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Spanish Chunks Library

Master high-frequency phrases using the 80/20 principle for rapid Spanish fluency

4988
Total Chunks
4114
Reviewed
874
Pending Review

Word Combinations 500 chunks

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Asumir un riesgo

To take a risk

Reviewed
Standard collocation for taking a risk. Asumir un riesgo calculado = to take a calculated risk. More formal than arriesgarse.
3 examples
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Tener mala suerte

To have bad luck / To be unlucky

Reviewed
Essential collocation. Spanish uses tener (to have) with suerte. Tener buena suerte = to have good luck. ¡Qué mala suerte! …
3 examples
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Hacer una distinción

To make a distinction / To draw a distinction

Reviewed
Used when differentiating between two things. Hacer una distinción entre A y B = to draw a distinction between A …
3 examples
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Poner freno a

To put a stop to / To curb / To rein in

Reviewed
Literally 'to put the brake on'. Describes stopping or limiting something that is growing or getting out of control.
3 examples
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Sacar el tema

To bring up the subject / To raise the topic

Reviewed
Natural collocation for introducing a topic into a conversation. Often used when the topic is delicate or unexpected.
3 examples
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Ganar terreno

To gain ground / To make progress

Reviewed
Describes advancing or becoming more established. The opposite of perder terreno. Used in business, politics, sport, and medicine.
3 examples
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Tomar el pulso

To take the pulse / To gauge / To get a feel for

Reviewed
Literally 'to take the pulse'. Used figuratively for assessing the mood, state, or temperature of a situation or group.
3 examples
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Perder el empleo

To lose one's job

Reviewed
Standard collocation for job loss. Perder el empleo = to lose one's job. Also quedarse sin trabajo in informal contexts.
3 examples
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Guardar cama

To stay in bed / To be confined to bed

Reviewed
Used when a doctor orders rest in bed due to illness. El médico le dijo que guardara cama = the …
3 examples
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Ponerse en guardia

To be on one's guard / To put oneself on alert

Reviewed
Describes becoming cautious or alert in response to a perceived threat or risk. Also ponerse alerta.
3 examples
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