RÍO SPANISH BLOG

Ready for the DELE? Test your Spanish Level now with Río Spanish School in Malta!

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:00:23 GMT

19 feb 2025

Ana del Río, Spanish teacher

Ready for the DELE? Test your Spanish Level now with Río Spanish School in Malta!

If you’re thinking about obtaining an official Spanish certificate, the Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) is the best option. But before registering for the exam, it’s essential to know your level.

At Río Spanish School - Malta , we’ve created a free online placement test to help you assess your Spanish proficiency and guide you in preparing for the DELE exam.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This test only evaluates your grammar knowledge. To fully assess your level, it’s important to practice listening, writing, and speaking skills as well. In Río Spanish School - Malta we can help you to reach a higher level and pass the DELE exams!

Why Take Our Spanish Placement Test?

✅ It’s free and quick – In just a few minutes, you’ll know your approximate level.

✅ It helps you prepare for the DELE – If you want to obtain the official diploma from the Instituto Cervantes, this test will serve as a reference.

✅ You’ll receive personalized advice – Based on your results, we’ll recommend the right course to help you improve and pass the exam.

Take Your Spanish Grammar Test Now and Prepare for the DELE!

If you want to take the DELE exam, the first step is to determine your level. The Spanish teachers of Río Spanish School Malta will guide you through this process and help you reach your goal.

DELE Exam Levels: W hat can you do at each one ?

The DELE exam certifies six Spanish levels, from A1 to C2. Each test evaluates reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and speaking/interaction skills. Here’s what each level means:

DELE A1 & A2 (Basic User)

�� With DELE A1, you can communicate in everyday situations, introduce yourself, and understand basic phrases.

�� DELE A2 proves that you can talk about your family, work, shopping, and describe past events with simple structures.

If you score at this level in our test, we can help you gain fluency and confidence to move up to the intermediate level.

DELE B1 & B2 (Independent User)

�� With DELE B1, you can describe experiences, express opinions, and handle common situations while traveling.

�� DELE B2 certifies that you can communicate fluently, understand complex texts, and argue your ideas clearly.

If your result is B1 or B2, we can help you refine your grammar and improve your oral and written expression to reach an advanced level.

DELE C1 & C2 (Advanced & Proficient User)

�� With DELE C1, you can express yourself naturally in any context, understand specialized texts, and communicate effortlessly.

�� DELE C2 is the highest level and certifies near-native proficiency in Spanish, with great precision and linguistic richness.

Have questions or need more information?

Don't hesitate to reach out to us! At Río Spanish School Malta , we're here to guide you every step of the way in your Spanish learning journey. Whether you're preparing for the DELE exam or simply want to improve your skills, our team is ready to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today, and let’s start working together to make your Spanish dreams a reality!

Why prepare for the DELE exams with Río Spanish School in Malta?

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:21:44 GMT

7 jan 2025

Ana del Río, Spanish teacher

Why prepare for the DELE Exams with Río Spanish School in Malta?

Are you thinking of certifying your Spanish skills? The DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) exams are internationally recognized qualifications that can boost your career, open doors to academic opportunities, or simply prove your Spanish proficiency. At Río Spanish School in Malta, we’re here to make sure you succeed—and we’re proud to say we have a 100% pass rate! Here’s why preparing with us is a great idea.

What Are the DELE Exams?

The DELE exams are official Spanish language certifications, offered by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain’s Ministry of Education. These diplomas are available for all levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient), and test your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in real-life situations. Recognized worldwide, DELE diplomas are perfect for work, study, or personal achievement.

What is your Spanish level?

Want to know your Spanish level? At Río Spanish School - Malta, we make it easy for you! Take our free placement test and find out in just a few minutes which course is perfect for you. Start today and boost your learning with confidence!

Why Prepare with Río Spanish School in Malta?

100% Success Rate

Every single student who has prepared for the DELE with Río Spanish School in Malta has passed! This speaks volumes about our effective teaching methods and dedicated support.

Experienced Teachers

Our friendly and certified Spanish teachers are DELE experts. They know the exam format inside out and will guide you through each section with tips, practice, and encouragement.

Tailored Preparation

Whether you’re aiming for an A2 certificate for work permits or a C1 diploma for academic goals, our courses are designed to suit your level and objectives. We focus on your strengths and help you improve in areas where you need more confidence.

Practical Exam Practice

You’ll practice with real DELE exam materials to ensure you’re fully prepared. Mock exams and personalized feedback will help you feel confident and ready for the test.

Who Can Benefit from the DELE?

Students : At Río Spanish School, we help students meet university language requirements or earn academic credits by providing tailored preparation and expert guidance. Achieve your academic goals with our support!

Professionals : Add a valuable certification to your CV and boost your career prospects. Our focused training helps professionals gain the confidence and skills they need to succeed in the workplace and beyond.

Travelers and Expats : Whether you need a language certificate for visa purposes or simply want to enrich your experiences abroad, our personalized approach at Río Spanish School in Malta ensures you’ll master the Spanish skills you need for real-world situations.

Ready to join the growing list of successful DELE students?

At Río Spanish School, we’ll help you achieve your goals with personalized attention and proven results.

Contact us today and start your DELE journey with Río Spanish School in Malta!

Speak like a native: expressions with por and para

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 09:34:03 GMT

24 sep 2024

Ana del Río

Speak like a native: i dioms with por and para

The use of the prepositions por and para can be tricky for ELE students. That’s why, at Río Spanish School , we’ve created a whole lesson unit dedicated to this topic. Furthermore, since these two prepositions are so commonly used, it’s natural that they appear in many idioms and sayings .

We hope that this article will be useful for both Spanish students and teachers. If you can think of any other expression, tell us in the comments section:

1. No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy - Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today

This expression encourages people not to postpone tasks or responsibilities. It implies that it’s better to get things done sooner rather than procrastinating.

- Pero mamááá… Estoy cansado… No quiero hacer los deberes hoy, los puedo hacer el fin de semana.

- De eso nada, no dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

2. No estar para bromas - Not in the mood for jokes

This is used when someone doesn’t have the humor or patience to tolerate jokes or light comments, usually because they’re upset or worried.

- ¿Quiere que te cuente un chiste?

- ¡Ya te he dicho que no estoy para bromas! Tengo un montón de trabajo y un examen mañana.

3. Estar para el arrastre - To be worn out

This is said when someone is extremely tired or exhausted, both physically and mentally.

- ¿Qué tal te fue en el entrenamiento?

- Uf, estoy para el arrastre... El entrenador nos hizo correr como nunca.

4. Pasar por el aro - To jump through hoops

This idiom refers to accepting something you don’t want or submitting to a situation or condition imposed by someone else, often with resignation.

