C1 - Advanced Spanish
At the C1 Advanced level, students are able to communicate widely in different environments such as social, professional, and cultural settings.
Any written text is now expected to be clear, structured, and detailed.
estar (contra)indicado para una enfermedad
being (contra)indicated for a disease
The Spanish phrase 'estar (contra)indicado para una enfermedad' translates to 'being (contra)indicated for a disease' in English. This usually refers to a situation where a specific medication or treatment is strongly advised for a certain disease (indicated), or where a specific medication or treatment should not be used for a certain disease (contra-indicated) because it might be harmful or ineffective.
Example sentences with estar (contra)indicado para una enfermedad →estar (el público) enfervorizado
being (the public) sick
The phrase 'estar (el público) enfervorizado' in Spanish does not translate to 'being (the public) sick' in English. Instead, it roughly translates to 'the audience becoming fervent or extremely excited or enthusiastic'. It is often used when describing an audience reaction in performances or public speeches, where the audience is deeply moved or passionately engaged with the presented content. Spanish, like many languages, uses rich idiomatic expressions, and this phrase is a good example of that. In summary, 'estar (el público) enfervorizado' could be the audience being passionate, enthralled, or fervently engaged.
estar (el público) entregado
being (the public) delivered
The Spanish phrase 'estar (el público) entregado' has a more metaphorical meaning in English than simply 'being (the public) delivered'. It is used to describe a situation where the audience or public is fully engaged or captivated by something or someone. It can be used in contexts such as concerts, speeches, performances, etc., where the performer has the total attention and emotional investment of the audience.
estar (sordo) como una tapia
being (sorted) as a plug
The phrase 'estar (sordo) como una tapia' in Spanish is an idiomatic expression that is translated as 'being (deaf) as a post' in English. This phrase is used to describe someone who is extremely hard of hearing or is not paying attention to what is being said. It is similar to the English phrases 'deaf as a post' or 'turning a deaf ear'. Please note, this phrase is not literal and using it requires understanding of the context.
estar abatido
to be down
'Estar abatido' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'to be down' in English. This may infer to feeling depressed, sad or upset. It can be used to express one's emotional state and is often associated with negative circumstances or situations that have caused emotional distress.
estar admirado
to be admired
The Spanish phrase 'estar admirado' is translated into English as 'to be admired'. This is generally used to express respect and admiration for someone's abilities, achievements, or qualities. In certain contexts, it may also denote a high level of impression or astonishment towards someone or something.
estar agradecido
to be grateful
'Estar agradecido' is a phrase in Spanish which translates to 'to be grateful' in English. This phrase is often used in various contexts where one wishes to express their gratitude or appreciation for something or someone. Like in English, this phrase can generally be used in both formal and informal situations. Understanding and using this phrase would greatly help in expressing gratitude in Spanish speakingsetting.
estar al tanto de
being aware of
In Spanish, 'estar al tanto de' can be translated to 'being aware of' in English. It refers to the awareness, or knowledge, a person possesses about a particular situation, context, or occurrence. A person who is 'al tanto' is up to date and well-informed. For instance, one might say, 'Estoy al tanto de los cambios' to mean 'I am aware of the changes.'
estar arruinado
being ruined
The Spanish phrase 'estar arruinado' translates to 'being ruined' in English. It can be used in various contexts such as financial difficulties where someone might be bankrupt or having severe monetary losses. Similarly, it can also denote anything damaged beyond repair, either physically or metaphorically such as in the case of reputation. However, and particularly important, it's not usually associated with emotional states but rather with situations or external conditions.
Example sentences with estar arruinado →estar atontado
to be stunned
The Spanish phrase 'estar atontado' translates to 'to be stunned' in English. This phrase expresses a state of surprise, shock or bewilderment. It often indicates a temporary inability to act or respond due to unexpected news or events. Example: A person might 'estar atontado' after receiving an unexpected award or hearing surprising news.
Example sentences with estar atontado →estar bajo juramento
under oath
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo juramento' translates to 'under oath' in English. This is often used in a courtroom setting or in any legal proceeding where a person swears to tell the truth. It can also be metaphorically used to refer to a serious and official commitment to tell the truth or fulfill an obligation in situations outside of legal settings.
Example sentences with estar bajo juramento →estar bajo protección
being protected
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo protección' translates to 'being protected' in English. This phrase essentially conveys the state of having some form of guard or safeguard against potential harm or damage. It can be used in various contexts to indicate physical protection, legal protection, or any other type of shield that prevents harm. The phrase can be applied to situations, objects, and mostly people. For instance, in cases where there's a provision of security for someone, 'estar bajo protección' is suitable to describe such a situation.
estar bajo sospecha
being on suspicion
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo sospecha' translates to 'being under suspicion' in English. This is used in situations where someone is suspected of possibly doing something wrong or illegal. Similar to its English counterpart, 'estar bajo sospecha' is often used in legal or crime-related contexts. It reflects a state of uncertainty about a person's actions or behavior and implies that further investigation is needed to confirm or reject the suspicions.
estar bajo vigilancia
under surveillance
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo vigilancia' is an action phrase that can be translated to English as 'being under surveillance'. This term usually refers to a situation where one's activities or behaviors are being monitored or observed, often for security or investigation purposes. It is often used in legal, investigative, and security contexts.
estar bien colocado
well placed
The Spanish phrase 'estar bien colocado' translates to 'well placed' in English. This phrase is typically used to describe something or someone that is properly positioned or located. It can also refer to the status or condition of being suitably arranged in a specific context. Moreover, this phrase can be used metaphorically to indicate that a person is well established or successful in their career or social circle.
