Visual Link Spanish Newsletter (V:1; I:12)

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Spanish Culture ----- Don't Say this Word!!!

As you learn Spanish it is most important to learn what to say, but it's also imperative to learn what to avoid as you speak Spanish. The problem with starting a newsletter or a language class with this phrase is that readers automatically want to say the word that I'm going to say. In the past, when I've taught our course to major corporations like the IRS or Autoliv (the world's largest maker of automobile airbags), I have sometimes said something like "Don't ever say this!" or "Don't ever make this mistake!" Well, those are usually the words or mistakes that students remember the most.

Again, I have to repeat, don't ever say this word I'm going to teach you. I know it will be hard, but you must use self-control! Are you ready to hear the word? (To keep up the suspense, You'll have to scroll down the page to see the word.) By the way, the word for "suspense" in Spanish is "suspenso" [sue-spence-oh].

It is "estúpido" [eh- stoo -pea-dough]. I'm sorry, I'm going against my better judgement by showing you the pronunciation of this word since you shouldn't use it.

You can probably easily guess what it means. But if you have a hard time guessing, it means "stupid". In English we tend to use that word often. People will say "What a stupid thing", or "How could I have been so stupid", or even to a friend "Boy, that was stupid".

In English if you say "You are stupid" to a friend, it could be taken jokingly or it could be taken seriously and be offensive. If you say it in Spanish there is no comparison to its offensiveness in English -- it is always taken very seriously! In Spanish, it is a VERY VERY STRONG WORD!! To some it is considered as bad as a very vulgar swear word. It is extremely offensive and degrading. If you use it in Spanish, in any situation, you will be in big trouble.

I just wanted to take time in this issue to let you know about this word because many people just translate it and use it just like they would in English. I just wanted to forewarn you so you don't make that mistake.

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¡Hasta luego! (Until later!)


David S. Clark -- President
U.S. Institute of Languages
dave@spanishprograms.com
http://www.spanishprograms.com