Spanish is a beautiful language with a rich history. But, like any language, there are certain words and phrases that can trip up even the most seasoned speakers.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 7 tricky Spanish words and what they really mean.
What is the Hardest Word to Say?
There are some words in Spanish that can be difficult for native English speakers to pronounce. Here are a few of the most challenging:
- aceituna – olive
- llamo – I call
- mesa – table
- seis – six
- quince – fifteen
These words all contain sounds that are not found in English, which can make them difficult to pronounce.
For instance, the ‘ll’ in llamo is pronounced like a ‘y’, and the ‘c’ in aceituna is pronounced like an ‘s’. In addition, many of these words have multiple syllables, which can make them tricky to say quickly. However, with a little practice, anyone can learn to say these words like a native speaker.
Still having trouble mastering these tricky Spanish words, or perhaps some other tricky Spanish words to pronounce that aren’t on this list? Sign up for Spanish lessons! It’s the best way to get a handle on all these tough vocabulary terms – plus learn everything else you need to know in order to be a fluent Spanish speaker. Learn more by watching this video:
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7 Top Tricky Words in Spanish
As a beginner learning Spanish, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by new vocabulary. How do you keep track of all of the Spanish words and meanings? Not to mention all the false cognates that are out there!
Fortunately, with practice, Spanish words and phrases will become like second nature to you. Just watch out for the tricky word pairs! For a helpful lesson, our friends at Lingolistic recently shared an article with us with some words that are particularly confusing for beginners. Here are a few of them:
Vaya, valla
- Vaya: to indicate surprise, either for a bad or a good reason. It also works as the verb “to go,” which is where most people make mistakes. Example: “¡Vaya noche, me lo he pasado genial!” (What a night, I had a wonderful time!).
- Valla: it sounds the same, but it means “fence.” Example: “Ayer pinté la valla de verde” (I painted the fence green yesterday). So remember: vaya for the verb, valla for the object.
Haber, a ver
Although the difference is quite big, people tend to make this mistake very, very frequently since both sound the same.
- Haber: the verb to indicate “there is” or “there are.” Example: “Hay un coche estropeado” (There is a broken car there).
- A ver: the meaning is “let’s see,” but people usually use the previous verb (haber) instead. Example: “A ver, qué comemos hoy” (Let’s see, what do we have for lunch).
Ay, hay, ahí
If you’re a Spanish learner, this might be a headache, but don’t worry, there is a sentence to make it clearer: “Ahí hay un hombre que dice ¡ay!” (Over there, there is a man saying ouch!).
- Ahí: “there, over there”
- Hay: the verb “haber” in present tense, “there is/are”
- Ay: a moan, “ouch”
Tricky Spanish Words With Two Meanings
Anyone who has studied Spanish knows that the language can be notoriously tricky. Many words have multiple meanings, and this can often lead to confusion and frustration for learners.
One prime example is the word “casa.” This word can mean either “house” or “home.” While the two concepts are similar, they are not entirely interchangeable. A “casa” is a physical structure where one lives, whereas a “hogar” is a place where one feels safe and comfortable.
Another common example is the word “sola.” This word can mean either “alone” or “sole.” Again, while the concepts are similar, they are not exactly the same. When used to mean “alone,” “sola” refers to being physically alone, whereas when used to mean “sole,” it refers to being the only one of its kind.
There are countless others, too. The word “broma” can mean either “joke” or “prank.” Similarly, the word “sorpresa” can mean either “surprise” or “gift.”
What is the Longest Spanish Word?
The longest Spanish word is “anticonstitucionalmente.” This word is 27 letters long and is derived from the Latin roots “anti,” meaning “against,” “constituere,” meaning “to establish,” and “mente,” meaning “mind.” The word describes something that goes against the Constitution, or the fundamental law of a country.
In Spanish, this word is used to describe laws or actions that are unconstitutional. For example, a law that violates the right to freedom of speech would be considered anticonstitucional. While this word may seem daunting at first, it can be broken down into smaller pieces to make it easier to remember.
More Hard Words to Say in Spanish for English Speakers
Here are a few more examples of hard-to-say words in Spanish, along with tips on how to pronounce them:
- Despacito – This word means “slowly,” and is often used when giving instructions or advice. To say it correctly, stress the second syllable and don’t pronounce the final “t.”
- Mañana – This word for “tomorrow” can be tricky for English speakers because it doesn’t follow the standard rules of pronunciation. The correct way to say it is with a soft “ñ” sound, as well as a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
- Puerto Rico – The name of this island nation is another example of a word that doesn’t follow standard pronunciation rules. To say it correctly, stress the second syllable and don’t pronounce the final “r.”
- Cerveza – This word for “beer” is one of the most popular Spanish words among English speakers. To say it properly, stress the first syllable and roll the “r” sound.
- España – The name of Spain can be difficult for English speakers because of the different vowels sounds involved. The correct way to say it is by stressing the first syllable and using a softer “a” sound for the second syllable.
Difficult Spanish Words? Get Help by Taking Spanish Lessons Today!
These are just a few of the tricky words and phrases that can trip up even the most seasoned Spanish speakers!
Continue reading the article here, and make sure to check out the other resources Lingolistic has available for Spanish learners!
Readers, what other word pairs do you get confused? Ser vs. estar is another one our tutors have pointed out. Let us know what Spanish words and meanings you struggle with by leaving a comment below!
Suzy S.