Estas manzanas cuestas 12 pesos el kilo.
These apples cost 12 pesos a kilo.
Monday, August 19, 2024
Definite article and units of measurements
The definite article is used before units of weight or measure in Spanish where the indefinite article is required in English.
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Definite article and parts of the body
The definite article is used with parts of the body and clothing instead of the possessive pronouns.
Debes ponerte el impermeable cuando está lloviendo.
You should put on your raincoat when it's raining.
Nos lavamos la cara.
We washed our face.
Los estudiantes levantaron la mano.
The students raised their hands.
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Definite article in days of the week
The definite article is used before names of the days of the week instead of en to translate the English "on".
Llegarán el viernes.
They'll arrive on Friday.
Van a la iglesia los domingos.
They go to church on Sundays.
The article is not in used after any form of the verb ser.
Hoy es domingo.
Today is Sunday.
Ayer fue sábado.
Yesterday was Saturday.
Friday, July 19, 2024
Spanish verb family - Coger
The verb coger is one of the most common verbs in Spanish. For this post, we'll study some verbs that end in - coger.
- Take (leaflet, etc.) - Coge lo que quieras. (Take what you like)
- Pick up (book) - Coge la revista del suelo. (Pick the magazine up off the floor)
- Catch (ball, robber) - Lo cogieron robando. (He was caught stealing)
- Find, Catch - No quiero que me coja la noche en la carretera. (I don't want to be driving when it's dark)
- Catch (illness) - Vas a coger frío. (You'll catch cold)
- Get (meaning) - No cogió el chiste. (He didn't get the joke)
Cogerse
- Hold on - Cógete de la barandilla. (Hold on to the railing)
Acoger
- Take in - Europa acogió a refugiados. (Europe admitted refugees)
- Receive - Nos acogieron con cortesía. (They received us politely)
Acogerse a algo
- Have recourse to something - Se acogieron a la ley. (They had recourse to the law)
Recoger
- Pick up (pen) - Recoger el lápiz del suelo. (Pick up the pen off the floor)
- Straighten up (room) - Recogieron la habitación. (They straighten up the room)
- Gather, Harvest (fruit, crops) - No llegó a recoger el fruto de su trabajo. (He was unable to deep the fruits of his labor)
- Fetch, Pick up (person) - El autobús pasará a recogernos. (The bus will come by to pick us up)
- Include - Esta acepción no la recoge ningún diccionario. (This meaning isn't included in any dictionary)
Recogerse
- Go home, Go to bed - Se recogió temprano. (He went to bed early)
Escoger
- Choose - Escoge entre los dos. (Choose between the two of them)
Encoger
- Shrink - El animal encogió el cuerpo de miedo. (The animal shrank back in fear)
Sobrecoger
- Move (emotionally), Terrify, Shock - Se sobrecogió cuando le atacó el perro. (He was terrified when the dog attacked him); La noticia de su repentina muerte sobrecogió a todos sus amigos y familiares. (The news of his sudden death overwhelmed all his friends and family)
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Uses of the Spanish word "se"
This post is about the uses of the word "se" in Spanish.
As a reflexive pronoun of the third person singular and plural
In English, it's enough to say He takes a bath. However, in Spanish you say él se baña. Se acts as an reflexive pronoun. If you say to someone, él baña, he might ask back to you ¿a quién baña? as él baña is incomplete and needs an object.
Substitute for the indirect object "le" or "les" if a direct object (lo, la, los, las) is present in the sentence
Instead of saying le lo voy a dar, we say se lo voy a dar.
It's used when a part of a human body or clothing is involved in the sentence
Instead of using the possessive pronoun su, se is used and the part of the body or the clothing is accompanied by the definite article el or la.
He washes his hands
(Él) se lava las manos (instead of Él lava sus manos
She puts the necklace on
(Ella) se pone el collar (instead of Ella pone su collar)
He washes them (hands)
(Él) se las lava
She puts it on (necklace)
(Ella) se lo pone
Part of a pronominal verbs
Pronominal verbs are verbs that are accompanied by a reflexive pronoun. These verbs have to be memorized. Most of these are verbs of emotion.
Se fue - He went away
Se durmieron - They fell asleep
No te quejes - Don't complain
Se entristece - He feels sad
Se sorprendió - He got surprised
Reciprocal use
Se means each other
They love each other - ellos se quieren
Passive use
A sentence is in passive voice when the doer of the verb is not known. It's more or less has the same meaning of the French on.
En España se vive mejor que en México - The quality of life in Spain is better than in Mexico. (literally means, "One lives better in Spain than in Mexico")
Se fabrican un millón de móviles cada año - A million mobile phones are manufactured every year
Las manos se lavan antes de comer - One should wash his hands before eating
No se casa si no se tiene dinero - One should not marry if he has no money
Se prohibe fumar - No smoking
Se cree que la tierra es plana - It is believed that the earth is flat
Used with verbs such as olvidar to express that something was done or occurred unintentionally
Se me olvidó decirte que... - I forgot to tell you that... (literally means, "Telling you was forgotten to me")
Se me ocurrió una idea - I got an idea
Se nos hizo aburrido el viaje - The journey felt boring (to us)
Se me fue el dolor - It doesn't hurt anymore
Se le pasó el hambre - He's not hungry anymore
Se me quitó la mancha en el vestido - The stain on my dress got removed (by itself)
Se me ha vuelto a averiar el coche - My car has broken down again.
In English, it's enough to say He takes a bath. However, in Spanish you say él se baña. Se acts as an reflexive pronoun. If you say to someone, él baña, he might ask back to you ¿a quién baña? as él baña is incomplete and needs an object.
Instead of saying le lo voy a dar, we say se lo voy a dar.
Instead of using the possessive pronoun su, se is used and the part of the body or the clothing is accompanied by the definite article el or la.
He washes his hands
(Él) se lava las manos (instead of Él lava sus manos
She puts the necklace on
(Ella) se pone el collar (instead of Ella pone su collar)
He washes them (hands)
(Él) se las lava
She puts it on (necklace)
(Ella) se lo pone
Pronominal verbs are verbs that are accompanied by a reflexive pronoun. These verbs have to be memorized. Most of these are verbs of emotion.
Se fue - He went away
Se durmieron - They fell asleep
No te quejes - Don't complain
Se entristece - He feels sad
Se sorprendió - He got surprised
Se means each other
They love each other - ellos se quieren
A sentence is in passive voice when the doer of the verb is not known. It's more or less has the same meaning of the French on.
En España se vive mejor que en México - The quality of life in Spain is better than in Mexico. (literally means, "One lives better in Spain than in Mexico")
Se fabrican un millón de móviles cada año - A million mobile phones are manufactured every year
Las manos se lavan antes de comer - One should wash his hands before eating
No se casa si no se tiene dinero - One should not marry if he has no money
Se prohibe fumar - No smoking
Se cree que la tierra es plana - It is believed that the earth is flat
Se me olvidó decirte que... - I forgot to tell you that... (literally means, "Telling you was forgotten to me")
Se me ocurrió una idea - I got an idea
Se nos hizo aburrido el viaje - The journey felt boring (to us)
Se me fue el dolor - It doesn't hurt anymore
Se le pasó el hambre - He's not hungry anymore
Se me quitó la mancha en el vestido - The stain on my dress got removed (by itself)
Se me ha vuelto a averiar el coche - My car has broken down again.
Friday, February 1, 2019
The form "habría" is getting out of style. Learners of Spanish should be aware of
Probably you may have heard someone say or you may have read something like, "me hubiera gustado hacer un viaje". As a Spanish learner, you learned that the word "hubiera" is in past subjunctive and therefore it has to follow a "que", a "si" or "ojalá". But in this sentence it doesn't. Why is that so?
It's because, in the aformentioned sentence, "hubiera" should be "habría". "Habría" is getting out of style in contemporaneous Spanish and it's being replaced little by little by the form "hubiera" which is frowned upon by grammarians.
Let's take a look at some sentences:
Si hubieras comido, no hubieras tenido hambre.
If you had eaten, you wouldn't have gone hungry.
No hubiera aprobado el examen aunque hubiera estudiado mucho.
I wouldn''t have passed the exam even if I had studied.
Some speakers may use "hubiese".
No te hubiese reconocido.
I wouldn't have recognized you.
In some Latin American countries, "hubiera" can mean "should have" or "could have", such as in:
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
Te hubieras matado. La próxima vez, ten más cuidado.
You could have killed yourself. Be more careful next time.
It's because, in the aformentioned sentence, "hubiera" should be "habría". "Habría" is getting out of style in contemporaneous Spanish and it's being replaced little by little by the form "hubiera" which is frowned upon by grammarians.
Let's take a look at some sentences:
Si hubieras comido, no hubieras tenido hambre.
If you had eaten, you wouldn't have gone hungry.
No hubiera aprobado el examen aunque hubiera estudiado mucho.
I wouldn''t have passed the exam even if I had studied.
Some speakers may use "hubiese".
No te hubiese reconocido.
I wouldn't have recognized you.
In some Latin American countries, "hubiera" can mean "should have" or "could have", such as in:
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
Te hubieras matado. La próxima vez, ten más cuidado.
You could have killed yourself. Be more careful next time.
Me hubieras avisado donde andabas.
You should have told me where you were.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
What's the difference between "podrías haberlo hecho" and "podías haberlo hecho"?
Easy. "Podrías haberlo hecho" is used when there is a condition expressed. Example:
Podría haber terminado si hubiera tenido más tiempo.
I could have finished if I had had more time.
Podrías haberte caído si no hubieras tenido cuidado.
You could have fallen if you hadn't been careful.
If no condition is expressed, then "podías haberlo hecho" or "pudiste haberlo hecho" are preferred.
“Podíamos haber ido al cine para divertirnos un poco” (pero no lo hicimos)
“Podían haber llamado a la policía” (habría sido una buena idea, pero no lo hicieron)
“Podía haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (pero no se me ocurrió, la verdad)
“Podía haberte pedido consejo”(pero no lo hice porque no quería que te preocuparas por mis problemas)
“¡Podías haberte matado!” (Lo que hiciste era peligroso, pero, gracias a Dios, no te ha pasado nada, no te has matado)
“Podía haberme levantado más temprano, pero tenía un sueño…..” (No me levanté, me quedé en la cama)
Now let's add a condition to the sentences above and let's see what happens.
“Podríamos haber ido al cine” (si no se nos hubiera hecho tan tarde)
“Podrían haber llamado a la policía” (si hubieran tenido un teléfono)
“Podría haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (si hubiera tenido patatas)
“Podría haberte pedido consejo”(si hubieras estado a mi lado)
“Podrías haberte matado” (si hubieras subido a las rocas).
“Podría haberme levantado más temprano” (si no me hubiera acostado tan tarde)
The condition can be made explicit or not, but it's there.
Podría haber terminado si hubiera tenido más tiempo.
I could have finished if I had had more time.
Podrías haberte caído si no hubieras tenido cuidado.
You could have fallen if you hadn't been careful.
If no condition is expressed, then "podías haberlo hecho" or "pudiste haberlo hecho" are preferred.
“Podíamos haber ido al cine para divertirnos un poco” (pero no lo hicimos)
“Podían haber llamado a la policía” (habría sido una buena idea, pero no lo hicieron)
“Podía haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (pero no se me ocurrió, la verdad)
“Podía haberte pedido consejo”(pero no lo hice porque no quería que te preocuparas por mis problemas)
“¡Podías haberte matado!” (Lo que hiciste era peligroso, pero, gracias a Dios, no te ha pasado nada, no te has matado)
“Podía haberme levantado más temprano, pero tenía un sueño…..” (No me levanté, me quedé en la cama)
Now let's add a condition to the sentences above and let's see what happens.
“Podríamos haber ido al cine” (si no se nos hubiera hecho tan tarde)
“Podrían haber llamado a la policía” (si hubieran tenido un teléfono)
“Podría haber hecho una tortilla para cenar” (si hubiera tenido patatas)
“Podría haberte pedido consejo”(si hubieras estado a mi lado)
“Podrías haberte matado” (si hubieras subido a las rocas).
“Podría haberme levantado más temprano” (si no me hubiera acostado tan tarde)
The condition can be made explicit or not, but it's there.
Monday, October 29, 2018
How to express "should have done something" in Spanish?
There are various ways we can express things we wish should have occured in the past.
The simplest way to express this is by using the preterite form of the verb deber. Let's take a look at some examples:
Debí hacerlo.
I should have done it.
Debiste llamar a la policía.
You should have called the police.
If you are new to learning Spanish, I recommend you to stick to this form as it's easy to remember and more simple.
However, there are more ways on how to express "should have done something" in Spanish. These are the possible forms:
Preterite form of the verb deber + haber: Debiste haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb deber + haber: Debías haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb deber + haber: Deberías haberlo hecho.
Past subjunctive of the verb deber + haber: Debieras haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb tener + haber: Tenías que haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb tener + haber: Tendrías que haberlo hecho.
Most of the time, the preference of the speaker is what makes the difference among these forms. I had a Spanish friend that once told me that the "debiste hacerlo" and "debiste haberlo hecho" form sound more of from mexican telenovelas. In Spain, the form "tenía que haberlo hecho" is much used as far as I can notice on how Spaniards speak. While the conditional forms and the one with past subjunctive sound formal and polite to native speakers.
To some speakers, the form debí haberlo hecho has more "recency" than debí hacerlo, as in:
Mi hermana murió hace años. Debí pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vivía.
Estaba distraído cuando mi hermana me hablaba. Hay algo que me comentó que no entendí del todo. La debí haber escuchado.
In some Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, people would use "hubiera" + the past participle to express "should have done something".
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
The simplest way to express this is by using the preterite form of the verb deber. Let's take a look at some examples:
Debí hacerlo.
I should have done it.
Debiste llamar a la policía.
You should have called the police.
If you are new to learning Spanish, I recommend you to stick to this form as it's easy to remember and more simple.
However, there are more ways on how to express "should have done something" in Spanish. These are the possible forms:
Preterite form of the verb deber + haber: Debiste haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb deber + haber: Debías haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb deber + haber: Deberías haberlo hecho.
Past subjunctive of the verb deber + haber: Debieras haberlo hecho.
Imperfect form of the verb tener + haber: Tenías que haberlo hecho.
Conditional form of the verb tener + haber: Tendrías que haberlo hecho.
Most of the time, the preference of the speaker is what makes the difference among these forms. I had a Spanish friend that once told me that the "debiste hacerlo" and "debiste haberlo hecho" form sound more of from mexican telenovelas. In Spain, the form "tenía que haberlo hecho" is much used as far as I can notice on how Spaniards speak. While the conditional forms and the one with past subjunctive sound formal and polite to native speakers.
To some speakers, the form debí haberlo hecho has more "recency" than debí hacerlo, as in:
Mi hermana murió hace años. Debí pasar más tiempo con ella cuando vivía.
Estaba distraído cuando mi hermana me hablaba. Hay algo que me comentó que no entendí del todo. La debí haber escuchado.
In some Latin American countries, especially in Mexico, people would use "hubiera" + the past participle to express "should have done something".
Me hubieras llamado por teléfono.
You should have called me by phone.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Aunque + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE mood?
The answer depends whether the information is shared or is known by the person speaking and the person the speaker is speaking to. Let's take a look at this dialogue:
Hijo: Mamá, el profesor dice que el examen de mañana va a ser fácil.
Mamá: Vale. Pero aunque vaya a ser fácil, tienes que estudiar de todos modos.
In the dialogue above the son informs his mother that tomorrow's exam is going to be easy. Upon saying that, the fact that the exam is going to be easy is known both by the son and the mother. To make things simplier, the subjunctive mood is used if the information is known by the speaker and the person the speaker is talking to.
Let's take a look at more examples:
Carlo: Según el pronóstico meteorológico, va a llover mañana.
Marco: Aunuqe llueva mañana, iremos a la playa.
Susan: El novio de Cristina es muy rico.
Ana: Aunuqe sea muy rico, Cristina quiere trabajar de todas formas.
On the other hand, if the information is only known by the person speaking, the indicative is used. Let's take a look at this example:
Carlo: Ya he visto la casa. Es muy bonita. Aunque le faltan decoraciones.
Marco: Pero aunque le falten decoraciones mi hermano quiere comprarla.
In the first sentence, "faltar" is in indicative mood because Marco didn't know that the house lacks decorations., that is to say, Carlo is informing Marco about it. Remember that the indicative mood is used when stating an information. In the second sentence, however, "faltar" is in subjunctive because the fact that the house lacks decorations has become known by the two.
I hope everything now is clear. If you still have any question about this, post it in the comment section.
Hijo: Mamá, el profesor dice que el examen de mañana va a ser fácil.
Mamá: Vale. Pero aunque vaya a ser fácil, tienes que estudiar de todos modos.
In the dialogue above the son informs his mother that tomorrow's exam is going to be easy. Upon saying that, the fact that the exam is going to be easy is known both by the son and the mother. To make things simplier, the subjunctive mood is used if the information is known by the speaker and the person the speaker is talking to.
