There are two Spanish traps to avoid.

The first is downright dangerous in Mexico.

The second could be embarrassing anywhere in the Spanish speaking world.

By the way, if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed when people speak Spanish quickly check this out:

How to Understand More Spanish

Available until Tuesday, March 5.

Try and imagine a rhythmic door knock.

“dah-di-di-dah-di, di-dit”

If you’re not sure what I mean you can hear it on my blog:

Dangerous Mexican Door Knock

That rhythm is a huge insult.

One of my students could have lost her job because of it.

She was angry at hearing that door knock and was about to let it fly as she opened the door.

Her mouth slammed shut immediately as she saw the factory owner standing there.

He was from the States and had no idea of the hidden meaning in the rhythm.

The rhythm involves mothers.

Look away if you are easily offended,

Chinga tu madre, cabrón
F#*& your mother, a-hole

en pocas palabras (in a nutshell) just knock on the door. Don’t use a rhythm.

And keep the mothers out of it.

By the way, there is also a lot of hidden meanings in everyday Spanish words and phrases.

Often, they’re invisible to the English speakers.

Yet, once you know them, they pop up in every conversation!

When you have them under your belt, you understand your amigos more easily.

Understand more of what your amigos say

Here’s the second trap.

If you ever want to say, “I’m excited” don’t say,

Estoy excitado

or

Estoy excitada

That phrase means you’re sexually aroused.

This is a much better option;

Estoy emocionado

or

Estoy emocionada

Those phrases mean “I am excited” without any double meanings.

There are lots of subtleties and nuances in the Spanish language.

I learned them through trial and error…and many a red face.

Save yourself from embarrassment.

This roadmap helps you understand your amigos better than ever.

Details are on this page:

Understand more of what your amigos say