B2 - Upper Intermediate Spanish
Students at the Upper Intermediate B2 level can defend their positions in a debate, and explore opposing views on different topics.
At this level, most students can converse with native speakers naturally and fluently.
acto (in)formal
act (in)formal
The Spanish phrase 'acto (in)formal' translates to 'act (in)formal' in English, which refers to an action or event that is carried out in either a formal or informal context. This could be related to many contexts including performances, ceremonies, actions, or behaviors. The formalness or informalness is dependent on the specific circumstances and is judged based on cultural, social, and personal norms. For instance, a formal act could be a business meeting or a ceremonial event, while an informal act could be a casual gathering or an unplanned action.
acto oficial
Official act
The Spanish phrase 'acto oficial' translates to 'official act' in English. It is a formal declaration or procedure carried out in accordance with defined rules or laws. This could be used to refer to a government procedure, an agreement in a legal context, or a ceremonial event organized by an official entity.
acto religioso
religious act
The term 'acto religioso' in Spanish translates to 'religious act' in English. It is used to denote an act or event of a spiritual or religious nature, often carried out as part of a religious tradition or practice. Such acts may include prayer, sacred rituals, worship services, and other religious observances. As in all languages, understanding such phrases not only helps to understand the language better but also gives insights into culture, traditions, and values.
acto sencillo
simple act
The Spanish term 'acto sencillo' translates to 'simple act' in English. It refers to an action that is not complex or difficult to perform. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as describing a deed that needs minimal effort or a ceremony that is basic and understated. For example, a 'simple act of kindness' can mean a straightforward, uncomplicated action that demonstrates kindness. It is composed of two parts: 'acto' meaning 'act' and 'sencillo' meaning 'simple'.
acto solemne
solemn act
The term 'acto solemne' in Spanish translates to 'solemn act' in English. This term is typically used within official or formal settings as it carries a certain seriousness, dignity or formality. Different occasions may require solemn acts. This may range from legislative sessions, religious ceremonies to university graduations, and so on. The term 'acto solemne' radiates a sense of respect and seriousness, indicating that the event or act in discussion is of high importance and is carried out with due respect and significance.
actuar
to act
The word 'actuar' is a verb in Spanish, it translates to the English verb 'to act'. This word can describe performing actions generally or, more specifically, it can be used to express the act of performing in a play, a film, or any other form of theater or dramatization. Aside from these, 'actuar' can also mean to take action or conduct oneself in response to something.
Example sentences with actuar →actuar correctamente
act properly
The Spanish phrase 'actuar correctamente' translates to 'act properly' in English. The phrase is actually composed of two words 'actuar' meaning 'to act', and 'correctamente' meaning 'properly'. When these two words are used together they retain their individual meanings, thereby serving as a direct instruction or command, guiding someone to behave or handle things in the right or acceptable manner.
Example sentences with actuar correctamente →acusado
defendant
The Spanish word 'acusado' translates to 'defendant' in English. This word is often used in the context of legal and court matters, referring to an individual who has been accused of a crime and is facing trial. In civil cases, the defendant is the person or organization against whom the plaintiff brings suit. Understanding the usage and meaning of 'acusado' can be helpful in comprehending conversations or texts relating to judicial proceedings.
Example sentences with acusado →adaptación
adaptation
The Spanish word 'adaptación' translates to 'adaptation' in English. This refers to the process in which an organism becomes better suited to its habitat, or the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation. In language context, it could mean adjusting text in one language to make grammatical, idiomatic, or cultural sense in another.
administrador
administrator
The Spanish word 'administrador' translates into English as 'administrator'. An administrator in both Spanish and English contexts refers to a person who manages or oversees the operations of a business, institution, or project. They are often responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing various tasks or policies, and they may also handle financial and human resources matters.
admiración
admiration
The Spanish word 'admiración' translates to 'admiration' in English. It is used to express feelings of respect, appreciation, or awe towards someone or something. You might say 'tengo admiración por ella' in Spanish, which means 'I have admiration for her' in English.
adorno
ornament
The Spanish word 'adorno' translates to 'ornament' in English. It is a common noun used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to an object that by its detailed and delicate characteristics enhances or beautifies a space or something specific. It can be used to describe things that are used to enhance the beauty of the environment, like a trinket or a decoration on a Christmas tree. The usage of 'adorno' is as versatile as 'ornament' in English.
aficionado
amateur
The word 'aficionado' in Spanish translates to 'amateur' in English. It usually refers to someone who is enthusiastic about a particular hobby, sport, or pastime but does not engage in it professionally or with the same level of expertise as a professional. The word is also often used to describe a person who is a big fan or a great admirer of something or someone.
agacharse
bend down
The Spanish term 'agacharse' can be translated into English as 'bend down'. The verb 'agacharse' is reflexive and is commonly used to indicate the action of lowering one's upper body towards the ground. It is often used when one is picking up something from the ground or lowering oneself to avoid something overhead.
agente (de policía)
(police) agent
'Agente (de policía)' is a Spanish noun that translates to '(police) agent' in English. It is commonly used in situations involving law enforcement or crime prevention activities. For example, when referring to a police officer in Spanish, you can say 'agente de policía'. Just as in English, this term can be used regardless of the officer's gender. The plural form of 'agente' is 'agentes', which can be used when referring to multiple police agents.
agnóstico
agnosis
The Spanish word 'agnóstico' translates to 'agnostic' in English. It is used to describe a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God. This word can be used in various contexts relating to religious beliefs and discussions.
