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.
tienda de ropa
Clothing shop
The Spanish term 'tienda de ropa' translates to 'clothing shop' in English. It is a place where clothes are sold. This can refer to any type of clothing shop, from a small boutique with unique pieces to a large department store with a variety of different styles and brands. Shopping for clothes or 'ropa' in a 'tienda de ropa' is a common activity for many people, and these stores can be found in many places around the world.
toalla
towel
The Spanish word 'toalla' translates to 'towel' in English. It is a common household item used for drying one's body or hands, or absorbing liquids. This word is usually used in contexts related to bathroom or hygiene, such as in a gym, a beach or when handling kitchenware. It's also used in various cleaning processes. Knowing the word 'toalla' can be particularly helpful in scenarios involving accommodation, travel, or personal care.
Example sentences with toalla →tocar (un instrumento)
play (an instrument)
The Spanish verb 'tocar' when used in the context of an instrument, translates to 'play' in English. Thus, 'tocar un instrumento' means 'to play an instrument'. The verb is used to describe the action of producing sound from an instrument. This is similar to how 'play' is used in English in phrases like ‘play the piano’, ‘play the guitar’, etc.
Example sentences with tocar (un instrumento) →tolerante
tolerant
The Spanish word 'tolerante' translates to 'tolerant' in English. It's an adjective that describes someone who is willing to allow the existence of opinions or behaviors that they may disagree with or do not necessarily accept. A 'tolerante' individual is understanding and patient, able to accept different views, values, and ways of behaving, even if they conflict with their own.
tomar algo
Have a drink
The Spanish phrase 'tomar algo' directly translates to 'take something' in English. However, it's a colloquial phrase often used in the context of socializing and it's more accurately translated as 'have a drink'. So, if someone asks you if you want to 'tomar algo', they're not necessarily asking if you want to take something, they're likely asking if you want to go out and have a drink or snack.
tomar el avión
Take the plane
The phrase 'tomar el avión' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'take the plane' in English. It is usually used when someone is about to or planning to travel by airplane. It is similar to saying 'catch the plane' in English.
Example sentences with tomar el avión →tomar el menú
take the menu
The Spanish phrase 'tomar el menú' translates to 'take the menu' in English. It is typically used in a restaurant setting where a waiter might instruct a patron to 'tomar el menú' or 'take the menu' in order to make their meal selection. Both 'tomar' and 'el menú' are common words in Spanish, with 'tomar' meaning 'to take' and 'el menú' translating to 'the menu'.
tomar el metro
take the metro
The Spanish phrase 'tomar el metro' translates to 'take the metro' in English. This can imply catching a subway train for transit in a city. This phrase is primarily used in the Spanish spoken in Spain. In other Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, the phrase would be 'tomar el subte'.
Example sentences with tomar el metro →tomar el plato del día
take the dish of the day
The Spanish phrase 'tomar el plato del día' translates as 'take the dish of the day' in English. It's commonly used in restaurants to suggest the special dish that has been prepared for that particular day. Usually this dish changes on a daily basis, offering customers a variety of meals to choose from. This phrase can be used in both formal and informal settings.
tomar el tren
Take the train
The phrase 'tomar el tren' in Spanish translates to 'take the train' in English. This phrase is used to indicate the action of travelling by train, similar to how you would say 'board the train' or 'catch the train'. It suggests the act of getting on a train as a means of transport, for instance, when going to work, traveling to another city, etc. This is a common phrase used in everyday conversations in Spanish-speaking countries when discussing travel plans or daily commutes.
Example sentences with tomar el tren →tomar un café
Have a coffee.
The term 'tomar un café' in Spanish translates to 'have a coffee' in English. It's a common phrase used in Spanish speaking cultures in a casual or friendly setting, typically implying sitting down for a relaxed conversation with someone over a cup of coffee. It's an example of how social transactions and the act of consuming food or drink, like coffee, can be intertwined.
tomar un medicamento
take a medicine
The Spanish phrase 'tomar un medicamento' translates to 'take a medicine' in English. It is typically used in the context of healthcare, such as when a healthcare professional, like a doctor or nurse, instructs a patient to consume a certain medication. It can also pertain to self-administration of medicine as part of maintaining personal health. This term can include a variety of types of medicine, from over-the-counter drugs to prescription medication.
Example sentences with tomar un medicamento →tomar una caña
take a reed
'Tomar una caña' is a Spanish phrase and translating it directly to English gives you 'take a reed'. However, it is vital to understand that this phrase is used idiomatically in many Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Spain. It is a cultural reference and is commonly used to denote 'have a small beer'. 'Caña' also refers to a small glass of beer in many Spanish bars. Instead of requesting a large pint of beer, individuals would 'tomar una caña' or in English 'have a small beer' to enjoy a social gathering or unwind after a day's work.
tomar una copa
Have a drink.
The Spanish phrase 'tomar una copa' translates to 'have a drink' in English. It is commonly used in social situations for meeting up or having a relaxing time. For instance, you may use it while asking someone if they would like to go for a drink. However, remember that 'tomar' also signifies 'taking something', so the meaning can sometimes vary depending on the context.
tomar una medicina
take medicine
The Spanish phrase 'tomar una medicina' translates directly to 'take a medicine' in English. It is an instruction often used in healthcare or medical situations, where one is advised to ingest or apply a certain medication. In a broader context, this phrase might also be used symbolically to suggest accepting a solution or remedy for a problem.
