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Learn To Speak Spanish A Complete Self study Course
By:Saham Hendinejad
To my dear Teacher,
Whom taught me Spanish
Sasan Razmkhah
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1. Some Basic Phrases
¡Buenos días! bway-nohs dee-ahs Hello! / Good morning!
¡Buenas tardes! bway-nahs tard-ays Good afternoon!
¡Buenas noches! bway-nahs noh-chays Good evening! / Good night!
¡Hola! / ¡Chao! oh-lah / chow Hi! / Bye!
Adiós. ah-dee-ohs Good bye.
Por favor. por fah-bor Please.
Hasta la vista / Hasta luego. ah-stah lah vees-tah / ah-stah loo-ay-go See you / See you later.
Hasta pronto. ah-stah prohn-toh See you soon.
Hasta mañana. ah-stah mahn-yahn-ah See you tomorrow.
(Muchas) Gracias. (moo-chahs) grah-see-ahs Thank you (very much).
De nada. day nah-dah You're welcome.
Bienvenidos byen-veh-nee-dohs Welcome
Lo siento loh see-ehn-toh I'm sorry
Con permiso / Perdón kohn pehr-mee-soh / pehr-dohn Excuse me / Pardon
¡Vamos! bah-mohs Let's go!
¿Cómo está usted? koh-moh ay-stah oo-sted How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo estás? koh-moh ay-stahs How are you? (informal)
¿Qué tal? kay tahl How's it going?
Bien / Muy bien bee-ehn / moy bee-ehn Good / Very good
Mal / Muy mal / Más o
menos mahl / moy mahl / mahs oh may-nohs Bad / Very bad / OK
Sí / No see / noh Yes / No
¿Cómo se llama usted? koh-moh say yah-mah oo-sted What is your name? (formal)
¿Cómo te llamas? koh-moh tay yah-mahs What is your name? (informal)
Me llamo... may yah-moh My name is...
Mucho gusto. / Encantado. moo-choh goo-stoh / en-cahn-tah-doh Nice to meet you.
Igualmente. ee-guahl-mehn-tay Same here.
Señor / Señora / Señorita sayn-yor / sayn-yor-ah / sayn-yor-ee-tah Mister / Mrs. / Miss
¿De dónde es usted? day dohn-day ehs oo-sted Where are you from? (formal)
¿De dónde eres? day dohn-day eh-rehs Where are you from? (informal)
Yo soy de... yoh soy day I'm from...
¿Cuántos años tiene
usted? quahn-tohs ahn-yohs tee-ay-nay oo-sted How old are you? (formal)
¿Cuántos años tienes? quahn-tohs ahn-yohs tee-ayn-ays How old are you? (informal)
Yo tengo _____ años. yoh tayn-goh _____ ahn-yohs I am _____ years old.
¿Habla usted español? ah-blah oo-sted eh-spahn-yol Do you speak Spanish? (formal)
¿Hablas ingles? ah-blahs een-glehs Do you speak English? (informal)
(No) Hablo... noh ah-bloh I (don't) speak...
¿Entiende usted? /
¿Entiendes? ehn-tyen-deh oo-sted / ehn-tyen-dehs Do you understand? (formal / informal)
(No) Entiendo. noh ehn-tyen-doh I (don't) understand.
Yo (no lo) se. yoh noh loh seh I (don't) know.
¿Puede ayudarme? pweh-deh ah-yoo-dar-meh Can you help me?
Claro que sí klah-roh keh see Of course
¿Cómo? koh-moh What? Pardon me?
¿Dónde está / Dónde
están... ? dohn-deh eh-stah / dohn-deh eh-stahn Where is ... / Where are ... ?
Aquí ah-kee Here.
Hay / Había... eye / ah-bee-ah There is / are... / There was / were...
¿Cómo se dice ____ en
español? koh-moh seh dee-ceh ___ on eh-spahn-yol How do you say ____ in Spanish?
¿Qué es esto? keh ehs ehs-toh What is that?
¿Qué te pasa? keh teh pah-sah What's the matter (with you)?
No importa. noh eem-por-tah It doesn't matter.
¿Qué pasa? keh pah-sah What's happening?
No tengo ninguna idea. noh tehn-goh neen-goo-nah ee-deh-ah I have no idea.
Estoy cansado / enfermo. eh-stoy kahn-sah-doh / ehn-fehr-moh I'm tired / sick.
Tengo hambre / sed. tehn-goh ahm-breh / sed I'm hungry / thirsty.
Tengo calor / frío. tehn-goh kah-lohr / free-oh I'm hot / cold.
Estoy aburrido. eh-stoy ah-boo-ree-doh I'm bored.
No me importa. noh meh eem-por-tah I don't care.
No se preocupe. noh seh preh-oh-koo-peh Don't worry
Está bien. ehs-tah bee-ehn That's alright.
Me olvidé. meh ohl-vee-deh I forgot.
Tengo que ir ahora. tehn-goh keh eer ah-oh-rah I must go now.
¡Salud! sah-lood Bless you!
¡Felicitaciones! feh-lee-see-tah-see-oh-nehs Congratulations!
¡Buena suerte! bweh-nah swehr-teh Good luck!
Te toca a ti. teh toh-kah ah tee It's your turn. (informal)
¡Callate! kah-yah-teh Shut up!
Te amo. tay ah-moh I love you. (informal and singular)
Notice that Spanish has informal and formal ways of saying things. This is because there is more than one meaning to "you" in Spanish (as well as in many other languages.) The informal you is used when talking to close friends, relatives, animals or children. The formal you is used when talking to someone you just met, do not know well, or someone for whom you would like to show respect (a professor, for example.) There are also two ways to say you in the plural, used when speaking to more than one person.
Encantado, cansado, enfermo, and aburrido are the masculine forms of the words. If the words refer to a woman or are spoken by a woman, then the o changes to a.
2. Pronunciation
Spanish Letter English Sound a ah
e ay i ee
o oh u oo
ll y
v b at beginning of word, real soft b between 2 vowels
ñ ny (as in canyon) r almost like a d when in between 2 vowels rr r w/ a roll of the tongue
d almost like a th when in between 2 vowels j hard h
g g, sometimes a h
qu k ai / all / ay eye
z s z, ce, ci th (in most parts of Spain)
Stress: Just as in English, Spanish stresses a certain syllable in a word. If a word ends in a consonant, except s or n, the stress is on the last syllable. If a word ends in a vowel, or s or n, the stress is on the second-to-last syllable. For words that do no follow these rules, an accent is written over the vowel so that you will know to stress that syllable, as in el pájaro (bird).
3. Alphabet
a ah j hoh-tah r air-ay
b bay k kah rr airr-ay
c say l ay-lay s ay-say
ch chay ll ay-yay t tay
d day m ay-may u oo
e ay n ay-nay v oo-bay
f ay-fay ñ ayn-yay w doh-blay-bay
g hey o oh x ah-kees
h ah-chay p pay y ee-gree-ay-gah
i ee q koo z say-tah
Note: The Spanish language academy no longer considers the ch, ll or rr to be separate letters of the alphabet.
4. Definite and Indefinite Articles and Demonstratives
Masc. Singular
Fem. Singular
Masc. Plural Fem. Plural
the el (ail) la (lah)
the los (lohs) las (lahs)
a, an
un (oon) una (oon-ah)
some unos (oon-ohs)
unas (oon-ahs)
this este esta these estos estas
that ese esa those esos esas
that aquel aquella those aquellos aquellas
El is also used with feminine nouns beginning with a or ha when the accent is on the first syllable. Words that end in -o and -or are generally masculine, with a few exceptions: la mano (hand), la foto (photo). Words that end in -a are generally feminine, with a few exceptions: el mapa (map), el problema (problem). Other feminine words end in -ción, -tad, -dad, or -tud.
Use the ese forms to mean that when what you are talking about is near the person you are addressing. Use the aquel forms when what you are talking about is far from both you and the person you are addressing. Esto and eso are the neuter forms of this and that. They can be used in general and abstract ways. Demonstrative adjectives (listed above) are used before a noun; if you want to use the demonstrative pronouns, which are used before a verb, add an accent on all of the first e's: éste, ésta, éstos, éstas, ése, ésa, ésos, ésas, aquél, aquélla,
aquéllos, aquéllas.
5. Subject Pronouns
yo yoh I nosotros(as) noh-soh-trohs we
tú too you (informal) vosotros(as) boh-soh-trohs you all
él / ella / usted
ail / ay-yah / oo-sted
he / she / you (formal)
ellos / ellas / ustedes
ay-yohs / ay-yahs / oo-sted-ays
they / they / you (plural)
Note: Vosotros is used only in Spain when speaking to more than one person with whom you know well. Nosotras and vosotras refer to a group of all females, as well as ellas. Ustedes is almost always used for saying "you all" in all Spanish speaking countries. Usted can be abbreviated to Ud. Ustedes can also be abbreviated to Uds. Please note that the subject pronouns are rarely used before verbs.