estar bien situado
to be well located
The Spanish phrase 'estar bien situado' translates to 'to be well located' in English. This phrase is often used to describe a place or property that is conveniently positioned or sited, typically in relation to facilities, transportation, workplaces or other amenities. It can also be used in describing people or things that are favorably positioned for a specific purpose. The phrase is usually used in property descriptions, navigation, and other geographical contexts.
estar borracho
being drunk
The Spanish phrase 'estar borracho' translates to 'being drunk' in English. This phrase is used when someone has consumed a significant amount of alcohol and is under its influence. 'Estar' is a verb that signifies a temporary state or condition, which is suitable here because drunkenness is not a permanent condition. On the other hand, 'borracho' is an adjective that means drunk. Together, 'estar borracho' provides a specific way to describe someone's temporary condition of being intoxicated due to alcohol.
estar como loco
being crazy.
'Estar como loco' is a Spanish phrase that is translated into English as 'being crazy'. This term is often used to describe someone who is acting in a nonsensical, irrational, or unpredictable manner. It can be used both in a literal sense, in reference to actual mental instability, or in a metaphorical sense, to describe someone who is wildly excited or energetic, or who behaves in a way that is considered outside the norms of regular, sensible behavior.
estar como un fideo
being like a noodle
The Spanish phrase 'estar como un fideo' is an idiomatic expression that translates literally to 'being like a noodle' in English. It's used to describe someone who is very thin, just like a noodle. The phrase could be derogatory or affectionate depending on the context, implying that the person needs to eat more or is slender and fit. Like most idiomatic expressions, it is quite common in informal and colloquial settings.
estar como un flan
being like a flan
The Spanish phrase 'estar como un flan' is an idiomatic expression that can be translated to 'being like a flan' in English. It is used to describe someone being nervous or jittery, drawing a comparison to the wiggly and shaky nature of a flan dessert which is soft and jiggly.
estar como un tonel
being like a barrel
The Spanish phrase 'estar como un tonel' directly translates to 'being like a barrel' in English. However, it is an idiomatic expression frequently used in conversational Spanish. It is not meant to be taken literally. Instead, it refers to someone who is excessively overweight or rotund. This phrase is used to lightly and humorously convey this meaning without directly calling someone fat.
estar como una cabra
being like a goat
The Spanish phrase 'estar como una cabra' does not literally mean 'being like a goat' in English. While directly translated, it indeed conveys this message, in common usage it expresses a completely different sentiment. It is a colloquial idiom used in Spain, which means to act in a manner that's considered crazy, eccentric or bizarre. It is typically used to refer to someone's unconventional behavior or peculiar personality, highlighting misconceptions and unexpected singularities in their acts or thoughts.
estar como una vaca
being like a cow
The phrase 'estar como una vaca' in Spanish is an idiomatic expression, generally used in informal settings. Although the literal translation is 'being like a cow', this phrase actually has a metaphorical meaning rather than a direct comparison to a cow. When someone uses this phrase, they don't mean that a person is behaving like a cow. Instead, they are using a cultural reference to imply that the person is overweight or has put on weight. Using animal comparisons in idioms is common in many languages, as it provides a visual and widely understood point of reference.
estar congelado
to be frozen
The Spanish phrase 'estar congelado' can be translated into English as 'to be frozen'. It is often used to describe conditions related to temperature, such as frozen food or freezing weather. Additionally, it can also be used metaphorically to illustrate situations where someone or something appears to be immobilized, stuck in place or unable to move.
estar de gira
to be on tour
The Spanish phrase 'estar de gira' translates to 'to be on tour' in English. It is often used to describe the action of travelling from place to place, usually for performances, similar to a musician, theatre troupe or sports team. This is not a permanent status but a temporary condition, noted by the use of 'estar' instead of 'ser'. Like any other Spanish expressions, the context is vital in order understand and use it correctly.
Example sentences with estar de gira →estar de guardia
to be on guard
The Spanish phrase 'estar de guardia' is translated in English as 'to be on guard'. This is generally used to refer to someone who is staying alert and vigilant, typically in a protective role or for a duty. It could be a police officer on duty or a soldier on watch, but it can also be used in more everyday contexts like a night watchman at a building or even metaphorically to denote remaining vigilant in uncertain situations.
Example sentences with estar de guardia →estar de paso
being step by step
The phrase 'estar de paso' in Spanish does not translate directly to 'being step by step' in English. Instead, it is commonly used to express the idea of 'just passing through' or 'to be just passing by'. It indicates the action of being in a place temporarily, with the intention of leaving soon to continue to another destination.
Example sentences with estar de paso →estar de pena
to be sorry
The Spanish phrase 'estar de pena' translates as 'to be sorry' in English. It is generally used to convey the speaker's regret or sorrow over a particular incident or situation. However, it's worth noting that the phrase doesn't exactly match up with the English concept of 'being sorry'. In some contexts, it can also imply feeling embarrassed or disgraceful depending on the context.
estar de suerte
to be lucky
The Spanish phrase 'estar de suerte' translates to 'to be lucky' in English. It is often used to express when someone is experiencing extremely good fortune or has a positive outcome in a situation based on chance, equivalent to when we say in English that a person 'is in luck'. Just like its English counterpart, 'estar de suerte' is used in many contexts both informally and formally.
Example sentences with estar de suerte →estar delicado
to be delicate
The Spanish phrase 'estar delicado' translates directly to 'to be delicate' in English. This phrase can be used to describe a person, object, or situation that is delicate, sensitive, or requires careful handling.
Example sentences with estar delicado →