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jerezano

Sep 22, 2010, 9:04 AM

Post #51 of 67 (4258 views)

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Re: [peter savoy] Learning to speak Spanish/ a clarification

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Hola a todos,

Una citación:
"Usted" is a much formal and polite way to refer to the second person. The use of "usted" (followed by the verb in third person) It is more convenient when you don`t know the person, especially when he or she is elder than you. It shows respect. Spanish translation services.

Usted (more or less equivalent to your Grace) is followed by the third person SINGULAR verb. He, she, it, usted are all followed by the third person singular verb. Ellos, ellas, los or ellos are all followed by the third person PLURAL verb.

The abbreviation for usted is Ud. for ustedes is Uds. Always capitalized.

Hasta luego, jerezano

(This post was edited by jerezano on Sep 22, 2010, 9:07 AM)

cbviajero

Sep 24, 2010, 10:18 AM

Post #52 of 67 (4212 views)

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Re: [barmarr] Learning to speak Spanish

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I enjoy learning spanish as its spoken here in mexico but it can be tough sometimes,example I went to the tlaperia the other day to buy an electrical junction box,some wire nuts and a toilet flapper,after explaining to the owner what I wanted he replied oh you want a chalupa,trompitas and a zapo which I believe translate to small boat,small mouth or lips and a frog,sure enough he brought out exactly what I wanted.
Also when they throw in some nuahatl words communly used by non nauhatl speakers it gets interesting .
Anyway it keeps my brain exercised.

La Isla

Sep 24, 2010, 10:30 AM

Post #53 of 67 (4207 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] Learning to speak Spanish

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Do you live in a town where Nahuatl is spoken? Interesting . . .

Peter

Sep 24, 2010, 10:52 AM

Post #54 of 67 (4205 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] Learning to speak Spanish

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Thanks for that. I knew from buying chalupas before but wasn't sure how to ask for the other items, and I probably will need to very soon. As long as I don't cross it up and ask for a rana for the toilet stopper I should be OK. Might give him a chuckle though.

cbviajero

Sep 24, 2010, 11:26 AM

Post #55 of 67 (4199 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Learning to speak Spanish

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I live in guadalajara but I´ve heard words like esquinkle and achichinkle spoken on the street and in movies,I could be wrong but I think they are from nahautl,translated child and helper or assistant,among others.
I have a small paperback called dichos,dicharachos and refranes mexicanos,I bought it at soriana so it should be available i really enjoyed it.

cbviajero

Sep 24, 2010, 11:34 AM

Post #56 of 67 (4197 views)

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Re: [Peter] Learning to speak Spanish

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One of the nice things about mexicans is their tolerance for gringo spanish,he would get a chuckle but you would get your part.

La Isla

Sep 24, 2010, 11:41 AM

Post #57 of 67 (4189 views)

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Re: [Peter] Learning to speak Spanish

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. . . a zapo which I believe translate ~~to . . . a frog, . . .~~

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As long as I don't cross it up and ask for a rana for the toilet stopper . . .

Actually, a sapo is a toad, hence Peter's little joke about asking for a rana, which is a frog. Must get those terms for amphibians straight (: !

(This post was edited by La Isla on Sep 24, 2010, 11:45 AM)

La Isla

Sep 24, 2010, 11:51 AM

Post #58 of 67 (4187 views)

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Re: [cbviajero] Learning to speak Spanish

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Mexican Spanish is chock full of words adapted from Nahuatl. Besides esquintle, let's not forget tomate, aguacate, cuate, chocolate, chapulín and coyote. Here's a link listing many more: http://www.mexica.net/nahuatl/nahuawds.html .

cbviajero

Sep 24, 2010, 11:53 AM

Post #59 of 67 (4186 views)

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