B1 - Intermediate Spanish
At the B1 Intermediate level, students can understand and express themselves in higher level discussions.
Example situations might include expressing your opinion, asking for clarification, and understanding longer texts about familiar topics.
dar de alta
to register
The Spanish phrase 'dar de alta' translates into English as 'to register.' This is commonly used in various contexts, such as registering for an event, a service or in a system. It can also mean to discharge from a hospital, so the correct interpretation depends on the context. In business scenarios, 'dar de alta' operates similarly to how we would use 'register' or 'sign up' in English.
Example sentences with dar de alta →dar de baja
discharge
The Spanish phrase 'dar de baja' is translated as 'discharge' in English. However, it's not always referring to medical or military discharges, as the word 'discharge' often implies in English. 'Dar de baja' can also be used in a variety of contexts, including 'cancelling a service'. For instance, if you want to cancel a subscription in Spanish, you could say 'Quiero dar de baja mi suscripción'. Therefore, 'dar de baja' can mean 'discharge', 'cancel', 'write off', or 'withdraw' depending on the context.
Example sentences with dar de baja →dar el alta (médica)
discharge (medical)
The phrase 'dar el alta (médica)' in Spanish directly translates to 'give the high (medical)' in English. However, it doesn't make sense when translated word by word. This phrase is commonly used in medicinal context in Spanish-speaking regions and it means 'discharge (medical)' in English. To provide someone with 'alta médica' means to formally declare that this person no longer needs medical treatment or can leave the hospital or clinic. For instance, after a period of treatment, when the patient has recovered enough, the doctor will 'dar el alta médica'.
Example sentences with dar el alta (médica) →dar la mano
give the hand
The Spanish phrase 'dar la mano' translates to 'give the hand' in English. This is often used in the context of shaking hands, such as in a greeting or agreement. The literal translation might sound unusual to English speakers, but it is a common phrase in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to the act of shaking hands.
dar pena
pity
'Dar pena' is a Spanish phrase that is often translated to 'pity' in English. However, it can be used in multiple contexts and is not always a direct translation. Sometimes, it is used to express feeling sorry for someone or something, also known as pity. For instance, 'Me da pena que no puedas venir' means 'I feel sorry that you can't come'. In a more colloquial use, 'dar pena' is used to express embarrassment or shame, in which case a better translation could be 'it's embarrassing' or 'it's a shame'. Understanding the nuances of 'dar pena' can help English speakers better comprehend the emotional nuances of the Spanish language.
dar un abrazo
give a hug
The phrase 'dar un abrazo' in Spanish translates to 'give a hug' in English. It is often used in everyday situations to express love, affection, and comfort towards family members, friends, and loved ones. The verb 'dar' specifically means 'give', while 'un abrazo' is 'a hug', thus collectively meaning 'give a hug'. This phrase is a good example of Spanish's expressive and emotional language, showcasing the importance of physical expressions of affection in Hispanic cultures.
dar un beso
give a kiss
The Spanish term 'dar un beso' translates to 'give a kiss' in English. It is commonly used in conversational Spanish, similar to how English speakers might say 'give a kiss'. This term can be used in various contexts such as when showing affection, when greeting or saying goodbye to someone, or even in a more romantic setting between couples. Its usage is subject to cultural norms and varies amongst Spanish-speaking countries.
dar una beca
give a scholarship
The Spanish phrase 'dar una beca' translates to 'give a scholarship' in English. It typically refers to the act of providing financial assistance or award to a student to help support their education. This could be based on various factors, such as the student's academic achievement, talent, or need. Thus, giving a scholarship is a way of enabling or encouraging the recipient to continue and advance their education.
dar una despedida de soltero
give a bachelor party
The Spanish phrase 'dar una despedida de soltero' translates to 'give a bachelor party' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of organizing or hosting a celebration or a party just before a man gets married, typically involving activities that the groom enjoys with his friends.
dar una fiesta de fin de curso
give an end-of-course party
The Spanish phrase 'dar una fiesta de fin de curso' translates to 'give an end-of-course party' in English. This phrase is typically used in an academic context. It signifies the action of hosting or throwing a party to celebrate the end of an academic term, semester or year. This may include serving food, playing music, and creating a festive atmosphere to commemorate the closing of a course or term.
dar una noticia
give news
The phrase 'dar una noticia' in Spanish translates to 'give news' in English. It is primarily used in the context of sharing information or telling someone about notable events, similar to how 'give news' is used in English. There's also an added nuance that the person 'giving news' is usually someone in a position to share information first, such as a reporter or a source. Therefore, it is a phrase that is often used in news broadcasts or formal situations where news is being passed along.
dar una receta (médica)
give a prescription (medical)
The Spanish phrase 'dar una receta (médica)' literally translates to 'give a prescription (medical)' in English. This phrase is commonly used in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, where a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a nurse practitioner, provides a directive, or a 'prescription' to a patient to procure certain medications for their treatment. The action of giving this direction or order is what the phrase 'dar una receta (médica)' describes.
Example sentences with dar una receta (médica) →dar(se) un golpe
give a blow
The Spanish phrase 'dar(se) un golpe' translates to 'give a blow' in English. It's generally used in the context of unintentionally hurting oneself such as hitting or knocking into something. 'Golpe' is the Spanish word for 'blow' or 'hit' and 'dar(se)' means 'to give'. In the reflexive form as 'darse un golpe', it refers to someone giving themselves a blow. This phrase is often used to express physical accidents or injuries.
