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.
sentir calor
feel warm
The Spanish phrase 'sentir calor' translates to 'feel warm' in English. This phrase can be used in various contexts when someone is experiencing a sensation of warmth or heat. For example, after spending some time under the sun, one might 'sentir calor'. It can also be used metaphorically to express emotional warmth or comfort. Keep in mind 'sentir' means 'to feel' and 'calor' means 'heat' or 'warmth' in English.
sentir frío
feel cold
The Spanish phrase 'sentir frío' translates to 'feel cold' in English. It is used in situations to describe the physical sensation of cold, similar to how it is used in English. For instance, if you are out in cold weather without adequate clothing you would 'sentir frío'.
sentir hambre
feel hungry
The phrase 'sentir hambre' in Spanish translates to 'feel hungry' in English. It is most commonly used to express the physical sensation of hunger. This phrase is made up of a verb 'sentir' that means 'to feel' and a noun 'hambre' that refers to 'hunger'. Being a common phrase, it is widely used in both casual and formal contexts.
sentir sed
feel thirsty
The Spanish phrase 'sentir sed' translates to 'feel thirsty' in English. This is a commonly used phrase to express one's desire to drink something, much like the English equivalent. It combines the verb 'sentir' which means 'to feel' and the noun 'sed' which means 'thirst'. Together, they form a phrase often used in day-to-day conversation in Spanish-speaking nations.
sentir sueño
feel sleep
The Spanish phrase 'sentir sueño' translates to 'feel sleep' in English. This is essentially used to convey the feeling of being sleepy or tired. In other words, when someone says 'siento sueño' in Spanish, they are expressing that they are feeling sleepy or that they are tired. This phrase is generally used in the context where one is expressing their physical state, particularly when it's near bedtime or after a long day. As with many idioms, the literal translation may not offer the exact idea of its actual meaning.
ser (i)legal
be (il)legal
'Ser (i)legal' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'be (il)legal' in English. It is a word often used in legal, formal and informal contexts. In Spanish, both 'ser legal' and 'ser ilegal' are terms that describe the legality, or lack thereof, of an action, person or thing. For example, 'ser legal' can refer to an action that is lawful or permissible under the law, while 'ser ilegal' refers to an action that is against the law or not permitted. Note that 'ser' is a Spanish verb that is used in association with permanent or lasting attributes, indicating a long-term or permanent state.
Example sentences with ser (i)legal →ser aficionado a
be amateur
The Spanish phrase 'ser aficionado a' is typically used to refer to having a keen interest or enthusiasm in something, more similar to being a 'fan of' or 'enthusiast in' in English. It is less about professionalism or skill level and more about passion or hobby. Thus, while 'amateur' is technically correct, it implies a lack of proficiency which 'ser aficionado a' does not necessarily convey.
ser blanco (de piel)
be white (skin)
The Spanish phase 'ser blanco (de piel)' translates to 'be white (skin)' in English. This is commonly used to refer to the complexion or skin color of a person. The verb 'ser' means 'to be' and 'blanco' specifies the color, in this case, white. As a descriptive phrase, 'ser blanco (de piel)' can be used to convey information about a person's physical appearance.
ser de carácter débil
being of a weak character
The Spanish phrase 'ser de carácter débil' translates to 'being of a weak character' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe someone who lacks assertiveness, strength, or decisiveness in their behavior or attitude. It pertains to qualities relating to a person's character that are perceived as ineffective or feeble. For example, someone may use this term to describe a character in a story or a person they know who generally gives in to pressure easily, does not assert their ideas, or does not deal well with challenges.
ser de carácter difícil
to be of a difficult character
The phrase 'ser de carácter difícil' in Spanish translates to 'to be of a difficult character' in English. This can refer to a person who is often hard to deal with or understand due to their complex or unpredictable behavior. It is generally used to depict individuals who possess a challenging personality.
ser de carácter fácil
be of easy character
The phrase 'ser de carácter fácil' translates to 'be of easy character' in English. This phrase is often used to describe a person's personality or temperament. Someone with an 'easy character' is generally amiable, flexible, and calm. They tend not to get upset or frustrated easily. They adapt quickly to change, are open-minded, and handle stress well. Please note that this is a general interpretation; the exact meaning can vary slightly depending on context.
ser de carácter fuerte
to be of strong character
'Ser de carácter fuerte' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'to be of strong character' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe an individual who is assertive, resilient, and unwavering in their beliefs or principles. Such individuals often have a noticeable presence, are able to effectively communicate their ideas, and maintain composure during conceivably stressful situations. They're often self-confident, can establish firm personal boundaries, and are valued for their leadership qualities.
ser maleducado
to be rude
The Spanish term 'ser maleducado' translates to 'to be rude' in English. It is a phrase made up of the verb 'ser', which means 'to be', and the adjective 'maleducado', which means 'rude' or 'impolite'. This phrase is commonly used to describe an individual's inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.
Example sentences with ser maleducado →ser moreno (de piel)
be dark (skin)
The term 'ser moreno (de piel)' in Spanish generally refers to having a dark skin tone. The term 'moreno' itself is descriptive, referring to a darker complexion or hair color in people. It doesn't necessarily point to a specific race or ethnicity, but rather the coloration of the skin. It's essential to notice that 'ser moreno' doesn't always mean that the person is racially black; it could simply signify that the person has a tan or naturally darker skin pigmentation compared to the general populace of their native region.
ser un éxito
to be a success
The term 'ser un éxito' in Spanish translates to 'to be a success' in English. This term is used to describe an individual, a performance, or anything that has achieved commendable success or has been well-received. It can be used in various contexts, both informal and formal, to signify a favorable outcome or a victory. Hence, 'ser un éxito' is a positive affirmation of successfulness.
ser un genio
being a genius
The phrase 'ser un genio' is Spanish for 'being a genius'. This phrase is often used to describe someone who shows exceptional intellectual ability, creative productivity, or ability to understand concepts and ideas quickly. It can also be used sarcastically or humorously for someone who has done something clever or creative.
