Most Essential Vocabulary #2
Part 2 of Most Essential Vocab, as always I’ll include notes when I think something needs more explaining and I’ll point out regionalisms when I know them.
And if anyone has any alternate words/regionalisms they know of for things, please let me know - it helps me and everyone else too!
...I also REALLY overdid it with the food categories, but it’s pretty much the majority of things you can find in a grocery store, market, or supermarket as far as food... except for more specific things like names of fish (which I don’t always know myself, and isn’t THAT essential unless you go to the fishmonger a lot)
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Occupations [Los Oficios]
I’ll be including the male and female forms of things - anything with just one form is unisex
Note: Pretty much anything with -ista in it is unisex, even if it ends in A; as an example el artista or la artista.
trabajador, trabajadora = worker [n]
trabajador(a) = hard-working [adj]
abogado, abogada = lawyer
abogado/a defensor(a) / la defensa = defense lawyer / defense
fiscal / abogado/a de la acusación = prosecutor
[generally in a trial it’s the abogado/a “attorney/lawyer” or la defensa as a general term, and then you have el/la fiscal “prosecutor”... who is also technically abogado/a but a different function]
doctor, doctora = doctor
médico, médica = doctor [specifically medicine]
maestro, maestra = teacher [lit. “master”; it is often used with teachers that cover multiple subjects and pre-college/university... usually a maestro/a tends to teach younger children, or they’re a “master” or “teacher” in martial arts or music]
el profesor, la profesora = professor [more common in university and for people who are more experts or who have specialized learning degrees]
hombre de negocios, mujer de negocios = businessman/businesswoman
artista = artist
músico, música = musician
[not to be confused with la música “music” by itself which is a noun]
dentista = dentist
sastre = tailor
albañil = builder, construction worker
[lit. “bricklayer”; this is sometimes the word for “mason” and general construction work and those working with stone, brick, or cement]
contratista = contractor
granjero, granjera = farmer
cocinero, cocinera = cook
chef = chef
camarero, camarera = waiter, waitress / server*
mesero, mesera = waiter, waitress / server [more Latin America]
panadero, panadera = baker [specifically el pan “bread”]
pastelero, pastelera = baker [specifically cakes or pastry; as la pasta means “dough/pastry” and los pasteles are “cakes”]
carnicero, carnicera = butcher
cazador, cazadora = hunter [la cazadora could also be “huntress” if you’re feeling fancy]
leñador, leñadora = woodcutter / lumberjack, “lumberjill”
mago, maga = magician [or “mage” if you’re playing an RPG; usually mago/a in the real world means someone who does illusions or card tricks etc]
científico, científica = scientist
químico, química = chemist [someone working with chemicals]
farmacéutico, farmacéutica = pharmacist / chemist [UK]
biólogo, bióloga = biologist
pescador, pescadora = fisher
marinero, marinera = sailor
cartero, cartera = postal worker, courier, “mailman” / “mailwoman”
soldado = soldier
atleta = athlete
nadador, nadadora = swimmer
jugador / jugadora (de algo) = player (of something)
[in some contexts el juego “game” or jugador, jugadora can be “gambling” and “gambler”]
futbolista = football player / soccer player
beisbolista = baseball player
luchador, luchadora = fighter / wrestler
electricista = electrician
informático, informática = computer tech, IT [internet tech] person
[la informática is the general word for “computer sciences” - so anyone who deals with computer things is often called informático/a]
programador, programadora = programmer
plomero, plomera = plumber [Latin America in general]
fontanero, fontanera = plumber [Spain and parts of Mexico and Central America]
gasiftero, gasfitera = plumber [parts of South America]
técnico, técnica = technician [also sometimes someone who repairs things; it’s not just “tech expert”, it could be very widely applied]
policía = police officer
autor, autora = author
escritor, escritora = writer
dramaturgo, dramaturga = playwright
actor, actriz = actor / actress
[sometimes actresses use actor for themselves as a way to distance themselves from the gender of it all; but in general you see actor/actriz and los actores “actors”... saying las actrices specifically refers to “actresses”]
poeta, poetisa = poet [we rarely use “poetess” in English today but it exists]
escultor, escultora = sculpter
pintor, pintora = painter
contable = accountant [I think Spain]
contador, contadora = accountant [more Latin America; lit. “counter”]
político, política = politician
juez (sometimes jueza in feminine) = judge
banquero, banquera = banker, bank worker
cajero, cajera = cashier / clerk / teller (at a bank)
[cajero/a really means “someone who operates the cash register” but la caja “box” is also applied to la caja fuerte “safe” or “strongbox” so it applies to bank tellers as well; anytime there’s a cash register involved, you’re probably dealing with a cajero/a]
dependiente, dependienta = retail worker, sales clerk
el dueño, la dueña = owner / landlord, landlady
propietario, propietaria = owner, property owner
jefe, jefa = boss
asesor, asesora = consultant
consejero, consejera = advisor, consultant, counselor / councilor (someone serving on a council)
gerente, gerenta = manager
manager / mánager = manager
empleado, empleada = employee
*Note: camarero/a by itself is often used as “waiter/waitress” but in some places it means “maid” as in the person who cleans up rooms in a hotel. This is because camarero/a originally meant “chamberlain” related to la cámara “bedroom/chamber” or la cama “bed” - a camarero/a would attend to someone like their personal servant and in older works it meant an adviser or someone who oversaw an important person’s appointments and sometimes coordinated their outfits or oversaw the other staff.
