Pronunciation Extra - The thing is (DEZÍNGUIS)

Yet another look at the way we slide one word into another creating “new words” which sound unintelligible to a Spaniard. For example, when we say “itsa” we are actually using three words you know perfectly well - it + is + a. It is essential to learn these “new words” as it will help your understanding of the spoken language enormously. Recognizing these contractions is the key to reaching a better understanding of English as spoken by native speakers.

This example of real spoken English is the way many natives tend to slide the words “the thing is…” (“lo que pasa es que…” / “es que…”) together in everyday speech.

DEZÍNGUIS we’ve run out of milk.

Lo que pasa es que nos hemos quedado sin leche. 

The thing is we’ve run out of milk.

DEZÍNGUIS that I’ve lost my mobile.

Lo que pasa es que he perdido mi móvil. 

The thing is that I’ve lost my mobile.

DEZÍNGUIS that everyone’s gone home.

Lo que pasa es que todo el mundo se ha marchado a casa. 

The thing is that everyone’s gone home.

DEZÍNGUIS that I forgot to tell him.

Lo que pasa es que se me olvidó decírselo. 

The thing is that I forgot to tell him.

DEZÍNGUIS he doesn’t have any money.

Lo que pasa es que él no tiene dinero. 

The thing is he doesn’t have any money.

DEZÍNGUIS we have to leave soon.

Lo que pasa es que tenemos que irnos pronto. 

The thing is we have to leave soon.

DEZÍNGUIS that we can’t afford it.

Lo que pasa es que no nos lo podemos permitir. 

The thing is that we can’t afford it.

DEZÍNGUIS that we don’t have their number.

Lo que pasa es que no tenemos su número. 

The thing is that we don’t have their number.


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