A-Z Game: Say what?!
As we know, context is everything in languages.
If someone asks, "What does bat mean in English?" and you'll give them several definitions and say it depends on which type of "bat" they are looking for!
In this G A M E
Follow in alphabetical order, por favor.
Please click "Newest" to see which letter is next.
Write a word (Spanish or English noun, verb, adjective) that has two separate, distinct meanings. (not "ice" and "ice cube" for example)
Write at least one sentence in Spanish and English using the word in context.
Add a picture if you like.
Have fun!
I'll start with ...
Alto
Mi esposo es muy alto. (My husband is very tall)
El policía gritó, "¡Alto!" (The cop yelled "Stop!")
32 Answers
L
Me gusta mucho la lechuga en mi ensalada (I really like lettuce in my salad).
¿Tienes lechuga? (Do you have any money? -- Caribbean Spanish).
Express
I want to express my apology for not following the directions.
Quiero expresar mis apología por no seguir las instrucciones.
He took the express bus in order to arrive on time.
Tomó el autobús express con fin de llegar a tiempo.
(Please correct my Spanish if it is not proper, thanks)
Cajón
El Cajón del Maipo es un lugar muy hermoso. (The Maipo Ravine is a beautiful place.)
El cajón de embalaje está casi listo. (The packing crate is nearly ready.)
Did I do this right, Mariana?
tocar / to touch
¡No lo toques! / Don’t touch it!
to feel
Me dejas tocar la tela? / Can I feel the fabric?
to play
tocar la guitarra / to play the guitar
S
He scarfed down his food. (Engullió su comida).
I wear a scarf in the winter (Llevo una bufanda en el invierno).
Trate de pescar tan a menudo como puedo.
I try to go fishing as often as I can.
Me gusta comer menudo.
I like to eat menudo.
Juego
El juego de la rodilla le duele a él - When he moves his knee it hurts him
Juego, set y partido - Game set and match
Grabar
Hoy en día, casi toda la música popular está grabada por un micrófono en el estudio de grabación antes de estar oído por la radio. / (Today, almost all popular music is recorded with a microphone in the recording studio before being heard on the radio.)
A veces, cuando las parejas se casan, compran anillos de boda grabados con sus nombres en ellos. / (Sometimes, when couples get married, they buy wedding rings with their names engraved on them.)
Faz
El dolor estaba claro en su faz.
La faz de edificio es muy impresionante.
a head of steam / un presión de vapor
It never entered my head. / Jamás se me ocurrió.
Dear
You’re a dear.
Eres un cielo.
She would dearly like to get that job. = really
Le gustaría mucho conseguir ese trabajo.
P
planta = plant (tree, flower, etc)
La planta de Navidad tiene hojas de verde y rojo. The poinsettia has red and green leaves.
planta = plant (factory)
Trabajo en una planta química. I work in a chemical factory.
Q
Es la quinta persona que me ha preguntado mi edad. (That's the fifth person who's asked my age.)
La quinta está en el campo. (The cottage is in the countryside).
Rico
El hombre es rico! The man is rich.
¡Qué rico! This food is great!
K
He was singing off key during the concert. (Estaba cantando desafinado durante el concierto).
She inserted the key into the lock. (Introdujo la llave en la chapa).
