Polite ways to say awkward things. Death, money, bathroom and other sensitive topics.
Fallecer instead of morir = to pass away: Falleció ayer. (He passed away yesterday.)
Irse / partir = to depart: Se ha ido. / Nos dejó. (He left us.)
Descansar en paz = to rest in peace: Que descanse en paz (R.I.P.)
Pasar a mejor vida = to pass to a better life
Perder = to lose: Perdimos a la abuela. (We lost grandmother.)
¿Dónde está el servicio / aseo? (Where's the restroom? — Spain)
¿Dónde está el baño? (Where's the bathroom? — universal)
Voy al baño. (I'm going to the bathroom.)
Necesito ir al servicio. (I need to use the restroom.)
Con permiso. (Excuse me. — when leaving the table)
Avoid: Voy a orinar/hacer pipí — too direct in polite company
Tener dificultades económicas = to have financial difficulties (instead of "ser pobre")
Estar pasando por un mal momento = going through a rough patch
No llegar a fin de mes = to not make ends meet
De recursos limitados = of limited resources
Económicamente desfavorecido = economically disadvantaged
De cierta edad / maduro = of a certain age (instead of "viejo")
Persona mayor = older person (respectful)
Rellenito/a = a bit plump (instead of "gordo" — fat)
Entrado/a en carnes = heavyset (very euphemistic)
No es muy agraciado/a = not very attractive (instead of "feo" — ugly)
Estar en paro / desempleado = to be unemployed (instead of "no tener trabajo")
Prescindir de alguien = to let someone go (instead of "despedir")
Reestructuración = restructuring (= layoffs)
Prejubilación = early retirement (often involuntary)
Estar entre trabajos = to be between jobs
| Direct | Euphemism | English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| mentir (to lie) | faltar a la verdad | to be economical with the truth |
| robar (to steal) | sustraer / apropiarse | to appropriate |
| borracho (drunk) | alegre / contentillo | merry / tipsy |
| embarazada (pregnant) | estar en estado / esperando | expecting |
| cárcel (prison) | centro penitenciario | correctional facility |
1. To pass away = _____. (instead of morir)
2. Where's the restroom? (Spain polite) = ¿Dónde está el _____?
3. A bit plump = _____. (instead of gordo)
4. To let someone go = _____ de alguien.
5. Older person (respectful) = persona _____.
6. Not make ends meet = no llegar a _____ de mes.
7. Drunk (euphemism) = _____.
8. Pregnant (euphemism) = estar en _____.
9. R.I.P. = Que _____ en paz.
10. Restructuring (= layoffs) = _____.
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