversations. Both phrases can be used depending on how serious your symptoms feel.
Other ways to say “I don’t feel well”
In addition to no me siento bien, there are other ways to express discomfort or sickness. Here are a few key phrases you can use:
- No estoy bien. I am not well.
- No me encuentro bien. I don’t feel well.
The last one might sound a bit formal, but it’s useful in all sorts of situations, especially when explaining how you feel to a doctor or healthcare professional.
Describing pain: “me duele” and “me duelen”
When you’re in pain, you can use the phrases me duele and me duelen to describe where it hurts. Me duele is used when you’re talking about one part of your body that hurts. For example:
- Me duele la cabeza. My head hurts.
- Me duele el brazo. My arm hurts.
Me duelen is used when more than one part of your body hurts. For example:
- Me duelen los pies. My feet hurt.
These phrases are essential when explaining your symptoms, whether you’re talking to a doctor or just letting a friend know you’re uncomfortable.
Asking and answering questions about pain
When talking to someone who is sick, it’s important to know how to ask where they are in pain. You can use the following questions:
- ¿Dónde te duele? Where does it hurt? (Informal)
- ¿Dónde le duele? Where does it hurt? (Formal)
These are great questions to use when checking in on someone who’s feeling unwell. If you’re responding, you can follow up with me duele… or me duelen… to explain your symptoms.
Putting it all together
Let’s say you wake up one day and you’re not feeling well. You might tell a friend:
- No me siento bien. Me duele la cabeza y el estómago. I don’t feel well. My head and stomach hurt.
- Me duele el brazo y me duelen los pies. My arm hurts and my feet hurt.
Knowing how to express discomfort or pain is a crucial part of learning Spanish. Phrases like no me siento bien and estoy enfermo will come in handy whenever you need to talk about how you feel. As you build your vocabulary, try practising these expressions in different situations. That way, the next time you’re feeling under the weather, you’ll have the words you need to explain exactly what’s going on.
So, next time you ask yourself, what does “estoy enfermo” mean, remember that it’s a phrase you’ll likely use often, especially when you’re not feeling your best!
In our next episode, we’ll learn more about vocabulary that we can use at the doctor’s in Spanish, so don’t forget to check it out because it may come in handy!
Muchas gracias and happy Coffee Breaking!
Season 2 – Lesson 18 – Coffee Break French
In this week’s lesson, we take our knowledge of the perfect tense a stage further by looking at reflexive verbs. Please note that lesson 18 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 58 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 10 – One Minute Portuguese
In lesson 10 of One Minute Portuguese you will learn a few useful phrases which all learners want to learn.
Lesson 10 – One Minute Turkish
In lesson 10 of One Minute Turkish you will learn a few useful phrases which all learners want to learn.
Lesson 10 – One Minute Gaelic
In lesson 10 of One Minute Gaelic you will learn a few useful phrases which all learners want to learn.