Let's take a look at more examples:
Carlo: Según el pronóstico meteorológico, va a llover mañana.
Marco: Aunuqe llueva mañana, iremos a la playa.
Susan: El novio de Cristina es muy rico.
Ana: Aunuqe sea muy rico, Cristina quiere trabajar de todas formas.
On the other hand, if the information is only known by the person speaking, the indicative is used. Let's take a look at this example:
Carlo: Ya he visto la casa. Es muy bonita. Aunque le faltan decoraciones.
Marco: Pero aunque le falten decoraciones mi hermano quiere comprarla.
In the first sentence, "faltar" is in indicative mood because Marco didn't know that the house lacks decorations., that is to say, Carlo is informing Marco about it. Remember that the indicative mood is used when stating an information. In the second sentence, however, "faltar" is in subjunctive because the fact that the house lacks decorations has become known by the two.
I hope everything now is clear. If you still have any question about this, post it in the comment section.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Spanish subordinate conjunctions
A subordinate conjunction introduces a subordinate clause which is a group of words containing a subject and verb but dependent on a main clause.
Here is a list of the most common Spanish subordinate conjunctions together with some samples sentences I got from spanishdict.com I also indicated whether a verb in subjunctive or indicative should be used.
A fin de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in order that, so that
La agarró del brazo a fin de que no se cayera sobre el hielo
He grabbed onto her arm so that she wouldn't fall over on the ice.
A menos que + SUBJUNCTIVE - unless
A menos que salgamos ahora, llegaremos tarde a la fiesta.
Unless we leave now, we'll be late to the party.
Antes de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - prior to
Recuérdame que te dé el libro antes de que te vayas.
Remind me to give you the book before you go.
Así que + INDICATIVE - so, as a consequence
Estaba muy estresado, así que decidí ir al spa para recargar las pilas.
I was very stressed, so I decided to go to the spa to recharge my batteries.
Aunque + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - although, even if, even though
Aunque está lloviendo, el paisaje está precioso.
Even though it's raining, the scenery is beautiful.
Aunque no quedaba mucho tiempo, terminaron la carrera.
Although there wasn't much time left, they finished the race.
Me encantan los partidos de baloncesto aunque no sepa lo que está pasando.
I love basketball games even if I don't know what's going on.
La pizza está rica aunque no es la mejor que he probado.
It's a tasty pizza although it's not the best I've tried.
Como + INDICATIVE - since (expresses cause)
Como no estabas aquí, tomé la decisión por ti.
Since you were not here, I made the decision for you.
Como + SUBJUNCTIVE - if (expresses condition)
Como llegues tarde al examen, no se te dará más tiempo.
If you arrive late for the exam, you will not be given extra time.
Como si + PAST SUBJUNCTIVE - as if, as though
Elisa estaba deprimida. Era como si ya no tuviera ganas de triunfar y ser una estrella.
Elisa was depressed. It was as if she wasn't willing to succeed and become a star anymore.
Mi abuela tiene alzéimer. Me habla como si no me conociera.
My grandmother has Alzheimer's. She speaks to me as though she didn't know me.
Con tal de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as, provided that
Puedes escuchar música con tal de que uses los audífonos.
You can listen to music as long as you use headphones.
Podrá seguir trabajando aquí con tal de que cumpla todos sus deberes.
He will be able to continue working here, provided that he fulfills all his duties.
Cuando + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - when, as, whenever
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.
When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.
Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
Llámame cuando tengas ganas.
Call me whenever you like.
De modo que + INDICATIVE - in such a way that (expresses consecuence)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oí.
He got in silently in such a way that I didn't hear him.
De modo que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that (expresses purpose)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oyera.
He got in silently so that I couldn't hear him.
Desde que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - since
No lo he vuelto a ver desde que cambió de trabajo.
I haven't seen him since he changed jobs.
Después de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - after
Limpia la encimera después de que acabes de lavar los platos.
Clean the countertop after you finish washing the dishes.
Donde + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - where
Estoy en el restaurante donde comimos el otro día.
I'm at the restaurant where we ate the other day.
Sal a donde quieras. A mí no me importa.
Go wherever you want. I don't care.
En caso de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in the event that, in case
En caso de que el vuelo sea cancelado, pueden tomar el siguiente.
In the event that your flight is canceled, you can take the following one.
Hasta que + SUBJUNCTIVE - untill
No dejará de trabajar hasta que consiga su meta de ventas.
He won't stop working until he reaches his sales goal.
Mientras + INDICATIVE - while
Lavó los platos mientras yo dormía la siesta.
He did the dishes while I took a nap.
Mientras + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as
Mientras trabaje aquí, nunca podré tomarme unas vacaciones en condiciones.
As long as I work here, I'll never manage to take a proper vacation.
Mientras termines los deberes a tiempo, me da igual que escuches música o no.
As long as you finish your homework on time, I don't mind if you listen to music.
Para que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that
Deja tu correo electrónico para que podamos mantenernos en contacto.
Leave your email address so that we can stay in touch.
Porque + INDICATIVE - because
Mi hermano está triste porque no ganó el concurso.
My brother is upset because he did not win the contest.
Puesto que + INDICATIVE - since, given that, because, as
Puesto que está lloviendo, no vamos a ir a nadar hoy.
Since it's raining, we're not going swimming today.
Que + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.
Note that some of these characteristics are different.
No voy a llevar el paraguas. No creo que vaya a llover.
I'm not taking an umbrella. I don't think that it's going to rain.
Si + INDICATIVE - if
Si llueve mañana, cancelaremos el picnic.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
Sin que + SUBJUNCTIVE - without
Los programas pueden realizar cambios en el equipo sin que usted lo sepa.
The programs can make changes to your computer without you knowing about it.
Here is a list of the most common Spanish subordinate conjunctions together with some samples sentences I got from spanishdict.com I also indicated whether a verb in subjunctive or indicative should be used.
A fin de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in order that, so that
La agarró del brazo a fin de que no se cayera sobre el hielo
He grabbed onto her arm so that she wouldn't fall over on the ice.
A menos que + SUBJUNCTIVE - unless
A menos que salgamos ahora, llegaremos tarde a la fiesta.
Unless we leave now, we'll be late to the party.
Antes de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - prior to
Recuérdame que te dé el libro antes de que te vayas.
Remind me to give you the book before you go.
Así que + INDICATIVE - so, as a consequence
Estaba muy estresado, así que decidí ir al spa para recargar las pilas.
I was very stressed, so I decided to go to the spa to recharge my batteries.
Aunque + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - although, even if, even though
Aunque está lloviendo, el paisaje está precioso.
Even though it's raining, the scenery is beautiful.
Aunque no quedaba mucho tiempo, terminaron la carrera.
Although there wasn't much time left, they finished the race.
Me encantan los partidos de baloncesto aunque no sepa lo que está pasando.
I love basketball games even if I don't know what's going on.
La pizza está rica aunque no es la mejor que he probado.
It's a tasty pizza although it's not the best I've tried.
Como + INDICATIVE - since (expresses cause)
Como no estabas aquí, tomé la decisión por ti.
Since you were not here, I made the decision for you.
Como + SUBJUNCTIVE - if (expresses condition)
Como llegues tarde al examen, no se te dará más tiempo.
If you arrive late for the exam, you will not be given extra time.
Como si + PAST SUBJUNCTIVE - as if, as though
Elisa estaba deprimida. Era como si ya no tuviera ganas de triunfar y ser una estrella.
Elisa was depressed. It was as if she wasn't willing to succeed and become a star anymore.
Mi abuela tiene alzéimer. Me habla como si no me conociera.
My grandmother has Alzheimer's. She speaks to me as though she didn't know me.
Con tal de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as, provided that
Puedes escuchar música con tal de que uses los audífonos.
You can listen to music as long as you use headphones.
Podrá seguir trabajando aquí con tal de que cumpla todos sus deberes.
He will be able to continue working here, provided that he fulfills all his duties.
Cuando + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - when, as, whenever
Cuando hace calor, nos gusta desayunar en el jardín.
When it's hot, we like to have breakfast in the yard.
Justo cuando empezábamos a divertirnos, se cortó la luz.
Just as we were starting to have fun, the lights went out.
Llámame cuando tengas ganas.
Call me whenever you like.
De modo que + INDICATIVE - in such a way that (expresses consecuence)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oí.
He got in silently in such a way that I didn't hear him.
De modo que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that (expresses purpose)
Entró silenciosamente, de modo que yo no lo oyera.