6. To Be and to Have
ser - to be
present past future
soy I am fuí I was seré I will be
eres you are fuiste you were serás you will be
es he/she/it is fué he/she/it was será he/she/it will be
somos we are fuimos we were seremos we will be
sois you are fuisteis you were seréis you will be
son they are fueron they were serán they will be
estar - to be
present past future
estoy I am estuve I was estaré I will be
estás you are estuviste you were estarás you will be
está he/she/it is estuvo he/she/it was estará he/she/it will be
estamos we are estuvimos we were estaremos we will be
estáis you are estuvisteis you were estaréis you will be
están they are estuvieron they were estarán they will be
tener - to have
present
past future
tengo I have tuve I had tendré I will have
tienes you have tuviste you had tendrás you will have
tiene he/she/it has tuvo he/she/it had tendrá he/she/it will have
tenemos we have tuvimos we had tendremos we will have
tenéis you have tuvisteis you had tendréis you will have
tienen they have tuvieron they had tendrán they will have
Ser is used to identify or describe. It tells what something is, its basic characteristics, or its origin. Estar is used to tell the location of something or how someone feels.
Uses of Ser
Identify person/object Inherent characteristics or qualities Nationality/Occupation Telling time Express ownership Impersonal expressions Passive voice
El edificio es un templo. La casa es grande. Carlos es pobre. Es carpintero. Son las tres. Los libros son de Juan. Es necesario. El teléfono fue inventado por
Bell.
The building is a temple. The house is large. Charles is poor. He is a carpenter. It's three o'clock. The books are John's. It is necessary. The telephone was invented by Bell.
Uses of Estar
Location/position Temporary condition/state State of health Form progressive tense
El libro está en la mesa. La ventana está abierta. Juan está enfermo. Miguel está estudiando.
The book is on the table. The window is open. John is sick. Michael is studying.
Sometimes changing the verb can completely change the meaning: ser aburrido means to be boring, while estar aburrido means to be bored. Others include: ser bueno - to be nice, estar bueno - to be in good health; ser callado - to be discrete, estar callado - to be silent; ser moreno - to have brown hair, estar moreno - to be tan.
Common Expressions with "to be" to be afraid - tener miedo
to be against - estar en contra to be at fault - tener la culpa to be careful - tener cuidado
to be cold - tener frío to be curious - ser curioso (a)
to be happy - estar contento (a) to be hot - tener calor
to be hungry - tener hambre to be in a hurry - tener prisa, estar de prisa
to be jealous - tener celos to be lucky - tener suerte
to be patient - tener paciencia to be successful - tener éxito
to be thirsty - tener sed to be tired - estar cansado (a)
7. Question Words
what qué which cuál(es)
who quién(es) how much cuánto (-a)
how cómo how many cuántos (-as)
when cuándo whom a quién(es)
where dónde whose de quién(es)
why por qué
8. Numbers / Ordinals
0 cero say-roh
1 uno oo-noh first primero
2 dos dohs second segundo
3 tres trays third tercero
4 cuatro kuah-troh fourth cuarto
5 cinco seen-koh fifth quinto
6 seis says sixth sexto
7 siete see-ay-tay seventh séptimo
8 ocho oh-choh eighth octavo
9 nueve new-ay-vay ninth noveno
10 diez dee-ays tenth décimo
11 once ohn-say eleventh undécimo
12 doce doh-say twelfth duodécimo
13 trece tray-say thirteenth décimo tercero
14 catorce kah-tor-say fourteenth décimo cuarto
15 quince keen-say fifteenth décimo quinto
16 diez y seis dee-ays ee says sixteenth décimo sexto
17 diez y siete dee-ays ee see-ay-tay seventeenth décimo séptimo
18 diez y ocho dee-ays ee oh-choh eighteenth décimo octavo
19 diez y nueve dee-ays ee new-ay-vay nineteenth décimo noveno
20 veinte bayn-tay twentieth vigésimo
21 veinte y uno bayn-tay ee oo-noh twenty-first vigésimo primero
22 veinte y dos bayn-tay ee dohs twenty-second vigésimo segundo
30 treinta trayn-tah thirtieth trigésimo
40 cuarenta kuar-ain-tah fortieth cuadragésimo
50 cincuenta seen-kuain-tah fiftieth quincuagésimo
60 sesenta say-sain-tah sixtieth sexagésimo
70 setenta say-tain-tah seventieth septuagésimo
80 ochenta oh-chain-tah eightieth octogésimo
90 noventa noh-bain-tah ninetieth nonagésimo
100 cien(to) see-ain-(toh) hundredth centésimo
1000 mil meel thousandth milésimo
Note: If you are just saying 100, you use cien. If it's over 100, you use ciento. So 101 is ciento uno. And 156 would be ciento cincuenta y seis. Also you can also use dieciséis, diecisiete, dieciocho, and diecinueve for 16, 17, 18, and 19, respectively. They are pronounced the same but are combined into one word. Additionally, 21-29 can be written as
one word (veintiuno, veintidós, veintitrés, etc.), but you need to use y for the rest of the numbers.
9. Days of the Week
Monday lunes loo-nays
Tuesday martes mar-tays
Wednesday miércoles mee-air-coh-lays
Thursday jueves hway-bays
Friday viernes bee-air-nays
Saturday sábado sah-bah-doh
Sunday domingo doh-ming-oh
the day el día ail dee-ah
the week la semana lah say-mahn-ah
the weekend el fin de semana ail feen day say-mahn-ah
today hoy oy
tomorrow mañana mahn-yahn-ah
my birthday mi cumpleaños mee coom-play-ahn-yohs
10. Months of the Year
January enero ay-nair-oh
February febrero fay-bray-roh
March marzo mar-soh
April abril ah-breel
May mayo mi-oh
June junio hoo-nee-oh
July julio hoo-lee-oh
August agosto ah-gohs-toh
September septiembre sayp-tee-aim-bray
October octubre ohk-too-bray
November noviembre noh-bee-aim-bray
December diciembre dee-see-aim-bray
the month el mes ail mais
the first of [a month] el primero de [month] ail pree-mair-oh day _____
the year el año ail ahn-yoh
11. Seasons
spring la primavera winter el invierno
summer el verano autumn el otoño
Note: To say in the summer, spring, etc. use en and the season. En verano means in the summer.
12. Directions
north el norte east el este
south el sur west el oeste
13. Colors
red rojo violet violeta
pink rosado brown marrón
orange anaranjado dark brown marrón oscuro
yellow amarillo black negro
green verde gray gris
blue azul white blanco
light blue celeste gold dorado
purple morado silver plateado
14. Time
Qué hora es? What time is it?
Es la una. It's one.
Son las dos/tres/cuatro... It's two/three/four...
Es mediodía. It's noon.
Es medianoche. It's midnight.
Son las cinco y cinco. It's 5:05
Son las ocho y cuarto. It's 8:15
Son las diez menos cuarto. It's 9:45
Son cuarto para las diez It's 9:45 (common in Mexico)
Son las nueve menos diez. It's 8:50
Son diez para las nueve It's 8:50 (common in Mexico)
Son las tres y media. It's 3:30
15. Weather
Qué tiempo hace? What's the weather like?
Hace buen tiempo. The weather's nice.
Hace mal tiempo. The weather's bad.
Hace frío. It's cold.
Hace calor. It's hot.
Hace sol. It's sunny.
Hace viento. It's windy.
Llueve. It's raining.
Nieva. It's snowing.
Está nublado. It's cloudy.
16. Prepositions
a at al lado de beside
con with alrededor de around
contra against cerca de near
de of, from lejos de far from
en in, on delante de in front of
entre between, among debajo de below, under
hacia towards, about en frente de opposite
para for, in order, by detrás de behind
por for, through, along, via encima de above
sobre on, over hasta till, until
sin without desde from, since
Note: There are two prepositional contractions with definite articles. A and el combine to form al, and de and el combine to form del.
17. Family and Pets
family la familia grandfather el abuelo
dog el perro
parents los padres grandmother la abuela
cat el gato
husband el esposo grandson el nieto
bird el pájaro
wife la esposa granddaughter la nieta
fish el pez
father el padre uncle el tío
horse el caballo
mother la madre aunt la tía
goat la cabra
son el hijo nephew el sobrino
pig el cerdo
daughter la hija niece la sobrina
cow la vaca
children los hijos cousin (m) el primo
rabbit el conejo
sister la hermana cousin (f) la prima
turtle la tortuga
brother el hermano relatives los parientes
mouse el ratón
18. To Know People and Facts
conocer - to know people saber - to know facts
conozco conocemos sé sabemos
conoces conocéis sabes sabéis
conoce conocen sabe saben
19. Formation of Plural Nouns
If a singular noun ends in a vowel, just add -s to make it plural: la casa / las casas. If a singular noun ends in a consonant, a vowel with an accent, or y, add -es to make it plural: el papel / los papeles. Singular nouns that end in -z change the z to c and add -es to form the plural: la luz / las luces. A few nouns that have an accent in the singular will lose it in the plural: el lápiz - los lapices.
