In addition to the unique Southern accent, I live country that...
***(Note: You must remember this is all from a English-Speaking Mentality.)***
Has two letters in their alphabet that sound exactly the same "V" and "B".
"H"s are invisible.
"I"s sound like "ee".
"R"s sound like "L"s and sometimes "D"s.
"S"s sound like "Z"s and "C"s, and "C"s sound like "Q"s.
"J"s sound like "Y"s, and "Y"s are actually "LL".
If this isn't evidence that proves languages are good for the brain, then it's like saying running doesn't tone muscles.
There are several phrases Spaniards use between one another that when translated into English are rather funny, odd, or friendly.
When Spaniards answer the phone they usually say, "Si" or "Dime", which mean "Yes" and "Tell Me". Seen from an American point of view, this is very odd. Typically, I like to start a phone conversation with "Hello", which seems like a logical word to start with. As for the Spanish, they are very up front and forward, "Yes, Tell me, what do you want" is the impression their greetings give me.
As Spaniards are parting ways, they say "Adios", "Nos Vemos", or "Hasta Luego".
Adios = Bye
Nos Vemos = See You Later
Which are both common parting phrases used in American English.
Now the phrases that are interesting and could be philosophically dissected are:
Hasta Luego = Until Later (this phrase is almost like "see you soon", but without a set time)
Hasta Ahora = Until Now (this phrase is also like "see you soon", but meaning that you will be seeing the person at a set time)
Walking down the street with restaurants, on the windows or signs out front you can find the word "Hay", which in english sounds like the letter "I". "Hay" means "There is" or "There are" so in this case, the restaurant is saying they have a specific type of food. "Hay churros" they have churros. "Hay bocadillos" they have sandwiches.
In restaurants, to ask how many people are in your party or group they will say, "Quantos son?", which translates to English "how many are you?" The response in Spanish is, "Somos Tres", "We are three."
Another oddity about Spanish compared to English is the concept of years and being hot/cold. Rather than saying "I am cold or I am 23-years-old." they say, "Tengo frio o Tengo vente tres anos" meaning I have cold and I have 23-years. The conditions don't own you, you have them.
Change, as in money back, is a very simple yet interesting concept. The preposition is changed from "and" to "with" meaning we say "Ten Euros and fifty-cents", as for in Spanish they say, " Diez con cincuenta" "Ten with fifty."
The food in Spain is never "delicious", it's "Rico(a)" meaning "rich", but not as Americans use the word because it's a positive word in Spanish. Such as the food is rich and full of flavor.
A word that has endless meanings, that I continue to learn on a daily basis is, "Que", which typically is known as "What" is Spanish. The definitions do not stop there. "Que" depending on the sentence and situation can also mean, "so, have, than". There are other uses that are yet to be discovered.
Other words that you might hear on a regular basis walking down the streets or sitting in a restaurant are:
Vale = Ok
Claro = Sure, Of Course (but also is an adjective for "clear")
Venga = Come here, Let's Go, Alright
Entonces = Then
Pues = well
Pues Nada = Well then ("Nada" is also nothing, so you could read this phrase as "well, I have nothing else to say..."
Besitos = Little Kisses
Abrazoo = An extended/long hug
Anda = Wow
"-ito" on the end of the word makes the small and gives it a friendlier cute context.
"-isimo" on the end of the word exaggerates it to huge, grand, or great.
If you found this interesting I recommend you to study Spanish or move to a Spanish speaking country, you know what my country recommendation would be, Espana!
Ojala Nos Vemos Prontos,
Besitos and un Abrazoo
Meredi