He got in silently so that I couldn't hear him.
Desde que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - since
No lo he vuelto a ver desde que cambió de trabajo.
I haven't seen him since he changed jobs.
Después de que + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - after
Limpia la encimera después de que acabes de lavar los platos.
Clean the countertop after you finish washing the dishes.
Donde + SUBJUNCTIVE or INDICATIVE - where
Estoy en el restaurante donde comimos el otro día.
I'm at the restaurant where we ate the other day.
Sal a donde quieras. A mí no me importa.
Go wherever you want. I don't care.
En caso de que + SUBJUNCTIVE - in the event that, in case
En caso de que el vuelo sea cancelado, pueden tomar el siguiente.
In the event that your flight is canceled, you can take the following one.
Hasta que + SUBJUNCTIVE - untill
No dejará de trabajar hasta que consiga su meta de ventas.
He won't stop working until he reaches his sales goal.
Mientras + INDICATIVE - while
Lavó los platos mientras yo dormía la siesta.
He did the dishes while I took a nap.
Mientras + SUBJUNCTIVE - as long as
Mientras trabaje aquí, nunca podré tomarme unas vacaciones en condiciones.
As long as I work here, I'll never manage to take a proper vacation.
Mientras termines los deberes a tiempo, me da igual que escuches música o no.
As long as you finish your homework on time, I don't mind if you listen to music.
Para que + SUBJUNCTIVE - so that
Deja tu correo electrónico para que podamos mantenernos en contacto.
Leave your email address so that we can stay in touch.
Porque + INDICATIVE - because
Mi hermano está triste porque no ganó el concurso.
My brother is upset because he did not win the contest.
Puesto que + INDICATIVE - since, given that, because, as
Puesto que está lloviendo, no vamos a ir a nadar hoy.
Since it's raining, we're not going swimming today.
Que + INDICATIVE or SUBJUNCTIVE - that
Tenga en cuenta que algunas de estas características son diferentes.
Note that some of these characteristics are different.
No voy a llevar el paraguas. No creo que vaya a llover.
I'm not taking an umbrella. I don't think that it's going to rain.
Si + INDICATIVE - if
Si llueve mañana, cancelaremos el picnic.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
Sin que + SUBJUNCTIVE - without
Los programas pueden realizar cambios en el equipo sin que usted lo sepa.
The programs can make changes to your computer without you knowing about it.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Some useful Spanish adjectives and their opposites
Here is a short list of some useful and common adjectives for beginner level in Spanish.
| English | Spanish | ||
| alive | dead | vivo | muerto |
| beautiful | ugly | hermoso | feo |
| big | small | grande | pequeño |
| bitter | sweet | amargo | dulce |
| cheap | expensive | barato | caro |
| clean | dirty | limpio | sucio |
| curly | straight | rizado | lizo |
| difficult | easy | difícil | fácil |
| good | bad | bueno | malo |
| early | late | temprano | tarde |
| fat | thin | gordo | delgado |
| full | empty | lleno | vacío |
| hot | cold | caliente | frío |
| happy | sad/unhappy | feliz | triste |
| hardworking | lazy | trabajoso | perezoso |
| new | old | nuevo | viejo |
| nice | nasty | majo | bruto |
| intelligent | stupid | inteligente | estúpido |
| interesting | boring | interesante | aburrido |
| light | heavy | ligero | pesado |
| polite | rude/impolite | cortés | grosero |
| poor | rich | pobre | rico |
| quiet | noisy | tranquilo | ruidoso |
| right | wrong | correcto | incorrecto |
| safe | dangerous | seguro | peligroso |
| short | long | corto | largo |
| soft | hard | blando | duro |
| single | married | soltero | casado |
| well | ill/unwell | bien | malo |
| white | black | blanco | negro |
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
How to use the expression "lo de" in Spanish?
The expression lo de + a noun, adverb or infinitive is frequently used in Spanish and has several possible English translations.
Lo de estudiar me cansa.
All this business about studying tires me.
En un televisor lo importante es lo de adentro.
In a television, the important part is what's inside.
Lo de estudiar me cansa.
All this business about studying tires me.
En un televisor lo importante es lo de adentro.
In a television, the important part is what's inside.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
The definite article is used with parts of the body and clothing
The definite article is used with parts of the body and clothing instead of the possessive adjective.
Debes ponerte el impermeable cuando está lloviendo.
You should put on your raincoat when it's raining.
Me lavé la cara.
I washed my face.
Los estudiantes levantaron la mano.
The students raised their hands.
Debes ponerte el impermeable cuando está lloviendo.
You should put on your raincoat when it's raining.
Me lavé la cara.
I washed my face.
Los estudiantes levantaron la mano.
The students raised their hands.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Spanish comparison of ideas
When the ideas are compared, de lo que is used where the single English word than suffices.
Este señor trabaja más de lo que ustedes piensan.
This gentleman works more than you think.
Este señor trabaja más de lo que ustedes piensan.
This gentleman works more than you think.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
The Spanish expression "tan como"
In comparisons of equality, the English formula as + adverb/ adjective + as is translated into Spanish by tan + adverb/ adjective + como.
Ella no habla tan claramente como él.
She doesn't speak as clearly as he.
Ana no es tan bella como María.
Anne is not as pretty as Mary.
Ella no habla tan claramente como él.
She doesn't speak as clearly as he.
Ana no es tan bella como María.
Anne is not as pretty as Mary.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Comparison of adverbs in Spanish
Adverbs are compared like adjectives. Only four adverbs have irregular comparative forms.
mucho a lot, very
poco little
bien well
mal badly
más more
menos less
mejor better
peor worse
Este estudiante habla mejor que yo.
This student speaks better than I.
Carmen trabaja menos que la otra enfermera.
Carmen works less than the other nurse.
mucho a lot, very
poco little
bien well
mal badly
más more
menos less
mejor better
peor worse
Este estudiante habla mejor que yo.
This student speaks better than I.
Carmen trabaja menos que la otra enfermera.
Carmen works less than the other nurse.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Useful Spanish expressions
Do you want to sound as if you were a native speaker of Spanish? Well, since you're reading this post, it's near possible. I have listed here some basic and common expressions used daily by native Spanish speakers.
¿Ah sí? - Really?
Example:
Tomorrow we are throwing a party at home - Really? - Yes!
Mañana vamos a montar una fiesta en casa. - ¿Ah sí? - Sí.
¿A que...? - I bet...
Examples:
I bet you won't dare to tell it to her.
¿A que no te atreves a decírselo?
I bet they know it.
A que lo saben.
¿A que no? - Don't you?/ Am I wrong?/ I don't bet
Example:
Marco told me you speak ten languages, don't you?
Marco me dijo que hablas diez idiomas ¿a que no?
¿A que sí? - Do you?/ Am I right?/ I bet!
Examples:
They say you can sing well? Do you?
Dicen que cantas muy bien. ¿A que sí?
You won't dare to check them out because you are jealous, am I right?
Lo que pasa es que no quieres verlos porque tienes envidia, ¿a que sí?
¿A qué viene + INFINITIVE ? - What's the point of + INFINITIVE ?
Example:
What's the point of yelling at me when I can hear you from here?
¿A qué viene gritarme cuando puedo oirte desde aquí?
¡¿Cómo crees?! - How do you get off saying that?!
Examples:
Are you gay? - How do you get off saying that?! / Are you crazy? / How could you say that?
¿Eres gay? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
Is he your boyfriend? - What are you telling me?!
¿Es tu novio? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
¿Cómo de + ADJETIVO...? - How + ADJECTIVE...?
Examples:
How fast is your Firefox?
¿Cómo de rápido es tu firefox?
How big is the Philippines?
¿Cómo de grande es las Filipinas?
Como debe ser - As it should be
Examples:
The chicken can't fly - As it should be
El pollo no puede volar - Como debe ser
¿Cómo es que.. - How come...?
Examples:
How come you don't know the answer? - How should I know?
¿Cómo es que no sabes la respuesta? - ¡Qué sé yo!
How come you didn't come to the party with them?
¿Cómo es que no viniste a la fiesta con ellos?
¡Como quieras! - As you wish!
Example:
I will do it this way! - As you wish! / Whatever way you want!
Lo haré de esta manera - ¡Como quieras!
¿Cómo que..? - What do you mean...?
Examples:
What do you mean she doesn't like me?
¿Cómo que yo no le gusto?
What do you mean it wasn't you?
¿Cómo que no fuiste tú?