- ¿Vas a trabajar este fin de semana también?

- No quiero, pero si el jefe insiste, tendré que pasar por el aro y hacerlo.

5. Coger el toro por los cuernos - To take the bull by the horns

It means facing a difficult or problematic situation with courage and determination, without avoiding or postponing it.

- La situación con los clientes se está complicando mucho.

- Tienes razón, pero es hora de coger el toro por los cuernos y buscar una solución.

6. Por la boca muere el pez - Loose lips sink ships

This saying teaches that people often harm themselves by talking too much or revealing information they shouldn’t.

- ¿Sabías que despidieron a Juan?

- Sí, le dijo al jefe que su proyecto era una pérdida de tiempo... Ya sabes, por la boca muere el pez.

Does the fish die because of its mouth? Or maybe it drowns for not saying what it thinks...? Are we better off staying quiet or saying the first thing that comes to mind?"

7. Hablar hasta por los codos - To talk someone's ear off

This is used to describe someone who talks excessively, often without stopping or letting others speak.

- ¿Cómo te fue en la reunión?

- ¡Fatal! Paco habló hasta por los codos, no me dejó ni presentar mis ideas.

8. Tirar la casa por la ventana - To spare no expense

It refers to spending a lot of money or going all out, usually to celebrate something in a special way.

- ¿Has oído que María va a hacer una fiesta enorme por su cumpleaños?

- Sí, va a tirar la casa por la ventana. Está planeando una fiesta increíble.

This expression originated in the 18th century, during the reign of Charles III in Spain. When someone won the lottery, they would throw old furniture or household items out of the window as a sign that they could afford to replace them with new ones, having received a large sum of money. Literally, the lucky winners would "throw the house out the window" as a symbol of abundance.

9. Irse por las ramas - To go off on a tangent

This idiom is used when someone starts talking about irrelevant topics or strays from the main point in a conversation.

- ¿Qué tal la clase de literatura?

- Bien, pero el profesor se fue por las ramas hablando de sus vacaciones en España…

10. Como Pedro por su casa - Like a fish in water

This expression is used to describe someone who feels very comfortable in a place or situation, as if they were in their own home.

- ¿Cómo sabes dónde están todas las obras del Museo del Prado?

- He pasado tantas horas allí que me muevo como Pedro por su casa.

Do you know any other expression with por and para ?

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn this expressions, check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Halloween and Samaín: tradition or trend?

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:00:59 GMT

11 sep 2024

Ana del Río

Halloween and Samaín: tradition or trend?

We are approaching the next significant date on the commercial calendar, Halloween, and in Río Spanish School we do not want to miss the opportunity to explain the traditions and customs associated with these dates in Spain to our students.

Traditionally, in Galicia and Asturias, Samaín , the festival equivalent to Halloween , was celebrated as a time to honor the dead and prepare the home for the arrival of winter. However, in recent decades, the celebration has undergone a significant transformation due to Anglo-Saxon influence.

As a reaction to this foreign intrusion, many are trying to reclaim the authentic Samaín. Yet, it is crucial to ask ourselves to what extent the modern version of Samaín celebrated today truly reflects traditional practices.

The convergence of Halloween and Samaín in the commercial realm is evident . While Halloween has become a global celebration with a strong commercial component, Samaín has also been adapted to fit into the framework of festivals that attract tourists and consumers. This commercialization raises questions about cultural authenticity: are we preserving traditions or merely adapting them for mass consumption?

In this context, it is not difficult to find manifestations of contemporary fascination with anything considered Celtic culture in relation to Samaín: fairs, markets, music, and all sorts of products. The popular imagination about the Celts, with its romantic and mystical view, characterized by druids, rituals, and a deep respect for nature, is perhaps reconstructed and adapted from a modern perspective, distanced from historical reality.

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about this topic in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

My mobile phone has been stolen!

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 16:31:23 GMT

26 march 2024

Ana del Río

My mobile phone has been stolen!

Barcelona , the vibrant Catalan city, is known for its impressive architecture, sunny beaches, and lively nightlife. However, it's also important to be aware of a problem that affects many residents and visitors: mobile phone theft . In this bustling metropolis, pickpockets - carteristas - lurk in crowded places, ready to take advantage of any lapse in attention.

After receiving some action-packed stories from our students at Río Spanish School who have been affected by mobile phone theft in Barcelona, we've decided to create educational materials to better understand the issue, learn the vocabulary, and practice scenarios that could arise at any moment: "My phone has been stolen!"

Pickpockets are experts in the art of theft - hurto -. They blend in with the crowds, seeking opportunities to slip stealthily and snatch valuables from unsuspecting pockets. Tourists, in particular, can be easy targets, as they are often distracted admiring the wonders of the city and may neglect the security of their belongings. A police colleague explains to us that " The best thing that can happen to you in a robbery is not even realizing that it has occurred ."

Citizen patrols - patrullas ciudadanas - have also been a subject of debate in Barcelona. Some question their effectiveness and legality, arguing that their presence could lead to unnecessary tensions or even conflicts. Additionally, there are concerns about the training and supervision of these patrols, suggesting the possibility that they may act more like improvised vigilantes than a legitimate complement to law enforcement.

We invite all readers of Río Spanish School to share their opinions and experiences related to mobile phone theft in Barcelona. Have you been a victim of theft or witnessed any suspicious situations? What measures do you take to protect your belongings in crowded places? Your voice is important in this debate. Feel free to leave your comments and contribute to this conversation!

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about this topic in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Lost in translation: false friends

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:23:08 GMT

20 sept 2023

Ana d el Río

Lost in Translation: False Friends

Welcome to another exciting chapter in your journey to mastering the beautiful Spanish language! In today's blog post, we're diving into a fascinating linguistic phenomenon: false friends. These linguistic traps can bewilder even the most seasoned learners, but fear not! Río Spanish School is here to shed light on this quirky aspect of language learning.

False friends, or "falsos amigos" in Spanish, are words that seem deceptively familiar in two languages but hold entirely different meanings. These linguistic doppelgangers can lead to hilarious misunderstandings if not navigated carefully. Imagine casually using the word "embarazada" in Spanish, thinking it refers to embarrassment, only to discover it actually means "pregnant"! Quite the mix-up, right?

Turning False Friends into True Allies:

Rather than seeing false friends as mere obstacles, embrace them as opportunities to deepen your understanding of the Spanish language. Each linguistic curveball you encounter is a step towards becoming a more confident and nuanced speaker. Remember, even native speakers stumble upon these linguistic tricks from time to time!

