Alright, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the tango culture, this music video will not only help you with your Spanish, but it will act as your Tango 101 class, too.
First and foremost, tango is not just a dance. Tango is a type of music, too, and the most popular tango singer of all time is, without a doubt, Carlos Gardel. As you probably imagined, Carlos Gardel was Argentine, and lived most of his life in Buenos Aires. However, he was originally born in either Uruguay or France in 1887 or 1890 (his birthdate and place is still disputed), and died a tragic death in a plane crash in Medellín, Colombia at about the age of 45. His legend is still very much alive, especially in Buenos Aires, which is why we chose one of his songs to put up on the Pizarra Mí¡gica(Magic Whiteboard).
The particular song that we chose is called ‘Por una cabeza,’ which means ‘By a head (of a horse)‘. Ya, it sounds strange, but the song is about a man who is a horse track gambler, which is a hugely popular sport in Argentina, even today. In the song, he compares his addiction to horses to his attraction to women. This song is incredibly famous and has been used in loads of modern films and television shows, so don’t be surprised if you recognize it.
Take it away, Carlos!
You might have noticed that this song is full of unusual words that you might have never heard before. Example: Timba (a gamble). That’s because a lot of them are either lunfardo (Argentine slang that originated from tango) or particular to horse-racing– so not to worry, you’ll get around just fine without knowing these words. Unless you happen to be a fanatic of horse races, that is…
Like this way of learning Spanish? Check our more clips from our Spanish classes on Youtube. And don’t forget to visit the Bueno, entonces…learn Spanish to find over 18 hours of Spanish lessons that will actually keep your attention!
To begin with the Blog you first need to wach this video to introduce you to todays topic! I am dropping the lyrics bellow.
Illya Kuryaki & The Valderramas - A Mover el Coolo…
Mira como floweo, yo simplemente le brindo ritmo al mundo perro.
Tengo el infierno genital, y su cuerpo suda,
su transpiracion es digital, es como una pluma,
su culo brilla mas y mas me atrae con su dulzura.
Hoy en mi cuna dormida, quiero su uva.
Imagino su sabor es chocolate,
y que le gustaria que descubra la espuma de su valle.
Nos iremos lejos donde nadie vea el movimiento,
que el cielo sea el unioco testigo de este encuentro.
Hay que empezar a mover, se nos acaba la era,
la luna pronto se ira, el sol vendra con sus velas.
Terremoto que en sus ojos siento,
se traslada a su cuerpo cuando está en movimiento,
estoy volando por su jungla dorada. Grita mi alma!…
Es hora de empezar a mover.
A mover el Coolo…
Destinado a bailar ante Dios, como un rio que fluye en celo hacia vos,
nuestra vida esta unida por un cordon umbilical de ritmo,
alterando el sentido de solo estar vivo.
El hechizo corriendo por tus venas, sientes la esencia la ciencia de tus piernas,
lamela hasta que grite damela, y empieza a entender de que se trata la vida.
Su pollera explota en busca de mi sexo,
yo flotando en ella en mi mejor momento.
Me muestra su volcan, su lava, su saliva.
Me abre su puerta de entrada, no de salida.
El mundo lo empieza a mover, el cielo se empieza a caer a tus pies,
nuevamente es tiempò de empezar a brillar, otra vez grita mi alma!…
Es hora de empezar a mover
A mover el Coolo…
Girl you´re my love bouncing queen,
fuck the world, i can dream your eyes, all the way to coolo in paradise.
A mover el Coolo.
Spanish is a very diverse language and they usually have multiple words for the same thing. The same thing happens in English, and as you may know it’s important to know all of them! As well as know in what context it’s best to use each of them!
Today we are going to go with a word that, depending on the region, may be offensive or not.
Culo, is a word that in English means arse, ass, backside, behind, booty, bottom, bum and the list can go on. Well, in Spanish there are also different ways to call it and Culo is the most offensive one in South America, but in Spain is a proper word to use! So here is the list of the most common ways to say Culo and how to use it.
Gluteos: It’s very formal since its refering to the actual muscle in that part of the body.
Pompis or las Pompas: It’s very common in Mexico
Japanese Macaques
Trasero: It’s very general and used in every spanish speaking country.
Nalgas: Butt cheeks but it’s still descent to use it.
Derriere: Very formal too, it’s very common on the fashion industry.
Culo: Only formal in Spain, in other parts of the world it may be consider offensive unless you speak with an spanish accent.
Phrases to use it (offensive):
Me puedes besar el culo – You can kiss my ass
Te voy a patear el culo – I am going to kick you ass
Moliendo vidrio con el culo – Smashing glass with my ass meaning; Working very hard
There you have it– all the necessary vocabulary to get by in the day-to-day conversations using the word culo in South America and Spain!