20. Possessive Adjectives
Initial Forms
Terminal Forms
singular plural
singular plural
my mi mis mío (a) míos (as)
your tu tus tuyo (a) tuyos (as)
your/his/her/its su sus suyo (a) suyos (as)
our nuestro (a) nuestros (as) nuestro (a) nuestros (as)
your vuestro (a) vuestros (as) vuestro (a) vuestros (as)
your/their su sus suyo (a) suyos (as)
Because su and sus can have so many meanings, the definite article may be used with the definite article may be used instead of su with the following forms: de Ud., de él, de ella, de
Uds., de ellos and de ellas.
los libros de ellos their books
The terminal forms are placed after the noun, and must be preceded by the definite article, except in direct address. When used with the indefinite article, it corresponds to the English "of mine, of yours," etc.
el libro mío my book Qué haces, hijo mío? What are you doing, my son? un amigo mío a friend of mine
21. To Do or Make
hacer - to do or make
hago hacemos
haces hacéis
hace hacen
22. Work and School
doctor dentist lawyer professor teacher engineer architect writer journalist
el médico el dentista el abogado el profesor el maestro el ingeniero el arquitecto el escritor el periodista
history math algebra geometry science physics chemistry zoology botany
la historia las matemáticas el álgebra la geometría la ciencia la fisica la química la zoología la botánica
musician painter pharmacist banker carpenter barber mechanic salesman electrician postman policeman soldier pilot secretary typist nurse
el músico el pintor el farmacéutico el banquero el carpintero el barbero el mecánico el vendedor el electricista el cartero el agente de policía el soldado el piloto la secretaria la mecanógrafo la enfermera
geography music art drawing painting linguistics languages
la geografía la música el arte el dibujo la pintura la lingüística las lenguas / idiomas
23. Countries and Nationalities
Country Masculine (Feminine) Nationality
Germany Alemania alemán (alemana)
Argentina Argentina argentino(a)
Australia Australia australiano(a)
Bolivia Bolivia boliviano(a)
Canada Canadá canadiense
Columbia Colombia colombiano(a)
Costa Rica Costa Rica costarricense
Cuba Cuba cubano(a)
Chile Chile chileno(a)
China China chino(a)
Ecuador Ecuador ecuatoriano(a)
Egypt Egipto egipcio(a)
Spain España español(a)
United States los Estados Unidos (norte)americano(a)
France Francia francés (francesa)
India India indio(a)
England Inglaterra inglés (inglesa)
Italy Italia italiano(a)
Japan Japón japonés (japonesa)
Mexico México mexicano(a)
Poland Polonia polaco(a)
Portugal Portugal portugués (portuguesa)
Russia Rusia ruso(a)
South Africa Sudáfrica sudafricano(a)
24. To / In and From
to a
from de
in en
Remember to use the prepositional contractions when a noun with an article follows the preposition.
25. To Come and to Go
venir - to come ir - to go
vengo venimos
voy vamos
vienes venís
vas vais
viene vienen
va van
26. Misc. Words
a lot mucho always siempre
very much muchísimo everyday todos los días
a little poco now ahora
very little muy poco usually usualmente
sometimes a veces there ahí
well bien over there allí
after después too bad demasiado malo
poorly mal
27. Conjugating Regular Verbs
Verbs in Spanish end in -ar, -er or -ir. Before a verb is conjugated, it is called the infinitive. Removing the last two letters gives you the stem of the verb (cantar is to sing, cant- is the stem.) To conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, add these endings to the stems:
-ar -er -ir
o amos
o emos
o imos
as áis
es éis
es ís
a an
e en
e en
Remember that verbs do not require the subject pronouns, so just canto means I sing. Here are some more regular verbs:
-ar verbs -er verbs -ir verbs
bailar to dance
aprender to learn
vivir to live
desear to want
comer to eat
escribir to write
escuchar to listen
correr to run
compartir to share
estudiar to study
leer to read
recibir to receive
hablar to speak
vender to sell
practicar to practice
beber to drink
tomar to take
comprender to understand
viajar to travel
To make sentences negative, simply put no in front of the verb.
28. Reflexive Verbs
The subject and the object are the same with reflexive verbs - the subject acts upon itself. A reflexive verb in Spanish will be marked with se attached to the end of the infinitive. These verbs are conjugated like regular verbs, except the reflexive pronoun agrees with case and gender and precedes the verb when not used in the infinitive form. Reciprocal verbs are the same as reflexive except the action passes from one person to another. It can only be used in the first and third person plural forms. Reflexive verbs sometimes use the "-self" forms in English, while the reciprocal verbs use "each other."
Reflexive Pronouns
me te se
nos os se
Some common reflexive verbs:
acostarse - to go to bed bañarse - to bathe oneself casarse - to get married despertarse - to wake up irse - to go away levantarse - to rise sentarse - to sit down vestirse - to dress oneself atreverse - to dare quejarse - to complain
29. Irregular Conjugations
Some verbs have vowel changes in the present tense for all forms except first and second person plural. After dropping the endings (-ar, -er, or -ir), the e of the last syllable changes to ie, and o of the last syllable changes to ue. Some -ir verbs change the e to i, while verbs ending in -uir change the i to y for all forms except first and second plural.
e to ie o to ue e to i ui to uy
pensar - to think querer - to want, like, love cerrar - to close comenzar - to begin despertar - to awaken empezar - to begin entender - to understand perder - to lose preferir - to prefer sentar - to seat sentir - to regret, feel
contar - to count poder - to be able costar - to cost dormir - to sleep encontrar - to find, meet jugar - to play morir - to die mostrar - to show volar - to fly volver - to return
pedir - to ask (for) repetir - to repeat seguir - to follow servir - to serve vestir - to dress
construir - to build
pensar contar pedir construir
pienso piensas piensa
pensamos pensáis piensan
cuento cuentas cuenta
contamos contáis cuentan
pido pides pide
pedimos pedís piden
construyo construyes contruye
construimos construís construyen
A few other verbs are irregular only in the first person singular form. The rest of the forms follow the regular pattern:
traer to carry traigo I carry
salir to go out salgo I go out
hacer to do hago I do
saber to know sé I know
dar to give doy I give
ver to see veo I see
tener to have tengo I have
poner to put pongo I put
decir to say digo I say
valer to be worth valgo I am worth
caer to fall caigo I fall
conocer to know conozco I know
deducir to deduce deduzco I deduce
Generally, verbs that end in -cer and -cir add z before the first person singular ending.
30. Personal "a"
When the direct object of a verb (except tener) is a person, it is preceded by a. It isn't used if a number precedes the object though. The pronouns alguien (somebody), alguno (someone), nadie (nobody), and ninguno (no one) require a as well, when used as the direct object.
Veo a Juan. I see John. Conozco a tu amiga. I know your friend. Veo a alguien. I see somebody.
31. Preterite Tense
The preterite tense expresses an action in the past. It is used to describe events that are finished or complete. It is formed by adding these endings to the infinitive stem.
-ar verbs -er and -ir verbs
-é -aste -ó
-amos -asteis -aron
-í -iste -ió
-imos -isteis -ieron
Viví en España dos años. I lived in Spain for two years. Ellos hablaron con los niños. They spoke with the children. Quién comió la fruta? Who ate the fruit?
32. Irregular Preterite Tense
A few verbs are irregular in the preterite tense. The following are the most common:
dar - to give decir - to say, tell estar - to be
di diste dio
dimos disteis dieron
dije dijiste dijo
dijimos dijisteis dijeron
estuve estuviste estuvo
estuvimos estuvisteis estuvieron
hacer - to do, make ir - to go / ser- to be poner - to put, place
hice hiciste hizo
hicimos hicisteis hicieron
fui fuiste fue
fuimos fuisteis fueron
puse pusiste puso
pusimos pusisteis pusieron
tener - to have traer - to bring venir - to come
tuve tuviste tuvo
tuvimos tuvisteis tuvieron
traje trajiste trajo
trajimos trajisteis trajeron
vine viniste vino
vinimos vinisteis vinieron
Ir and ser have the same forms in the preterite tense. Context will make the meaning clear.
33. Imperfect Tense
The imperfect is another past tense that is used to express an action as going on in the past, as repeated or habitual. It is also used with mental and physical conditions and for descriptions. The preterite tense is used much more often than the imperfect tense though, except with these verbs: querer, creer, poder, esperar, tener, and saber. It is formed by adding these endings to the infinitive stem.
-ar verbs -er and -ir verbs
-aba -abas -aba
-ábamos -abais -aban
-ía -ías -ía
-íamos -íais -ían
Yo vivía en España. I used to live in Spain. Luisa estaba triste. Louise was sad. El vendía radios. He was selling radios.
Only a few verbs are irregular in the imperfect tense:
ser - to be ir - to go ver - to see
era eras era
éramos erais eran
iba ibas iba
íbamos ibais iban
veía veías veía
veíamos veíais veían
34. Food and Meals
bacon el tocino lunch el almuerzo wine el vino
beef la carne de vaca meal la comida yogurt el yogur
beer la cerveza meat la carne bag la bolsa
beverage la bebida milk la leche bowl el tázon
biscuit el bizcocho milkshake la malteada bottle la botella
bread el pan mustard la mostaza box la caja
breakfast el desayuno mutton la carne de carnero
can la lata
butter la mantequilla oil el aceite can opener abrelatas
cake la torta omelet la tortilla carton el tetrabrik
candy los dulces pepper la pimienta chopsticks los palillos
cheese el queso pie el pastel coffee pot la cafetera
chicken el pollo pork la carne de cerdo
colander el colador
chocolate el chupete rice el arroz corkscrew el sacacorchos
chop la chuleta roast el asado cup la taza
coffee el café roll el panecillo dish el plato
cookie la galleta salad la ensalada fork el tenedor
cottage cheese el requesón salami el salchichón frying pan la sartén
cotton candy el algodón de
azúcar salt la sal glass el vaso
cream la crema sandwich el bocadillo jar el tarro
custard las natillas sauce la salsa jug la jarra
dessert el postre sausage el chorizo kettle la caldera
dinner la comida soft drink el refresco gaseoso
knife el cuchillo
egg el huevo soup la sopa lid la tapa
fried eggs huevos fritos sour cream la crema agria napkin la servilleta
fat la grasa steak el bistec plate el plato
flour la harina stew el guisado saucer el platillo
ham el jamón sugar el azúcar saucepan la cacerola / el cazo
hamburger la hamburguesa supper la cena spoon la cuchara
honey la miel tea (iced) el té (helado) spray can el spray
hot dog el perro caliente toast las tostadas table la mesa
ice el hielo veal la ternera tablecloth el mantel
ice cream el helado vegetable la legumbre teapot la tetera
jam la jalea vinegar el vinagre tube el tubo
juice el jugo water el agua
lollipop el chupete whipped cream
la nata montada
35. Gustar
Gustar plus a noun means to like something. Literally, it means to please and takes an indirect object, so the construction of the sentence will be different than that of English. The verb will only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural because it is agreeing with the noun or infinitive that follows it, not the subject.
