Hola {{first_name | estudiante de Español}},
¡Bienvenido/a de vuelta a Master Spanish Weekly! 🚀 This week’s issue is packed with good stuff, so stay with me until the end:
A quick poll about something exciting I’m building.
Two fun reels I’ve been watching (Ibai Llanos + Volatadipeluca).
10 cultural expressions every learner should know.
And a quiz to test yourself.
Vamos a empezar 🚀
Quick note before the lesson: I’m working on launching Vokally+, a membership offering complete courses (from beginner to expert), mini weekly lessons, conversation clubs, and more. Your feedback will help shape it.
Would you like to join Vokally+ when it launches?
Just reply to the poll below to let me know. ¡Gracias!
❓Would you be interested?
🎙️ What I’ve Been Watching (and why it matters for Spanish)
This past week, two things caught my attention online:
El Mundial de los Desayunos by streamer Ibai Llanos. A “World Cup” of Latin American breakfasts, where millions voted for their favorites (Peru’s pan con chicharrón beat Venezuela’s arepa in the final). Watch it below:
Conduciendo de Alaska a la Patagonia con un Fiat Marea de 900€ by Volata di Peluca. A road-trip reel series across the Americas in a Fiat Marea that cost €900. Watch Day 1 below:
📚 Lesson of the Week: 10 Cultural Expressions!
Learning Spanish is about understanding the culture behind the words. Here are 10 cultural expressions that show how language and culture go hand in hand:
Expression | Meaning | Cultural Root |
|---|---|---|
¡Pura vida! (Costa Rica) | All good, pure life, greeting | Embodies Costa Rica’s relaxed lifestyle and national identity. |
¡Órale! (Mexico) | Encouragement, surprise, agreement | Everyday Mexican slang, tied to enthusiasm and energy. |
Che (Argentina) | Hey / to get attention | Strong Argentine identity marker; even gave Ernesto “Che” Guevara his nickname. |
¡Qué chido! (Mexico) | How cool! | Mexican slang to express admiration or approval. |
¡A huevo! (Mexico, informal) | Of course! / Heck yes! (informal) | Literal “to egg” but culturally used for certainty and excitement. |
Guagua (Caribbean/Chile) | Bus (Chile/Canary Is.) / Baby (Caribbean) | Shows regional variation in meaning; indigenous + regional speech origins. |
Vale (Spain) | Okay / Alright | Everyday expression in Spain; conversational filler for agreement. |
Chévere (Caribbean, Venezuela, Colombia) | Great, cool, awesome | Popular across the Caribbean and northern South America; African + indigenous roots. |
Andar de parranda (Puerto Rico/Caribbean) | To party, go out celebrating | From “parranda” (festivity); tied to Caribbean music and nightlife culture. |
Ponerse las pilas (Latin America) | To get going, get your act together | Modern metaphor: “put in your batteries” → start moving or working hard. |
🧩 Mini Quiz: Cultural Expressions in Spanish
Can you get 5/5 in today’s quiz?
1. “¡Pura vida!” is most strongly associated with which country?
a) Mexico
b) Costa Rica
c) Argentina
2. If someone in Argentina says “Che,” what are they most likely doing?
a) Ordering food at a restaurant
b) Calling someone’s attention
c) Saying goodbye
¡Gracias!
Gracias por estar aquí una semana más. Cada palabra que aprendes con su contexto cultural te acerca no solo al idioma, sino también a la gente que lo vive.
Hasta la próxima semana.
Alejandro Nuñez
Fundador y Director de New Way Spanish (muy pronto Vokally)
