Spanish Word of the Day

Fecha: 1-6-14
Palabra: Empinar

Today's SWD means to raise.

The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast empinar, subir, y levantar.

For extra credit, confirm or deny a common etymology between empinada (steep) and the thing people eat in Argentina, which I would call a "hot pocket" in English.

Ejemplo time.

Empine la mano si tiene un pregunta. = Raise your hand if you have a question.

Note the imperative form of the verb and remember that body parts are never possessive in Spanish.

Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means to raise.

No one uses it like that. The definitions more commonly used are:

2. tr. Inclinar mucho el vaso, el jarro, la bota, etc., para beber, levantando en alto la vasija. (*)

3. tr. coloq. Beber mucho, especialmente vino.(**)

Quote:

For extra credit, confirm or deny a common etymology between empinada (steep) and the thing people eat in Argentina, which I would call a "hot pocket" in English.

empAnada

Quote:

Empine la mano si tiene un pregunta. = Raise your hand if you have a question.

I'm sorry, that would just get you laughs if you attempted it in real life ;)

(*) Typical of dictionary writers not to use a more common drinking vessel, like taza, in their example.

(**) Whenever you see "vino" in such cases, it means "alcohol." Hardly anyone ever gets drunk on wine anymore. We're not living in the past ;)

Fecha: 2-6-14
Palabra: castañetear

Today's SWD means to chatter.

The assignment for the advanced readers (and I think I know the answer) is to confirm of deny a common etymology with castañuelas (castanets).

Los dientes castañetean cuando estoy frio. = My teeth chatter when I'm cold.

Quote: Wizard

The assignment for the advanced readers (and I think I know the answer) is to confirm of deny a common etymology with castañuelas (castanets).
Los dientes castañetean cuando estoy frio. = My teeth chatter when I'm cold.

Me castañeteaban los dientes cuando tengo frío.

I think the first part of your sentence is also correct, but the final two words are certainly wrong.



You could say both words come from castañas (Chestnuts).

Quote: Pacomartin

but the final two words are certainly wrong.

You're absolutely right. It is a hard concept to sink in that Spanish you're not cold but you have cold.

I owe 20 push-ups for one.

Quote: Wizard

You're absolutely right. It is a hard concept to sink in that Spanish you're not cold but you have cold.

I owe 20 push-ups for one.

Well "am, are, is, was, be, been, being" is so common a verb that we forget it is a synthesis of several different verbs and concepts that simply occurred a long time. Similarly "have" is based on an Old English verb and now incorporates multiple concepts.

While we frequently translate "tener" as "to have" in some cases it is easier to think of "to possess"
To possess an object.
To possess a condition or quality.

The verb can also mean "to contain" as in "this glass contains marbles"- Este vaso tiene las mármoles. We would be hard pressed to translate that sentence with "to have".

¡Feliz día de Australia Occidental todos! = Happy Western Australia day everybody!

Fecha: 3-6-14
Palabra: Anhelar

Today's SWD means to long for/crave.

The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast anhelar y desear.

Ejemplo time.

Anhelo la carne mechada de Alice. = I crave Alice's meatloaf.



D.E.P. Ann B. Davis

Quote: Pacomartin

Me castañeteaban los dientes cuando tengo frío.

Yes, but you're mixing tenses and saying "My teeth chattered when I am cold."

Quote: Wizard

Fecha: 2-6-14
Palabra: castañetear

Once again, previously unknown word.

I'm beginning to regret advising you to read in Spanish...

Now, I swear there is a more common term for the chattering of teeth, but for the life of me I can't recall what it is. Of course, weather being what it is, you don't get that cold very often in places where Spanish is the dominant language.

The more common term for denoting someone is cold is "temblando de frio."

Quote: Nareed

Once again, previously unknown word.

The translator of Despereux would disagree with you.