In this blog post, we'll uncover some of the most intriguing false friends. Have you ever found yourself caught in the web of a false friend, leading to an unintended linguistic mishap? After reading this post, you'll be well-equipped to steer clear of these language pitfalls:

Share these "falsos amigos" with your classmates!

Are you hungry for more examples of false friends? If you're eager to explore additional intriguing instances where languages play tricks on us, drop your requests in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you and delve into even more false friends in our upcoming blog post.

Stay tuned for Part Two of our False Friends series . Let's unravel the mysteries of language together!

At Río Spanish School - Malta we're passionate about guiding you through every twist and turn of language learning. Embracing the world of false friends is just one of the many exciting challenges you'll conquer on your path to Spanish fluency. Join our vibrant community of learners today and let's unravel the mysteries of language together. ¡Vamos a aprender!

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about religious expressions in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

How to use diminutives in Spanish

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 19:08:16 GMT

31 march 2023

Ana del Río

How to use diminutives in Spanish

At Río Spanish School, in addition to teaching grammar or vocabulary, we show our students how the real spoken Spanish sound. One of the most practical and used resources in Spanish is the use of diminutives .

The main and best-known function of the diminutives in Spanish is dimensional, that is, to explain that something has a small size:

- Excuse me, can you bring me a beer, please?

This person is ordering a small size beer, probably a half pint. As we can see in the following image, the form of the diminutive varies according to the geographical area . On this occasion, we will focus on Spain and we will not pretend to be exhaustive, since there are many local variants. Write in comments which is the most common in your town!

In addition to reducing the size, the suffix can express other types of qualities, such as affection . In the following example, we can see how a Galician emigrant uses the diminutive to express the affection he feels for Galicia, his land:

- ¿Qué tienes pensado hacer este verano?

- Iremos a la Tierriña, nos apetece sentirnos en casa.

It is also very common to use the diminutive to sound nicer or cuter . If you travel to Galicia, wherever you go you will hear the diminutive of thanks: graciñas .

Many times, we use the diminutive to intensify a quality , although this seems contradictory. Look at the following example and notice how the movie was really long for that person:

- ¿Te ha gustado la película?

- Bueno... Era larguilla eh. Casi tres horas...

Another very curious use is that of irony , when we want to express the opposite of what we are saying.

- Se te olvidó comentarme un detallito sin importancia...

For this person, that detail was important, perhaps he was the only person in a costume at a party or at work on Carnival day.

Finally, today we will highlight another use of the diminutive, which is derogatory and which is usually associated with quite fixed expressions. For example:

- Este programa de famosillos es malísimo, ojalá lo cancelen pronto.

Whoever uses the word famosillo does so with the intention of accentuating what appears to be a lack of justice, since these people should not be famous and, furthermore, if they are, it is not for a good reason.

We encourage you to incorporate the use of diminutives to make your Spanish sound more natural and speak with a true native.

Explore our shop to find many teaching materials :

Spanish slang about love

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 12:08:20 GMT

11 october 2022

Ana del Río

Spanish slang about love

Many of our students have decided to study Spanish because they are in love -estar enamorado, or in slang, estar pillado- with a Spanish speaker, and since at Río Spanish School we always try to adapt to the needs of our students, we have designed a didactic unit on street talk in Spanish, which includes a lots of expressions about love . In this way, our students will sound more natural when talking about their relationships, especially if they are young.

1. Terms of endearment: how to call your crush?

We have multiple options and each couple chooses those names they prefer. Perhaps one of the most common is cariño which can be translated as honey and its abbreviation, cari , but we have something for all tastes:

Mi amor-my love or simply amor (and its derivatives, amorcito, amorín...), corazón-heart, churri, cuchi, cosa-thing (cosita - little thing), vida-life, gordi-fatty, bicho-bug (bichito, bichi), peque-small…

- Cari, ¿te apetece una cenita romántica?

- Claro que sí, mi amor.

2. Pillarse por alguien - To fall for somebody

But before a relationship begins, there is the moment of falling in love, enamorarse , or colloquially, pillarse por alguien .

- ¿Te gusta mucho Felipe, eh?

- Sí, estoy pilladísima.

3. Liarse con alguien - Get involve with somebody

If you are lucky and you are reciprocated, maybe the time for physical contact will come with that special person.

- Tía, tengo que contarte una cosa. Ayer después de la fiesta, me lie con Marta.

- ¿En serio? ¡Me alegro por vosotras!

4. Hacer la cobra a alguien - Reject a kiss

But perhaps, you are not so lucky and someone rejects you, that is, hacer la cobra . This expression refers to the gesture of this animal, such as when we suddenly back down to avoid an unwanted kiss .

- Creí que la cita había ido muy bien, pero al final Carlos me hizo la cobra.

- Bueno, ya encontrarás a alguien que esté interesado en ti.

5. Pasar de alguien - To take no notice of

It can also happen that things don't go very well and that in the end, the person you like so much ends up ignoring you, that is, pasar de alguien .

- ¿No vas a ver a Juan hoy?

- No… Lleva pasando de mí dos semanas.

6. Cortar con alguien - Break up with someone

If that person was definitely not what you thought you were and you no longer want to spend time with them, you will have to make the decision to end the relationship.

- ¿Qué te pasa? Te veo un poco triste.

- Ya… Es que Marcos ha cortado conmigo.

Do you know any other expression related to love ? Write it in comments!

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about being late in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching materials available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Religious expressions in Spanish

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:06:13 GMT

11 abril 2022

Ana del Río

Religious expressions in Spanish

As Lorenzo Rubio González explains in Religious Topics in Colloquial Spanish , the familiarity of Spaniards with religion leaves many foreigners dumbfounded . And it is that we Spaniards have grown up surrounded by the Catholic Christian culture and, as is natural, it has impregnated the language with hundreds of expressions that have crystallized in the collective imagination.

The second commandment that says " you shall not use the name of God in vain " seems totally useless to the Spanish Catholic, who almost never uses it in any other way. But trust goes further and the Spanish use the nomenclature of religion for the most profane of situations.

Without discussing the correction of this linguistic and social behaviour, it must be admitted that the religious feeling of many generations has been represented in expressions that the people use in their day-to-day lives , in very different contexts and tones, perhaps even due to force of custom, already losing the primitive religious feeling that our grandmothers invoked when using them.

At Río Spanish School , we believe in sharing with our students not only the grammar of our language, but also going one step further, bringing our culture closer . We are in Easter and there can be no better occasion to immerse ourselves in the wonderful world of religious idioms.

