Hola Reader,

Today, I want to talk about “dos cosas” (two things):

1. Something that always makes me laugh about the Spanish language

2. Update on my Salsa classes and a tip on how to learn Spanish slang

SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS MAKE ME LAUGH ABOUT THE SPANISH LANGUAGE

One thing that always makes me laugh about the Spanish language is how Spanish-speakers add “on” or “ona” to a body part in order to describe someone.

I have included some examples. In the first column the name of the body part appears and in the second column I have written the description that you get when you add “on” or “ona.”

Por supuesto (of course), “on” is used when referring to a male and “ona” when referring to a female.

cachetes - cacheton(a) - big cheeked cabeza - cabezon(a) - big headed nariz - narizon(a) - big nosed piernas - piernona - big legged oreja - orejona - big earred boca - bocona - big mouthed tetas - tetona - big breasted ojo - ojon(a) - big eyed pies - pieson(a) - big footed mano - manon(a) - big handed culo - culona - big buttocked caderas - caderona - big hipped

From what I have been told from some Colombian women, at one time the last two, “culona” and “caderona,” were not considered the most complimentary ways to describe a woman - at least not compared to phrases such as “tetona.” But with the popularity of Jennifer Lopez, terms such as “culona” and “caderona” have become very “halagador” (flattering) terms to use to describe Colombian women.

So I guess Jennifer Lopez has had the same effect on Colombia that she has had on America.

MY SALSA CLASSES AND A TIP ON HOW TO LEARN SPANISH SLANG

I received an email yesterday from a reader who asked, “Patrick, how are your Salsa classes going? You sent us an email a couple of weeks ago saying that you had just started Salsa classes and you have not mentioned anything about your Salsa classes since.”

Well, I am glad she asked. I am having a lot of fun in my Salsa classes and learning how to dance Salsa at the same time.

On the first day of classes, the Salsa instructor asked the class “does anyone know where Salsa originated from?” The Colombianos in the class responded with “Puerto Rico” and “Cuba.” But only this Gringo knew the correct answer: Nueva York

The Colombianos in the class thought I was “loco” when I said that “Salsa comenzó en Nueva York” Our Salsa instructor had to confirm that Salsa music did in fact originate in New York City before anyone believed me. That is, Salsa was founded by Puerto Ricans in New York (or “Newyoricans” or “Nuyoricans” as we say in New York City) — with the help of some Cubans.

By the way, listening to Salsa music is an excellent way to learn more Spanish and pick up lots of new Spanish. There are basically two types of Salsa music: “romántica” y “clásica”

You can learns lots of Spanish by listening to either one. I have a Colombian friend who told me that he has learned lots of new English words from listening to Country Western music.

Of course, you can also pick up lots of new Spanish vocabulary by listening to Merengue music (Dominican dance music). But I have found that the “letras” (lyrics) to Merengue music often don’t make sense and are often just “letras” for dancing and entertainment. On the hand, Salsa music has “letras románticas” and “letras de amor” (lyrica about love).

If you are interested in learning slang, then you may want to listen to Reggaetón music — which I would describe as Spanish reggae music mixed with Hip Hop music. Reggaetón actually originated in Panama from Panamanians with Jamaican ancestry, but it was popularized and “internationalized” by Puerto Rican Reggaetón artists.

If you are learning Spanish with your kids you’ll want to avoid listening to Reggaetón. Just like someone who is learning English with his or her children will want to avoid listening to 50 Cent or any other “gansta” rapper.

But if you are not easily offended by “adult” lyrics, you can learn lots of Spanish slang from listening to the “letras” (lyrics) of Reggaetón music. I have learned a lot of Spanish slang from listening to Reggaetón music.

Here are just a couple of the words that I have learned:

1. Sandunguear - to dance “cerca” or “close;” or to dance “pegado” or “pegadito”

2. pegado/pegadito - cerca (”close”); literally “glued”

3. tener antojo - to have a craving, often used in a sensual manner, for example, “tengo un antojo” - I have a (sensual) craving.

“Tener antojo” is similar to the phrase “tenger ganas” which you will often hear Spanish speakers use. “Tener ganas” means “to feel like doing something” or “to have desires.” Por ejemplo,

Tengo ganas de comer un churrasco. I feel like eating a steak.

Tiene ganas He/she has (sensual) desires.

4. perrear - literally, to be like a “dog”; to go out to pick up women — especialmente mujeres fáciles (especially, easy women)

In Paisa (the Spanish of Medellín, Colombia) there’s a slang word which means the same as “perrear.” And that word is “putear.”

That’s it for today.

if you don’t already have a copy of LSLC Level One here’s the link where you can find out more:

http://www.learningspanishlikecrazy.com/offer.html

And here’s the link to find out more about LSLC Nivel Dos:

http://www.learningspanishlikecrazy2 .com/

Nos vemos

Patrick Jackson

Learning Like Crazy 909 Third Avenue 5th Floor New York, NY 10022 US