Summary of English-Spanish Idioms and Vocabulary
English-Spanish Idioms and Vocabulary: Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
This material introduces English vocabulary, along with its Spanish equivalents, related to personality, movements (literal and metaphorical), thinking verbs, and general terms useful for high school students. It's organized by categories to make learning easier, with clear definitions, practical examples, and comparisons that will help you remember and use the words in context.
How to use this material
- Read each section and underline new words.
- Practice with your own examples: describe friends/family using these words.
- Review the key points at the end before an exam.
1. Personality Traits and Adjectives
Definition: Traits that describe someone's usual character or typical way of behaving.
- Self-centred — Egocéntrico: primarily focused on oneself.
- Self-obsessed — Obsesionado con uno mismo: excessively focused on oneself.
- Trustworthy — Confiable: honest and reliable.
- Underconfident — Inseguro: lacking self-confidence.
- Absent-minded — Despistado: forgetful or inattentive.
- Forward-looking — Sopesador del futuro: focused on the future or progressive.
- High-spirited — Alegre y enérgico: enthusiastic and lively.
- Highly strung — Muy nervioso: easily stressed or anxious.
- Kind-hearted — Bondadoso: caring and generous.
- Laid-back — Relajado: relaxed and easygoing.
- Like-minded — Con ideas afines: sharing similar opinions or interests.
- Narrow-minded — De mente cerrada: intolerant of new ideas.
- Streetwise — Espabilado: having practical real-world knowledge.
- Strong-willed — Decidido: determined and difficult to persuade.
- Thin-skinned — Sensible: easily offended.
- Tight-fisted — Tacaño: reluctant to spend money.
Practical Examples
- "Maria is laid-back; she never worries about exams." (María es relajada.)
- "Carlos is high-spirited and encourages the whole team." (Carlos es enérgico.)
💡 Did you know?Did you know that some words seem like opposites but can coexist in one person? For example, someone can be strong-willed and kind-hearted at the same time.
2. Nouns and Expressions for Describing People
Definition: Nouns or expressions that summarize types of people or attitudes.
- A cold fish — Someone who is emotionally distant and shows little feeling.
- A dark horse — Someone whose abilities or intentions are not known, or who achieves unexpected success.
- A go-getter — An ambitious and hardworking person who is determined to succeed.
- A mover and shaker — An influential person who makes things happen and drives change.
- A smart alec — Someone who tries to show off their intelligence in an annoying way; an insufferable know-it-all.
- A smart cookie — An intelligent and resourceful person.
- A soft touch — Someone who is easily persuaded or exploited, often because they are kind.
- A live wire — A very energetic and lively person.
- A wet blanket — Someone who spoils other people's fun or enthusiasm.
Comparative Table: Types of Social Impact
| Type | Key Trait | Brief Example |
|---|---|---|
| Influential Person | Mover and shaker | Drives change at school |
| Ambitious Person | Go-getter | Seeks opportunities and achieves success |
| Cold/Emotionally Distant | A cold fish | Doesn't easily show emotions |
| Energetic Person | A live wire | Energizes activities and events |
3. Genes, Nature, and Nurture (Genetics & Personality)
Definition: Concepts relating biology to personality development.
- Destiny — Destino: events believed to be predetermined.
- Disposition — Disposición: natural character or temperament.
- Hereditary — Hereditario: passed down from parents through genes.
- Imply — Implicar: to suggest something indirectly.
- Moulded — Moldeado: formed or influenced.
- Nurture — Crianza: the care and upbringing someone receives.
