Why is it el problema, but la mano… and sometimes even el agua fría (wait, what?! 😵)?

In Episode 58, Em and Val break down one of the most confusing parts of Spanish for beginners — gender exceptions.

You’ve probably learned the rule: words ending in “a” are feminine and words ending in “o” are masculine… but Spanish doesn’t always follow the rules.

So how do you know when it doesn’t? And more importantly… WHY?

In this episode, we go beyond memorizing exceptions and explain the real reasons behind them — so you can finally understand Spanish, not just remember it.

🎙️In this episode, you’ll:

✅ Learn the basic gender rule (and why it’s only 80% accurate)

✅ Understand why Spanish breaks rules through history and evolution.

✅ Discover Latin-origin words like el problema, el sistema, el tema.

✅ Learn how English loanwords enter Spanish: el email, el marketing, la cookie.

✅ Understand shortened words like la moto, la foto, la tele.

✅ Learn pronunciation-based exceptions like el agua, el alma, el arma.

🎯Reto de la Semana (Challenge of the Week)

Write one Spanish word that confused you because of its gender. Examples: El agua, el problema.

Comment below or DM us — we LOVE seeing what confuses learners so we can help you understand it better💬

💛This week’s shoutout goes to Megan from England for her amazing Spanish introduction and for sharing about her life (and her cat Dee 🐱).

You are officially our first Spanglish Friends pet mention!

📲Instagram & TikTok → @spanglish_friends

📧Contact: spanglishfriendspodcast@gmail.com

📚1-on-1 Spanish lessons with Val: spanishlessonsbyval@gmail.com

🎶Music by @scotairdmusic

Do you know how to say if you get along with someone in Spanish — your sister, your boss, your friends… or even someone you don’t get along with? 👀

In Episode 57, Em and Val teach you how to talk about relationships and personality using one of the most useful beginner Spanish structures: “llevo bien con"

You’ll learn how to say who you get along with, who you don’t, and how to explain why — using simple Spanish you can start using immediately.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll:

✅ Learn how to ask ‘Do you get along with…? and how to answer!

✅ Learn key vocabulary for people in your life: family, siblings, partner, boss, colleagues.

✅ Learn how to explain WHY you get or don’t get along well with someone.✅

Hear a natural mini conversation you can copy and use in real life

🎯 Reto de la Semana (Challenge of the Week)

Write one sentence in Spanish in about someone in your life. Include:

👉 Who they are, if you get along with them or not and why

Examples:

Me llevo muy bien con mi amiga porque es divertida y amable.

No me llevo bien con mi jefe porque es serio.

Post your sentence in the comments or send us a DM on Instagram — we LOVE seeing your Spanish progress!

💛 This week’s shoutout goes to Neriah for participating in our supermarket challenge and asking “¿Dónde está la sección de frutas y verduras?” Amazing Spanish, gracias for being part of our community!

📲 Instagram & TikTok → @spanglish_friends

📧 Contact: spanglishfriendspodcast@gmail.com

📚 1-on-1 Spanish lessons with Val: spanishlessonsbyval@gmail.com

🎶 Music by @scotairdmusic

How long have you been friends with someone… and could you say it in Spanish? 🤔💬

In this special collab episode, Em and Val are joined by Savin from Ele-Frente, to help you talk about friendships in Spanish with confidence. 💛

Together, you’ll learn how to ask how long you’ve been friends, answer using simple structures, and describe your friend’s personality using beginner-friendly Spanish.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll:

✅ Learn how to ask: How long you have been friends? In Spanish.

✅Learn how to answer that question.

✅ Describe your friend’s personality, such as they are fun, kind, hardworking, etc.

✅ Combine ideas to create natural Spanish sentences

✅ Hear a full mini conversation with a guest speaker

🎯 Reto de la Semana (Challenge of the Week)

Describe a friend in Spanish using the new vocab you learn today!

Example: Somos amigas desde hace cuatro años. Ella es divertida y amable.

Post it in the comments or DM us on Instagram — we love celebrating your Spanish wins! 🎉

💛 Shoutout

This week’s shoutout goes to our Spanglish Friend Victoria — thank you for your kind message and for sharing the podcast with your friends. Welcome to the community!

💫 Follow our Guest Host— Savin from Ele-Frente!

Follow Savin here → Instagram @ele_frente

He shares clear, beginner-friendly Spanish tips and is the host of the podcast Español con Pasos Firmes, helping learners build confidence step by step. Check him out on spotify!

Follow Spanglish Friends

📲 Instagram & TikTok → @spanglish_friends

📧 Contact: spanglishfriendspodcast@gmail.com

📚 1-on-1 Spanish lessons with Val: spanishlessonsbyval@gmail.com

🎶 Music by @scotairdmusic