Forget about the Easter Bunny – in Spanish-speaking countries, a whole week is dedicated to commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus and yet not once does a furry egg-bearing animal hop into view. Today we’re bringing you some fun facts about Semana Santa, one of the most important events of the year in many countries around the world. Click here to read this post in Spanish.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. Wherever you are studying Spanish in Latin America, on this day the city will be filled with people carrying palm leaves, often braided into crosses and other shapes, to church to be blessed. Afterwards, the churchgoers will take the palms home and hang them over or behind the front door for protection. These palms will be burned the following year on Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.

This custom, like many others, harks back to Semana Santa traditions from Spain. Street processions with live music and beautiful floats carrying religious figures through the city can also be found across Latin America. Of course, although there are several common threads that run throughout the Americas, each region’s local traditions and personality is infused into the way Holy Week is observed there.

Many countries follow traditional eating customs with special foods that are typically eaten only during Lent and Holy Week. In Ecuador, that dish is fanesca, a thick soup made with cod and 12 different types of grains and legumes. The fish is said to represent Jesus, while the 12 other star ingredients (which may vary depending on the chef) represent the 12 disciples.

Holy Friday, the day of Jesus’s death, is the most solemn day of Semana Santa. Only a few generations ago in Costa Rica and other countries, people remained mostly silent all day and refrained from bathing or swimming. People who dared to go against tradition ran the risk of turning into a fish.

In Mexico, Holy Saturday becomes a day of fire with the Quema de Judas. Large papier-mâché statues of Judas Iscariote (who betrayed Jesus), the devil, and even different political figures are hanged and burned before the eyes of hundreds of spectators. Like the Fallas of Valencia, this flaming tradition is a powerful sight to behold.

Easter Sunday is a joyful day throughout Latin America. After mass, people gather together with food, music, and dancing to celebrate Jesus’s resurrection. The atmosphere is contagious, and whether or not you’re consider yourself a religious person, you’re sure to enjoy the emotional release.

With so many unique traditions and events, Holy Week is one of the best times to learn Spanish in Spain or Latin America and become immersed in the local culture. If you didn’t make it this year, start planning your trip for April 5-12, 2020!

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Here don Quijote we’re very open about our love for cats. That’s why we couldn’t leave our whiskered friends out of our weekly overview of the most interesting Spanish expressions. Thanks to them, Spanish is a little bit richer.

Are you ready to learn some sayings about gatos? Continue reading this post in English or click here to switch to Spanish. (Tip: if you read the English version first, you’ll have an easier time understanding the Spanish and improving your reading comprehension later.)

Defenderse como gato panza arriba

A picture is worth a thousand words. If you saw a cat lying on its back with its claws in the air, approaching it would probably be the last thing you’d want to do. Right?

When applied to people, the expression to defend oneself like a cat belly up means to aggressively defend oneself from someone or something. You see, cats assume this position when they want to protect themselves from danger. This way, they’re protecting their back and are free to attack with their teeth and claws.

María se defiende como gato panza arriba de los ataques de su compañera. No quiere ganar mala reputación en la oficina.

(Maria defends herself against her coworker’s attacks like a cat belly up. She doesn’t want to get a bad reputation at the office.)

In this example, Maria works hard to defend herself and prevent her image from being tarnished by another person. Defenderse con uñas y dientes (to defend oneself with nails and teeth) is a similar expression that also makes use of classic kitty characteristics.

El sindicato defendió con uñas y dientes los derechos del trabajador.

(The union fought tooth and nail to defend the worker’s rights.)

De noche, todos los gatos son pardos

Today’s second expression means that at night or in a poorly lit setting it’s easy to hide the defects of people or things. Let’s see an example to better understand how to use it.

• ¡Qué vergüenza! Hoy me he pintado fatal los labios.
• De noche, todos los gatos son pardos. Nadie se va a dar cuenta.

• How embarrassing! I did a horrible job with my lipstick today.
• At night, all cats look the same. Nobody’s going to notice.

