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Spanish Lesson

By Carolina Garcia

Words about Building!

Design- Diseño
Length- Longitud
Distance- Distancia
Area- Superficie
Height- Altura/ Cota
Sketch- Boceto/ Croquis
Model- Maqueta
Edge- Borde
Facade- Fachada
Ceiling- Plafon
Roof- Techo
Hall/Entry- Vestibulo
Storage Room- Almacen
Basement- Sotano

Tools- Herramientas
Hammer- Martillo
Screwdriver- Desarmador
Drill- Taladro
Tape Measure- Metro
Bag of Cement- Bulto de Cemento
Annealed Wire- Alambre Recocide
Wire Rod- Alambron
Large Steel Rod- Varilla

Construction- Construccion
Mason- Albañil
Mason’s Helper- Chalan
Worker- Obrero
Building without the finishings- Obra Negra
Layer of finishing cement on a wall- Repello

Spanish Lesson

By Carolina Garcia

Today we will explore Homographs- words that share the same written form but have different meanings and Homonyms- words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings.

Homographs
Sal: Salt and also the verb to get out (salir)
Sal de ahi – Get out of there

Calle: Street and also the conjugation of the word to silence (callar)
Callete – Shut up

Nada: Nothing and also the conjugation of the verb to swim.
No es nada – it’s nothing

Homonyms
Haya – the verb ‘haber’- to have
Halla – the verb ‘hallar’- to find
Aya – nanny or governess

Hola – hello
Ola – wave

Hierba – herb
Hierva – conjugated verb of hervir- to boil

Ciento – hundred
Siento – I feel

Bienes – property
Vienes – conjugated form of venir- to come

Spanish Lesson

By Carolina Garcia

Proverbs with Culinary Themes
A good way for Mexicans to remember their grandmothers is
with sayings and proverbs. Many of these refer to traditional
dishes. Here are some of the most popular and what they really
mean.
“Dar atole con el dedo”
Literal meaning: To feed someone atole (a hot drink made with
corn) with your finger , the way you would feed a baby.
What it really means: That you are talking to someone as
though they are stupid.


“Echarle crema a los tacos”
Literal meaning: To add cream to the tacos.
What it really means:
That someone is boasting ,bragging or exaggerating.


“A ojo de buen cubero”

Literal meaning: To watch the good barrel. Cubero is an old-
fashioned word for barrels that used to be used for water, oil

wine or rum.
What it really means:
To make an educated yet imprecise guess. To do something by
approximation.


“A darle que es mole de olla”
Literal meaning: Go for it because it is mole from the pot.
What it really means: That something needs to be done right
away.


“No se puede chiflar y comer pinole al mismo tiempo.”
Literal meaning: You can’t whistle and eat ground maize at the
same time.
What it really means: Stop multi-tasking.


All of us Mexicans have heard these proverbs from our
grandmothers at least once. Now with the passage of time they
are not as common to hear but they will always be present.