On the occasion of Valentine's Day, also known as the Day of Love and Friendship, the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) has taken the opportunity to prompt Spanish speakers to explore and express love using the richness of their language. This initiative encourages individuals to move away from Anglicisms like 'crush' and instead embrace terms that reflect the depths of their feelings, such as 'amor platónico' or 'flechazo', which are more rooted in Spanish culture and language.

The term 'crush'—which primarily means 'to crush' or 'to grind'—captures the feeling of infatuation towards someone perceived as unattainable. Despite its appeal as a succinct expression, the RAE suggests that using Spanish equivalents holds more significance and cultural relevance. It emphasizes that the nuances in expressing affection in one's native tongue can deepen the emotional resonance when declaring one's feelings.

Additionally, the article touches on the phenomenon of 'shipping', where fans or followers pair romantically inclined fictional characters or public figures. The RAE encourages replacing the term 'shippear' with more traditional Spanish expressions like 'emparejar' or even the whimsical role of 'celestina', suggesting a more localized way to convey romantic ideas and dynamics. This serves not only as a celebration of linguistic diversity but also as a reminder of the profound connection language creates in our expressions of love and relationships.