Como si + Past/ Past perfect subjunctive - As if (stating a fact)
Examples:
We are eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Comemos léntamente como si no tuvieramos hambre
We were eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Estábamos comiendo léntamente como si no hubiéramos tenido hambre
Dar por sentado - To assume
Examples:
She assumed her mom wouldn't come so she invited her friends to her house.
Dio por sentado que su mamá no vendría, así que invitó a sus amigas a su casa.
He assumed he would get used to his schedule at school in a couple of weeks.
Daba por sentado que se acostumbraría al horario de escuela en un par de semanas.
Es decir - That is to say/ You know/ Figuratively speaking
Examples:
My cousin, you know, Roberto's son.
Mi primo, es decir, el hijo de Roberto.
These words are synonyms, you know, words that mean the same.
Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir, significan lo mismo.
Es que - The reason is that
Examples:
The reason is that I felt bad, that's why I left.
Es que me sentí mal, por eso me fui.
Menos mal - It's a good thing/ Thank god!
Example:
Thank god you didn't hurt yourself!
Menos mal no te has dañado.
¡Ni hablar! - No way!
Example:
Will you lend me your cap? - No way!
¿Quieres dejarme tu gorra? - ¡Ni hablar!
Ni que + Past subjunctive - As if (emphatic use)
Examples:
Can you take my son to school? - Why should I? As if I were your husband!
¿Puedes llevar a mi hijo a la escuela? - ¿Y por qué lo voy a hacer? ¡Ni que fuera yo tu marido!
Why don't you like me? As if I was that ugly.
¿Por que no te gusto yo? Ni que fuera feo
Why didn't Marco buy it? - Why should he? He's not that rich, you know.
¿Por qué Marco no lo compró? - ¡Ni que tuviera mucho dinero!
Ni que lo digas! - It's obvious not even you mention it
Examples:
He is so stupid! - Yes! But there's no need to say that. Everybody knows it, you know!
Es tan estúpido. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
You're more handsome than I - Oh! you don't have to say that! Everybody knows it!
Eres más guapo que yo - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Singapore is a very clean country. - Everybody knows that! Even you don't mention it.
Singapur es un país muy limpio. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Ni siquiera - Not even
Examples:
Our professor is not rich. He even doesn't have a car!
Nuestro profesor no es rico. ¡Ni siquiera tiene coche!
They didn't even speak to me nor look at me.
Ni siquiera me hablaron ni me miraron.
No es para tanto - It's not a big deal/ There's no reason to be sad/ It's okay
Examples:
I missed the show. - It's okay! There's no reason to be sad!
Me perdí el espectáculo. - Está bien. No es para tanto.
They told me I'm not allowed to go to the party. - Don't be sad, it's not a big deal.
Han dicho que no puedo ir a la fiesta. - ¡No es para tanto!
She told me she doesn't love me anymore. - It's okay. Don't be sad. - But I really love her!
Me ha dicho que ya no me quiere. - Está bien. No es para tanto. - ¡Pero, sí que la quiero!
¡No me digas! - You don't say!/ No! you're kidding!/ Really? (Ironic)
Example:
This car is mine. - You don't say! It's Jose's.
Éste es coche mío. - ¡No me digas! Es de Jose.
Ojalá - I wish
Examples:
I wish it rains so that the temperature cools down.
Ojalá llueva para que haga frío.
I wish you were here now, but you are not.
Ojalá estuvieras aquí ahora, pero no lo estás.
May he get well soon. - God willing!
Que se mejore pronto. - ¡Ojalá!
O sea - That is/ You know
Example:
The people, you know, you and I.
La gente, o sea, tú y yo.
I'm looking forward to visiting some European countries, you know, Spain, France, Germany, etc.
Estoy deseando visitar a algunos paises europeos, o sea, España, Francia, Alemania, etc.
Por + INFINITIVE que no quede - There's no harm in + GERUND
Example5:
Why don't you ask the the police? Come one! There's no harm in asking.
¿Por qué no preguntas a la policía? ¡Venga! Por preguntar que no quede.
Try it! There's no harm in trying.
¡Pruébalo! Que no quede por probarlo.
Porque sí - It just does/ There's no explanation for it
Example:
Why you don't like it? - I just don't (like it).
¿Por qué no te gusta? - Porque sí.
Why does it rain at night? - It just does.
¿Por qué llueve por la noche? - Porque sí.
Por si - In case
Examples:
Bring your umbrella in case it rains.
Llévate el paraguas por si llueve.
Make a note in case you forget.
Apúntalo por si te olvidas.
Qué digo... - I mean..
Examples:
She is Spanish, I mean, Mexican.
Es española, qué digo, mexicana.
¡Qué sé yo! - How should I know?
Example:
Did they like it? - How should I know?!
¿Les gustó? - ¡Qué sé yo!
¡Que sí!, ¡Que no! - Yes it is!, No it isn't!
Examples:
It's green! - Yes it is!/ No it isn't!
Es verde. - ¡Que sí!/ ¡Que no!
¡Qué va! - No way!
Examples:
They say you have to sleep with her. - No way!
Han dicho que tienes que dormir con ella - ¡Qué va!
He is going to be your roommate. - What?! Him?! My roommate?!
Va a ser tu compañero de cuarto. - ¡Qué va a ser mi compañero de cuarto ése!
She is going to be your stepmother. - Her? My step mom?!
Será tu madrasta. - ¡Qué va a ser mi madrasta!
Sí que.. - Really, Certainly
Examples:
I really like it!
¡Sí que me gusta!
That's certainly the truth.
Eso sí que es verdad.
Yes you can!
¡Sí que puedes!
You really know how to do it.
Tú sí que sabes hacerlo.
¿Tú crees? - Do you think so?
Example:
I think it's going to rain. - Do you think so? - Yes.
Creo que va a llover. - ¿Tú crees? - Sí.
¡Ya lo creo! - Of course
Example:
Do you think he is going to win? - Of course, I do!
¿Crees que va a ganar? - ¡Ya lo creo!
¡Ya te lo decía yo! - I told you so!
Example:
You were right. Pacquiao won! - See? I'd been telling that to you!
Tenías razón. ¡Pacquiao ganó! - ¿Ves? ¡Ya te lo decía yo!
¡Y que lo digas! - You can say that again!/ Indeed!
Example:
That house is very beautiful! - Indeed!
Esa casa es muy preciosa. - ¡Y que lo digas!
¿Ah sí? - Really?
Example:
Tomorrow we are throwing a party at home - Really? - Yes!
Mañana vamos a montar una fiesta en casa. - ¿Ah sí? - Sí.
¿A que...? - I bet...
Examples:
I bet you won't dare to tell it to her.
¿A que no te atreves a decírselo?
I bet they know it.
A que lo saben.
¿A que no? - Don't you?/ Am I wrong?/ I don't bet
Example:
Marco told me you speak ten languages, don't you?
Marco me dijo que hablas diez idiomas ¿a que no?
¿A que sí? - Do you?/ Am I right?/ I bet!
Examples:
They say you can sing well? Do you?
Dicen que cantas muy bien. ¿A que sí?
You won't dare to check them out because you are jealous, am I right?
Lo que pasa es que no quieres verlos porque tienes envidia, ¿a que sí?
¿A qué viene + INFINITIVE ? - What's the point of + INFINITIVE ?
Example:
What's the point of yelling at me when I can hear you from here?
¿A qué viene gritarme cuando puedo oirte desde aquí?
¡¿Cómo crees?! - How do you get off saying that?!
Examples:
Are you gay? - How do you get off saying that?! / Are you crazy? / How could you say that?
¿Eres gay? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
Is he your boyfriend? - What are you telling me?!
¿Es tu novio? - No. ¡¿Cómo crees?!
¿Cómo de + ADJETIVO...? - How + ADJECTIVE...?
Examples:
How fast is your Firefox?
¿Cómo de rápido es tu firefox?
How big is the Philippines?
¿Cómo de grande es las Filipinas?
Como debe ser - As it should be
Examples:
The chicken can't fly - As it should be
El pollo no puede volar - Como debe ser
¿Cómo es que.. - How come...?
Examples:
How come you don't know the answer? - How should I know?
¿Cómo es que no sabes la respuesta? - ¡Qué sé yo!
How come you didn't come to the party with them?
¿Cómo es que no viniste a la fiesta con ellos?
¡Como quieras! - As you wish!
Example:
I will do it this way! - As you wish! / Whatever way you want!
Lo haré de esta manera - ¡Como quieras!
¿Cómo que..? - What do you mean...?
Examples:
What do you mean she doesn't like me?
¿Cómo que yo no le gusto?
What do you mean it wasn't you?
¿Cómo que no fuiste tú?