Me gusta(n) I like Nos gusta(n) we like
Te gusta(n) you like Os gusta(n) you like
Le gusta(n) you/he/she likes Les gusta(n) you/they like
Gusta is used with singular nouns or an infinitive, while gustan is used with plural nouns. It is also possible to add a + complement pronoun to emphasize the subject, but this is not necessary. The complement pronouns are the same as the suject pronouns except a mí and a ti.
Me gustan las flores. I like the flowers. (Literally: To me are pleasing the flowers or the flowers are pleasing to me.) A nosotros nos gusta la casa. We like the house. No me gusta. I don't like it. Le gusta a Ud.? Do you like it? A ellos les gustan los caballos. They like the horses.
36. Fruits, Vegetables and Meats
apple la manzana lettuce la lechuga broccoli el brócoli
orange la naranja cabbage la col corn on the cob el elote / la mazorca
banana la banana cauliflower la coliflor radish el rábano
grapefruit la toronja green peas los guisantes pepper el pimiento
lemon el limón asparagus los espárragos
garlic el ajo
lime la lima green bean la habichuela potato la patata
peach el melocotón spinach la espinaca sweet potato la batata
apricot el tomato el tomate beans los frijoles / las
albaricoque judías
fig el higo carrot la zanahoria beef la carne de vaca
grapes las uvas turnip el nabo lamb el cordero
pear la pera beet la remolacha pork el cerdo
plum la ciruela celery el apio sausage la salchicha
cherry la cereza onion la cebolla ham el jamón
pineapple la piña cucumber el pepino bacon el tocino
melon el melón parsley el perejil goose el ganso
watermelon la sandía squash la calabaza duck el pato
strawberry la fresa artichoke la alcachofa chicken el pollo
raspberry la frambuesa eggplant la berenjena turkey el pavo
blackberry la zarzamora rhubarb el ruibarbo lobster la langosta
Note: Los frijoles is used in South America, whereas las judías is used in Spain.
37. To Take or Drink
tomar - to take or drink
tomo tomas toma
tomamos tomáis toman
When tomar means to drink, it usually refers to alcohol. In Mexico, tomar can be intransitive, as beber is almost never used. In Spain, tomar is always transitive, such as tomar una copa-
to have a drink and tomar un café - to have a coffee.
38. Commands / Imperative
To form commands, drop the final -s on the present tense conjugation for the tú form and
change the final -r of the infinitive to -d for the vosotros form. The other imperative conjugations (for Usted, Ustedes, and nosotros) use the present subjunctive forms. (More about the Subjunctive at #70.) You use the nosotros form when you mean Let's + infinitive. Negative commands use no + the present subjunctive conjugations for all forms. So the only forms that differ between affirmative and negative commands are tú and vosotros. Verbs that
end in -car, -gar and -zar have the following changes in commands as well: c becomes qu, g becomes gu, and z becomes c.
Affirmative Negative
-ar -er or -ir -ar -er or -ir
Tú -a -e
-es -as
Usted -e -a
-e -a
nosotros -emos -amos
-emos -amos
vosotros -ad -ed / -id
-éis -áis
Ustedes -en -an
-en -an
Habla! = Speak! (tú form) Comed! = Eat! (vosotros form) No comáis! = Don't eat! (negative vosotros form) Beba! = Drink! (Usted form) Coman! = Eat (Ustedes form) No beban! = Don't drink! (negative Ustedes form)
There are 8 irregular verbs in the imperative, but they are only irregular for the tú form. The
rest of the commands follow the pattern above.
infinitive tú form
decir hacer ir poner salir ser tener venir
di haz ve pon sal sé ten ven
There are several irregular stems that appear in the present subjunctive, and therefore in the imperative.
infinitive imperative stem
dar d-
decir dig-
estar est-
haber hay-
hacer hag-
ir vay-
poder pued-
poner pong-
querer quier-
saber sep-
salir salg-
ser se-
tener teng-
traer traig-
venir veng-
39. More Negatives
To make sentences negative, you place no before the verb. Other negatives may precede or follow the verb, but if they follow, they must follow a negative verb (a double negative). The word order is either no + verb + negative or negative + verb. Nunca means ever when it follows a comparative; jamás means ever when it follows an affirmative verb. Ya no + verb means the same thing as no + verb + más (no more, no longer).
más nada nadie ninguno (a) tampoco ni ni...ni ni siquiera nunca, jamás
no more, no longer nothing, (not) anything nobody, (not) anybody no, none neither, either nor neither... nor not even never, ever
No bailas nunca. = Nunca bailas. You never dance. No juego más. = Ya no juego. I no longer play.
40. Holiday Phrases
Feliz Navidad Merry Christmas
Feliz Año Nuevo Happy New Year
Feliz Cumpleaños Happy Birthday
Spanish National Anthem: Marcha Real
There are no words to the Spanish national anthem; it is completely instrumental.
Mexican National Anthem: Mexicanos, al Grito de Guerra
by Francisco González Bocanegra
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra El acero aprestad y el bridón; y retiemble en sus centros la tierra Al sonoro rugir del cañón.
Ciña ¡oh patria! tus sienes de oliva De la Paz el arcángel divino, Que en el cielo tu eterno destino Por el dedo de Dios se escribió. Mas si osare un extraño enemigo Profanar con su planta tu suelo, Piensa ¡oh patria querida! que el
cielo Un soldado en cada hijo te dio.
¡Guerra, guerra sin tregua al que
intente De la patria manchar los blasones! ¡Guerra, guerra! Los patrios
pendones En las olas de sangre empapad. ¡Guerra, guerra! En el monte, en el
valle Los cañones horrísonos truenen Y los ecos sonoros resuenen Con las voces de ¡Unión! ¡Libertad!
Antes, patria, que inermes tus hijos Bajo el yugo su cuello dobleguen, Tus campiñas con sangre se
rieguen, Sobre sangre se estampe su pie. Y tus templos, palacios y torres Se derrumben con hórrido
estruendo, Y sus ruinas existan diciendo: De mil héroes la patria aquí fue.
¡Patria! ¡patria! Tus hijos te juran Exhalar en tus aras su aliento, Si el clarín con su bélico acento Los convoca a lidiar con valor. ¡Para ti las guirnaldas de oliva! ¡Un recuerdo para ellos de gloria! ¡Un laurel para ti de victoria! ¡Un sepulcro para ellos de honor!
Mexicanos, al grito de guerra
Mexicans, at the cry of battle lend your swords and bridle; and let the earth tremble at its center upon the roar of the cannon.
Your forehead shall be girded, oh fatherland, with olive garlands by the divine archangel of peace, For in heaven your eternal destiny has been written by the hand of God. But should a foreign enemy Profane your land with his sole, Think, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave you a soldier in each son.
War, war without truce against who would attempt to blemish the honor of the fatherland! War, war! The patriotic banners saturate in waves of blood. War, war! On the mount, in the vale The terrifying cannon thunder and the echoes nobly resound to the cries of union! liberty!
Fatherland, before your children become unarmed Beneath the yoke their necks in sway, May your countryside be watered with blood, On blood their feet trample. And may your temples, palaces and towers crumble in horrid crash, and their ruins exist saying: The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes here.
Fatherland, fatherland, your children swear to exhale their breath in your cause, If the bugle in its belligerent tone should call upon them to struggle with bravery. For you the olive garlands! For them a memory of glory! For you a laurel of victory! For them a tomb of honor!
Mexicans, at the cry of battle lend your swords and bridle; and let the earth tremble at its center upon the roar of the cannon.
El acero aprestad y el bridón, y retiemble en sus centros la tierra Al sonoro rugir del cañón.
41. Useful Expressions
Hay There is/are
Había There was/were
Hay que + infinitive It is necessary to + infinitive
Tener que + infinitive To have to + infinitive
Ir a + infinitive To go to + infinitive
Acabar de + infinitive To have just + past participle
Hace + time time + ago
42. Progressive Tenses
The progressive tense indicates an action that is ongoing. It is formed by using estar (in any tense) with a present participle. Present participles are formed by dropping the ending of the verb, and adding the following endings to the stem:
Present Participles
-ar -ando
-er -iendo
-ir -iendo
Juan está hablando. Josh is talking. Estaban cantando. They were singing. Estuve escribiendo una carta. I was writing a letter.
