Dec
11
Spanish Quiz
Filed under (Uncategorized) by marcus @ 09:07 am

I’ll bet this tricks you.

Here’s a very quick quiz,

Warning: It’s not as easy as it looks.

In fact, if you get more than 5 out of ten correct, you’ll be doing well.

How many of these very common Spanish phrases do you know? Grab a pen and translate these ten phrases:

  1. cuando mucho
  2. quiere decir
  3. más bien
  4. como no
  5. más alla
  6. no tiene que ver
  7. todo el mundo
  8. cuanto antes
  9. costar mucho trabajo
  10. de nuevo

It’s a good bet that you know every individual word on the list, but the meanings of the phrases will surprise you

Let’s see how you did?

Remember your target is to get more than five out of ten correct.

So, if you get 6 or more correct, bien hecho (well done).

Ok, you didn’t peek right?

Here are the answers:

  1. at the most
  2. it means
  3. rather
  4. of course
  5. beyond
  6. it’s got nothing to do with
  7. everyone
  8. As soon as possible
  9. to be hard to do
  10. once again

Sure, in context, literal translations will work. But the translations I just gave you are the ones you’ll hear the most.

You’ll start hearing them all over the place once you know them.

You’ll hear them, when you chat with your Spanish speaking friends, go to shops or
talk to the locals when you travel.

But it’s not casual Spanish or a slang Spanish or regional Spanish.

This is just as real as any Spanish you’ll find in a dictionary. From the man in the local store to the president, from a farm worker to a PHD graduate, they’ll all use these phrases.

And they use them very often. Very often!

It’s everyday Spanish

Yet, there it’s rarely taught.

A while back I started tracking the use of these types of phrases. It was part of my research for the Spanish Ear Training Masterclass series. You see, even if I train your ears, it won’t do you much good if you don’t understand what people are saying anyway.

If you’d like to give your Spanish a boost, I’ve made a mini dictionary of the 99 most essential Spanish collocations. It’s full of common, useful everyday language that goes mas alla del dictionary beyond the dictionary.

So, that what I called it Más Allá Del Dicionario Español, (Beyond The Spanish Dictionary). To get the mini dictionary FREE, just enter your name and email below and I’ll email it to you right away.

saludos

Marcus

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Comments:
105 Comments posted on "Spanish Quiz"
richard on December 11th, 2009 at 9:31 am #

thanks very much


Ina Mundell on December 11th, 2009 at 9:41 am #

These Spanish phrases are excellent - even if you don’t know that much Spanish! Please Marcus! We want MORE of these. Saludos - from South Africa! Ina Mundell


Paresh D Gajjar on December 11th, 2009 at 9:56 am #

Thank you - you are truly innovative. I wish I could take up all that you offer. Your approach to teaching Spanish is really wonderful. Please continue the good work.


JUDITH on December 11th, 2009 at 10:06 am #

muchas gracias muy interesante por favor SEND MORE


PETER on December 11th, 2009 at 10:14 am #

Very useful phrases, very different from the literal translations.


james joyner on December 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am #

Marcus, I only got close with one, so am looking forward to receiving your other phrases. from Spain


Thelma on December 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am #

Muchas gracias. I knew most of the words but I’m afraid I only got 3 right! Thanks again.


Abbas Baba on December 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am #

very useful. All these will be helpful in everyday speech. Thank you very much.


ngoh jessica on December 11th, 2009 at 10:38 am #

Marcus, i must say, this is the first challenge i have ever had since i started learning spanish. I had 0/10.i need more of such lessons.
jessica cameroon.


David Akers on December 11th, 2009 at 10:43 am #

These phrases seem very helpful


Donald MacDonald on December 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am #

every little bit helps


Shirley Stickland on December 11th, 2009 at 11:13 am #

Good to see Ina’s comment. I bet she is doing better than me and I live in Spain !


Francis Blane Mr., on December 11th, 2009 at 11:36 am #

I’m a 78yr old widower living alone & have chronic heart disease & prostrate cancer. Your lessons have renewed my interest in Life. Muchos Gracias Marcus.


Dave hall on December 11th, 2009 at 12:12 pm #

thank you marcus


James on December 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm #

Marcus we are greatful for all you do to increase the ability to speak and learn Spanish.


