Real world Spanish

If you took Spanish in high school you probably never heard a sentence like this

Que pedo guey
Whats up dude

Vamos a echar la hueva todo el fin
Are we going to chill all weekend

Tienes chamba
You have to work

No manches
Dont mess with me

You might not find words like pedo hueva or chamba in a textbook but who wants to speak like a textbook

I am Esteban a Babbel teacher and today I want to share four tips to fill your learning with the color and life of real world Spanish

I will discuss how to communicate in context incorporate regional flavor to your learning and move beyond literal translations from your first language

I will also touch on the importance of speaking with real Spanish speakers and offer some tips on how to make that happen

But first remember to subscribe down here for more videos about language learning

Lo hiciste
Did you do it

Okay then lets get started

In the real world no one will ask you about the differences between the preterite and the imperfect

In fact plenty of native Spanish speakers could not give you the textbook definition of those two forms of the past tense

But that does not mean they could not use them correctly

They have the advantage of a lifetime of hearing the language but as a learner you can take a similar approach

The most effective way to learn a language is using it in context speaking and listening

There is no harm in looking up a grammar rule from time to time if you are curious but the bulk of your effort should be creating opportunities to encounter the language as people actually use it

To stick with our past tense example over time with enough repeated exposure to the language you will develop the instincts to use the right verb in conversation without consciously analyzing the syntax of your sentence

Studying should supplement your exposure to Spanish not the other way around

So instead of memorizing every verb that is irregular in the subjunctive mood focus on putting yourself in communicative scenarios

Interactive situations where you have something you want to express whether that is ordering dinner or discussing the ethical dilemmas created by modern technology

If you cannot find opportunities for that kind of communication in normal life consider a class in person or online

Part of what makes Spanish so fun is the incredible linguistic diversity it contains

The Spanish in Puerto Rico is mutually intelligible with the Spanish in Colombia or Argentina but they are far from identical

If you know you will be spending a lot of time in one place or speaking with people from a certain country consider taking the time to learn some of what makes that regions Spanish unique

In Colombia for example you will probably use usted whenever you are talking to one person no matter who that person is

In so called standard Spanish though usted is reserved for formal situations

In some academic environments you are taught a standardized version of Spanish as if it is the only correct way to speak

But if you want to talk with a Tico from Costa Rica or a Porteno from Buenos Aires you will probably hear verbs conjugated in the vos form

Your textbook probably will not show you that

It is also just fun to learn the different words that take hold in different parts of the Spanish speaking world

One persons lapicero is anothers pluma

Do you get on the autobus in the morning or the guagua

If nothing else breaking out one of those regional word choices as a foreigner is likely to get you into some pretty fun conversations with locals

Slang can also be a part of that regional variety although nowadays with the internet a lot of words cross borders

Slang not only helps form a connection with the people that use it it can also keep you engaged with fun new words

There is a reason so many beginner students want to learn swear words in their new language

La jerga es chida
Slang is cool

La jerga es bacana
Slang is cool

If you want the real world Spanish you need to start thinking in Spanish rather than translating from English

More easy to say it than to do it

Uh I mean mas facil decirlo que hacerlo

It is actually not as complicated as it might seem

The more you can think in terms of communicating ideas rather than translating every individual word the quicker you will feel comfortable communicating with native speakers

Take a sentence like I am looking forward to it

Do not dwell on the vocabulary for to look or forward

That will probably take you in the wrong direction

Instead try to think of how to convey the same idea with the Spanish you know

Depending on your experience that could look a bunch of ways

Estoy muy ilusionado
I am very excited

Me gusta la idea
I like the idea

Or simply muy bien
Very good

At a restaurant a native English speaker might say

Puedo tener una hamburguesa
Can I have a hamburger

Literally can I have a hamburger

There is nothing really wrong with that the waiter will understand you and that is the point of language after all

But if you are trying to get to the next level of fluency it will help to repeatedly put yourself in that situation as an observer and participant

Then you can get familiar with some of the more common constructions for ordering food in Spanish

Me traes una hamburguesa
Bring me a hamburger

Yo quiero una hamburguesa
I want a hamburger

Para mi una hamburguesa por favor
For me a hamburger please

You can choose the phrases you like best or let the people around you be your inspiration

For some people textbooks can be a good resource

For most of us though it is much easier to make progress quickly by speaking with real people

Spanish is very widely spoken around the world

Regardless of where you live it is very possible you can go out there and meet some native speakers

This is the best way to really learn real world Spanish

If you know native speakers you can ask them about their favorite slang words about their culture their favorite films

It will also expose you to the natural flow of the language including its rhythm and intonation and colloquial expressions

It can be especially effective to connect with people who share your interests

If you love flamenco or bachata there are definitely Spanish speakers out there who share your passion

But if you love death metal concerts guess what there are definitely Spanish speakers out there who share your passion

Whether you want to discuss the NBA or anime there are hispanohablantes out there on YouTube Discord TikTok and in the real world who are already talking about it

Talking to native speakers can also boost your confidence

In general people are very receptive to others who are learning their language and this tends to be very true for most Spanish speakers

Remember that learning a language is not just about memorizing rules it is about connecting with people understanding new cultures and expressing yourself in ways you have never thought possible

So if you are ready to take your Spanish from out of your head and into reality try to put some of these tips into practice

Let me know any questions you have in the comments and thanks for watching