What date is this?

03/04/05

It could be April 3, 2005; maybe April 5, 2003; even May 4, 2003.

Whatever your answer is, you’re right! It all depends the language you are writing or reading in.

So, for you to write your birthdate correctly, and also to date historical moments or clear any doubt, today we’re talking about how to write the date in Spanish.

Continue reading this post in English or switch to the Spanish version.

The correct way to write the date in Spanish speaking countries like Mexico, Spain or Costa Rica is in ascending order: day, month, year. An example of this might be: 10 de agosto de 1992 (English: 10 of August of 1992).

This is the system to write dates in Spanish, putting always the preposition of (de in Spanish) between day and month, and between month and year. In this way, the date is so much clear and will be no doubts about the day.

If you find any date wrote like this: agosto 10, de 1992 (English: August 10, of 1992), that means that it is written in Spanish but with English order. In most English-speaking countries, you must write the dates in a descending order: month, day, year.

 

 

But so that there is no room for error in official or international documents, the ISO 8601 (acronym for International Organization for Standardization) says that it is better to point out first the longer periods of time and end with the shortest. That is year, month, day: 1992-08-10.

In Spanish, you can write the date only in letters and it would look like this: diez de agosto de mil novecientos noventa y dos (English: ten of August, nineteen ninety-two). But this is used exclusively in legal or very solemn documents.

The most common is to see the date written in the shortened format, that is, only with numbers, so you have to separate each figure with dashes, bars or dots, and the year written with the four figures or only with the last two. It would be as follows:

• With dashes: 10-08-1992 or 10-08-92

• With bars: 08/10/1992 or 08/10/92

• With points: 10.08.1992 or 10.08.92

In Spanish, the years do not have points or spaces separating the digits, that is, 1992 is correct, but 1,992 or 1,992 is not.

 

 

When writing dates in Spanish or English, you have to take into account a small difference that not everyone has in mind. Both the names of the days of the week and those of the months of the year are always written in initial lowercase letters, but in English they are capitalized. And while in Spanish the week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday, in English it starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday.

So after all this, if you want to continue learning Spanish, come to don Quijote whenever you want!

 

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A theme park featuring the exotic atmosphere of a Spanish town in Japan

How would you imagine a Spanish kind of Disneyland? Now, let’s go one step further: how would you imagine a Spanish Disneyland in Japan? Well, there is no need to keep on fantasizing. It exists, and it is called Shima Spain Village.

This theme park is all a dream for every Spanish lover. Whether you live in the Land of the Rising Sun or you are just passing through, Shima Spain Village is a stop en route you should consider. If you want to learn more about this unique park featuring Spanish-themed attractions, shows, and restaurants, please join us for the tour!

Click here to switch to the Spanish version of this post.

Shima Spain Village’s main attractions

The park has currently 32 attractions including roller coasters, water rides, mystery houses, and more. Most of them are Spain-themed, with the special appearance of very well-known characters such as Don Quixote. These are some of our favorite ones:

Ironbull

As you can see in the picture, the wagon of this inner roller coaster is a mechanical bull. You will ride these futuristic animals surrounded by steam as they get ready for bullfighting. But watch out! They run at top speed.

Castillo de Xavier

Francis Xavier was the first Christian leading an extensive mission into Asia, and this Medieval museum made of stone is a reproduction of his birthplace in Spain. Inside, you will find a detailed explanation of the Spanish history and culture.

Bosque de Cuentos

The Forest of Tales is a magical place. Once you step there, you’ll begin a journey that will take you to a world of fantasy. Grandpa cuentos will guide you along the way as you hear the stories of four typical Spanish tales.

Don Quixote’s Magical Flight

Jump in this flying galleon and head towards Spanish blue skies! This attractions features one of the mills in La Mancha Don Quixote confused with a giant.

Splash Montserrat

Montserrat is a mountain range near Barcelona with a very peculiar form. Shima Spain Village offers you the chance to explore Montserrat and then finish your ride with a quick dive in the pristine water coming all the way from the peaks.

La Tomatina

To bump or not to bump? That is the question. This spinning tomato ride moves to the swing of La Tomatina, one of the most international Spanish fiestas. In Buñol, participants throw tomatoes to each other. In this attraction, by contrast, you’ll be spinning in a tomato-themed teacup.

Gaudí Carrousel

Did you know that the majority of the most photographed spots in Barcelona were created by Gaudí? Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera… Gaudi’s carrousel invites you get into a world which is full of color and music, just like the artistic movement it was inspired by: Modernism.

Entertainment and restaurants

Besides all the attractions mentioned above, Shima Spain Village offers its visitants the opportunity to watch flamenco shows, firework spectacles, carnival parades and many other events deeply rooted in the Spanish culture.

And if you want to try the best of the Spanish cuisine, the park has lots of typical restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a paella meal and have some tapas in an easygoing atmosphere.

We strongly recommend all Japanese Spanish students to pay Shima Spain Village a visit. Don’t forget that getting to know the culture and history of Spain is a crucial part of learning Spanish language! Or at least that’s what our student Ayumi says:

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Spring is around the corner, and we want you to enjoy it to the fullest! At don Quijote, we take our coat off to recommend some of the best plans to explore Madrid in spring, as well as a perfect activity to enjoy the good weather while living the Spanish culture just like another local. We propose a tour through the 4 most important Markets in the city of Madrid. This tour can be done on the same day, since the walking distance from one to the other is not more than 30 minutes. In this way, you will make the most of your time in discovering the stunning stalls inside these historic markets.

Continue reading this post in English or click here to read it in Spanish.