On this occasion, we are going to review the expressions formed through comparisons . Attention:

1. Estar más contento que unas pascuas

To begin with, what better than this expression, literally, happier than Easter, referring to the happiness felt by Catholics who follow these festivities, which in Spain are celebrated in style. Many people dedicate themselves body and soul to the preparation of the processions and other religious acts that take place during these dates.

- Mi hermana está más contenta que unas pascuas en su nuevo trabajo.

2. Ser más bueno que un santo

If we talk about goodness, we have this expression that is not difficult to understand: to be more good than a saint.

- Todos se aprovechan de él porque es más bueno que un santo

3. Ser más malo que el demonio

And on the contrary, whoever exudes evil from all his pores is said to be more evil than a demon.

- El antiguo dueño de Blacky dijo que era más malo que el demonio, pero en realidad es un perro buenísimo.

4. Llorar como una Magdalena

We use the expression “cry like a Magdalena” -not like a cupcake-, to refer to someone crying a lot or inconsolably. This phrase refers to Mary Magdalene, a biblical character saved by Jesus from being stoned when she was accused of adultery (according to the Gospel of John) and who was present during the crucifixion, weeping bitterly over the death of the Messiah.

- Cuando se despidió de sus amigos, lloró como una Magdalena.

Magdalena penitente (1635-1640) José de Ribera, Museo del Prado (Madrid)

5. Ser más papista que el Papa

Dedicate this expression to the one who acts like a fan and unconditionally supports someone or something, becoming more papist than the pope.

- Luis votará siempre al mismo partido, es más papista que el Papa.

6. Tener más paciencia que un santo

Language teachers usually have this quality, essential to explain for the thirtieth time the past tense to our students. In English, to have the patience of a saint.

- Nuestro profe tiene más paciencia que un santo, nos repite lo que necesitemos sin protestar.

7. Ser más falso que Judas

You can dedicate this expression referring to Judas, the biblical character known for his betrayals, to the one who is a double-faced.

- María les contó a todos mi secreto, es más falsa que Judas.

El beso de Judas (2010), Botero, Museo de Antioquia ( Medellín)

8. Hacer algo como Dios manda

This expression is used to explain that something must be done correctly, exactly, as it should.

- Tienes que aprender a conducir como Dios manda para no tener accidentes.

Enough of comparisons, there are many other religious expressions that deserve our attention. Look how curious:

9. La procesión va por dentro

We have to know that Easter processions are an open and public demonstration of religiosity. This expression, that literally means the procession goes inside, means that someone is going through a bad time and is suffering because of it, but it does not say anything, keep the things inside or put on a brave face.

- A Susana no le ha afectado para nada la ruptura.

- Sí le ha afectado, sí, pero la procesión va por dentro.

10. Estar pasando un calvario

This idiom refers to the Passion of Christ, who was crucified on Mount Calvary and refers to suffering hardships and misfortunes.

- Desde que empezó la carrera de Medicina, está pasando un calvario: no le gusta nada.

11. Meter el dedo en la llaga

Once Jesus was resurrected, Saint Thomas, not believing in the resurrection, touched his wounds to see that it really was Jesus. Nowadays it is used to refer to a person who insist in a damage caused or a rough topic, which has left psychological or sentimental consequences.

- Claro, tú como no trabajas, no tienes que levantarte temprano.

- Oye, no metas el dedo en la llaga, que estoy muy preocupada desde que perdí mi empleo.

La incredulidad de Santo Tomás, principios siglo XII, Monasterio de Silos (Burgos)

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about religious expressions in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Expressions about work in Spanish

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 10:40:58 GMT

21 febrero 2022

Ana del Río

Expressions about work in Spanish

Many of my Spanish students end up moving to Spain and working in Spanish companies. For this reason, at Río Spanish School - Malta we have designed specific teaching materials for business . As an example of this, we want to share with all of you a series of expressions related to work that will be very useful to you.

Remember that idiomatic expressions sometimes do not have a literal translation, so it may cost a little more to include them in our mental lexicon. But even like this, can be helpful to translate them. One more trick is to become familiar with its origin , as it will allow you to understand the expression and remember it more easily.

We hope that this article will be useful for both Spanish students and teachers. If you can think of any other expression, tell us in the comments section.

Let's start with the first group of expressions, which refers to those that mean to work hard :

1. Trabajar de sol a sol

The first expression is not difficult to understand. In English it can be translated as from sunrise to sunset or from dawn to dusk and it means working long hours.

- Cuando mi abuelo era joven, trabajaba de sol a sol en el campo.

2. Trabajar como un burro

The literal traslation is to work like a donkey. Traditionally, the donkey was the animal used to carry heavy loads. The expression derives from this hard work.

- Esta semana hemos trabajado como burros para entregar el proyecto a tiempo.

3. Dar el callo

Callo, from the Latin callus , is a mass of meat that has hardened by continuous rubbing or pressure, especially on the hands and feet. As peasants and workers and, in general, anyone who does repetitive manual work, often get calluses from the repeated use of their tools, calluses are assimilated to work. The more work and the harder, the more calluses.

- La empresa ha decidido ascenderte gracias a haber dado el callo durante los últimos meses tan difíciles por los que hemos pasado.

4. Partirse el lom o

The loin is the back of the animal, so we can understand that Splitting the loin -to break your back-, means working with a lot of effort, until exhaustion, trying harder than the body resists. In English, there is a similar expression to break your neck .

- Mi madre se partió el lomo, trabajando día y noche, para sacarnos adelante.

5. Trabajar a destajo

Originally, it referred to a fixed payment for a given job, without taking into account the time spent. This means that you are not paid for the hours used, but for the final product, and can be very disadvantageous. Nowadays, in Spain it refers to working hard and very fast.

- Cuando empiezas una empresa tienes que trabajar a destajo.

6. Trabajar como un negro

In recent years, the removal of this expression from the dictionary of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language (RAE) has been claimed, as it is considered racist. There is even a version of this expression that continues “Work like a black to live like a white”. As Spanish teachers, we know that words create realities, and that the more they are repeated, the more real they become. For this reason, although it is advisable to show these types of expressions to our students, and you students should know them, it is the responsibility of each one to understand that their use contributes to perpetuating discrimination.

- Joe, llevo trabajando como un negro todo el día.

- Perdona, siento que estés cansado pero esa expresión es muy ofensiva. ¿Te importa no usarla delante de mí? Gracias

- ¡Ah! Perdona, no lo sabía. Claro, ahora lo entiendo perfectamente.

Now, we are going to learn two expressions of similar origin and that mean teamwork :

7. Trabajar codo con codo

In this case we are lucky because in English there is an almost identical expression: to work elbow to elbow …

And in the same way, it means working as a team.

- Carlos y yo hemos trabajado codo con codo los últimos tres años para sacar adelante nuestro proyecto.

