A2 - Elementary Spanish
At the A2 level, a student is considered to be at the Elementary stage.
Students at this stage can converse in simple terms about common daily situations, and understands frequently used expressions.
jugar al ajedrez
play chess
The Spanish phrase 'jugar al ajedrez' translates to 'play chess' in English. This is an action or activity phrase, typically used to express an ongoing action or a hobby. 'Jugar' is a verb that means 'to play'. 'Al' is a Spanish preposition often used to combine the verb with the following noun which in this case is 'ajedrez' meaning 'chess'. Together, 'jugar al ajedrez', means 'to play chess'.
kilo de filetes
kilo of fillets
The Spanish phrase 'kilo de filetes' translates to 'kilo of fillets' in English. This is often used in reference to buying meat, where the word 'kilo' is a unit of weight measurement similar to pounds in English speaking countries, but metric based, and 'filetes' refers to a style of cut, generally thin, and can apply to various types of meat, including beef, chicken, or fish.
kilo de patatas
kilo of potatoes
The term 'kilo de patatas' in Spanish translates to 'kilo of potatoes' in English. This term is commonly used in grocery shopping, indicating a weight measure for potatoes. 'Kilo' is a metric unit of measurement equivalent to 1000 grams, similar to a kilogram in English. 'Patatas' is the Spanish word for 'potatoes', a type of starchy vegetable that is widely used in cooking in different cultures.
lamentar
regret
The Spanish word 'lamentar' translates to 'regret' in English. It is a verb often used to express a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity. For instance, if someone missed an event, they might say, 'lamento haberlo perdido', which means, 'I regret missing it'.
lata
tin
The Spanish word 'lata' translates into English as 'tin'. 'Lata' is a common word in Spanish and is primarily used in the context of materials or containers. For instance, it can be used to refer to a tin can ('una lata de sopa' - a tin of soup). While 'lata' typically refers to the metal in English, in Spanish, it can also mean 'annoyance' or 'nuisance' in informal settings. Like most words, the exact meaning of 'lata' depends on the context it's used in.
lata de atún
can of tuna
The Spanish phrase 'lata de atún' translates to 'can of tuna' in English. This is a combination of three words: 'lata' meaning can, 'de' meaning of, and 'atún' meaning tuna. So put together, 'lata de atún' represents a convenient, oftentimes pre-cooked, seafood product that is stored in a can. Tuna is a popular type of fish with a distinctly meaty texture, and when contained in a can, it can be preserved for a long time. Therefore, 'lata de atún' may be found in many kitchens, stores, or supermarkets.
lata de tomate
tomato can
The Spanish term 'lata de tomate' translates to 'tomato can' in English. 'Lata de tomate' is a phrase composed of two words: 'lata' and 'tomate.' The word 'lata' in this context refers to a can, a common type of packaging for food and drink products. 'Tomate' is the Spanish word for tomato, a round, red fruit that's often used in cooking. When combined, these words refer to a can of tomato, which might contain whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato paste. These canned tomatoes are a staple item in many kitchens, used in a variety of dishes such as stews, soups, and sauces.
lavadora
washing machine
The Spanish word 'lavadora' translates to 'washing machine' in English. It is a household appliance used for washing laundry such as clothes, bed linens, and towels. This word is feminine in Spanish, so it should be used with feminine articles like 'la' or 'una'. For example, 'la lavadora' means 'the washing machine', and 'una lavadora' means 'a washing machine'.
lavar el coche
wash the car
The Spanish phrase 'lavar el coche' translates to 'wash the car' in English. In this phrase, 'lavar' is a verb that means 'to wash', 'el' is an article that corresponds to 'the' in English, and 'coche' is a noun that means 'car'. Therefore, when put together, 'lavar el coche' implies the action of cleaning a vehicle using water and usually some kind of soap or detergent.
Example sentences with lavar el coche →lavar la ropa
wash clothes
The Spanish term 'lavar la ropa' translates into English as 'wash clothes'. It is a common phrase used in daily conversation to refer to the action of cleaning one's clothes, typically in a washing machine or by hand. You might hear or use this phrase when discussing household chores or plans for the day. It integrates the verb 'lavar' meaning 'to wash' and the noun 'ropa' meaning 'clothes'.
lavar los platos
wash dishes
The Spanish phrase 'lavar los platos' translates to 'wash dishes' in English. This is a common household task where dishes, cutlery, and cookware are cleaned after meals. The verb 'lavar' means 'to wash', and 'los platos' means 'the dishes'. In Spanish, the verb typically comes before the object, similar to English. This phrase can be used in various contexts, primarily in conversations related to cooking, cleaning, or domestic chores.
lavarse
wash
The word 'lavarse' is a reflexive verb in the Spanish language. In translation to English, it means 'to wash oneself'. It is often used to refer to self-cleaning activities. For example, 'lavarse las manos' translates to 'wash one's hands'. The form 'lavarse' is an infinitive form. It can change according to the tense and the subject in use.
lavavajillas
dishwasher
The Spanish word 'lavavajillas' translates to 'dishwasher' in English. It is a compound word that is made up of two words, 'lava' which means 'wash' and 'vajillas' meaning 'dishes'. So, the literal translation would be 'washes dishes'. In Spain and other Spanish speaking countries, this term is commonly used to refer to the machine used in kitchens for washing dishes and cutlery automatically. A dishwasher is a very useful appliance that saves time and effort in the kitchen.
librería
bookshop
The Spanish word 'librería' translates to 'bookshop' in English. It denotes a place, generally a physical store, where books are sold. Moreover, these books can cover a spectrum of genres, from fiction, non-fiction, to academic works. It is a hotspot for bibliophiles and literati, providing a space to delve into literary wonders. 'Librería' can also refer to bookstores located in academic institutions.