Both the “Mercado de San Miguel” and the “Mercado de la Cebada” are located at squares that are called with the same name. Indeed, they were the squares the ones giving name to the markets. So, if you find the “Plaza de San Miguel” or “the Plaza de la Cebada”, you will also find these emblematic Madrid markets!

Mercado de San Miguel

 

 

The “Mercado de San Miguel” and the “Plaza de San Miguel” got their names from the church called “La Iglesia de San Miguel de los Octes”, where Lope de Vega —the famous playwright of the Spanish golden age— was baptized. The “Mercado de San Miguel” is representative of Madrid that it was declared Good of Cultural Interest. If you want to taste delicious Iberian ham, exotic seafood, paella or any of the many delights of the Spanish cuisine, the “Mercado de San Miguel” is a great point from which to start your market day in Madrid.

Mercado de la Cebada

 

Just 8 minutes walking from the “Mercado de San Miguel”, you´ll reach the “Mercado de la Cebada”, located in the charming neighborhood of La Latina. There, you will have the great opportunity to try excellent tapas and pintxos while discovering one of the oldest districts of the Spanish capital. Moreover, if you’d rather do the shopping, you’ll find delicious food in the different butchers, fruit and fish shops; or even many other high quality products like perfumes, flowers, crafts… and many more!

But if you prefer to spend the day just in one of them, the “Mercado de la Cebada” is a great choice, since it offers a wide range of cultural activities related to food and the products sold in the market.

Mercado de San Fernando

 

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Just 8 minutes walking from the “Mercado de la Cebada”, you´ll reach the “Mercado de San Fernando”, located in the castizo —genuine from Madrid— neighborhood of Lavapiés. It is an area full of life, since the social and commercial activity revolves around the popular “Rastro de Madrid” —main flea market in Madrid— hold on Sundays. Since its opening in 1944, people can get food in most of the stalls, as well as artisan products, books, and many other things you’ll discover when you go!

And, if you stop by at the entrance for a while to see locals and tourists going by, you will discover that, eventually, the most diverse people in Madrid visit the “Mercado de San Fernando”: both elderly and young people; both from Madrid and other parts of Spain, and even from other parts of the world.

Mercado de Antón Martín

 

To end this tour though the best markets of Madrid, walk just 9 minutes to reach the “Mercado de Antón Martín” on Santa Isabel street. It is inside the old quarter of the Spanish capital, very close to important areas such as the Puerta del Sol or the Plaza Mayor. In this market, you will also meet people from all over the world and from all ages, from children accompanying their parents to old ladies and gentlemen who walk every day to do the shopping.

 

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February 14 is approaching. At don Quijote, we want to wish you a happy Valentine's Day. One of the most tragic love stories of the Spanish culture is the one about “The Legend of Teruel Lovers”. It is a medieval origin story that represents the idea pure love, a love that endures, especially in our artistic and cultural imaginary, beyond death and despite the passing of centuries.

Lovers of Teruel

You may have heard a Spanish saying that says: “Los amantes de Teruel, tonta ella y tonto él” ("Teruel lovers, silly her and silly him"). It is a phrase that comes from the Middle Ages, a saying that was used as a mockery to make fun of tragic love. But ... do you know about the legend that has been transmitted from generation to generation?

Continue reading this article in English or switch to the Spanish version to improve your Spanish skills.

The Legend of the Lovers of Teruel tells the love story between two young turolenses (people from Teruel) - named Isabel de Segura and Diego de Marcilla. This story ended up embedded in our folklore thanks to the many and varied interpretations carried out by important Spanish writers and composers. In addition, since 1996, a theatrical recreation of “Las Bodas de Isabel de Segura” takes place in Teruel, which is represented annually during the month of February in that Aragonese town. This event was declared as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2016.

Summary

Once upon a time, a rich merchant named Pedro de Segura who lived in Teruel during the thirteenth century. This merchant had a very beautiful daughter, named Isabel de Segura. Isabel met a humble but honest boy named Diego de Marcilla. Diego was the son of a family that, despite being once important and wealthy, had lost his social and economic position in recent years.

Both fell deeply in love, and, some years later, Diego ended up asking Isabel to marry him. Isabel said yes: she wanted to be his wife but would never do it without her parents' consent. However, despite being Diego Marcilla a handsome young man, he did not own land or wealth. But he was dying of love for her, and was willing to wait and seek fortune where he could. With this idea, he asked his beloved to wait five years, when he would be worthy of his marriage. Isabel promised him to wait, and Don Pedro de Segura also accepted the deal. Demonstrating his arrest and bravery, Diego marches into battle in the hope of getting the necessary wealth. After five years fighting the Arabs in the Reconquest, he returned with great riches, enough to offer his wife a prosperous future.

However, Don Pedro de Segura - father of Isabel de Segura - pressed his daughter to get married as soon as possible. She managed to delay the wedding with the excuse of keeping the promise of maintaining her virginity until she was 20 years old. But after five years, Diego de Marcilla showed no signs of life, and Isabel began to lose hope and think that her beloved had died in combat. Don Pedro hastened the wedding with a rich suitor. But on the same day of the wedding ceremony, Diego de Marcilla, who had suffered all kinds of setbacks, returned from the war.

That night, Diego managed to sneak into the bedroom of the newlyweds while they were sleeping, and woke up his beloved sweetly by saying "Kiss me, I'm dying" to which Isabel de Segura responded painfully “For the love of Christ, I beg you to find another, and forget about me. If our love could not please God, then neither should it please me”. But he was not willing to give up and, vehemently, insisted "Kiss me, I'm dying", and she replied again "I don't want to." At that moment, Diego de Marcilla fell dead before Isabel's eyes.