Where could this saying have come from? Well, there are at least two explanations. We’ll start with the most obvious one.

Cat coats come in different colors. In Spanish, one of them is pardo, a brownish mixture of different colors. When it’s dark, the human eye has difficulty seeing colors. Therefore, at night, all cats are the same color (or they might as well be, because that’s how we see them).

Using the example above, while the daytime someone might notice a flaw in your makeup, after nightfall the same flaw will probably fly under the radar.

 This expression is also used to express the idea that when the sun goes down it’s easy to hide or disguise dishonest or embarrassing actions. This points to the second theory of the saying’s origins.

People who live in Madrid are commonly known as gatos. In the past, when the street lights of the city were far and few between or non-existent, it was hard to tell who was who in the darkness. That made nighttime ideal for committing crimes or dishonorable acts.

If you’re a fan of cats like we are, you’ll love the video below, where you’ll find lots of other feline expressions. We also encourage you to put your love of cats into action with our volunteer program in Playa del Carmen.

With this program, you can learn Spanish in Mexico while you take care of cats and dogs looking for a second chance at a local animal shelter. We hope to see you there!

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As Jigsaw would say, let's play a game. But relax, it’s not going be anymore dangerous than simply unraveling of some of the mysteries hidden in the deepest part of our brains. Just kidding!... Or am I.

I’m going to ask you one question and you must take note mentally, in a matter of a few seconds, of as many answers as possible.

Could you remember, at least, 7 sportswear brands?

No le busques tres pies al gato, or as we say in English, don't split hairs. I’m sure that you know lots of brands but, if in a few seconds you haven’t been able to remember as much as you would have imagined, it’s because our brain filters through thousands and thousands of advertising impacts that it receives from brands daily. That’s why it’s so important to them that they fight to carve a niche not just in our homes, but also in our brain.

Finally, could you tell me how many of the brands that occupy this little space in our brain speak with Spanish accent?

If in the 7 sportswear brands list, the Spanish brand Joma ever came to mind, congratulations! You’ve scored. To know some other examples of brands with Spanish origin, keep reading in English, or click here to switch to Spanish.

Zara

The main brand of the Inditex group, founded by Amancio Ortega in 1974 is, without a doubt, one of Spain brand’s flagship all over the world.

It obtained the first position in the 2017 Best Spanish Brands ranking, published by the global brand consultancy Interbrand. It was also recognized as the most valuable Spanish brand, above Movistar and Santander Bank.

Chupa Chups

As simple as putting a stick into a candy. Or at least, that’s what it looks like, because it’s for sure that it hasn’t been an easy task to become one of the most renowned brands internationally.

Enric Bernat founded this company in 1958 after studying a survey about sugar’s consumer habits that reflected that 67% of the consumers were under the age of 16 and that kids constantly got sticky hands because of the melting of the sweets. His solution: a candy that could be eaten with something like a fork.

Seat

Do you like cars? Seat is the major Spanish car manufacturer, with the ability and infrastructure to develop its own cars in-house since 1950. Interestingly, Chupa Chups branded for years the mythic Seat 600 model with its logo to advertise themselves.

Seat exports 80% of its vehicles and has a presence in more than 80 countries. In 2015, it appeared for the first time in the exclusive Interbrand’s Top 30 most valuable Spanish brands ranking.

As you might have discovered at this point in life, whether you want to buy a sweater in Zara, or the latest Seat model, or just a simple Chupa Chups, you have no choice, you have to cough up money. And if you don’t have cash, you can always stop by Santander Bank.

Santander

Since its foundation in 1857, Santander Bank has achieved to control the banking sector in almost all countries, being in 2018, according to Interbrand, the second most valuable Spanish brand and the 69^th worldwide, with a brand value of $7.547 million dollars.

After our little brain exercise, you’re ready to remember anything that crosses your path. So don’t miss the chance, take a Spanish course, and fill your head with things that are really useful in life.

Speaking about memory, we can’t finish without reminding you to take a look at this video about brands that we've put together.

