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Spanish Word of the Day
| November 28th, 2013 at 8:21:20 PM permalink | |
| Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 241 Posts: 6108 |
That is what I wanted to say, except throw in an "a" between has and fear. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
| November 28th, 2013 at 11:33:56 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
The DRAE says that serpiente refers to large snakes more than 3' long, while "culebra" is a more general term. Both words are from Latin, but "culebra" is of unknown origin, while "serpiente" is from a verb that means "to creep". In Latin the noun included any creepy thing (like lice), but only means snakes in Spanish. As a third example "Las víboras" would be "vipers" in English. |
| November 29th, 2013 at 3:34:36 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 | Is the greeting "Buen Dia" acceptable over "Buenos Dias" at any time in Mexico? |
| November 29th, 2013 at 3:57:24 PM permalink | |
| Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
The first means "good day" the latter "good morning." If you greet someone with buenos días at night, they'll look oddly at you. Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
| November 29th, 2013 at 7:13:39 PM permalink | |
| Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 241 Posts: 6108 | Fecha: 29-11-13 Palabra: Estival Today's SWD means summer, as an adjective. The assignment for the advanced readers is to explain why there is a separate word for summer, when used as an adjective. Ejemplo time. Me gusta las noches estivales. = I like summer nights. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
| November 29th, 2013 at 7:36:51 PM permalink | |
| Nareed Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 346 Posts: 12545 |
Because no one currently alive uses that word? ;)
gustaN Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER |
| November 29th, 2013 at 8:22:37 PM permalink | |
| Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 241 Posts: 6108 |
The translator of La teleraña de Carlota does.
I owe ten push-ups for that one. Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
| November 29th, 2013 at 9:07:19 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
estival is also an English word Another English word is "estivate" = to go into stasis or torpor in the summer months. Surprisingly the word "estival" and "festival" do not appear to be cognates The word "verano" is much older, and is rooted in Proto-Indo European with cognates Ancient Greek , Old Norse , Lithuanian , Sanskrit , Persian , Old Armenian, and Old Church Slavonic. |
| December 1st, 2013 at 5:44:04 PM permalink | |
| Wizard Administrator Member since: Oct 23, 2012 Threads: 241 Posts: 6108 | Fecha: 1-12-13 Palabra: Importunar Today's SWD is a tricky one. You might think it means something like to be important. No. It means to bother/pester. The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast importunar y molestar. Ejemplo time. ¡Gilligan, deja de importunar a Mary Ann! = Gilligan, stop bothering Mary Ann! Knowledge is Good -- Emil Faber |
| December 1st, 2013 at 6:53:28 PM permalink | |
| Pacomartin Member since: Oct 24, 2012 Threads: 1068 Posts: 12569 |
In Spanish "portar" means to bear; to carry; to behave but it is a more formal verb. Everyday usage would usually employ llevar or traer. Etymologically "importunar" in Latin meant the opposite of "portar", so it is "to inconvenience; to interfere; to annoy; etc". It seems to be a synonym of "molestar" but it is a milder one, implying that the doer is not deliberately trying to interfere, but is unaware of how what he is doing. |