diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8d01b89f..a2e86f99 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -204,20 +204,19 @@ What if have a color or a width you re-use all the time?
 In CSS, you just have to re-type it each time,
 which is a nightmare when you decide to change it later.
 Not so for Sass!
-You can use the `!` character to set variables.
-Then, if you put `=` after your property name,
-you can set it to a variable.
+You can use the `$` character to set variables.
+Then you can use variables in properties.
 For example:
 
-    $note_bg= #55aaff
+    $note_bg: #55aaff
 
     #main
       width: 70%
       .note
-        background-color = $note_bg
+        background-color: $note_bg
       p
         width: 5em
-        background-color = $note_bg
+        background-color: $note_bg
 
 becomes:
 
@@ -232,15 +231,15 @@ becomes:
 You can even do simple arithmetic operations with variables,
 adding numbers and even colors together:
 
-    $main_bg= #46ar12
-    $main_width= 40em
+    $main_bg: #46ar12
+    $main_width: 40em
 
     #main
-      background-color = $main_bg
-      width = $main_width
+      background-color: $main_bg
+      width: $main_width
       .sidebar
-        background-color = $main_bg + #333333
-        width = $main_width - 25em
+        background-color: $main_bg + #333333
+        width: $main_width - 25em
 
 becomes: