
Tourists in Spain warned against using 'common' Spanish phrases that could get them in trouble
Visiting another country and learning local phrases can be a fun and fulfilling experience, but in Spain, a number of linguistic slip-ups are causing red faces.
According to Statista, over 18 million Brits visited Spain last year - and many may have left locals scratching their heads - or smirking when their back is turned.
Claudio Guasti, head of culture and communication at City Lit, has shared four of the most common - and hilarious - mistakes Brits make when speaking Spanish abroad.
Here's what to watch out for - and what to say instead - when visiting the popular holiday hotspot this year:
1. Avoid accidentally telling people you are aroused if you are warm
If you're feeling warm and want to express that in Spanish, avoid saying 'estoy caliente.'
While this might seem like a direct translation of 'I'm hot,' it actually refers to feeling sexually aroused in Spanish when describing a person.
The correct phrase to use is 'tengo calor,' which means, 'I have heat,' and is the appropriate way to say you feel hot due to the weather.
'Caliente' can still be used to describe food or drinks, for example: 'Quiero un té caliente', which means 'I'd like a hot tea', and 'El café está muy caliente', which means 'coffee is very hot'.
2. Avoid accidentally telling people you're married, instead of tired
Two similar-sounding Spanish words can cause confusion are 'cansado' and 'casado'.
'Estoy cansado' (for men) or 'estoy cansada' (for women) means 'I am tired'.
Meanwhile, 'estoy casado/casada' means 'I am married'.
It's an easy mix-up that could lead to confusion and awkwardness in conversation, so take care to use the correct term, especially when discussing how you feel.
3. Avoid accidentally saying you are pregnant, instead of embarrassed
A common language mistake is assuming 'embarazada' means 'embarrassed' because of the similarity in spelling. In fact, 'embarazada' means 'pregnant'.
To say you're embarrassed in Spanish, the correct phrase is 'estoy avergonzado' if males or 'estoy avergonzada' if female.
Using the wrong word in this case may lead to confusion or misunderstanding, so it's helpful to memorise the correct expression.
4. Avoid using 'hasta la vista' when saying goodbye - no one says this!
While the phrase 'hasta la vista' is recognised due to its appearance in popular films, it is not commonly used by native Spanish speakers in everyday conversations.
More appropriate and natural phrases for saying goodbye include 'hasta luego' (see you later) or 'adiós' (goodbye).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Amanda Holden pokes fun at daughter Lexi, 18, sharing a steamy smooch with her boyfriend on family holiday
Amanda Holden poked fun at her daughter Lexi sharing a steamy smooch with her boyfriend on their family holiday in Greece on Wednesday. Lexi, 18, posted the PDA-filled snap on her Instagram of the pair kissing during a luxury boat trip. It sparked Amanda, 54, to repost the loved-up snap on her Stories as she joked: 'Mmm I wonder what daddy will think... [laughing face emoji].' After her playful joke, the mother-of-two later expressed her love for the pair as she commented a heart emoji on Lexi's post. The lovebirds - who went Instagram official in January - rang in the New Year with her mother, father Chris Hughes and younger sister Hollie, 13, in Scotland. Amanda looked nothing short of sensational on Wednesday as she showed off her enviable figure in a yellow string bikini. The TV personality wowed fans as she struck a pose on a luxurious boat during her family holiday. In a snap shared to her Instagram Story, Amanda looked incredible in the skimpy two-piece as she posed by the steering wheel. She shielded her eyes with a pair of gold-framed sunglasses and accessorised with dainty jewellery. Amanda also re-shared a photo of the boat featuring everyone on board, with the caption: 'Captain @noholdenback.' It comes after Amanda revealed her youngest daughter Hollie, 13, has landed her first runway show, walking in London Fashion Week later this year. The radio presenter joked she is the new Kris Jenner as her two lookalike daughters are now following in her showbiz footsteps. Hollie will make her catwalk debut alongside model and university student sister Lexi, 19, who is already signed to Storm Models. When Amanda spoke with MailOnline at Claridge's hotel in London, she revealed that Hollie had 'no idea' that she had bagged her first modelling gig, as the presenter had 'literally only just heard' about it minutes before we sat down. The TV personality has been living it up on a luxurious boat during a family holiday in Greece She said: 'Lexi's good, she's sort of dipped her toe in and she's done a couple of photoshoots. She is loving university as well but what she doesn't like doing is taking time off, so I think she'll work it out but it's something she's enjoying. 'She's doing London Fashion Week again in September and we've actually just heard that Hollie is going to be doing it as well.' Amanda continued: 'It's definitely something I think Hollie is going to enjoy she's going to die when I tell her she's doing London Fashion Week this year. 'I literally just heard she got it and she's gone for the week with my mum in Cornwall so I'll have to ring her after.' She joked: 'With both girls doing it, I do feel like Kris Jenner now. We need our own reality show. Oh my god, yeah here we go, I could see that'. Despite the TV stars hopes of a family reality show, which could follow her daughter's nepo baby friends including Simon Cowell's son Eric and Alesha Dixon's daughter Azura, Amanda's daughter Lexi 'wouldn't want to be on camera'. She revealed: 'But one of my daughters would do [a TV show] but Lexi wouldn't want to be on camera, that's irony, whereas Hollie would, definitely.'


