Everyday words and their formal twins
| everyday | more formal |
|---|---|
| empezar | comenzar |
| volver | regresar |
| usar | utilizar |
| bonito | hermoso |
In conversation, Spain usually says empezar, volver and usar. Comenzar, regresar and utilizar mean the same, but you meet them more in emails, notices and the news. Neither is wrong. Comenzar changes e → ie like empezar: comienza, comienzan.
| The meeting will begin at ten. | La reunión comenzará a las diez. |
| The director will return on Monday. | El director regresará el lunes. |
| Do not use the lift in case of fire. | No utilicen el ascensor en caso de incendio. |
Hermoso and el placer
Hermoso is a slightly literary word for beautiful: travel brochures and poems like it. In a chat, bonito or precioso is more usual.
| From the hotel there is a beautiful view of the sea. | Desde el hotel hay una vista hermosa del mar. |
Es un placer is a polite set phrase, in speech and in emails:
| It has been a pleasure to work with you. | Ha sido un placer trabajar con ustedes. |
Ocupar and reunir
Ocupar is to occupy a seat or a place, or to take up space or time. Reunir is to bring people together, and it is the verb behind la reunión. It writes an accent in reúno, reúnes, reúne, reúnen.
| Please do not occupy the reserved seats. | Por favor, no ocupen los asientos reservados. |
| This wardrobe takes up too much space. | Este armario ocupa demasiado espacio. |
| The wedding brought the whole family together. | La boda reunió a toda la familia. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io