Isabel, shaken to see Diego dead for not receiving the kiss, woke up her husband and confessed. He replied:  "Oh, you wretched! Why did you not kiss him?" "To not deceive my husband", she replied. " "Of course, you are a woman worthy of praise”. Then, Isabel, feeling guilty for being the cause of the tragic event, went to meet him and kiss him before he was buried, hurrying to the church of San Pedro, where women were having a wake for the deceased. Isabel turned away the shroud to undress Diego de Marcilla's face and kissed him with such love and passion that she died on the body of his beloved. Legend has it that neighbors agreed to bury them in the same place, and there, in the Tomb of The Lovers of Teruel, they are lying together for all eternity.

 

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At don Quijote, we usually recommend listening to music lyrics in Spanish, whether to practice the language, learn vocabulary, or even learn about other variants of the language of Cervantes. Today, we move to the rhythm of Spanish again to dance the most listened song of all times: "Despacito", by Luis Fonsi.

"Despacito" means "slowly" in Spanish, but the rise of the song to the top of charts worldwide has been all but slow. Only six months after its release date, Luis Fonsi's song made history for being the top streamed track ever, according to Universal Music Latin Entertainment. Although the Latin influence on pop culture is not new, the Spanish language hadn’t had such a large representation on the music scene since "Macarena" in 1996.

Continue reading this post in English or switch to the Spanish version.

“Despacito” is a song by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi featuring Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. The song was written by Fonsi, Erika Ender, and Daddy Yankee. But the remix version featuring Canadian singer Justin Bieber “helped to improve the song's chart performance in numerous countries, including various number-one positions”. Anyway, this song has managed to do what more traditional artists of Spanish music couldn’t: to reach more than 4,600 million reproductions across the main streaming platforms, according to the record label mentioned above. "Streaming is a connector for audiences around the world and has helped my music reach every corner of the planet," Fonsi said in a statement. "It's really an honor that “Despacito” is now the most streamed song in history." "Despacito" also leads Billboard's streaming song list with 65.4 million digital song transmissions and sales of 137,000 downloads.

Hence, "Despacito" is not only a musical success for the Spanish-speaking world. Both Latin pop and urban song have millions of international fans who sing songs in Spanish despite not being native speakers. In fact, some Twitter users, such as Madison Sims @madisoncarlei_h, have come to joke about the subject "pretty sure I learned more Spanish by looking up the lyrics to "Despacito" than I learned all year from my actual Spanish teacher ". But Luis Fonsi himself has a hard time explaining the success of this song. "I don't know the exact reason why this song in particular has connected with a worldwide audience, especially with those who don't understand Spanish." In turn, Daddy Yankee defines music as a universal language, a form of expression that brings people together independently of their culture or the color of their skin. "People are more receptive to learn, identify and exchange their opinions in the digital world and learn more from each other. "

Next, we can enjoy the lyrics of the different covers of the song:

1. Luis Fonsi ‒ Despacito (Lyrics / Lyric Video) ft. Daddy Yankee

 

 

[Letra de "Despacito" ft. Daddy Yankee]

[Intro: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Ay, ¡Fonsi! ¡D.Y.!

Ohhh, oh, no, oh, no, oh

¡Hey, yeah!

Dididiri Daddy, go!

 

[Intro: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Sí, sabes que ya llevo un rato mirándote

Tengo que bailar contigo hoy

(¡D.Y.!) Vi que tu mirada ya estaba llamándome

Muéstrame el camino que yo voy

 

[Verso 1: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

¡Oh!

Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal

Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan

Sólo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso (¡Oh, yeah!)

Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal

Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más

Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro

 

[Estribillo: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Despacito

Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito

Deja que te diga cosas al oído

Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo

Despacito

Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito

Firmar las paredes de tu laberinto

Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

(Sube, sube, sube, sube, sube)

 

[Post-Estribillo: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu ritmo (Woah, woah)

Que le enseñes a mi boca (Woah, woah)

Tus lugares favoritos (Favorito, favorito, baby)

Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro (Woah, woah)

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Woah, woah)

Y que olvides tu apellido

 

[Verso 2: Daddy Yankee]

Si te pido un beso, ven, dámelo, yo sé que estás pensándolo

Llevo tiempo intentándolo, mami, esto es dando y dándolo

Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bang-bang

Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bang-bang

Ven, prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe

Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe

Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje

Empezamos lento, después salvaje

 

[Pre-Estribillo: Daddy Yankee]

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza

Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas

Pero pa' montarlo aquí tengo la pieza

¡Oye!

 

[Estribillo: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Despacito

Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito

Deja que te diga cosas al oído

Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo

Despacito

Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito

Firmar las paredes de tu laberinto

Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

(Sube, sube, sube, sube, sube)

 

[Post-Estribillo: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu ritmo (Woah, woah)

Que le enseñes a mi boca (Woah, woah)

Tus lugares favoritos (Favorito, favorito, baby)

Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro (Woah, woah)

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Woah, woah)

Y que olvides tu apellido

 

[Verso 3: Luis Fonsi]

Despacito

Vamo' a hacerlo en una playa en Puerto Rico

Hasta que las olas griten "¡Ay, Bendito!"

Para que mi sello se quede contigo

¡Báilalo!

 

[Outro: Daddy Yankee & Luis Fonsi]

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Que le enseñes a mi boca

Tus lugares favoritos

(Favorito, favorito, baby)

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Fonsi)

Y que olvides tu apellido (D.Y.)