Example sentences with ser un genio →serie
series
The Spanish word 'serie' is used in similar contexts as 'series' in English. It can refer to a number of things or events of the same class coming one after another in spatial or temporal succession, such as a TV series (una serie de televisión) or a series of events (una serie de eventos). However, it's important to gauge the context as certain English phrases may not translate directly.
Example sentences with serie →serpiente
snake
A snake is a carnivorous reptile with elongated, legless body. Snakes are found in diverse habitats ranging from terrestrial, aquatic, to arboreal. There are over 3,000 species of snakes.
Example sentences with serpiente →servicios sociales
social services
The word 'servicios sociales' in Spanish translates to 'social services' in English. Social services refer to a range of public services provided by the government, non-profit organizations, and private entities to help improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. These services often include, but are not limited to, services like healthcare, education, housing assistance, and food assistance. They are designed to support the well-being and development of individuals, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
servir el primer plato
serve the first dish
The Spanish phrase 'servir el primer plato' translates to 'serve the first dish' in English. This phrase is generally used in the context of a meal, particularly a formal one, where multiple dishes are served one after the other. 'Servir' means to serve, 'el' is a definite article meaning 'the', 'primer' is an ordinal number indicating the first in a series, and 'plato' refers to a dish in a meal. So, when put together, 'servir el primer plato' refers to the act of serving the first course or dish in a meal.
servir el segundo plato
serve the second dish
The Spanish phrase 'servir el segundo plato' translates to 'serve the second dish' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of meals and dining, where serving different dishes is a common practice. The action of serving the 'segundo plato' or 'second dish' typically occurs after the first course has been consumed. In the Spanish dining style, the 'segundo plato' often consists of a meat or fish dish following a lighter first course, similar to the 'main course' in many English-speaking cultures.
servir una bebida
serve a drink
The Spanish phrase 'servir una bebida' translates to 'serve a drink' in English. This phrase is generally used to depict the offering or the act of giving a drink, often used in professional contexts such as restaurants or bars, but is also common in social settings. In conjugated contexts, 'servir' may change form to fit sentence requirements.
símbolo químico
chemical symbol
The term 'símbolo químico' refers to a code for a chemical element. This symbol usually consists of one or two letters derived from either the element's current name or its original Latin or Greek name. For example, 'H' is the chemical symbol for Hydrogen, 'Au' for Gold which stems from its Latin name 'Aurum'. Thus, these chemical symbols serve as universal annotations for chemical elements, widely used in scientific contexts.
Example sentences with símbolo químico →sincero
sincere.
The Spanish word 'sincero' translates to 'sincere' in English. It is an adjective that is used to define someone who speaks and acts truthfully, without hiding their feelings, thoughts, or intentions. For instance, it could be used in a sentence like 'Él es una persona sincera', which translates to 'He is a sincere person'. It embodies the values of honesty and authenticity.
sitio
site
The word 'sitio' in Spanish translates to 'site' in English. It is used in the same way as in English, to refer to a place or location. It can refer to a physical place or location, as well as an online website or location. For example, 'sitio de construcción' translates to 'construction site', while 'sitio web' translates to 'website'.
Example sentences with sitio →socialista
Socialist
The term 'socialista' is Spanish for 'socialist'. A socialist is a person who believes in socialism, which is a political and economic theory of social organization advocating that the production, distribution, and exchange of goods should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. This ideology promotes equal opportunities and equal distribution of wealth.
Example sentences with socialista →sociología
sociology
The word 'sociología' is a noun in Spanish that translates into English as 'sociology'. Sociology is the study of human behavior within society, including societal cultures, practices, and organizational structures. It's a social science that uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about social order and acceptance. In Spanish, the word 'sociología' is used in a similar context, referring to the examination and analytical understanding of social behaviors and structures.
Example sentences with sociología →sociólogo
sociologist
The Spanish term 'sociólogo' directly translates to 'sociologist' in English. A 'sociólogo' is an expert in or a student of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings. It encompasses the study of social institutions and their interlocking nature, as well as various social, cultural, political, economic, and historical forces that mold human behavior in society.
Example sentences with sociólogo →soldado
Soldier
The Spanish word 'soldado' translates to 'soldier' in English. A soldier is a member of the armed forces of a country. They are responsible for protecting the country, usually involving combat or warfare. Soldiers can be part of different branches within the armed forces, including infantry, artillery, air forces or navy. They have to undergo intensive training to prepare for their duties and may require to serve in different geographical locations, potentially even in dangerous situations. 'Soldado' can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to refer to someone who fights tirelessly for a cause or belief.
Example sentences with soldado →solicitar un documento
request a document
The Spanish phrase 'solicitar un documento' translates to 'request a document' in English. This is commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in business, legal, and bureaucratic settings. It refers to the action of formally asking for a specific document or paperwork from another party or authority. It can be used in sentences like 'Necesito solicitar un documento para mi visa' which means 'I need to request a document for my visa'.