Spanish has many interesting words in its extensive vocabulary that you may or may not have heard before. Would you like to expand your vocabulary with some interesting Spanish words? The don Quijote school brings you this article to help you improve your knowledge of the language with interesting Spanish words.
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Spanish interesting words
Below is a list of some interesting Spanish words. Did you know any of them? Are there any words missing from this list? Let us know!
1. Blandengue. Said of a person who is weak in character or physically unresilient. This word is often used in a derogatory tone.
For example: Juan es tan blandengue que nunca contradice a nadie, aunque piense lo contrario (Juan is so soft that he never contradicts anyone, even if he thinks otherwise)
2. Centellear. When an object shines with intense, intermittent light. For example: El anillo centelleaba bajo la luz del sol (The ring sparkled in the sunlight).
3. Chapuzero. Used to describe a person who does work poorly or carelessly. For example: El fontanero fue un chapuzero, dejó la tubería peor de lo que estaba antes (The plumber was a disaster; he left the pipe worse than it was before).
4. Chimuelo. This interesting word is used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The word chimuelo refers to a person or animal with one or more missing teeth. For example: El niño sonreía orgulloso a pesar de estar chimuelo (The boy smiled proudly despite being toothless).
5. Chispa. Said of an incandescent particle or brief flash of light. It can also refer to wit or mental alertness. Example: En su mirada había una chispa de picardía (There was a spark of mischief in his eyes).
6. Chirimbolo. A small, strange object whose function is not always clear. It is usually used to describe or name something you don't know the exact name for. For example: ¿Para qué sirve este chirimbolo de la cocina? (What is this thing in the kitchen for?)
7. Chupacabras. Said of a mythical creature that supposedly attacks animals and drinks their blood. It is also used to describe someone who ‘sucks’ or drains resources, money, or energy in an abusive way. However, it can also have other meanings, depending on the Spanish-speaking country you are in.
For example:
- Los granjeros decían que el chupacabras rondaba por el pueblo (The farmers said that the chupacabras was prowling around the village)
- El jefe de mi prima es un chupacabras, les exprime y no les paga bien (My cousin's boss is a chupacabras; he squeezes them dry and doesn't pay them well)
8. Churrete. Said of a stain, especially on the face or clothes. For example: Tienes un churrete de chocolate en la mejilla (You have a chocolate stain on your cheek).
9. Desvelarse. When a person cannot sleep or stays awake when they are supposed to be sleeping. For example: Me desvelé después de tener una pesadilla anoche (I stayed up all night after having a nightmare last night).
10. Empalagar. If food causes weariness due to excessive sweetness or intensity, it is said to be empalagoso. Although it can also be used figuratively to refer to something that is excessive or repetitive. Examples:
- Ese pastel tan dulce me empalagó después de dos bocados (That cake was so sweet it made me sick after two bites)
- Mira a esos dos enamorados, son un poco empalagosos, todo el día juntos (Look at those two lovebirds, they're a little sickening, together all day long)