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Presumido, a	adjective
This refers to someone who thinks highly of themselves. Example: She was very vain before suffering the injury, it is more humble.

11-M	idiom
The terrorist attack that took place in Madrid's trains on March, 11th 2004. Example: 11-M is an unforgettable day in the heart of the Spanish.

A su aire, estar o ir

saying

Literally to be or to go at one’s own air (To do it your way)

This phrase or idiom is very much utilized in the informal context. Most of these phrases are relationships established through similes, comparisons and metaphor of some elements in relation to another.

In this case, the noun “aire”, air, speaks to us of large spaces, a fresh current, and freedom of movement. This characteristic of the air is transferred to the human environment and to someone’s need for freedom, movement and exercise of the will, in though and action.

Thus results the expression “ir a su aire” o “estar a su aire”, defining the free, personal and determined way in which someone is, acts or feels.

Example: Ella no seguía la moda y se vestía en su propio estilo, porque estaba acostumbrada a ir a su aire. (She did not follow fashion and dressed in her own style, because she was used to doing things her way).

Al buen tuntún	saying
Without thinking, foresight or knowledge of the matter.

Altamira, Cueva de

noun

The first cave in which palaeolithic rupestrian decorations were found. The cave is located in the North of Spain, near Santillana del Mar and was accidentally found in 1868. The paintings are some 14,000 years old and represent bison, deer, boars, and horses. The cave is closed to the public, but a replica can be seen in the Altamira Museum. Example: Registration of scientific visit to explore the caves of Altamira are taken over more than 10 years in advance.

Amaral

noun

Amaral is the name of a Spanish band begun by Eva Amaral. Eva Amaral started out as a drummer in a small band in Zaragoza. She began writing her own songs and playing in bars locally accompanied by Juan Aguirre. In 1997 she moved to Madrid and recorded her first album, Amaral.

Her second album Una pequeña parte del mundo faired ok with a minor hit, Como Hablar. In 2002 success came storming in with the hit album Estrella Del Mar which provided many hits and brought Amaral to the forefront of the Spanish pop music scene.

Amenábar, Alejandro

noun

Alejandro Amenabar was born in Chile in 1972, although his family moved to Madrid when he was still a baby. He studied information sciences at The Complutense, one of Madrid’s large public universities.

His interest in filmmaking was sparked when he got hold of a video camera at a young age. He made a few short films including: Himenóptero, and Luna, which caught the eye of Spanish film director/producer Jose Luis Cuerda, who asked Amenabar to write a film for him.

This success of his first film, Thesis, has since led to 3 more films including: Abre Los Ojos, The Others (which was produced by Tom Cruise and starred Nicole Kidman) and Mar Adentro (starring Javier Bardem and Belen Rueda). He has also co-written other films with his frequent writing partner, Mateo Gíl, such as Nadie Conoce a Nadie. Amenabar has already won many Goya Awards (film awards in Spain) and has been nominated and won many awards worldwide.

Andrajos	noun
A piece of very used clothing. A despicable person or thing. Example: Some avant-garde fashion rags used for recycling into new fashion trends.

Andrajoso(a)	adjective
Dressed with raggedy clothing. Example: The mendicants are usually dressed in a tattered.

Apabullar	verb
To make someone confused and ashamed. Example: The teacher was known for his despotic attitude and a habit of overwhelm students.

Apaga y vámonos	saying
Expression of order, desire or mandate in a humorous way tells the other the end of a situation, activity or conversation that is delaying or repeating too much. Example: "Switch off and go," said her sister Ana suddenly, watching the clock intently.

Apañárselas	verb
To make do.

Apaño / apañar /apañarse	verb
This term indicates the use of a resource, tool or workaround to remedy a problem or deficiency. In a popular sense says the act of arranging a situation with what you have on hand. Example: The mechanic could not find his toolbox and had to make do with what he found to his hand.

Aquí te pillo, aquí te mato	saying
Term used to indicate the immediacy with which an act is done, business or management. Example: The wedding ceremony was one here I catch you here I'll kill you.

Arrimar el hombro/ poner el hombro	saying
This expression indicates an attitude of involvement and effort of a person for an activity or work, indicates involvement in action and energy in achieving a goal or enterprise, therefore, applies also to indicate the personal effort into something own either the support we provide, or receive from another. Example: Friends put the shoulder when John made his science project.

Atapuerca	noun
The caves of the Sierra de Atapuerca in the province of Burgos (Spain) contain a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe, from nearly one million years ago and extending up to the Common Era. They represent an exceptional reserve of data, the scientific study of which provides priceless information about the appearance and the way of life of these remote human ancestors.

Atar los perros con longanizas	saying
In a figurative sense, with a connotation of humor, this expression indicates abundance and prosperity, have an excess as is, without reference to considerations of costs and waste prevention. Example: All developed countries know that in Germany are tied with sausages and dogs in our many governments will have to make it happen.

Avutarda	noun
The Great Bustard is a large, low-flying bird, a typical specimen of the Spanish fauna. Of the word’s population of these birds, 57% percent are found In the Iberian Peninsula. The Great Bustard is one of the largest species of European birds. Male Great Bustards are also the heaviest of all flying birds.

Bajarse al moro / ir a Marruecos	saying
Colloquial expression referring to the activity of spices and hashish smuggling that takes place as drug trafficking in the Iberian Peninsula. Example: No one should get off the Moor or use the people to extend their evil life.

Barajas	noun
Madrid's airport.

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