limpiar el baño
clean the bathroom
The Spanish phrase 'limpiar el baño' translates to 'clean the bathroom' in English. It is comprised of two parts: 'limpiar', which is a verb that means 'to clean', and 'el baño', which is a noun phrase that means 'the bathroom'. This is a common phrase that might be used in a household context, for example, to instruct someone to clean the bathroom.
limpiar la casa
clean the house
The Spanish phrase 'limpiar la casa' translates to 'clean the house' in English. This phrase is usually used in the context of household chores or duties, and it could mean literally cleaning the house, such as sweeping, dusting, or mopping, or it may refer to overall tidying such as putting things away or decluttering. The verb 'limpiar' literally means 'to clean' and 'la casa' means 'the house'.
limpiar la cocina
clean the kitchen
The Spanish phrase 'limpiar la cocina' translates to 'clean the kitchen' in English. It is a common phrase used in households to indicate the task of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen. 'Limpiar' is a verb which means 'to clean' and 'la cocina' refers to 'the kitchen'. Therefore, when combined, the phrase 'limpiar la cocina' refers to the act of cleaning the kitchen.
limpio
clean.
The Spanish word 'limpio' translates to 'clean' in English. It can be used as an adjective in various contexts, such as describing a tidy and clean room as 'una habitación limpia', or indicating the act of cleaning as 'limpiar'. This term can also reflect symbolic meanings of being clean, like a clean record in terms of law. In all, 'limpio' as a Spanish word shares a similar range of applications with the English word 'clean'.
literatura
Literature
The Spanish word 'literatura' translates to 'literature' in English. It also pertains to the body of written works. The word 'literatura' in Spanish, just like 'literature' in English, includes anything from novels and short stories to poems that are written creatively.
Example sentences with literatura →litro de agua
litre of water
The Spanish phrase 'litro de agua' translates into English as 'litre of water'. It is used to measure the volume of liquid, particularly water, in the metric system. A 'litro' is equivalent to the measurement of a litre in English, and 'agua' is the Spanish word for water. This phrase is commonly used in everyday contexts, such as grocery shopping or cooking, where quantities of liquids are discussed.
litro de leche
litre of milk
The phrase 'litro de leche' in Spanish directly translates to 'litre of milk' in English. It is a common phrase in Spanish-speaking countries, often used in everyday conversation, especially in the domain of shopping or cooking. A 'litre' is a unit of measurement used to measure the volume of liquids and 'leche' means milk which is a standard dairy product. Thus, 'litro de leche' is typically indicating the quantity of milk in terms of litres.
llamar a la policía
call the police
The Spanish phrase 'llamar a la policía' translates to 'call the police' in English. It is made up of the verb 'llamar' meaning 'call', the preposition 'a' which can translate to 'to', and the noun 'la policía' meaning 'the police'. Therefore, when you say 'llamar a la policía', you are instructing someone to call the police.
llamar a los bomberos
Call the firefighters.
The Spanish phrase 'llamar a los bomberos' translates to 'call the firefighters' in English. This phrase is used in situations where there is an emergency that requires the help of firefighters, such as a fire, car accident, or any situation that may involve life-threatening danger. The verb 'llamar' means to call, 'a los' mean to the, and 'bomberos' means firefighters. Therefore, when combined, it signals the action of reaching out to the firefighters for immediate assistance.
llevar arroz
bring rice
The Spanish phrase 'llevar arroz' translates to 'bring rice' in English. It can be used when someone is tasked with bringing rice, perhaps to a meal or event. The verb 'llevar' is frequently used in Spanish to denote the act of carrying or bringing something from one place to another, while 'arroz' is the Spanish word for rice. Therefore, 'llevar arroz' literally means to carry or bring rice.
llevar el pelo corto
wearing short hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo corto' translates to 'wearing short hair' in English. It refers to the act of keeping one's hair to a short length or styling it in a short manner. This phrase is often used to describe a person's hairstyle or personal grooming choice.
llevar el pelo largo
wear long hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo largo' translates to 'wear long hair' in English. It's used to describe the action or choice of having and maintaining long hair, typically beyond shoulder-length. The verb 'llevar' also bears connotations of carrying, bearing or wearing something, and in this context, it's about 'carrying or wearing' the long hair as part of one's appearance or style.
llevar el pelo limpios
have clean hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo limpios' translates to 'have clean hair' in English. This term is used to imply that someone maintains good personal hygiene, specifically concerning the cleanliness of their hair. It can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to more formal discussions about personal grooming and hygiene.
Example sentences with llevar el pelo limpios →llevar el pelo liso
wearing smooth hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo liso' translates to 'wearing smooth hair' in English. It is generally used to describe a person's hairstyle, specifically when they have their hair straightened or naturally straight. This phrase can be used literally to describe someone's physical appearance, or metaphorically to indicate a need for something to be straightforward or uncomplicated.
llevar el pelo rizado
wearing curly hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo rizado' translates to 'wearing curly hair' in English. This phrase is used to describe someone who naturally has, or styles their hair to have, curls. This doesn't necessarily imply that the person is currently wearing their hair curly, but rather that they habitually do so. This can be for fashion, personal preference, or cultural reasons.
llevar el pelo sucios
have dirty hair
The Spanish phrase 'llevar el pelo sucios' translates to 'have dirty hair' in English. This phrase is used when someone hasn't washed their hair, typically implying it is visibly dotted or coated with dirt or dust. In the right context, it may also be a metaphor expressing a person's unhygienic lifestyle or untidy presentation.
Example sentences with llevar el pelo sucios →