Example sentences with dar(se) un golpe →darse una crema
give some cream
The phrase 'darse una crema' in Spanish can be directly translated to English as 'give some cream', however, the interpretation can be very different depending on the context. In a culinary context, 'darse una crema' might literally mean to give or apply a certain type of cream or sauce. In skincare or cosmetic contexts, the phrase is used to refer to the act of applying a cream to one's body or face. While teaching English to Spanish learners, it's crucial to highlight the importance of context in interpreting and understanding idioms or phrases like this one.
Example sentences with darse una crema →de cuadros
squared
The Spanish term 'de cuadros' translates to 'squared' in English. This can be used in a variety of contexts. It might be used in relation to math, where a number squared is the result of multiplying that number by itself. Similarly, 'de cuadros' can also refer to geometry, describing a shape with four equal edges and angles. Additionally, it can be used to describe patterns, such as a squared pattern on fabrics or designs.
de rayas
stripes
The Spanish phrase 'de rayas' translates to 'stripes' in English. It is often used in the context of patterns and designs, particularly in fashion or art. For instance, when describing a shirt or a piece of fabric, or identifying patterns in animals' fur or skin. So, if you see something described as 'de rayas' in Spanish, know that it refers to a striped pattern or design.
debate
debate
The word 'debate' in Spanish translates directly to 'debate' in English. It is used to describe a formal discussion or argument, typically in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are advocated. It can also refer to a discussion of a specific topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which the participants present and discuss their views on the topic.
deber dinero
duty money
'Deber dinero' does not translate directly as 'duty money' in English. Rather, it means 'to owe money'. It refers to a situation where one party is legally required to repay money borrowed from another party, usually a financial institution or individual. This term can be used in many different contexts, most commonly in relation to personal or business finances. In Spanish culture, the emphasis on repaying debts is strong, reflected in phrases like 'deber dinero'.
Example sentences with deber dinero →deberes
duties
The Spanish word 'deberes' translates to the English word 'duties'. Generally, these duties refer to responsibilities or tasks that one is required to perform in a social or legal context. They could pertain to a job, an assigned task, or societal roles. In a school context, 'deberes' can also mean 'homework', referring to tasks assigned by teachers to be completed at home. The usage of the term depends on the context it is being used in.
Example sentences with deberes →decoración
decoration
The Spanish term 'decoración' translates to 'decoration' in English. Decorating is the practice of making something look more attractive by adding extra items or detailing. It could refer to changing the aesthetics of any area or object according to specific tastes or trends. For instance, it is commonly used when discussing interior design or party planning, where one might 'decorate' a room or a venue with various items like lights, flowers, banners, etc. Additionally, 'decorating' could also refer to the visual aspects of food presentation in culinary arts.
decorar
decorate
The Spanish word 'decorar' translates to 'decorate' in English. This is a verb used to describe the action of making something look more attractive or festive by adding items or changing its color or appearance. It is commonly used in various contexts such as interior design, event planning, or art and craft activities where one might 'decorate' a room, a Christmas tree, or an art project respectively. As a regularly conjugated -ar verb, its conjugation varies when used with different subjects and in different tenses.
dejar un recado
Leave a message
The Spanish phrase 'dejar un recado' translates to 'leave a message' in English. This can be used in situations where you wish to leave a note, remark or communication for someone to receive or find at a later time. For example, you might 'dejar un recado' for a colleague at work, or for a family member at home. This phrase is commonly used in both professional and personal settings.
democracia
democracy
The word 'democracia' in Spanish translates to 'democracy' in English. Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. As a concept, democracy is derived from the Greek words 'demos' and 'kratia' which means 'people' and 'power' respectively. The word 'democracia' would be used in a context where discussion or representation of such a system of government is required.
Example sentences with democracia →demócrata
democrat
The Spanish word for 'democrat' is 'demócrata'. It is used in the same context as in English, typically referring to a member of or believer in the Democratic political party. However, it can also mean a person who believes in or supports democracy, the system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.
Example sentences with demócrata →dentista
dentist
The Spanish word 'dentista' translates to 'dentist' in English. A 'dentista' is a professional who is qualified to treat diseases and other conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones. This word is widely recognized and used in many Spanish-speaking countries around the globe.
Example sentences with dentista →departamento de administración
Department of Administration
The Spanish term 'departamento de administración' translates to 'department of administration' in English. It is used in various contexts, such as a division within a company overseeing administrative tasks or a governmental body responsible for administrative functions.
departamento de recursos humanos
Department of Human Resources
The Spanish term 'departamento de recursos humanos' translates to 'department of human resources' in English. This department is the part of a business, organization, or institution that deals with employees' relations, welfare, and policy administration, including hiring and firing, payroll, benefits, and training. It is often abbreviated as HR. Therefore, in an office or corporate setting, you will often hear this term used in relation to any matters involving personnel or staff.
deportista
sportsman
The Spanish word 'deportista' translates to 'sportsman' in English. This term refers to someone who is skilled in sports, particularly those who participate in it professionally or competitively. However, it can also be used casually to refer to anyone who enjoys or frequently engages in sports. This word is often used to respect and acknowledge an individual's physical abilities and dedication to their chosen sport.
deprimirse
depressed
The word 'deprimirse' in Spanish is a reflexive verb which translates to 'to get depressed' in English. This term is used when someone falls into a state of unhappiness and despair, often due to various external factors such as stress or upsetting events. It's important to note that this term is used to describe a temporary state of mind and not necessarily a medical condition.
derecho
right
The word 'derecho' in Spanish means 'right' in English. It can be used in the same ways as the English 'right'. For instance, it can mean a direction opposite to left or it can also relate to social, legal, or moral principles like 'human rights'. The specific meaning is determined by the context in which it is used.
Example sentences with derecho →