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Everyday Vague Language
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October 20, 2026
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Everyday vague expressions leave room for uncertain amounts, extra examples, and unfinished thoughts. One host plans dinner with Maya and Ben, shops, and cleans up afterward. The phrases soften descriptions, stretch lists, and mark rough estimates in natural conversation.
Voca cards
1.
a couple of
un par de
I asked Maya to bring a couple of extra chairs for Saturday.
Le pedí a Maya que trajera un par de sillas extra para el sábado.
'a couple of' usually means two, but informal speakers sometimes mean a small number.
2.
or so
más o menos, aproximadamente
I think ten people or so are coming to my place.
Creo que van a venir unas diez personas a mi casa.
Put 'or so' after a number or amount, not before it.
3.
kind of
un poco, algo
I'm kind of worried that my kitchen is too small.
Me preocupa un poco que mi cocina sea demasiado pequeña.
Informal. 'kind of' softens a description; it does not refer to a type here.
4.
or something
o algo así
I could make pasta or something for everyone.
Podría preparar pasta o algo así para todos.
'or something' leaves a suggestion open; it does not offer a specific second choice.
5.
and stuff like that
y cosas así, y ese tipo de cosas
I asked Maya to bring chips, cookies, and stuff like that.
Le pedí a Maya que trajera papas fritas, galletas y cosas así.
Informal. Use 'and stuff like that' after examples, not in formal writing.
6.
that sort of thing
ese tipo de cosas, cosas por el estilo
I like quiet dinners and board games, that sort of thing.
Me gustan las cenas tranquilas y los juegos de mesa, ese tipo de cosas.
'that sort of thing' can point back to several examples without naming more.
7.
something like that
algo así, algo por el estilo
I told Ben we'd eat at seven, or something like that.
Le dije a Ben que comeríamos a las siete, o algo así.
After a number or time, 'something like that' often follows 'or'.
8.
this and that
una que otra cosa, varias cositas
I spent Saturday morning buying this and that for dinner.
Pasé la mañana del sábado comprando una que otra cosa para la cena.
Use 'this and that' when the separate details are not worth listing.
9.
and so on
etcétera, y demás
I still need plates, cups, napkins, and so on.
Todavía me faltan platos, vasos, servilletas, etcétera.
'and so on' continues an obvious list; avoid it when the missing details matter.
10.
more or less
más o menos
I have more or less finished cleaning, except for the kitchen floor.
Ya terminé de limpiar más o menos todo, excepto el piso de la cocina.
'more or less' can soften a statement without giving a number.
11.
a handful of
unos pocos, un puñado de
I invited a handful of neighbors, so we won't need many chairs.
Invité a unos pocos vecinos, así que no vamos a necesitar muchas sillas.
'a handful of' can describe people; it does not always mean what fits in a hand.
12.
somewhere around
alrededor de, aproximadamente
I expect somewhere around twelve people, but Ben hasn't answered yet.
Espero que vengan alrededor de doce personas, pero Ben todavía no ha respondido.
Use 'somewhere around' before a number, time, or amount.
13.
give or take a few
unos más o unos menos
I need twelve plates, give or take a few, depending on who comes.
Necesito doce platos, unos más o unos menos, según quién venga.
'give or take a few' goes after an estimate and allows a small difference either way.
14.
and all that
y todo eso
I finished cleaning the bathroom, taking out the trash, and all that.
Ya terminé de limpiar el baño, sacar la basura y todo eso.
Informal. 'and all that' can make extra details sound unimportant or already understood.
15.
or whatever
o lo que sea
I told Ben to bring chips or whatever because I'm not picky about snacks.
Le dije a Ben que trajera papas fritas o lo que sea, porque cualquier cosa para picar me viene bien.
Very informal. 'or whatever' can sound careless or dismissive, especially when making a suggestion.
16.
something or other
algo, no sé qué
I spilled something or other on my shirt while making dinner.
Me manché la camisa con no sé qué mientras preparaba la cena.
'something or other' suggests you cannot remember or do not care about the exact name.
17.
you know what I mean
¿me entiendes?, ¿sabes a qué me refiero?
I want dinner to feel relaxed, not like work, you know what I mean?
Quiero que la cena sea relajada, que no se sienta como trabajo, ¿me entiendes?
Informal. 'you know what I mean' relies on shared understanding instead of a fuller explanation.
18.
or something along those lines
o algo por el estilo, o algo parecido
I might suggest a movie or something along those lines after dinner.
Tal vez proponga ver una película o algo por el estilo después de cenar.
'or something along those lines' suggests a similar idea, not a completely different option.
19.
if I had to guess
si tuviera que adivinar
I'd say Ben is bringing two friends, if I had to guess.
Si tuviera que adivinar, diría que Ben va a traer a dos amigos.
'if I had to guess' can come before or after the estimate.
20.
a ballpark figure
una cifra aproximada, un cálculo aproximado
I gave Maya a ballpark figure of eighty dollars for all the food.
Le di a Maya una cifra aproximada de ochenta dólares para toda la comida.
Informal. 'a ballpark figure' is an estimate, not a guaranteed price or final total.
21.
in the neighborhood of
alrededor de, cerca de
I spent in the neighborhood of ninety dollars on food and drinks.
Gasté alrededor de noventa dólares en comida y bebidas.
Use 'in the neighborhood of' before an approximate number, especially a cost or total.
22.
or thereabouts
más o menos, por ahí
I think everyone left at eleven or thereabouts, but I didn't check the time.
Creo que todos se fueron a las once o por ahí, pero no miré la hora.
'or thereabouts' comes after the detail it makes approximate, much like 'or so'.
23.
what have you
y demás, y cosas así
I spent Sunday putting away plates, cups, and what have you.
Pasé el domingo guardando platos, vasos y demás.
'what have you' usually ends a list after 'and' or 'or'; it is not a question.