Despacito

 

2. Justin Bieber – Despacito (Lyrics) ft. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee [Pop]

 

 

[Intro: Justin Bieber]

Comin' over in my direction

So thankful for that, it's such a blessin', yeah

Turn every situation into heaven, yeah

Oh-oh, you are

My sunrise on the darkest day

Got me feelin' some kind of way

Make me wanna savor every moment slowly, slowly

You fit me tailor-made, love how you put it on

Got the only key, know how to turn it on

The way you nibble on my ear, the only words I wanna hear

Baby, take it slow so we can last long

 

[Verso 1: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

¡Oh! Tú, tú eres el imán y yo soy el metal

Me voy acercando y voy armando el plan

Sólo con pensarlo se acelera el pulso (Oh, yeah)

Ya, ya me está gustando más de lo normal

Todos mis sentidos van pidiendo más

Esto hay que tomarlo sin ningún apuro

[Coro: Justin Bieber & Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee]

Despacito

Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito

Deja que te diga cosas al oído

Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo

Despacito

Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito

Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto

Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

(Sube, sube, sube

Sube, sube)

[Post-Coro: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu ritmo (Woah, woah)

Que le enseñes a mi boca (Woah, woah)

Tus lugares favoritos (Favorito, favorito, baby)

Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro (Woah, woah)

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Woah, woah)

Y que olvides tu apellido

 

[Verso 2: Daddy Yankee]

Si te pido un beso, ven, dámelo, yo sé que estás pensándolo

Llevo tiempo intentándolo, mami, esto es dando y dándolo

Sabes que tu corazón conmigo te hace bom, bom

Sabes que esa beba está buscando de mi bom, bom

Ven, prueba de mi boca para ver cómo te sabe

Quiero, quiero, quiero ver cuánto amor a ti te cabe

Yo no tengo prisa, yo me quiero dar el viaje

Empecemos lento, después salvaje

 

[Pre-Coro: Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee]

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Cuando tú me besas con esa destreza

Veo que eres malicia con delicadeza

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Y es que esa belleza es un rompecabezas

Pero pa' montarlo aquí tengo la pieza

¡Oye!

 

[Coro: Justin Bieber & Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee]

Despacito

Quiero respirar tu cuello despacito

Deja que te diga cosas al oído

Para que te acuerdes si no estás conmigo

Despacito

Quiero desnudarte a besos despacito

Firmo en las paredes de tu laberinto

Y hacer de tu cuerpo todo un manuscrito

(Sube, sube, sube

Sube, sube)

 

[Post-Coro: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Quiero ver bailar tu pelo, quiero ser tu ritmo (Woah, woah)

Que le enseñes a mi boca (Woah, woah)

Tus lugares favoritos (Favorito, favorito, baby)

Déjame sobrepasar tus zonas de peligro (Woah, woah)

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Woah, woah)

Y que olvides tu apellido

[Puente: Luis Fonsi]

Despacito

This is how we do it down in Puerto Rico

I just wanna hear you screaming, "¡Ay, Bendito!"

I can move forever cuando esté contigo

¡Báilalo!

 

[Post-Coro: Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi & Justin Bieber]

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Que le enseñes a mi boca

Tus lugares favoritos

(Favorito, favorito, baby)

Pasito a pasito, suave suavecito

Nos vamos pegando, poquito a poquito

Hasta provocar tus gritos (Fonsi)

Y que olvides tu apellido (D.Y.)

Despacito

3. Luis Fonsi ‒ Despacito (Lyrics) ft. Daddy Yankee  - English Translation

 

[Intro: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee]

Yes, you know that I’ve been looking at you for a long time

I must dance with you today (DY)

(Daddy Yankee)

I saw that the look in your eyes was calling me

Show me the path that I will take (Oh)

(Luis Fonsi)

You, you’re the magnet and I’m the metal

I am getting closer and making a plan

Simply thinking about it makes my heart race (Oh yeah)

(Daddy Yankee)

Now, I’m already liking it more than usual

All of my senses are asking for more

We cannot do this in a rush

(Luis Fonsi)

Slowly

I want to breathe in your neck slowly

Let me murmur things in your ear

So that you remember if you’re not with me

Slowly

Iwant to undress you in kisses slowly

Firmly in the walls of your labyrinth

And of your body, I want to create a manuscript

Up, up

Up, up, up

I want to see your hair dance

I want to be your rhythm

Want you to show my mouth

Your favorite places (Favorite, favorite baby)

Let me trespass your danger zones

Until I make you scream

And you forget your last name

(Daddy Yankee)

If I ask for a kiss come, give it to me

I know that you’re thinking about it

I’ve been trying to do it for awhile

Mami this is giving and giving it to you

You know that with me your heart goes bom bom!

You know that from me that babe is looking for a bom bom!

Come try my mouth and see if you like its taste

I want to see how much love fits in you

I’m not in a rush I want to experience this trip

Let’s start slowly, then savagely

Step by step, soft then softly

We come up against each other, little by little

When you kiss me in that state of distress

I see that you are malice and delicacy

Step by step, soft then softly

We come up against each other, little by little

And it’s just that your beauty is a puzzle

But to finish it here I have the missing piece

(Luis Fonsi)

Slowly

I want to breathe in your neck slowly

Let me murmur things in your ear

So that you remember if you’re not with me

Slowly

I want to undress you in kisses slowly

Firmly in the walls of your labyrinth

And of your body, I want to create a manuscript

Up, up, up, up

I want to see your hair dance

I want to be your rhythm

Want you to show my mouth

Your favorite places (Favorite, favorite baby)

Let me trespass your danger zones

Until I make you scream

And you forget your last name

Slowly

We’re gonna do it on a beach in Puerto Rico

Until the waves scream Oh Lord

So that my seal stays with you

(Daddy Yankee)

Step by step, soft then softly

We come up against each other, little by little

(Luis Fonsi)

I want you to show my mouth

Your favorite places (Favorite, favorite baby)

(Daddy Yankee)

Step by step, soft then softly

We come up against each other, little by little

(Luis Fonsi)

Until I make you scream

And you forget your last name

Slowly

We hope you enjoy this post and, above all, that it helps you to continue learning things about the Spanish language and its culture.