Como si + Past/ Past perfect subjunctive - As if (stating a fact)
Examples:
We are eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Comemos léntamente como si no tuvieramos hambre
We were eating slowly as if we were not hungry
Estábamos comiendo léntamente como si no hubiéramos tenido hambre
Dar por sentado - To assume
Examples:
She assumed her mom wouldn't come so she invited her friends to her house.
Dio por sentado que su mamá no vendría, así que invitó a sus amigas a su casa.
He assumed he would get used to his schedule at school in a couple of weeks.
Daba por sentado que se acostumbraría al horario de escuela en un par de semanas.
Es decir - That is to say/ You know/ Figuratively speaking
Examples:
My cousin, you know, Roberto's son.
Mi primo, es decir, el hijo de Roberto.
These words are synonyms, you know, words that mean the same.
Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir, significan lo mismo.
Es que - The reason is that
Examples:
The reason is that I felt bad, that's why I left.
Es que me sentí mal, por eso me fui.
Menos mal - It's a good thing/ Thank god!
Example:
Thank god you didn't hurt yourself!
Menos mal no te has dañado.
¡Ni hablar! - No way!
Example:
Will you lend me your cap? - No way!
¿Quieres dejarme tu gorra? - ¡Ni hablar!
Ni que + Past subjunctive - As if (emphatic use)
Examples:
Can you take my son to school? - Why should I? As if I were your husband!
¿Puedes llevar a mi hijo a la escuela? - ¿Y por qué lo voy a hacer? ¡Ni que fuera yo tu marido!
Why don't you like me? As if I was that ugly.
¿Por que no te gusto yo? Ni que fuera feo
Why didn't Marco buy it? - Why should he? He's not that rich, you know.
¿Por qué Marco no lo compró? - ¡Ni que tuviera mucho dinero!
Ni que lo digas! - It's obvious not even you mention it
Examples:
He is so stupid! - Yes! But there's no need to say that. Everybody knows it, you know!
Es tan estúpido. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
You're more handsome than I - Oh! you don't have to say that! Everybody knows it!
Eres más guapo que yo - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Singapore is a very clean country. - Everybody knows that! Even you don't mention it.
Singapur es un país muy limpio. - ¡Ni que lo digas!
Ni siquiera - Not even
Examples:
Our professor is not rich. He even doesn't have a car!
Nuestro profesor no es rico. ¡Ni siquiera tiene coche!
They didn't even speak to me nor look at me.
Ni siquiera me hablaron ni me miraron.
No es para tanto - It's not a big deal/ There's no reason to be sad/ It's okay
Examples:
I missed the show. - It's okay! There's no reason to be sad!
Me perdí el espectáculo. - Está bien. No es para tanto.
They told me I'm not allowed to go to the party. - Don't be sad, it's not a big deal.
Han dicho que no puedo ir a la fiesta. - ¡No es para tanto!
She told me she doesn't love me anymore. - It's okay. Don't be sad. - But I really love her!
Me ha dicho que ya no me quiere. - Está bien. No es para tanto. - ¡Pero, sí que la quiero!
¡No me digas! - You don't say!/ No! you're kidding!/ Really? (Ironic)
Example:
This car is mine. - You don't say! It's Jose's.
Éste es coche mío. - ¡No me digas! Es de Jose.
Ojalá - I wish
Examples:
I wish it rains so that the temperature cools down.
Ojalá llueva para que haga frío.
I wish you were here now, but you are not.
Ojalá estuvieras aquí ahora, pero no lo estás.
May he get well soon. - God willing!
Que se mejore pronto. - ¡Ojalá!
O sea - That is/ You know
Example:
The people, you know, you and I.
La gente, o sea, tú y yo.
I'm looking forward to visiting some European countries, you know, Spain, France, Germany, etc.
Estoy deseando visitar a algunos paises europeos, o sea, España, Francia, Alemania, etc.
Por + INFINITIVE que no quede - There's no harm in + GERUND
Example5:
Why don't you ask the the police? Come one! There's no harm in asking.
¿Por qué no preguntas a la policía? ¡Venga! Por preguntar que no quede.
Try it! There's no harm in trying.
¡Pruébalo! Que no quede por probarlo.
Porque sí - It just does/ There's no explanation for it
Example:
Why you don't like it? - I just don't (like it).
¿Por qué no te gusta? - Porque sí.
Why does it rain at night? - It just does.
¿Por qué llueve por la noche? - Porque sí.
Por si - In case
Examples:
Bring your umbrella in case it rains.
Llévate el paraguas por si llueve.
Make a note in case you forget.
Apúntalo por si te olvidas.
Qué digo... - I mean..
Examples:
She is Spanish, I mean, Mexican.
Es española, qué digo, mexicana.
¡Qué sé yo! - How should I know?
Example:
Did they like it? - How should I know?!
¿Les gustó? - ¡Qué sé yo!
¡Que sí!, ¡Que no! - Yes it is!, No it isn't!
Examples:
It's green! - Yes it is!/ No it isn't!
Es verde. - ¡Que sí!/ ¡Que no!
¡Qué va! - No way!
Examples:
They say you have to sleep with her. - No way!
Han dicho que tienes que dormir con ella - ¡Qué va!
He is going to be your roommate. - What?! Him?! My roommate?!
Va a ser tu compañero de cuarto. - ¡Qué va a ser mi compañero de cuarto ése!
She is going to be your stepmother. - Her? My step mom?!
Será tu madrasta. - ¡Qué va a ser mi madrasta!
Sí que.. - Really, Certainly
Examples:
I really like it!
¡Sí que me gusta!
That's certainly the truth.
Eso sí que es verdad.
Yes you can!
¡Sí que puedes!
You really know how to do it.
Tú sí que sabes hacerlo.
¿Tú crees? - Do you think so?
Example:
I think it's going to rain. - Do you think so? - Yes.
Creo que va a llover. - ¿Tú crees? - Sí.
¡Ya lo creo! - Of course
Example:
Do you think he is going to win? - Of course, I do!
¿Crees que va a ganar? - ¡Ya lo creo!
¡Ya te lo decía yo! - I told you so!
Example:
You were right. Pacquiao won! - See? I'd been telling that to you!
Tenías razón. ¡Pacquiao ganó! - ¿Ves? ¡Ya te lo decía yo!
¡Y que lo digas! - You can say that again!/ Indeed!
Example:
That house is very beautiful! - Indeed!
Esa casa es muy preciosa. - ¡Y que lo digas!
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Spanish Verbal Periphrasis
A verbal periphrasis is a verbal construction made of two verb forms, a conjugated form and an impersonal form (an infinitive, a present participle, or a past participle). Verbal periphrasis is used in the informal future, the present progressive, and the perfect tenses.
For this post, I have compiled some of the most important Spanish verbal periphrasis that students should begin to learn.