Example sentences with tomar una medicina →tomar una sopa
take a soup.
The Spanish phrase 'tomar una sopa' translates to 'have a soup' or 'eat a soup' in English. It is often used in situations where one is dining or anticipating a meal. In Spanish, 'tomar' is commonly used to mean 'to have' or 'to take' in the context of food and drink, and 'una sopa' simply means 'a soup'.
tomate
tomato
The Spanish word 'tomate' translates to 'tomato' in English, which is a red or yellowish fruit with a juicy pulp, used in cooking or eaten raw in salads. It is widely cultivated as a garden vegetable.
tormenta
storm
The Spanish word 'tormenta' translates to 'storm' in English. It is often used to describe various types of bad weather condition characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Similar to English, it can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe a tumultuous or chaotic situation.
Example sentences with tormenta →trabajar de canguro
work as a babysitter
The Spanish phrase 'trabajar de canguro' translates to 'work as a babysitter' in English. This phrase is typically used to refer to the job of taking care of someone else's children in their absence. Babysitting involves activities such as entertaining, feeding, and ensuring the safety of children. It's important to note the action of this job is temporary and usually part-time, often performed by teenagers or young adults looking for extra income.
traer el menú (del día)
bring the menu (of the day)
The Spanish phrase 'traer el menú (del día)' translates to 'bring the menu (of the day)' in English. It is commonly used in restaurants where the waitstaff may bring the daily menu to the table or guests can request for it. This phrase can also imply the request for the special dishes that are served for the day, as many restaurants prepare unique dishes based on the freshest ingredients available on a particular day.
traer la carta
bring the menu
'Traer la carta' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'bring the menu' in English. It is often used in restaurant settings where one might request the waiter or waitress to 'traer la carta', asking them to bring the menu.
traer la cuenta
bring the bill
The phrase 'traer la cuenta' in Spanish translates to 'bring the bill' in English. It is commonly used in restaurants when you are ready to pay for your meal and would like the waiter or waitress to provide you with the bill. Remember, in Spanish verbs often change depending on who is speaking, this phrase could also be seen written as 'tráeme la cuenta' meaning 'bring me the bill'.
traje
suit
The Spanish word 'traje' translates to 'suit' in English. This term refers to a set of outer clothes made of the same fabric which typically consists of a jacket and trousers or a skirt. They are often worn for business or formal occasions. Variations of suits can include a waistcoat and can be tailored to fit the individual. The term 'traje' can also imply a costume or a dress depending on the context.
tranquilo
calm
Tranquilo translates to 'calm'. It is used to describe a person who is relaxed and does not get upset easily. For instance, 'El niño es tranquilo' means 'The child is calm'.
Example sentences with tranquilo →un cuarto de kilo
a quarter kilo
The Spanish phrase 'un cuarto de kilo' translates to 'a quarter kilo' in English. It is a unit of measurement commonly used in markets and shops in Spanish-speaking countries to weigh food items, particularly meat and vegetables. It is equivalent to 250 grams, as a kilo, short for kilogram, is a unit of weight that equals 1000 grams. Therefore, 'un cuarto de kilo' implies one-fourth of this measurement. This phrase can be utilized in a variety of practical scenarios, such as buying groceries, to discuss weight and quantities.
un kilo
One kilo
The Spanish term 'un kilo' translates to 'one kilo' in English. It is a unit of weight used in the metric system, equivalent to approximately 2.20462 pounds. The term 'kilo' is short for kilogram. 'Un' is a Spanish indefinite article used before singular nouns and translates to 'a' or 'one' in English. So, 'un kilo' in Spanish refers to a quantity of one kilogram.
urgencias
Emergency
The word 'urgencias' is a Spanish term which is commonly used to refer specifically to the emergency department in a hospital. However, it can also broadly mean 'emergencies' in general. It's related to the Spanish verb 'urgir', which translates to 'to urge' or 'to be urgent'. Therefore, 'urgencias' is used in contexts where there is a need for immediate attention or action due to a critical or urgent situation, similar to the English term 'emergency'.
vaca
cow
Cows are large domesticated cloven-hoofed herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos taurus.
Example sentences with vaca →vaso
glass.
The Spanish word 'vaso' translates to 'glass' in English. Commonly, it refers to a container typically made from glass (although it can be made from different materials), which is used to drink liquids such as water, juice or soda. The term is quite general and can refer to different shapes and sizes of containers, from small shot glasses to large tumblers. Less frequently, 'vaso' can also refer to a 'vessel' or 'duct' in a biological context, but this usage is more technical.
vecino
neighbor
The Spanish word 'vecino' translates to 'neighbor' in English. The term refers to a person living next door to or very near to the speaker or person referred to, essentially an inhabitant of a particular place or a person living or located nearby. It can be used in several contexts, just like in English. An example of how 'vecino' might be used in a sentence is: 'Mi vecino tiene un gato' which translates to 'My neighbor has a cat'.