With the help of native Cubans we compiled this collection of words and phrases used on the largest island of the Antilles. We concisely explain them in English and share example sentences. In this book you will find Spanish words that have a particular meaning or use for Cubans. You'll find some examples of words that are used regionally and the vulgar words that are inevitable in colloquial Spanish. Words like "asere," "empingao," "yuma," "jamonero" and "majomía" will no longer be a mystery with this book of Spanish vocabulary words from Cuba. The Quick Guide to Cuban Spanish includes a total of 952 words, phrases or sayings that have been used for generations. In addition the words are paired with 429 synonyms or related words and 430 entries include at least one example sentence. It also includes 65 black and white illustrations. IS THIS BOOK FOR ME? This book contains words that are not appropriate for kids. If you are just starting to learn Spanish, this book is best used as a complementary reference source to any program or class designed to teach you Spanish. This book and the other books of the Speaking Latino series are not designed as stand-alone learning aids, to teach you Spanish. Instead, they expand your country-specific Spanish vocabulary. If you already speak Spanish, this book help you understand local Spanish from Cuba. Be sure to use the Amazon Look Inside function to see what this book will and will not teach.
About the Author: Suffering a typical 9-5 existence, Jared's foray into lunch-hour Spanish shook up his mundane life. He quit his job, stopped by briefly to school, and then left the US...for 14 years. Early stumblings in real-world Spanish taught him that a cola isn't just a soft drink, "bicho" doesn't always mean a bug, and "boludo" may be heartfelt or middle-finger felt. Twelve countries, three startups, two bestsellers and a Puerto Rican wife later, he's still confounded by how many Spanish words exist for "panties." Their personal experiences highlight common confusions of every-day Spanish. With the views of a native Spanish speaker and a gringo who picked it up as an adult, they constantly find entertaining and controversial lessons on how to communicate in Spanish. The Speaking Latino books and website are a consequence of Jared's bumblings in Spanish, crossed communications with Diana, repeated bouts with culture shock, and confusions over the correct words for popcorn, gasoline, pen, bus, underwear, traffic jam and drinking straw. One of the strangest things for him to accept while learning Spanish was why he spent years in classes, and yet a large portion of the words he learned didn't do a bit of good in the real world. It still amazes him that depending on where you are (chiringa, barrilete, papalote, papagayo, pandorga, chichigua, cometa or volantín) all mean the same thing: kite.