Have you ever noticed how Spanish speakers use the word gracia in different ways? Today, we'll explore this versatile word and its various meanings through real-world examples.
One of the most common uses of gracia refers to the special charm or appeal of something:
La gracia de esta ensalada está en el bacalao.
The charm of this salad is in the codfish.
Captions 81-82, Soledad Ensalada de alcachofa
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This meaning extends to physical grace and elegance in movement:
¡Qué salero tiene esta niña!", pero la niña no lleva nada de sal encima, quiere decir que tiene mucha gracia, en su manera de actuar o hablar o bailar.
What a salt shaker this girl has!" but the little girl isn't carrying any salt, it means that she has a lot of charm in her manner of acting or talking or dancing.
Captions 17-20, Aprendiendo con Silvia Frases hechas - Part 1
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Ahora, tenés que levantarte también lentamente con mucha gracia,
Now, you have to stand up also slowly with a lot of grace,
Caption 24, Muñeca Brava 43 La reunión - Part 4
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The word gracia frequently appears in contexts related to humor and entertainment. Let's look at some examples:
Pero bueno, fue un poco de susto y un poco de gracia también.
But, well, it was a bit of a scare and a bit funny too.
Caption 98, Sevilla, España Hotel Kivir - Part 2
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The expression hacer gracia means to find something amusing or funny:
¿Qué cosas te hacen gracia, por ejemplo? Pues me hacen gracia... las comedias de televisión, también los monólogos divertidos y los chistes que cuenta mi hermana.
What things do you find funny, for example? Well, I find funny... TV comedies, also fun monologues, and the jokes my sister tells.
Captions 49-52, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y sentimientos
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Sometimes people try to be deliberately funny:
y mi padre, por hacer la gracia, decidió regalarle a mi madre carbón dulce.
and my father, to be funny, decided to give my mom sweet coal.
Captions 62-63, Isabel y Paula contigo Día de Reyes - Part 1
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Gracia can refer to the unique quality or special characteristic that makes something valuable:
¿Y la gracia de tu trabajo no consiste en no pagar?
And the beauty of your job doesn't consist of not paying?
Caption 43, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 3 - Part 9
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In religious contexts, gracia takes on a spiritual meaning:
Llena las almas la gracia de Dios
The Lord's grace fills our souls
Caption 12, Villancicos Jacky canta "Noche de Paz"
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The word gracia can also be used ironically, often to describe someone's questionable ideas or actions:
donde a alguien se le ocurra la gracia de meterse con algún miembro de mi familia.
where someone has the bright idea of messing with any member of my family.
Captions 3-4, Pablo Escobar, el patrón del mal Capítulo 1 - Part 2
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When talking about food, "sin gracia" means without taste or bland:
Importante, si no la crema va a quedar muy sosa. O va a quedar sin gracia.
It's important; if not, the cream is going to end up really bland. Or it's going to end up without taste.
Captions 26-27, Cómetelo Crema de brócoli - Part 4
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This versatile expression can mean:
- To find something funny
- To try to be funny
- To amuse someone
Can mean:
- To be naturally funny
- To have charm
- To be ironic (in certain contexts)
Used to describe:
- Something tasteless (in food)
- Something boring or dull
- A person without charm or grace
Refers to:
- The special quality of something
- The purpose or point of something
- The charm or appeal of something
1. Pay attention to context - The same expression can have different meanings depending on the situation.
2. Watch for tone - Especially in ironic uses.
3. Notice regional variations - Some expressions might be more common in certain Spanish-speaking countries.
4. Consider the setting - Religious vs. casual contexts use "gracia" differently.
Remember that mastering the various uses of gracia will help you sound more natural in Spanish and better understand native speakers. Practice using these expressions in your conversations!
Have you encountered other interesting uses of gracia in Spanish? Share your experiences with us! Don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
When it comes to celebrating el día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving Day) in Spanish-speaking contexts, knowing the right vocabulary and expressions is essential! Whether you're describing traditional foods, sharing customs, or simply expressing gratitude, this lesson will teach you all the Spanish vocabulary and phrases you need to discuss this cherished November celebration. From essential foods and decorations to cultural traditions and expressions of thanks, we'll explore everything you need to know - with real examples from native Spanish speakers! Let's dive in and discover how to make the most of this special holiday in Spanish.
Thanksgiving takes place cada año (each year) on el cuarto jueves de noviembre (the fourth Thursday in November), which is, of course, la estación de otoño (the fall season). For a plethora of fall-related words, check out this lesson on Spanish Vocabulary for the Autumn Season.
La historia (the history) of Thanksgiving is polémica (controversial). Although many of us learned about a harmonious festín (feast) between los peregrinos (the pilgrims) and los nativos de América del Norte (the Native Americans), the previous and subsequent bloodshed have led many to rethink the way Thanksgiving is taught or whether they should celebrate it. In fact, many Native American tribes observe Thanksgiving as a day of luto (mourning).
