Idioma or Lengua? Use ‘Language’ in Spanish the Proper Approach


The way you say “language” in Spanish relies on how you’re utilizing the phrase. Often, in the event you’re speaking in regards to the official language of a rustic, you’d use el idioma. However the Spanish phrases la lengua and el lenguaje are additionally translations of the phrase “language” that work in particular contexts. These Spanish phrases for “language” are all associated however interchangeable in just a few circumstances. Be taught when to make use of the Spanish phrases idioma, lengua, and lenguaje the appropriate methods. 

When to make use of idioma to imply ‘language’ in Spanish

The phrase idioma in Spanish refers back to the particular languages that folks communicate, resembling an official language of a rustic or the title of the language somebody is studying. This phrase for “language” in Spanish typically has a selected title, resembling el inglés (English) or el italiano (Italian). For instance, Rosetta Stone gives programs in 25 idiomas

  • Este cartel está en muchos idiomas. = This signal is in lots of languages. 
  • ¿Cuántos idiomas hablas? = What number of languages do you communicate? 
  • Yo hablo tres idiomas: inglés, español, y árabe. = I communicate three languages: English, Spanish, and Arabic. 
  • ¿Qué idioma está hablando él? = What language is he talking? 

When to make use of lengua for ‘language’

The phrase lengua (language) can actually imply “tongue” in English. It might additionally imply “language” in several contexts. It’s common in lots of set phrases in Spanish. You should utilize Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion strategies to be taught la lengua española (the Spanish language) as a segunda lengua (second language). 

In some circumstances, idioma would work simply as properly. As you examine the usage of idioma vs lengua, word that idioma is a masculine phrase in Spanish, whereas lengua is female, so adjectives will change kind to comply with Spanish gender guidelines. 

SpanishEnglish
Inglés como Lengua ExtranjeraEnglish as a overseas language
inglés como segunda lenguainglés como segundo idiomaEnglish as a second language
una lengua clásicaa classical language like Latin
la lengua de señas/signos británicaBritish signal language
la lengua de signos americanaAmerican signal language
la lengua escritawritten language
la lengua españolael idioma españolthe Spanish language
una lengua extranjeraun idioma extranjeroa overseas language
una lengua maternaa primary language or “mom tongue”
una lengua muertaa lifeless language like Latin
una lengua romancea Romance language
lengua y literaturaLanguage Arts (language and literature)
una lengua vivaa residing language

>> Spot the variations between una and la while you perceive particular and indefinite articles in Spanish.

When to make use of lenguaje to imply ‘language’ in Spanish

Whereas much like lengua, the time period lenguaje is a little more particular. It’s utilized in linguistics to check with a system of communication or the idea of a language. It may also check with a selected sort of language somebody is utilizing. With Rosetta Stone, you’ll be able to be taught lenguaje estándar (customary language), and knowledgeable tutors may help you be taught some lenguaje casual (casual language) that is likely to be in style in a selected area or Spanish dialect

The Actual Academia Español defines lenguaje as the power of human beings to precise themselves and talk with others via sound or indicators. One other definition is a selected sort or register of language, greatest outlined because the manera (method) by which somebody makes use of language to precise themselves. It’s normally used with a descriptive adjective. 

SpanishEnglish
lenguaje callejeroroad language/slang
lenguaje coloquialcolloquial language
lenguaje corporalphysique language
lenguaje cultoeducated/mental language
lenguaje de ordenadores/lenguaje informáticolaptop language
lenguaje de programaciónprogramming language
lenguaje figuradofigurative language
lenguaje groserocrude/impolite language
lenguaje jurídicoauthorized jargon
lenguaje literarioliterary language
lenguaje periodísticojournalistic language
lenguaje sencilloeasy language
lenguaje técnicotechnical language
lenguaje vulgar/obscenovulgar/obscene language

There’s some crossover between the phrases idioma vs lenguaje and lengua vs lenguaje. Actually mastering the variations is a complicated a part of adquisición de lenguaje (language acquisition) or aprendizaje de lenguas (language studying). 

Success in studying any idioma is to have the ability to use the right lenguaje to precise your self appropriately. 

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