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Learning Spanish is about more than memorizing enough grammar and vocabulary to communicate. Understanding the culture is just as important and can help you communicate more effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being able to speak any Spanish in the first\nplace is an accomplishment, but if you want to take it a step further and speak\nlike a native, knowing some cultural aspects of the language is a must.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From ordering in a restaurant to writing dates\nand emails, these cultural tips will take your Spanish to the next level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In English, we just say \u201cyou\u201d when talking to someone. When you start learning Spanish, your instinct will probably be to use t\u00fa similarly. There are actually three different ways to say \u201cyou\u201d in Spanish, though, and sometimes things can get a little awkward if you use the wrong one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s because there are formal and informal\nversions of \u201cyou\u201d in Spanish. Depending on the situation, one is usually more\nappropriate than the other. Let\u2019s start with the informal versions: t\u00fa <\/em>and vos<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can pretty much use these two interchangeably, and you\u2019ll use them when you\u2019re talking to friends and family or anyone else who can be seen as your \u201cequal.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Vos<\/em> isn\u2019t really that common in some Spanish-speaking countries, though, so knowing where to use it is also important. For example, you\u2019ll never hear it in Spain or Mexico, but it\u2019s pretty common in Argentina and Uruguay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usted<\/em> is the more formal way to address someone, like your doctor, your boss\nat work, or police officers. If you\u2019re ever in doubt about whether or not to\naddress someone formally, use usted<\/em>.\nIt\u2019s your safest bet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some countries use usted<\/em> for everyone, like Mexico, and other countries where usted<\/em> isn\u2019t that common, like Spain. Listening to the conversations around you and understanding the culture you\u2019re in can go a long way in helping you decide which form of \u201cyou\u201d to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people who have never learned Spanish know how to say \u201cthank you\u201d: gracias. Some may even know the most common way to say \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d: de nada. Learning a few other ways can add a nice touch to your conversations, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re in an informal or formal\nsituation or someone is thanking you for a gift or for providing a service,\nusing an alternative to de nada<\/em> can\nhelp you express yourself more effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone close to you thanks you for\nsomething, there are a few different ways to respond. This can be for favors,\ngifts, or for helping them in general. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you work in customer service or with people in general, they probably thank you for your help or services. There are a few useful ways to say \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d that are especially appropriate for these more professional contexts. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being more aware of the different ways to have\nthese conversations can help you build deeper relationships. You can also add a\nmore personal touch by using these phrases because a simple de nada<\/em> can come off a bit impersonal\nand generic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Directly translated, some phrases you hear in restaurants may seem a little harsh or cold to English speakers, but they\u2019re completely normal and acceptable to hispanohablantes <\/em>(Spanish speakers). Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n See what I mean? If you\u2019re in doubt and want to ensure you don\u2019t come off as rude, you can always add por favor<\/em> to anything you say. Spanish can seem a bit direct when you hear it, but culturally, Spanish speakers tend to be very gracious and friendly. They just have a different way of speaking sometimes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another aspect of Spanish you need to be aware\nof is dates. Writing days and months may seem like a simple thing to do. You\njust need to learn the vocabulary, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s really only part of it, though. In Spanish, you may need to write dates differently than you\u2019re used to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main difference between English and\nSpanish is that you only capitalize months and days in Spanish if they\u2019re at\nthe beginning of the sentence. In English, they\u2019re always capitalized. Another\ndifference is that all days of the week and months are masculine in Spanish.\nLet\u2019s take a look at some examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important to know that you don\u2019t use cardinal numbers for dates in Spanish (unless it\u2019s the first of the month). So, the example above, Martes, 6 de mayo, would be like saying \u201cTuesday, six of May\u201d in English. It\u2019s a subtle difference, but saying the \u201csixth of May\u201d in Spanish sounds strange to Spanish speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writing formal emails can be difficult in your native language and even more difficult in a foreign language. To ensure you write your emails correctly, learning some useful phrases and vocabulary is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you write the email, ensure you understand the situation and to whom you\u2019re writing it. Remember the importance of using formal and informal Spanish in the right contexts! <\/p>\n\n\n\n You don\u2019t want to say \u201cHey, dude!\u201d to your university professor, and you probably don\u2019t want to send your boss kisses and hugs in an email. Use the usted conjugation for the verbs as a general rule of thumb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some phrases you\u2019ll commonly see in\nmore formal emails:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being able to express yourself in formal\nwriting is a difficult skill to master, but using key phrases and words can go\na long way. Formal writing in emails is a sign of respect, and doing it\ncorrectly (or at least making your best effort) could mean a lot to the person\non the receiving end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning a language is certainly an accomplishment, but the learning doesn\u2019t stop at vocabulary and grammar. Embracing the cultures that speak your target language can make your language-learning journey a positive and satisfying experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Language connects people around the world, and learning how to communicate effectively with others can bring everyone closer together. Keep these cultural tips in mind next time you need to use your Spanish, whether it\u2019s Latin American Spanish<\/a> or Castilian Spanish<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"T\u00fa<\/em> and Vos<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Usted<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Saying You\u2019re Welcome in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Family, Friends, and Acquaintances<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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At Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Eating in a Restaurant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Writing Dates in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Writing Formal Emails in Spanish<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Learn About Another Culture Through Language<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n