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We all know Spain is a very unique destination. Part of its charm lies in the geographic diversity of its landscapes. Throughout the country, you will find beaches and mountains, big forests, and desertic areas. There are superb castles scattered all over the national territory, whose walls have witnessed important kings, queens, and centuries of history go by.

However, there is something else not everyone knows: Spain is home to many filming locations in Game of Thrones. Now that the 8th and final season of this popular TV show is approaching, we invite you to revisit some of them. Join us in this fantastic route and discover the most legendary spots in Spain! Click here if you want to read this article in Spanish.

1. Castillo de Zafra (Guadalajara)

A big tower located at the foot of Dorne’s Red Mountains, an epic battle in the Tower of Joy, a story that would change the course of events in the series… All this took place in the Castillo de Zafra, in Guadalajara. Halfway between Madrid and Valencia, you can visit this castle and step on the same stones as the production’s protagonists. 

2. Real Alcázar (Seville)

The palace of Dorne’s popular capital is inhabited by the Martell family. It is in the southernmost kingdom and the warmest one in this universe. With these characteristics, it could not be located anywhere else than in Seville. The Real Alcázar, with its gardens and luxurious halls, has delighted millions of viewers all around the world.

3. Bardenas Reales (Navarra)

Daenerys, the Dothraki people, dragons, a large entourage… All of them find themselves walking in the Natural Park of Bardenas Reales, in Navarra. This spot happens to be the perfect place to set the most popular dragons on TV free and watch them fly.

4. Castillo de Santa Florentina (Barcelona)

Do you remember the Tarly House, in Horn Hill? These slopes under the Red Mountains are actually in spectacular Barcelona. The second largest city in Spain is home to the house where Samwell Tarly was born.

5. Bullfighting ring (Osuna)

In the arena of this location, a death battle among warriors takes place. Somewhere in the crowd, Daenerys watches everything from her seat. The typical bullfighting ring in Osuna happened to be the best place to shoot this scene. You will feel like a champion when you step out onto the sand!

6. Castillo de Peñíscola (Valencia)

The sixth season of the series shows Tyrion, Missandei, and Grey Worm walking in the streets of Meereen. Well, guess what? Those cobblestone streets and breathtaking castle are part of the Castillo de Peñíscola, a charming place that remains authentic centuries after its construction.

7. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (Vizcaya)

Dragonstone is the title of the first episode in the 7^th season. Even though the Targaryen’s fortress is located in the faraway Westeros, it is actually closer than you might think: in the Basque Country. The popular stone staircase that leads to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe’s chapel has already gone down in TV history.

These are just some of the many Spanish spots that appear in Game of Thrones. Girona, Almeria, and Caceres have also seen the film set work in their streets. Now that you know where to begin, we invite you to discover the geography of Spain through the scenery of one of the world's most popular TV show in recent times.

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In Spanish culture, the color pink is mostly associated with two ideas: on one hand, it’s linked to optimism and positive or pleasant things; on the other, as in many Western countries, pink is associated with girls and, by extension, women, and the products designed especially for them.

Read this article in Spanish

Once you know this, you probably won’t have a hard time understanding why we say that someone ve todo de color rosa (sees everything pink) when we’re talking about a person who’s usually optimistic… oftentimes excessively or unjustifiably so. In contrast to the hardened pessimist, who sees everything black (ve todo negro), someone who sees everything pink has such an optimistic outlook on life that sometimes they seem a bit naïve or detached from reality.

Of course, you don’t have be the type of person who always looks on the bright side to say ves todo de color rosa: we also use this saying in specific situations that fill us with joy and good feelings about the future. For example, it’s common for everything to look pink when we fall in love or when we have something good on the horizon, like a trip we’re excited about or a new job. It’s when you feel like everything is going to turn out well even before it happens.