That said, the idea of dar las gracias (giving thanks) is una costumbre (a tradition) that predates the so-called first Thanksgiving in mil seiscientos veintiuno, or 1621 (See this lesson on saying the years in Spanish!). It is a federal holiday in the United States that is cherished by many for the purpose of juntarse (getting together) with one's seres queridos (loved ones) to darse un banquete (feast) and festejar (celebrate) the things for which they feel agradecidos (grateful).
Although the pilgrims probably didn't eat Turkey at the first Thanksgiving, it has become the staple of many Thanksgiving meals:
Un pavo real como los peregrinos.
A real turkey like the pilgrims.
Caption 60, Calle 13 Cumbia de los Aburridos
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de puré de patata suave, entonces... eso es lo que vamos a perseguir.
smooth mashed potatoes, so... that's what we are going to seek.
Caption 14, Cómetelo Crema de brócoli - Part 4
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Es solomillo ibérico, relleno.
It's Iberian tenderloin with stuffing.
Caption 72, 75 minutos Del campo a la mesa - Part 6
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Podéis utilizar también cualquier otra verdura que os guste, como calabaza o judías verdes.
You can also use any other vegetable that you like, such as pumpkin or green beans.
Captions 16-17, La cocina de María Cocido Malagueño
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¡Ah! -...arándanos rojos. -¡Arándanos rojos!
¡Ah! -...cranberries. -Cranberries!
Caption 34, Cleer y Lida Picnic
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Y el dulce de batata también.
And the sweet potato jam also.
Caption 17, Muñeca Brava 2 Venganza - Part 4
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Here are some additional Thanksgiving food words that might come in handy:
Apple pie: el pastel de manzana, la torta de manzana
Brussels sprouts: los coles de Bruselas, los repollitos de Bruselas
Dinner rolls: los pancitos, los panecillos, los rollos
Corn: el maíz
Gravy: la salsa de carne, la salsa espesa, la salsa
Pecan pie: la tarta de nuez pecana, la tarta de pecana
Pumpkin pie: el pastel de calabaza
Yams: los ñames
In addition to comer (eating), many people congregate to watch fútbol americano (football) or view the famous desfile (parade) the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, be it on TV or en persona (in person).
They might also decorate their homes with such Thanksgiving símbolos (symbols) as las velas (candles), el maíz criollo (Indian corn), las calabazas (gourds), and los cuernos de la abundancia (cornucopias or horns of plenty).
However, the most important Thanksgiving activity (and indeed every day!) is giving thanks, which we think Claudia Montoya sings quite nicely about this in this clip:
Por eso cada día quiero dar las gracias Por todo lo que yo tengo, también lo que no tengo
That's why I want to give thanks every day For everything I have, what I don't have as well
Captions 12-13, Claudia Montoya Volverte a abrazar
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Some other ways to talk about being grateful and giving thanks in Spanish include:
agradecer: to thank, to express gratitude/thanks
estar agradecido/a por: to be grateful for
sentirse afortunado/a: to feel fortunate/blessed
sentirse bendecido/a: to feel blessed
sentirse agradecido/a por lo que uno tiene: to count one's blessings (literally "to be grateful for what one has")
las bendiciones: the blessings
On that note, les agradecemos mucho (We thank you very much) for reading this lesson on Thanksgiving terms in Spanish. We hope you've enjoyed it, and don't forget to leave us your suggestions and comments.
In our previous lesson we discussed the memorization of short phrases as a strategy to gain confidence when conversing in Spanish. The idea is to memorize specific chunks of speech and use them as building blocks to create more complex ideas. In this lesson we will focus on exploring phrases that use the verb esté.
The verb esté is a conjugated form of the verb estar (to be) in the present subjunctive. Let's see how speakers use it in everyday speech and learn how to build new sentences with it.
You can find many examples of the phrase para que esté in our catalog of videos. This phrase is used to express purpose and it's usually followed by an adjective or a verb in participio (-ado, -ido, -to, -so, -cho endings and its feminine and plural variants):
uno trata de abarcar lo más posible para que esté protegida lo más posible, ¿no?
one tries to cover as much as possible so that she would be as protected as she can be, right?
Captions 55-56, Biografía Natalia Oreiro - Part 5
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In this case the speaker is talking about another person, a woman. The pronoun ella (she) is not needed in Spanish but you can actually add pronouns, names, or noun phrases between que and esté. You can also use actual adjectives instead of participios. For example:
para que Luisa esté protegida | So that Luisa would be protected.
para que el niño esté sano | So that the kid is healthy.
para que el trabajo esté terminado | So that the job is finished.
