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.
perder el autobús
miss the bus
The Spanish phrase 'perder el autobús' translates directly to English as 'lose the bus', but the correct idiomatic translation is 'miss the bus'. It is used in situations where someone failed to catch or board the public transportation bus in time, and therefore the bus has departed without them.
Example sentences with perder el autobús →perder el equipaje
losing luggage
The Spanish phrase 'perder el equipaje' translates to 'losing luggage' in English. This phrase is typically used in the context of travel, particularly airport situations. It expresses the action of misplacing, forgetting, or having one's luggage inadvertently taken or not properly transferred during a trip. It can be a stressful situation for travelers as luggage often contains essential personal belongings needed for the trip.
Example sentences with perder el equipaje →perder el tren
miss the train
'Perder el tren' is a Spanish phrase that translates as 'miss the train' in English. It can be used literally to describe the scenario of not arriving in time for a scheduled train. However, it is also commonly used idiomatically in Spanish to express the idea of missing an opportunity or being too late to take advantage of a situation. Just as in English we use the phrase 'miss the boat', in Spanish they use 'perder el tren'.
Example sentences with perder el tren →perder las maletas
lose the bags
The Spanish term 'perder las maletas' translates to 'lose the bags' in English. This phrase is commonly used when traveling, particularly when referring to situations where individuals misplace or cannot find their luggage. It can relate to a variety of scenarios such as losing bags in transit, at the airport, or in a public place.
Example sentences with perder las maletas →perder un documento
lose a document
The Spanish phrase 'perder un documento' translates to 'lose a document' in English. This phrase can be used in a variety of contexts, such as when an important paper or file is misplaced or accidentally destroyed. It comprises of three words: 'perder', meaning 'to lose', 'un', an indefinite article equivalent to 'a' in English, and 'documento', which translates to 'document'. Overall, 'perder un documento' conveys the unfortunate situation of no longer being in possession of a document.
perfume
perfume
The Spanish word 'perfume' translates to 'perfume' in English. It is a fragrant liquid typically made from essential oils extracted from flowers and spices, used to impart a pleasant smell to one's body or clothes. The term originated from the Latin words 'per', meaning 'through' and 'fumus', meaning 'smoke'. Hence, 'perfume' refers to a substance that emits a pleasant aroma.
Example sentences with perfume →periodismo
journalism
The term 'periodismo' in Spanish translates to 'journalism' in English. Journalism refers to the production and distribution of reports on recent events. The word 'journalism' applies to the occupation, using methods of gathering information and utilizing literary techniques. Various forms of journalistic mediums include print, television, radio, internet and, in the past, newsreels. Concepts of the appropriate role for journalism vary between countries.
pesca
fishing
The Spanish word 'pesca' translates to 'fishing' in English. It can refer to the activity of catching fish, either for sport or with the intent of gathering food. 'Pesca' is a common term used in Spanish-speaking countries and coastal regions where fishing is a prevalent activity or industry. Besides its literal meaning, it may also be used in some idioms and expressions.
Example sentences with pesca →pescado a la plancha
fish on the plate
'Pescado a la plancha' is actually a Spanish term for a style of preparing fish, commonly translated as 'grilled fish'. This simple yet delightful dish typically involves a fish filet seasoned with salt, pepper, and perhaps other spices, which is then grilled to perfection.
pescado frito
fried fish
The word 'pescado frito' is a common phrase in Spanish. 'Pescado' means 'fish' and 'frito' means 'fried'. Thus, 'pescado frito' translates to 'fried fish' in English. This is a popular dish in many Spanish-speaking countries, involving fish that is battered and then fried, often served with a side of chips or a salad.
pescado hervido
boiled fish
The Spanish term 'pescado hervido' is a culinary term that refers to a preparation method for fish. In English, it directly translates to 'boiled fish'. This could be a dish where the fish is cooked in hot liquid, usually water or a broth. This method of cooking is popular for its perceived health benefits as it uses less oil than frying or sautéing. The flavor of the fish is often enhanced with various herbs, spices and vegetables that are added to the boiling liquid.
pesimismo
pessimism
The Spanish word 'pesimismo' translates to 'pessimism' in English. It is a noun and refers to the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc. The connotation is generally negative, as it denotes a sense of hopelessness or an expectation that the worst will happen in any situation.
pestaña
eyelash
The Spanish word 'pestaña' translates to 'eyelash' in English. This term refers to one of numerous short hairs growing along the eyelids that protect the eye by triggering a reflexive blink if an object comes too close, and also adds to the aesthetic appeal of one's eyes. The word 'pestaña' in Spanish represents an essential part of the body that a person has, similar to the English term 'eyelash'.
pianista
pianist
The word 'pianista' is a noun in Spanish. It corresponds to the English word 'pianist'. A 'pianista' is a person who plays the piano. In performing genres, a pianist could be an accompanist, improviser, session musician and it is seen as an essential skill in classical music, musical theatre, jazz, blues, and many other music genres.
Example sentences with pianista →picante
hot
The Spanish word 'picante' translates to 'hot' in English. However, this 'hot' is not referring to temperature but to the spicy level of food. When a dish or food is described as 'picante' in Spanish, it means it has a lot of spices or chili and has a substantial kick to it. It could be used to describe anything from salsa to hot sauce.
piña
pineapple
The pineapple is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. It is a multiple fruit, composed of coalesced berries, also called 'pineapples'.
