Spanish grammar
Oral markers: oye, mira, fíjate, anda, vaya, venga
Use the little words that carry attitude in spoken Spanish.
From the scene ¡Anda! ¿Y eso? (Get away! How come?)
In short
Little words carry attitude: oye and mira get attention, fíjate points something out, ¡anda! is surprise, ¡vaya! disappointment, ¡venga! urging.
Your turn
Which one goes with look, … (to usted)?
Options: oye, Javi · fíjate qué ojeras · mire
Show answer
look, … (to usted) → mire
How it works
These words have lost most of their literal meaning: they carry attitude.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
"(blank)" es de sorpresa, Tomás. No de andar.
Options: Anda · Venga · Vaya
Show answer
"Anda" es de sorpresa, Tomás. No de andar.
"Get away" means "fancy that", Tomás. Not "leave".
Good to know
Oye and mira (oiga, mire to usted) get attention before you speak. Fíjate (fíjese) points out something remarkable.
Good to know
¡Anda! shows surprise, and ¡anda ya! disbelief. ¡Vaya! shows disappointment or surprise. ¡Venga! urges someone on.
hey, Javi (tú) oye, Javi
Elena
Oye, Javi, ¿y Tomás? Su receta va después de la cuña.
Hey, Javi, where's Tomás? His recipe's on after the advert.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), ¿y Tomás? Su receta va después de la cuña.
Options: Oye, Javi · Mire · Fíjate qué ojeras
Show answer
Elena
Oye, Javi, ¿y Tomás? Su receta va después de la cuña.
Hey, Javi, where's Tomás? His recipe's on after the advert.
look, … (to usted) mire
Javi
Mire, me acaba de escribir. Viene con los gemelos.
Look, he's just messaged me. He's bringing the twins.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), me acaba de escribir. Viene con los gemelos.
Options: Javi · Fíjate qué ojeras · Mire
Show answer
Javi
Mire, me acaba de escribir. Viene con los gemelos.
Look, he's just messaged me. He's bringing the twins.
look at those bags under your eyes fíjate qué ojeras
oh dear… (let down) vaya, hombre
Your turn
What goes with vaya, hombre?
Options: oh dear… (let down) · hey, Javi (tú) · look, … (to usted)
Show answer
vaya, hombre → oh dear… (let down)
come on, we're going in venga, que entramos
Javi
Venga, que entramos. Tres, dos...
Come on, we're going in. Three, two...
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Tres, dos...
Options: Venga, que entramos · Oye, Javi · Mire
Show answer
Javi
Venga, que entramos. Tres, dos...
Come on, we're going in. Three, two...
Common mistake
Not Oiga or Oído here. Elena to Javi (tú).
Oye, Javi, ¿y Tomás? Su receta va después de la cuña.
Hey, Javi, where's Tomás? His recipe's on after the advert.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| hey, Javi (tú) | oye, Javi |
|---|---|
| look, … (to usted) | mire |
| look at those bags under your eyes | fíjate qué ojeras |
| oh dear… (let down) | vaya, hombre |
| come on, we're going in | venga, que entramos |
| oh, come off it! | ¡anda ya! |
More lines from the story
- Javi"Anda" es de sorpresa, Tomás. No de andar."Get away" means "fancy that", Tomás. Not "leave".
- Javi¿Yo? ¡Anda ya! Yo solo sé hacer arepas.Me? Oh, come off it! All I can make is arepas.
- TomásPues fíjese, Doña Elena: yo ya no me sorprendo de nada. Tres noches sin dormir.Well, you know what, Doña Elena: nothing surprises me any more. Three nights without sleep.