It came to be “waiter/waitress” in inns and hotels and the noble houses where someone might be coordinating your sleeping arrangements and also making sure you were fed, possibly serving you themselves
Today, camarero/a is often your “server” in (I think?) Spain, but in other places they’re the people cleaning up after you at a hotel. To the best of my knowledge, the cleaning crew is typically el criado or la criada “servant” - but often la criada means “maid”, both in history and today............. and outside of Batman you rarely are going to see el mayordomo “butler” used, but just in case, there it is
The term mesero/a is directly related to la mesa “table” so they’re specifically the person bringing things to and from the table which no added meanings. To the best of my knowledge this is more common in Latin America; and your camarero/a is probably the cleaning crew
*Note 2: The word músico/a for “musician” is the umbrella term. Most instruments have their own word and frequently end in -ista... such as pianista “pianist”, flautista “flautist” / “flute player”, or baterista “drummer”, as well as guitarrista “guitar player” and bajista “bass player”
You’ll find more specific terms for specific sports, activities, and other skills. Many end in -ista, and some like martial arts have specific works themselves
~
el oficio = occupation / job, job title
el puesto = position
el hueco = vacancy [lit. “a hollow/empty spot” or “gap”; can refer to jobs or empty spaces in schedules/calendars, or it can mean “a hollow” of a tree or a “gap” in something]
el trabajo = job / work
la labor = labor, work [used both for working hard and childbirth]
trabajar = to work
laborar / laburar = to work [regional; especially common in South America or Río de la Plata]
el tajo = “work”, “workplace” [I think this is regional; lit. el tajo is “a slice” or “slash”]
la oficina = office
el bufete = firm [usually law firm]
la compañía = company
la empresa = enterprise
el despacho = office (someone’s personal office; usually for teachers or bosses; this is not the “office” you typically work in, this is someone’s private workspace)
Also worth pointing out - somewhat related - that a “doctor’s office” is frequently el consultorio. It’s specifically the place you go to for a consulta “examination” or “medical exam”; so it’s more the actual building. In some places you will see “the doctor’s” referred to as la clínica “clinic” or “doctor’s (office)”; and in some places el hospital although this is very regional as sometimes el hospital or la clínica can carry different connotations of being privately owned or not
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Buildings and the City [Los Edificios y la Ciudad]
el edificio = building
el rascacielos = skyscraper [lit. “scratches skies”]
el pueblo = town / population (people)
la aldea = village, small town
la ciudad = city
la calle = street / road
el callejón = alley
el coche, el carro, el auto = car
[all are regional, all make perfect sense to everyone but they are regionally preferred - Spain tends towards coche, Latin America in general prefers carro, and parts of South America use auto]
la carretera, la autopista = highway
la acera = sidewalk
[semi-related la acera is also used in many expressions related to sexually; ser de la otra acera or ser de la acera de enfrente tend to mean “to play for the other team” as in “to be gay”, and literally they mean “to be from the other sidewalk” or “to be from the opposite sidewalk”]
la escuela = school
el instituto = institute / high school [regional]
el colegio = high school [regional]
la universidad = university, college, academy
el banco = bank
[el banco can also be “bench” in some places]
el mercado = market, marketplace
el supermercado, el súper = supermarket
la biblioteca = library
la farmacia = pharmacy
la droguería = pharmacy [regional]
el hospital = hospital
la clínica = doctor’s office / clinic
la estación = station
la estación de tren = train station
la estación de policía / la comisaría = police office
el andén = platform
el ayuntamiento = town hall, city hall
la iglesia = church
el catedral = cathedral
la mezquita = mosque
el templo = temple
la sinagoga = synagogue
el parque = park
el parque de diversiones = theme park
el monumento = monument
la galería (de arte) = art gallery
la peluquería = hair salon, hairdresser’s
el bufete = law firm
la oficina = office
la fuente = fountain
la estatua = statue
el aeropuerto = airport
el puerto = port
el barco = ship
el muelle / los muelles = docks, wharf
el autobus, el bus = bus
el taxi = taxi
el restaurante = restaurant
el café = cafe
la granja = farm
la finca, la hacienda = estate / plantation [sometimes “farm” but in the sense of “this is the main house on the farmlands”]
la pastelería = bakery (cakes/sweets)
la panadería = bakery (bread)
el centro comercial = shopping center / mall
