Hello #Vivers! In our Spanish courses for foreigners, we always try to teach our students to use the words they know best in our language, such as the word "olé". Without a doubt, this is one of the most international words in Spanish. Who hasn't used it or heard it at some point? Although many people relate it to the world of flamenco, bullfighting or football. It is usually used to express admiration for the good work someone does, such as a good Almodóvar film, a good song, or a Mbappe dribble, but do you know what its true origin is?
There are many hypotheses about the origin of this word. Some claim it comes from the Greek verb *ololizin*, used as a cry of jubilation. Others say it comes from the Bible, when Jacob is deceived at his wedding to Rachel, as people tried to warn him that it was Leah and not his beloved, saying, "Oh, Leah!" But the most widespread hypothesis is related to the Arabic expression *Allah* (Oh, God). The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE ), on the other hand, states that *olé!* comes from the Arabic exclamation *Wa-(a)llah* (By God!), an exclamation of enthusiasm in the face of surprising or excessive beauty or joy. In Arabic, the vowel "e" does not exist, and sometimes the vowel "a" sounds similar to "e".
Surely "Olé" is a word you've used when you've wanted to imitate Spaniards. If you want to learn Spanish and enrich your vocabulary, you should start with the Spanish courses for foreigners at the Luis Vives Spanish School . Take a look at the Spanish courses we offer; we're sure you'll find one that perfectly suits your needs. Luis Vives Spanish School : the best option for learning Spanish in Madrid!
