Personal Letters, Spanish Phrases, and Vocabulary Lists

Letter to Anna: Friendship, Music, Family Life

Hi there Anna,

I don’t know if you got my first message. I’ve been having problems with my computer. Sometimes it’s a piece of junk… anyway, I decided to send the message again. Well, I have to tell you that I’m really excited about the beginning of our friendship. I’m sure it’s going to be really fun; maybe we could become BFF!

I’d like to tell you a little bit more about me. To begin, I’ll tell you that I love music – most kinds of music, but maybe rock music is my favorite. However, Mum and Dad don’t like some rock singers, but I listen to them anyway, and I have posters of these rock singers and rock bands in my bedroom. I’m sending you some pictures of them!

I’m finishing high school this year, and we’re planning the best party ever. By the way, I still haven’t decided what to study in college. Maybe you could help me? What about music?

I also love spending time with my crazy family. Yes, they’re crazy, but I love them. My daddy is the best. He spends lots of time with my mum and me. They both work from home. They’re both musicians and have a studio at home where they make music for children. The rest of my family comes to my house every weekend, and they sing, dance, and cook the whole weekend. We also swim in the pool.

Sometimes my friends come. I have few friends, but they are the best as well. Sometimes Manuel brings his skateboards, and we all skate around the house. Even Mum tries to skate too! See? I told you my family is a little bit crazy.

Well, that’s all for now. I look forward to hearing about you.

  • What kind of music and sports are you into?
  • What sort of things do you do in your free time?
  • What are your friends like?
  • And what’s your city like?

Get in touch soon!

All the best,
Jacqueline

Useful English-Spanish Phrases for Letters

How are you?
¿Cómo estás?
Sorry for not writing earlier.
Perdón por no haber escrito antes.
Thanks for your letter.
Gracias por tu carta.
What’s new?
¿Qué hay de nuevo?
I was glad to hear from you.
Me alegré de saber de ti.
Hope you are well.
Espero que estés bien.
How have you been?
¿Cómo has estado?
It was so nice to hear from you.
Fue muy agradable saber de ti.
I hope you are doing fine.
Espero que estés bien.
It was great to hear from you.
Fue muy bueno saber de ti.
How’s everything going?
¿Cómo va todo?

Note to Susan: Apology and Upcoming Visit

Dear Susan,

Sorry for not writing for so long, but I’ve been busy studying for my exams. It was great to receive your letter and hear all your news, especially that you and your parents might come to visit me in two weeks.

Mario’s Introduction: Life in Spain & Pen Pal Request

Hello Simon,

I’m glad you’re interested in my country. As your friend said, I’d like us to email each other to help you improve your English.

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself and my family. My name’s Mario, and I live in Calatayud, which is about 45 minutes from Zaragoza by car. I used to work for the Spanish Army in Badajoz, but now I’m training to be a Sergeant. In the future, I want a job where I can travel for work. I’ve already been to a few places in Europe, but I’ve never been to an English-speaking country.

I live at home with my wife, which is convenient, as I don’t have to do much housework, and my meals are cooked for me. My younger brother is studying at university. Although he is four years younger than me, we get on quite well. We both enjoy football and music.

What about you? Have you ever been to Spain? It would be great if you could come over one day, and we could arrange a meeting. Why don’t you let me know your plans?

Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes,
Mario

Food & Restaurant Vocabulary (English-Spanish)

Fresh
fresco
Frozen
congelado
Low-fat
bajo en grasas
Spicy
picante/especiado
Takeaway
comida para llevar
Tinned
enlatado
Squid
calamar
Grilled
a la parrilla
Steamed
al vapor
Prawns
gambas
Cabbage
col
Carton
envase
Jar
bote/jarra
Roast
asado
Raw
crudo
Fork
tenedor
Boiled
hervido
Cucumber
pepino
Beetroot
remolacha
Ready-made food
comida precocinada
Junk food
comida basura
Intolerant
intolerante
Strawberry
fresa
Blueberry
arándano
Cranberry
arándano rojo
Berries
bayas
Cocoa
cacao
Fizzy/Sparkling
gaseoso
Mussels
mejillones
Lamb
cordero (pieza de carne)
Beef
ternera (pieza de carne)

Family & Personality Vocabulary (English-Spanish)

Family Members

Mother
madre
Father
padre
Parents
padres
Brother
hermano
Sister
hermana
Siblings
hermanos
Parents-in-law
suegros
Brother/Sister-in-law
cuñado/cuñada
Grandson
nieto
Granddaughter
nieta
Aunt
tía
Uncle
tío
Nephew
sobrino
Niece
sobrina
Cousin
primo/prima
Stepmother
madrastra
Stepfather
padrastro
Stepbrother
hermanastro
Stepsister
hermanastra
Only child
hijo único
Widow
viuda
Widower
viudo

Family Concepts

Nuclear family
familia nuclear (padres, hermanos)
Relatives
familiares
Immediate family
familia cercana
Extended family
familia ampliada
Sick/Ill
enfermo
No wonder
con razón/no es de extrañar
Rivalry
rivalidad
Childhood
infancia
Gathering
reunión/encuentro
Aware of
ser consciente de
Boarding school
internado
Value
valor
Gang
pandilla

Personality Traits

Jealous
celoso
Anxious
ansioso
Ambitious
ambicioso
Generous
generoso
Rebellious
rebelde
Sociable
sociable
Reliable
fiable
Competitive
competitivo
Talkative
hablador
Aggressive
agresivo
Sensitive
sensible
Unfriendly
poco amistoso
Insecure
inseguro
Impatient
impaciente
Immature
inmaduro
Affectionate
afectuoso
Bossy
mandón
Charming
encantador
Independent
independiente
Moody
malhumorado/que cambia de humor rápidamente
Selfish
egoísta
Sensible
sensato
Spoilt
mimado
Stubborn
tozudo
Hard-working
trabajador
Mean
tacaño, malo
Outgoing
extrovertido
Self-confident
seguro de sí mismo
Stupid
estúpido
Clever
listo
Lazy
perezoso
Quiet
tranquilo
Shy
tímido
Weak
débil