la librería = bookstore
el castillo = castle
el palacio = palace
la fábrica = factory
el taller = workshop / art studio
el estadio = stadium
el correo / los correos / la oficina de correos = post office
[kinda regional, but el correo is “mail” so it all makes sense regardless]
la tienda = store
[la tienda literally means “tent”, so you will see it as la tienda de camping “tent (for camping)” as well; this is because people’s shops used to be outside and covered in awnings or tents, or they could be mobile and they’d set up tents to sell goods]
el almacén = department store [lit. “warehouse”]
el museo = museum
el teatro = theater
el cine = movie theater, “the movies”
el acuario = aquarium
el planetario = planetarium
el observatorio = observatory
la torre = tower
la fortaleza = fortress
el portal = gate [or “portal”]
la puerta = door
la ventana = window
el cristal = window
[lit. “crystal”, but el cristal is commonly used for “a pane of glass” and “windows” in general; it may also refer to “glass” in general... the other word for “glass” is el vidrio which is sometimes more formal or the material, but el cristal can be the glass part of clocks, watches, compasses, etc]
la casa = house
el hogar = home
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In the Kitchen [En la Cocina]
la sal = salt
la pimienta = pepper
el azúcar = sugar
la miel = honey
el agua = water [technically feminine noun]
la grasa = fat
la harina = flour
la harina de maíz / la maicena = cornstarch
el ácido = acid
el aceite = oil
el aceite de oliva = olive oil
el aceite de girasol = sunflower oil
el aceite de cártamo = safflower oil
el aceite de sésamo = sesame oil
el aceite vegetal = vegetable oil
el aceite de cacahuete/maní = peanut oil
el aceite de coco = coconut oil
el aceite de aguacate = avocado oil
el vinagre = vinegar
el huevo = egg
la yema = yolk
la clara (de huevo) = egg white
la tortilla = omelet
[when it’s not the tortillas you see in more Latin American food, a tortilla refers to “omelet”; literally a tortilla refers to “turned/twisted” from torcer, so it originally meant something that was flipped halfway through, or partially folded]
la tortilla de papa / patata = potato omelet [EXTREMELY common dish in Spain]
la tortilla española = Spanish tortilla / potato omelet
la tortilla de maíz = corn tortilla
la tortilla de harina = flour tortilla
Vegetables [Los Vegetales]
los vegetales = vegetables
las verduras = vegetables, greens
la lechuga = lettuce
el tomate = tomato
la zanahoria = carrot
la cebolla = onion
el puerro = leek
el apio = celery
el ajo = garlic
el diente de ajo = garlic clove [lit. “tooth of garlic”]
la papa = potato = Latin America
la patata = potato [Spain]
(las) papas/patatas fritas = (French) fries / chips [UK]
[lit. “fried potatoes”]
la batata = sweet potato
el camiote = sweet potato [Central America]
el boniato = sweet potato [usually more Rio de la Plata]
la alcachofa = artichoke
la col / el repollo = cabbage
el brócoli = broccoli [has some other regional spellings like brécol or bróculi but generally the same sound-ish]
la coliflor = cauliflower
la col rizada, el repollo rizado = kale [lit. “curly cabbage”]
la berza = kale
la calabaza = pumpkin
el calabacín = squash / zucchini / gourd
la berenjena = eggplant, aubergine
el pepino = cucumber
el pimiento = bell pepper [regional]
el chile / el ají = chile pepper
el aguacate = avocado
el hinojo = fennel
la aceituna = olive [regional but the most standard]
la oliva = olive [regional]
el hongo = mushroom
la seta = mushroom
el champiñón = mushroom
[all regional but all mostly make sense to everyone else; I believe champiñón is more common in Spain]
el guisante, los guisantes = pea, peas
el nabo = turnip
el rábano = radish
la remolacha = beet
el betabel = beet [regional]
la betarraga = beet [regional]
la espinaca = spinach
Meat and Fish [La Carne y El Pescado]
la carne = meat / flesh
el pollo = chicken / poultry
el pavo = turkey
el puerco / el cerdo = pork [or “pig”]
el jamón = ham
la salchicha = sausage
el res / (la) vaca = beef [la vaca being “cow”]
la hamburguesa = hamburger
la ternera = veal
el bistec = steak
el lomo (de algo) = loin [usually el lomo de res or el lomo de puerco]
el solomillo = sirloin
el filete = fillet
la albóndiga = meatball [depending on region the exact kind differs, but in general las albóndigas are some kind of meatballs]
el conejo / la liebre = rabbit / hare
la rana = frog
el caracol, los caracoles = snails
el pescado = fish
el bacalao = cod
el salmón = salmon
la platija / el lenguado = flounder
el atún = tuna
la trucha = trout
la pez espada = swordfish
la perca = perch
el esturión = sturgeon
la merluza = hake
el abadejo = pollock
la anguila = eel
la anchoa / el boquerón = anchovy
la sardina = sardine
la almeja = clam
el mejillón = mussel
la ostra = oyster
el calamar = squid
el pulpo = octopus
la vieira = scallop [many regional names here, just saying]