- Offspring — *
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Personality Vocabulary
Klíčové pojmy: Distinguish between personality adjectives and their nuances, Use nouns such as "a go-getter" to summarize types of people, Understand the interaction between "hereditary" and "nurture", Use verbs of thinking to structure essays and reflections, Recognize literal and figurative verbs of movement, Compare opposing traits in tables to aid memory, Apply literary vocabulary to describe crowds and scenes, Use general terms (setback, breakthrough) in project contexts, Practice common fixed phrases such as "have no clue" and "keep an eye on", Relate adjectives such as "laid-back" or "high-spirited" with real-life examples
## Introduction
This material introduces English vocabulary, along with its Spanish equivalents, related to **personality**, movements (literal and metaphorical), thinking verbs, and general terms useful for high school students. It's organized by categories to make learning easier, with clear definitions, practical examples, and comparisons that will help you remember and use the words in context.
### How to use this material
1. Read each section and underline new words.
2. Practice with your own examples: describe friends/family using these words.
3. Review the key points at the end before an exam.
## 1. Personality Traits and Adjectives
> **Definition:** Traits that describe someone's usual character or typical way of behaving.
- **Self-centred** — *Egocéntrico*: primarily focused on oneself.
- **Self-obsessed** — *Obsesionado con uno mismo*: excessively focused on oneself.
- **Trustworthy** — *Confiable*: honest and reliable.
- **Underconfident** — *Inseguro*: lacking self-confidence.
- **Absent-minded** — *Despistado*: forgetful or inattentive.
- **Forward-looking** — *Sopesador del futuro*: focused on the future or progressive.
- **High-spirited** — *Alegre y enérgico*: enthusiastic and lively.
- **Highly strung** — *Muy nervioso*: easily stressed or anxious.
- **Kind-hearted** — *Bondadoso*: caring and generous.
- **Laid-back** — *Relajado*: relaxed and easygoing.
- **Like-minded** — *Con ideas afines*: sharing similar opinions or interests.
- **Narrow-minded** — *De mente cerrada*: intolerant of new ideas.
- **Streetwise** — *Espabilado*: having practical real-world knowledge.
- **Strong-willed** — *Decidido*: determined and difficult to persuade.
- **Thin-skinned** — *Sensible*: easily offended.
- **Tight-fisted** — *Tacaño*: reluctant to spend money.
### Practical Examples
- "Maria is **laid-back**; she never worries about exams." (María es relajada.)
- "Carlos is **high-spirited** and encourages the whole team." (Carlos es enérgico.)
Did you know that some words seem like opposites but can coexist in one person? For example, someone can be *strong-willed* and *kind-hearted* at the same time.
## 2. Nouns and Expressions for Describing People
> **Definition:** Nouns or expressions that summarize types of people or attitudes.
- **A cold fish** — *Someone who is emotionally distant and shows little feeling.*
- **A dark horse** — *Someone whose abilities or intentions are not known, or who achieves unexpected success.*
- **A go-getter** — *An ambitious and hardworking person who is determined to succeed.*
- **A mover and shaker** — *An influential person who makes things happen and drives change.*
- **A smart alec** — *Someone who tries to show off their intelligence in an annoying way; an insufferable know-it-all.*
- **A smart cookie** — *An intelligent and resourceful person.*
- **A soft touch** — *Someone who is easily persuaded or exploited, often because they are kind.*
- **A live wire** — *A very energetic and lively person.*
- **A wet blanket** — *Someone who spoils other people's fun or enthusiasm.*
Comparative Table: Types of Social Impact
| Type | Key Trait | Brief Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Influential Person | Mover and shaker | Drives change at school |
| Ambitious Person | Go-getter | Seeks opportunities and achieves success |
| Cold/Emotionally Distant | A cold fish | Doesn't easily show emotions |
| Energetic Person | A live wire | Energizes activities and events |
## 3. Genes, Nature, and Nurture (Genetics & Personality)
> **Definition:** Concepts relating biology to personality development.
- **Destiny** — *Destino*: events believed to be predetermined.
- **Disposition** — *Disposición*: natural character or temperament.
- **Hereditary** — *Hereditario*: passed down from parents through genes.
- **Imply** — *Implicar*: to suggest something indirectly.
- **Moulded** — *Moldeado*: formed or influenced.
- **Nurture** — *Crianza*: the care and upbringing someone receives.
- **Offspring** — *