8. Arrimar el hombro

With a very similar origin to the previous one, both related to the field, a rrimar el hombro can be literally translated as to approach the shoulder , and as you can imagine, it means to help, to help out or to lend a hand.

- Todos empleados arrimaron el hombro cuando vinieron los clientes.

In 2021, Ikea launched an advertising campaign, "Arrimar el hombro", in relation to the importance of helping each other in times of pandemic.

In Spanish, we also have expressions that mean to fire someone from work :

9. Poner de patitas en la calle

This expression alludes to the gesture of throwing a puppy out of a place, so that it falls on its legs. This expression already appears in the Vocabulary of sayings and proverbial phrases by Gonzalo Corras, in 1627.

10. Echar a la calle

A very similar expression is Echar a la calle , literally to throw someone to the street.

- Cuando empezó la pandemia nos pusieron de patitas en la calle.

- Si sigues así te van a acabar echando.

To finish, there are other five expressions related to the world of work, which are widely used:

11. Hacer un negocio redondo

The sense of perfection that the circular figure gives is not exclusive to business, but is also used in other contexts. Although, the expression hacer un negocio redondo, (to do a round business) is very common, which means that a very advantageous deal has been made.

- He vendido el coche y me han dado un descuento para comprar otro, ha sido un negocio redondo.

12. Tener enchufe

We have all come across a colleague who has a plug, which is the literal traslation of "tiene enchufe". It is about a well-connected person who gets a job because of those good connections, hence the reference to the plug or socket.

- ¿Cómo es posible que hayan ascendido a Pedro? ¡Pero si no sabe hacer su trabajo!

- Es que es el sobrino del dueño, ¿no lo sabías? Está enchufadísimo.

13. Por amor al arte

This expression refers to the one who performs a task without the objective of being paid for it, but for the pleasure he gets from doing it. We already know that being an artist is a very complicated job and that many times, unfortunately, no compensation is obtained. That is why it is very common to use it in the following way:

- Jefe, no he recibido el pago de las horas extras de febrero.

- ¿Horas extras? Aquí no existen las horas extras.

- ¿Cómo que no? ¿Se cree que trabajo por amor al arte?

14. Ponerse manos a la obra

This very common expression refers to starting to do a job, using the figure of using your hands to do the work in question.

- ¿Tenemos los planes claros? ¡Pues vamos a ponernos manos a la obra!

15. Cortar el bacalao

The origin of this expression, which is used to designate the person in charge in a given situation, dates back to the 16th century, when the consumption of salted cod began to become popular in Spain. The task of butchering the cod, cortar el bacalao , requires experience and knowledge, so the person in charge will be the boss.

- Nosotros no podemos tomar esa decisión, llama al Director de Ventas que es quien corta el bacalao en esta empresa.

Do you know any other expression related to work?

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about work in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

You can also practise a job interview here!

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Spanish expressions about being late

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 09:22:34 GMT

21 enero 2022

Ana del Río

Expressions about being late
in Spanish

As we have been able to verify after our last post, Are spaniards always late? , there is a great debate on the issue facing those who defend the veracity of the stereotype, with those who defend themselves as Spaniards and punctual.

What is clear is that the Spanish language has several expressions related to punctuality and our goal at Río Spanish School - Malta is for our students to know, understand and use them in their daily lives.

Continue reading to discover four expressions related to being late in Spanish :

1. Te va a pillar el toro

Literally means the bull is going to catch you, but figuratively, we can understand that you are running out of time or you are reaching a deadline. Look at this example:

- ¿A qué hora tienes que entregar el proyecto?

- A las cinco.

- Pues date prisa porque te va a pillar el toro.

2. Más vale tarde que nunca

Exactly the same as in English, better late than never , this expression does not need too much explanation:

- Hoy me he disculpado con mi exmarido por haberle engañado.

- ¡Pero si ya han pasado diez años!

- Bueno…Más vale tarde que nunca.

3. ¡Nos van a dar las uvas!

If you follow this blog, you already know that in Spain we have the curious tradition of eating twelve grapes at twelve o'clock on New Year's Eve and hence the expression; it is said to the one who is taking too long to do something:

- Paco, ¿dónde estás?

- Estoy llegando, no tardo nada.

- Date prisa, que llegamos tarde. ¡Al final nos van a dar las uvas!

4. Vísteme despacio, que tengo prisa

Literally, we can translate it like this: "dress me slowly, I'm in a hurry". The meaning is that it's better to do it well, even if slowly, than badly and quickly.

We all know that the more we are in a hurry, the more disastrous we become: you will stain your shirt with coffee, you will forget your mobile or your car keys at home and you will end up wasting a lot of time. This expression encourages us to think and act more slowly, because although it seems that it takes longer, in the end it will compensate.

- ¡Venga, rápido! ¡Que llegamos tarde!

- Shh, Me estás estresando. Vísteme despacio, que tengo prisa.

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about being late in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Is there any expression about punctuality in your language?

Tell us is the comments !

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Are Spaniards always late?

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 09:58:45 GMT

Are Spaniards always late?

In every group of friends there is someone who is always late, and if there isn't in yours, then it's you. Someone said there are two types of people: those who are late and those who are unhappy. This is because the first are more optimistic and think that they will have time to arrive on time.

However it may be, there are a large number of people around us who are always late , extremely late, and dodge others in a show of imagination with totally credible excuses that leave no room for reproach. And it's not worth the effort: the next day they will be late again.

But why don't they stop being late? Don't they care in the least that others wait for you? Is it so hard to get out ten minutes earlier? The truth is that yes, it costs them a lot. Because those who are late, they think they have the upper hand, there is plenty of time, but in the end, they are always running out of time

Are Spaniards always late?

A survey of the AppWave indicates that 64% of Spaniards are always between five and fifteen minutes late for an appointment. We linger even longer when meeting friends. However, Spaniards also feel that they are victims of chronically latecomers and for the vast majority, arriving late is disrespectful. In addition, four out of ten Spaniards arrive late and stressed to work.

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to learn how to talk about being late in Spanish , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Are people late for work in your country?

Write your comments bellow and tell us your experience!

Who were the Three Wise Men?

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 13:38:55 GMT

22 noviembre 2021

Ana del Río

Who were the Three Wise Men?

In Spain and in many other Hispanic countries, the Christmas celebrations don't finish on 25th of December. We also celebrate, and it's the favorite of the children, The Epiphany, better known as The Three Wise Men Day, every 6th of January.

T he History behind The Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men are known as The Magic Kings - Los Reyes Magos - in Spanish, and they only appear in the Gospel of Matthew , in which some magicians are mentioned, but without specifying their names, that they were kings or that they were three.