el camarón = shrimp
la gamba = prawn, shrimp
[both generally mean the same thing, but they are more regional; a gamba is typically bigger in my experience but because they look the same they get used as the same general thing]
el marisco, los mariscos = shellfish, seafood
[general term; if you’re being specific, los mariscos mean “anything from the sea”, but if you’re differentiating fish and shellfish you use el pescado for “fish” and los mariscos for “shellfish”]
Dairy [Los Lácteos]
el lácteo, los lácteos = dairy products
la leche = milk
la nata = cream
la crema = cream
[more or less the same, but some places use one more than the other; everyone understands it though]
el queso = cheese
el yogur = yogurt
la mantequilla = butter
la manteca = lard
Starches and Legumes [Los Almidones y Las Legumbres]
el almidón = starch
el maíz = corn
la empanada = empanada / fried dumpling
[lit. “covered in bread”, so it can be many things that are covered in dough; I’ve even seen “pot pie” called empanada]
el pan = bread
la hogaza = loaf (of bread)
la miga / la migaja = breadcrumb
el trigo = wheat
la avena = oat
los cereales = cereal / grains
el arroz = rice
la pasta = pasta [sometimes “dough”]
el espagueti, los espaguetis = spaghetti
el ñoqui = gnocci
la lasaña = lasagna
los fideos = noodles
la legumbre, las legumbres = legumes
la lenteja, las lentejas = lentils
el frijol, los frijoles = beans
la habichuela, las habichuelas = beans
la alubia, las alubias = beans
la judía, las judías = beans
[they all kind of mean “beans”, it’s all regional but frijoles makes me think of Mexico or some parts of Latin America; typically they add a color to specify... so you might see las judías OR las habichuelas verdes for “green beans”, or you might see las habichuelas rojas or los frijoles rojos for “red beans” or “kidney beans”; everyone mostly knows what you’re talking about, don’t worry]
Fruits [Las Frutas]
la fruta = fruit
la manzana = apple
la naranja = orange
la mandarina = Mandarin oranges / oranges
el melocotón = peach [Spain]
el durazno = peach [Latin America]
la cereza = cherry
el coco = coconut
la piña = pineapple
el albaricoque = apricot [Spain]
el damasco = apricot [Latin America]
el chabacano = apricot [Mexico]
la uva = grape
la toronja = grapefruit
la fresa = strawberry [in general]
la frutilla = strawberry [in some countries; fresa in some countries can be “posh” or “rich”]
la frambuesa = raspberry
la mora = mulberry / blueberry [sometimes la mora azul]
el arándano (azul) = blueberry
el arándano rojo = cranberry
la baya = berry
el higo = fig
el dátil = date
el melón = melon
la sandía = watermelon
la ciruela = plum
la ciruela pasa = prune
la pasa, las pasas = raisins
[la pasa can refer to any kind of dried fruit, usually it’s “raisins” meaning la uva pasa “raisins” from grapes, or la ciruela pasa “prune” from plums]
el limón = lemon
la lima = lime
[sometimes it’s limón for “lime”; it’s very confusing and regional]
la banana = banana
el banano = banana [regional; sometimes “banana tree”]
el plátano = plantain / banana [regional]
Nuts [Los Frutos Secos]
los frutos secos = nuts [lit. “dry yieldings”; where fruto as “fruit” refers to anything that a plant produces or “bears”]
el maní / el cacahuete = peanut
la castaña = chestnut
la nuez = walnut
el pistacho = pistachio
el anarcado / la castaña de cajú = cashew
la almendra = almond
la avellana = hazelnut
la semilla = seed
la semilla de girasol = sunflower seed
la semilla de calabaza = pumpkin seed
la pipa = pumpkin seed [Spain; la pipa is just “pip” or “seed”]
la pepita = pumpkin seed [Mexico; it’s a specific type, but in general la pepita can be a pumpkin seed or a small seed]
la mantequilla/crema de (algo) = butter (of some kind)
la mantequilla/crema de cacahuete/maní = peanut butter
la mantequilla/crema de almendra = almond butter
Herbs and Spices [Las Hierbas y Las Especias]
la hierba = herb [or “grass”]
la hoja = leaf
el tallo = stem, stalk
la albahaca = basil
el laurel, la hoja de laurel = bay leaf, laurel
el perejil = parsley
el orégano = oregano
la salvia = sage
el romero = rosemary
el tomillo = thyme
el eneldo = dill
el cilantro = cilantro / coriander
la especia = spice
la corteza = bark (of a tree) / crust (of bread/cake)
la raíz = root
la canela = cinnamon
el jengibre = ginger
el clavo = clove [or “nail” or “hoof” in general]
la pimienta = pepper (spice)
la pimienta de Jamaica = allspice [lit. “Jamaica pepper”]
el cardamomo = cardamom
la cúrcuma = turmeric
la nuez moscada = nutmeg
el cilantro = coriander / cilantro
la (semilla de) mostaza = mustard (seed)
molido/a = ground
en polvo = ground [lit. “in dust (form)”]
el polvo de ajo = garlic powder
el polvo de cebolla = onion powder
el polvo de chile/ají = chili powder
el polvo de curry = curry powder
la paprika = paprika [often the Hungarian sweet kind]
el pimentón = paprika
