Saucy Expressions, B1-B2, Pt 1

Here are some everyday, or colloquial, words & idiomatic expressions to add to your conversations. These phrases are classified as CEFRL level, B1-B2, or intermediate stage.
See end of this article for details on CEFRL stages.

Expressing Thoughts & Feelings

 Desahogarse → to blow off steam / vent
No me sale el nombre → I can’t think of / remember the name
Se te nota → It shows on you (e.g. se te nota el cansancio)
(Si) me quedo sin palabras → (If) I’m lost for words
Apurarse → to hurry / to rush
Aturdido → stunned, dazed
Algo es algo → something is something (better than nothing!)
Más que todo → more than anything

Common Conversational Connectors
Volviendo al tema → going back to the topic / anyway
A continuación, las noticias → up next, the news
Lo cual está bien → which is good
Por medio de → through / by means of
Hasta otra → until next time
No te metas → don’t get involved / stay out of it

Useful Everyday Phrases
No me queda otra → I have no choice
Oye, como te va? --- >  Hey, hows it going? or, Wassup? (literally, 'hear, how you it goes?')
No es asunto mío → it’s not my business
Quedo a la espera de sus noticias → I look forward to hearing from you (formal)
El mundo va cambiando → the world is changing
Al aire libre → outdoors
Contratiempo → setback
Que tiene de malo → what’s bad about it?

Describing People
Persona trabajadora → hard-working person
Mentalidad abierta → open-minded
Confianza en uno mismo → self-confidence
Figura paterna → father figure

Everyday Vocabulary
Rodaje de película → movie shoot / filming
Traje de baño → swimsuit
Gotas hidratantes → hydrating drops (for eyes or skin)
Luchar contra la depresión → to fight against depression
Impactante / Llamativo → striking, impactful, eye-catching

*** 

CEFRL LEVELS


Language levels B1 and B2, are part of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), and are called, "user level stages."

Together, they form the two-part, intermediate level of language skill.

B1 is the lower stage of the two.
A B1 user can handle common situations and describe familiar topics.
B2 is the upper intermediate stage.
A B2 user can understand complex topics, express themselves more fluently, and produce detailed text on a wide range of subjects

B2 is also the threshold level leading to C-level proficiency levels.

B1: Intermediate, "Threshold" (between basic and advanced proficient) 
Understanding: 
Can understand the main points of clear, standard input on familiar matters, like work or school.

Speaking: 
Can produce simple connected text on familiar topics or personal interest and describe experiences. 

Interaction: 
Can handle most situations likely to arise while traveling and can communicate in familiar contexts. 


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