Mastering the Spanish Language: Common idioms and pronunciation tips
Mastering the Spanish language requires dedication, discipline, and the right strategies. While it is true that the process varies from person to person, it generally involves key strategies to become fluent: expanding vocabulary, improving comprehension, and developing good speaking skills.
Once the Spanish learner has a strong foundation, such as knowledge of the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation rules, the basic sentence structure (subject-verb-object, question formation, and common phrases), and the important vocabulary (numbers, greetings, common verbs, everyday nouns…, etc.), the learner is ready to take a step further and learn more about real-life Spanish and the way native speakers talk daily.
To do so, a good way to start is to learn about Spanish idioms and practice Spanish pronunciation.
Common idioms in Spanish and how to use them
Idioms are a very important part of any language because they help to add authenticity to conversations. These idiomatic expressions are widely used, and understanding them can help Spanish learners sound more natural in conversations with native speakers. Here are some idioms to keep in mind:
1- Tirar la toalla
This idiom literally means “to throw in the towel,” and Spanish speakers use it when they want to give up on something.
2- Estar en las nubes
This idiom refers to being distracted or daydreaming. For example, the phrase Nicholas no estaba prestando atención en clase, estaba en las nubes translates to Nicholas was not paying attention in class; he was daydreaming.
3- Ser pan comido
When you hear the idiom ¡Es pan comido!, it does not mean that someone ate a piece of bread. Instead, Spanish speakers use this phrase to refer to something very easy to do. The English equivalent could be to be a piece of cake.
4- Más vale tarde que nunca
The meaning of this idiom is that it is better to do something late than not do it at all. In English, it could be translated as Better late than never.
Pronunciation tips
To master the Spanish language, we need to focus on good pronunciation, which is essential for feeling confident while speaking Spanish. This language has words that are generally pronounced as they are written. However, some sounds can be challenging for learners. Here are some tips to improve your Spanish pronunciation:
1- Get better at pronouncing the rolled ‘R’ in Spanish
Rolling the R in Spanish can be difficult even for intermediate learners. We can find the rolled R in words like perro or carro. To pronounce them correctly, the tongue has to vibrate against the roof of the mouth.
2- Watch out for the silent ‘H’ and strong ‘J’ in Spanish
It is important to remember that in Spanish, the letter ‘H’ is silent, and the letter ‘J’ is pronounced like the English ‘H’. A quick tip to remember this is to exaggerate the ‘J’ sound at first until it sounds natural.
3- Use tongue twisters in Spanish to practice
Tongue twisters can be an excellent way to become aware of pronunciation details and improve your speaking skills in Spanish. A common example of a Spanish tongue twister is Tres tristes tigres comen trigo de un trigal, which can help you roll the ‘R’.
The key to improving your Spanish skills is to always keep trying and never get discouraged by making mistakes. Listen, repeat, and never give up!
Autor: Erika Torres Gil