So what is the prensa rosa (pink press) all about? Do you think celebrity news is pink because it covers only happy events? In this case, the color pink comes from the second association we talked about: topics and products aimed at women. Despite the fact that in Spain, as in the rest of the world, men are increasingly willing to admit to flipping through prensa rosa or watching programas de corazón (TV shows that cover celebrity news or gossip), and more and more women do not identify with this type of media, the names haven’t changed because when they started, articles and shows about the rich and famous were made to entertain women.

The prensa rosa dates back to the mid-19th century, when the crónica de salones, as it was known then, began to find its way into newspapers and magazines. These articles were aimed especially at women, who were assumed to have no interest in politics or current events, and focused on the gatherings and celebrations of the aristocracy. However, they also attracted male readers because of their tendency to included veiled criticism: like today, the prensa rosa of the era also tended to poner verdes (talk badly about) certain people, with varying levels of discretion. And, as is true in many countries, in Spain sometimes it is that side (as opposed to the “pink” side) of things that readers find most entertaining.

Do you like learning new expressions? We recommend that you watch this video to see us explain different Spanish expressions with colors. You’ll learn something new, and you’ll see how your expectations about learning Spanish will start looking pink in no time!

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Of all the colors, black is one of the most special.

It’s a color with its own personality, a color whose mere presence can carry a lot of meaning. In fact, in many Western cultures, black represents death and negative feelings. It’s the color most commonly used in funerals and times of mourning.

Black is actually the absence of other colors; in space it is the absence of light. It is the color of night and nothingness.

Read this article in Spanish

 ​

That’s why when you hear a Spanish expression that mentions the color black, it’s usually not a good thing.

For example, one common saying is that a person me está poniendo negro (is making me turn black). If someone is making you turn black, it means they’re making you angry.

If you’re having a relaxed dinner at a restaurant and the people at the table next to you are speaking really loudly, or their kids are making a lot of noise, and you start getting more and more annoyed, te están poniendo negro (they’re making you turn black). Another thing that might make you turn black is if someone is constantly calling you on the phone about things you have no interest in.

So, now you know that if you’re angry or fed up with a situation, te estás poniendo negro.

But careful, if you spend a lot of time in the sun tanning, another way to say “to tan” is ponerse negro. The meaning of the expression changes depending on the context in which you use it.

There are other expressions with black, too: verlo todo negro (literally, to see something completely black) means to have a pessimistic outlook.

Since black is the color of nothingness, darkness, and the night, if a situation or an incident looks completely black to a person, it means they are not very hopeful that it will turn out well. In other words, they think something will turn out badly, even before it happens.

So if learning Spanish looks completely black to you, or if going to class makes you turn black, watch this video and learn some more Spanish expressions with colors:

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Spanish speakers tend to use lots of sayings and colloquial expressions when we talk. To make matters more interesting, many of the expressions we use may not mean what you think.

For example, when we say something related to colors, the words we use often lack a clear connection with the ideas we want to communicate.

Read this article in Spanish

Let’s get started. Do you know what the difference is between making someone turn green and saying that someone is very green (poner verde a alguien vs. alguien está muy verde)?

Generally speaking, we tend to associate green with things that are good, healthy, pretty, etc. Nature is full of green, and vegetables taste better the greener they are, to name just a few examples. However, oddly enough, the color also has negative connotations. Things that are green are often poisonous, such as snakes and lizards, which play nefarious roles in many stories.

In literature the color green is frequently used to indicate hope, but Federico García Lorca has also used it to symbolize death.

Since it’s difficult to know when green is good and when it’s not, we’ll give you a rundown of these two Spanish expressions so you can learn how to use them in the right context.

When we make someone turn green (ponemos verde a alguien), we’re not dressing them up in green clothes or painting them with green paint. Not even close! What we’re actually doing is criticizing the person; we’re bad-mouthing or speaking badly about them, usually when they’re not around.

The origins of this expression are unclear. The most popular explanation is that it has to do with bruises.

When someone is hit by something or someone, a bruise usually appears. The bruise is purple at first, but as the days go by, it begins to take on a greenish hue. This explains the metaphorical relationship between physically hitting someone and attacking them verbally.