Wanting more? Enjoy our video about the las decade’s top tracks in Spanish!

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There are just a few days left for Hollywood's biggest night- Oscar Awards to commence, the most important ones in the film industry worldwide. The 92nd Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and, as marked by tradition, will be televised live on the ABC Television Network. However, after realizing last year that the ratings went back up after four years of drop in audience, there won’t be a master of ceremonies at the 2020 Oscars either. In this case, as it happened in the last edition, they will be the actors and actresses the ones who will go on stage to deliver the statuettes. Penelope Cruz will be, once again, the one presenting the Oscar for Best non-English-speaking Film. Hopefully, the ritual will bring luck to Pedro Almodóvar once again.

We already know what The Best Spanish Films of 2019 are according to the Spanish Film Academy, and also the Spanish-speaking films that have won an Oscar on previous editions, but ... What Spanish films are nominated for 2020 Oscars? Today, we roll the red carpet out again for you to come in and enjoy! We deal only with Spanish films because, unfortunately, there are no other Spanish-speaking countries in the shortlist.

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"Pain and glory" (Pedro Almodóvar)

 

 

"Pain and glory" (“Dolor y gloria”) is a Spanish film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar and starring Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas and Julieta Serrano, with the special collaboration of Penelope Cruz.

The film presents the most intimate and autobiographical vision of the Manchego director. Almodóvar uses the voice of the main character, called Salvador Mallo, to open himself up to the audience. Salvador is a film director who is not at his best. He goes through his whole life to tell us his story, from his childhood to his first contact with the world of cinema, going through his teenage life and first love experiences. Almodóvar uses this narrative pretext to undress himself before us as he had never done before, in a tremendously beautiful and sincere way.  This Oscar-nominated Spanish film is a very personal project, a project that not only deals with cinematographic and theatrical creation, but also with the impossibility of separating creative processes from personal life. Almodóvar himself has stated that "Pain and glory" closes a trilogy along with "The law of desire" (1987) and "Bad education" (2004). In all these films, the main male role is played by a character who is also a film director, being  “desire and fiction” the main themes in the plot.

*Awards:

• 2019: Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film & Actr (Banderas)
• 2019: Golden Globes: Nomin. for Best Actor (Banderas) & Foreign Language Film
• 2019: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film
• 2019: Goya Awards: 7 Awards including Best Film, Director, Actor & Screenplay
• 2019: Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor (Antonio Banderas)
• 2019: New York Film Critics Circle: Best Actor (Antonio Banderas)
• 2019: European Film Awards: Best Actor (Banderas) & Production Design
• 2019: National Board of Review (NBR): Top Foreign Films
• 2019: Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Foreign Film & Actor (Banderas)
• 2019: Critics Choice Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film & Actor (Banderas)
• 2019: Chicago Film Critic’s Awards: Nom. for Best Actor (Banderas) & Best Foreign Film
• 2019: San Francisco Film Critics Circle: Best Actor (Antonio Banderas). 2 Nominations
• 2019: Satellite Awards: 5 Nominations, including Best Director, Actor & Screenplay
• 2019: César Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Film
• 2019: Forque Awards: Best Actor (Antonio Banderas). 2 Nominations
• 2019: Feroz Awards: 6 Awards, including Best Film Drama & Director
• 2019: Gaudí Awards: Best Sound. 5 Nominations

*Critics' reviews:

"The result is a mature work of meticulously tuned metafiction, erupting with so many of the director’s signature touches (...) [It rejects] broad melodrama in pursuit of a subtler, more direct form of authenticity" Peter Debruge: Variety

"'Pain and Glory' can be achingly sad, but its pleasures, rainbow hues and humor keep it (and you) aloft." Manohla Dargis: The New York Times

"Pedro Almodóvar Delivers His ‘8 ½’ (...) You can feel his passion for cinema in every frame. Pain and Glory is not just his most personal film. It’s also one of his greatest” Peter Travers: Rolling Stone

“Klaus” (Sergio Pablos)

 

 

"Klaus" is a Spanish animated film directed and written by Sergio Pablos. It is a Spanish/UK co-production with Atresmedia Cine and The SPA Studios. Distributed worldwide by Netflix.

Klaus tells the story of a postman named Jesper who is sent to Smeerensburg - an icy island beyond the Arctic Circle – as a punishment for his poor grades and bad behavior at the postal school. There, Jesper finds a hostile environment, a city whose inhabitants are people of few words and fewer letters. But everything changes with the entrance of Alva, the fishmonger and former teacher of the town, and Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives in a humble cabin in the woods, a lodge full of toys made by himself. These peculiar friendships not only change Jesper's life, but also bring joy back to Smeerensburg, giving way to a new stage full of magical legends and kind and generous neighbors.

Klaus is a film that, after a time of experimentation and breakthrough technologies in the sector, returns animation to the most classical procedures, incorporating also the theme of customs and traditions directly into the plot. The film represents a kind of story about the origin of Santa Claus, examining the ways in which traditions are built on and deconstructed. All this through a beautiful and fresh aesthetic that is as innovative as aware of its own story. In the end, the message of the film tells us to move forward, since nonsense routines and customs only prevents us from progressing.

