Expressing long distances articulately

Not long ago, I posted an article where I emphasized the value of good input when you’re learning a foreign language.

It’s a pity that we sometimes waste opportunities to improve and grow our active vocabulary.

Now, good is a relative concept. It may sometimes be learning the right thing to say in a certain context.

I’m sure most of you know the word lejos, which would serve the purpose of expressing where something is. Together with the verb quedar we could say:

• Luján queda lejos.
• Junín queda muy lejos.

Distance is a sensitive issue. Apparently, long distances make us angry and make us want to curse. I guess that’s why we’ve come up with three very frequently heard expressions:

• Queda en la loma del orto.
• Queda en la loma del culo.
• Queda en la concha de la lora.

None of these three options are pretentious. On the contrary, if used in the wrong setting, they may sound exagerated. But there’s beauty in conveying what we feel accurately.

Also, you probably know the word cerca.

• Caballito queda bastante cerca de Once.

But when something is really close, we say:

• Es acá nomás.

Forget about all you knew about estar for expressing location. Ser takes over.

That’s all for today, friends.

Have a good one!

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• Argentinian Spanish Input (part 1)
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