Problema is just what it looks like, problem. The problem with problema comes in trying to remember if its la problema or el problema. In language school they taught us a little rhyme to help, perhaps you will enjoy it.
El problema es masculino. La solución es feminina.
The problem is masculine. The solution is feminine.
Manar means to flow or to pour forth. The idea is that it is something that comes out quickly like to gush. Figuratively it means to abound.
A friend of mine used manar last week while he was teaching a class. I have never heard the word used that I can remember outside of this reference, but it seems like it is a handy word to add to the vocabulary. I will try to use manar and see if I get any strange looks.
Cosquillas means tickle. Dar cosquillas is to tickle.
I remember cosquillas by relating it to costillas, ribs. Dar cosquillas a las costillas.
Taller in Spanish has nothing to do with height. Taller is a workshop.
One of the common jokes around here to tell visitors is that when they see a “Taller Mechánico” sign it means that they have a mechanic that is tall enough to work on four wheel drive vehicles. But it really just means that it is a mechanic’s shop.
In a country where the vast majority of the construction is blocks and concrete, there is a great need for albañiles. An albañil is a mason or bricklayer. It is a very basic job that does not pay much. But just because everyone can do the work of an albañil does not mean everyone does it well.
Albañiles are a dime a dozen, but you have to work to find a good mason.
Esposo and marido both mean husband.
But where esposa means wife, marida is not a word.
There is a custom here for a man to call his wife “mi vieja” and a woman to call her husband “mi viejo”. Literally “my old woman” or “my old man”.
Rendirse means to surrender, tire out or give up.
This is a reflexive verb that actually makes sense to me. Rendir (without the se) means to conquer, overcome, tire out (them not me) or to produce.
If one is doing it to themselves they are surrendering or giving up. If one is doing it to someone else they are conquering or overcoming.