What the Gospel explain is that some magicians were guided from the East by a star to worship the newborn Jesus. When Herod, the King of Judea, found out the news, tried to find out where the baby was. The Three Wise Men found the baby in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, with Mariah and Joseph.

After prostrated themselves and offer him gold , the metal of the kings, incense , the gift of the gods and myrrh , as an announcement of the future ailments, they were warned by an angel of not coming back to the Herod's palace because he just wanted to end the life of the baby.

Herod got so angry after he knew that The Three Wise Men left without inform him, that he ordered to kill all the children of Bethlehem under two years old.

The Gospels offer very little information about the Three Wise Men. In fact, the origin of the Three Wise Men as we understand nowadays, comes from the medieval tradition. For instance, the names Melchior Caspar and Balthazar appeard for the first time in the f amous mosaic of the VI century in the basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in the Italian city of Ravena.

How do we celebrate this festivity?

First, every kid must write a letter to the Three Wise Men asking for different presents and send it using the special letter boxes installed in the streets to that effect. And yes, Spanish kids have to wait to the 6th of January to received the Christmas presents.

Then, the festivity starts on 5th of January, when the Kings arrive to the cities and perform a splendid cavalcade . The Three Wise Men distribute candies and show their magnificence.

Click in the next picture to watch a video of the amazing cavalcade in Madrid :

Another tradition of the Night of the Kings is to leave one shoe of each member of the family under the tree , to facilitate the delivery of the presents. You also should leave some water and bread for the camels and a glass of champagne of liqueur for the Kings.

But careful, not every single child will receive a preset: those whose behavior wasn’t good during the year, will get a piece of coal. Nowadays, sugar coal is sold to trick on naughty children.

Parents will have to convince their children to go to sleep soon and next day, when they wake up, they will find the presents under the Christmas tree.

That morning is also known for the tradicional sweet called Roscón de Reyes : ring-shaped cake with sugar coated fruits that hides a figure for the good luck and a bean, that if you find, you will have to pay the whole pastry).

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to get familiar with The Three Wise Men and the rest of our Christmas traditions , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop:

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Why doesn't Santa Klaus bring presents in Spain?

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 18:15:21 GMT

13 diciembre 2021

Ana del Río

Why doesn't Santa Klaus bring presents in Spain?

As a Spanish child born in the beginning of nineties and based on my experience, I can tell that Santa Klaus, or how we call him, Papá Noel , was a secondary actor in Christmas. Only my grandparents gave a little something to us on Christmas Day. Spanish children must wait till 6th of January , when the Three Wise Men come, to receive the presents.

Even though Santa Klaus didn’t bring us the presents, he was everywhere: decoration, figures, television, shopping malls… We knew he was a foreign character, but little by little was integrated in our traditions. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to ask, “Who bring the presents to your house, Papá Noel or Los Reyes Magos ?".

Balcony in Triana (Sevilla, Spain)

But when did the war between The Three Wise Men and Santa Klaus started?

We should remember that the Three Wise Men were celebrated how we do now, with presents, only from mid-nineteenth century. Then, around the thirties of the twentieth century, Santa Claus became famous in Spain and was highly criticized by purists of Spanish Christmas traditions . In 1947, a journalist was glad that in A Coruña, not many trees or Santa Claus figures could be seen (yes, the Christmas tree came with Santa).

In this context, many brands took benefit from the novelty selling all kinds of objects using the image of Papa Noel. They also tried to change forward the date of giving the presents , with the excuse of how convenient could be to do it, so children could enjoy them during holidays.

Advertisements: Vodafone and El Corte Inglés with Santa and The Three Wise Men

However, one study of Gruopon affirmed in 2016 that 87% of the Spanish people continue celebrating the Three Wise Men and only 13% give the presents only through Santa Claus. Therefore, we can say that The Three Wise Men are winning for now. As we always say in this blog, we, Spaniards, are quite traditional and we put resistance to the foreign fashions.

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to know about this and the rest of our Christmas traditions , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

When is Fools Day in Spain?

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:14:57 GMT

8 diciembre 2021

Ana del Río

When is the Fool's Day in Spain?

April Fool’s Day isn’t a tradition in Spain, so we don’t celebrate it. But we have our special day for jokes and pranks , and it’s in the middle of the Christmas period: on 28th of December .

In Spain, the equivalent of All fools‘ Day is Holy Innocents Day or “ Día de los Santos Inocentes ”. This day is name like this in honor of the babies who were slaughtered by order of King Herod around the time of Jesus birth. The King, blinded by his jealousy, as Jesus was called to be the new king of Jews, ordered all the infant boys under the age of two in Bethlehem and its vicinity to be killed.

Panteón Real de San Isidoro de León (España), pinturas murales, c. 1100.

This festivity is the commemoration of those innocent souls mixed with winter festivities, and something called “ The Party of the Crazy People ” or “ La Fiesta de los Locos ”, which has a pagan origin, and it was celebrated in the Middle Age. During this day, everything was allowed : it was a day of debauchery and revelry. For this reason, the Church wanted to put a little control and decided to join this holiday to the commemoration of the massacre of the innocents .

Massacre of the innocents, Giotto, 1302-05, fresco painting, Cappella degli Scrovegni (Padova)

How is the Holy Innocents Day celebrated in Spain?

Nowadays, in Spain we celebrate this day by pranking each other , and making jokes (sometimes too risky). The classiest joke is to stick a paper in the shape of a child on people’s backs. When the victim realizes the joke or “ Inocentada ”, the jokers will scream: Innocent! which in Spanish is “¡ Inocente !”.

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to get familiar with The Holy Innocents Day and the rest of our Christmas traditions , check out our lastest teaching material available in our shop :

Explore our shop to find many other teaching materials:

Spanish is trendy

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 13:47:48 GMT

9 noviembre 2021

Ana del Río

Spanish is trendy

The arrival of foreign words isn't a new fact in the History of the Languages, and it shouldn't be seen in a negative way. But the use of Anglicisms in the Spanish language that sometimes we observe could drive us to the loss of multiple pre-existing Spanish terms and consequently, affect our sense of identity in Spain .

Why do we use Anglicisms?

Sometimes is due to the emergence of new concepts and innovations in fields like fashion, beauty, marketing, technology, and food. For example, the words engagement or branding haven’t direct translation in Spanish.

But in almost every case, the use of foreign words isn't justified because they aren't necessary: Spanish has already terms to name these concepts . Observe the following examples:

This phenomenon is specially alarming when Spanish speakers use foreign words to give prestige to their speech . The person who uses the words trekking, healthy or smoothie while speaking Spanish is pretending to look cool by following the fashionable words or expressions that discovered on social media.