Can you think of any other words or Spanish phrases that might be useful? Add them in the comments section here or on our Facebook page – and check our more clips of our Spanish lessons on our Youtube Page. If you want to really learn Spanish, then head on over to our language learning software page get your hands on Bueno, entonces…- you’ll be speaking conversational Spanish in just five weeks!
For those of you who are new to the Telo concept, these are the sex hotels which are unsurprisingly popular throughout Argentina (and under other names in the rest of Latin America).
In fact these hanky panky hot spots aren’t the derelict dives you might imagine. Many of the young and beautiful latinos live with their parents until much older, and therefore there is a constant demand of nice normal folks needing some time away from the rents. And fortunately for them, and their companions, the market has responded with a good supply.
An example of one of the nicer rooms available..
Now if you haven’t experienced the Telo scene first hand, but think you might be interested at some point, check out below some of the key phrases to get you there, and rules for when you’re there, so you don’t make a faux paux before you oh la la.
Phrases to get you TO the Telo:
Vamos a un lugar más intímo. Let’s go to a more intimate place.
¿Te gustaría pasar una noche conmigo? Would you like to pass the night with me?
¿Entro? I go in? (When you are driving by a Telo)
At Reception:
Buenos noches. Un turno, por favor. Good evening. One shift please.
¿Qué habitación tiene disponible? What room do you have available?
Buenos Días. Good day. (as it’s common for working men to take their secretaries out!)
Know the rules, so you aren’t the fool:
No puede entrar o salir solo. You can enter or leave alone
Tiene que pagar cuando entra. You have to pay when you enter
Get the Right Room:
Por Turno: (una hora, más o menos) Term for an hourly basis
Por Pernocte: (toda la noche) Term for the whole night
**Algunos telos solo permiten pagar por la noche solo desde las 2 de la mañana. **NB: Some telo only allow you to page for the night from 2am onwards.
Get the extras:
Puede pedir comida/champagne/otras cosa de “sex shop” – pero, se toma de una puerta pequeña. You can order food/champagne/other things from the “sex shop” – but you get them from a small door (like a dumb waiter- for added privacy).
You definitely want to go to a nice place, and avoid the mistakes that David makes. As he finds out, it can be a deal breaker relationship wise!
In fact, you can learn a lot from David’s mess ups, both culturally and linguistically. In the Bueno, entonces…Learn Spanish I & II course you’ll follow him along as he adjusts to South America and learns the language from the beautiful Jimena. The course actually has a story line, so you’ll actually want to watch the classes and learn, rather than some of the other more boring alternatives.
PLUS: You’ll see all the words in English and Spanish, color coded, to help you with grammar, verb tenses, gender and sentence structure.
Where are you from and how long have you been in Buenos Aires?
I’m originally from the Bay Area (Orinda, California), but moved to Buenos Aires almost 4 years ago.
How did you learn Spanish?
I had a very influential Spanish teacher in high school who made me fall in love with the language. Also, my dad knew Spanish, which always seemed so cool. I knew I wanted to study abroad in college, so when the time came I decided on Chile. I studied with the University of California program in Santiago in 2004. During that time, among other amazing friends, I met my now-husband. At the time, he didn’t know any English, so I was forced to use my Spanish to make him understand me. For the most part, we speak Spanish to one another at home… so I am always practicing.
How did the initial idea to create a Spanish language learning software come up?
David Garrett, after much frustration trying to learn Spanish, came up with the idea of creating a fun and engaging way to learn that would keep his attention and make him remember words and phrases like he remembered lines from his favorite sitcoms and movies. He presented the idea to me in early 2008, and told me to ‘run with it’. We then developed the idea of the Pizarra Mí¡gica, which helps students follow along with the story between Jimena and David.
Did David have a Spanish background before doing Bueno, entonces…?
He did. One of the hardest parts of the preliminary planning was trying to predict how the student’s Spanish would progress. We wanted to limit recording time to two weeks, which made it hard to have an actor/student learn from scratch. David lives and works in Buenos Aires and therefore is constantly interacting in Spanish, so admittedly he had a bit of an advantage, but a lot of David’s language epiphanies actually happened on set.
What was the most difficult part of producing Bueno, entonces…?
Figuring out how to make it work! We had a great idea, and a lot of smart people involved, but it was awhile before our dream turned into reality. Even after we had all the material recorded, the logistics of editing the audio and putting together the videos was a long process. It’s all so worth it to have a product that we are truly proud of.
What’s your favorite lesson? Why?
Even after listening to the audio for all 30 classes roughly 50 times each, I still enjoy every class. In general, I think the later ones are better – 24 and 27 are probably my favorites. After I watch them, I find my face hurts from smiling/laughing. I have great memories of Jimena and David during recording and their talents really stand out in the final product.
Any advice to Bueno, entonces…users?
Stick with it! Learning Spanish isn’t something that you can do overnight. The Bueno, entonces… series is no different – but the speed and intensity will prepare you to practice with native speakers. It takes time, a little more time, practice and more practice… for some less and for some a lot more. Stay positive and keep practicing!
