Read the book: «Collins Primary Dictionaries»

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Using the dictionary

Parts of speech

Answer key

Spanish – English

Language plus

Animals

Body

Clothes

Colours

Family

Days and dates

Weather

Places

Food

Fruit and vegetables

Drinks

Furniture

Jobs

At school

Rooms

Numbers and time

Spanish verbs

Illustrations

English – Spanish

About the Publisher

Introduction

The Collins Primary Illustrated Spanish Dictionary is a new bilingual dictionary aimed at primary school children who are starting to learn Spanish.

Access to a dictionary which is pitched at an appropriate level is a vital part of the language-learning process. The content of this dictionary has been carefully selected to reflect current trends in primary education and help children with acquiring basic language-learning skills.

The key aims of the Collins Primary Illustrated Spanish Dictionary are:

• to develop both language skills in Spanish and language learning skills in general

• to cover the four key areas of language attainment: listening, speaking, reading and writing

• to reinforce key aspects of the language by the use of notes and feature boxes throughout the entries

• to extend cultural awareness by providing information about Spain, especially where traditions differ from those in Britain

The Collins Primary Illustrated Spanish Dictionary supports language learning in a number of specific ways:

• it develops children’s knowledge of how language works by encouraging them to understand, analyse and use simple aspects of grammar

• it develops children’s individual learning skills by using a wide range of notes that explain things in a simple but interesting way

• it enables children to make comparisons between Spanish and English by encouraging them to explore the similarities and differences between the two languages and cultures

• it introduces young learners to all the basic elements of a bilingual dictionary and provides detailed instructions on how to get the most out of using the dictionary

The Collins Primary Illustrated Spanish Dictionary is presented in an easy-to-use format which is intended to appeal to children of primary school age. It provides lots of simple, relevant examples and tips on how to remember words, and how to avoid some of the pitfalls of translation. It also features key phrases, illustrations and information about life in Spain, making it an invaluable and exciting new resource.

Using the dictionary

Step one:

Pick the right side

Remember there are two halves to the dictionary. If you want to know what a Spanish word means, look in the first half of the dictionary.

If you want to translate an English word into Spanish, look in the second half, which is English-Spanish. It comes after the supplement in the middle of the dictionary.

1 Which of these words would you look up on the Spanish-English side of the dictionary?

ver brother horse teléfono

2 Look at page 51 of the dictionary. Is this the Spanish side or the English side? How can you tell?

3 Look at page 150 of the dictionary. What is shown at the top of the page, down the side?

4 Is invite the first or the last word on page 437?

Remember that you do not read across the whole page in a dictionary – you have to read down the columns.

5 Which word comes immediately after aburrido?

Step two:

Find the right word

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Words are in alphabetical order in the dictionary – like names in the phone book, and in a school register. The alphabet is shown down the edge of each page of the dictionary. You can sort words into alphabetical order by looking at the first letter of each word.

6 Can you put these names in alphabetical order?

María, Isabel, Juan, Jorge, David, Arturo, Carmen

When two words start with the same letter, look at their second letters.

7 In alphabetical order which comes first – Juan or Jorge?

8 This is the order of the days of the week on a calendar:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Which day comes first in a dictionary? Which comes last?

9 Thursday comes before Tuesday in a dictionary. Why?

10 Put the seven days of the week into alphabetical order. If the first letters are the same, and the second letters are the same, look at the third letters.

11 June, July, August: which comes last in the dictionary?

Step three:

Pick the right translation

The translations are easy to spot in this dictionary because they are blue on the English-Spanish side and red on the Spanish-English side.

Spanish words can be masculine or feminine, and singular or plural. In the dictionary you will come across the abbreviations masc and fem, which tell you the gender of a Spanish word. PL tells you the word is plural. The dictionary also shows you the Spanish word for ‘the’ (this can be el, la, los or las). In the Language plus supplement, NOUN is abbreviated to N and ADJECTIVE is abbreviated to ADJ.

When you look up ‘doll’ you can see that the word for ‘doll’ in Spanish is muñeca. You can tell that the Spanish word for ‘doll’ is feminine because it is given with la and the dictionary says that it is ‘fem ’ (feminine).

So ‘the doll’ is la muñeca and ‘a doll’ would be una muñeca.

Sometimes there is more than one translation, and each one has a number. If there is more than one translation, don’t just pick the first one! Check to see which is the right one.

12 Which is the Spanish word for a ball that you kick – la pelota or el balón? Look for the clue.

ball NOUN

1 la pelota fem (for tennis, golf, cricket) Hit the ball! ¡Dale a la pelota!

2 el balón masc (PL los balones) (for football, rugby) Pass the ball! ¡Pasa el balón!

Parts of speech

Step four:

Parts of Speech

Sometimes, to pick the right translation, you need to know the part of speech of a word, for example whether a word is a noun, an adjective, an adverb or a verb.

NOUNS

Nouns are naming words for things or people. You often use the words ‘a’ or ‘the’ with a noun – eg a girl, a boy, the school, the windows.

Nouns can be singular, eg an accident, the playground, my dad, football – or plural, eg sweets, the children, my friends.

13 How many nouns are there in this sentence? What are they? The car has got a flat tyre and a big dent in the door.

ADJECTIVES

An adjective is a describing word which tells you what things are like: flat shoes are shoes that don’t have high heels. A flat tyre is a tyre with no air in it.

14 How many adjectives are there in this sentence? What are they? She’s got brown hair and blue eyes.

Some words have a noun meaning and an adjective meaning. In the dictionary there is a box to tell you about this. The different meanings usually have different translations in Spanish.

patient

patient can be a noun or an adjective.

A NOUN

el/la paciente masc/fem

B ADJECTIVE

paciente masc & fem The teacher is very patient. El maestro es muy paciente. Be patient, Joshua. Ten paciencia, Joshua.

ADVERBS

An adverb is a word which describes a verb or an adjective:

She writes neatly. The film was very good.

15 How many adverbs are in this sentence? What are they? The children sat quietly and played happily.

VERBS

Verbs are sometimes called ‘doing words’. They often go with words like ‘I’ and ‘you’, and with names, eg I play football, what do you want?, Hugo likes mashed potato.

Verbs tell you about the present,

eg I’m listening – the past, eg I scored a goal – and the future, eg I’m going to get an ice cream.

16 How many verbs are there in this sentence? What are they? School starts at 9.00 and finishes at 3.30.

Some words have a noun meaning and a verb meaning. In the dictionary there is a box to tell you about this. The different meanings have different translations in Spanish.

rain

rain can be a noun or a verb.