A few irregular present participles: poder - pudiendo, dormir - durmiendo, sentir - sintiendo, venir - viniendo, pedir - pidiendo, leer - leyendo, ir - yendo, reír - riendo.
43. Haber
Haber - to have
he has ha
hemos habéis han
This verb does not mean to possess (that is tener); but it is used in past tenses as an auxiliary verb.
44. Present Perfect
The present perfect tense is a compound tense using haber with a past participle. (Haber is only used as a helping verb; it is never used to show possession.) This tense can be translated as have or has done something. Please note that the preterite tense is used more often than this tense when expressing the past.
Past participles are formed by dropping the infinitive ending, and adding these endings:
Past Participles
-ar -er -ir
-ado -ido -ido
The following verbs have irregular past participles: abrir (to open) - abierto (opened); escribir (to write) - escrito (written); morir (to die) - muerto (died); poner (to put) - puesto (put); ver (to see) - visto (seen); volver (to return) - vuelto (returned); decir (to say) - dicho (said); hacer (to do) - hecho (done).
No han vendido la casa. They have not sold the house. Dónde ha puesto Ud. la llave? Where have you put the key? Hemos gastado mucho dinero. We have spent a lot of money. Qué ha dicho Ud.? What did you say?
45. Places
airport el aeropuerto embassy la embajada pier el muelle
bakery la panadería factory la fábrica police station la comisaría
bank el banco farm la granja port el puerto
bar el bar fire hydrant la boca de agua prison la prisión
barn el granero fountain la fuente restaurant el restaurante
barracks el cuartel garage el garaje road (highway)
la carretera / la vía
bench el banco grocery store
el supermercado
school la escuela
bridge el puente hospital el hospital sidewalk la acera
bookstore la librería hotel el hotel square la plaza
building el edificio house la casa stable la cuadra
butcher's la carnicería hut la cabaña stadium el estadio
castle el castillo inn la posada stop sign la señal de alto
cathedral la catedral lane (town) la calleja store la tienda
cemetery el cementerio library la biblioteca street la calle
church la iglesia market el mercado suburb el barro residencial
cinema el cine ministry el ministerio theater el teatro
consulate el consulado monument el monumento tower la torre
corner la esquina museum el museo town la ciudad
courtyard el patio palace el palacio town hall el ayuntamiento
crosswalk el cruce peatonal
path la senda traffic light el semáforo
dock la dársena pavement la acera university la universidad
dry cleaner's la tintorería pharmacy la farmacia village el pueblo
46. Transportation
by bus en autobús
by bicycle en bicicleta
by car en coche
by motorcycle en motocicleta
by subway en metro
by taxi en taxi
by plane en avión
by train en tren
by boat en barco
on foot a pie
47. To Want, to Be Able to, to Have to
querer-to want poder-to be able to, can deber-to have to, must
quiero queremos
puedo podemos
debo debemos
quieres queréis
puedes podéis
debes debéis
quiere quieren
puede pueden
debe deben
48. Past Perfect
The past perfect tense corresponds to the English "had + past participle." It indicates an event that happened prior to another event in the past. It consists of the imperfect of haber and a past participle. Sometimes the preterite of haber is used, but the imperfect is more common.
Carlos había vivido en México. Carlos had lived in Mexico. Habíamos aprendido el español. We had learned Spanish.
49. House & Furniture
alarm clock el despertador drawer el cajón pipe la pipa
armchair el sillón dresser el tocador pipe (water) el tubo
ashtray el cenicero driveway la entrada del garaje
poker el atizador
attic el desván DVD player el lector de DVD
radio la radio
balcony el balcón fence la cerca record el disco
basement el sótano film la película refrigerator el refrigerador
basket la cesta fire el fuego roof el tejado
bathroom el baño flame la llama room el cuarto
bathtub la bañera flashlight la linterna rug la alfombra
batteries las pilas flat el apartamento sheet la sábana
bed la cama floor el suelo shelf el estante
bedroom la alcoba / el dormitorio
floor (levels) el piso / la planta
shovel la pala
bell (door) la campanilla flower la flor shower la ducha
blanket la cobija freezer el congelador sideboard el aparador
blinds la persiana front walk la vereda sink el fregadero
bookcase la librería furniture los muebles sink (bathroom) el lavabo
box la caja garage el garaje sitting room la sala
broom la escoba garden el jardín smoke el humo
bucket el balde ground floor la planta baja sofa el sofá
camcorder la cámara hearth la chimenea stairs las escaleras
camera la máquina de
fotos hook el gancho steps los escalones
candle la vela house la casa story el piso
carpet la alfombra iron (flat) la plancha stove la estufa
cassette la cinta kerosene el petróleo study el estudio
CD player el lector de CD key la llave switch el conmutador
ceiling el techo kitchen la cocina table la mesa
chair la silla ladder la escalera tap (faucet) el grifo
chimney la chimenea lamp la lámpara telephone el teléfono
cigar el puro / el cigarro
lawn el césped television el televisor
cigarette el cigarrillo light bulb la bombilla toaster la tostadora
clock el reloj living room la sala toilet (WC) el inodoro
closet el armario lock la cerradura towel la toalla
compact disc
el disco compacto
mailbox el buzón vacuum cleaner el aspirador
computer la computadora matches las cerillas vase el jarrón
corner el rincón mattress el colchón VCR el magnetoscopio
cupboard la alacena microwave oven
el horno microondas
wall (house) el muro
curtain la cortina mirror el espejo wall (room) la pared
cushion el cojín oven el horno window la ventana
desk el escritorio pantry la despensa yard el jardín
dining room el comedor picture el cuadro
door la puerta pillow la almohada
50. Comparative and Superlative
Comparisons are expressed as follows:
más [adjective] que menos [adjective] que tan [adjective] como tanto(-a, -os, -as) [noun] como
more [adjective] than less [adjective] than as [adjective] as as much/many [noun] as
El gato es menos inteligente que el perro. The cat is less intelligent than the dog. Mi prima tiene más discos que nadie. My cousin has more records than anyone. No tengo tanto dinero como ustedes. I don't have as much money as you.
To form comparatives, just add más or menos before the adjective or adverb. To form the superlative, place the definite article before the comparative. Note that de is used to express in after a superlative.
más alta taller la más alta the tallest Rosa es la niña más alta de la clase. Rosa is the tallest girl in the class.
51. Irregular Forms
Some adjectives and adverbs have irregular comparative and superlative forms. The most common are:
Adjective/Adverb Comparative Superlative
good bad great small well badly much little
bueno malo grande pequeño bien mal mucho poco
better worse greater less better worse more less
mejor peor mayor menor mejor peor más menos
the best the worst the greatest the least best worst most least
el mejor el peor el mayor el menor el mejor el peor el más el menos
Note that the bueno and malo change according to gender and number while grande and pequeño change according to gender. The adverbs (the last four) do not agree with the noun.
52. Clothing
apron el delantal pants los pantalones
barrette el pasador pin el alfiler
bathrobe la bata pocket el bolsillo
belt el cinturón purse el bolso
blouse la blusa raincoat el impermeable
boot la bota ring el anillo
bracelet la pulsera sandals las sandalias
brush un cepillo del pelo scarf la bufanda
buckle la hebilla shirt la camisa
button el botón shoe el zapato
cap el gorro shoelace el cordón
clothes la ropa shorts los pantalones cortos
coat el abrigo silk la seda
collar el cuello skirt la falda
comb el peine sleeve la manga
cotton el algodón slippers las pantuflas
dress el vestido soap el jabón
earmuffs las orejaras sock los calcetines
earrings el arete stocking la media
fashion la moda suit el traje
glasses los lentes sunglasses las gafas de sol
glove el guante suspenders los tirantes
handbag el bolso sweater el jersey
handkerchief el pañuelo sweatsuit el chándal
hat el sombrero swimsuit el traje de baño
jacket la cazadora tie la corbata
jeans los vaqueros T-shirt la camiseta
mittens los mitones umbrella el paraguas
necklace el collar underwear la ropa interior
nightgown el camisón waistcoat el chaleco
overcoat el sobretodo watch el reloj
pajamas los pijamas wool la lana
53. To Wear
llevar - to wear ponerse - to put on
llevo llevas lleva
llevamos lleváis llevan
me pongo te pones se pone
nos ponemos os ponéis so ponen
Note: You don't use possessive pronouns when referring to parts of the body or clothing, but you do use the definite article.
54. Future Tense
The future of regular verbs is formed by adding the following endings to the infinitive:
-é -ás -á
-emos -éis -án
Many verbs use irregular stems in the future tense, but they still use the regular endings from above:
caber (to fit) cabr-
decir (to say, tell) dir-
haber (to have) habr-
hacer (to do, make) har-
poder (to be able) podr-
poner (to put, place) pondr-
querer (to want) querr-
saber (to know) sabr-
salir (to leave, go out) saldr-
tener (to have, to own) tendr-
valer (to be worth) valdr-
venir (to come) vendr-
55. Adjectives
Adjectives must agree in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural) with the noun they describe, and they are placed after the noun. In general, masculine adjectives end in -o and feminine adjectives end in -a: blanco and blanca (white). Adjectives that end in -ín, -án, -ón, -dor, -tor and -sor in the masculine will add an -a for the feminine. Adjectives that end in -ete for the masculine will end in -eta for the feminine. Adjectives of nationality add -a to the masculine to form the feminine: francés - francesa (French). Notice that when you add -a, the adjective is no longer written with an accent. To form the plural of adjectives, follow the same rules for forming the plural of nouns.