Here's an example from our catalog:
para que la patata esté blanda, se tiene que cocer mucho la crema
in order for the potato to be soft, the cream has to be cooked a lot
Captions 43-44, Cómetelo - Crema de brócoli - Part 4
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Since the subjunctive esté is used for both the first and third person singular, you can use the same expression to talk about yourself. You can add the pronoun yo (I) between que and esté, or not. Check out the following example that also uses negation:
Compra un seguro de vida para que [yo] no esté preocupada \ Buy a life insurance policy so I won’t be worried.
Another common phrase that uses esté is aunque esté. This phrase is used to introduce the idea of a concession. The word aunque [aún + que] means although, even if, though.
aunque esté un poquito más deteriorado, ¿no?
even though it might be a little bit more spoiled, right?
Caption 24, Los Reporteros - Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 4
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Here are some additional examples:
Todos los años visito al doctor aunque [yo] no esté enfermo / I visit the doctor every year even if I'm not sick.
Aunque esta camiseta esté vieja, me sigue gustando mucho / Even though this t-shirt might be old, I still like it.
El dentista te recibirá hoy aunque esté muy ocupado / The dentist will see you today even if he's very busy.
Aunque esté cansado, aún tengo que hacer ejercicio / Even though I may be tired, I still need to exercise.
Finally, the phrase que esté muy bien (informal: que estés muy bien) is sometimes used to say goodbye:
Al contrario Joaquín, me da mucho gusto, le mando un abrazo. Que esté muy bien.
To the contrary, Joaquin, it's a pleasure, I send you a hug. Hope you're well.
Captions 18-19, ¡Tierra, Sí! - Atenco - Part 1
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You can also use it as an introductory greeting by adding the verb espero (I hope), especially in written communications: Hola, espero que estés bien (Hi, I hope you are well).
There are of course many other uses of the verb esté. Try to find more examples in our catalog of videos. Please send your feedback and suggestions to [email protected].
The basic meaning of the verbs aplastar and aplanar is "to flatten." You will hear many Spanish speakers using these as synonyms, though aplastar is way more common. There's a subtle difference, however, between these two verbs, since aplastar may imply a more drastic action and is sometimes better translated as "to crush," while aplanar involves a more controlled and careful activity. So, for example, you want to say aplasté a la cucaracha (I crushed the cockroach) rather than aplané a la cucaracha (I flattened the cockroach), right? In a similar (but less icky) way, our friend Meli prefers to use aplanar when giving instructions for her crafty projects:
Y aplanas para que quede uniforme.
And you flatten it so that it's even.
Caption 25, Manos a la obra - Postres de Minecraft
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The following example is enlightening, for it shows how aplastar may be okay for smashed potatoes but not for picatostes (croutons):
Cuando le das con el cuchillo se aplasta.
When you stick it with the knife, it flattens out.
Caption 96, Cómetelo - Crema de brócoli
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As we mentioned before, aplastar is more frequently used than aplanar, especially when used figuratively, and so you can find several videos using aplastar in our catalog. Here's one example:
...y no dejándose aplastar por el poder del día.
...and not letting the power of the day crush you.
Caption 26, Andrés Manuel López Obrador - En campaña
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But there's a third verb that is close to aplastar and aplanar. It's a funny-sounding word (and one with a very polemic etymology by the way: here's a good article about it) that's perfect for crushing gooey, crunchy bugs because its sound is actually reminiscent of squeezing/smashing. We are talking about the verb apachurrar (to smash, to crush). A purist would say that Meli is not being extremely precise with language by using apachurrar in the context of making crafts:
Ya que tenemos una esferita como ésta,
Now that we have a little sphere like this one,
la vamos a apachurrar.
we are going to press it down.
Captions 41-42, Manos a la obra - Borradores y marcatextos
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You can see that she actually pressed down the little sphere quite gently, so maybe using aplanar or even aplastar would have been more accurate to describe what she is doing. But hey, who wouldn’t want to say apachurrar when you have mastered rolling your R's as nicely as she has!
You may have noticed that all three verbs, aplanar, aplastar, and apachurrar, start with the prefix a-. This is because they belong to a group of Spanish verbs (verbos parasintéticos) that are created by adding the prefix a- or en- to nominal or adjectival forms. Some common examples are enamorar ("to fall in love" or "to inspire love"), apasionar (to be passionate about), encarcelar (to incarcerate) and atemorizar (to frighten). One verb in this group is alisar (to make smooth or straight), which has some resemblance in meaning to the verbs aplanar, aplastar, and apachurrar:
Además me acabo de... de alisar el cabello.
Besides I just finished... straightening my hair.
Caption 44, NPS No puede ser - 1 - El concurso
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This is the end of this lesson. But ¡no te apachurres, no te aplanes, no te aplastes! ("Don't get depressed," get it?) We have many more lessons on the site!