[often the spicy Spanish kind, commonly the spice for chorizo, but pimentón can also be used for “bell pepper” in some places]
la sal = salt
la sal marina = seasalt
la sal en escamas = flakey salt [lit. “salt in scales”; the escamas are “scales” for fish or reptiles, but en escamas is often the term for “flaked” or “flakey”]
Other Things [Otras Cosas]
el condimento = condiment
la mayonesa = mayonnaise
el ketchup, el catsup = ketchup
la mostaza = mustard
la salsa = sauce / salsa
la salsa de tomate = tomato sauce
la salsa béchamel / el béchamel = bechamel sauce, cream sauce
la salsa de soja = soy sauce
la soja = soy
el vino = wine
el vino tinto = red wine
el vino blanco = white wine
el jerez = sherry
la cerveza = beer / ale
la mezcla = mix, mixture
la vinagreta = vinaigrette / salad dressing
el aderezo (de ensalada) / el arreglo (de ensalada) = salad dressing
[el aderezo may also mean “condiments” or “fixings” for other foods, but specifically for salads it’s “dressing”]
el puré = puree / mash, “mashed” / blended
(el) puré de papa/patata = mashed potatoes
(el) puré de manzana = applesauce [also la compota de manzana which is “apple compote”]
(el) puré de calabaza = pumpkin puree, mashed pumpkin
endulzado/a = sweetened
enchilado/a = covered in chiles, covered in a spicy sauce
batido/a = whipped / creamed / scrambled
[batir means “to strike” like “to slap”, or “to hit”; it could also be “stirred” and you may see it used along with agitado/a “stirred” or “shaken”]
relleno/a = stuffed
el relleno = stuffing / filling
en escabeche = marinated / brined, in brine
en salmuera = brined, in brine
[el escabeche is “marinade” or “pickling juice”, la salmuera is literally “brine” as in related to salt water]
hervido/a = boiled
adobado/a = marinaded (meat usually), covered in spices / spice rubbed
[el adobo can mean a few things but it’s often a spice mix of some kind, sometimes a brine or marinade]
frito/a = fried
horneado/a = baked (in the oven) [from el horno “oven”, but hornear is “to bake” or generally “to use the oven”]
al vapor = steamed [lit. “(cooked) in steam”]
asado/a = roasted / baked
tostado/a = toasted
dorado/a = browned [lit. “made golden” from dorar “to gild” or “to coat in gold”, but in cooking it means “to brown”]
estofado/a = stewed, simmered
al horno = oven-baked [or al forno for Italian things]
encurtido/a = pickled
los pepinos encurtidos = pickles [lit. “pickled cucumbers”]
el curtido = ceviche / slaw
[generally it depends, but a curtido is some kind of sour marinated dish, and it can be vegetables like “coleslaw” OR it could be some kind of ceviche; if you see a curtido just know it is generally acidic or pickled]
la milanesa = breaded cutlet [anything milanesa refers to something breaded and fried; la milanesa de pollo is “breaded chicken cutlet”, la milanesa de res is “breaded beef cutlet” etc]
el sándwich = sandwich [standard I think (?); sometimes it has alternate spellings/pronunciations]
el bocadillo = sandwich [Spain usually, specifically on a long piece of bread like a baguette; for everyone else this is “mouthful” usually]
la torta = sandwich [Mexico, specifically on a round roll]
el emparedado = sandwich [I think mostly Spain; it literally means “between walls”]
la masa = dough
el pastel = cake [regional]
la torta = cake [in Mexico a torta is a type of sandwich]
la tarta = tart, pie / cake [regional]
la galleta = cookie
la galleta salada = cracker [lit. “salted gallete”]
la tostada = toast (a piece of toast)
glaseado/a = frosted/iced
el glaseado = frosting/icing
la escarcha = frosting/icing [lit. “frost”]
[you may also see la cobertura “topping” OR el baño “bath” as frosting or icing, it all depends]
la confitura = jam, jelly, compote, preserves
la confitura de (algo) = (something) confit/compote/preserves
la jalea = jelly
la mermelada = jam, jelly, preserves, marmalade
la crema batida = whipped cream
el dulce, los dulces = sweet thing, sweets / possibly candy
la gomita = gummy candy
la golosina = candy [in general; kind of like the category like “confection”; all candies are golosinas really]
el chocolate = chocolate
la vainilla = vanilla
el helado = ice cream
dulce = sweet
agrio/a = sour, bitter
ácido/a = sour, tart
amargo = bitter, sour
agridulce = bittersweet, sweet and sour
salado/a = salty, salted
picante = spicy
[sometimes picoso/a or enchiloso/a though enchiloso/a to me implies a chile]
duro/a = hard
blando/a = soft
suave = smooth
espeso/a = thick [mixtures]
crujiente = crunchy
grasoso/a = greasy
aceitoso/a = oily
empalagoso/a, empalagante = cloyingly sweet, sickly sweet
seco/a = dry
mojado/a = wet
empapado/a = soaked, wet
el sabor = taste
crudo/a = raw
cocido/a = cooked
bien cocido/a = “well done” [for steaks]
Beverages [Las Bebidas]
la bebida = beverage, drink
el café = coffee
el tueste = roast [for coffee]
el tueste claro = light roast coffee
el tueste oscuro = dark roast
tostado/a = roasted/toasted
el té = tea
el té negro = black tea