R J Liptrot on December 11th, 2009 at 1:10 pm #

Gracios Marcus,
Understood most of the words and a few translations, however, most of them I didn’t get the correct answers.
Enjoyed it.
Thanks


Dot on December 11th, 2009 at 1:24 pm #

Thank you so very much


Gary Black on December 11th, 2009 at 1:38 pm #

I think these phrase are great and when I use them, it impresses the locals.


Bill Worthley, TX on December 11th, 2009 at 1:46 pm #

Marcus, Great timing! My wife and I are going to be driving through the Mexican Highlands during the month of January, 2010. No tourists there, so thank you for the extra help! !Salud!


Adam Tabacki on December 11th, 2009 at 2:32 pm #

Thank you


Marie on December 11th, 2009 at 2:33 pm #

I have learnt more from your Synergy course and the helpful phrases, than at any of adult spanish classes I have attended over the years.
Muchas Gracias


Cynthia Jurgens on December 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm #

Thanks de nuevo, Marcus.
I am always hearing phrases like
these–one is “a lo mejor.”
These are muy importante. Please
send more. Saludos


Teresa on December 11th, 2009 at 2:46 pm #

Muchas Gracias Marcus! Muy informativa.


J. Peart on December 11th, 2009 at 2:49 pm #

Marcus, its a pleasure having your quiz even when it might be a challenge it shows how much you are interested in those who you correspond with. I am very impressed by what you are doing, keep it up.


verschoor on December 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pm #

thank you marcus it is fine the way you do this lessons. Saludos from Belgium and the Netherlands.


Charlotte on December 11th, 2009 at 2:57 pm #

These are excellent. By the way, I did know 8 of them. Keep up the good work in sharing with us who need it.


John Curtis on December 11th, 2009 at 3:08 pm #

Thanks again, great help.
John (jack) Patzcuaro, Mexico


paul mullins on December 11th, 2009 at 3:14 pm #

these phrases really threw me,they seem way out of context but wil be helpful. thanks marcus!


John Holter on December 11th, 2009 at 3:31 pm #

Marcus,
You have always treated us to so many quick ways to learn spanish, we should enter your name for sainthood.
Thank you so much!
John


Oriel G. Bayliss on December 11th, 2009 at 3:36 pm #

I did know the words, but not the phrases, you’re right! More please!


Pearl Bowen on December 11th, 2009 at 3:54 pm #

thank you so much


Richard Turley on December 11th, 2009 at 5:05 pm #

I got two. One that I knew and the other from talking with a friend from Argentina. The rest certainly aren’t obvious through literal translations.


Yuki Sasaki on December 11th, 2009 at 5:23 pm #

I want to receive your mini dictionary of the 99 most essential Spanish collocations.


Thomas on December 11th, 2009 at 5:25 pm #

i have studied Spanish in many countries, however i have learned how to “speak” the language from your exercises, thanks so much.


Bobbie Blakely on December 11th, 2009 at 6:16 pm #

Thank you very much Marcus,
You are very kind.


Stephen Hill on December 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm #

This is the sort of language training that you really need to get by in a foreign language. Salud amigo y Felicidades.


Tom Sauer on December 11th, 2009 at 7:19 pm #

That is what we need. Along with speech at normal speed.


Jeanne on December 11th, 2009 at 7:20 pm #

I’ve long believed that phrases like these are vital. In fact I have compiled my own list. Even so I got only three right out of these ten!


tony on December 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm #

Thanks,look forward to receiving the mini dictionary


Sandra on December 11th, 2009 at 7:34 pm #

These phrases are very helpful. Looking forward to the mini dictionary. Thanks


Simon Bos on December 11th, 2009 at 7:53 pm #

Thanks. It’s almost a year now that I started with Synergy Spanish, whenever time allows I keep coming back to it wanting to expand my Spanish vocabulary. It’s been a great mental challenge for me, which someday I would like to use in a meaningful way. God Bless.


Terry Topham on December 11th, 2009 at 7:54 pm #

Thanks


Terry Topham on December 11th, 2009 at 7:54 pm #

Thank you


Mounir on December 11th, 2009 at 9:07 pm #

Muchas gracias Marcus es Muy interesent.


