Go beyond "quiero más queso"

10 Spanish phrases worth knowing

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As the fourth most spoken language in the world and the second most spoken in the United States, Spanish is definitely one of the most ubiquitous languages. Whether you are on holiday in a Spanish-speaking country, or you need to speak to someone who only speaks Spanish, it is always a good idea to learn a few phrases to make communication easier. The following ten are some of the most used phrases when visiting unfamiliar places. Did you know any of these?

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A dialogue has to start somewhere. And what better way to start one than saying "hello" in a friendly manner, right? Spanish-speaking folks are no different and a kind greeting is always a good way to introduce yourself.

The Spanish word for "hello" is Hola (ow·luh). And a perfectly agreeable way to follow that would be a "nice to meet you," which in Spanish translates to es un placer conocerte (ehs oon plah-sehr koh-noh-sehr-teh).

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The second part of an introduction is presenting yourself (that is if you are not just simply asking for directions or something along those lines). At this stage, you might want to let your new acquaintance know your name.

You can do so by saying Mi nombre es… (mee nohm-breh ehs) followed by your name. This is the Spanish way of saying "my name is."

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Another advisable thing to know if you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking region is "Where is this address?" Whether you have a map or not, being able to get assistance from the locals is always a good thing.

If you have a map or can, somehow, show the address you need to get to, the correct way of saying this in Spanish is Dónde queda esta dirección? (don·De ke·Da e·sa Deer x ee on)

If you can pronounce the address, then the way to ask is Dónde queda…? ((don·De ke·Da) and complete the dots with the address.

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This phrase is a linguistic Swiss Army knife that can be used to get the correct word for absolutely anything you need. Being able to say "How do you say…?" in a foreign language is extremely valuable and luckily, very simple.

To say this in Spanish, you must say ¿Cómo se dice…? (Koh Moe Ze Dee Ze) followed by the thing you need to say in Spanish.

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This phrase can be of paramount importance if nature calls and you are surrounded by Spanish-speaking individuals. Knowing how to properly ask for a toilette in the local language is, perhaps, not your highest priority when it comes to learning local phrases but maybe it should be, just in case.

The right way to ask for a bathroom in Spanish is to say ¿Dónde queda el baño? (Don Deh Keh Dah L Bah Neeo), which translates to "Where is the bathroom?"

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As a cautionary measure, if you are not fluent in Spanish, it might be a good idea to disclose this information to the person you are speaking to. By doing so, you are excusing yourself for any confusion possible.

To say that you don’t speak the language very well, you can try with No hablo muy bien tu idioma (No Ah Bloh Mooi Bee In Too E deeo Mah). Or you can also say, No hablo bien en Español, which means "I don´t speak Spanish very well."

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These are pretty basic things to know. Being kind can take you a long way and it’s free so, why not use it, right? The correct way to say "please" in Spanish is Por favor (Pohr Fah Voor). And the right way to say "thank you" is Gracias (Grah See As).

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Likewise, other two very important things to learn are "I’m sorry" and "excuse me." Being courteous and well-mannered is universally appreciated and help will always be more readily available for a person who shows this kind of behavior.

The right way to say "I’m sorry" in Spanish is Perdón (pehr-dohn). And the correct way to phrase "excuse me" is disculpas (dees-kool-pahs).

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This one can also be crucial if you require assistance and the only people who can provide it are Spanish-speaking individuals. The simple phrase "I need help" can be used for someone who needs advice choosing a wine or someone who is in serious danger.

The correct way to say "I need help" in Spanish is, necesito ayuda (Neh Seh See Toh A Joo Dah).

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The final entry on this list matches the final words of your conversation with a Spanish-speaking person. Or, at least, a version of these words, since there are many ways to say goodbye in any language.

The phrase we are using here is a polite farewell that can be used with someone you have just met, similar to saying, "Goodbye, it was nice meeting you" and it is pronounced Hasta luego, fue un placer conocerte (Fooh Eh Oon Plah Sir Koh No Sir Teh).

The truth about your brain

You won’t believe what happens in your brain while you sleep

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Your brain is one of the most powerful and mysterious organs in your body. It controls everything from your thoughts to your emotions and even processes information at lightning speed. But how much do you really know about it? Some long-believed myths about the brain have been debunked, while other surprising facts reveal just how incredible this organ truly is. Get ready to be amazed by these fascinating brain facts!