*Awards:

• 2019: Academy Awards: Nominated for Best Animated Feature Film
• 2019: BAFTA Awards: Best Animated Film
• 2019: Goya Awards: Nominated for Best Animated Film & Song
• 2019: Annie Awards: 7 Awards including Best Animated Feature & Directing
• 2019: San Francisco Film Critics Circle: Nominated for Best Animated Film

*Critics' reviews:

"An unexpected charmer (...) it contains echoes of other seasonal favorites (...) while standing completely on its own (...) [Its story] is perfectly complimented by its visual style" John DeFore: The Hollywood Reporter

“Klaus' essentially becomes a metaphor for its unique and refreshing mode of expression”. Steven Scaife: Slant

 

"[It] has storybook charm, and the wonder lands even if the jokes don’t (...) 'Klaus' gets the sentimentality just right" Alonso Duralde: The Wrap

At don Quijote, we hope that you all enjoy this post, and, above all, that it serves you as a good excuse to learn a little more about the Spanish language and culture.

 

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Carnival is one of the most beloved holidays by both kids and grownups, regardless of their age. While it is true that children usually enjoy it more than adults, —possibly due to its spontaneity and lack of sense of ridicule— Carnival is a time to dream, a time when we dare to be what we want to be without worrying about what others say, a celebration to live without complexes.

February is already here, and with it all the preparations for Carnival celebrations, but... Why do we dress up? What is the origin of Carnival? Although there are different theories about it, they all seem to agree that it is an event in which seriousness and rectitude are forgotten to give way to fun and revelry.

Keep reading this article in English or switch to the Spanish version to perfect reading skills.

The Origins of Carnival Celebrations

While some claim that the origin of the Carnival dates back a long time before, —about 5,000 years ago— most sources suggest that it is a holiday related to the pagan festivities in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, the wine and earthly passions. However, it was not until the Middle Ages when the celebration spread throughout Europe.

When is Carnival Celebrated?

Carnival is one of those seasonal events, that is, one of those celebrations that take place on very specific dates and for a reason related to the season or time of the year in which we are. Although Carnival dates may vary depending on the country or continent, the festivity usually starts on the Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday and culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday   —known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras represents the practice of “the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season” before and during the Easter Holidays. In fact, the name "Carnival" means literally "abstinence from meat."

How is Carnival Celebrated Today?

Although Carnival is an ancient tradition, each country holds its own customs and rituals nowadays. Anyway, Carnival is a time to dress up, a masquerade party in which people change their roles. Moreover, it is very common to accompany the event with concerts, music, feasts and all kinds of recreational and cultural activities. Below, you will find a list with some of the most interesting Carnivals in Spain and Latin America.

Carnival in Spain

Spain is a country rich in traditions, from the Holyday Season customs to the rituals of the Holy Week, passing through Carnival celebrations. Some of the most popular are those of Águilas (Region of Murcia), Cádiz (Andalusia), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Ciudad Rodrigo (Salamanca, Castilla y León). Next, we describe some of the traditions you’ll enjoy if you live the Carnival experience in Spain.

Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Carnival in the Canary Islands is perhaps the second most famous in the world after Brazil. Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers a party that shines through the colorful parades and floats. The contest of the Carnival Queen is especially important, and the winner is usually the most striking and ornamented design. It was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, the biggest award an event can obtain.

Carnival of Cadiz

In Cadiz, this party is the most relevant of the year by far. In addition, it was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, a distinction that shares with Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Águilas, in Murcia. Through the cheerful comparsas and chirigotas —musical chorus typical from Carnival that sings humorous songs through the streets of the city— Cadiz becomes a satirical stage to protest and homage the hottest events of the year.

 

 

Carnival of Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca

The so-called "Carnaval del Toro" (Bull Carnival) is the main festival of a small town called Ciudad Rodrigo, in Salamanca, Castilla y León, Spain. The characteristic that distinguishes this celebration from the rest —and gives name to the event— is the celebration of bull runs and capeas. Especially relevant are the run of the “Domingo de Carnaval” (Carnival Sunday) and the so-called “Toro del Aguardiente” (Firewater Bull)—home-made spirits and foods are distributed during the bull run—held on Mardi Gras in the early morning.

Carnival of Águilas, Murcia

The Carnival of Águilas is the most relevant in the Region of Murcia and one of the most popular in Spain. It was declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2015, distinction that shares with those of Cádiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The most special feature about this celebration is the so-called “Carnaval de la Noche” (Carnival of the Night), an event that moves the spectacle to the streets of this small town throughout the whole night.

Carnival in Latin América

Although it is true that the Brazilian Carnival is one of the most relevant traditions in Latin America, Carnival is celebrated in other countries on the continent, each of them performing its own customs and traditions. Here you go a sample of the attractions you’ll find if you get to experience some of the most popular Carnivals in Latin America.

Dominican Republic: Carnival of Santo Domingo

This is not only the most popular Carnival in the Caribbean, but also one of the most popular festivities in the islands. Moreover, since the Carnival of Santo Domingo coincides with independence celebrations, the principal actors are some very characteristic and curious characters found in the folklore of the Dominica Republic: the “Diablo Cojuelo” (“Devil Cojuelo"), the “Roba la Gallina” (the “Steal the Hen”), or the so-called “Pepines”. During these holidays, all the floats in the region gather in the capital and compete for prizes awarded nationwide.