So, if someone makes you turn green (si alguien te pone verde), it means they’re talking trash about you, usually behind your back.

On the other hand, saying that someone is very green (está muy verde) has nothing to do with making them turn green.

When a piece of fruit hasn’t fully ripened, it often stays green for awhile before taking on its final color. That’s why when we say that a person is still very green (está aún muy verde), it means that the person is immature or lacking experience in some area.

For example, let’s say a person starts a new job. The first few days, the person normally doesn’t know where things are, how things are done, what they have to do, etc. We would say that this person aun está muy verde.

If you want to master more Spanish expressions with colors, pay close attention to the following video and you’ll learn everything you need to know.

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Like many languages, Spanish is full of common expressions that talk about colors. We’re going to start with our favorite color here at don Quijote: red. Here are a couple of expressions that you’re sure to come across in your day-to-day life in any Spanish-speaking country.

Read the Spanish version

We say something está al rojo vivo when it’s at its most interesting or highest point of tension. Let’s look at some examples:

• With the score tied and just 10 minutes to go, the game está al rojo vivo and the two teams are giving it their all to win the title.
• After the spokesperson’s harsh words, the debate se puso al rojo vivo and unleashed a flood of accusations.

As you can see, estar al rojo vivo can refer to something exciting (and therefore something positive, if we’re talking about a sporting event or a movie), or it can be used in a negative way to refer to a tense situation.

So, where does this expression come from? Like many sayings we use today, it harks back to something that’s been around for centuries: the work of a blacksmith. To forge iron and other metals, blacksmiths first need to get the metal red-hot (al rojo vivo) by putting it in the fire until it reaches a high temperature and becomes soft enough to shape. When this happens, as you may have seen for yourself at some point, the metal takes on that intense, glowing red color that the saying refers to.

Of course, we all know that you shouldn’t touch red-hot metal if you don’t want to get burned — that’s what this fiery expression refers to. In a similar way, you can also say that an issue or situation está que arde (is burning) or is candente (red-hot or white-hot).

Another common expression you’ll hear anywhere Spanish is spoken is ponerse rojo or ponerse colorado. We're not talking about what happens to your skin if you stay out in the Spanish sun too long; it’s used when someone is blushing, usually because they feel embarrassed. You can use it in a lot of different situations, from the most mortifying, like when you make a mistake or something happens that makes you wish the earth would swallow you, to moments that fill your heart with joy, such as someone you like giving you a compliment.

There’s another saying with a similar meaning that also uses colors: me han subido los colores. You can use this expression when someone scolds you for something you’ve done (or haven’t done, if your Spanish teacher is admonishing you for not having finished your homework) or when someone flatters you and makes you ponerte rojo (blush).

Now that you know the meaning of these expressions with the color red, would you like to see more Spanish sayings that use different colors? We made a video to help you learn them:

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One of the biggest events of the year is on the horizon!

Picture this: You’re in your shared student apartment or homestay in Spain, taking a break from your daily Spanish classes, when the windows start to rattle. Opening your balcony door, a haunting melody drifts through the air with a slow, rhythmic pounding that reminds you of a heartbeat.

Drawn to the mysterious music like a moth to a flame, you step out onto the street, joining the streams of people flowing towards the source. The brass horns blare ever louder and two lines of faceless figures dressed in identical robes and tall, pointed hoods come into view. The music moves to the hypnotic beat of their thudding, synchronized footsteps.

Click here to read this post in Spanish.

You stop to watch the procession. The hooded walkers pass, followed by an elaborately adorned float topped with a towering religious statue. Several of your fellow onlookers are crossing themselves, some with tears in their eyes.

As you look more closely, you can see dozens of people supporting the float, all stepping in time as they carry their heavy load. The somber marching band brings up the rear, and as the trumpets wail, even the least religiously inclined feel a flare of emotion.

Welcome to Semana Santa! From April 14-21, you’ll have a hard time stepping foot on the peninsula without witnessing the thrill and spectacle of this centuries-old tradition.