Example sentences with agnóstico →agobiado
exhausted
The Spanish word 'agobiado' translates to 'exhausted' in English. It is commonly used to describe a state of fatigue or weariness, which could be due to physical exertion, mental stress, or emotional drain. 'Agobiado' can express an overwhelming feeling of tiredness or a sense of being overwhelmed due to a large amount of work or responsibility. It is often used in contexts such as feeling burdened or overwhelmed by work, pressure, or stress.
agotarse
exhausting
The Spanish word 'agotarse' translates to 'exhausting' in English. It is frequently used to describe a state of extreme tiredness or fatigue, either physical or mental. Often, it relates to the condition of being so used up or worn out that one cannot continue. Most commonly, one could use 'agotarse' in the context of describing one's energy levels, resources or patience.
agotarse los recursos naturales
depleting natural resources
The Spanish phrase 'agotarse los recursos naturales' translates to 'depleting natural resources' in English. This phrase is often used in discussions or texts that deal with environmental studies or issues. It refers to the consumption or exhaustion of Earth's natural resources such as water, air, soil, minerals, forests, etc. at a pace which is faster than their natural rate of regeneration. Environmentalists often use this term to describe situations where human activities cause a high degree of resource depletion.
Example sentences with agotarse los recursos naturales →agotarse un libro
exhausting a book
The Spanish phrase 'agotarse un libro' translates directly as 'a book becoming exhausted' in English. However, it is more contextually correct to say that the book is 'sold out' or 'out of stock'. This phrase is typically used in retail or library settings to convey that there are no more available copies of a particular book. It can also figuratively mean that the book has been thoroughly read or utilized to the point of exhaustion.
Example sentences with agotarse un libro →agresividad
aggression
The Spanish word 'agresividad' translates into English as 'aggression'. This word is commonly used to describe behavior that is forceful, hostile or attacking. It can be used when discussing physical, verbal, or emotional actions that one person or entity exhibits towards another. Aggresividad can be used to describe humans or animals, and is also frequently used to talk about assertive or strong actions within a business, sports or competitive context.
Example sentences with agresividad →agrícola
agricultural
The Spanish word 'agrícola' translates to 'agricultural' in English. It is an adjective often used to describe something that is relating to, used in, or engaged in farming or agriculture. This word can be used in a variety of contexts in the Spanish language, much like 'agricultural' in English. It can refer to agricultural practices, industries, studies, products, lands and more.
Example sentences with agrícola →agricultura ecológica
Agriculture
The term 'agricultura ecológica' is Spanish and translates to 'organic agriculture' in English. Organic agriculture is a method of farming that does not use synthesized chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Instead, it relies on natural ecological processes and cycles, and this is reflected in its alternative name 'ecological agriculture'. This method of agriculture promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity to maintain and increase long-term soil fertility, and it is believed to be more sustainable.
Example sentences with agricultura ecológica →agua buena
good water
The Spanish phrase 'agua buena' translates to 'good water' in English. It is composed of two words: 'agua,' which means 'water,' and 'buena,' which means 'good'. Therefore, in a literal sense, it refers to water that is of good quality or taste. However, in a broader context, it can be used metaphorically to describe something that is pure, beneficial, or reassuring.
Example sentences with agua buena →agua caliente
hot water
The Spanish phrase 'agua caliente' translates to 'hot water' in English. It is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to heated water, typically for usage in cooking, bathing or cleaning. Understanding this phrase can be quite useful particularly in a household setup or in travel scenarios where hot water may be a necessary utility.
Example sentences with agua caliente →agua del grifo
tap water
The Spanish phrase 'agua del grifo' translates to 'tap water' in English. It can refer to running water that you get directly from your kitchen or bathroom taps. This term is used in many Spanish speaking countries to indicate regular household water that is supplied by city or municipal sources. It is traditionally deemed safe for consumption, although it can vary depending on specific regional infrastructure and water treatment.
agua fría
cold water
The Spanish phrase 'agua fría' translates to 'cold water' in English. This is a basic phrase that reflects both the object, 'water', and its condition, 'cold'. You would normally use this phrase when you want to ask for a glass of cold water, for example in a restaurant or at home. It's a common and simple phrase, which is very useful in everyday situations, especially in hot countries where you often need to hydrate with 'agua fría'.
Example sentences with agua fría →agua potable
drinking water
The term 'agua potable' in Spanish refers to the water that is safe to consume by humans, i.e., drinking water. This water undergoes various treatments to remove harmful substances and pathogens to make it safe for human consumption. It is essential to life and is used for drinking, cooking, and other domestic uses. This water can come from different sources such as springs, wells, or it can be supplied by the city. The quality and availability of potable water can widely vary in different parts of the world.
agua sucia
dirty water
The word 'agua sucia' in Spanish translates to 'dirty water' in English. It is a compound noun that is made up of 'agua', which means 'water', and 'sucia', which means 'dirty'. It is often used in both literal contexts, such as when discussing polluted bodies of water or unclean drinking water, and metaphorically, in expressions or idioms that convey a negative meaning, such as a difficult or messy situation.
Example sentences with agua sucia →aguja
needle
The Spanish word 'aguja' translates to 'needle' in English. It refers to a very fine tool with a hole at one end and a sharp point at the other, typically used for sewing. Needles can be used to pass thread through cloth for the purpose of sewing or can also be used in medical scenarios to inject or extract fluids.