Spanish 2

At Home in Spanish - En la casa
Mi casa es su casa! - Make yourself at home! (Literally, My house is your house)

house
la casa
room
el cuarto
la pieza
at my house
en mi casa
kitchen
la cocina
dining room
el comedor
hall
el pasillo
bathroom
el bao
stairway
la escalera
office, study
el despacho
porch
la veranda
den, living room
el saln
balcony
el balcn
bedroom
el dormitorio
patio
el patio
basement
el stano
yard, garden
el jardn
attic
el desvn
Furniture - Los Muebles - Spanish for Beginners

Spanish vocabulary related to furniture and appliances.
in the Study/Office
in the Kitchen
desk
un escritorio
stove
un hornillo
chair
una silla
oven
un horno
lamp
una lmpara
refrigerator
un frigorfico
(book)shelf
una estantera
sink
un fregadero
computer
un ordenador
printer
una impresora
in the Bedroom
bed
una cama
in the Living Room
dresser
un aparador
couch
un canap
alarm clock
un despertador
table
una mesa
closet
un ropero
stereo
un estreo
telephone
un telfono
poster
un cartel
door
una puerta
television
una televisin
window
una ventana
Miscellaneous
in the Bathroom
carpet
una moqueta
rug
un tapete
shower
una ducha
curtain
una cortina
bathtub
una baera, un bao
wall
una pared
mirror
un espejo
floor
el suelo
sink
un lavabo
ceiling
el techo
Nmeros - Spanish Numbers

Learn to count in Spanish in this lesson on Spanish numbers with sound files.
1
uno, una
21
veintiuno/veintiuna
dos
22
veintids
tres
23
veintitrs
cuatro
24
veinticuatro
cinco
25
veinticinco
seis
26
veintisis
siete
27
veintisiete
ocho
28
veintiocho
nueve
29
veintinueve
10
diez
30
treinta
11
once
31
treinta y uno/una
12
doce
32
treinta y dos
13
trece
40
cuarenta
14
catorce
41
cuarenta y uno/una
15
quince
42
cuarenta y dos
16
diecisis
50
cincuenta
17
diecisiete
60
sesenta
18
dieciocho
70
setenta
19
diecinueve
80
ochenta
20
veinte
90
noventa
Notes on Spanish numbers

Uno changes to un when used in front of a masculine noun: un hombre, veintin hombres.
Una is used to refer to a feminine noun: una mujer, treinta y una mujeres.
Uno is used only when counting (uno, dos, tres) or when it refers to a masculine noun but does not precede that noun:Cuntos libros
tienes? - Uno.
Spanish numbers 21-29 are usually a single word composed as follows:
take veinte
drop the final e
add i (meaning "and")
add the digit
21-29 can also be written as three words, just as the 30's through 90's are:
take veinte, treinta, cuarenta, etc.
add y (and)
add the digit
Nmeros ordinales y fracciones - Spanish Ordinal Numbers and Fractions

Ordinal numbers are used to express rank or position, while fractions express a portion or part of a whole.
Ordinal numbers
Fractions
first
primero
1st
second
segundo
2nd
1/2 (half)
una mitad
third
tercero
3rd
1/3
un tercio
fourth
cuarto
4th
1/4
un cuarto
fifth
quinto
5th
1/5
un quinto
sixth
sexto
6th
1/6
un sexto
seventh
sptimo
7th
1/7
un sptimo
eighth
octavo
8th
1/8
un octavo
ninth
noveno
9th
1/9
un noveno
tenth
dcimo
10th
10
1/10
un dcimo
2/3
dos tercios
3/4
tres cuartos
Notes
All ordinal numbers have feminine forms - just change the o to a: la segunda (2), la sptima (7)
Fractions may also be used with parte:
una tercia parte - a third
una octava parte - an eighth
tres dcimas partes - three tenths
When primero and tercero precede a masculine noun, they change to the short adjectives primer and tercer
Beginning with fifth, Spanish ordinal numbers and fractions are the same word; only the article distinguishes them: the fifth =el
quinto, a fifth = un quinto
The ordinal numbers up to tenth usually precede the noun. After tenth, however, ordinal numbers are commonly expressed with
just the cardinal number after the noun:
el segundo piso - the second floor
el piso veinte - the twentieth floor
Time - La Hora
What time is it?
Qu hora es?
It's one o'clock
Es la una.
01:00 h.
It's two o'clock
Son las dos.
02:00 h.
It's 3:30
Son las tres y media.
03:30 h.
Son las tres y treinta.

It's 4:15
Son las cuatro y cuarto.

Son las cuatro y quince.
04:15 h.
It's 4:45
Son las cinco menos cuarto.

Son las cinco menos quince.
Son las cuatro y cuarenta y cinco.
04:45 h.
It's 5:10
Son las cinco y diez.
05:10 h.
It's 6:50
Son las siete menos diez.

Son las seis y cincuenta.
06:50 h.
It's 7am
Son las siete de la maana.
07:00 h.
It's 3pm
Son las tres de la tarde.

Son las quince.
15:00 h.
It's 6pm
Son las seis de la noche.

