Mi español está oxidado
/mi espaɲol esta oɡsidado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "my spanish is rusty" is expressed in Spanish as Mi español está oxidado.
This phrase is used when someone has not practiced a language for a long time and has forgotten some of it. While Mi español está oxidado uses a metaphor involving rust, you can also express this sentiment by saying Se me ha olvidado un poco de español, which means "I have forgotten a bit of Spanish".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Mi español está oxidado, the verb estar is used rather than ser because oxidado is treated as a temporary state or condition of the language skill.
Did you know?
- The name for the language, español, is believed by some to be linked to a Punic term meaning 'coast of hyraxes'.
- The term español might not have evolved naturally from Latin, but was instead a word borrowed from Old Occitan by medieval pilgrims and chroniclers.
- While the English metaphor uses 'rusty', Spanish speakers might also use the term desentrenado to mean 'out of practice', treating the skill like an athlete who has lost their training.
Examples in context
- Siento que mi español ha perdido fuerza.I feel like my Spanish has lost strength.
- Últimamente he descuidado mi español, lo tengo algo olvidado.Lately, I've neglected my Spanish, it's a bit forgotten.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía meet after many years.
- MateoHola Lucía, ¡cuánto tiempo!Hi Lucía, it has been so long!
- Lucía¡Hola Mateo! ¿Todavía hablas español?Hi Mateo! Do you still speak Spanish?
- MateoSí, pero mi español está oxidado.Yes, but my Spanish is rusty.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, podemos practicar juntos.Don't worry, we can practice together.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries español, mi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
