Shanley

As far as I know the traditional Spanish wish for the new year is 'Feliz Año Nuevo', and yes, feliz means happy. (just filling in for Polenta, now I realize she wasn't around lately. )

Qsilv

Feliz Navidad Y Próspero Año Nuevo -- en 120 idiomas (in 120 languages)

http://feliznavidad.aztecahosting.com/

*winks

polenta

Sorry I hadn't seen these questions before. This topic was so down there that I didn't even remember to open it.
Yes, merry Christmas would be FELIZ NAVIDAD.
Happy new year would be FELIZ AÑO NUEVO
I am FELIZ you have asked me this but I am not FELIZ that I didn't answer at the right time.
FELIZ= HAPPY
INFELIZ= UNHAPPY

Dear Spanish students,
Can any of you tell me what the negative prefix is?
1) pre-
2) sub-
3) in-
4)inter-
5)mal-

Qsilv

...er... this is a trick question, right? ;>

Normal

Normal knows no Spanish, but years of Latin, French, German & English tell me: pre = before, sub = under, in = in (!), inter = between and mal = bad. That would be pretty negative, no? Thanks for the invite to your yacht-to-be! I will be hoping that "your ship comes in!"

polenta

There is absolutely no trick. Just think.... and very little.
And Normal, I was hoping to win the lottery this December... and I didn't. I could invite you to my bathtub or to my living room to eat cookies. Would that be the same. I promise the yacht thing for next December, si? yes?

polenta

Spanish is easy. All the abovementioned prefixes are exactly the same in English and in Spanish, including IN- which means a negative or a no.
For example: efficient vs. inefficient
No, the answer was not tricky this time.

Normal

Ah, gotcha! Indisposed, Indigestion. But Inference, Invitation - no, those are from verbs (invite, infer). Right - Incapacitated. But Inviolate - means can't be violated, so negative with a positive result. Insult! Inelegant! Oh, dear.
Thanks, but no thanks on the bath tub. Just let me know when you get the yacht!

Qsilv

and here I was sooo hoping you were going to show me that I could use those exact prefixes in Spanish...
like vivir / invivir.... joven / maljoven... jardin / subjardin... (*twinkly grin)

polenta

No, Qsilv.... there was no trick. Sorry. LOL

Baldur

polenta, is St Valentine's Day (February 14th in the US) celebrated ?
In the US it's a major romantic holiday, and the day of the year that most men dread.
With some couples the expectations of the woman don't match up with the actions of the man when it comes to Valentines Day.
Woe is the man who forgets this day and doesn't remember the greeting card, flowers, romantic dinner, expensive gift etc.

Baldur

I should have specified... 'is it celebrated in Uruguay?'

Baldur

In this country the stores start assembling Valentine's Day displays as soon as the Christmas merchandise is removed.
But then the Christmas stuff starts appearing as early as September.

Robindcr8l

Maybe I'm one of the only women in America who think Valentine's Day is stupid. I am not a romantic, and don't like sappy cards and think flowers are pretty in the garden, but I'd rather just have the money than have someone spend $40 on a bouquet for my table that will die in a matter of days. A little surprise gift once in awhile is much more romantic. I think marius talked about how her husband and she don't celebrate birthdays, but just randomly choose a day to surprise one another with a coveted gift! PERFECT!

Dragon

I do like Valentine's Day and like a little something, doesn't need to be expensive. I always get my sweetie a little something for it. I'm totally done with eating out on V-day though. Last year we had reservations for 6:30 so that means we were seated at about 8:00 and had our meal arrive at somewhere around 9:00. We wanted a little v-day loving that night but I think it was so late by the time we got home we may have had to postpone it! This year I think maybe a nice dinner at home that we both pitch in to make.

polenta

It's not VERY MUCH KNOWN but it is probably beginning to exist little by little. Of course if it is celebrated a little, it's because publicists and advertising have begun to speak about it. To tell you better, I should ask a teenager or someone who is in his/her twenties. Things could have changed with the generations.
What I know for sure is that shops are not crowded because of that although I've heard of some people getting presents. Not my case.

Baldur

You would know if it were wildly popular polenta. Every store would be decorated with hearts and flowers.

polenta

No, no, shops are not decorated. I asked my brother and he knew nothing about St. Valentine. However, his wife had heard about it and said it was the day of the people who are in love (Dia de los Enamorados)

AuntieB

Tia B aqui, filling in for Polenta.
I really miss polenta but understand with Summer in full swing down in Uruguay she is very busy. Auntie B has volunteered to check in from time to time.
I must same the men down here are quite handsome.
Anyway there is a party down on the playa so Tia B must pack up a basket of goodies and put on a fetching sundress.
Hasta Manana!

polenta

I have a question for native English speakers.
Which verb would you use to complete this sentence? If there is more than one it would be OK and if you think there is a better one, please tell me.

WE WILL HAVE TO..........OUR PRICES IF WE WANT TO SELL THESE NEW TVs.

1 diminish
2 decrease
3 lower
4 reduce