Most adjectives follow the noun they describe, but the following adjectives drop the final -o if placed before a masculine noun in the singular: bueno - good; malo - bad; alguno - some; ninguno - no, any; uno - one; primero - first; tercero - third
When grande means great, it precedes the noun and drops the -de before a singular noun of either gender. Santo (saint) drops the -to before all masculine nouns, except those beginning with Do- or To-.
56. More Adjectives
large grande high, tall alto
small pequeño low, short bajo
long largo pretty lindo, bonito
short corto beautiful hermoso
good bueno ugly feo
bad malo wide ancho
rich rico narrow estrecho
poor pobre heavy pesado
strong fuerte light ligero
weak débil hard duro
easy fácil soft blando
difficult difícil sweet dulce
fat gordo sour agrio
thin delgado bitter amargo
When any form of the definite article is placed before an adjective, then the adjective becomes a noun.
pobre - poor; el pobre - the poor man
If the neuter article lo is placed before a singular masculine adjective, the latter becomes an abstract noun.
bueno - good; lo bueno - the good (everything that is good)
57. Sports
ball la pelota pool la piscina
game el juego basketball el baloncesto
match el partido tennis el tenis
team el equipo swimming la natación
player el jugador boxing el boxeo
soccer el fútbol wrestling la lucha
football el fútbol americano hockey el hockey
baseball el béisbol volleyball el vóleibol
racket una raqueta net una red
ball (small) una pelota cleats unos zapatos de fútbol
bat un bate skis unos esquís
glove un guante ski poles unos bastones
ball un balón boots unas botas
basketball hoop una canasta helmet el casco
58. Nature
air el aire grass la hierba sea el mar
archipelago el archipiélago
gulf el golfo shadow la sombra
bank la orilla hail el granizo sky el cielo
bay la bahía hay el heno snow la nieve
barn el granero high tide la marea alta soil el suelo
beach la playa hill la colina south el sur
branch la rama ice el hielo spring (water) la fuente
bridge el puente island la isla star la estrella
bud el capullo isthmus el istmo stem el tallo
bush el arbusto jungle la jungla storm la tormenta
cape el cabo lake el lago strait el aprieto
cave la cueva leaf la hoja stream el arroyo
city la ciudad light la luz street el calle
climate el clima lightning el relámpago sun el sol
cloud la nube lily la azucena sunflower el girasol
coast la costa low tide la marea baja thaw el deshielo
comet el cometa meadow el prado thunder el trueno
constellation la constelación
moon la luna tornado el tornado
country el país mountain la montaña tree el árbol
country(side) el campo mountain range la sierra trunk el tronco
current la corriente mouth (river) la desembocadura
tulip el tulipán
daffodil el narciso mud el barro valley el valle
daisy la margarita nature la naturaleza view la vista
darkness la obscuridad north el norte water el agua (f)
desert el desierto peninsula la península fresh water el agua dulce
dew el rocío plain el llano salt water el agua salada
dust el polvo planet el planeta watering can la regadera
earth la tierra plant la planta waterfall la cascada
east el este pond el estanque wave la ola
farm la granja pot (for plants) la maceta weather el tiempo
field el campo rain la lluvia west el oeste
flower la flor rainbow el arco iris wind el viento
foam la espuma river el río world el mundo
fog le niebla rock la roca
foliage el follaje root la raíz
forest el bosque rose la rosa
frost el helada sand la arena
59. To Say and to Go Out
decir - to say salir - to go out
digo dices dice
decimos decís dicen
salgo sales sale
salimos salís salen
60. Para vs. Por and Pero vs. Sino
Para is used to express: use or destination (for), purpose (in order to); point of future time (for, by) and to be about to (estar para + infinitive.)
La carta es para Concha. The letter is for Concha. Estudia para aprender. He studies in order to learn. Lo tendré para el martes. I will have it by Tuesday. Juan está para salir. John is about to leave.
Por is used to express: a place through or along which; expressions of time (in, during, at); exchange, price (for); unit of measure (by, per); way or means (by); because of, on account of, for; to go for, to send for; on behalf of, for the sake of; motive, reason. It is also used after a passive verb to indicate the agent (by) and estar por + infinitive indicates what remains to be done or to be in favor of.
por el pueblo through the town por la mañana in the morning Pagó un peso por el libro. He paid a dollar for the book. Se vende por libras. It's sold by the pound. Voy por tren. I'm going by train. Voy por Alicia. I'm going for Alice. Voté por Juanita. I voted for Juanita. Fue escrito por Cervantes. It was written by Cervantes. La carta está por escribir. The letter is yet to be written. Estoy por escribirla. I am in favor of writing it.
Pero (but) usually follows an affirmative expression, but may follow a negative statement if the verb of the first clause is repeated, or if another verb follows.
Bebe leche pero no bebe café. He drinks milk, but he does not drink coffee.
Sino (but) is only used in negative sentences of contrasting statements when the verb of the first clause is understood but not repeated.
No bebe café sino leche. He does not drink coffee, but milk.
61. Object Pronouns
Subject Direct Indirect Object of Prepositions
yo I me me me to me mí me
tú you te you te to you ti you
él he/it lo him/it le to him/it él him/it
ella she/it la her/it le to her/it ella her/it
Usted you la you le to you Usted you
nosotros (as) we nos us nos to us nosotros (as) us
vosotros (as) you os you os to you vosotros (as) you
Ustedes you los, las you les to you Ustedes you
ellos (as) they los them les to them ellos (as) them
1. An object pronoun generally precedes the conjugated verb, except if is used in an affirmative command, with an infinitive or gerund. Then it is attached to the verb as
one word. Déme Ud. el libro. Give me the book. 2. When you have more than one pronoun, the indirect comes before the direct. If both
pronouns begin with the letter l, then the first one is changed to se. 3. When one or two object pronouns follow and are attached to the verb form, an accent
mark must be added to retain the original stress of the word. 4. For clearness or emphasis, the prepositional form of a plus an object of a preposition
may be used. Nos envió a Ud. He sent us to you. 5. When the preposition con (with) precedes me or te, the words change to conmigo
(with me) and contigo (with you).
62. Parts of the Body
ankle el tobillo fever la fiebre pain el dolor
arm el brazo finger el dedo nose la nariz
artery la arteria fist el puño palm la palma
back la espalda flesh la carne pulse el pulso
beard la barba foot el pie rib la costilla
belly el vientre forehead la frente shin la espinilla
bladder la vejiga gum la encía shoulder el hombro
blood la sangre hair el cabello / el pelo skeleton el esqueleto
body el cuerpo hand la mano skin la piel
bone el hueso head la cabeza skull el cráneo
brain el cerebro health la salud sole la planta
breast el seno heart el corazón spine la espina dorsal
breath el aliento heel el talón stomach el estómago
calf la pantorrilla hip la cadera tear la lágrima
cheek la mejilla intestine el intestino temple la sien
chest el pecho jaw la quijada thigh el muslo
chin la barba / la barbilla kidney el riñón throat la garganta
coccyx el coxis knee la rodilla thumb el pulgar
cold el resfriado leg la pierna toe el dedo del pie
complexion la tez lip el labio tongue la lengua
cough la tos liver el hígado tooth el diente
disease la enfermedad lung el pulmón vein la vena
ear la oreja moustache el bigote wound le herida
elbow el codo mouth la boca waist la cintura
eye el ojo muscle el músculo wrist la muñeca
eyebrow la ceja nail la uña
eyelid el párpado neck el cuello
face la cara nerve el nervio
To express pain, use an indirect object pronoun + duele(n) + body part.
Me duele la cabeza. My head hurts. Le duelen los pies. His feet hurt.
63. Asking Questions
Simply raise your voice at the end of the sentence. Place the predicate in front of the subject of the sentence.
Add no? or verdad? or no es verdad? to the end of the statement. These translate to many phrases in English, such as Isn't it? Aren't you? Don't you? Didn't he? Isn't she? etc.
64. To Give and to Bring
dar - to give traer - to bring
doy das da
damos dais dan
traigo traes trae
traemos traéis traen
65. Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun connects a dependent clause to a main clause and refers to something already mentioned (the antecedent.) This pronoun may serve as the subject or object of a
verb, or the object of a preposition. Que and quien are the most commonly used relative pronouns.
Que (who, whom, that, which) refers to persons or things, except after a preposition, when it refers to things only. El que (and its forms - la que, los que, las que) and el cual (and its forms - la cual, los cuales, las cuales) may replace que or quien. These pronouns are used for clearness when there are two antecedents, and with prepositions.
La casa en que vivo es pequeña. The house in which I live is small. He visitado la ciudad cerca de la cual vive. I visited the city near which he lives.
Quien (-es) (who) is used in a supplementary clause. When used with a preposition, it means whom. Quien (-es) is often used in place of el que and its forms as well, when it means one who, those who, etc.
Lo que and lo cual (which) refer to the whole sentence.
Cuyo (-a, -os, -as) is a possessive adjective and it agrees in gender and number with the thing possessed, which is always the word that follows it.