el té verde = green tea
el té helado = iced tea
el té (de algo) = (some kind of) tea
el té de manzanilla = chamomile tea
el té de hierbas / el té herbal = herbal tea
el alcohol = alcohol
el trago = a shot (of alcohol)
(andar/salir) de copas = to go out drinking
[la copa is “wine glass”, related to the word “goblet”, so de copas is “out drinking” in a way]
el vaso (de agua) = glass (of water)
la taza (de té/café) = cup/mug (of tea/coffee) / teacup or coffee cup/mug
la copa = glass (of wine)
el refresco = soda [regional]
la gaseosa = soda [regional]
la bebida gaseosa = soft drink
la soda = soda [can also be “seltzer water” or “club soda”]
con gas = carbonated, “sparkling” [lit. “with gas”
sin gas = uncarbonated, “flat”
la cidra = cider
el vino = wine
el vino tinto = red wine
el vino blanco = white wine
el champán = champagne
la cerveza = beer
la caña = draft beer [at least in Spain; idk about everywhere else; lit. caña is “reed” or “tube” so it means it comes from a keg or spigot or something is “on tap”]
el ron = rum
la ginebra = gin
el vodka = vodka
el whiskey, el whisky = whiskey
el (whiskey) escocés = scotch [lit. “Scottish (whiskey)”]
la limonada = lemonade
el zumo = juice [Spain]
el jugo = juice [Latin America, usually]*
la pulpa = pulp
sin pulpa = no pulp
el hielo = ice
con hielo = with ice
sin hielo = without ice
sobre hielo = on ice / over ice / “on the rocks”
mezclado/a = mixed
*el jugo is used sometimes in Spain, often with “meat juices” and jugoso/a is still “juicy” in many countries, but it’s more common in Spain for fruit juices to be zumo... whether it’s zumo de naranja “orange juice” or zumo de manzana “apple juice” etc
Some common drinks to know: la sangría is “sangria” [lit. “bloodletting” related to la sangre “blood”] which is wine with fruit. Since sangria can be kind of touristy, some places tend to have tinto de verano “summer red wine” which is often cheap red wine and some kind of fruit soda like sparkling lemonade or orange soda. Another common one is la clara which is beer and sparkling lemonade [I think close to a “shandy” in English though lord knows I rarely call it that]
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Meals [Las Comidas]
el aperitivo = appetizer
las tapas = tapas, appetizers [typically more of a Spain thing]
el plato fuerte = main dish, entree [lit. “strong dish”]
el plato principal = main dish, entree
la ensalada = salad
la sopa = soup
el caldo = broth
el estofado = stew
el desayuno = breakfast [standard, but also sometimes regional where desayuno might be very early or more sweet]
la comida = lunch / meal [in general]
el almuerzo = lunch [US/UK; for most other places it’s a midmorning meal]
la merienda = snack / teatime, high tea
la cena = dinner
el postre = dessert
la comida ligera = light meal
la comida basura = junk food
There’s so much to say about eating schedules in Spanish vs English but really your experience will be different depending on if the country has a siesta culture. Just know many of the words can be HIGHLY regional
In most Spanish-speaking countries la comida is “lunch” [lit. “food”]; but in the US we typically say el almuerzo as a meal that happens at noon. Depending on where you are your entire eating schedule is different but in the US we have three meals - el desayuno, el almuerzo, la cena. Your exact meal schedule will depend on the country you’re in
¡Buen provecho! = Bon Appetit, “Dig In” [said before eating]
¡Salud! = Cheers! [lit. “health”, said before drinking during a toast]
¡Chin-chin! = Cheers! [a less formal toast, it’s literally the sound of glasses clinking together so it implies everyone sort of touches their glasses before drinking; chin-chin is often said with salud at these times so you’ll probably hear them both at the same time at an informal party/occasion]
la sobremesa = “dinner conversation”
[a culture concept; la sobremesa literally is “above table” but it’s the word for talking and hanging out with friends and family over a meal, sort of like chitchat or conversation... it’s the act of growing closer “at the table”]
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School Subjects [Las Materias]
la escuela = school
la tarea = homework / task
la materia = school subject
las matemáticas (mate / las mates) = mathematics, math
el álgebra = algebra [technically feminine]
la geometría = geometry
el cálculo = calculus
[or “calculations”, it can be used like “I did the math” or “I ran the numbers”... that’s cálculo too]
la ciencia = science
la biología = biology
la química = chemistry
la física = physics
la informática = computer sciences, IT
la historia = history
la geografía = geography
los estudios sociales = social studies
las bellas artes = fine arts
[arte is typically masculine, but in certain contexts it’s feminine - usually for las bellas artes or las artes marciales “martial arts”]
la literatura = literature
