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10 cultural expressions every Spanish learner needs!
Plus a quick poll, two fun reels, and a quiz to test yourself š
Alejandro Nunez
September 30, 2025
Hola estudiante de EspaƱol,
Ā”Bienvenido/a de vuelta a Master Spanish Weekly! š This weekās issue is packed with good stuff, so stay with me until the end:
A quick poll about something exciting Iām building.
Two fun reels Iāve been watching (Ibai Llanos + Volatadipeluca).
10 cultural expressions every learner should know.
And a quiz to test yourself.
Vamos a empezar š
Quick note before the lesson: Iām 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. Ā”Gracias!
āWould you be interested? |
šļø What Iāve 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 āWorld Cupā of Latin American breakfasts, where millions voted for their favorites (Peruās pan con chicharrĆ³n beat Venezuelaās arepa in the final). Watch it below:
Conduciendo de Alaska a la Patagonia con un Fiat Marea de 900ā¬ by Volata di Peluca. A road-trip reel series across the Americas in a Fiat Marea that cost ā¬900. Watch Day 1 below:
š 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 |
|---|---|---|
Ā”Pura vida! (Costa Rica) | All good, pure life, greeting | Embodies Costa Ricaās relaxed lifestyle and national identity. |
Ā”Ćrale! (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 āCheā Guevara his nickname. |
Ā”QuĆ© chido! (Mexico) | How cool! | Mexican slang to express admiration or approval. |
Ā”A huevo! (Mexico, informal) | Of course! / Heck yes! (informal) | Literal āto eggā 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. |
ChƩvere (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 āparrandaā (festivity); tied to Caribbean music and nightlife culture. |
Ponerse las pilas (Latin America) | To get going, get your act together | Modern metaphor: āput in your batteriesā ā start moving or working hard. |
š§© Mini Quiz: Cultural Expressions in Spanish
Can you get 5/5 in todayās quiz?
1. āĀ”Pura vida!ā is most strongly associated with which country?
a) Mexico
b) Costa Rica
c) Argentina
2. If someone in Argentina says āChe,ā what are they most likely doing?
a) Ordering food at a restaurant
b) Calling someoneās attention
c) Saying goodbye
Ā”Gracias!
Gracias por estar aquĆ una semana mĆ”s. Cada palabra que aprendes con su contexto cultural te acerca no solo al idioma, sino tambiĆ©n a la gente que lo vive.
Hasta la prĆ³xima semana.
Alejandro NuƱez
Fundador y Director de NewāÆWayāÆSpanish (muy prontoāÆVokally)
š³ļø Poll: Letās hear from you!
How are you making Spanish part of your day this week? |
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