A battle royale, a self-study challenge, and popcorn

Hello language learner,

Counter-culture factions battle it out on the streets of Mexico in our featured story, Emos vs. punks. After revisiting the angst of youth, try our self-study challenge designed to enrich your vocab, then treat yourself to a snack while we talk popcorn.

Featured story
Emos vs. punks

In 2008, the streets of Mexico were full of teenagers with long bangs, skinny jeans, and black clothes adorned with little skulls. The emos, these eternally melancholy kids, seemed to have multiplied. Nobody knew where they’d come from, but some of the country’s more established urban tribes were none too happy. The day the emos defended themselves, this rivalry became national news.

Una advertencia: este episodio contiene vocabulario propio de la Ciudad de México. Incluyendo palabras que algunas personas podrían considerar ofensivas, pero muy chingonas.

Want to listen to the full story? Subscribe to unlock the entire catalog of Stories and Soundbites. 

Artwork by Eduardo Cruz

Self-study challenge
Synonyms

Using the same words over and over make your Spanish sound simple and repetitive. Synonyms are like distinct flavors of the same idea – and they'll help you express yourself with more nuance.

Exercise: 

1. Write down 5 Spanish words you regularly use in conversation.
2. Find 2 synonyms for each and write them next to each word.
3. Think about the different scenarios you could use each word over another and write down a sentence for each synonym.
4. Read each sentence out loud to practice using your new synonyms in context. 

Here are some examples to get you started:

• Darse cuenta (to realize): fijarse, percatarse
• Cambiar (to change): alterar, modificar
• Bueno (good): beneficioso, favorable
• Encontrar (to find): hallar, descubrir
• Idea (idea): pensamiento, concepto
• Nervioso (nervous): ansioso, inquieto

This exercise will take your active vocabulary from black-and-white to technicolor.

ICYMI
Popcorn around the world

From palomitas de maíz to cotufas, popcorn is known by many different names across Latin America. This short video will prepare you for ordering the airy treat wherever you go – while revealing some of the history behind the movie theatre favorite. 

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