la escritura = writing / creative writing
la narrativa = writing / creative writing
[la narrativa means “narrative” but also could mean “storycraft”, as in one’s ability to write/tell a story]
el arte = art
la música = music
el drama = drama, theater [masculine]
el teatro = theater (place and a subject)
el idioma = language [masculine]
la lengua = language [lit. “tongue”]
la lengua y literatura = language arts [lit. “language and literature”]
las artes del lenguaje = language arts
la poesía = poetry
la comunicación = communication
la traducción = translation
la psicología = psychology
[sometimes it’s written as sicología without the P; they’re both correct, but psicología is more common]
la sociología = sociology
la medicina = medicine
el Derecho = Law
[often capitalized; by itself el derecho means “a right”]
la contabilidad = accounting
la enseñanza = teaching
la educación físicia = physical education, PE / gym
la gimnasia = gym
[it also is “gymnastics”, or basic “physical exercise”]
el deporte / los deportes = sport / sports
el atletismo = track and field / athletics
[sometimes “track and field” is (la) pista y (el) campo but pista y campo might also be el atletismo]
(el) tiro al blanco = archery / darts
[lit. “the act of shooting at the target”, but el tiro “shooting” can also refer to guns as well]
la esgrima = fencing
la natación = swimming [the noun, not the verb]
Many sports-related things are influenced by Greek traditions - la gimnasia as “gym” or “physical exercise” or “gymnastics” literally means “things pertaining to the gymnasium” which is where people would work out or play certain sports or exercise. And similarly el atletismo means “track and field” because it referred to the kind of sports professional athletes practiced in Greece or practiced for the Olympics... specifically the ones that used to be done outside, such as el maratón “marathon”, running, etc. Obviously we don’t have the discus or horseracing in most schools, but the Greek influence is there. And because el atleta means “athlete”, el atlestismo also refers to “athletics” in general
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Ahora navegas de nuevo
En memoria de José María Sánchez Pardo
“El que sabe caminar bien, no lucha.
El que sabe luchar bien, no se irrita.
El que sabe vencer bien no combate.
El que sabe ser fuerte se mantiene abajo.”
Proverbio del estilo Hung Gar de Kungfu.
Sucedió ya hace semanas y he tratado de dejar el asunto en salmuera, porque no era capaz de escribir dos palabras a derechas sin que se me cayeran las lágrimas. Pensé en dejar pasar un tiempo. Y a trompicones, a ratos sueltos, de mala manera, mientras pasaban las vacaciones e iba escribiendo algunos cuentos, he ido pudiendo terminar éste texto.
José María Sánchez Pardo, miembro histórico de la Tertulia Madrileña de Literatura Fantástica (TERMA), camarada de tantos, y uno de los mejores amigos que tendré jamás, falleció el pasado 5 de agosto mientras dormía la siesta.
Falleció tranquilo, no se despertó, una muerte que todo el mundo firmaría, si no fuera porque se fue demasiado pronto.
Me tuve que volver desde la sierra, roto, cuando me enteré por wathsapp. No podía ni vestirme, no podía encontrar la ropa, sujetar nada con las manos, no podía mantenerme en pie, no podía creerlo.
Dicen que cuando una persona ha cumplido su plan de alma, sencillamente se marcha.
Y no me cabe duda de que Pepe cumplió su plan e hizo lo que había venido a hacer a este mundo.
Estamos ante otro Maestro del Buen Vivir.
El hombre de abril. El Maestro de la risa estruendosa, del saber estar y del aplomo.
Una de las lecciones que aprendí de él fue la de vivir con entereza.
Suceda lo que suceda, no pierdas la dignidad. He tratado de seguir ésta enseñanza. Digno y entero, aunque a veces te estés cayendo a pedazos. Ya habrá tiempo de dolerse, pero ahora toca vivir, "Adelante con los faroles", una de sus frases habituales.
Pepe era un relámpago de vida en un mundo de personas apagadas. No he conocido a un tipo con mayor capacidad de dar y de darse a los demás, de sostener a sus semejantes en momentos de zozobra.
Siempre estaba ahí, cuando tu mismo no podías sostenerte.
Y alguna vez yo no pude, y él estuvo.
Pepe era un mago de la generosidad y la entereza. Encajaba los desaires, los desplantes y rechazos de la gente vulgar, con una elegancia olímpica.
Se mantenía firme, se mantenía digno y en pie.
Era un hombre de corazón inmenso, intenso, emocional y expansivo.
A veces muy caústico. A veces letal con las palabras.
Era y Es (y digo es, porque el alma inmortal se resiste a la idea de la finitud y estoy convencido de que volveré a verle) un gigante en zapatos de hombre mortal e imperfecto.
Tuvimos algunos desencuentros. Unos años duros en los que se me complicó la vida estuvimos alejados. Y tiempo después volvimos a ser los viejos amigos de siempre, como si nada hubiera sucedido.
