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26 cardsDELE Spanish Language Proficiency Exam

DELE Essential Idioms and Connectors

26 key Spanish discourse connectors, idioms and conversational markers frequently tested in DELE examinations.

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A pesar de que + indicativo/subjuntivo
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Terms in this deck (26)

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1
A pesar de que + indicativo/subjuntivo
Expresses concession ('Even though / in spite of the fact that').
2
Sin embargo
Adversative connector expressing contrast ('However / nonetheless').
3
Por lo tanto
Consecutive connector expressing a logical result ('Therefore / consequently').
4
Con tal de que + subjuntivo
Conditional conjunction requiring subjunctive ('Provided that / as long as').
5
A no ser que + subjuntivo
Negative conditional conjunction requiring subjunctive ('Unless').
6
En cambio
Adversative marker contrasting two different subjects ('On the other hand / by contrast').
7
Dar en el clavo
Spanish idiom meaning to hit the nail on the head or get something exactly right.
8
Estar en las nubes
Spanish idiom meaning to be daydreaming or distracted.
9
Costar un ojo de la cara
Spanish idiom meaning to be extremely expensive.
10
Ponerse las pilas
Spanish idiom meaning to get one's act together or make an energetic effort.
11
Tomar el pelo a alguien
Spanish idiom meaning to pull someone's leg or tease playfully.
12
Por si acaso + indicativo/subjuntivo
Conjunction expressing precaution ('Just in case').
13
Dado que + indicativo
Causal conjunction introducing a known fact ('Given that / since').
14
No obstante
Formal adversative connector ('Nevertheless / notwithstanding').
15
De modo que + indicativo/subjuntivo
Expresses consequence with indicative, or purpose/intent with subjunctive.
16
Hacer la vista gorda
Spanish idiom meaning to turn a blind eye or pretend not to notice.
17
Meter la pata
Spanish idiom meaning to make a blunder or put one's foot in one's mouth.
18
Tirar la toalla
Spanish idiom meaning to throw in the towel or give up.
19
Echar una mano a alguien
Spanish idiom meaning to lend someone a helping hand.
20
De buenas a primeras
Spanish idiom meaning suddenly or out of the blue, without warning.
21
Al fin y al cabo
Discourse marker meaning 'After all / at the end of the day'.
22
En cuanto + subjuntivo (future)
Temporal connector meaning 'As soon as', requiring subjunctive for future actions.
23
Para colmo
Conversational marker meaning 'To top it all off / to make matters worse'.
24
Ser pan comido
Spanish idiom meaning to be a piece of cake or extremely easy.
25
Irse por las ramas
Spanish idiom meaning to beat around the bush or digress from the point.
26
En resumidas cuentas
Concluding discourse marker meaning 'In short / to sum up'.

DELE Spanish Language Proficiency Exam in Spain

In Spain, DELE Spanish Language Proficiency Exam is part of: School-leaving exams.

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