Have you ever noticed Latin American Spanish speakers saying "este..." when they're thinking about what to say next? If you've wondered what this little word means and how to use it, you're in for a treat! Today we're exploring a common but often overlooked feature of Latin American Spanish: using este as a colloquial hesitation marker or interjection.
While most Spanish learners know este as the demonstrative adjective meaning "this" (este libro = this book), it has another completely different use in spoken Spanish. When used as an interjection, este functions exactly like the English "um," "uh," or "well" - it's a filler word that speakers use when they're hesitating, thinking, or pausing before continuing their thought.
This usage of este is particularly common in Latin American Spanish. When someone says Este... quería contarles algo grave (Um... I wanted to tell you something serious), they're using este to buy themselves a moment to gather their thoughts, just like English speakers do with "um" or "well." Here are some typical contexts where you'll hear this:
Este... necesito hablar contigo (Um... I need to talk to you)
¿Qué tal? Este... Mi nombre es David del Valle. Este... tengo veintiún años. Soy estudiante.
What's up? Um... My name is David del Valle. Um... I'm twenty-one years old. I'm a student.
Captions 1-2, Amigos D.F. El secuestrar
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Este... ¿cómo te explico? (Um... how do I explain this to you?)
Es algo muy divertido y, pues, este... pues, sí.
It's a really fun thing, and well, um... well, yes.
Captions 14-15, Rueda de la muerte Parte 1
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Este... dame un momento (Um... give me a moment)
Este... ¿Qué más? ¿Qué más? ¡Se me olvida cuando nos preguntan!
Um... What else? What else? I forget when we're asked!
Captions 30-31, La Gusana Ciega Entrevista - Part 1
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This use of este is especially prevalent in Latin American countries, where it's a natural part of everyday conversation. You might also hear esto used in the same way, with the same hesitation function. It's important to recognize that when este is used this way, it has nothing to do with pointing to something nearby. Instead, it's purely a conversational tool that helps speakers navigate the natural pauses and hesitations that occur in spontaneous speech.
Este... me voy a fijar si hay.
Well... I'm going to check to see if there's any.
Caption 34, Yago 5 La ciudad - Part 6
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Understanding este as a hesitation marker will help you sound more natural in Spanish conversations and better comprehend native speakers who use these common filler words. While you don't need to actively use it as a beginner, recognizing it when you hear it will make your listening comprehension much smoother.
Next time you're listening to Spanish conversations, keep an ear out for this little word - you'll be surprised how often you notice it once you know what to listen for! What other Spanish filler words or conversational markers would you like to learn about? Share your thoughts with us and don't forget to send us your questions and comments!
Although there aren't many words that start with the letter Y in Spanish, this letter is quite important, particularly if we think in terms of the conjunction and pronoun that are formed with it. Let's hear some clips from our popular beginner series Conversaciones en el parque:
Sí, a mí me gustan las plantas y las flores y los árboles.
Yes, I like the plants and the flowers and the trees.
Captions 12-13, Conversaciones en el parque - Cap. 5: Me gusta mucho este parque.
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Yo tengo dos naranjas.
I have two oranges.
Caption 29, Conversaciones en el parque - Cap. 5: Me gusta mucho este parque.
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Aside from these two important uses, there are a few additional words in Spanish that start with Y, and we will mention some of the most common. First, however, let's learn a couple of things about the letter Y in Spanish.
The letter Y is the 26th letter of the Spanish alphabet and has two names: "i griega," which literally means "Greek i," and "ye."
In terms of pronunciation, the letter "Y" in Spanish has the same sound as the vowel "I" when it stands alone, as in the conjunction y, or at the end of a word, following another vowel. Let's hear this in a few clips:
Como veis, estoy rodeada de paja, ¿vale?
As you can see, I'm surrounded by straw, right?
Caption 5, Amaya - Donkey Dreamland
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se siente muy enfadada, muy enojada,
they feel very angry, very mad,
Caption 25, Aprendiendo con Silvia - Frases hechas
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o a la palabra "Uruguay".
or in the word "Uruguay."
En ese caso, la "i griega" del final hace las veces de una vocal "i".
In that case, the letter "y" at the end acts as an "i" vowel.
Captions 27-28, Carlos explica - Acentuación Cap. 5: Diptongo, triptongo, hiato
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For all other instances, the letter Y adopts the consonant sound you can hear in the following words:
cuando el ciclista cayó al asfalto.
when the cyclist fell on the asphalt.
Caption 72, Carlos explica - Vocabulario de las matemáticas
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la papaya,
papaya,
Caption 40, El Aula Azul - Adivinanzas de colores
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¿Estás de acuerdo con Susana
Do you agree with Susana
en que el video apoya las conversaciones de paz?
that the video supports the peace talks?
Caption 27, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 9
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Now that we know its names and pronunciation, let's dive into our list of words in Spanish that start with the letter Y.
Right behind the conjunction y and the pronoun yo, this adverb is probably one of the most frequently used words that start with Y in Spanish.
ya es un gran logro personal.
it's already a great personal achievement.
Caption 52, Aprendiendo con Silvia - Las emociones
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empezaron a excavar y encontraron este gran yacimiento.
they began to excavate and found this great site.
Caption 59, Amaya - Teatro romano
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contra siglos de explotación por el imperialismo yanqui.
against centuries of exploitation by Yankee imperialism.
Caption 2, Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar - Capítulo 1
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Me he comprado un yate.
I've bought myself a yacht.
Caption 23, Clase Aula Azul - La segunda condicional
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también una yegua
a mare as well,
Caption 34, Quito - Zoológico de Guayllabamba
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Así separamos la clara de la yema.
This is how we separate the white from the yolk.
Caption 52, El Aula Azul - Receta de natillas
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Keep in mind that this word can also be written with "h" (hierba).
Y me pidió mate de bombilla
And he asked me for mate with a bombilla
y no tengo yerba.
and I don't have the [mate] herb.
Caption 50, Yago - 5 La ciudad
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Es el yerno de mi abuelo Juan.
He's my Grandpa Juan's son-in-law.
Caption 15, Curso de español - ¿Qué relación hay entre ellos?
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sin tener que poner un yeso
without having to put on a cast
o algo que le limite mucho más.
or something that would limit him much more.
Caption 46, Los médicos explican - El tratamiento de las fracturas
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cuatro ladrillos de esos estuvieran pegados con yeso.
four of those bricks were glued with plaster.
Caption 55, Los Tiempos de Pablo Escobar - Capítulo 2
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Me creen. Me creen. Me creen un yoyó.
They believe me. They believe me. They believe I am a yo-yo.
Me tienen pa'rriba y pa'bajo.
They've got me [going] up and down.
Captions 68-69, Muñeca Brava - 7 El poema
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Cuando trabajamos en yoga las posturas,
When we work in yoga, on the postures,
Caption 5, Ana Teresa - El yoga y la columna vertebral
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Me encanta comer cereal con yogur de cerezas. -OK.
I love to eat cereal with cherry yogurt. -OK.
Caption 15, Carlos y Xavi - Diferencia de pronunciación entre España y Colombia
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La yuca es una raíz... que crece en la selva,
Yucca is a root... that grows in the jungle,
Caption 66, Otavalo - Julia nos muestra las verduras
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In addition to these words, there are other Spanish words of foreign origin that start with the letter Y, such as yen (yen), yudo (judo), and yihad (jihad), just to name a few. And let's not forget one word that is hopefully helping you a lot with your Spanish: Yabla!
With this last familiar word, we have come to the end of this lesson. Did we leave out any important Spanish words that start with the letter Y? If so, please let us know so we can add them to this list... and don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments.
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