 

 

Mexico: Carnival of Veracruz

The Carnival of Veracruz, Mexico, has been declared the "Happiest Carnival in the World." This is probably due to the festival of light and color that shines through its parades, as well as the musical and festive atmosphere that floods its streets during the almost 10 days of festivities. One of the most special events is the so-called “Quema del Mal Humor” ("Bad Mood Burning”) opening celebrations on the first day of Carnival.

Argentina: Carnival of Gualeguaychú

It takes place in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina, every weekend of January and February. It is so important that it is called the “Carnaval del País” ("Carnival of the Country"), and is famous for its comparsas, which compete to win the first prize of the contest. Each year a different topic is chosen, and costumes and songs are composed to celebrate it. It is one of the essentials in the list of Latin American Carnivals.

Colombia: Carnival of Barranquilla

The Carnival of Barranquilla is the most important folklore festival in Colombia. It was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2003, and its main events are: the so-called “Batalla de las Flores” ("Battle of Flowers") and the colorful parade of floats. This Carnival most important actors are three characters that are very important in the folklore of the region: “Rey Momo” (“King Momo”), “Maria Moñitos” and the “Hombre Caimán” (“Cayman Man”). In addition, different theater and music festivals are also held in the city on these dates.

At don Quijote, we hope you enjoy this post and discover some of the most colorful and original Carnivals in the Spanish-speaking world. In addition, we know that you will take the opportunity to practice Spanish and establish ties with speakers of different varieties of the Spanish language.

 

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Te invito a un té

The sentence above, which means I’ll buy you a cup of tea, is the perfect starting point to begin with today’s post. Te and té are very similar words. In fact, their only difference is a little orthographic mark, which can go unnoticed. Do you want to know why this acute accent is so important? Keep on reading to understand how diacritics work in Spanish.

You can also read this post in Spanish.

What are diacritics?

Diacritic marks are often used in Spanish to tell the meaning of two similar words apart, usually monosyllables. As a general rule, words with only one syllable must never be emphasized with an accent. However, to avoid confusions and ambiguities, sometimes we do use diacritic marks.

These are the most common word pairs in Spanish that use diacritic marks to differentiate their meanings. Have a look at the following examples.

 

Without diacritics	With diacritics
De    Preposition    Voy a hacer un curso de español.    (I’m gonna take a Spanish course)	Dé    Present subjuntive tense (verb ‘dar’)    Ojalá el profesor dé las notas hoy.    (I wish the teacher could give us the marks today)      Imperative mode (verb ‘dar’)    Dé la mano firmemente cuando se presente.    (Shake hands firmly when introducing yourself)
El    Article    El profesor de español se llama Ramón.    (The Spanish teacher is called Ramón)	Él    Pronoun    Él es el padre de Hugo, se llama Antonio.    (He is Hugo’s father, and he’s called Antonio)
Mas    Conjunction (same meaning as ‘pero’)    Quería ir mas no se lo permitieron.    (He wanted to go, but they didn’t let him)	Más    Adverb expressing quantity    Llegaré más tarde.    (I’ll arrive later)      Adverb expressing comparison    Natalia habla más que Isabel.    (Natalia talks more than Isabel)
Mi    Possessive    Mi perro se llama Tofu.    (My dog’s name is Tofu)      Noun (musical note)    Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si	Mí    Pronoun (after preposition)    A mí no me gustan las anchoas.    (Anchovies don’t please me)
Se    Pronoun    Ella se ducha por las noches.    (She takes showers at night)	Sé    Present indicative (verb ‘saber’)    No sé dónde vive.    (I don’t know where he lives)      Imperative mode (verb ‘saber’)    Luis, sé bueno en casa de la abuela, por favor.    (Luis, be good at your grandma’s place, please).
Si    Conjunction (conditional)    Si tengo tiempo, te llamaré.    (I’ll call if I have the time)      Noun (musical note)    Do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si	Sí    Adverb    - ¿Vas a venir a la fiesta?      (Will you come to the party?)    - Sí, es mañana a las 19:00, ¿verdad?      (Yes, it’s tomorrow at 19:00, right?)
Te    Possessive    ¿Cómo te llamas?    (What’s your name?)	Té    Noun (plant, beverage)    ¿Qué prefieres: té o café?    (What do you prefer: tea or coffee?)
Tu    Possessive    ¿Cuál es tu clase?    (Which is your class?)	Tú    Pronoun    Tú eres más alto que yo.    (You are taller than me).

 

We hope you found this post useful for understanding Spanish diacritics. Thank you very much to Ramon, Head of Studies at our Spanish school in Malaga, for helping us with this article. Keep on learning Spanish with don Quijote!

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Goya Awards 2020

Last weekend, 3.6 million people watched the 34th Goya Awards ceremony, honoring the top Spanish movies of 2019. This is the Spanish film industry’s main event, equivalent to Hollywood’s Oscars. It is organized by the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences and this edition was held in the city of Malaga.

If you’re looking for a fun different way of learning Spanish or you’re just a moviegoer, keep on reading to find out which were the top 2019 Spanish movies according to the Academy. Or, if you prefer, click here to switch to the Spanish version of this post.

Almodovar Movies Keep Winning

 

 

 

Pedro Almodovar, Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas… these are all names that sound familiar to you, right? Well, imagine all three together in one production. Dolor y Gloria (Pain and Glory) is the undisputed winner of the ceremony and probably one of the best Spanish movies in 2019.

This biographical story, which is also nominated for the 92^nd Oscar Awards as Best International Feature Film, has been chosen Best Film of the Year by Time magazine. On Saturday night, this movie was awarded with several Goya prizes, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Director for Pedro Almodovar. Good luck at the Oscars!

