Coffee Break Spanish: 5 Untranslateable Words to Use This December | A Coffee Break with Anabel

Release Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Anabel (for Coffee Break Languages)

Episode Overview

In this festive special, Anabel explores five unique Spanish words that don’t have direct English equivalents but are especially relevant as the holiday season approaches. She explains their meanings, provides rich example sentences and cultural context, and offers practical tips for using them in real conversations. The tone is warm, encouraging, and built for learners eager to enrich their Spanish with colorful, useful vocabulary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Purpose

[02:03]

• Anabel welcomes listeners and introduces the episode’s festive focus: “En este episodio quiero compartir contigo unas palabras muy especiales en espanol que seran bastante utiles ahora que se acerca el periodo festivo.”
• She emphasizes these are “words that don't have a direct translation into English, but they are too good not to know.”

2. Word 1: Trasnochar

[03:00]

• Definition: To stay up all night (studying, partying, or losing track of time).
• Example:
  • “Ayer trasnoché para terminar de envolver los regalos de la familia.”
  • Translation: Yesterday I stayed up all night to finish wrapping the presents for the family.
• Tip: The verb contains the noun "noche" (night), which can help you remember its meaning.
• Grammar Note: She mentions the use of “trasnochar” in the preterite tense: “trasnoché – I stayed up all night.”

3. Word 2: Madrugar

[04:15]

• Definition: To wake up very early, often before sunrise.
• Example:
  • “Mañana tengo que madrugar para ir al aeropuerto.”
  • Translation: Tomorrow I have to wake up early to go to the airport.
• Related Noun: “La madrugada” (the period after midnight and before sunrise).
• Cultural Relevance: Used to express the need to rise early, often for holiday travel.

4. Word 3: Estrenar

[05:25]

• Definition: To wear or use something for the first time.
• Example:
  • “Estoy emocionada porque voy a estrenar el vestido que me compré esta Nochebuena.”
  • Translation: I’m very excited because I’m going to wear the dress I bought for the first time this Christmas Eve.
• Notable Quote:
  • “This is probably one of my favourite verbs and one that I miss when I speak in English.” (Anabel, 05:35)
• Practical Note:
  • You can use “estrenar” for things that are new to you, even if they are second-hand:
    • “Me compré este teléfono en la tienda de segunda mano y tengo muchas ganas de estrenarlo.”
    • “I bought this phone in a second-hand store and I’m looking forward to using it for the first time.”
• Grammar Tip: Pay attention to pronouns (“estrenarlo” = to use it for the first time).

5. Word 4: Empalagar

[07:10]

• Definition: To become overwhelmed by excessive sweetness (when something is too sugary).
• Example:
  • “El pastel empalaga mucho.”
  • Translation: The cake is extremely sweet.
• Related Adjective: “Empalagoso/empalagosa” – describes something or someone as overly sweet (in a sometimes negative way).
• Notable Explanation:
  • “Normally it has a negative connotation because we are saying that something or someone is too sweet for our liking.” (Anabel, 08:00)

6. Word 5: Friolero/Friolera

[08:51]

• Definition: An adjective for someone who is extra sensitive to the cold.
• Example:
  • “No salgas sin abrigo que eres muy friolero.”
  • Translation: Don’t go out without a coat, you are always so sensitive to the cold.
• Cultural Insight:
  • Anabel jokes about missing this word now that she’s in colder Scotland, highlighting its everyday relevance as winter starts.
• Interactive Moment:
  • “¿Eres el friolero o la friolera de tu familia o de tu grupo de amigos?”
    (Are you the one who’s always cold in your family or group of friends?)

Memorable Quotes

• On Estrenar:
  • “This is probably one of my favourite verbs and one that I miss when I speak in English.” – Anabel (05:35)
• On Empalagar:
  • “Normally it has a negative connotation because we are saying that something or someone is too sweet for our liking.” – Anabel (08:00)

Summary Table: The 5 Words at a Glance

| Spanish Word | Meaning | Example Usage | Timestamp | |-----------------|---------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Trasnochar | To stay up all night | “Ayer trasnoché para terminar…” | 03:00 | | Madrugar | To wake up very early | “Mañana tengo que madrugar para ir al aeropuerto.” | 04:15 | | Estrenar | To use/wear for the first time | “Voy a estrenar el vestido…” | 05:25 | | Empalagar | Overwhelmed by sweetness | “El pastel empalaga mucho.” | 07:10 | | Friolero/a | Sensitive to the cold | “No salgas sin abrigo que eres muy friolero.” | 08:51 |

Closing & Encouragement

[09:45]

• Anabel encourages listeners to try using these words in their next Spanish conversation or in writing.
• She invites learners to sign up for regular free mini-lessons at the Coffee Break Languages website.

Usefulness

This episode is a concise yet vibrant toolkit for learners aiming to bring nuance and local flavor to their Spanish, especially in festive contexts. Anabel’s explanations, grammar notes, and culturally relevant examples make each word memorable and immediately usable.

Hasta la próxima — and happy coffee breaking!