The Royal Spanish Academy is aware of the situation and launched a campaign to stop the anglicization of the Spanish language in 2016, called There is only one mother tongue , in which included two fake adverts, full of anglicisms that we Spaniards do not actually understand but sound attractive for us. We highly recommend to watch the video here:

If you are a Spanish teacher and you want your students to get familiar with the foreignisms in Spanish, check out our lastest teaching materials available in our shop:

In conclusion, our question is, is it that cool to use anglicisms in Spanish? Does it make you look from a higher class? Is it just a natural mixture of languages and cultures? We will love to hear your opinions in the comment box below.

Explore our shop for many other teaching materials:

How do you say 'OIL' in Spanish?

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 09:33:12 GMT

3 noviembre 2021

Ana del Río

How do you say 'OIL' in Spanish?

Have you ever wondered why some words are so different in Spanish?

Here you have an example:

The Spanish word aceite comes from the Hispanic Arab - azzáyt- , this from the Classic Arab - azzayt- and this from the Aramaic - zaytā -.

That's the reason why is so different from other languages , as you can see in the picture above, in which the word in question comes from the Latin - oleum -.

To understand the appearance of arabic words in the Spanish language we should go back in time and remember one of the most important periods of the Spanish History: The Muslim ruled in the Iberian Peninsula between 711 and 1492 . Almost eight centuries of Arabic presence in what today we call Spain and Portugal!

Now you understand the Arabic influence on the Spanish language and why we have a close cultural relation: the food, the architecture, the music, the dance and of course, the language. There are more than four thousand Spanish words with an Arabic origin , which means that 8% of the Spanish dictionary are arabisms .

Some other examples: alquilar (to rent), azúcar (sugar), algodón (cotton), zanahoria (carrot)…

In our school, we encourage our students to go into detail in the origin of the words and their evolution.

To know more about the incorporation and use of foreign words in Spanish, check out our last teaching materials:

Explore our shop for many other teaching materials:

Now, it's your turn:

How do you say 'oil' in your language?

Don't say YES, say...

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:49:54 GMT

5 abril 2021

Ana del Río

DON'T SAY "SÍ", SAY...

If you have been studying Spanish for a while, you might want to improve your vocabulary. Imagine that the word SÍ is from now on forbidden, how would you reply affirmatively instead? In this post, you will learn ten different ways to say yes in Spanish.

1. Vale - Ok

Vale is, probably, one of the most frequent words in Spanish. Basically, anywhere that you could reply okay in English, you can use the word vale . You'll hear vale very, very often in conversation.

- ¿Vamos a tomar un café? - Shall we go for a coffee?

- Vale - Ok

2. Claro - Sure

Almost as common as vale , claro is another word for expressing agreement. In one meaning, it's just a way of saying sure when somebody asks you something. It's also very common to emphasise it as follows: ¡Claro que sí!

- ¿Puedo usar el servicio? - Can I use the bathroom?

- ¡Claro! - Sure

3. Por supuesto - Of course

Perfect to use in a formal context, por supuesto express that something is sure and quite clear or obvious.

- ¿Has terminado el informe? - Have you finished the report?

- Por supuesto - Of course.

4. ¡Cómo no! - Sure

To understad this expression in English, it should be translated as How could not be? We can use it when we want to be polite, for example, as a host.

- ¿Puedo comer un poco más? - Can I eat a little bit more?

- ¡Cómo no! - How could not be?

5. Hecho - Done

This is the short version of trato hecho or dalo por hecho . Both mean literally done deal , so it's commonly used to respond to requests.

- ¿Traes el vino a la fiesta? - Do you bring the wine to the party?

- Hecho - Done

6. Efectivamente - Indeed

Efectivamente is used to confirm the information of our interlocutor. It's quite serious and perfect for formal enviroments.

- ¿Dices que la economía ha mejorado el último trimestre? - Are you saying that the economy has improved in the last trimester?

- Efectivamente - Indeed

7. Sin problema - No problem

To be strict, sin problema is quite an informal way os saying you're welcome , but it could also mean yes to something that, for instance, you consider you can do.

- ¿Puedes acabar tú el informe? - Can you finish the report by yourself?

- Sin problema - No problem

8. Sin duda - Without a doubt

As its equivalent in English, sin duda express that we are certain and sure about something.

- ¿Debería imprimir los billetes? - Should I print the tickets?

- Sin duda - Without a doubt

9. No veo por qué no - I don't see why not

When we want to imply that there are no reasons why a refusal would make sense, we can say No veo por qué no.

- ¿Puedo invitar a Juan a la fiesta? - Can I invite Juan to the party?

- No veo por qué no - I don't see why not.

10. Dale - Go ahead

Dale is used as an affirmative response to a proposal or invitation in colloquial contexts.

- ¿Vamos a dar un paseo en bicicleta? - Shall we go for a bike ride?

- ¡Dale! - Go ahead

And remember, we Spaniards like to be emphatic, so we usually combine the different expressions in infinite ways:

- Sí, claro, por supuesto.

- Dale, sin problema.

- Claro, sin duda.

- ¡Cómo no! Eso está hecho.

- Sí, vale, no veo por qué no.

If you liked it and want to learn more, contact us!

riospanishschool@gmail.com

Ir de bares

183:824355804 (Ana Del Rio Zolle) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 08:10:44 GMT

9 marzo 2021

Ana del Río

Go to bars in Spain

One of my aim as a Spanish teacher as a foreign language here in Malta, is to dispel certain stereotypes students may have about Spain and to show instead, a more realistic vision. However, we have to recognize that one fun fact is that in Spain Ir de bares- having a drink at a bar is almost a national sport. We really enjoy being in a sunny terrace, socializing with friends whilst having a caña , a glass of wine or a vermouth.

Let’s take a look at the numbers: Spain is the country with the highest density of bars in the world , with one for every 175 inhabitants. There are more than 250,000 restaurants in total! To get an idea, that's more than in the entire United States.

Bars are so important to us Spaniards that we spend an average of 1,900 euros a year at bars . For us, a visit to the bar is a routine in our day to day life: being a coffee in the morning, a little appetizer or wine after work. It is much so our hobby as we know the waiter by the name! And this is so, because we feel at home at our usual bar.

Bars help us socialize, celebrate and disconnect . For us, it is one of the best moments of the day, and considered a symbol of our culture. As a matter of fact, during confinement, one of the most recurrent questions from Spaniards has been: When do the bars reopen?

But it is still daylight!

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 08:30:02 GMT

7 Junio 2020

Ana del Río

But it is still daylight!

