Spanish for the business traveler
This is a compilation of language learning tools I've received from friends, (mostly my best friend Juan Carlos) via email. The original authors are unknown. If you are a foreigner traveling to a Latin American country you must read this. If you are a transplanted Latin American (more if you are Colombian) living abroad you'll find this to close to reality. In the future I'll be adding more to this page. Do you have something worth posting here? send it to spanglish@duque.net

There's always something to learn or to try, many times you need to say some phrase in Spanish, but you don't know how to say it, don't worry, your problems have finished, if your are a gringo and you don't know speak Spanish, the new "Diccionario para el Gringo guey" (Smart Gringo Dictionary) will be helpful in your learning. For instance, we took from it some common phrases, just try and you're gonna see the difference and how easy is speak Spanish.

  1. Boy as n r = Voy a cenar = I'm gonna have a dinner
  2. N L C John = en el sillon = on the armchair
  3. Be a hope and son = viejo panzon = fat old man
  4. This s poor as stunt air e us = Dices puras tonterias=you're saying dumb things.
  5. S toy tree stone = estoy triston = I'm kind a sad.
  6. Lost trap eat toss = los trapitos = the little rags
  7. A key eye poor agree jug = aqui hay pura grilla = there's only politics around here.
  8. Desk can saw = descanso = (you) rest.
  9. As say toon as = aceitunas = olives.
  10. Cell eye jug, one a what toe = Celaya Guanajuato = Celaya Guanajuato (City in central Mexico)
  11. Be a has r when there as = viejas arguenderas = arguing bitches
  12. Come at a lost ugh wack cat tess = comete los aguacates =eat the avocados
  13. The head the star mall less stan dough = deje de estar molestando =stop bugging me.
  14. Kit at tell loss war at chess = quitate los guaraches =take off your sandals
  15. Ball add the pay jazz sad as = bola de payasadas = Silly stuff.
  16. See eye = si hay = yes we have
  17. T n s free o = tienes frio = are you cold?
  18. T N S L P P B N T S O = Tienes el pipi bien tieso = you have an erection.
  19. Pooh row ped o = puro pedo = its all bull shit
  20. Mass car eat a saw grad ah = mascarita sagrada = name for famous wrestler in Mexico

If you're interested in this product just call free at 1-800-GRINGO


PROBLEMAS CON LA SUCURSAL EN COLOMBIA

Memo interno escrito por el gerente general de una compania multinacional de capitales norteamericanos, en reaccion a la cultura existente dentro de su filial en Colombia.

From : General Manager
To : All spanish speaking staff
Subject : Improper Language Usage

It has been brought to our attention by several officials visiting our establishment in Bogota that offensive language is commonly used by our spanish speaking staff. Such behavior, in addition to violating our policy, is highly unprofessional and offensive to both visitors and staff.

Therefore, all personnel will immediately adhere to the following rules:

  1. Words like guevon, cabron or "mancito" and other such expressions will not be tolerated or used for emphasis or dramatic effect, no matter how heated a discussion may become.
  2. You will not say "la cago" when someone makes a mistake, or "la esta cagando" if you see somebody being reprimended, or "que cagada" when a major mistake has been made. All forms and derivations of the verb cagar are utterly inappropriate and unacceptable in our environment.
  3. No project manager, section head or administrator under any circumstances will be referred to as hijueputa, cabron, la puta que lo pario, or guevon.
  4. Lack of determination will not be referred to as "falta de guevas" nor will persons who lack iniciative be referred to as cagon, maricon or pelotudo.
  5. Unusual or creative ideas offered by the management are not to be referred to as pajazos mentales.
  6. Do not say "acosa mas que cacorro en tunel" if a person is persistent. Furthermore, you must not say "que mierda tan jodida" when a matter becomes excessibly complicated.
  7. When asking someone to leave you alone, you must not say "vayase pa'l carajo" or should you ever substitute May I help you? with "Que mierdas quiere?
  8. Under no circumstances should you ever call our elderly industrial partners viejos gagas or guevones.
  9. Last but by no means least, after reading this note please don't say "me la meto por el culo" or "me sabe a mierda". Just keep it clean and dispose of it properly.
Thank you.
Peter Smith
General Manager

copyrighted 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 Carlos & Monica Duque. This page is part of our site, http://www.duque.net