66. Disjunctive Pronouns
Disjunctive pronouns are used independently of the verb. They are the pronouns which follow prepositions, or show emphasis.
mí ti él ella Usted
nosotros (-as) vosotros (-as) ellos ellas Ustedes
Ello is also used as a neuter pronoun meaning it. Sí can mean yourself, himself, herself, yourselves or themselves. When con combines with mí, ti or sí, the words become conmigo, contigo and consigo. For clearness, the forms of mismo (-a, -os, -as) can be added to these pronouns.
67. To Hear, to Smell and to See
oír - to hear oler - to smell ver - to see
oigo oyes oye
oímos oís oyen
huelo hueles huele
olemos oléis huelen
veo ves ve
vemos veis ven
68. Animals
animal el animal duck el pato lark la alondra
sea gull la gaviota
ant la hormiga
eagle el águila
(f) lion el león
seahorse
el caballito de mar
antelope el antílope eel el anguila lizard el lagarto
seal la foca
antenna la antena egg el huevo lobster (spiny)
la langosta
shark el tiburón
antler el asta elephant el elefante louse el piojo sheep la oveja
badger el tejón feather la pluma mackerel el escombro
shrimp la gamba
bat el murciélag
o fin la aleta mole el topo skin la piel
beak el pico fish el pez monkey el mono slug la babosa
bear el oso flea la pulga mosquito el mosquito
snail el caracol
bee la abeja fly la mosca moth la polilla snake la serpiente / la culebra
beetle el escarabajo
fox el zorro mouse el ratón sole el lenguado
bird el pájaro frog la rana mule el mulo sparrow el gorrión
blackbird el mirlo fur el pelo mussel la almeja
spider la araña
bull el toro gill la branquia
nest el nido squid el calamar
butterfly la mariposa
giraffe la jirafa nightingale
el ruiseñor
squirrel la ardilla
calf el ternero goat la cabra octopus el pulpo starfish la estrella de mar
carp la carpa goose el ganso ostrich el avestruz
stork la cigüeña
cat el gato gorilla el gorila owl el buho swallow
la golondrina
caterpillar la oruga grasshopper el saltamonte
ox el buey swan el cisne
s
cheetah el guepardo
hamster la marmota
oyster la ostra tadpole el renacuajo
chicken el pollo hare la liebre parrot el loro tail la cola
chimpanzee
el chimpancé
hedgehog el erizo partridge la perdiz tiger el tigre
claw la zarpa hen la gallina paw la pata toad el sapo
cockroach la cucaracha
heron la garza penguin el pingüino
trout la trucha
cod el bacalao herring el arenque pig el cerdo tuna el atún
cocoon el capullo hoof la pezuña pigeon el pichón turkey el pavo
cow la vaca horn el cuerno pike el sollo turtle la tortuga
crab el cangrejo
horse el caballo pony el potro wasp la avispa
crayfish el cangrejo
hummingbird el colibri rabbit el conejo weasel
la comadreja
crocodile el cocodrilo
iguana la iguana raccoon el mapache
whale la ballena
crow el cuervo insect el insecto rat la rata wing el ala (f)
deer el ciervo jellyfish la medusa rooster el gallo wolf el lobo
dog el perro kitten el gatito salmon el salmón
worm el gusano
donkey el burro ladybug la catarina scale la escama
zebra la cebra
dragonfly la libélula lamb el cordero scorpion el escorpión
69. Suffixes
Suffixes may be attached to nouns, adjectives or adverbs. Unaccented vowels should be dropped before adding the suffixes. The most common suffixes are -ito (a) and -cito (a). They express size, affection, admiration, appreciation or pity. The ending -ero (a) indicates the maker or dealer in charge of something. To indicate where something is made or sold, add -ería. When -eza and -ura are added to adjectives, they express abstract nouns. When -dor is added to a verb (minus the final letter), it indicates the performer of the action.
70. Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive is not used very often in English, but it is very common and important in Spanish. Some command forms are actually the subjunctive, so the formation of the present
subjunctive should not be too difficult. You can use the present tense endings and switch the vowel (-ar verbs use -e and -er/-ir verbs use -a):
Present Subjunctive
-ar verbs -er and -ir
-e -es -e
-emos -éis -en
-a -as -a
-amos -áis -an
Usually when there is an irregular spelling change in the present indicative of a verb, that form will be used for the stem of all of the subjunctive forms. (Review #29 from Spanish I) Verbs than end in -erir, -ertir, or -entir use two different irregular spellings in the present subjunctive:
mentir in present subjunctive
mienta mientas mienta
mintamos mintáis mientan
The past subjunctive is formed from the third person plural of the preterite. Remove the -on ending, leaving you with -ar and -ier, and add these new endings:
Past (Imperfect) Subjunctive
all verbs
-a -as -a
-amos -ais -an
An accent is added to the stem vowel as well in the first person plural form. Instead of hablaramos, it is habláramos; instead of comieramos, it is comiéramos, etc. Note that there is
another way to form the past subjunctive (a different set of endings), but the endings given are used more often. You must always the past subjunctive after como si. Es como si fuera
mi padre. It's as if he were my father.
The present perfect subjunctive is formed with the present subjunctive of haber and the past participle of the main verb. Similarly, the past perfect subjunctive is formed with the past subjunctive of haber and the past participle of the main verb.
Present perfect subjunctive Past perfect subjunctive haya hayas haya
hayamos hayáis hayan
+ past participle
hubiera hubieras hubiera
hubiéramos hubierais hubieran
+ past participle
You must always pay attention to the correct usage of verb tenses. When the verb of the main clause is in the present or future, then the verb of the subordinating clause will be in the present subjunctive. But if the verb in the main clause is in a past tense, the verb of the subordinating clause will be in the past subjunctive.
71. Irregular Subjunctive Mood
Many verbs are irregular in the present subjunctive mood:
dar - to give decir - to say/tell estar - to be dé des dé
demos deis den
diga digas diga
digamos digáis digan
esté estés esté
estemos estéis estén
haber - to have hacer - to do/make
ir - to go
haya hayas haya
hayamos hayáis hayan
haga hagas haga
hagamos hagáis hagan
vaya vayas vaya
vayamos vayáis vayan
poder - to be able to
poner - to put/place
querer - to want
pueda puedas pueda
podamos podáis puedan
ponga pongas ponga
pongamos pongáis pongan
quiera quieras quiera
queramos queráis quieran
saber - to know salir - to go out ser - to be
sepa sepas sepa
sepamos sepáis sepan
salga salgas salga
salgamos salgáis salgan
sea seas sea
seamos seáis sean
tener - to have traer - to bring venir - to come tenga tengas tenga
tengamos tengáis tengan
traigo traigas traiga
traigamos traigáis traigan
venga vengas venga
vengamos vengáis vengan
Many verbs are irregular in the past subjunctive as well:
dar - to give decir - to say/tell estar - to be diera dieras diera
diéramos dierais dieran
dijera dijeras dijera
dijéramos dijerais dijeran
estuviera estuvieras estuviera
estuviéramos estuvierais estuvieran
haber - to have hacer - to do/make ir - to go hubiera hubieras hubiera
hubiéramos hubierais hubieran
hiciera hicieras hiciera
hiciéramos hicierais hicieran
fuera fueras fuera
fuéramos fuerais fueran
poder - to be able to
poner - to put/place
querer - to want
pudiera pudieras pudiera
pudiéramos pudierais pudieran
pusiera pusieras pusiera
pusiéramos pusierais pusieran
quisiera quisieras quisiera
quisiéramos quisierais quisieran
saber - to know ser - to be tener - to have supiera supieras supiera
supiéramos supierais supieran
fuera fueras fuera
fuéramos fuerais fueran
tuviera tuvieras tuviera
tuviéramos tuvierais tuvieran
traer - to bring venir - to come trajera trajeras trajera
trajéramos trajerais trajeran
viniera vinieras viniera
viniéramos vinierais vinieran
72. Uses of the Subjunctive
The main uses of the subjunctive include (generally, que will follow the verb):
1. After the verbs querer and desear (to want) when there is a change of subject (but use the infinitive if there is no change of subject)
2. When one person tells (decir) or asks (pedir) another person to do something.
3. After verbs of emotion or command, such as esperar (to hope), sentir (to be sorry), temer (to fear), alegrarse (to be glad), mandar (to order), rogar (to request), when there is a change of subject.
4. After dudar (to doubt) and other verbs expressing uncertainty (negative of creer), as well as after quizás, tal vez and acaso (maybe) to reinforce the idea of doubt.
5. After most impersonal expressions, such as es posible que / puede que (it's possible), es importante que (it's important), es necesario que / hace falta (it's necessary) if there is a subject for the subordinate verb.
6. In adjective clauses is the antecedent is indefinite
7. After certain conjunctions, such as para que (in order that), sin que (without), and antes que (before)
8. After time conjunctions, such as cuando (when), en cuanto (as soon as), hasta que (until), when future is implied.
9. After que in expressions of wishes or desires: Que aproveche! Have a good meal!
10. To translate the future tense in subordinating clause: Cuando sea mayor iré a España. When I'm older, I will go to Spain.
In contrary-to-fact conditions, the past subjunctive must be used in the if-clause (and the main clause is in a conditional tense)
73. Adverbs
Most adverbs are formed by adding -mente to the feminine singular form of the adjective. However, two common adverbs that do not end in -mente are despacio (slowly) and demasiado (too much).