The Spanish verb hacer primarily means "to do" or "to make." As one of the most versatile verbs in Spanish, it appears in countless expressions and contexts. Despite its usefulness, mastering hacer can be challenging due to its irregular conjugation and multiple applications. Let's explore the essential uses of this fundamental Spanish verb with authentic examples.
As mentioned, hacer is an irregular verb, which means it doesn't follow standard conjugation patterns. This irregularity is particularly noticeable in the preterite (past tense) where forms like hice (I did/made) and hizo (he/she did/made) appear instead of the regular pattern.
yo hago (I do/make)
tú haces (you do/make)
él/ella/usted hace (he/she does/makes, you [formal] do/make)
nosotros/nosotras hacemos (we do/make)
vosotros/vosotras hacéis (you all do/make)
ellos/ellas/ustedes hacen (they do/make, you all do/make)
yo hice (I did/made)
tú hiciste (you did/made)
él/ella/usted hizo (he/she did/made, you [formal] did/made)
nosotros/nosotras hicimos (we did/made)
vosotros/vosotras hicisteis (you all did/made)
ellos/ellas/ustedes hicieron (they did/made, you all did/made)
The first basic meaning of hacer is "to make":
Vamos a hacer un platillo, eh... tradicional,
We're going to make a traditional, um... dish,
Caption 64, Otavalo Proyecto familiar Kawsaymi - Part 1
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The second basic meaning of hacer is "to do":
¿Y ahora qué hacemos?
And now what do we do?
Caption 12, Guillermina y Candelario - Una película de terror
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Keep in mind that the meanings of the verb hacer as "to do" or "to make" can be used in many different situations that don't necessarily correspond to the uses of "to make" and "to do" in English. Here are some common examples:
te dejo que tengo que hacer una llamada importante.
I'll leave you since I have to make an important call.
Caption 66, Fermín y Manuel Los móviles - Part 1
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¿Será que usted me puede hacer un favor? Imagínese que...
Would it be possible for you to do me a favor? Imagine that...
Caption 4, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 4 - Part 10
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Decir que te extraño porque me hace daño
To say that I miss you because it hurts me
Caption 3, Claudia Montoya Prisionera de tu amor
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Hacer appears in countless other expressions that might surprise English speakers:
Tú me hiciste brujería.
You put a spell on me.
Caption 38, Calle 13 - Un Beso De Desayuno
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Hacer is also extensively used in Spanish to express time or duration. It can be used to express for how long you have been doing something:
Tengo veinte años y estoy hace dos años acá en Buenos Aires.
I'm twenty years old and I've been here in Buenos Aires for two years.
Caption 40, Buenos Aires - Heladería Cumelen
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Or to express the concept of "ago":
Hace unos días me olvidé la mochila en el tren.
A few days ago I forgot my backpack on the train.
Caption 22, Raquel - Oficina de objetos perdidos
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Hacer is also used in weather expressions:
Hoy hace tanto viento que casi me deja caer.
Today it is so windy that it almost makes me fall [over].
Caption 22, Clara explica - El tiempo
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In impersonal expressions like hacer falta (to need/be lacking):
Se puede poner entero, no hace falta quitar corteza.
It can be put in whole; it's not necessary to remove the crust.
Caption 84, Cómetelo - Crema de brócoli
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The reflexive form hacerse is used to express pretending:
No te hagás el tonto, Ivo, por favor.
Don't play the fool, Ivo, please.
Caption 13, Muñeca Brava 45 El secreto - Part 2
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Digo si pasa algo con mi hijo, no te hagas la ingenua.
I'm saying if something is happening with my son, don't play dumb.
Caption 13, Muñeca Brava - 44 El encuentro - Part 5
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It appears in expressions like hacerse el loco (to pretend to be crazy) or hacerse el muerto (to play dead): Here is another example:
Mira, no te hagas la viva.
Look, don't play smart.
Caption 3, Yago - 3 La foto
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The Spanish verb hacer can also express the idea of getting used to something:
No hacerme a la idea de que esto está bien
Not to get used to the idea that this is OK
Caption 32, Xóchitl - Vida en Monterrey
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The expression hacer caso means "to pay attention," "to obey," or "to believe":
Nada, hay que hacerle caso al médico.
No way, you have to pay attention to the doctor.
Caption 63, Yago - 8 Descubrimiento
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Hazme caso que tú eres perfecta.
Believe me that you are perfect.
Caption 58, Biografía - Enrique Iglesias
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Pero yo siempre, siempre, siempre le hago caso a Sor Cachete.
But I always, always, always, do as Sister Cachete says.
Caption 35, Muñeca Brava - 44 El encuentro - Part 2
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That's all for this lesson about the Spanish verb hacer. As you can see, this versatile verb is essential for everyday communication in Spanish. Try using hacer in different contexts to become more familiar with its many uses and applications. Do you have other examples of how to use the verb hacer? Don't forget to write to us with your questions and suggestions!
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