Spanish words that take a phrase in English

Some Spanish words are most naturally translated into English with a phrase. Madrugar can mean “get up early”; anteayer means “the day before yesterday”. The translation is useful even though the number of words differs.

These are not words for experiences English speakers cannot understand. In them you see how different languages can have expressions of different sizes for familiar activities and relationships.

Estrenar: a first use

With hoy estreno estos zapatos you say you are wearing these shoes for the first time. You can use estrenar for new clothes, an object or a place being used for the first time.

The related noun estreno can mean a premiere. The suitable English expression depends on the subject: wearing new shoes for the first time is not the same event as a film opening.

Learn an example close to something you might say. Todavía no he estrenado la chaqueta is useful if a jacket is new but you have not worn it yet.

Aprovechar: make use of an opportunity

Aprovecha el buen tiempo para salir means “Make the most of the good weather and go out”. Aprovecho para preguntarte algo means “I’ll take this opportunity to ask you something”.

English “take advantage of” can be neutral too, as in taking advantage of good weather. It does not always imply exploitation. Spanish speakers commonly use aprovecharse de alguien for taking advantage of a person, so learn the construction as well as the verb.

Madrugar and trasnochar

With tengo que madrugar mañana you say you need to get up early tomorrow. There is no universal clock-time boundary: seven may be early in one person’s routine and ordinary in another’s.

With ayer trasnoché estudiando you describe staying up late studying. The pair is useful for talking about your day without having to build the same expression as in English. The range of uses is in the dictionary entry for madrugar; there the word is not restricted to waking before five or before dawn.

Sobremesa: after the meal

With nos quedamos de sobremesa you describe remaining at the table after eating, often talking. With la sobremesa duró más que la comida you say that this time lasted longer than the meal itself.

The word is useful in accounts of meals and gatherings. Not every Spanish-speaking household follows the same custom, and English-speaking people also enjoy talking after dinner. The occasion and the people matter.

Tutear: choosing tú

Tutear means to address someone with tú. ¿Puedo tutearlo? is one way to ask a man you are addressing with usted whether you may switch to tú.

The social meaning of tú, vos and usted varies across places and relationships. In some communities, usted can be affectionate as well as respectful or distant. With the word, people can discuss the form of address; there is still no universal rule for choosing it.

Desvelarse: losing sleep

With me desvelé pensando en el examen you describe losing sleep while thinking about the exam. In the dictionary entry, this sleep-related use is separate from desvelar meaning to unveil or reveal.

A relationship and a day

Consuegro or consuegra is the parent of your child’s spouse. Anteayer is a compact way to refer to the day before yesterday: Lo vi anteayer.

Use an English explanation to establish the meaning, then find or make a Spanish example. A word does not have to be untranslatable to be worth keeping.