AUDAZ REVISTA
10 words English never made
Spanish gave each of these its own word. English needs a whole sentence.
01 / 10
sobremesa
“over the table”
The lingering talk at the table after a meal ends.
Closest English: “table talk”, nowhere close.
02 / 10
madrugada
from madrugar, to rise early
The hours after midnight and before dawn.
Closest English: “the small hours”.
03 / 10
estrenar
related to estreno, a premiere
To use or wear something for the very first time.
Closest English: “to break in”, not quite.
04 / 10
friolero
from frío, cold
A person who always feels the cold.
Friolero in Spain, friolento across much of Latin America. Both correct.
05 / 10
empalagar
“to cloy”
When sweetness tips over into too much.
Closest English: “it’s too sweet”.
06 / 10
tocayo
origin uncertain, per the RAE
A person who shares your first name.
Closest English: “namesake”, but warmer.
07 / 10
vergüenza ajena
“someone else’s shame”
Embarrassment you feel on behalf of another person.
Closest English: “secondhand embarrassment”.
08 / 10
puente
“bridge”
The working days you bridge off between holidays.
Closest English: “long weekend”, not quite.
09 / 10
merendar
from la merienda, the snack meal
To have the late-afternoon snack meal.
Closest English: “to have afternoon tea”, off.
10 / 10
trasnochar
“across the night”
To stay up into the small hours, or all night.
Closest English: “to stay up late”.
THE POINT
A dictionary is a record of what a culture notices
Learn the word and you start spotting the thing it names.
Tap below to read the full guide on Audaz Revista.