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The Spanish Obsessed blog
Spanish phrases, grammar explained, tips on how to learn, and a few stories from our life with Spanish. Start with our most-read posts, or browse by topic.
Start here
Our most popular posts – a good place to begin.
PhrasesFunny Spanish Phrases and insultsMake Spanish speakers laugh with these funny phrases, sayings and playful insults – with literal translations, examples and where each one is used.
Learning tipsHow to improve your spoken SpanishKnow plenty of Spanish but freeze when you speak? Here’s how to practise speaking Spanish – even on your own – plus 9 tips to help you speak more fluently and confidently.
In SpanishLa leyenda del DoradoLa leyenda del Dorado contada por una colombiana: el cacique cubierto de oro, la laguna de Guatavita y las ofrendas de los muiscas a sus dioses.- GrammarSer vs estar: the definitive guideSer or estar? Learn when to use each with the DOCTOR and PLACE rules, the adjectives that change meaning, and why “permanent vs temporary” doesn’t always work.
PhrasesSpanish opinion phrases: 35 useful expressionsLearn how to give your opinion in Spanish: creo que, me parece que, en mi opinión and more – with audio from a native speaker, plus how to agree and disagree.
VideoHow to say “to meet” in SpanishConocer, quedar, encontrarse, reunirse or juntarse? Learn which Spanish verb to use for “to meet” – meeting someone for the first time, meeting up with friends or bumping into someone.
Spanish phrases and vocabulary
Useful phrases for real situations, from travel basics to giving your opinion – plus a few words to have fun with.
PhrasesSpanish time phrasesLearn the Spanish time phrases you’ll use every day: ayer, la semana que viene, hace dos años, desde hace, hasta que and more – with audio from a native speaker.- PhrasesSurvival Spanish: 50+ essential phrases for travellersThe Spanish phrases you’ll actually need on holiday – ordering, asking for things, getting around and getting out of trouble – with simple pronunciation tips.
- PhrasesFunny Spanish Phrases and insultsMake Spanish speakers laugh with these funny phrases, sayings and playful insults – with literal translations, examples and where each one is used.
- PhrasesRomantic Spanish phrases and love wordsHow to say “I love you” in Spanish (te quiero or te amo?), what to call your boyfriend or girlfriend, sweet things to say, classic piropos and love sayings – with translations.
- PhrasesSpanish opinion phrases: 35 useful expressionsLearn how to give your opinion in Spanish: creo que, me parece que, en mi opinión and more – with audio from a native speaker, plus how to agree and disagree.
- PhrasesFalsos amigos: 20 Spanish false friends (and what they really mean)20 Spanish false friends (falsos amigos / cognados falsos) with examples – carpeta, embarazada, librería, éxito… what each one really means, and the word you actually need.
More phrases in our guides: 95 essential Spanish phrases for beginners and Spanish filler words.
Spanish grammar and pronunciation
Clear explanations of the bits of Spanish that trip everyone up.
- GrammarSer vs estar: the definitive guideSer or estar? Learn when to use each with the DOCTOR and PLACE rules, the adjectives that change meaning, and why “permanent vs temporary” doesn’t always work.
GrammarWhich Spanish should I learn? Spain vs Latin American SpanishSpain or Latin American Spanish? The key differences – vosotros, pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar – plus practical advice on which Spanish to learn first.- GrammarHow to say “I like” in Spanish: gustar explained (+ other ways)“I like” in Spanish is me gusta (one thing) or me gustan (more than one). Here’s how gustar works, with every person (te gusta, le gusta…), plus other ways to say you like something.
- Grammar20 common Spanish mistakes (and how to fix them)Soy bien, me gusto, estoy embarazada… 20 common Spanish mistakes English speakers make – what you said, what you meant, and how to fix each one. Plus a quick quiz.
- GrammarSpanish gender: the rules in one infographicIs it el or la? The Spanish gender rules by noun ending, the most common exceptions (el día, la mano, el problema) and words that change meaning with gender – in one infographic.
- GrammarHow to roll your R in SpanishCan’t roll your R? How the Spanish R really works, 5 drills to get it rolling, the short R vs the long RR (pero or perro?), and what to do if you still can’t roll it.
For the big grammar topics, see our full guides: por vs para, the Spanish subjunctive and Spanish pronouns – or all our guides.
Grab your Fluency Phrasebook
95 essential phrases for beginners, designed to guide you towards fluency. Fluent speakers don’t build sentences word by word: they reach for ready-made phrases. Learn these and you’ll be speaking from day one, picking up the big grammar patterns along the way.
- Starts with the basics, builds step by step
- The big grammar areas, explained simply
- Phrases you’ll hear and use every day
We’ll email you the PDF, plus Spanish tips and news about our courses. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy Statement
How to learn Spanish
Practical advice on speaking, listening, vocabulary and keeping going – from our own learning and from other polyglots.
- Learning tipsHow to improve your spoken SpanishKnow plenty of Spanish but freeze when you speak? Here’s how to practise speaking Spanish – even on your own – plus 9 tips to help you speak more fluently and confidently.
Learning tipsShould I use the subtitles?English subtitles, Spanish subtitles or none? When subtitles help you learn Spanish from TV and films, when they hold you back, and which skills each option trains.
Learning tipsWhy you should plan your language learning, and how to do itWhy planning your language learning keeps you motivated – and a simple framework you can use today: a big goal, SMART milestones, and small daily habits that get you there.
Learning tipsHow to really learn Spanish in less than 10 minutes a dayNo time to learn Spanish? How to make real progress in less than 10 minutes a day – set realistic goals, use the gaps in your day, and keep it small, portable and fun.