A NOUN

la lluvia fem in the rain bajo la lluvia

B VERB

to rain llover It’s going to rain. Va a llover. It rains a lot here. Llueve mucho aquí.

It’s raining. Está lloviendo.

17 What is the Spanish word for ‘rain’?

18 Why is ‘It’s going to rain.’ in part B?

19 How do you say ‘It’s raining.’ in Spanish?

20 Is ‘llover’ a noun or a verb?

Learn useful phrases

In the dictionary you’ll see phrases that are especially important in orange boxes. Try to learn these when you come across them, and you’ll soon know lots of useful things to say in Spanish.

What time is it? Qué hora es? It’s lunch time. Es la hora de comer. How many times? ¿Cuántas veces? Have a good time, Amanda! ¡Que lo pases bien, Amanda!

Find out about life in Spain

There are also boxes which tell you about Spanish customs, and about differences between life in Spain and Britain.

Did you know?

churros are a kind of fritter that people often eat on the streets in a paper bag or order in a café typically with a cup of thick, hot chocolate: chocolate con churros.

Even more words

At school you will learn to talk about subjects such as the time and the weather, your family, your pets, and your clothes. The most important words for talking about these subjects are shown in the dictionary itself, and even more words are given in Language Plus, the middle part of the dictionary. Have a look!

Answer key
Answer key

1 ver and teléfono

2 It is the Spanish side. It has Spanish words on it and Spanish–English written at the side near the top.

3 Spanish-English

4 The last word

5 aburrirse

6 Arturo, Carmen, David, Isabel, Jorge, Juan, María

7 Jorge – because ‘o’ comes before ‘u’

8 Friday; Wednesday

9 Because the second letter of Thursday is ‘h’, which comes before ‘u’, the second letter of Tuesday.

10 Friday, Monday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday

11 June

12 el balón – The clue is (for football, rugby).

13 four – car, tyre, dent, door

14 two – brown and blue

15 two – quietly and happily

16 two – starts and finishes

17 la lluvia

18 It is an example of the verb and so is in the verb section of the entry.

19 Está lloviendo.

20 a verb

Spanish – English

A a

a PREPOSITION

Language tip

When a is followed by a masculine noun, a and the article el turn into al.

1 to (with places) Fueron a Madrid. They went to Madrid.

2 (with movement) Me caí al río. I fell into the river. Se subieron al tejado. They climbed onto the roof. Marta llegó tarde a la estación. Marta arrived at the station late.

3 (with distances) Está a quince kilómetros de aquí. It’s fifteen kilometres from here.

4 at (with time, ages, speed) a las diez at ten o’clock a medianoche at midnight

a los veinticuatro años at the age of twenty-four Íbamos a más de noventa kilómetros por hora. We were going at over ninety kilometres an hour.

5 (with dates) Estamos a nueve de julio. It’s the ninth of July.

6 (with prices) Los huevos están a un euro con cincuenta la docena. Eggs are one euro fifty a dozen.

7 (before an infinitive or a direct object) Voy a verla. I’m going to see her. Vine a decírtelo. I came to tell you. Me obligaban a comer. They forced me to eat. Nos cruzamos al salir. We bumped into each other as we were going out. Se lo di a Ana. I gave it to Ana. Le enseñé a Pablo el libro que me dejaste. I showed Pablo the book you lent me. Se lo compré a él. I bought it from him. Vi a Juan. I saw Juan. Llamé al médico. I called the doctor.

abajo ADVERB

1 below Los platos y las tazas están abajo. The plates and cups are below. La montaña no parece tan alta desde abajo. The mountain doesn’t seem so high from below. Mete las cervezas abajo del todo. Put the beers right at the bottom. El estante de abajo. The bottom shelf.

2 downstairs Abajo están la cocina y el salón. The kitchen and lounge are downstairs. Hay una fiesta en el piso de abajo. There’s a party in the flat downstairs.

la abeja NOUN

bee

el abeto NOUN

fir tree

abierto

abierto can be an adjective or a verb.

A (FEM abierta) ADJECTIVE

1 open ¿Están abiertas las tiendas? Are the shops open?

2 on No dejes el gas abierto. Don’t leave the gas on.

B VERB ▷see abrir He abierto la puerta. I’ve opened the door.

abrazar VERB

to hug Al verme me abrazó. He hugged me when he saw me. ¡Abrázame fuerte! Give me a big hug!

■ abrazarse to hug Se abrazaron y se besaron. They hugged and kissed.

el abrazo NOUN

hug ¡Dame un abrazo! Give me a hug!

un abrazo love

Did you know…?

Did you know that Spanish speakers sometimes end e-mails, postcards, and letters to friends with un abrazo?

abrigar VERB

Esta chaqueta abriga mucho. This jacket’s really warm.

■ abrigarse to wrap up well

el abrigo NOUN

coat

un abrigo de pieles a fur coat ropa de abrigo warm clothing

abril MASC NOUN

April

Language tip

Months are not spelled with a capital letter in Spanish.

Nació el veinte de abril. He was born on the twentieth of April.

en abril in April

abrir VERB

1 to open Las tiendas abren a las diez. The shops open at ten o’clock. Abre la ventana. Open the window. ¡Abre, soy yo! Open the door, it’s me!

2 to turn on Abre el gas. Turn the gas on.

■ abrirse to open De repente se abrió la puerta. Suddenly the door opened.

abrocharse VERB

to do up Abróchate la camisa. Do your shirt up. Abróchense los cinturones. Please fasten your seatbelts.

la abuela NOUN

grandmother mi abuela my grandmother ¿Dónde está la abuela? Where’s Gran?

el abuelo NOUN

grandfather mi abuelo my grandfather ¿Dónde está el abuelo? Where’s Granddad? mis abuelos my grandparents

aburrido (FEM aburrida) ADJECTIVE

1 bored Estaba aburrida y me marché. I was bored so I left.

2 boring No seas aburrida y vente al cine. Don’t be boring and come to the cinema. una película muy aburrida a very boring film

aburrirse VERB

to get bored Me aburro viendo la tele. I get bored watching television.

acabar VERB

to finish Ayer acabé de pintar la valla. Yesterday I finished painting the fence. Acabo de ver a tu padre. I’ve just seen your father.

