Customer Reviews

Using Spanish Synonyms

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Why do you need to know synonyms in Spanish? "Owing to this is the thing does thy Spanish dive slippery besides relaxed, id est within the limit." (Trans: Because this is what makes your Spanish sound fluent and easy, not to mention comprehensible) This is the only comprehensive guide to Spanish synonyms that exists specifically for English-speakers. It covers nouns, verbs and adjectives; each one is listed indicating its register(formal, informal, colloquial, vulgar) and is used in sample sentences to illustrate its context. In 720 pages, the reader will find each grouping of synonyms under a generic headword (for example; chicken, goat, cow, horse, and sheep could be found under "barnyard animals"). Distinctions are also made among words which are either restricted to particular geographical areas (Argentina, Mexico and Spain), or are understood differently in these regions. Save yourself the embarrasment of using words out of context and buy this book!

I found much accurate and appropriate information in this stout tome, which I can heartily recommend to any intermediate or advanced student.

It tells you several ways in Spanish to say "thief", or different kinds of thieves, and many other concepts, like "invention", "disorder", etc.

Despite its usefulness -- comparable to that of its sister volumes on synonyms usage in German, Russian and Spanish --, I find that the labeling of the various synonyms is deficient, since there is no mention of the frequency with which a word is used (some words given are fairly recherche, but not noted as such).

The authors make a welcome and most timely concession to lexical diversity among the various Hispanic lands, by supplying what appears on first impression to be a fairly representative list of Argentine and Mexican terms. The choice is as representative as it can be if one restricts oneself to only 3 countries: the abovesaid two plus Spain. Spain, however, has no register of its own; rather it is conflated with the main register. Thus we see looming before us the the nemesis of Spanish-language lexicography in the 20th -- and hitherto 21st -- century. The rock upon which it constntly stumbles is that it has failed to record adequately the varied, often subtle, often dramatic differences in vocabulary between various countries.

And such a geographical labeling is really necessary, since some of the words listed are of geographically restricted use, and nonetheless appear as if universally valid. It is no longer, as in English-language lexicography, to use a common vocabulary in communion among the 21 Spanish-speaking countries.

It is my intention to rectify this deplorable state of affairs in the immediate future. Until then, trust your instincts.

This is a must-have compendium: it "maps out," words and phrases based on register. Mastery of registers is really key when it comes to speaking a language with supposedly unconscious ease. If you can't live in a foreign country to master Spanish, then this book is crucial; and even if you are, it makes a handy reference. I really can't recommend it enough. Their hierarchically arrangement of words by register is genius. It's only draw back is that focuses only on two countries (Argentina and Mexico), which are the countries most-visited by Americans. I would buy this book before buying a frequency dictionary (if you are an interpreter).

By reading the above reviews, thought this book would be great...and the content is truly valuable, but the embedded listed charts will not zoom up so you can read them. Very disappointing, because a synonym reference book with Kindle features that work would be solid gold!...I called Customer Service and talked to a very nice woman who said she would forward this glitch to publisher. Fortunately, my purchase price of $35.50 will be refunded. Can't see how an obvious error like this could be sold on Kindle web site. Who checks this before before placing on Kindle Store?

Good book with synonyms in all registers. Excellent guide for those looking to improve their language skills