Learning tipsHow to deal with native level SpanishNative Spanish speakers too fast to follow? Why it happens, how to train your ear with gist and detailed listening, and emergency tactics for when you’re lost in a conversation.
Learning tipsThis is what you need to do to break out of beginner zoneMade quick progress, then hit a wall? Why so many Spanish learners get stuck at pre-intermediate – and how comprehensible input helps you study less like a beginner and break through.
- Learning tipsSpanish language exchange (intercambio): how to find one and make it workWhat is an intercambio? How to find a Spanish language exchange, in person or online, and get the most out of it – tips, useful phrases and an interview with an intercambio organiser.
Learning tipsHow to learn Spanish vocabulary: my 7-step processTired of word lists? Here’s the 7-step process I use to learn Spanish vocabulary from real reading – plus tips to help new words stick for good.- Learning tipsWhy you don’t need a perfect native Spanish accentCan adult learners get a perfect native Spanish accent – and does it matter? Why being clearly understood beats sounding native, and which Spanish accent to aim for.
Learning tips37 practical and effective activities to boost your SpanishLearning Spanish by yourself? 37 practical activities to get more input, study smarter, and speak and write better Spanish – from TV and podcasts to shadowing, intercambios and thinking in Spanish.- Learning tipsHow to memorise Spanish vocabulary: spaced repetition and memory tricksStruggling to make Spanish words stick? Here’s how to get the most out of spaced repetition and Anki, plus memory tricks for the words you keep forgetting.
Learning tips5 inspiring polyglots share their language learning secretsFive polyglots – Luca Lampariello, Sam Gendreau, Olly Richards, Randy Hunt and Donovan Nagel – on the biggest language learning myths, their favourite techniques and what they wish they’d known.- Learning tipsSo you think you know a Spanish word?Is 1,000 Spanish words really enough? The most common Spanish words and verbs, why “knowing” a word is more than its translation, and a better way to build your vocabulary.
- Learning tips7 language habits you need to formLearning a language is hard work – until it becomes a habit. Seven language learning habits to make your Spanish study more effective, from bedtime vocab to setting goals you can actually tick off.
- Learning tipsStay with it! How to keep up your motivationLosing motivation with your Spanish? Eight tips to keep going – remember your why, notice your progress, mix things up, be kind to yourself and make Spanish part of your life.
- Learning tipsTop Spanish grammar tips: avoid going insaneStruggling with Spanish grammar? Eight tips to make it easier and more enjoyable – learn the phrase before the rule, use it for real, vary how you learn and keep making mistakes.
- Learning tips8 reasons why learning a language is like learning an instrumentPractice, a good ear, patience and the occasional sudden leap forward: eight ways learning Spanish is like learning an instrument – and what musicians can teach language learners.
New to Spanish? Start with how to learn Spanish, our step-by-step roadmap.
Video and podcast series
Two short series to watch or listen to from start to finish.
Video series · 4 episodes
How to say it in Spanish
Short videos on the most natural way to say tricky English phrases in Spanish, with examples, quizzes and transcripts.
- How to say “supposed to”se supone que, se suponía que and how to say “not supposed to”
- How to say “to meet”conocer, quedar, encontrarse or reunirse? Which verb for which kind of meeting
- How to say “catch up with”alcanzar, ponerse al día or pillar – catching up with people, work and the news
- How to say “ago”hace + time, atrás, hace poco – and which past tense to use
Podcast · 6 episodes
Reaching for Words
Long-form interviews with polyglots and language teachers about what really works when you learn a language.
Looking for something to listen to in Spanish? See our favourite Spanish podcasts and our own Spanish podcasts.
Culture, music and reading in Spanish
Music, history and a couple of posts written in Spanish for you to practise your reading.
CultureIn praise of Spanish hip hopWhy Spanish-language hip hop is the best music for learning Spanish – and four artists we love: Mala Rodríguez, Residente (Calle 13), Nach and Bomba Estéreo, with a song from each.
CultureAn introduction to Spanish and Latin American musicNew to music in Spanish? Nine artists to start with – flamenco from Estrella Morente to Chambao, plus Manu Chao, Calle 13, Bomba Estéreo and Buena Vista Social Club – with a song to listen to from each.
CultureCelebrating Cervantes: 7 facts about the author of Don QuixoteSoldier, slave, failed accountant and the author of Don Quixote: seven surprising facts about Miguel de Cervantes – and the 2015 search for his lost tomb in Madrid.- In SpanishLa leyenda del DoradoLa leyenda del Dorado contada por una colombiana: el cacique cubierto de oro, la laguna de Guatavita y las ofrendas de los muiscas a sus dioses.
- In SpanishUn poema para mi hermanaUn poema para mi hermana Claudia: «La gente que me gusta», el famoso texto atribuido a Mario Benedetti, con una dedicatoria muy especial de Lis.
Our story
How Spanish changed our lives, and what we’ve been up to.
Our storyHow Spanish changed my lifeFrom getting lost in Valencia after four weeks of evening classes to lifelong friends, new homes and a whole new culture: how learning Spanish changed my life.
Our storyMy first Spanish exam – results!What is the SIELE Spanish exam like? My experience taking it with no preparation – the format, the tricky listening section, and my results (C1, and B2 in listening).
Our storyWe’re moving…After 10 years in London, we decided it was time to move – to Colombia! Why we left the grey skies and the commute behind, and why Colombia felt like home.
Ready to take your Spanish further?
Our free guides go deeper into the big topics, and our courses take you step by step towards natural, confident Spanish.