Example sentences with piña →pintar un cuadro
painting a painting
The Spanish phrase 'pintar un cuadro' translates to 'painting a painting' in English. It's often used to refer to the act of creating an artistic work on a canvas or similar surface using paint. An individual who 'pinta un cuadro' is someone who is creating, or has created, a painting.
Example sentences with pintar un cuadro →pintar un paisaje
painting a landscape
The phrase 'pintar un paisaje' in Spanish refers to the action or the art of creating a depiction of an outdoor natural scenery like mountains, valleys, trees, rivers, and forests in visual art, particularly painting. This could be the artist's own interpretation, or a representation of an existing location translated onto a canvas, paper or any other medium with the use of different painting techniques and tools.
Example sentences with pintar un paisaje →pintar un retrato
painting a portrait
The phrase 'pintar un retrato' in Spanish translates to 'painting a portrait' in English. This phrase is commonly used to refer to the act of creating a portrait by painting. A portrait is typically a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression are predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. Hence, 'pintar un retrato' is an activity that requires artistic skills employed in the representation or portrayal of a person using paints.
Example sentences with pintar un retrato →pintarse los labios
paint your lips
'Pintarse los labios' is a Spanish phrase essentially meaning 'to paint your lips'. This term is typically used to describe the act of applying lipstick or any other sort of lip color. While the literal translation is 'to paint one's lips', in common usage it refers more broadly to the application of cosmetic products to the lips for the purpose of enhancing or changing their appearance.
Example sentences with pintarse los labios →pintarse los ojos
paint your eyes
The Spanish phrase 'pintarse los ojos' translates to 'paint your eyes' in English. However, it doesn't mean literally painting your eyes. Instead, it is a common colloquial phrase used to refer to the act of applying makeup to one's eyes, especially using eye shadow, eyeliner, or mascara. This kind of expression can be frequently found in contexts related to beauty and personal care.
Example sentences with pintarse los ojos →piragua
canoe
The Spanish word 'piragua' translates to 'canoe' in English. It refers to a narrow vessel designed to be propelled by one or more people using a paddle, typically in the context of recreational activities on water such as paddling, camping, fishing, or exploring rivers and seas. In Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, a 'piragua' may also mean a form of shaved ice dessert, but in general usage, the word aligns more with the English term 'canoe'.
Example sentences with piragua →piso luminoso
bright apartment
The Spanish term 'piso luminoso' directly translates to 'bright apartment' in English. It is used to describe a living space, often an apartment or flat, which receives a lot of natural light or is well illuminated. An apartment that is 'luminoso' generally suggests that the space is cheerfully lit, possibly enhanced with features such as large windows or a favorable orientation towards the sun. The word 'piso' denotes a level in a building, correlated to an apartment or a floor in English.
piso soleado
sunny floor
The Spanish term 'piso soleado' translates to 'sunny floor' in English. 'Piso' is the Spanish word for 'floor', commonly used to refer to the surface of a room or compartment on which one stands or the lower enclosing surface of any compartment. 'Soleado' is the Spanish word for 'sunny', frequently used to describe a location or item that is receiving or filled with sunlight. Thus, 'piso soleado' refers to a floor receiving or filled with sunlight.
pista de tenis
tennis court
The Spanish term 'pista de tenis' translates directly to 'tennis court' in English. It's a venue where the sport of tennis is played. It consists of a rectangular surface with markings and a net in the middle. It can be made from different materials such as clay, grass, hard court, or artificial grass. It is a common term used in sports and is integral to the game of tennis.
pistola
gun
The Spanish word 'pistola' translates to 'gun' in English. It is a noun used to refer to a handheld device designed to discharge projectiles driven by rapidly expanding high-pressure gas produced by chemical reactions within a confined space. The term 'pistola' can be used in various contexts, including civilian, military, and law enforcement applications.
Example sentences with pistola →plano turístico
tourist plane
'Plano turístico' does not translate to 'tourist plane' in English. It translates to 'tourist map'. 'Plano turístico' is often used in Spanish-speaking countries to help guide tourists when visiting new cities or regions. A 'plano turístico' typically shows important landmarks, such as museums, parks, or historic sites, as well as common necessities like public transportation stops or notable food and drink spots. Therefore, it is a useful tool for tourists to navigate and explore effectively.
Example sentences with plano turístico →planta de exterior
outdoor plant
The Spanish phrase 'planta de exterior' translates to 'outdoor plant' in English. It is often used in the context of gardening and horticulture, referring to plants that are suitable for outdoor cultivation, as opposed to indoor plants. Outdoor plants are typically hardier, able to withstand varying weather conditions, and may include a wide variety of plants from flowering plants to shrubs to trees.
Example sentences with planta de exterior →planta de interior
interior plant
The Spanish term 'planta de interior' translates to 'interior plant' in English. This refers to a plant that is typically grown indoors, in places such as homes or offices. It includes a variety of types, mainly decorative plants that can potentially improve indoor air quality. Examples of interior plants include succulents, ferns, and various ornamental plants.
Example sentences with planta de interior →plantar un árbol
plant a tree
The Spanish phrase 'plantar un árbol' translates to 'plant a tree' in English. This phrase is often related to environmental activities or gardening tasks, suggesting the manual process of planting a tree into the ground. It is indicative of the action of burying a tree's seeds or sapling in soil with the intention of growing a tree.
Example sentences with plantar un árbol →