Απόκριες (apo-kreas=goodbye to meat) is the three week period before the Σαρακοστή (sa-ra-ko-STEE), the “Great Lent”. The Σαρακοστή lasts forty days and ends on Πάσχα (PAS-cha=Easter).During Σαρακοστή, people fast and prepare themselves spiritually for the great feast of Πάσχα. Απόκριες … Continue reading
Στην Ελλάδα [stin E-LA-dha] (Valentine’s day) is celebrated in Greece on February 14th as well. Even though Greece is an orthodox country, we celebrate this catholic saint with as much passion as the rest of the world. Valentine’s day was … Continue reading
We’re excited to announce the arrival of the newest addition to the Living Language line: our Farsi online course comes out this week! In preparation, here’s a little more about Persian or Farsi (more on why these two names are … Continue reading
The Christmas season in Germany has already begun. Last Sunday, Nov. 30, marked the first day of Advent, the four weeks leading up to the arrival of das Christkind, or the Christ child, on Dec. 25. Continue reading
What you see in the picture below is un enchufe. In Spain we use the same word for both items, the plug and the outlet; so that you might hear the following question: ¿Dónde hay un enchufe? ( Where can … Continue reading
Want to celebrate Oktoberfest but can’t make it all the way to Munich? Visit one of these American cities for an authentic celebration of all things Bavarian: good food, good beer, good culture, and even a wiener dog race. Cincinnati, … Continue reading
Sorry for the inconvenience, foreign visitors, and I know that you find it unbelievable, but it’s true, stores close in Spain de dos a cinco aproximadamente (from 2 to 5 aproximately). The only places you’ll find open during these precious … Continue reading
The famous French painting by Eugène Delacroix depicts Liberty as a woman wearing un bonnet phrygien (a Phrygian cap), le drapeau de la Révolution (the flag of the French Revolution) and un mousquet avec une baïonnette (a musket with a bayonet). The woman … Continue reading
In every language, one finds sayings related to money. In English, for example, we say "Time is money." Below we list examples of this type of saying in Brazilian Portuguese.
Dinheiro chama dinheiro. Money begets money. Continue reading
Our friend Jessica is planning on spending a month in France this summer, so bien sûr, she needs to learn French! We sat down with her to talk about her trip, her strategy for getting her French up to speed … Continue reading
