What to do when one word has different translations...

Question

In my travels to Spanish speaking countries, I have found that some of the words or phrases I have learned are not even used or understood. For example, Paralee always says "te toca" during each lesson. I thought this would be a valuable phrase to use when I was working with some children, but as it turns out, they were not familiar with that expression and used "te tierno" (not sure of spelling), instead. When I was at a restaurant, I ordered "té helado" and the waitress looked very confused. Apparently, they only use the term "té frio". Finally, I used the word suelo in reference to the floor, but a missionary I was speaking to said that she had never heard the word. A Dominican boy standing nearby confirmed that it did mean floor, however, "piso" was the word most familiar to the locals.

My question is whether this is a common problem others have experienced? I know that even within English speaking countries, we have many different terms for different words, however, we usually are at least familiar with the different terms. Is it best to try to learn every possible translation of a word, or should I just wait to be corrected as needed, by people who don't understand what I am saying. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this problem. Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm afraid there a lot of variations of Spanish across the countries and even in a same country. Here in my area, we call a pen 'lapicero' and in Bogotá it's call 'bolígrafo', etc.

In the other hand, perhaps you need to keep studying to increase your vocabulary and perhaps to change your strategy in situations when you have doubts, e.g. you might ask for a tea: Por favor quiero un té. ¿Qué clase de té me puede servir? That's is the idea, to let the waiter/other person to guide you.

Answer 2

Ok, "te toca" is a very common expression in Spain. I don't know about everywhere else, but it is not slang, so it should be pretty standard.

Té helado = frozen tea (ever asked for a frozen tea?)

With "floor" you have a different kind of problem , because it is "suelo", but only when it means "the surface upon you walk". The problem is that "floor" has several meanings in English:

1) floor (SURFACE) = the flat surface of a room on which you walk 2) floor (OPEN SPACE) = a public space for activities such as dancing and having formal discussions 3) floor (LEVEL OF BUILDING) = a level of a building 4) floor (BOTTOM) = the floor the bottom surface of the sea, a forest, a cave, etc 5) floor (CAUSE TO FALL) = the floor the bottom surface of the sea, a forest, a cave, etc (Cambridge Dictionary)

In Spanish, "suelo" only matches the first meaning everywhere, and in some cases, the 4th, but the others are not widely used, or simply don't exist. In Spain we say "piso" too, as well as "planta".

A good dictionary specifies these differences clearly:

floor 1 (gen) suelo m
[+of room] suelo m , piso m (LAm)
[+of sea] fondo m
(=dance floor) pista f
2 (=storey) 2.1 (Brit) piso m
→ the first floor el primer piso → the ground floor la planta baja → the second floor el segundo piso → the top floor el último piso 2.2 (US) piso m
→ the first floor la planta baja → the second floor el primer piso → the top floor el último piso

• While I was in Mexico learning Spanish, the teachers used the term "te toca" (your turn) when we played games. - --Mariana-- 11 de Ago, 2009

Answer 3

I've read and/or heard somewhere that iced tea is "té helado" as well.

Same with "agua helado" for iced water.

However, I'm not sure where I got these terms from!

Answer 4

Hi Nicole, I've certainly experienced similar problems trying out phrases or words over the years. Often it has resulted in amusement and kindly correction occasionally in total bemusement ! It is all part of the learning experience I guess. I remember asking for "un paquete de fosferos" in a supermercado in Tenerife (I think I pronounced it badly & might of asked for a packet of lighthouses ! - to add to the confusion) the young shop assistent gave a little giggle and kindly said "Cerillas es mejor" Certainly some Spanish words and phrases have different meanings in different Hispanic countries ( my teachers have warned us to avoid using certain verbs/words as they might cause offence,in some countries) I suppose the only solution is to try to learn the idiomatic use that applies to the region/country you are visiting . It's an interesting question.

Answer 5

Es muy curioso observar cómo algunas palabras en español tienen diferentes significados. En el caso de "te toca", Marianne comentaba que en Méjico escuchaba esta expresión cuando estaba jugando y alguien le decía: "es tu turno" o, "te toca" (now is your turn). También puede significar algo completamente diferente, como es el caso de la siguiente frase: "me avisas si alguien te toca" (let me know if somebody touches you). casos y cosas de nuestros idiomas.

Answer 6

What a wonderful problem to have! You asked:

Is it best to try to learn every possible translation of a word, or should I just wait to be corrected as needed, by people who don't understand what I am saying.

You will most likely learn a lot! You'll know regional ways of expressing things and it sounds as though you have a good ability to make out the meanings of things in context. I'm betting that the native speakers find you very charming.