Adjective Adverb correcto fácil claro absoluto rápido
correctamente fácilmente claramente absolutamente rápidamente
correctly easily clearly absolutely rapidly
Lo + adverb + que expresses how, while lo más + adverb + an expression of possibility is translated: as ... as ...
lo bien que how well lo más pronto posible as soon as possible
74. Passive Voice
In passive sentences, the subject receives the action of the verb. In active sentences, the subject does the action. However, the meaning of both sentences is the same. The passive voice in Spanish is formed with a tense of ser and a past participle. Ser should be in the same tense as the verb in its corresponding active sentence. The agent is expressed by por if the action is physical; and by de if mental. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject. If you use estar instead of ser, the past participle is called the predicate adjective and it is not a passive sentence.
Active El viento destruye la casa. The wind destroys the house.
Passive La casa fue destruida por el viento.
The house was destroyed by the wind.
Predicate Adjective Cuando la vi, la casa estaba destruida.
When I saw it, the house was destroyed.
El niño fue castigado por su padre. The boy was punished by his father. Rosa es amada de todos. Rose is loved by everyone.
75. Uses of the Infinitive
The infinitive is translated as a gerund (the -ing form of the verb) after these words: el, al, a preposition, ver or oír.
El correr es buen ejercicio. Running is good exercise.
Partió sin hablar. He left without speaking. Oigo cantar a Maria. I hear Maria singing.
76. Shopping
department store el almacén shop/store la tienda
shopping mall el centro comercial
(open-air) market
el mercado (al aire libre)
belt el cinturón (fixed) price el precio (fijo) glasses las gafas Sale la rebaja gloves los guantes to bargain regatear sunglasses los lentes de sol to spend money gastar
77. Post Office and Bank
post office el correo Bank el banco
envelope el sobre (traveler's) check el cheque (de viajero)
mailbox el buzón to cash (a check) cobrar mail carrier el cartero to save (money) ahorrar stamps las estampillas to deposit depositar package el paquete Account la cuenta
78. Conditional Tense
The conditional tense expresses an idea dependent on a condition that is either expressed or understood. It can also refer to the past when it expresses probability.
To form the present conditional, add these endings to the infinitive for all three types of verbs. Verbs that had irregular stems in the future tense, also use that stem for the conditional tense.
-ía -ías -ía
-íamos -íais -ían
79. Infinitives followed by Prepositions
The following verbs require a, de, en or con when followed by another infinitive, although the preposition is not always translated into English.
Verb + a + another infinitive Verb + de + another infinitive
acostumbrarse aprender atreverse ayudar comenzar convidar decidirse dedicarse empezar enseñar invitar ir negarse persuadir principiar rehusar resignarse resistirse resolverse venir volver
to become used to to learn to to dare to to help to begin to to invite to to decide to to devote oneself to to begin to to teach to to invite to go to to refuse to to persuade to to begin to to refuse to to resign oneself to to resist to resolve to to come to to return to
acabar acordarse alegrarse aprovecharse arrepentirse cansarse cesar dejar encargarse gozar jactarse olvidarse tratar
to have just to remember to be glad to to profit by to repent to tire of to cease to cease to take charge of to take pleasure in to boast of to forget to to try to
Verb + en + another infinitive Verb + con + another infinitive
consentir consistir divertirse empeñarse esforzarse insistir ocuparse pensar persistir tardar
to consent to to consist to amuse oneself to insist on to endeavor to to insist on to busy oneself to think of to persist in to delay in
contar contentarse soñar
to count on to content oneself with to dream of
80. Office / School Supplies
pencil el lápiz Dictionary el diccionario
eraser la goma tape (audio) la cinta
pen la pluma Map el mapa
ink la tinta Newspaper el periódico
paper el papel Novel la novela
letter la carta Backpack la mochila
notebook el cuaderno Stapler la grapadora
book el libro Scissors unas tijeras
81. Parts of a Car / Gas Station
car garage tank gasoline oil air grease tire spare tire wheel steering wheel brake speed slow danger stop go service station
el coche el garage el tanque la gasolina el aceite el aire la grasa la llanta llanta picada la rueda el volante el freno la velocidad despacio peligro alto siga, adelante la estación de servicio
82. Travelling / Vacation
passport el pasaporte airport el aeropuerto customs la aduana parking lot el aparcamiento arrival la llegada bus stop la parada departure la salida traffic jam los atascos (round-trip) ticket
el pasaje (de ida y vuelta)
map el mapa
luggage el equipaje countryside el campo single/double room
la habitación
individual/doble mountain la montaña
train (bus) station
la estación de tren (de
autobuses) beach la playa
subway la estación de metro paths les chemins to take a trip hacer un viaje vacation las vacaciones to go on vacation ir de vacaciones to drive conducir
to pack hacer las maletas to visit visitar to travel viajar to walk pasearse to fly Volar to get lost perderse
83. Cosmetics / Toiletries
shampoo el champú brush el cepillo soap el jabón comb el peine
makeup el maquillaje toothpaste la pasta de dientes
shaving cream la crema de afeitar toothbrush el cepillo de
dientes lotion la loción towel la toalla
nail polish el esmalte para las uñas
electric razor la maquinilla de afeitar
84. Other Perfect Tenses
Beside the present and past perfect tenses, there are also the preterite, future and conditional perfect tenses. All are conjugated with a form of haber and a past participle.
The preterite perfect is formed with the preterite of haber + past participle, and it has the same meaning as the past perfect. But this tense is normally only used after conjunctions of time, such as así que, luego que, tan pronto como (as soon as); cuando (when); después
(de) que (after); and hasta que (until).
The future perfect is formed with the future of haber + past participle and is also used to express probability, referring to the present.
The conditional perfect is formed with the conditional of haber + past participle and is also used to express probability, referring to the past.
85. Durations of Time
Ago : hace + a period of time Se fue hace quince días. He left fifteen days ago.
Since / For : desde hace + a period of time (careful with verb tenses here: present tense in Spanish, present perfect or present perfect continuous in English) No vienes a verme desde hace un mes. You haven't come to see me for a month.
In : dentro de + a period of time (time at which something will happen) Te llamo dentro de media hora. I'll call you in a half hour.
86. Telephone
Hello Diga telephone book la guía telefónica
Hello (reply) Oiga yellow pages las páginas
amarillas
This is... Soy... to transfer someone poner con alguien
phone card
une tarjeta telefónica
to call Telefonear
phone booth una cabina to pick up Descolgar
call una llamada to hang up Colgar
ringtone el timbre del teléfono
to leave a message dejar un recado
dialtone el tono de marcar
to be very talkative
hablar por los codos
wrong number
un número
equivocado to dial a number marcar un
número
busy signal
la señal de
ocupado
87. Exclamations
Exclamatory phrases, which express what a or how, begin with qué, cuánto, and cómo. Qué
can be followed by a noun or an adjective. Sometimes tan or más are also used with the adjective to emphasize a defect or a quality. ¡Qué mujer! What a woman! ¡Qué familia tan
unida! What a united family!
Cuánto expresses quantity, and agrees in gender and number with the adjective that follows. It can also be followed by a verb, in which case there is no agreement. Furthermore, lo que can replace cuánto when a verb follows. ¡Cuánta comida! How much food! / There's a lot of food! ¡Cuánto comes! How you eat! / You eat a lot!
Cómo expresses the manner in which something is done. It can only be followed by a verb. ¡Cómo baila! How he dances! / He dances well!
88. Colloquial Expressions
la pandilla group of friends ¡qué pasada! that's awesome!
el colega / el socio friend ¡qué rollo! it's boring!
el profe teacher ¡chulo! ¡chula! great!
el cole middle school ser un lince to be very clever
un(a) chaval(a) guy/girl llevarse un chasco to be disappointed
un tío guy estar hasta la gorra to be fed up
un ligue flirt ligar to flirt
un empollón hard-worker estar hecho papilla to be sad
un cabeza de chorlito scatterbrain estar hecho polvo to be tired
un cabeza cuadrada stubborn estar mal del coco to be crazy
un cara de mala leche mean look/face estar harto to be fed up
89. Aspects of Action
To express an action that is planned (going to happen): ir a + infinitive. Voy a acostarme. I'm going to go to bed.
To express an action that is just about to happen: estar a punto de + infinitive or estar para + infinitive. El avión está para aterrizar. The plane is about to land.
To express an action that repeats: volver a + infinitive. Veulve a escribir su nombre. You write your name again.
To express an action that has just happened: acabar de + infinitive. Acabo de llegar. I just arrived.
90. Verbs of Feelings
Several verbs in Spanish that express feelings (pleasure, pain, etc.) have different word order than in English. These verbs have the same construction as gustar (#35): Indirect object + verb + subject. Me, te, le, nos, os, les are the indirect object pronouns. The verb is conjugated in third person singular or plural because it agrees with the subject, not the indirect object.
gustar to like dar asco to hate
apetecer to feel like dar miedo to scare
encantar to adore dar lástima
to trouble
dar ganas
to feel like doler to hurt
Te apetece salir. You feel like going out. Le duelen los dientes. His teeth hurt.
Les da miedo la película. The film scares them.
You can also add a mí, a ti, a él, a ella, a usted, a nosotros/-as, a vosotros/-as, a ellos, a ellas, or a ustedes before the indirect object for emphasis.
A mí me gusta el fútbol. Me, I like soccer.
Adiós!!!