■ acabarse to run out La impresora te avisa cuando se acaba el papel. The printer tells you when the paper runs out.

acaso ADVERB

por si acaso just in case

el accidente NOUN

accident los accidentes de carretera road accidents Han tenido un accidente. They’ve had a car accident.

la acción (PL las acciones) NOUN

action una película llena de acción an action-packed film

el aceite NOUN

oil el aceite de oliva olive oil

la aceituna NOUN

olive aceitunas rellenas stuffed olives

el acento NOUN

accent ‘Té’ lleva acento cuando significa ‘tea’. ‘Té’ has an accent when it means ‘tea’. Tiene un acento cerrado del sur. He has a strong southern accent.

aceptar VERB

to accept Acepté su invitación. I accepted his invitation. Acepté ayudarles. I agreed to help them.

la acera NOUN

pavement

acerca ADVERB

acerca de about un documental acerca de la fauna africana a documentary about African wildlife

acercar VERB

1 to pass ¿Me acercas la sal? Could you pass me the salt?

2 to bring over Acerca la silla. Bring your chair over here. ¿Acerco más la cama a la ventana? Shall I put the bed nearer the window? Nos acercaron al aeropuerto. They gave us a lift to the airport.

■ acercarse

1 to come closer Acércate, que te vea. Come closer so that I can see you.

2 to go over Me acerqué a la ventana. I went over to the window. Acércate a la tienda y trae una botella de agua. Go over to the shop and get a bottle of water.

acertar VERB

1 to get … right

He acertado todas las respuestas. I got all the answers right. No acerté. I got it wrong.

2 to guess Si aciertas cuántos caramelos hay, te los regalo todos. If you guess how many sweets there are, I’ll give you all of them.

el acierto

acierto can be a noun or a verb.

A NOUN

right answer Tuve más aciertos que fallos en el examen. I got more right answers than wrong ones in the exam.

B VERB ▷see acertar No acierto a entenderlo. I can’t understand it at all.

aclarar VERB

to clear up Necesito que me aclares unas dudas. I need you to clear up some doubts for me. Con tantos números no me aclaro. There are so many numbers that I can’t make head nor tail of it.

acompañar VERB

acompañar a alguien to come with somebody/to go with somebody

Language tip

acompañar a alguien has two meanings. Look at the examples.

Si quieres te acompaño. I’ll come with you if you like. Me pidió que la acompañara a la estación. She asked me to go to the station with her.

aconsejar VERB

to advise Te aconsejo que lo hagas. I’d advise you to do it.

acordarse VERB

to remember Ahora mismo no me acuerdo. Right now I can’t remember. acordarse de to remember ¿Te acuerdas de mí? Do you remember me? Acuérdate de cerrar la puerta con llave. Remember to lock the door.

acostado (FEM acostada) ADJECTIVE

estar acostado to be in bed

acostarse VERB

1 to lie down

2 to go to bed

acostumbrarse VERB

acostumbrarse a to get used to No me acostumbro a la vida en la ciudad. I can’t get used to city life. Ya me he acostumbrado a trabajar de noche. I’ve got used to working at night now.

el acto NOUN

ceremony

en el acto instantly

el actor NOUN

actor

la actriz (PL las actrices) NOUN

actress

la actuación (PL las actuaciones) NOUN

performance Fue una actuación muy buena. It was a very good performance.

actual (FEM actual) ADJECTIVE

present la situación actual del país the country’s present situation uno de los mejores pintores del arte actual one of the greatest painters of today

Language tip

Be careful! actual does not mean the same as actual.

actualmente ADVERB

1 nowadays Actualmente apenas se utilizan las máquinas de escribir. Typewriters are hardly used nowadays.

2 currently Es geólogo, pero actualmente está en el paro. He’s a geologist but he’s currently out of work.

Language tip

Be careful! actualmente does not mean the same as actually.

actuar VERB

1 to act Es difícil actuar con naturalidad delante de las cámaras. It’s hard to act naturally in front of the cameras. No comprendo tu forma de actuar. I can’t understand your behaviour. No actuó en esa película. He wasn’t in that film.

2 to perform Hoy actúan en el Café del Jazz. Today they’ll be performing at the Café del Jazz.

el acuario NOUN

1 aquarium

2 fish tank

el acuerdo

acuerdo can be a noun or part of the verb acordar.

A NOUN

agreement

llegar a un acuerdo to reach an agreement ¡De acuerdo! All right!

B VERB ▷see acordar Ahora no me acuerdo. I can’t remember it now.

acusar VERB

to accuse Su novia lo acusaba de mentiroso. His girlfriend accused him of being a liar.

adelantado (FEM adelantada) ADJECTIVE

1 advanced Suecia es un país muy adelantado. Sweden is a very advanced country. los niños más adelantados de la clase the children who are doing best in the class

2 fast Este reloj va adelantado. This watch is fast.

adelantar VERB

1 to bring … forward Tuvimos que adelantar la boda. We had to bring the wedding forward.

2 to overtake Adelanta a ese camión cuando puedas. Overtake that lorry when you can.

3 to put … forward El domingo hay que adelantar los relojes una hora. On Sunday we’ll have to put the clocks forward an hour.

adelantarse VERB

to go on ahead Me adelanté para coger asiento. I went on ahead to get a seat.

adelante

adelante can be an adverb or an exclamation.

A ADVERB

Se inclinó hacia adelante. He leant forward. más adelante further on/later

Language tip

más adelante has two meanings. Look at the examples.

El pueblo está más adelante. The village is further on. Más adelante hablaremos de los resultados. We’ll discuss the results later.

B EXCLAMATION

1 come on!

2 come in!

adelgazar VERB

to lose weight ¡Cómo has adelgazado! You’ve really lost weight! He adelgazado cinco kilos. I’ve lost five kilos.

además ADVERB

1 as well Es profesor y además carpintero. He’s a teacher and a carpenter as well.

2 what’s more El baño es demasiado pequeño y, además, no tiene ventana. The bathroom’s too small and, what’s more, it hasn’t got a window.

3 besides Además, no tienes nada que perder. Besides, you’ve got nothing to lose.

adentro ADVERB

inside Empezó a llover y se metieron adentro. It began to rain so they went inside.

adhesivo (FEM adhesiva) ADJECTIVE

sticky cinta adhesiva sticky tape

adiós EXCLAMATION

goodbye!

decir adiós a alguien to say goodbye to somebody

adivinar VERB

to guess Adivina quién viene. Guess who’s coming. adivinar el pensamiento a alguien to read somebody’s mind

el adjetivo NOUN

adjective

admirar VERB

to admire Todos la admiran. Everyone admires her. Me admira lo poco que gastas en ropa. I’m amazed at how little you spend on clothes.

admitir VERB

1 to admit Admite que estabas equivocado. Admit you were wrong.

