It is the Spanish lesson that you will learn to say the word hat in Spanish. I also want to tell you about a common mistake English speakers make when speaking Spanish. But first I’ll start with how the English word “hat” is actually said in Spanish.

One thing that used to confuse me a lot is what a head covering is called in Spanish. Spanish books would have you believe that any garment worn to cover the head is called a “sombrero”. But depending on the type of garment used to cover the head, I have heard Spanish speakers use 3 different words:

1. Hat – hat with a brim but no visor.

By the way, “sombrero” can also refer to the type of hat worn by the “vaqueros” (cowboys) of Mexico, who are better known as “los charros” (the Mexican cowboys).

2. Cap: A brimless head covering with a visor or what most English speakers would call a “cap.” Like a New York Yankees cap.

3. Beanie: A small, brimless, close-fitting cap, often worn to ward off the cold. Many English speakers would refer to this as a skullcap (but not the kind worn for religious purposes).

Make it four (4) words. I’ve heard Colombians use “gorro” or “balaclava” to describe a small, brimless, tight-fitting cap often worn to ward off the cold.

Before I go, I want to tell you about a common mistake English speakers make when speaking Spanish. An American friend visited me this weekend here in Medellin. His name is Gary. Gary has taken a few Spanish classes and even attended a Spanish immersion course while visiting the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon Rainforest, which by the way, visiting the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon Rainforest is something I have dreamed of doing since I live in Colombia. .

For “almuerzo” (lunch), I took Gary to a fish restaurant because he likes “mariscos” (shellfish) or “sea food”. “Mariscos” or “food from the sea” are not very popular in Medellin because Medellin is very far from the coast of Colombia. But in this particular restaurant, the owners and workers are from Chocó. Chocó is a department of Colombia known for its large Afro-Colombian population. And it is the only Colombian department that has coasts on both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Chocó borders Panama.

Many Colombians from Chocó have arrived in Medellín after being displaced from their homes by clashes between the FARC guerrillas, paramilitaries, the Colombian army and drug traffickers.

Going back to the Spanish mistakes Gary made…

When the waiter came over to our table to take our orders, Gary asked, “What kind of fish do you have?” (What kind of fish do you have?).

Did you notice Gary’s mistake?

“Fish” refers to a live fish such as a fish in the ocean. If you are talking about fish as in the dinner plate, you should say “fish”.

I was expecting the “boy” to come back with a wet, live fish flapping in a bucket of water, but he didn’t.

By the way, referring to a young waiter as “muchacho” instead of “mesero” is not considered offensive or derogatory in Latin America.

Before bringing us the main course, the “boy” brought us two “tazones” (bowls) of “sancocho de pesca”, a fish stew or soup with large chunks of plantain, potato, yucca and other vegetables.

Gary and I ordered the same main course:

Tilapia (a type of fish), “arroz de coco” (coconut rice), and “salad” (salad). And for “drinks” we had “aguapanela”, a non-alcoholic drink made by dissolving “panela” (a block of sugar cane) in water and adding lemon juice. “Aguapanela” is a common soft drink in Colombia and Ecuador.

Just before our entrees arrived, the “guy” started picking up Gary’s empty “bowl” (bowl) of “fish stew”.

But Gary stopped him and said “I need this for the bones.” (I need this for the bones).

Did you notice Gary’s mistake?

“Bones” certainly means bones. But when you talk about the spines of a fish you don’t call them “bones”. The bones of a fish are called “bones”. By the way, “thorns” also means “thorns” as in the thorns of a rose.

Those are two mistakes my friend Gary made that I don’t want you to make:

1. “Fish” refers to a live fish such as a fish in the ocean. And “fish” refers to a fish that is intended to be used as food.

2. “Bones” means bones. But when you talk about the bones of a fish, then you must say “bones”.

If you’re wondering how much this “almuerzo” (lunch) cost for two, which consisted of soup, fish, rice, salad, and a drink, the total price was 16,000 Colombian pesos. That’s the equivalent of about $8 US or about $4 per person.

There is a large sign in the restaurant that says “Tipping is voluntary.” (Tipping is voluntary). But I still left a tip of 2000 Colombian pesos (about $1 USD)