Meaning: To warm up, to provoke
Memory Tip: "Calentar" sounds like "calorie" or "calorie burn," which is associated with warmth or heat.
Visual Cue: Picture warming up your hands by rubbing them together or provoking someone until they get heated.
Mnemonic: "Cal" in "calentar" reminds you of "calorie" and heat.
Meaning: To catch, to understand
Memory Tip: "Cachar" sounds like "catch," so think of physically catching something or mentally catching (understanding) an idea.
Visual Cue: Imagine catching a ball or a light bulb turning on when you understand something.
Mnemonic: "Cachar" = "catch" or "catching" an idea.
Meaning: To mess up, to screw up
Memory Tip: "Cagarla" has a slightly crude connotation, so associate it with making a mistake or screwing something up badly.
Visual Cue: Picture someone accidentally knocking over a stack of papers, making a mess.
Mnemonic: "Cagarla" = "to mess up," think of stepping in something unpleasant.
Meaning: To brush off, to ignore
Memory Tip: "Cepillar" sounds like "separate" or "sweep," which relates to brushing something off.
Visual Cue: Visualize brushing off dust from a surface or brushing off someone's comments.
Mnemonic: "Cepillar" = "brushing away" things, whether it's dust or a comment.
Meaning: To shop for trinkets
Memory Tip: "Chacharear" sounds playful, like the word "trinkets" or "chachkas" (Yiddish for knick-knacks).
Visual Cue: Picture strolling through a flea market, looking at small, inexpensive items.
Mnemonic: "Chacharear" = "chat about trinkets" while shopping.