2 to accept La máquina no admite monedas de dos euros. The machine doesn’t accept two-euro coins. Espero que me admitan a la universidad. I hope I’ll get a place at university.

el/la adolescente NOUN

teenager

adónde ADVERB

where ¿Adónde ibas? Where were you going?

adornar VERB

to decorate

el adulto la adulta NOUN

adult

el adverbio NOUN

adverb

advertir VERB

to warn Ya te advertí que sería difícil. I warned you it would be difficult. Te advierto que no va a ser nada fácil. I must warn you that it won’t be at all easy.

aéreo (FEM aérea) ADJECTIVE

air un ataque aéreo an air raid

el aeropuerto NOUN

airport

afectar VERB

to affect Esto a ti no te afecta. This doesn’t affect you.

afeitar VERB

to shave

■ afeitarse to shave Voy a afeitarme. I’m going to shave. Se afeitó la barba. He shaved off his beard.

la afición (PL las aficiones) NOUN

hobby Su afición es la filatelia. His hobby is stamp collecting. Tengo mucha afición por el ciclismo. I’m very keen on cycling.

aficionado aficionada

aficionado can be a noun or an adjective.

A MASC/FEM NOUN

1 enthusiast un libro para los aficionados al ciclismo a book for cycling enthusiasts

2 amateur un partido para aficionados a game for amateurs

B ADJECTIVE

1 keen Es muy aficionada a la pintura. She’s very keen on painting.

2 amateur un equipo de fútbol aficionado an amateur football team

aficionarse VERB

aficionarse a algo to take up something/to become interested in something

Language tip

aficionarse a algo has two meanings. Look at the examples.

Raúl se aficionó al tenis. Raúl took up tennis. Me he aficionado al teatro. I’ve become interested in theatre.

afirmar VERB

afirmar que … to say that … Afirmaba que no la conocía. He said that he didn’t know her.

aflojar VERB

to loosen

■ aflojarse to come loose Se ha aflojado un tornillo. A screw has come loose.

afónico (FEM afónica) ADJECTIVE

Estoy afónico. I’ve lost my voice.

afortunado (FEM afortunada) ADJECTIVE

lucky Es un tipo afortunado. He’s a lucky guy.

afuera ADVERB

outside Vámonos afuera. Let’s go outside.

las afueras NOUN

outskirts en las afueras de Barcelona on the outskirts of Barcelona

agacharse VERB

to crouch down

agarrar VERB

1 to grab Agarró a su hermano por el hombro. He grabbed his brother by the shoulder.

2 to hold Agarra bien la sartén. Hold the frying pan firmly.

■ agarrarse to hold on Agárrate a la barandilla. Hold on to the rail.

la agenda NOUN

1 diary

2 address book

Language tip

Be careful! agenda does not mean the same as agenda.

agitar VERB

to shake Agítese antes de usar. Shake before use.

agosto MASC NOUN

August

Language tip

Months are not spelled with a capital letter in Spanish.

en agosto in August el ocho de agosto the eighth of August Nació el ocho de agosto. He was born on the eighth of August.

agotado (FEM agotada) ADJECTIVE

1 exhausted Estoy agotado. I’m exhausted.

2 sold out Ese modelo en concreto está agotado. That particular model is sold out.

agotar VERB

1 to use up Agotamos todas nuestras reservas. We used up all our supplies.

2 to tire out Me agota tanto ejercicio. All this exercise is tiring me out.

■ agotarse to run out Se está agotando la leña. The firewood’s running out. Se agotaron todas las entradas. The tickets all sold out.

agradable (FEM agradable) ADJECTIVE

nice

agradecer VERB

agradecer algo a alguien to thank somebody for something Te agradezco tu interés. Thank you for your interest.

la agresión (PL las agresiones) NOUN

attack

el agricultor la agricultora NOUN

farmer

la agricultura NOUN

farming

el agua FEM NOUN

water

agua corriente running water agua potable drinking water

aguantar VERB

1 to stand No aguanto la ópera. I can’t stand opera. Su vecina no la aguanta. Her neighbour can’t stand her. Últimamente estás que no hay quien te aguante. You’ve been unbearable lately.

2 to take La estantería no va a aguantar el peso. The shelf won’t take the weight.

3 to hold Aguántame el martillo un momento. Can you hold the hammer for me for a moment? Aguanta la respiración. Hold your breath. No pude aguantar la risa. I couldn’t help laughing. Si no puede venir, que se aguante. If he can’t come, he’ll just have to lump it.

agudo (FEM aguda) ADJECTIVE

1 sharp

2 high-pitched

B b

el bache NOUN

1 pothole

2 bump

el Bachillerato NOUN

Did you know…?

The Bachillerato is a two-year secondary school course leading to university.

la bacteria NOUN

bacterium

la bahía NOUN

bay

bailar VERB

to dance sacar a bailar a alguien to ask somebody to dance

el bailarín la bailarina NOUN (MASC PL los bailarines)

dancer

el baile NOUN

dance Me han invitado a un baile. I have been invited to a dance.

bajar VERB

1 to go down Bajó la escalera muy despacio. He went down the stairs very slowly.

2 to come down Baja y ayúdame. Come down and help me.

3 to take down ¿Has bajado la basura? Have you taken the rubbish down?

4 to bring down ¿Me bajas el abrigo? Could you bring my coat down?

5 to fall Han bajado los precios. Prices have fallen.

6 to turn down Baja la radio. Turn the radio down.

7 to download

■ bajarse de to get off/to get out of/ to get down from

Language tip

bajarse de has three meanings. Look at the examples.

Se bajó del autobús antes que yo. He got off the bus before me. ¡Bájate del coche! Get out of the car! ¡Bájate del árbol! Get down from the tree!

bajo (FEM baja)

bajo can be an adjective, a preposition or an adverb.

A ADJECTIVE

1 low una silla muy baja a very low chair la temporada baja the low season Hablaban en voz baja. They were speaking quietly.

2 short Mi hermano es muy bajo. My brother is very short.

3 ground Viven en la planta baja. They live on the ground floor.

B PREPOSITION

under Juan llevaba un libro bajo el brazo. Juan was carrying a book under his arm.

C ADVERB

1 low El avión volaba muy bajo. The plane was flying very low.