Aundria McMillan Humphrey on December 11th, 2009 at 9:27 pm #

I love my Bola De Nieve course, but I really appreciate all the little extra offerings that boost my fluency even further. Muchas gracias!


Ann Belair on December 11th, 2009 at 10:11 pm #

These phrases will definitely help when listening to my telenovelas. Gracias.


Rhonda on December 11th, 2009 at 10:21 pm #

Marcus,

The quiz is a great way to learn and remember. I hope to see more of them.

Muchas Gracias


Avril on December 11th, 2009 at 10:23 pm #

These are so helpful, Marcus, thank you. I echo most other people because I only got one! What’s this mini dictionary that people are talking about please?


Fran on December 11th, 2009 at 10:43 pm #

Managed to get 5 right. I love being able to use the language this way. Thankyou so much.


Hans on December 11th, 2009 at 10:48 pm #

thank you very much I’m 73 years old
and find it very useful


olav strand on December 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm #

Muchas gracias!


dafna on December 11th, 2009 at 11:12 pm #

I missed only 1 and 5, but the rest I have really learned from your lessons. Thank you. I am looking forward to receiving the new “text”. You are very kind.


sierra montgomery on December 11th, 2009 at 11:30 pm #

plz send me more spanish words


Bob on December 12th, 2009 at 12:12 am #

Comment


Ilona on December 12th, 2009 at 12:23 am #

Hola Marcus, muchas gracias por estas frases. Hice solo tres faltas :) Aprecio mucho lo que haces para principiantes como yo. Por eso escribo en español y espero sin (muchas) errores.
Feliz fin de semana. Saluditos desde Holanda. Ilona


abby gail leclair on December 12th, 2009 at 12:32 am #

About 40% I am serving near Juarez, and this seems a bit different dialect but still appreciated the training.


Donna Judd on December 12th, 2009 at 12:50 am #

thanks!


Budd Blume on December 12th, 2009 at 12:52 am #

Muchissimo gracias, Marcus. Cmae just in time!


LEE Ting on December 12th, 2009 at 12:59 am #

To me Spanish is more difficult than Chinese. I am still learning but your excercise makes learning more interesting. Keep it up.


Teri on December 12th, 2009 at 1:32 am #

Thanks, its very helpful!


hadi Moallemi on December 12th, 2009 at 7:41 am #

Thank you so much Marcus. You made me very happy. Please send more of these!


myrtle saville on December 12th, 2009 at 7:56 am #

very good indeed and very usefull


Elizabeth on December 12th, 2009 at 8:08 am #

Would love to receive the dictionary as I think it would be very useful, but cannot get the link to work. PS love your way of teaching, have told several friends about your course


Michael Dobbs on December 12th, 2009 at 8:36 am #

Very useful, I can make good use of these phrases, Thank You


roger tipton on December 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am #

preciate ya


Yogesh Saini on December 12th, 2009 at 10:32 am #

Thank you. It was totally new learning for me.


jim on December 12th, 2009 at 11:04 am #

I enjoy being contacted by you if only to remind me how neglectful I am about learning to speak Spanish.It would be nice to find a course locally.


Doris Nassauer on December 12th, 2009 at 11:37 am #

These are very useful to know thank you.


Beverly on December 12th, 2009 at 12:03 pm #

great test I got 8 correct and I knew most of these, continue your great method


Yvonne Matthews on December 12th, 2009 at 12:16 pm #

I just love your way of teaching Spanish. As a matter of fact. I am going to take sign language and apply the same patterns to my self-taught lessons in ASL. You help me tremendously. Thank you,


brian on December 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm #

your lessons so far have been very
helpful to slow learning pensioner.
many thanks.


Betty Dunn on December 12th, 2009 at 2:28 pm #

I was shocked at how few phrases I knew - I think if was only one!


Helen on December 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm #

Muchas gracias amigo. Yo recibo la palabra cada dia ayuda mi mucho mas para años pasados. Gracias. Eso listo de phrases esta MUY bueno :-))


matthias on December 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm #

thanks, very usefuel and I am still learning,


Ahron Bakshi on December 12th, 2009 at 4:18 pm #

Thanks.


Donald Clarke on December 12th, 2009 at 6:42 pm #

These Spanish phrases are excellent - even if you don’t know that much Spanish! Please Marcus! We want MORE of these. Saludos


Ita Batstone on December 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm #

Many, many thanks.


victory on December 12th, 2009 at 7:56 pm #

This is another way of getting into spanish deeply,sotherefore,we appreciate it and more of this thanks.


