10 Spanish words with no equivalent in English.
Spanish is a rich in nuances and culturally diverse language, which gives rise to a number of words with no equivalent in English. These words reflect unique aspects of daily life, customs and emotions that are not always expressed by a single word in other languages.
In this post, we will learn ten of these fascinating words that make Spanish such a special language.
1. Sobremesa
Definition: Conversation and time spent around the table, after eating.
Why it doesn’t translate: In English, there is no single word to describe this special time of relaxation and chatting after a meal. In Hispanic culture, the sobremesa is a valuable time to enjoy company and food. A concept that extends beyond the simple act of eating.
Example in a sentence: Después de la cena, tuvimos una larga sobremesa hablando de nuestras vacaciones.
2. Merienda
Definition: A light meal in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner.
Why it doesn’t translate: The concept of “merienda” implies a specific break in the afternoon to enjoy foods such as snacks or pastries, which has no direct equivalent in English.
Example in a sentence: Siempre me gusta tomar una merienda de café con croissants a las cinco de la tarde.
3. Desvelado
Definition: Someone who has had a sleepless night or who has woken up during the night and cannot go back to sleep.
Why it doesn’t translate: The word desvelado convey the idea of having not slept. There’s no a specific word in English that encompasses both the state of being awake and the associated emotional effect.
Example in a sentence: Estuve desvelado toda la noche pensando en el examen del día siguiente.
4. Friolero
Definition: A person who feels very cold easily.
Why it doesn’t translate: “Friolero” refers specifically to someone who is especially sensitive to cold. There is no single word in English to describe it.
Example in a sentence: No salgas sin abrigo, eres muy friolero y te resfriarás.
5. Estrenar
Definition: To use something for the first time.
Why it doesn’t translate: The verb “to use”or “to wear” can be used as a transalation. Neverthless these verbs don’t express the nuance of using something for the very firts time. The Spanish verb “estrenar” carries a sense of newness and excitement.
Example in a sentence: Hoy voy a estrenar mi nuevo vestido en la fiesta.
6. Anteayer
Definition: The day before yesterday, i.e., two days before the current day.
Why it doesn’t translate: In English, there is no specific word for two days before the present, so the descriptive phrase such as “the day before yesterday” is normally used.
Example in a sentence: Anteayer fue mi cumpleaños, así que celebramos con una gran fiesta.
7. Churro
Definition: A fried sweet, typical in Spain and Latin America, which is usually had with hot chocolate.
Why it doesn’t translate: “Churro” refers to a specific type of fried dough that does not have an exact equivalent in English. It is often described as a “doughnut stick” or simply called by its Spanish name.
Example in a sentence: No te pierdas los churros con chocolate para el desayuno.
8. Tutear
Definition: To use the informal form “tú” instead of the formal form “usted” when addressing someone.
Why it doesn’t translate: In English, there is no difference between formal and informal pronouns as in Spanish, so tutear does not have a direct translation into English.
Example in a sentence: Después de nuestra conversación, me invitó a tutearlo en lugar de usar el “usted”.
9. Mimoso
Definition: A person who seeks a lot of affection, often excessively.
Why it doesn’t translate: Mimoso reflects an attitude of tenderness and need for affection that has no direct translation in English. The closest equivalent would be “clingy”, but with a more positive nuance.
Example in a sentence: Mi perro es muy mimoso, siempre busca que lo acaricie.
10. Tertulia
Definition: A social gathering where people talk and discuss various topics.
Why it doesn’t translate: Although in English one can speak of a “meeting” or “discussion”, tertulia carries a specific connotation of a cultural or intellectual gathering with a focus on conversation and debate.
Example in a sentence: Los amigos se reúnen cada viernes para una tertulia sobre libros y arte.
These ten words show the richness and depth of the Spanish language, showing how certain cultural and emotional concepts can be unique to a language and often have no direct translation into English.
Learning and understanding these words not only enriches your vocabulary, but also gives you a window into the culture and way of thinking of Spanish speakers.
We hope these words have made you appreciate more the beauty of Spanish language!
If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to continue exploring the unique aspects of Spanish. Take a look at our previous post on idiomatic expressions of youth slang!
See you soon!