2 quietly ¡Habla bajo! Speak quietly!

la bala NOUN

bullet

el balcón (PL los balcones) NOUN

balcony

la baldosa NOUN

tile

la ballena NOUN

whale

el ballet (PL los ballets) NOUN

ballet

el balón (PL los balones) NOUN

ball

balón de fútbol football

el baloncesto NOUN

basketball jugar al baloncesto to play basketball

el balonvolea NOUN

volleyball jugar al balonvolea to play volleyball

el banco NOUN

1 bench

2 bank

la banda NOUN

1 band Toca la trompeta en una banda. He plays the trumpet with a band.

2 gang La policía ha cogido a toda la banda. The police have caught the whole gang. la banda ancha broadband la banda sonora the soundtrack

la bandeja NOUN

tray

la bandera NOUN

flag

la banqueta NOUN

stool

el banquillo NOUN

bench El entrenador está en el banquillo. The trainer is sitting on the bench.

el bañador NOUN

1 swimming trunks

2 swimming costume

bañarse VERB

1 to have a bath

Me gusta más bañarme que ducharme. I prefer having a bath to having a shower.

2 to go for a swim Estuve en la playa pero no me bañé. I went to the beach but I didn’t go for a swim.

la bañera NOUN

bath

el baño NOUN

1 bathroom La casa tiene dos baños. The house has two bathrooms. darse un baño to have a bath/to go for a swim

Language tip

darse un baño has two meanings. It can be translated by to have a bath or to go for a swim.

2 toilet ¿Puedo usar el baño, por favor? Can I use the toilet, please?

el bar NOUN

bar

la baraja NOUN

pack of cards

barato (FEM barata)

barato can be an adjective or an adverb.

A ADJECTIVE

cheap Esta marca es más barata que aquélla. This brand is cheaper than that one.

B ADVERB

cheaply Aquí se come muy barato. You can eat really cheaply here.

la barba NOUN

beard dejarse barba to grow a beard

la barbaridad NOUN

1 atrocity Hicieron barbaridades en la guerra. They committed atrocities during the war.

2 Pablo come una barbaridad. Pablo eats an awful lot.

la barbilla NOUN

chin

la barca NOUN

boat

el barco NOUN

1 ship

2 boat

un barco de vela a sailing boat

la barra NOUN

bar una barra metálica a metal bar Me tomé un café en la barra. I had a coffee at the bar. una barra de pan a French stick una barra de labios a lipstick

barrer VERB

to sweep

la barrera NOUN

barrier

la barriga NOUN

belly Estás echando barriga. You’re getting a bit of a belly. Me duele la barriga. I’ve got a stomachache.

el barrio NOUN

area Ese chico no es del barrio. That boy’s not from this area.

el barro NOUN

mud Me llené los zapatos de barro. My shoes got covered in mud.

el barullo NOUN

racket armar barullo to make a racket

la báscula NOUN

scales

la base NOUN

base la base de la columna the base of the column

básico (FEM básica) ADJECTIVE

basic

bastante (FEM bastante)

bastante can be an adjective or an adverb.

A ADJECTIVE

1 enough No tengo bastante dinero. I haven’t got enough money. ¿Hay bastante? Is there enough?

2 quite a lot of Vino bastante gente. Quite a lot of people came. Se tarda bastante tiempo en llegar. It takes quite a while to get there.

B ADVERB

quite Son bastante ricos. They are quite rich.

bastar VERB

to be enough Con esto basta. That’s enough. ¡Basta ya de tonterías! That’s enough of your nonsense!

¡Basta! That’s enough!

la basura NOUN

1 rubbish Eso es basura. That’s rubbish. tirar algo a la basura to put something in the bin

2 litter

el basurero NOUN

dustman

la bata NOUN

overall

la batalla NOUN

battle

batería

batería can be a feminine or masculine noun.

A FEM NOUN

1 battery Se ha agotado la batería. The battery is flat.

2 drums ¿Tocas la batería? Do you play the drums?

B MASC/FEM NOUN

drummer

el batido NOUN

1 milkshake un batido de fresa a strawberry milkshake

2 smoothie

batir VERB

1 to break

2 to beat

el baúl NOUN

1 chest

2 trunk

el bautizo NOUN

christening

beber VERB

to drink Hay que beber mucha agua en verano. You need to drink a lot of water in the summer.

la bebida NOUN

drink bebidas alcohólicas alcoholic drinks

la beca NOUN

1 grant

2 scholarship

el beicon NOUN

bacon

la belleza NOUN

beauty

bello (FEM bella) ADJECTIVE

beautiful

bendecir VERB

to bless

la bendición (PL las bendiciones) NOUN

blessing

las bermudas NOUN

Bermuda shorts Le compré unas bermudas. I bought him a pair of Bermuda shorts.

besar VERB

to kiss Ana y Pepe se besaron. Ana and Pepe kissed each other.

el beso NOUN

kiss

Dame un beso. Give me a kiss.

besos love

Did you know…?

Did you know that Spanish speakers sometimes end e-mails, postcards, and letters to friends with un beso (a kiss) or besos (kisses)?

la bestia NOUN

beast

la Biblia NOUN

Bible

la biblioteca NOUN

library

el bicho NOUN

insect Me ha picado un bicho. I’ve been bitten by an insect. David es un bicho raro. David’s weird.

la bici NOUN

bike

la bicicleta NOUN

bicycle una bicicleta de montaña a mountain bike

bien

bien can be an adverb or a noun.

A ADVERB

1 well Habla bien el español. He speaks Spanish well.

2 good Huele bien. It smells good. Lo pasamos muy bien. We had a very good time. Ese libro está muy bien. That’s a very good book. Has contestado bien. You gave the right answer. Hiciste bien en decírselo. You were right to tell him. ¡Está bien! Lo haré. OK! I’ll do it.

3 very un café bien caliente a very hot coffee

¡Qué bien! Excellent!

B MASC NOUN

good Lo digo por tu bien. I’m telling you for your own good. los bienes possessions todos los bienes de la familia all the family’s possessions

la bienvenida NOUN

dar la bienvenida a alguien to welcome somebody una fiesta de bienvenida a welcome party

bienvenido (FEM bienvenida)

bienvenido can be an adjective or an exclamation.

A ADJECTIVE

welcome Siempre serás bienvenido aquí. You will always be welcome here.