That said, some cities are especially amazing this time of year. Take advantage of your 4-day weekend (or maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who gets the whole week off!) and hop on a train to some of the best places to experience Semana Santa.

The Quintessential Destination

When it comes to the most famous and elaborate celebrations, nothing can top Seville. With tens of thousands of people participating in a staggering 60 processions throughout the week, the city lives and breathes Semana Santa – with an Andalusian twist. As the processions travel through the streets, you may hear someone sing a flamenco-style saeta from one of the lower balconies.

The Religious Experience

While Semana Santa in southern Spain can feel almost like a celebration, the events in Castille and Leon strike a more solemn tone. Make your way to Salamanca’s magnificent Plaza Mayor on the night between Good Friday and Holy Saturday for an eerie, mournful procession in which the hooded nazarenos are dressed all in black, from their (sometimes bare) feet to the tips of their hoods. The lights are all turned off, shrouding the square in complete darkness for the dramatic entrance of the glowing float of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.

The Seaside Escape

Can’t imagine planning a vacation without some beach time? Holy Week in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, is known for its spectacular golden floats and a curious custom. Since King Charles III began the tradition in 1759, on each Holy Wednesday, a person convicted of a non-violent crime is pardoned and released from prison. Malagüeños take Holy Week very seriously, and it’s a great place to experience the magic of a spectacular Semana Santa.

Wherever you are next week, don’t forget to eat torrijas! This sweet Spanish treat, similar to French toast, is typically eaten around this time of the year. If you’re not currently studying Spanish in Spain, look up the recipe and let Spain come to you.

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Pets have a lot in common with their owners. Sometimes it’s funny to observe how domestic animals only respond to orders given in the language their owner has chosen to speak with them. Animals and languages have a give-and-take relationship: the way we speak to them influences their behavior, and at the same time, their behavior has inspired new expressions in our daily language.

Spanish is full of sayings related to animals, especially with man’s best friends: cats and dogs. In today’s post, we’ll discover the meaning of a couple of them. Click here if you prefer to read this post in Spanish.

Llevarse como el perro y el gato

No one is a stranger to the idea that dogs and cats aren’t exactly the best of friends. Of course, you can always find an exception, but the fact is that there is an ancient rivalry between these two animals, similar to the contentious relationship between cats and mice. (Remember Tom and Jerry?)

So, it won’t come as a surprise that the expression llevarse como el perro y el gato (to get along like the dog and the cat) describes an antagonistic relationship with lots of conflicts. Let’s see an example:

Mis hermanos pequeños se llevan como el perro y el gato. Están siempre peleándose por los juguetes.

(My younger siblings get along like the dog and the cat. They’re always fighting over toys.)

Where does this hostility come from? Well, lots of places. The experiences the animals have had with members of the other species undoubtedly plays a key role in the relationship. However, we can’t overlook the differences in the animals’ personalities, their connection with their owners, and above all, their socializing styles.

Llevarse el gato al agua

Today’s second expression is about one of our favorite furry friends: cats. They’re clearly adorable, but it’s hard to deny that they can be a bit stubborn. This headstrong nature points to the origin of the expression llevarse el gato al agua (to take the cat to water).

It’s common knowledge that cats can’t stand water and will avoid coming into contact with it at any cost. Getting a cat wet is quite an achievement, which is why this expression is used to describe a hard-won victory. Here’s an example:

Parecía que el equipo no iba a remontar el partido, pero al final consiguieron llevarse el gato al agua y ganar por dos puntos.

(It looked like the team wasn’t going to turn the game around, but in the end they managed to take the cat to water and won by two points.)

Now that you know two more expressions with perro and gato, we encourage you to check out the video below to learn even more. And if you’re an animal lover, we’ve got something special just for you.

In Playa del Carmen, Mexico, we have a volunteer program where you can learn Spanish and take care of homeless cats and dogs at the SOS El Arca animal shelter. Help us help animals!

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