Acabar DE (to have just done something; to just can't VERB something) – Acaba de darse cuenta de mi error. (I have just noticed my error); Acababa de entrar cuando sonó el teléfono. (He had just entered when the telephone rang); ¿Puedes echarme una mano cuando acabes de limpiar? (Can you give me a hand when you're done cleaning?); No acabo de entender por qué lo hizo. (I just can't understand why he did it); No me acaba de parecer bien que revises el correo de tu novio. (I just don't think it's right that you check your boyfriend's email)
Acabar GER (to end up doing something) - Me sigue pareciendo mal que acabara pagando la novia. (I still find it bad that the girlfriend ended up paying)
Andar GER (to get around doing something) – Anduvimos buscando la llave. (We were searching around for the keys)
Comenzar A (to start doing something) – La gente comenzó a preocuparse por el medio ambiente. (The people started to care about the environment)
Continuar GER (to continue doing something) - En cualquier caso continúa siendo optimista. (In any case he still is optimist); No creía que continuara lloviendo. (I didn't think it would continue raining)
Deber DE (must – expressing possibility) – Debe de ser muy caro estudiar en los Estados Unidos. (It must be very expensive to study in the US); Deben de haberse ido por aquí. (They must have gone this way); Deben de haberse dado cuenta de que tenemos problemas. (They must have noticed we have problems); Deben de haberse equivocado. (They must have been wrong)
Deber INF (must – expressing obligation) - No debes preocuparte. (You must not worry); Debería cambiarse cada mes. (It should be changed monthly); No deberías haberla dejado sola. (You shouldn't have left her alone); Debíamos haber salido ayer (We should have left yesterday)
Dejar DE (to stop doing something) - Cuando deje de llover nos iremos. (When it stops raining we will go)
Dejar QUE (let someone/ something do something) - Deja que acabe de llover. (let the rain stop); Deja que me toque la lotería y verás. (Wait until I won the lottery and you'll see)
Estar GER (to be doing something) – Los niños están estudiando. (The children are studying)
Haber DE (must – expressing possibility and obligation) – Hemos de pagar la cuenta. (We have to pay the bill); Habían de ser las nueve cuando llegaron. (It must be 9 o'clock when they arirved)
Ir A (be going to do something) – Vamos a estudiar. (We are going to study)
Ir GER (be gradually doing something) - Id pensando en el tema que queréis tratar. (You can now start thinking about the topic you want to talk about); Hemos ido consiguiendo lo que queríamos. (We've been getting what we wanted); Voy comprendiendo que no te ha gustado. (I'm underdstanding that you didn't like it)
Llegar A (to come to do something, to achieve) - Llegó a conocer a varios directores de cine. (He got to meet some cinema directors); No llego a comprenderlo. (I just can't understand it); Me ha llegado a parecer bien que sólo le des 20 pesos a tu hijo, pues si le das más, se compra cualquier chuchería en la escuela. (I, now, think it's right that you only give 20 pesos to your son, if you give more, he'll buy junkfoods in school); Julia llegó a ser presidenta. (Julia became president); Temí no llegar a ver el año nuevo. (I'm afraid I can't get to new year)
No dejar DE (to keep on doing something; to be always ADJECTIVE; to can't help) - No deja de preguntarme por ti. (He keeps asking me about you); Eso no deja de tener gracia. (I always find that funny); No deja de ser raro que no haya venido. (It's odd you didn't come); No por eso deja de ser una tontería lo que has dicho. (That does not stop what you said from being silly); No puedo dejar de asombrarme. (I can't help be amazed); No dejes de visitarlos. (make sure you visit them); No me deja de parecer mal que les sigas pidiendo dinero a tus padres. (I have always thought it bad that you keep asking money to your parents); NOTE: When this periphrasis is used in a negative imperative sentence, its meaning changes to "to make sure to do something" as in "no dejes de visitarlos" which means "make sure to visit them".
Parar DE (to stop doing something) – No para de quejarse. (He doesn't stop complaining)
Poder INF (can, to be able to) – Puedo hacerlo yo solo. (I can do it alone); No se puede fumar (Smoking prohibited); ¿Me puede decir su nombre? (Can you tell me your name?)
For this post, I have compiled some of the most important Spanish verbal periphrasis that students should begin to learn.
Acabar DE (to have just done something; to just can't VERB something) – Acaba de darse cuenta de mi error. (I have just noticed my error); Acababa de entrar cuando sonó el teléfono. (He had just entered when the telephone rang); ¿Puedes echarme una mano cuando acabes de limpiar? (Can you give me a hand when you're done cleaning?); No acabo de entender por qué lo hizo. (I just can't understand why he did it); No me acaba de parecer bien que revises el correo de tu novio. (I just don't think it's right that you check your boyfriend's email)
Acabar GER (to end up doing something) - Me sigue pareciendo mal que acabara pagando la novia. (I still find it bad that the girlfriend ended up paying)
Andar GER (to get around doing something) – Anduvimos buscando la llave. (We were searching around for the keys)
Comenzar A (to start doing something) – La gente comenzó a preocuparse por el medio ambiente. (The people started to care about the environment)
Continuar GER (to continue doing something) - En cualquier caso continúa siendo optimista. (In any case he still is optimist); No creía que continuara lloviendo. (I didn't think it would continue raining)
Deber DE (must – expressing possibility) – Debe de ser muy caro estudiar en los Estados Unidos. (It must be very expensive to study in the US); Deben de haberse ido por aquí. (They must have gone this way); Deben de haberse dado cuenta de que tenemos problemas. (They must have noticed we have problems); Deben de haberse equivocado. (They must have been wrong)
Deber INF (must – expressing obligation) - No debes preocuparte. (You must not worry); Debería cambiarse cada mes. (It should be changed monthly); No deberías haberla dejado sola. (You shouldn't have left her alone); Debíamos haber salido ayer (We should have left yesterday)
Dejar DE (to stop doing something) - Cuando deje de llover nos iremos. (When it stops raining we will go)
Dejar QUE (let someone/ something do something) - Deja que acabe de llover. (let the rain stop); Deja que me toque la lotería y verás. (Wait until I won the lottery and you'll see)
Estar GER (to be doing something) – Los niños están estudiando. (The children are studying)
Haber DE (must – expressing possibility and obligation) – Hemos de pagar la cuenta. (We have to pay the bill); Habían de ser las nueve cuando llegaron. (It must be 9 o'clock when they arirved)
Ir A (be going to do something) – Vamos a estudiar. (We are going to study)
Ir GER (be gradually doing something) - Id pensando en el tema que queréis tratar. (You can now start thinking about the topic you want to talk about); Hemos ido consiguiendo lo que queríamos. (We've been getting what we wanted); Voy comprendiendo que no te ha gustado. (I'm underdstanding that you didn't like it)
Llegar A (to come to do something, to achieve) - Llegó a conocer a varios directores de cine. (He got to meet some cinema directors); No llego a comprenderlo. (I just can't understand it); Me ha llegado a parecer bien que sólo le des 20 pesos a tu hijo, pues si le das más, se compra cualquier chuchería en la escuela. (I, now, think it's right that you only give 20 pesos to your son, if you give more, he'll buy junkfoods in school); Julia llegó a ser presidenta. (Julia became president); Temí no llegar a ver el año nuevo. (I'm afraid I can't get to new year)
No dejar DE (to keep on doing something; to be always ADJECTIVE; to can't help) - No deja de preguntarme por ti. (He keeps asking me about you); Eso no deja de tener gracia. (I always find that funny); No deja de ser raro que no haya venido. (It's odd you didn't come); No por eso deja de ser una tontería lo que has dicho. (That does not stop what you said from being silly); No puedo dejar de asombrarme. (I can't help be amazed); No dejes de visitarlos. (make sure you visit them); No me deja de parecer mal que les sigas pidiendo dinero a tus padres. (I have always thought it bad that you keep asking money to your parents); NOTE: When this periphrasis is used in a negative imperative sentence, its meaning changes to "to make sure to do something" as in "no dejes de visitarlos" which means "make sure to visit them".
Parar DE (to stop doing something) – No para de quejarse. (He doesn't stop complaining)
Poder INF (can, to be able to) – Puedo hacerlo yo solo. (I can do it alone); No se puede fumar (Smoking prohibited); ¿Me puede decir su nombre? (Can you tell me your name?)
Poder INF (indicates possibility) – No conozco a nadie que pueda haberlo hecho. (I don't know anyone that could have done it); Podrías haberte matado si no hubieras tenido cuidado. (You could have killed yourself if you hadn't been careful); Puede ser que tengas razón. (You could be right)
Seguir GER (to be still doing something; to keep on doing something) – Me preocupa que sigas cometiendo tantos errores. (I'm worried you keep on making a lot of erros)
Soler INF (to be doing something usuall ) – Solemos comenzar a las ocho. (We usually start at 8)
Tardar EN (to take much time in doing something) - No tarde usted en informarme. (Please tell me as soon as you know); No tardaron en darse cuenta de mi presencia. (They immediately noticed my presence)
Tener QUE (to have to do something, should) – Tengo que comprarlo. (I have to buy it); Tiene que dolerte mucho ¿no? (It hurts a lot, doesn't it?); ¡Tendrías que haberlo dicho antes! (You should have told us before)
Seguir GER (to be still doing something; to keep on doing something) – Me preocupa que sigas cometiendo tantos errores. (I'm worried you keep on making a lot of erros)
Soler INF (to be doing something usuall ) – Solemos comenzar a las ocho. (We usually start at 8)
Tardar EN (to take much time in doing something) - No tarde usted en informarme. (Please tell me as soon as you know); No tardaron en darse cuenta de mi presencia. (They immediately noticed my presence)
Tener QUE (to have to do something, should) – Tengo que comprarlo. (I have to buy it); Tiene que dolerte mucho ¿no? (It hurts a lot, doesn't it?); ¡Tendrías que haberlo dicho antes! (You should have told us before)
Tener QUE (must – expresses supposition; same as deber de) - Se me tiene que haber caído por aquí. (I must have dropped it over here); Tiene que ser muy caro ir de vacaciones a Francia. (Going to France for the holidays must be very expensive)
Terminar DE (to not quite feel something – expresses uncertain feelings) - No me cae mal, pero no termina de convencerme. (I don't hate him, I'm not too sure about him); No me termina de gustar la casa que hemos visto. (I'm not sure about the house we've seen)
Venir A (to be more or less – expresses approximation) – “Perhaps” y “Maybe” vienen a significar lo mismo. (Perhaps and Maybe more or less mean the same thing)
Venir GER (to have been doing something) - Eso lo vengo diciendo desde hace tiempo. (I've been saying that since a long time ago)
Volver A (to do something again) – Por favor, no lo vuelvas a hacer. (Don't do it again, please)
If you have any question about the usage of these Spanish verbal periphrasis, please leave a comment below.