B EXCLAMATION

welcome!

el bigote NOUN

moustache

el bikini NOUN

bikini

bilingüe (FEM bilingüe) ADJECTIVE

bilingual

el billar NOUN

billiards el billar americano pool

el billete NOUN

1 ticket un billete de metro an underground ticket un billete de ida y vuelta a return ticket

2 note un billete de veinte euros a twenty-euro note

el billón (PL los billones) NOUN

un billón a million million

Language tip

Be careful! billón does not mean billion.

biodegradable (FEM biodegradable) ADJECTIVE

biodegradable

la biografía NOUN

biography

la biología NOUN

biology

biológico (FEM biológica) ADJECTIVE

1 organic

2 biological

el biquini NOUN

bikini

la bisabuela NOUN

great-grandmother

el bisabuelo NOUN

great-grandfather mis bisabuelos my great-grandparents

el bistec (PL los bistecs) NOUN

steak

bizco (FEM bizca) ADJECTIVE

cross-eyed

el bizcocho NOUN

sponge cake

blanco

blanco can be an adjective or a noun.

A (FEM blanca) ADJECTIVE

white un vestido blanco a white dress

B MASC NOUN

white Me gusta el blanco. I like white. Me quedé en blanco. My mind went blank.

blando (FEM blanda) ADJECTIVE

soft Este colchón es muy blando. This mattress is very soft.

el bloc (PL los blocs) NOUN

writing pad un bloc de dibujo a drawing pad

el blog NOUN

blog

el bloque NOUN

block un bloque de pisos a block of flats

bloquear VERB

to block La nieve bloqueó las carreteras. The snow blocked the roads.

la blusa NOUN

blouse

la bobada NOUN

Este programa es una bobada. This programme is stupid.

decir bobadas to talk nonsense

bobo (FEM boba) ADJECTIVE

silly

la boca NOUN

mouth No debes hablar con la boca llena. You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full. No abrió la boca en toda la tarde. He didn’t open his mouth all afternoon. Me quedé con la boca abierta. I was speechless.

boca abajo face down boca arriba face up

el bocadillo NOUN

sandwich un bocadillo de queso a cheese sandwich

Did you know…?

In Spain, a bocadillo is usually made with a baguette.

el bocado NOUN

bite Dame un bocado de tu bocadillo. Let me have a bite of your sandwich. No he probado bocado desde ayer. I haven’t had a bite to eat since yesterday.

el bocata NOUN

sandwich Ya me he comido el bocata. I’ve already had my sandwich. un bocata de queso a cheese sandwich

Did you know…?

In Spain, a bocata is usually made with a baguette.

la boda NOUN

wedding

la bofetada NOUN

slap Le dio una bofetada. She slapped him.

la bola NOUN

1 ball una bola de nieve a snowball

2 scoop

el boli NOUN

pen

el bolígrafo NOUN

pen

el bollo NOUN

bun Me he comido un bollo para desayunar. I had a bun for breakfast.

los bolos NOUN

tenpin bowling

la bolsa NOUN

bag una bolsa de plástico a plastic bag

el bolsillo NOUN

pocket

Sacó las llaves del bolsillo. He took the keys out of his pocket. un libro de bolsillo a paperback

el bolso NOUN

bag

la bomba NOUN

bomb

el bombero NOUN

fireman

la bombilla NOUN

lightbulb

el bombón (PL los bombones) NOUN

chocolate

la bombona NOUN

gas cylinder

bonito (FEM bonita) ADJECTIVE

pretty una casa muy bonita a very pretty house

el borde NOUN

edge al borde de la mesa at the edge of the table

borracho (FEM borracha) ADJECTIVE

drunk Estás borracho. You’re drunk.

el borrador NOUN

1 duster Usó un trapo como borrador. He used a rag as a duster.

2 rough draft Escribe primero un borrador. First write a rough draft.

borrar VERB

1 to rub out Borra toda la palabra. Rub out the whole word.

2 to clean Borra la pizarra. Clean the blackboard. borrarse de to take one’s name off/to leave

Language tip

borrarse de has two meanings. Look at the examples.

Voy a borrarme de la lista. I’m going to take my name off the list. Se borró del club. He left the club.

el bosque NOUN

1 wood

2 forest

bostezar VERB

to yawn

la bota NOUN

boot

botar VERB

to bounce Esta pelota no bota. This ball doesn’t bounce.

el bote NOUN

1 boat un bote salvavidas a lifeboat

2 jar

pegar un bote to jump

la botella NOUN

bottle

el botón (PL los botones) NOUN

button He perdido un botón de la camisa. I’ve lost a button off my shirt. pulsar un botón to press a button

boxear VERB

to box

el boxeo NOUN

boxing

las bragas NOUN

knickers unas bragas a pair of knickers

la bragueta NOUN

fly

bravo EXCLAMATION

well done!

la braza NOUN

breaststroke nadar a braza to do the breaststroke

el brazo NOUN

arm Me duele el brazo. My arm hurts. Estaba sentada con los brazos cruzados. She was sitting with her arms folded.

breve (FEM breve) ADJECTIVE

short un relato breve a short story

brillante

brillante can be an adjective or a noun.

A (FEM brillante) ADJECTIVE

shiny Tenía el pelo brillante. Her hair was shiny.

B MASC NOUN

diamond

brillar VERB

1 to shine

Hoy brilla el sol. The sun is shining today.

2 to sparkle

el brillo NOUN

1 shine

2 sparkle

británico británica

británico can be an adjective or a noun.

A ADJECTIVE

British

B MASC/FEM NOUN

British person los británicos the British

la brocha NOUN

paintbrush

el broche NOUN

1 clasp

2 brooch

la broma NOUN

joke Le gastamos una broma al profesor. We played a joke on the teacher. decir algo en broma to say something as a joke una broma pesada a practical joke

bromear VERB

to joke

el/la bromista NOUN

joker

la bronca NOUN

1 row Tuvieron una bronca muy gorda. They had a huge row.

2 fuss

echar una bronca a alguien to tell somebody off

el bronce NOUN

bronze

el bronceado NOUN

suntan

el bronceador NOUN

suntan lotion

la bruja NOUN

witch

el brujo NOUN

wizard

la brújula NOUN

compass

bruto (FEM bruta) ADJECTIVE

rough ¡No seas bruto! Don’t be so rough!

bucear VERB

to dive

buen ADJECTIVE ▷see bueno

Language tip

When bueno goes in front of a masculine singular noun it is shortened to buen.

