I am an unapologetic Harry Potter fan. I have read the entire series in English (several times). I have read books 1- 4 in French, and today I finished book 1 in Spanish. I have learned in my literature courses not to look up every single word that I don’t know, but I started reading this book part-time over a year ago. Since then, as I read a few pages here and there, I have jotted down in my Spanish journal a list of words I have learned from only one book of Harry Potter. Below are my favorites, and anyone learning Spanish can appreciate the usefulness of words such as pecoso (freckly), and destartalado (ramshackle). Most of these words would probably not come up in my courses, so I encourage you to read literature or young adult fiction to increase your fun vocabulary. The fun part is working ‘mazmorra’ (dungeon) into everyday conversation. Enjoy!
Verbs
Estirar las piernas: To stretch your legs
Cuchichear: To whisper
Susurrar: To whisper/mumble
Murmurar: To mumble
Tartamudear: To stammer; to mutter
Hallagar- To flatter
Mirar de reojo: To look out of the corner of one’s eye
Ahuyentar: To shoo; to chase away
Adjectives
Asombroso: Amazing
Descuidado: Careless
Destartalado: ramshackle
Flacucho: Skinny
Pecoso: Freckly
Bondadoso: Good-natured
Polvoriento: Dusty; Powdery
Saltón: Bulging (prominent), as in eyes or teeth
Hirviendo: Boiling
Jactanciosa: Boastful
Ceñudo: Grim; frowning
Nouns
Las Lechuzas: Barn owls
Las Estrellas Fugaces: Shooting stars
El Torbellino: Whirlwind
La mazmorra: dungeon
El Ajenjo: Absinthe
La Varita: Wand
El Pergamino: Parchment; Scroll
A Fluent Family 