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You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s completely false! While it’s true that not all parts of the brain fire at the same time, imaging studies show that most regions are active throughout the day, even when we sleep.

Your brain is constantly working, controlling bodily functions and emotions, and processing information. So next time someone says you’re only using 10% of your brain, you can confidently tell them that’s just a myth!

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Here’s a weird fact: While your brain processes pain signals from the rest of your body, it has no pain receptors of its own. This is why surgeons can perform brain surgery on conscious patients without causing them pain.

However, the membranes and tissues surrounding the brain do have pain receptors, which is why headaches and brain injuries can be so excruciating.

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How come we have headaches if the brain has no pain receptors? Well, that’s because headaches are triggered by chemical activity in the brain, changes in nerves and blood vessels, and even fluctuating serotonin levels.

In some cases, hormones like estrogen can also play a role, which explains why migraines are more common in women.

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Dreams are proof that your brain never rests! (Warning: this fact can make you feel exhausted.) While you sleep, your limbic system, that is, the part of the brain that deals with emotions, becomes especially active, which is why dreams often feel so intense.

On average, humans experience four to seven dreams per night, even if we don’t always remember them. And what about that scary nightmare about falling? Well, you can thank your amygdala, the brain’s fear center, for that one.

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Have you ever walked into a room and instantly forgotten what you were after? That’s because short-term memory only lasts about 20-30 seconds! That’s not enough!

Your brain holds a limited amount of information in its active state before deciding whether to store it or discard it. Ironically, we can’t really choose what makes the cut, but we do hope these facts stay with you!

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That sharp, icy pain when you eat something too cold? It’s your brain’s way of telling you to slow down! Officially called sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, a brain freeze happens when cold food or drinks rapidly chill the blood vessels in your throat, causing them to constrict and then rapidly expand. This sends pain signals to your brain, warning you of the sudden temperature shift. It’s annoying, but it’s actually your body trying to protect itself!

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You didn’t need us to tell you, but let’s look at the details: The average person has between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day. What’s even more interesting? 95% of those thoughts are the same ones you had yesterday. Is that not surprising enough? Hear this out: 80% of them tend to be negative. That’s because our brains are wired for survival, constantly analyzing risks and potential dangers.

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Even though it only makes up about 2% of your body weight, your brain employs a major quantity of energy! It consumes 20% of your oxygen and blood supply, making it one of the most demanding organs in your body.

If your brain goes without oxygen for just five minutes, brain cells start dying, leading to irreversible damage. This is why deep breathing and cardiovascular exercise are great for brain health!

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Do you know that feeling when you hit the back of your head and see stars? That’s because your occipital lobe, which controls vision, is located at the back of your brain. If you get hit there, your brain momentarily misfires, causing flashes of light.

Interestingly, your brain processes vision on the opposite side; while your right brain controls your left eye, your left brain controls your right eye. It’s one of the many ways the brain operates in a complex way.

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Believe it or not, your brain generates between 12 and 25 watts of electricity when you’re awake. If you can’t really grasp how powerful that is, check this out: It’s enough to power a small light bulb! Your brain’s electrical activity is what allows neurons to send signals at speeds of up to 260 miles per hour.

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Your brain may be the fattiest organ in your body, consisting of at least 60% fat! This is why consuming healthy fats, like omega-3s and omega-6s present in fish, for example, is essential for brain health.

Healthy fats stabilize brain cell walls, reduce inflammation, and support cognitive function. So go ahead and enjoy that avocado toast, it’s food for your brain!

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It’s not just your memory that fades over time; the brain itself physically shrinks as one gets older. It continues developing until your late 40s, but after that, it slowly decreases in size.

Now, size doesn’t equal intelligence, so a smaller brain doesn’t necessarily mean a less capable one. Staying mentally active, exercising, and eating brain-boosting foods can help keep it in top shape!

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We often think of cholesterol as bad, but your brain actually depends on it! In fact, 25% of your body’s cholesterol is stored in your brain, where it helps with learning and memory. However, unlike other organs, the brain can’t absorb cholesterol from the blood, it has to produce its own. So, while too much cholesterol in the body can be harmful, the right amount is vital for brain function. At least you can use that as an excuse to get that burger!