Es un buen hombre. He’s a good man.

bueno (FEM buena) ADJECTIVE

good Es un buen libro. It’s a good book. Hace buen tiempo. The weather’s good. Es buena persona. He’s a good person. un buen trozo a good slice ser bueno para to be good for Está muy bueno este bizcocho. This sponge cake is lovely. ¡Buenos días! Good morning! ¡Buenas tardes! Good afternoon!/Good evening! ¡Buenas noches! Good evening!/Good night!

Language tip

Did you know that the Spanish use ¡buenas tardes! in the afternoon and early evening and ¡buenas noches! when it starts to get dark as well as when they say good night?

¡Bueno! OK!

la bufanda NOUN

scarf

el búho NOUN

owl

el bulto NOUN

lump Tengo un bulto en la frente. I have a lump on my forehead.

la burbuja NOUN

bubble un refresco sin burbujas a still drink un refresco con burbujas a fizzy drink

la burla NOUN

Siempre hacen burla de mí. They are always making fun of me.

burlarse VERB

Siempre se burlan de mí. They are always making fun of me.

la burrada NOUN

Siempre andan haciendo burradas. They’re always messing around.

burro

burro can be a noun or an adjective.

A MASC NOUN

1 donkey

2 idiot Eres un burro. You’re an idiot.

B (FEM burra) ADJECTIVE

1 thick

2 rough

el buscador NOUN

search engine

buscar VERB

1 to look for Estoy buscando las gafas. I’m looking for my glasses.

2 to pick up Mi madre siempre me viene a buscar al colegio en coche. My mother always picks me up from school in the car.

3 to look up Busca la palabra en el diccionario. Look the word up in the dictionary. Él se lo ha buscado. He was asking for it.

la búsqueda NOUN

search

la butaca NOUN

armchair

el buzo NOUN

diver

el buzón (PL los buzones) NOUN

1 letterbox

Did you know…?

Spanish letterboxes tend to be American-Style boxes in which the postman leaves mail rather than the hole in the door that is common in the UK.

2 postbox echar una carta al buzón to post a letter buzón de voz voice mail

C c

el caballo NOUN

horse ¿Te gusta montar a caballo? Do you like horseriding?

el cabello NOUN

hair

caber VERB

to fit No cabe en mi armario. It won’t fit in my cupboard. No cabe nadie más. There’s no room for anyone else.

la cabeza NOUN

head Se rascó la cabeza. He scratched his head.

la cabina NOUN

phone box

el cable NOUN

cable

la cabra NOUN

goat

cabrá VERB ▷see caber No sé si cabrá. I don’t know whether it will fit.

el cachorro la cachorra NOUN

1 puppy

2 cub

cada (FEM cada) ADJECTIVE

1 each Cada libro es de un color distinto. Each book is a different colour. cada uno each one

2 every cada año every year cada vez que la veo every time I see her Viene cada vez más gente. More and more people are coming. Viene cada vez menos. He comes less and less often. Cada vez hace más frío. It’s getting colder and colder.

la cadena NOUN

1 chain una cadena de oro a gold chain

2 channel Por la cadena tres ponen una película. There’s a film on channel three.

tirar de la cadena to flush the toilet

caer VERB

to fall ¡Cuidado que vas a caer! Careful or you’ll fall! Su hermano me cae muy bien. I really like his brother. Eva me cae muy mal. I can’t stand Eva.

■ caerse to fall Tropecé y me caí. I tripped and fell. Se me cayeron las monedas. I dropped the coins.

el café (PL los cafés) NOUN

1 coffee un café con leche a white coffee

2 café

caigo VERB ▷see caer ¡Ahora caigo! Now I remember!

la caja NOUN

1 box una caja de zapatos a shoe box

2 checkout

el cajón (PL los cajones) NOUN

drawer

el calcetín (PL los calcetines) NOUN

sock

la calculadora NOUN

calculator

la calefacción NOUN

heating calefacción central central heating

el calendario NOUN

calendar

el calentamiento NOUN

el calentamiento global global warming ejercicios de calentamiento warm-up exercises

calentar VERB

1 to heat up ¿Quieres que te caliente la leche? Do you want me to heat up the milk for you?

2 to warm up

calentarse VERB

1 to heat up Espera a que se caliente el agua. Wait for the water to heat up.

2 to warm up Deja que se caliente el motor. Let the engine warm up.

caliente (FEM caliente) ADJECTIVE

hot Esta sopa está muy caliente. This soup is very hot.

la calificación (PL las calificaciones) NOUN

mark Obtuvo buenas calificaciones. He got good marks. boletín de calificaciones school report

callado (FEM callada) ADJECTIVE

quiet una persona muy callada a very quiet person

callar VERB

to be quiet Calla, que no me dejas concentrarme. Be quiet, I can’t concentrate.

■ callarse to keep quiet/to stop talking

Language tip

callarse has two meanings. Look at the examples.

Prefirió callarse. He preferred to keep quiet. Al entrar el profesor, todos se callaron. When the teacher came in, everyone stopped talking.

la calle NOUN

street Viven en la calle Peñalver, 13. They live at number 13, Peñalver Street. Hoy no he salido a la calle. I haven’t been out today.

calmar VERB

to calm down Intenté calmarla un poco. I tried to calm her down a little. ¡Cálmate! Calm down!

el calor NOUN

heat No se puede trabajar con este calor. It’s impossible to work in this heat.

Hace calor. It’s hot. Tengo calor. I’m hot.

los calzoncillos NOUN

underpants unos calzoncillos a pair of underpants

la cama NOUN

bed Está en la cama. He’s in bed.

hacer la cama to make the bed irse a la cama to go to bed

la cámara NOUN

camera

una cámara digital a digital camera

la camarera NOUN

waitress

el camarero NOUN

waiter

cambiar VERB

1 to change No has cambiado nada. You haven’t changed a bit. He cambiado de idea. I’ve changed my mind. Voy a cambiarme. I’m going to get changed.

2 to swap Me gusta el tuyo, te lo cambio. I like yours, let’s swap.

cambiar de idea to change one’s mind

el cambio NOUN

change un cambio brusco de temperatura a sudden change in temperature ¿Tiene cambio de veinte euros? Have you got change of twenty euros?

caminar VERB

to walk

el camino NOUN

1 path

2 way ¿Sabes el camino a su casa? Do you know the way to his house? La farmacia me pilla de camino. The chemist’s is on my way.

el camión (PL los camiones) NOUN

lorry

la camisa NOUN

shirt

la camiseta NOUN

1 T-shirt

2 vest

3 shirt

el campamento NOUN

camp un campamento de verano a summer camp

la campana NOUN

bell

el campeón la campeona NOUN

champion

el camping (PL los campings) NOUN

1 camping Fuimos de camping este verano. We went camping this summer.

