... Bodily Sensations ...
by Christopher Howard M.A.
Author of The New Golden Door Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica

Describing certain physical sensations can prove difficult in Spanish. You need to know specific idiomatic expressions to tell how or what you feel. Unfortunately, many of the words and phrases you need are either not found in the dictionary nor used in the proper context. Here are some of the most common expressions used to describe strange bodily sensations:

Sentir hormigeo - to feel a tingling sensation in a part of the body
Tener....dormido - to have a part of the body fall asleep
Estar mareado - to be dizzy or seasick
Todo darle vuelta a alguien - to feel a spinning sensation.
Dolerle a uno - to have a part of the body ache or hurt
Tener escalofríos - to have the chills
Temblar - to shake
Castanetear - to have your teeth chatter
Zumbar - to have your ears ring
Ponerle a uno la carne de gallina - to get goose bumps
Empalagarse - to get sick from eating sweets or too much sugar.
Estar encandilado - to get temporarily blinded when going from bright sunlight into a dark place like a movie theater
Destemplar - word to describe the sensation your teeth feel when you eat something like hot soup after drinking a cold beverage.
Erizarsele/pararsele el pelo - to have your hair stand on end. Estar sudando frío - to break out in a cold sweat.

Costa Rica expression of the week: Más largo con un domingo sin plata (longer than a Sunday without money). This phrase is used when something takes a long time.

Christopher Howard M.A. is the author of "The New Golden Door Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica," He is also a paid consultant for National Geographic in Costa Rica. For more information call 800-365-2342, access: www.costaricabooks.com or www.publishingonline.com to directly download his books from the Internet. Mr. Howard also conducts monthly one-of-a-kind exploratory trips for those wanting to live in Costa Rica Please call toll-free 800-493-8426, e-mail: crbooks@racsa.co.cr or tico@gate.net. Contact them to see how your can win a FREE round-trip ticket to Costa Rica on one of their tours. Mr. Howard also works as a paid consultant for newcomers and those thinking of investing or going into business. For a listing of his services see: www. liveincostarica.com. Anyone needing assistance may contact him directly at: crbooks@racsa.co.cr.