Big Words Please

Question

I would like to learn some big words in Spanish like "meteorológico" and sound super-smart in my Spanish class... Plus, it's good for pronunciation- at least it is for me. Thanks a lot!

You probably already sound super-smart... :) - CalvoViejo, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 1

The best way to learn how to pronounce such "monsters" is called backchaining. Start with pronouncing the final syllable, then the last two - and practise it a bit. Then say the last three syllables... and so on. When you get to the first syllable you'll be able to pronounce it without problems. It also works in case of longer phrases:

otorinolaringólogo

-go

-logo

-gólogo

-ringólogo

-laringólogo

-nolaringólogo

-rinolaringólogo

-torinolaringólogo

-otorinolaringólogo

What an awesome method! :-D - chaparrito, FEB 18, 2010

As you have learnt the word in reverse, it gets easier as you go through the word since you have said the last section more times. Very handy for learning speeches, rituals, etc. - Eddy, FEB 18, 2010

very nice! never heard about this method before, thank you! - juluque, FEB 18, 2010

It's better than trying to do this "in the proper way", starting from the initial syllable. - Issabela, FEB 18, 2010

sounds cool, I will try it. Thanks. - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 2

Esternocleidomastoideo

Otorrinolaringología

Estupefación

Etimologicamente

Ornitorrinco

:) thankyou - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 17, 2010

whoa... the first two are super big. - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 17, 2010

ehh me quitaste otorrinolaringología!!!! jaja - Benz, FEB 18, 2010

Wow! I actually know where that muscle is! Esternocleidomastoideo is the sternocleidomastoid mucscle connected behind the ear on one end and at the sternum and collar bone at the other end. - CalvoViejo, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 3

Otorrinolaringologia.--------Had to go to the o---------------ia dept. at the hospital today;could`nt pronounce o-----------------ia so had to point at piece of paper.Most embarrasing.Will practice for when I return.

:-D - chaparrito, FEB 18, 2010

Don´t forget the accent on the last "i". If you want to finish with ?????gólogo, the accent falls where I have indicated. - Eddy, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 4

Here are a few syllables

Arquitectónicamente hablando

Architecturally speaking ...

Answer 5

Maravillosamente It's long, and not too hard.

:) thankyou - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 17, 2010

Answer 6

pilipina said

It's amazing how many common, peasant people know this word, "otorinolaringólogo". It means eye, ear, nose doctor. They don't always have the separate specialties in Mexico, so it's just one guy that does everything. Trying to pronounce it is hard at first, but it's not to bad if you focus on the ó

Sorry pilipina, there is no "eye". It means ear, nose and throat specialist.

Often in the US we drop the "rhino" (nose) part. - CalvoViejo, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 7

in mexico....estacionamiento......parking in spain.......aparcamiento..........parking

Answer 8

analfabeto/a - illiterate

Answer 9

Desafortunadamente - unfortunately.

Answer 10

ray took my answer.

It's amazing how many common, peasant people know this word, "otorinolaringólogo"

It means eye, ear, nose doctor. They don't always have the separate specialties in Mexico, so it's just one guy that does everything. Trying to pronounce it is hard at first, but it's not to bad if you focus on the ó

Whew! Una trabalengua! :-) - chaparrito, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 11

Anticonstitucionalmente-unconstitutionally

Answer 12

Electroencefalografista-electroencephalograph technician

Answer 13

One of my all time favorites is "amigdalitis" - tonsillitis! It's not very long, but it's catchy!

I agree- it's very catchy - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 14

Ovolactovegetarianismo

means vegan that also consume eggs and lactose products. - juluque, FEB 17, 2010

Isn't that just a vegetarian?? - knkurz, FEB 18, 2010

not, this specifically eat vegies + eggs and + milk, true vegetarian dont eat animal pruducts. - juluque, FEB 18, 2010

Answer 15

check this one out! almost impossible to spell myself:

Hipopotomonstrosesquipedaliofobia

This word deserve the Guinness record! It actually means: phobia to pronouns very complicated and long words.

:( ... I can't even pronounce that in English, let alone Spanish. - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, FEB 17, 2010

(hippotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia) the correct spelling and juluque is correct on the meaning. It was just too weird so I had to look it up myself thanks juluque - teresa3101, FEB 18, 2010

The correct spelling in English, that is. - Eddy, FEB 18, 2010

Teresa that is the english spelling. - juluque, FEB 18, 2010