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About This Quiz
Did you know that more than 400 million people worldwide speak Spanish? That makes it the second-most spoken language on the planet, behind only Chinese. Spanish speakers can be found on nearly every continent, with the largest number in South America, followed by North America and Europe. Spanish is the official language of 21 nations.Â
Of course, there are a lot of regional variations in Spanish -- in fact, in Spain you'll sometimes hear the language called "Castellano," not "Espanol," so proud are the people of Spain about their brand of Spanish, Castilian Spanish. And with regional differences in what words and phrases mean, there's plenty of opportunity to make a faux pas -- so stick to the basics, while you keep your ears open and learn what means what. (As with English, there are plenty of innocent-seeming words that have come to have sexual meanings!)Â
But don't be too worried -- it almost never gives offense when you try to communicate with people in their own language, even when you stumble. Remember, too, that English and Spanish are closely related -- both of them are descended from Latin, just like Italian and French.Â
With all that in mind, we've put together this quiz on some of the basics you'll need to get along in a conversation with a Spanish speaker. Do you know "bien" from "bueno," or "tardes" from "noches?" Settle in and prove it with our quiz!
Which of these is a casual telephone greeting in Spanish?
"Bueno."
"Bueno," the Spanish word for "good," is a common way to answer the phone, especially in Mexico. "Diga!" or "si?" are used in other countries.
"Hoy."
"Mira."
"Querido."
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In Spanish, what makes the difference between using "tu" or "usted" for "you"?
Whether you're addressing a child or an adult
Whether you're addressing a superior or a colleague
Whether you're addressing someone you know well, or have just met
Any or all of these
"Usted" is formal, and "tu" is familiar, so any of the above choices might come into play. Fun fact: English used to have a familiar "you" as well -- it was "thou," and was related to the French and Spanish "tu."
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What does "De nada" mean?
I'm lost
It's disappeared
For free
You're welcome
"De nada" doesn't sound much like the English "You're welcome." Think of it like our phrase, "Think nothing of it."
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How do you say the key phrase, "I'm sorry"?
Yo conozco
Yo disculpo
Lo siento
Don't be thrown off by the lack of the word "Yo," meaning "I." That pronoun is built into the noun "siento." "Lo siento" means "I regret it."
Mirame
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Who would be most likely to ask you, "Como estas?"
A bus driver
A good friend
A good friend would care how you're doing and use the "tu" form in asking. The other three would use "usted," or wouldn't ask at all. (We're looking at you, bus driver man!)
A job applicant you're interviewing
A telemarketer on the phone
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How do you say "Good afternoon" in Spanish?
Buenas tardes
Is "tardes" related to the English word "tardy"? We're not sure ... the latter derives from the Latin word "tardus," for slow. Some afternoons certainly do seem to drag!
Dias alegres
Buen sombroso
Buena mediodia
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Finish the sequence: "Buenos dias," "Buenas tardes," and "Buenas ______."
Anos
Libros
Cenas
Noches
"Buenas Noches" is Spanish for "Good night." Idiomatically, all these phrases are plural, even though you're only referring to the day/afternoon/night in question.
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What does "conmigo" mean?
Friendly
In front
With me
"Conmigo" is one of Spanish's compound words. "Con" is "with" and "mi" represents "me," like it sounds. But don't be fooled: "go" is not a cognate and does NOT mean "go."
Go with me
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A friend tells you "Calmate!" What does she want you to do?
Calm down!
"Calmate!" is Spanish for "calm down" or "relax." It uses the informal "te" suffix. If you don't know someone well enough to use the familiar form, you might want to be more diplomatic about telling them to calm down.
Come here!
Get lost!
Have fun!
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You probably know that "bueno" means "good." But how you do say "well"?
Bien
The adverb form of good is "bien" in Spanish. Though like English speakers, Spanish speakers sometimes mix them up, informally. It's probably not the end of the world to say you're doing "bueno."
Liber
Medio
Frio
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If an older person calls you "mijo," what does that mean?
"Little" or "tiny"
"My dear"
"My son"
This is an affection contraction of "mi" and "hijo," so literally, "my son." So it's likely one of your parents is calling you this -- though possibly an elder who is very fond of you would do so as well.
"Stupid"
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Which of these is the Spanish term for "dear" or "darling"?
Helado
Impavido
Jurado
Querido
The verb "querer," or "to want," also carries the sense of "to love." So "querido" or "querida" is "dear," or more specifically, "beloved."
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If someone says they are "asi-asi," how are they doing?
Good
Great
So-so
Both English and Spanish use "reduplicative" terms to express a middling state of happiness. Perhaps that's because it has a "half-and-half" sound: a little good, a little bad.
Lousy
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If you're discussing "deportes" with someone, what are you talking about?
The environment
Immigration law
Romantic relationships
Sports
Despite the similarity in spelling, "deportes" don't have anything to do with being deported. They're sports.
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A Mexican of your acquaintance is passionate about "futbol." What does he love?
American-style football
Canadian football
Rugby
Soccer
You might have known this, but to most of the world, soccer is "football." "Futbol" is the Spanish spelling.
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What does "soy" mean in Spanish?
Edamame
I am (permanently or long-term)
In Spanish, there are two forms of "to be": "ser" and "estar." The former is for long-term states of being, and its first-person present-tense form is "soy," meaning, "I am."
