Streetwise Spanish Dictionary/Thesaurus

This book is more than just a dictionary.

It gives alot of current info as well as the "slang" used.

Was helpful with phrases necessary to get around.

Also includes lists, photos, and much more.

Another thing we liked is that it has large enough print not to need my reading glasses !!

I have used a number of the phrases unexpectedly on my friend,co-worker Spanish teacher..he laughed and asked where I had learned them....he was impressed and very surprised...as were many of the Hispanic students with which I work as a mentor. Muchisimas gracias!! Ahorita mi amigo me llama sabionda.

The various words are organized by topic and are included later in an index at the back. This is not the easiest format to reference because the first word and/or subject matter of various idioms is arguable. It is interesting to peruse the book by topic, you look up one word and end up reading the whole page. I do not actively use this book, but it is a good balance in the collection.

This dictionary/ thesaurus was wonderfully designed to enlighten, clarify and facilitate one's understanding of Spanish slang that is used in all Spanish speaking countries. The book is well organized thematically and alphabetically with colloquial words & expressions that are used and heard in the everyday spoken language. The book offers a broad range of expressions with examples of its usage in a phrase and the country of origin. Therefore, if you are looking to clarify queries concerning slang words or expressions this dictionary/ thesaurus would prove helpful and also is a learning tool for those who wish to learn and use colloquialisms from any the Spanish speaking countries in their everyday speech. Here are some examples of slang expressions, the respective country and common usage covered in the book:

Under the theme "Going Crazy"
1) Botar la canica- to go crazy -(Mexico)
2) Caérsele un tornillo- to have a screw loose (Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador)
3) Perder la chaveta- to lose, one's head, to be off one's rocker (Mexico, Chile, Spain, Dominican Republic)

"Types of students"
1) el cuadernícolas- a serious student who studies a lot (used in most of Latin America)
2) La pollila de biblioteca -bookworm (used in most of Latin America and Spain)
3) El/ la enchufado/a -teacher's pet (Spain)

These are just a few examples of the types of expressions that the book has and as one can see they are definitely useful, heard, spoken and easy to learn. I strongly suggest purchasing this resource material if you wish to have a broader knowledge and understanding of colloquial expressions and everyday slang.