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert issues warning over simple passport mistakes that will stop you from flying
Holidaymakers jetting off this summer should be aware of some simple issues with their passports that could prevent them from flying. When going on a trip, tourists often have to juggle many different things including travel insurance, transfers and their luggage. But one important factor to consider is your passport – and issues with it could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK. Chris Harrington, managing director at transfer company Hoppa, shared his advice for those going away this summer. The travel expert emphasised the importance of making sure your passport isn't too damaged. He explained: 'If your passport is damaged to the extent that it impacts its ability to function or verify who you are, this can lead to it being declared invalid.' Chris advises checking the condition of your passport after booking a trip to avoid problems. He added: 'Once you have booked your holiday, ensure your passport is in good condition and it doesn't have any water damage, tears, rips, stains or any pages are missing. One important factor to consider is your passport and problems with it that could cause problems when arriving at your destination or returning to the UK 'In most cases, minor wear and tear is acceptable, but for anything more severe, you will need to apply for a new passport.' Though life can become busy, it is important to ensure documents such as passports are up to date – including reflecting any changes to personal information – in order to ensure they are still accurate and valid. Chris said: 'Your passport needs to have all of your correct details on. Including name and date of birth, which means if this isn't the case, it could be invalid. 'When making your travel booking, it's important that the details you enter reflect those that are on your passport. 'For example, if you get married and you make the booking with your new surname, the passport needs to also have the same details. 'If you need to apply for a new passport due to getting married, this can be done before or after the ceremony.' Another point to look out for is the expiry date on your passport. Even if it hasn't expired, it's important to note that some countries require the passport to be valid for three months from the departure date. Chris explained: 'One of the common mistakes people make is not being aware of when a passport has expired. 'When you are going abroad, you need to make sure that your passport was issued within the last 10 years of the date you enter the country. 'It's important to remember that this is counted from the date of issue and not the expiry date. 'Alongside the 10-year rule, Brits travelling to the EU and Schengen countries also need to be aware that their passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond their departure date. 'It's also worth noting that for some destinations, there needs to be 6 months remaining on the passport, so it's important to check the regulations for the country you're travelling to.'


Daily Mail
28 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why I ditched the US in my fifties and moved to this colourful European city
An American expat has shared why she decided to swap one of the most diverse and prosperous states in the US for a city in Europe at the age of 52. In 2023, Cheryl Orlov sold or gave away most of her possessions, including her home and vehicles, packed eight suitcases and made the 'life-changing' decision to move to another part of the world. Having spent more than over 32 years running a furniture store in the South Bay region of California, Orlov admitted she lived a 'comfortable' life surrounded by loved ones, but felt an insatiable 'pull' toward travel. But despite visiting over 40 countries across all seven continents over the years, there were a a number of destinations that hadn't yet reached the business owner's radar - such as Albania. Following a relationship break-up in March 2022, she decided to take the opportunity to start afresh and move to Albania's capital, Tirana. Writing for International Living in March, Orlov explained she first discovered the country whilst reading articles and watching videos about far-flung destinations. She began researching the holiday hotspot, and was left impressed by its slower-paced lifestyle, its diverse, natural beauty and the unmatched hospitality of its local people. In September 2022, Orlov organised a scouting trip to Albania, where she was left awestruck by breathtaking views of the country's 'rugged' landscape and 'sparkling' shores. She added: 'It reminded me of the California I had always wished to see before rapid development took over. I saw a different quality of life.' Drawn to its delicious cuisines, warm hospitality and proximity to other European destinations on her bucket list, Orlov decided to make Albania her new home the following year. Since moving to Tirana, the seasoned solo traveller now enjoys a 'vibrant' social life, opts to 'walk everywhere' instead of driving, and pays significantly less for rent in comparison to California. She said: 'I rent a two-bedroom apartment in Tirana for €500 per month - a price unthinkable in Los Angeles. The affordability extends to every aspect of life: groceries, dining out, and even healthcare.' By regularly attending meet-ups with local community-minded groups, Orlov has managed to create a tight network of friends, which include fellow expats and native Albanians. Away from the bustle of the city, she often spends her time touring agrotourism farms and wineries in the countryside, where she indulges in fresh cheese and seasonal wine. On weekends, she noted the simplicity of being able to take a quick flight to nearby hotspots, such as Greece, North Macedonia and Italy. Orlov also stressed she feels 'incredibly' safe in Albania, more so than she 'ever did back home.' Since moving to Tirana, the seasoned solo traveller now enjoys a 'vibrant' social life, opts to 'walk everywhere' instead of driving, and pays significantly less for rent (Pictured: Air Albania (Arena Kombetare) in Capital of Tiran) She added: 'There is a strong sense of security. People look out for one another. I can walk through the city by day or night without worry. That kind of peace of mind is something I never realised I was missing until I found it.' For Orlov, relocating alone to the other side of the planet has not only enriched her life culturally, but it's given her the opportunity to 'create the life she's always imagined.' She urged those considering a similar move to plan a scouting trip before packing up their belongings. Orlov added: 'Albania isn't for everyone, and it's important to explore different areas in person. I thought I wanted to live by the sea until I visited Tirana. Then I knew I had found my home.'