I am (temporarily)
You are (either short- or long-term)
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What does "usted" mean?
He
She
You (formal)
Spanish has a formal and a famiilar "you," like French and other languages do. "Usted" is that form.
Their
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A new friend asks if you have a "mascota." What is she asking about?
A car
A favorite food
A pet
It sounds like the cute character that represents a school or team, doesn't it? But "mascota" also means pet.
A school or team symbol
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Which would least likely be someone's "mascota"?
Un gato
Un pajaro
Un perro
Una vaca
The other three are a cat, a dog, and a bird. But "una vaca" is a cow, generally considered livestock, not a pet.
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What is the best way to ask a stranger his/her name?
"Como se llama usted?"
If you picked "Como te llamas?" let us explain why that's not a good idea. Technically, it's correct, but if you don't know someone's name, you clearly aren't on a footing to be using the familiar form. To be polite, use the "usted" form, unless you're an adult meeting a child.
"Como te llamas?"
"Que nomina es?"
"Quien es?"
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If someone asks after the health of your "hermanos," who are they asking about?
Your brothers
Your siblings
Your parents
Either #1 or #2
In Spanish, masculine nouns can stand for both masculine and feminine when gender is mixed or unknown. (It's not unlike using "he" instead of "he or she" in English). So "hermanos" can mean either "brothers" or "siblings."
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Someone asking "De donde?" is casually asking _______.
"Are you lost?"
"What's up?"
"Where are you from?"
This is short for "De donde es usted?" or "De donde eres?" At a party where people are relaxed (read: a bit drunk), you might hear this shortened version.
"Where's the party?"
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You would introduce your boyfriend as your " ______."
Chico
Guapo
Novio
In Spanish, a significant other is a "novio/novia," as if they are perpetually new. (We know some people who trade in a boyfriend of girlfriend as soon as the novelty wears off ... but that's a story for another time!)
Esposo
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If a new friend likes "peliculas," what do they enjoy?
Films
"Peliculas" are movies. The term for television is easier to remember: It's "television."
Golfing
Fast cars
Seabirds
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If you like traveling, you would probably say, "__________ viajar."
Bueno es
Me gusta
Here's how it works: "Gustar" is the common word used, but it means "to please," not "to like." So you're saying "Travel pleases me," not "I like travel." (It's honestly not as formal as it sounds translated!)
Yo gusto
Yo odo
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On the phone, your roommate's mother asks, "Esta Marilu?" What is she asking?
"Is this Marilu?"
"Is Marilu there?"
In Spanish, "estar" is the form of "to be" that's used for temporary or changeable conditions. So "Esta ______" can mean "Are they there?" (If your roommate's mother had asked, "Es Marilu?" she'd be asking, "Does Marilu exist?" -- a question better asked of the physicist Schrodinger than a roommate).
"Is Marilu sick?"
"Who is Marilu?"
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Which of the following is NOT a day of the week?
Enero
"Enero" is January. If you want to get together with someone "en Enero," you'll have to nail things down a bit more.
Lunes
Miercoles
Viernes
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You want to say a particular woman is gorgeous. Which is the strongest word to get that across?
Guapa
Linda
Adjectives and their connotations may vary from country to country, but generally "linda" is the strongest of the three terms for "beautiful." ("Gracia" is a noun, though, meaning "grace" or "good feeling.")
Preciosa
Gracia
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If someone is "enamorada," what is she?
Ambitious
In love
"Enamorada" is a cognate of the English word "enamored." But in English, we don't use it to describe the classic hearts-and-flowers condition. Instead, we use it to describe a strong like, interest or passion: "He's enamored of Hemingway these days."
In trouble
Suspicious
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If someone is "embarazada," what is she?
Confused
Embarrassed
Pregnant
Don't make this mistake, novice Spanish speakers! "Ay, estoy embarazada!" means, "Oh geez, I'm pregnant!" Strictly comic if you're a guy, but a potential source of gossip if you're a woman!
Out of love
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Which word means "always" in Spanish?
Alma
Mas o menos
Nunca
Siempre
This is very similar to the Latin "semper." That word, in turn, is probably familiar to you from the military slogans "Semper fidelis" and "Semper paratus."
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When introducing someone, you should say, "Dejame ______ mi amiga Laurel."
Anunciar
Introducir
Presentar
In Spanish, you do not "introduce" someone, you "present" them. "Introducir" is often used for "penetrate (sexually)", and is a faux pas to use in place of "presentar."
Legitimar
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If you are in search of "exito," what do you want?
A friend
To find the door
Success
"Exito" is a false cognate with English. It means "success," not "exit." The latter is a "salida."
A workout
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You want to offer a drink to a friend who abstains from alcohol. What fits the bill?
Cerveza
Jugo de tamarindo
Tamarind juice is the only one you'd offer someone to a non-drinker. (It's not common in the U.S., but very popular in Latin America.) The others are beer, gin and wine, respectively.
Ginebra
Vino
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How do you say "How do you say ...?" (Is there an echo in here?)
"Donde esta ...?"
"Como se dice ...?"
Literally translated, "Como se dice ...?" means "How is said ...?" It's very useful in conversations with Spanish speakers who know enough English to help you learn.
"Es una palabra ...."
"Quien es ..."
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You Got:
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