On the other hand, in Macedonia the first rays of the sun shone at 4.58 and it will get dark at 20.01. We share the same time zone; however, the sun will rise in Galicia two hours later than in Macedonia and in the same way, it will set two hours later.

This difference has its advantages and disadvantages: some criticize the lack of productivity at work at these times… But how lovely it is to go for a walk after work to enjoy the sunset and have a drink with your partner or friends. Here you have an example: going for a drink after dinner in Spain, means sitting down after 23.00 at the earliest and you do not enter the clubs before two in the morning.

My recommendation is that you adapt to these hours during your stay in Spain and that you inform yourself well at what time shops or restaurants, museums and discos open and close, to make the most of the day. If you do not follow these schedules, you will end up eating in an empty restaurant or surrounded by other foreigners, missing out on the Spanish atmosphere that you will find a couple of hours later!

A tip: have vermouth and an aperitivo to keep your hunger at bay until lunchtime!

Do not thank me!

Sat, 16 May 2020 20:43:15 GMT

17 mayo 2020

Ana del Río

Do not thank me!

One thing that we Spaniards notice when we travel or emigrate to Anglo-Saxon countries is the diligence with which gratitude is expressed: thank you for this, thank you for that, thank you for everything! As a Spanish teacher, it never ceases to amaze me that my students constantly thank me for correcting their mistakes.

Gratitude is, of course, part of being polite, which itself is based on conventions and therefore, varies from one society to another. This is the reason why it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with the customs of a country before traveling, in order to avoid cultural shocks and uncomfortable situations.

Do we Spaniards never express our gratitude? Of course we do! But if we compare ourselves with, for example, Great Britain, we fall short.

Jon Nazca

T here is an interesting theory that explains this issue, namely that society can be divided into two types: those that embrace nearness and those that tend towards distancing . We Spaniards lean more towards proximity, thus minimizing the relationship between power and social distance, favouring and reinforcing the interpersonal relationships between people who are talkings. Therefore, the use of compliments and collaborative responses is frequent.

For this reason, expressions of courtesy such as thanks or apology are secondary and will only appear when they feel necessary and not in routine conversation . In addition, when such courtesy is expressed, the Spanish usually accompany it with some physical contact to intensify its meaning, unlike in Anglo-Saxon cultures.

Spanish students need to be aware of this difference to avoid pragmatic mistakes such as excessive courtesy which might seem out of place culturally. In the same way, we Spaniards ought to take special care and use gratitude more than usual to avoid appearing rude when we find ourselves in countries with other social norms. Remember that to learn Spanish or any other language, it is not enough to study grammar and vocabulary, you also need to know the culture to which it is linked.

Have you ever noticed this cultural difference? Has it affected you professionally or personally?

Have you made any changes in the way you communicate because of it?

Learn how to say thank you and you're welcome in Spanish!

Learning about the Spanish eating customs: la sobremesa

Sun, 10 May 2020 09:36:29 GMT

10 mayo 2020

Laura Rodríguez - Spanish expat in Malta

Learning about the Spanish eating customs:
LA SOBREMESA

The culture of a country can be spread not only through literature, language or traditions but also in some habits of the daily life. Food culture is a great way to learn how spanish people feel and identify themselves as a society.

I am glad to introduce you La sobremesa .

Just close your eyes and think on a sunny day, having a nice lunch or dinner in a restaurant with family or friends. Food is almost over, people have started to rest and chat , sharing funny stories or asking for some coffees and chupitos - small glasses of liqueurs -. Waiters are around getting your plates but you still talking and enjoying time together. Suddenly you check your watch: one hour has passed! Time flies when you do the sobremesa which literally means over the table.

Spaniards often do sobremesa when they go out or meet people but also at home with flatmates or family. This shows how Spanish people like to socialize and enjoy eating times .

Sometimes stay longer at the table in countries where time spent on eating is not seen as in Spain, can cause weird situations . We can feel people's looks on us just because we are chatting in an empty table. It's fun because at some point the waiter brings us the check and we realize how late it is!

La sobremesa is just a nice time to enjoy food times so I encourage you to try and feel a little more Spanish!

And you... How long do you stay at the table after meals?

Spanish language: more than just words

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 22:04:55 GMT

Spanish language: more than just words

Learning a language is not just about learning its grammar and vocabulary, but it is essential to know the culture from which it emerges.

This blog will serve as an instrument for the dissemination and promotion of the Spanish language , with the aim of getting closer to its richness and diversity .

The reader will improve their intercultural competence, through knowledge of Hispanic society and culture (our sense of humor, conventions, history, rituals, behaviors...), developing the ability to understand the relationship between their world and the Hispanic world, therefore bridging the two cultures .

You will learn much more about the Spanish, their customs and traditions!

Click on the images and start discovering >>

Laza Carnival, Ourense

The Courtyards Festival of Córdoba

Asturian Cider

RÍO SPANISH BLOG

Ready for the DELE? Test your Spanish Level now with Río Spanish School in Malta!

Ready for the DELE? Test your Spanish Level now with Río Spanish School in Malta!

Why prepare for the DELE exams with Río Spanish School in Malta?

Why prepare for the DELE Exams with Río Spanish School in Malta?

Speak like a native: expressions with por and para

Speak like a native: i dioms with por and para

Halloween and Samaín: tradition or trend?

Halloween and Samaín: tradition or trend?

My mobile phone has been stolen!

My mobile phone has been stolen!

Lost in translation: false friends

Lost in Translation: False Friends

How to use diminutives in Spanish

How to use diminutives in Spanish

Spanish slang about love

Spanish slang about love

Religious expressions in Spanish

Religious expressions in Spanish

Expressions about work in Spanish

Expressions about work in Spanish

Spanish expressions about being late

Expressions about being late in Spanish

Are Spaniards always late?

Are Spaniards always late?

Who were the Three Wise Men?

Who were the Three Wise Men?

Why doesn't Santa Klaus bring presents in Spain?

Why doesn't Santa Klaus bring presents in Spain?

When is Fools Day in Spain?

When is the Fool's Day in Spain?

Spanish is trendy

How do you say 'OIL' in Spanish?

How do you say 'OIL' in Spanish?

Don't say YES, say...

DON'T SAY "SÍ", SAY...

Ir de bares

Go to bars in Spain

But it is still daylight!

But it is still daylight!

Do not thank me!

Do not thank me!

Learning about the Spanish eating customs: la sobremesa

Learning about the Spanish eating customs: LA SOBREMESA

Spanish language: more than just words

Spanish language: more than just words

Expressions about being late
in Spanish

Learning about the Spanish eating customs:
LA SOBREMESA