The #SpanishWord of the day: "Merengue"

(Spanish version)
(version française)
The #SpanishWord of the Day has to do with The Caribbean, music, taste and passion: It’s “merengue”.
 “Merengue” is a style of music and dance originated in the Carribean, more specifically in Dominican Republic.

¡A puro "merengue"!

“Merengue” was played with string instruments but years later these were replaced by the accordion, the güira (a percussion instrument that sounds like a maraca) and the tambora (a two-sided drum), synthesis of the three cultures that formed the idiosyncrasies of the Dominican culture: European, African and Taíno or Aboriginal.
The origino of the Word “merengue” dates back to colonial times and comes from “demuserengue” or “tamtan mouringue”, name given to the dances among some African cultures.
“Merengue” is part of the Dominican people: just get to the airport or step outside to feel the vibrations of this music that goes from generation to generation.

How to dance it? Just go with the rhythm!

If you liked this note, you also might be interested in Spanish Schools in Latin America, Spanish Courses in Dominican Republic, About Sosua.

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The #SpanishWord of the day: "Chivito"

(Versión en Español)
(version française)
Being on the beach and having the possibility of eating a great “Chivito” (literally baby goat) is not a small thing at all. If you decided to study Spanish in Uruguay, be ready and learn what this is about because it is one of the most delicious dishes of this Eastern Republic. The #SpanishWord of the Day is “Chivito”.
“Chivito” is a national dish in Uruguay that consists of a sandwich made of grilled cow beef with ham, bacon, mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes, eggs, olives and peppers. It can be served with fries, Olivier salad or other garnish.

If you go to Uruguay you can´t stop trying the Canadian “chivito”, the most traditional dish of the region. However, plain “chivito” (with no bread) is another style of dish to enjoy.
In this way, Uruguay not only transcends across borders due to “mate”, “murga”, Benedetti or “Candombe”, but also due to its gastronomy being the “chivito” a faithful witness of that.
“Chivito”, star icon of the postcards of the country, contains, along with other delicacies of the Uruguayan cuisine, a life philosophy.

If you liked this note, you also might be interested in Spanish Schools in Latin America Uruguay, Spanish Courses in Montevideo.

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The #SpanishWord of the Day: “Charamusca”

(versión en Español)
(Version en français)
Summer is starting to feel more and more in Latin America.
In Honduras there is a tropical weather that has only two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

La Ceiba

In order to enjoy the hot summer, sometimes a bottle of water or soda is not enough. That’s why the #SpanishWord of the Day is “Charamusca”.
“Charamusca” is a dessert that consists of frozen soda in a plastic bag. These bags, which are thin and elongate, contain juice, whether blackberry, tamarind, lemon, or any fruit, and even artificial flavors and multifruit.
The bag is tied and you have to untie it or bite it in order to drink it.

What flavor would you choose to stay cool on those beautiful hot days in Honduras?

If you liked this, you also might be interested in: About Ecuador, Spanish School in La Ceiba, Spanish in Latin America.

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Interview of Marie Grammare, internship as marketing assistant by COINED

(Spanish version)
(French version)
Córdoba is a student Argentine city very dynamic. As such it presents numerous foreign students in exchange. This is the situation of de Marie Grammare, who is doing an internship as marketing assistant by COINED. At the beginning of her internship she tells us the reasons that bring her to live this experience, her expectations and her first impressions.

"As last-year student of the "École de Management de Strasbourg" (France), I am actually in an one-year universatary exchange with the Faculty of Economics of the National University of Cordoba. When I arrived in Argentine last July I did not speak Spanish at all but it is true that learning a language in the country is much more efficient than learning it at school.

I have studied Management during the first semestre and I have quickly realized that it whas not interesting and that the courses were too theoretical. The aim was more to learn another language.

That is why I decided to find an internship for the second semestre in order to valorize my foreign experience and to put my skills in practice. Moreover, in order to valid my diploma I had to do a few months of practice more. It was a good opportunity!

So I entered COINED as marketing assistant two weeks ago and for 2,5 months. I expect this internship before all to discover how Argentians work and what does like their laboral life. COINED team is young, multicutural (9 foreigners for 70 persons in total) and very dynamic; this is an ideal context for such an internship. Doing tasks I never did before make this experience, I hope it, being rich and learnful.


I like challenges and this internship is one that I will deal with pleasure, interest and envy!" 

If you are also looking for an experience similar, please contact us at : rrhh@intercoined.org

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SPANISH KARAOKE: “ROSA ROSA”

(version française)
We bring you one of the most popular songs from Argentina, “Rosa Rosa”. This love song is performed by Argentinean musician Sandro, known as the Argentine Elvis. He was one of the first artists making rock music in Spanish and was also the first Latin American artist to sing at Madison Square Garden, in the 70's. He soon conquered the audiences throughout South America, thus gaining the nickname “Sandro de América”. “Rosa, Rosa” is definitely his bigger hit song, and this is your chance to enjoy this live performance while practicing Spanish. Turn up the speakers and rock out to this tune!

Sandro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1945 as Roberto Julio Sánchez. He was both singer and actor, although their first steps were in music. Actually, he started playing the guitar when child influenced by his Romani roots. Because of this, he started to be known as “Gitano” (gipsy), reflecting the cultural richness and different ethnic legacies existing in Argentina.

In the early 60's he started his rock & roll band “Sandro y los del fuego”, which was all a success on the local TV shows. Afterwards, Sandro starred various films, a couple of soap operas, and even sold out Madison Square Garden five times.

Below you will find the song lyrics and the verbs underlined so you can start practicing your Spanish skills!

Ay, Rosa, Rosa tan maravillosa
como blanca diosa,
como flor hermosa
tu amor me condena
a la dulce pena de sufrir...

Ay, Rosa, Rosa dame de tu boca
esa furia loca
que mi amor provoca
que me causa llanto
por quererte tanto,
sólo a ti.

Ay, Rosa, Rosa eres orgullosa
y sin contemplarme
tu fe se destroza
mientras tanto yo
agonizo por ti, ay!

Ay, Rosa, Rosa pide lo que quieras
pero nunca pidas
que mi amor se muera
si algo ha de morir,
moriré yo por ti.

Ay, Rosa dame todos tus sueños
dueño de tu amor quiero ser
ay, dame de tu ayer las heridas
vida, junto a mí has de tener, ay!

Ay, Rosa, Rosa eres orgullosa
y sin contemplarme
tu fe se destroza
mientras tanto yo
agonizo por ti, ay!

Ay, Rosa, Rosa pide lo que quieras
pero nunca pidas
que mi amor se muera
si algo ha de morir,
moriré yo por ti.

Ay, Rosa! Ay, Rosa!

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The #spanishword of the day: "camote"

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(version française)

The #SpanishWord of the Day, “camote” (sweet potato), is used in many countries of Latin America, but in Bolivia it has a special connotation.

“Camote” (sweet potato)

“Camote” is a sweet-tasting root vegetable, consumed since ancient times in several countries of Latin America like Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Bolivia and Peru.

This food is effective in combating malnutrition due to its nutritive values, ease of cultivation and productivity. In other Latin American countries it is known as “batata” in Argentina and “boniato” in Uruguay.

“Camote” is part of the typical cuisine of all the countries that have cultivated it since pre-Hispanic times.

However, when someone in Bolivia says “estoy camote” (I’m “camote”), it doesn’t mean that he feels like a vegetable or food. In Bolivia, “camote” is also used to indicate that someone is in love!

But now… what does “camote” have to do with love?

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