Terminar DE (to not quite feel something – expresses uncertain feelings) - No me cae mal, pero no termina de convencerme. (I don't hate him, I'm not too sure about him); No me termina de gustar la casa que hemos visto. (I'm not sure about the house we've seen)
Venir A (to be more or less – expresses approximation) – “Perhaps” y “Maybe” vienen a significar lo mismo. (Perhaps and Maybe more or less mean the same thing)
Venir GER (to have been doing something) - Eso lo vengo diciendo desde hace tiempo. (I've been saying that since a long time ago)
Volver A (to do something again) – Por favor, no lo vuelvas a hacer. (Don't do it again, please)
If you have any question about the usage of these Spanish verbal periphrasis, please leave a comment below.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Spanish verbs like "Gustar"
As a new learner of Spanish, it's a real struggle to figure out how the verb "Gustar" works, however when you finally get the hang of it, you are on your way to your Spanish mastery. Here I have a list of some verbs that work the same way as the verb "Gustar"
| Verbs | Meaning | Sample sentence |
| Aburrir | to bore | Me aburre ver películas (I feel bored watching movies) |
| Agradar | to like, to be nice | Me agrada estar aquí (It's nice to be here) |
| Alegrar | to make feel happy | Me alegra saber que estás bien (I'm happy to know that you're OK) |
| Apenar | to sadden | Nos apena que tú tengas que irte (We're sad that you have to go) |
| Apetecer | to feel like | Me apetece comer espagueti (I feel like eating Spaghuetti) |
| Bastar | to be enough | Me bastó leer el primer párrafo para saber que era un genio (I only had to read the first paragraph to know that he was a genius) |
| Caer, Sentar, Sabe mal | to put out | Me cayó mal que no me invitaran (I was rather put out that they didn't ask me) |
| Compensar, Valer la pena | to be worth it | Te compensa hacerlo (It's worth you doing it) |
| Convenir | to be advisable | Te convendría olvidar ese asunto (You would be well advised to forget all about this business) |
| Corresponder, Incumbir, Competer | to be one's responsibility | Te corresponde a tí cuidar al niño (It's your responsibility to take care of the child) |
| Costar trabajo | to be difficult | Me cuesta trabajo entender su acento (I have difficulties understanding his accent) |
| Chocar | to be shocking | Me choca mucho que la gente no respete la ley (It's shocking that people don't follow the law) |
| Dar + noun | to make someone feel… etc | |
| Dar igual | to not care | Me da igual (It doesn't matter) |
| Dar rabia | to make angry | Me da rabia que los niños siempre hagan ruido (The noise the children make drives me mad) |
| Dar nostalgia | to make feel nostalgic | Le da nostalgia ver la casa de su abuela (Seeing her grandmother's house makes her feel nostalgic) |
| Dar miedo | to make feel scared | A los niños les da miedo cruzar por la calle (The children are scared crossing the street) |
| Dar vergüenza | to make feel embarrased | Me da vergüenza pedirle dinero a mis padres (I feel embarrassed asking money to my parents) |
| Desagradar | to not like | Me desagrada tener que decírselo (I don't like having to tell her) |
| Disgustar | to upset | Me disgustó mucho que me mintiera (I was very upset that he lied to me) |
| Doler | to be hurt | Les duele que digas eso (It hurts them that you're saying that) |
| Emocionar | to be thrilled | Nos emocionan ver películas de terror (We're thrilled about watching horror movies) |
| Encantar | to love | Te encanta pasear por la playa (You love walking along the beach) |
| Entusiasmar | to be keen on | Me entusiasma visitar España (I'm keen on visiting Spain) |
| Exasperar | to be exasperating | Me exasperó tener que esperar (I found having to wait exasperating) |
| Extrañar | to be strange | Me extraña que no lo sepas (I'm surprised you don't know) |
| Faltar | to be lacking | Me faltan 3 dolares (I'm lacking three dollars; I need three dollars) |
| Fascinar | to love | Me fascina viajar (I love travelling) |
| Fastidiar | to annoy | Me fastidia tener que repetir las cosas (It annoys me to have to repeat things) |
| Hacer falta | to need | Me hacían falta 10 dolares para poder comprar el libro (I needed 10 dollars to buy the book) |
| Importar | to matter | A algunos hombres no les importa que su novia cobre más que ellos (Some men don't mind that their girlfriend earn more than them) |
| Impresionar | to move, shock, surprise | Me impresiona el accidente (The accident has taken be aback) |
| Interesar | to be interested in | Le interesa el fútbol (He's interested in soccer) |
| Molestar | to annoy | Me molesta el ruido de la ciudad (The city's noise annoys me) |
| Parecer + adjective/ adverb | to seem … etc | |
| Parecer bien | to consider it right | Me parece bien que ayudes a tus hermanos (I think it's right that you're helping your brothers) |
| Parecer injusto | to think it's unfair | Me parece injusto que no podamos participar (I think it's unfair that we can't join) |
| Preocupar | to worry | Me preocupa que sus hijos no vayan a la escuela (It worries me that her children don't go to school) |
| Quedar | to have left | Os quedan dos libros por leer (You still have two books to read) |
| Repugnar | to be disgusting | Me repugna beber de un vaso sucio (I find having to drink out of a dirty glass disgusting) |
| Ser + adjective | to be… etc | |
| Ser imposible | to not be possible | Me fue imposible ir a la cena (I couldn't go to the dinner) |
| Ser indiferente | to not matter | Me es indiferente quien lo haga (It doesn't matter who does it) |
| Servir | to be useful | Estos zapatos ya no me sirven (These shoes are no good to me ) |
| Sobrar | to have too much | No me sobra el tiempo para hacerlo (I don't have enough time to do it) |
| Sorprender | to be a surprise | Me sorprende que no hables inglés (I'm surprised you don't speak English) |
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
100 most common Spanish verbs - Part 4
| Meaning | Sample sentence | |
| aceptar | to accept, approve, to agree to | No acepto la oferta (I'm not accepting the offer) |
| realizar | to carry out | Realizó una magnifica labor (She did a magnificent job) |
| suponer | to suppose | Supongo que se habrá ido (I supposed he's gone) |
| comprender | to understand, comprehend | No comprendo la instrucción (I don't understand the instruction) |
| lograr | to get, obtain, to achieve, attain | Logró el quinto puesto (She managed fifth place) |
| explicar | to explain | Explícame qué fue lo que pasó (Explain me what happened) |
| preguntar | to ask, inquire | ¡Deja de preguntar, por favor! (Please stop asking) |
| tocar | to touch, to play (an instrument) | ¡No me toques! (Don't touch me!) |
| reconocer | to recognize | No te reconocí (I didn't recognize you) |
| estudiar | to study | Sigo estudiando (I'm still studying) |
| alcanzar | to reach, catch up | No alcanzo las cajas (I can't reach the boxes) |
| nacer | to be born | Nací en 1991 (I was born in 1991) |
| dirigir | to direct | Hay que dirigir todos nuestros esfuerzos hacia este fin (We must direct all our efforts to this end) |
| correr | to run | Tuve que correr para no llegar tarde (I had to run so as not to arrive late) |
| utilizar | to use, utilize | La están utilizando (She's being used) |
| pagar | to pay, pay for | Hay que pagar antes de entrar (You have to pay first before entering) |
| ayudar | to help | Ayudan a empresas en apuros (They help companies in difficulty) |
| gustar | to please, be pleasing | Me gusta el rojo (I like the red one) |
| jugar | to play (a game or sport) | Los niños juegan después de la clase (The children play after class) |
| escuchar | to listen, hear | Escúchame cuando te hablo (Listen to me when I'm talking to you) |
| cumplir | to fulfil, carry out | Siempre cumple su promesa (He always keeps his promise) |
| ofrecer | to offer | Me ofreció un té (He offered us tea) |
| descubrir | to discover | Descubrí que me estaba mintiendo (I discovered he's lying to me) |
| levantar | to raise, to lift | Que levante la mano quien quiere irse (Those who want to go, please raise your hand) |
| intentar | to try, attempt | Hay que intentarlo otra vez (We have to try it again) |
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