Otra cosa que aprendí de él fue a tratar de vivir una vida digna de ser vivida. Porque con menos que eso, no debemos conformarnos. Hemos venido al mundo a hacer que el tiempo vivido merezca la pena.
Pepe me enseñó también entereza, valentía y generosidad.
Me enseñó a no victimizarme (un mal tan común en nuestros días) a encajar el daño sin pestañear, a vivir siempre con autorrespeto, aunque la vida fuera injusta o las circunstancias no fueran las mejores.
Estaba con él, en la cocina de un chalet en Piedralabes, de vacaciones con su familia ( Merche su mujer y su hijo Ignacio) , cuando el último rayo de luz de uno de sus ojos, se cerró para siempre. Se le cayó la taza del desayuno en la encimera. Se quedó lívido. Su ceguera (porque Pepe era ciego), que había ido siendo degenerativa durante décadas, era ya definitiva. “He perdido la Luz", me dijo.
"No has perdido la Luz, tu qué cojones vas a perder la luz", pensé, sin atreverme a hablar, sin saber que decirle. "La Luz la llevas dentro. De hecho, Pepe, llevas más luz que la mayoría de personas que he conocido, joder."
Pepe no nació ciego, pero en pocas décadas, se quedó a oscuras para siempre. Su mujer, médico psiquiatra, tenía que pincharle en las córneas para retrasar la enfermedad. Pero la oscuridad fue inevitable.
A Pepe le gustaba navegar de joven. Y nos contaba a Pablo Magarzo (compañero suyo de colegio y compañero mío de tiro con arco) y a mi, que muchas veces soñaba que navegaba de nuevo. Sus sueños eran vividos, luminosos. El recuerdo de una claridad perdida. Cuando Pepe, Peporro para los de su colegio, soñaba, era libre.
Pepe también era psicoanalista lacaniano y psicólogo de la Dirección General de Tráfico.
Sus pacientes decían de él que tenía un “oído clínico" muy bueno.
Era certero, lúcido, vital. Un buen profesional.
En la ONCE le tenían por un invidente de vanguardia, autónomo y probador de las nuevas tecnologías que se incorporaban para ayudar a la gente con limitaciones visuales.
Se sacó el cinturón negro de judo.
Escuchaba libros a todas horas.
Caminaba como un sherpa, comía como un vikingo, reía como un mongol.
Compañero de largas caminatas, se apuntaba siempre a un bombardeo. No había plan al que dijera que no.
Siempre en expansión, abierto a la vida, fue miembro de clubes de lectura, articulista en prensa y revistas, era uno de los miembros e impulsores de la web Total Noir, referente mundial en literatura policial y de género negro.
También era lector voraz y uno de los mayores expertos en novela negra que he conocido.
Y no iba de nada especial, ni de experto, ni de gurú, ni de entendido.
Pero lo era.
Tuvo tres perros guía magníficos, Urbión, Rusty y Milk. A los tres los quise (a Rusty no me dió casi tiempo) y los quiero como le quise a él. Grandes animales, grandes seres.
Y ahora solo nos queda recoger los pedazos de este naufragio y seguir viviendo, porque la vida es una carrera de fondo y con los años vamos perdiendo gente, cada vez más gente en ésta masacre, que decía Bukowski.
Masacre por entregas, añado yo.
¿Que vamos a hacer los que nos quedamos aquí sin el ahora?
Camelot ha perdido a su Arturo, un Arturo que jamás fue de jefe, ni de Arturo, ni de rey ni de nada... y que precisamente por eso quizá era uno de los que más se merecía la corona.
Era siempre uno más, allá donde iba, y sin embargo, era muy grande, era único.
La Mesa Redonda ya nunca volverá a ser lo mismo sin él.
La vida debe continuar tras la Batalla de Camlann.
El mundo tiene menos luz desde que un buen hombre, sin colores en los ojos, ha partido hacia una tierra mejor.
Adiós Pepe. Hasta luego amigo mío.
Que tu bastón guía nos ayude a encontrar el camino en la noche oscura del alma, cuando perdamos el rumbo, cuando no podamos más, o no sepamos hallar el camino.
Y ahora si, tocan las lágrimas.
Nota:
Todos los 5 de agosto los miembros de la Terma (Tertulia Madrileña de Literatura Fantástica) celebramos el "Pepe Day" en su memoria.
Y esperamos poder seguirlo haciendo muchos muchos años.
Foto 1: Si alguna vez os preguntáis donde está Pepe ahora, ya lo sabéis. Recorre al fin los océanos libre.
Foto 2: Pepe y yo (sin barba y con pelo) en la Fiesta de la espuma en Piedralabes. La cara de uno de los lugareños que nos mira es un poema. Foto tomada por Merche, su mujer.
Foto 3: tomada prestada y editada, con todo el respeto y cariño, de la excelente web Total Noir. Es una de las más recientes que se tienen de nuestro amigo.
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