Ron Bowman on December 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm #

Thanks a lot Marcus, keep up the good work and I will soon be getting the full course. You are keeping my interest in learning Spanish alive !


Barbara Wilson on December 12th, 2009 at 10:22 pm #

Mucho Gracias from a beginner who wants to be able to speak to Nicaraguan friends when I return there this summer.


Sher Gegenheimer on December 13th, 2009 at 1:07 am #

Been receiving emails from Marcus for many years. He leads me to great Spanish sites, cool lessons. Many thanks


yuxuxin on December 13th, 2009 at 1:41 am #

Muchas gracias por su ayuda. It is very a good material to be trained to get real meaning of Spanish people say.
I am so interested in your active and effective way of teaching Spanish.
I always follow you.
Saludos,
Yu Xuxin (Julio de China)


sheri Ann on December 13th, 2009 at 2:25 am #

Thanks alot! This has really propelled my spanish.


Phyllis on December 13th, 2009 at 7:56 am #

Gracias, muchas gracias.
What you share is appreciated.
It is a great service you are providing.
I wish for you all good things.


Ilona Hodge on December 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am #

Muchas gracias!


james gray on December 13th, 2009 at 10:31 am #

Looking forward to your helpful phrases.


Rosie on December 13th, 2009 at 10:38 am #

Thanks very much Marcus, 2/10 more work needed. Looking forward to your mini dictionary.


Stan Kenwood on December 13th, 2009 at 8:55 pm #

With your help, I am learning Spanish.


Indra Devi on December 13th, 2009 at 10:37 pm #

I am so happy that I started studying with you. There are no accidents. When I first saw your synergy course, I knew intuitively that yours was THE ONE. Thank you.


Carol Miller on December 14th, 2009 at 12:15 am #

Thanks Marcus you are always coming up with new and inovative things to learn. I am slow with my learning but with your help I am feeling more confident and slowly getting there. I wish I had started learning when I was young, but I am determined to keep going.


Guin on December 14th, 2009 at 1:46 am #

Thanks, Marcos. Very helpful. Muchas gracias!


Juan on December 14th, 2009 at 6:37 am #

Gracias Marcus this lesson was totally new to me.


JAMES COYLE on December 14th, 2009 at 11:04 am #

brilliant
I GOT O OUT OF TEN


Joan Lumpkin on December 14th, 2009 at 2:16 pm #

Thanks, Marcus! I always enjoy your lessons. And it’s so nice of you to send so much free stuff. Merry Christmas to you and your family!


ELLE on December 14th, 2009 at 3:54 pm #

gracias marcus


andrew ritchie on December 14th, 2009 at 5:43 pm #

just managed to get one right. now at lesson 2201. Must try harder.para todo el mundo. involved.


aran on December 15th, 2009 at 3:05 am #

you are the best.


Pat Worthington on December 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am #

Muchas Gracias Marcus

I only got 2 out of 10. I really appreciate the freebees! I hope you and your family have a peaceful and happy festive season.


Geoff Hughes on December 19th, 2009 at 4:45 pm #

Great stuff! Many thanks . . . . .


Megan Fernandez on December 21st, 2009 at 4:42 pm #

Muchas Gracias Marcus. I’m really enjoying the Spanish. Have a Blessed Christmas.


charmaine on December 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 am #

muchisimas gracias:)You give hope and encouragement constantly and you add such amazing value to so many lives. I appreciate what you do.God bless you.


Chloe Bristow on December 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm #

Thanks for the help, I had heard a lot of these phases before but they didn’t make sense to me. I knew 4 of them.
Muchas gracias, Feliz Navidad


Linda Miller on January 14th, 2010 at 5:27 pm #

I need to take some of your classes. I’m in Mexico now. As soon as I get back to the states and can actually print some of these things. How do I find our what level would be good for me?


Kimball Meyer on January 22nd, 2010 at 8:48 pm #

It’s working! I actually managed to have a conversation with a cab driver in Oaxaca the other day; yes, in Spanish.


kamani chetty on March 1st, 2010 at 7:29 pm #

thanx so much.


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