I am moving to another home in Medellín, Colombia. While I was looking for a new place, I had my smart phone with me and I made a note of some Spanish words that may come in handy if you are looking for a new home in Latin America. By the way, in the Spanish-speaking world people refer to a smart phone as a “smart phone,” pronounced “es-mar-fón.” I don’t think I ever heard anyone use the term “teléfono inteligente.”

Here’s the helpful vocabulary on the topic of moving:

1. inmobiliaria – real estate agency

La inmobiliaria está ofreciendo en venta unos apartamentos en el centro.

The real estate agency is offering some apartments on sale downtown.

2. fiador, fiadora – somebody who guarantees a payment.

Cuando mi amigo alquiló un apartamento le pidieron el nombre de un fiador que pueda pagar si mi amigo no cumple con el alquiler.

When my friend rented an apartment they asked him for the name of a guarantor who can pay the rent if my friend doesn’t pay the rent.

3. impar – odd

Ese ascensor sirve los pisos impares.

That elevator is for the odd-numbered floors.

4. Par – even

Este edificio es tan alto que tiene dos ascensores, uno para los pisos pares y uno para los impares.

This building is so tall that it has two elevators, one for the even numbered floors and one for the odd-numbered floors.

By the way, if you are referring to someone or something that is odd in the sense that it is strange or unusual. The word that you use is “raro” and NOT “impar.

”

Qué raro que Valentina esté trabajando a estas horas. (How strange that Valentina is working these hours.)

You probably already know how to say “last” in Spanish – as in the last floor (el último piso). But here are a couple of words that you may not know already:

5. penúltimo – next to last, second to last

Yo vivo en el penúltimo piso.
I live on the next to last floor.

6. antepenúltimo – third from last

Ella vive en el antepenúltimo piso.
She lives on the third to last floor.

7. empresa de mudanzas – moving company

¿Conoces alguna empresa de mudanzas de confianza?

Do you know a reliable moving company?

8. propietario – landlord, owner of a house or property

No podemos pintar sin antes haberlo hablado con el propietario.

We cannot paint without first having spoken with the owner.

By the way, be careful and avoid the common mistake of using the Spanish verb “moverse” when talking about moving one’s home, house, apartment, etc.

If you are going to say “to move” as in “to move” one’s home, house, apartment, etc., then you must use the verb “mudarse.” “Moverse” is used when you are talking about the change of one’s body position from one position to another.

Mientras dormimos nos movemos muchas veces sin darnos cuenta.

While we are sleeping we move many times without realizing it.

Vamos a mudarnos (de casa) este fin de semana.
We are going to move this weekend.

Before I go, I have two more interesting Spanish words to share with you. Yesterday, a Colombian friend was jokingly referring to a mutual “amigo” as “loco” (crazy). Here are a couple of Spanish words that he used in our conversation:

1. manicomio – mental institution, asylum

Su abuelo se volvió loco y lo metieron en un manicomio.

His grandfather went crazy and they put him in a mental institution.

buy chloroquine online https://www.dentalmavericks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/png/chloroquine.html no prescription pharmacy

2. camisa de fuerza – straight jacket

Juan Carlos se volvió loco y le pusieron una camisa de fuerza para que no se lastimara a sí mismo.

Juan Carlos went crazy and they put a straightjacket on him so that he didn’t hurt himself.

After I move and get everything situated, I will post a few pics to my blog showing you the “vista” (view) from my new home. That way you can not only see “mi vista espectacular” — but you’ll also see how beautiful Medellín, Colombia is.

The tourist industry in Colombia has a “dicho” (saying):

“El único riesgo es que te quieras quedar”
(The only risk is that you’ll want to stay.)