 

Most-Awarded Spanish Movies

After Pain and Glory, with 7 awards, the second most-awarded movie was While at War (Mientras dure la Guerra), which got 5 prizes, including Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup. This historical drama was directed by Alejandro Amenabar (The Others, The Sea Inside, Regression) and it shows how Miguel de Unamuno, a popular Spanish writer, lived the beginning of the Spanish Civil War.

Fire Will Come (Lo que arde) is a movie shot in Galician language which was awarded with Best New Actress and Best Cinematography, so if you’re a photography lover, you know what’s next on your watchlist. And, by the way, this is one of those Spanish movies on Netflix. There’s no excuse!

Another movie awarded with two Goya Prizes is The Endless Trench (La trinchera infinita), which has not one but three directors! The film won Best Actress and Best Sound.

Best Spanish Actors and Actresses

Some other major prizes in this Goya Awards ceremony include Best Actor for Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory and Best Actress for Belén Cuesta in The Endless Trench (La trinchera infinita). The protagonist of The Mask of Zorro played the role of a film director in his decline, who remembers his early life through flashbacks. Belén Cuesta tells the story of a woman who lives a forbidden romance during the Spanish Civil War.

Goya Winners 2020

To sum up, these are some of the Spanish movies you can’t miss according to the Goya 2020 Awards:

Best Picture	Pain and Glory	Best Director	Pedro Almodóvar for Pain and Glory
Best Actor	Antonio Banderas for Pain and Glory	Best Actress	Belén Cuesta for The Endless Trench
Best Supporting Actor	Eduard Fernández for While at War	Best Supporting Actress	Julieta Serrano for Pain and Glory
Best New Actor	Enric Auquer for Eye for an Eye	Best New Actress	Benedicta Sánchez for Fire Will Come
Best Original Screenplay	Pain and Glory	Best Adapted Screenplay	Out in the Open
Best Spanish Language Foreign Movie	Heroic Losers	Best New Director	Belén Funes for A Thief’s Daughter
Best Animated Movie	Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles	Best Cinematography	Fire Will Come

 

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We have already talked about the presence of the Spanish language in the world, even in some remote countries we could not imagine. The spread began in 1492 with the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and, today, it is the second language most used by native speakers worldwide. Its relevance due to the great number of speakers in some countries such as the United States (according to CNN, there are an estimated 58.9 million Hispanic people in the US, comprising 18% of the population) has forced different industries to localize and translate their products in order to reach the Spanish-speaking audience.

Continue reading this post in Spanish and improve your reading skills!

This is the case of the music industry, a business that moves billions of euros every year. There have been many Latin artists who have achieved fame by singing tracks in Spanish, even reaching the top positions in charts and rankings all over the world. At don Quijote, we once again claim music as an instrument for teaching Spanish as a foreign language. For today’s blog post, we’ve selected 10 international artists who managed to succeed with songs performed in Spanish.

1. Jennifer Lopez

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The North American singer of Puerto Rican origin has an entire album recorded in Spanish. It is entitled Como Ama una Mujer (2007). She has also a Spanish version of her song Dance Again (2012).

2. Christina Aguilera

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The North American artist released an entire album in Spanish: Mi Reflejo (2000). This album was nominated as "Record of the Year" for the Latin Grammy Awards of 2001.

3. Beyoncé

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Irremplazable (2007) was the singer's third single in the United States. It was recorded in Spanish as part of the `Luxury edition’ of the album B'Day (2006) and was the first crossover of the artist to the Latin market.

4. Tiziano Ferro

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The Italian artist recorded his first single Perdona (2001) in Spanish. The song belongs to the album Rojo Relativo, which was a gold record in sales.

5. BSB (Backstreet Boys)

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The first song that the Orlando boys recorded in Spanish was Nunca Te Hare Llorar (1997). Never Break Your Heart (the original track) was the second single from the first Backstreet Boys album.

6. Madonna

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The Queen of Pop also crossed language barriers and took the plunge and popped out in Spanish. Madonna introduced some phrases in Spanish in two of her hits of the 80s: Who's that Girl (1987) and La Isla Bonita (1986).

7. Mariah Carey

Source: Wikipedia Commons

This vocal goddess recorded the ever memorable ’90s hit My All in Spanish, renaming it Mi Todo (1997). Whoever translated the song did not a great job and Spanish speakers criticized this new version.

8. Nelly Furtado

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Almost a decade after she came to fame in 2000 with the single, I'm Like a Bird, this Portuguese-origin singer recorded an entire album in Spanish: Mi Plan (2009). The presentation single of her album, entitled Manos al Aire, made history as it marked the first time a North American artist reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart with a song that was originally written in Spanish.

9. Bon Jovi

Source: Wikipedia Commons

Spanish is not the strong point of. Cama de Rosas (1992) was a Spanish version of his song Bed of Roses. If we listen to the track, it is quite clear that the artist would need a Spanish course to be able to express himself more clearly.

10. Demi Lovato

Source: Wikipedia Commons

She tried it along with Pablo Alborán at the Latin Grammy Awards of 2011. The song performed was Solamente Tú and was very well received by the Spanish public.

As Colombian artist J. Balvin said some time ago in an interview for ABC "By Singing in Spanish you can go as far as in English." The great reggaeton star also explained that his intention "is not to make music for Latinos, but for human beings", and the truth is that half of the audience that attends their concerts does not speak Spanish. Can we say then that music in Spanish is increasingly popular even for an audience that doesn't speak it?

Want to learn more Spanish through music? Enjoy our video about last decade’s top tracks in Spanish!

 

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