2 campsite Estamos en un camping. We’re at a campsite.

el campo NOUN

1 country Prefiero vivir en el campo. I prefer living in the country.

2 pitch un campo de fútbol a football pitch

el canal NOUN

1 channel Por el canal dos ponen una película. They’re showing a film on channel two.

2 channel el Canal de la Mancha the English Channel

la canción (PL las canciones) NOUN

song

el cangrejo NOUN

crab

cansado (FEM cansada) ADJECTIVE

tired Estoy muy cansado. I’m very tired.

Estoy cansado de hacer lo mismo todos los días. I’m tired of doing the same thing every day.

cansarse VERB

to get tired Está muy débil y enseguida se cansa. He is very weak and gets tired quickly. Me cansé de esperarlo y me marché. I got tired of waiting for him and I left.

el/la cantante NOUN

singer

cantar VERB

to sing

la cantidad NOUN

1 quantity La calidad es más importante que la cantidad. Quality is more important than quantity. ¡Qué cantidad de gente! What a lot of people!

2 amount una cierta cantidad de dinero a certain amount of money

la capa NOUN

layer la capa de ozono the ozone layer

el capitán la capitana NOUN

captain

el capítulo NOUN

chapter

la capucha NOUN

hood

la cara NOUN

1 face Tiene la cara alargada. He has a long face. Tienes mala cara. You don’t look well. No pongas esa cara. Don’t look like that.

2 cheek ¡Qué cara! What a cheek!

3 side un folio escrito por las dos caras a sheet written on both sides

¿Cara o cruz? Heads or tails?

el caramelo NOUN

sweet

la carga NOUN

refill

cargar VERB

1 to load Cargaron el coche de maletas. They loaded the car with suitcases.

2 to charge

la caries (PL las caries) NOUN

1 tooth decay

2 cavity

cariñoso (FEM cariñosa) ADJECTIVE

affectionate Es muy cariñosa con los niños. She is very affectionate towards the children.

la carne NOUN

meat No como carne. I don’t eat meat.

carne de cerdo pork carne picada mince carne de ternera veal carne de vaca beef

el carnet (PL los carnets) NOUN

card el carnet de identidad identity card un carnet de conducir a driving licence

caro (FEM cara) ADJECTIVE, ADVERB

expensive Aquí todo lo venden tan caro. Everything is so expensive here.

la carpeta NOUN

folder

la carrera NOUN

race una carrera de caballos a horse race

la carretera NOUN

road

el carrito NOUN

trolley

el carro NOUN

1 cart

2 trolley

la carta NOUN

1 letter Le he escrito una carta a Juan. I’ve written Juan a letter.

2 card jugar a las cartas to play cards

el cartel NOUN

1 poster

2 sign

la cartera NOUN

1 satchel

2 wallet

el cartero NOUN

postman

el cartón (PL los cartones) NOUN

cardboard una caja de cartón a cardboard box

el cartucho NOUN

cartridge

la cartulina NOUN

card

la casa NOUN

1 house

2 home

Estábamos en casa. We were at home. Nos vamos a casa. We’re going home. Estábamos en casa de Juan. We were at Juan’s.

casado (FEM casada) ADJECTIVE

married una mujer casada a married woman Está casado con una francesa. He’s married to a French woman.

casarse VERB

to get married Quieren casarse. They want to get married.

la cascada NOUN

waterfall

la cáscara NOUN

1 shell

2 skin

casi ADVERB

almost Casi me ahogo. I almost drowned. Son casi las cinco. It’s nearly five o’clock. Casi no comí. I hardly ate.

la casilla NOUN

box

el caso NOUN

case En casos así es mejor callarse. In such cases it’s better to keep quiet. El caso es que no me queda dinero. The thing is, I haven’t got any money left. No le hagas caso. Don’t take any notice of him.

la caspa NOUN

dandruff

la castaña NOUN

chestnut

castaño (FEM castaña) ADJECTIVE

brown Mi hermana tiene el pelo castaño. My sister has brown hair.

castigar VERB

to punish Mi padre me castigó por contestarle. My father punished me for answering him back.

el castigo NOUN

punishment Tuve que escribirlo diez veces, como castigo. I had to write it out ten times, as punishment.

el castillo NOUN

castle un castillo de arena a sandcastle

la casualidad NOUN

coincidence ¡Qué casualidad! What a coincidence! Nos encontramos por casualidad. We met by chance.

el catarro NOUN

cold Vas a pillar un catarro. You’re going to catch a cold.

la catástrofe NOUN

catastrophe

catorce (FEM catorce) ADJECTIVE, PRONOUN

fourteen

el catorce de enero the fourteenth of January Nació el catorce de enero. He was born on the fourteenth of January.

la causa NOUN

cause No se sabe la causa del accidente. The cause of the accident is unknown.

a causa de because of

causar VERB

to cause La lluvia causó muchos daños. The rain caused a lot of damage.

cayendo VERB ▷see caer

Está cayendo nieve. It’s snowing.

la cazadora NOUN

jacket

la cebolla NOUN

onion

la ceja NOUN

eyebrow

celebrar VERB

to celebrate

el celo NOUN

Sellotape®

los celos NOUN

jealousy Lo hizo por celos. He did it out of jealousy. Tiene celos de su mejor amiga. She’s jealous of her best friend.

celoso (FEM celosa) ADJECTIVE

jealous Está celoso de su hermano. He’s jealous of his brother.

el cemento NOUN

cement

la cena NOUN

dinner La cena es a las ocho. Dinner is at eight o’clock.

cenar VERB

to have dinner No he cenado. I haven’t had dinner. ¿Qué quieres cenar? What do you want for dinner?

Did you know…?

In Spain, people generally eat later than in the UK. Lunch is usually around two and people tend to have dinner around nine or ten.

el cenicero NOUN

ashtray

la ceniza NOUN

ash

centígrado (FEM centígrada) ADJECTIVE

centigrade veinte grados centígrados twenty degrees centigrade

el centímetro NOUN

centimetre

el céntimo NOUN

cent

central (FEM central) ADJECTIVE

central

el centro NOUN

centre un centro comercial a shopping centre

Fui al centro a hacer unas compras. I went into town to do some shopping.

cepillar VERB

to brush

Se está cepillando los dientes. He’s brushing his teeth.

el cepillo NOUN

brush un cepillo de dientes a toothbrush