Speaking Spanish for one and a half to two years doesn't do a lot to help a person speak good English. In fact, many missionaries will lapse into Spanish for certain words or phrases, even after having been home for several months. This page is designed to show some of the words or phrases influenced by the Spanish language that missionaries will often use while speaking in English.
If you know of a word or phrase that should be added to this page, please send it in!
- bajar - take a flight of stairs or go down
- We always bajar the garbage or just bajar (to go out to teach, for example). (Note: You have to bajar because you will rarely find a piso on the ground level.)
- capilla - chapel
- The capilla is always located a good half hour walk from the missionaries' piso.
- chapa - nametag
- Hold on, Elder, I can't find my chapa.
- charla - discussion
- Good missionaries memorize their charlas quickly.
- hermana - sister
- The hermanas are a great asset to the mission.
- iglesia - church
- Missionaries invite investigadores to the iglesia to attend services.
- investigador - investigator
- The investigador wants to learn about the church.
- matar el toro - shoot the bull
- Listen, Elders, we better stop matando el toro and get to work.
- piso - flat (apartment)
- After a full day of proselyting, missionaries return to their piso for the night.
- vámonos - let's go
- We've been here an hour already! Vámonos ya.
Do you have a word or phrase to add to this list? Send it in!
The English Language
Called to Serve