One of our review bloggers, Bradley, completed the entire Bueno, entonces… series and told our crew about his experience. He was asked to compare/contrast the program with Rosetta Stone (price, layout, engagement, portability, etc.) and express his honest opinion. Here’s what he thought of Class # 12:
So it’s Sunday lunchtime and seeing how this country is one fully loaded with football lovers, one can only imagine the anguish and despair felt across the nation this morning following last nights rather humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of arch enemies Brazil, leaving the Argies with a small but significant mountain to climb in order to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Mr Maradona, as much as a hero on the playing field you were to the likes of myself, it seems your managerial talents have once again been measured and found wanting…..but there is still hope…..and fortunately England continued their winning streak so I am able to write this with plenty of confidence!!
Anyway on with el repaso for the second week of the Bueno, entonces…Learn Spanish course. As in the previous week the review is conducted via a telephone call between an, it seems, rather run down David, and the ever tolerant Jimena. And again as of last week plenty of information in this quite comprehensive Spanish learning program……I wonder whether Rosetta Stone or others have weekly reviews like this? Something to investigate perhaps!!
Today then the review covered some matters which I, and I hope other Spanish learners, have a certain amount of confusion with: 1. Possessive Pronouns – in Spanish I’m told, by the Profesor, these agree in gender and number with the object being possessed and whereas in English we think of “possessing things” in Spanish it is more passive with “things being possessed!, 2. Indirect and Direct Pronouns – with these I just become more confused than a chicken in a pillow factory and am forever putting the pronouns in the wrong place or relating to the wrong person, so thanks for covering this again Buenos, entonces!, 3. E and I – once again pure confusion enters the frame and I’m forever having to go with the old school “was that E for Elephant or I for Island” when being spelt a word……I’ll get there though….eventually.
Once more, as in last weeks review, I will ask the question, can I learn Spanish from these lessons?? I do feel I am improving and developing more confidence so for now I would have to say yes…..so here’s hoping the next few weeks provide further improvement.
I’ve had an AHA moment today. My teacher is very cute. His name is Martin and he’s ‘re-argentino‘. That means REALLY Argentino in Argentino. He spent a year in Ireland teaching Spanish last year and he missed Buenos Aires a lot.. We talk a lot about Argentina and about the culture, about the crazy chaos of it all, the subversive attitude of the Argentines towards politics, finance, all that jazz. The Bulgarian likes to talk a lot about the Argentine girls, I don’t blame him. They mainly have very very long hair and are very pretty.
Martin says Bien, Entonces.. a lot. Or Muy Bien, entonces… I ask him why doesn’t he say Bueno, entonces (like the name of the course of course) and he explains that “Bueno,†often is something you say when you’ve had a enough of talking, or have had enough of talking about a particular subject. He explains that when somebody starts going, bueno bueno bueno on the phone, basically they are telling you that the conversation is over and they’ve had enough.
Now I get it! That’s why Jimena always says “Bueno, entonces…” Because she often has enough of David!
Now I’ve got to go because apparently, across town, some more meat is being prepared on a fire and more Malbec is being poured.
Interested in a cute Argentine teacher, huge steaks and unlimited Malbec? Become a Fan on Facebook and participate in our “Win a Trip to Argentina” contest!
We gave away a trip last year to a lucky Bueno, entonces… user, Vibeke. Once she arrived in Buenos Aires, she wrote a blog chronicling her journey. Here’s Day 1:
I’m here! Finally… by myself in Buenos Aires. My classes start straight away and I walk in the pouring rain from San Telmo across the Plaza de Mayo to my school at 9 in the morning. It’s just me and one other student in the class, a Bulgarian who is based in London. Basically we get to chat in Spanish all morning to our teacher Martin, who is muy fachero, and who answers all our questions.
I still am jet lagged from traveling from New Zealand and am fresh as a daisy at 6 am. I realize this will need to change if I am to get in sync with Buenos Aires because everything happens kind of late here. After class David (that’s right famous DAVID from BUENO ENTONCES) comes to get me and we have lunch. I’m starving after all the grammar, (that’s my own fault.. asked for it) We eat some Amazing Meat from the parilla in a tiny grubby restaurant downtown. David shows me what a fake 10 peso bill looks like. (Easy spot if you ask me, it comes out of an inkjet printer!) and walks me through the essentials of life in Buenos Aires.
We hope you are as excited as we are! Our advice on how to prepare? Learn Spanish, obviously! Our course is only $147, and with over 18 hours of comprehensive Spanish lessons it’s the most bang for your buck. Whether you’re preparing for a trip to Argentina or just want to learn Spanish without falling asleep, rest assured that you’ll learn the most relevant and useful Spanish with Bueno, entonces… Thousands of users can’t be wrong!
Test Drive Bueno, entonces... for FREE - you'll get the first 40-minute class and be on your way to speaking Conversational Spanish. No cost, no obligation. Get started today!
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