Son las dieciocho.
18:00 h.
It's noon
Es medioda.
Son las doce de da.
12:00 h.
It's midnight
Es medianoche.
Son las doce de la noche.
00:00 h.
Note
Spanish doesn't have perfect equivalents for am and pm. You can use de la maana for am, de la tarde from noon until 6pm, and de
la noche from 6pm until midnight, but time is usually expressed on a 24-hour clock. Thus 3pm would be translated as las quince or
15:00 h.
Spanish numbers
Hacer in expressions of time

Hacer, which literally means "to do" or "to make," is found in a number of idiomatic expressions. One of this verb's most important uses
has to do with expressing time.
Hacer in expressions of time - Spanish Verb

Note that the word order is variable for many of these expressions.
Action that occurred a certain amount of time ago
hace + time + que + preterite or preterite + hace + time
Hace tres aos que empec a trabajar aqu.
I started working here three years ago.
Cunto tiempo hace que lo encontraste?
How long ago did you find it?
La conoc hace dos semanas.
I met her two weeks ago.
Past action continuing into the present (2 constructions)

1
.
2
.
hace + time + que + present tense or present + hace + time

Hace tres aos que trabajo aqu.
I've worked here for three years.
Cunto tiempo hace que conoces a ella?
How long have you known her?
La conozco hace dos semanas.
I've known her for two weeks.
present tense + desde hace + time

Trabajo aqu desde hace tres aos.
I've worked here for three years.
Conoces a elle desde hace cunto tiempo?
How long have you known her?
La conozco desde hace dos semanas.
I've known her for two weeks.
Past action interrupted by another action in the past (2 constructions)

1
.
haca + time + que + imperfect or imperfect + haca + que

Haca tres aos que trabajaba en Mxico cuando mi padre muri.
I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father

died.
Haca una semana que l lea el libro cuando lo perdi.
He had been reading the book for a week when he lost it.
Tena los haca mucho tiempo cuando decid a mudarme.
I had been having trouble for a long time when I decide to move.
2
.
imperfect + desde haca + time

Trabajaba en Mxico desde haca tres aos cuando mi padre
muri.
I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father

died.
l lea el libro desde hace una semana cuando lo perdi.
He had been reading the book for a week when he lost it.
Tena los desde hace mucho tiempo cuando decid a mudarme.
I had been having trouble for a long time when I decide to move.
Note: When you want to say since a certain time/day/year, use desde + time.
Est en la casa desde las tres.
He's been at home since 3 o'clock.
Busco mis llaves desde lunes.
I've been looking for my keys since Monday.
La conozco desde junio.
I've known her since June.
Trabajo aqu desde 1999.
I've worked here since 1999.
Hay - there is, there are

Hay is a very common Spanish expression. It is equivalent to the English expression there is or there are:
Hay un libro en la mesa.
There's a book on the table.
Hay tres hombres en la clase.
There are three men in the class.
Hay muchas cosas a hacer.
There's a lot to do (There are lots of things to do).
Hay is the present tense impersonal form of the verb haber, and can be followed by a singular or plural noun.
In other tenses and moods, the impersonal verb haber has both singular and plural impersonal conjugations, but most Spanish speakers
consider use of the plurals as incorrect. I've provided both forms here for reference.
conditional
future
imperfect
present perfect
pretrito
subjunctive
habra
there would be
habran
there would be
habr
there will be
habrn
there will be
haba
there was
haban
there were
ha habido
there have been
han habido
there have been
hubo
there was
hubieron
there were
que haya
that there is/are
que hayan
that there are
When followed by an infinitive, hay que means it is necessary to or one has to:
Hay que estudiar cada da.
It's necessary to study every day.
Hay que trabajar para triunfar en la vida.
One has to work in order to succeed in life.
Ir - To Go - Spanish Verb
Ir - to go - is one of the most common irregular Spanish verbs.
yo
voy
nosotros
vamos
vas
vosotros
vais
l, ella, Ud.
va
ellos, ellas, Uds.
van
Yo voy al mercado.
I'm going to the store.

Do you want to go with me?
Quieres ir conmigo?
Ir + a is used to talk about things that are going to happen - el futuro prximo:
Voy a estudiar maana.
I'm going to study tomorrow.
Van a comer a las ocho.
They're going to eat at 8 o'clock.
B and V - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The pronunciation rules for the Spanish letters B and V are exactly the same.
Example
s
1.
When the B or V is at the beginning of a word or immediately follows a consonant, it is pronounced like an English or
French B.
bien
rbol
vosotros
invierno
2.
When the B or V is in any other position, it is what linguists call a bilabial fricative.* To make this sound, put your lips
close together - not quite touching - and push air through them.
hablar
problema
nueve
noventa
* Bilabial means that the sound is produced with both lips, while fricative means that the sound is created by a partial blockage of the air
flow. To give you an idea, the letters F, S, and V are fricative sounds in English.
Please note that this explanation is only a guideline for the Spanish that I know, which is Castilian Spanish. There are many regional
variations in Spanish pronunciation.
Calendar - El Calendario
los das de la semana
lunes
days of the week

Monday
los meses del ao
months of the year
enero
January
martes
Tuesday
febrero
February
mircoles
Wednesday
marzo
March
jueves
Thursday
abril
April
viernes
Friday
mayo
May
sbado
Saturday
junio
June
domingo
Sunday
julio
July
agosto
August
las estaciones
seasons
septiembre
September
la primavera
spring
octubre
October
el verano
summer
noviembre
November
el otoo
autumn
diciembre
December
el invierno
winter
Dates in Spanish - La Fecha

Talking about the date in Spanish is a little bit tricky. There are two things to keep in mind: the definite article is often used and (attn:
American English speakers) the number always precedes the month.
To ask What's the date? say Cul es la fecha? or A cunto estamos hoy?
Use the following construction to respond:
Es el
Hoy es el
Estamos a
+ date + de + month
(+ de + year)
Es el 8 de abril.
Estamos a 30 de octubre de 1977.
Hoy es el 2 de enero de 2000.
On the first day of the month, most speakers use the ordinal number primero (first) or 1o (1st) rather than the cardinal number uno.
It's April 1st - Es el primero de abril, Hoy es el 1o de abril.
but
It's July 4th - Es el 4 de julio.
To write the short form of the date, it is essential to remember that the date goes first, and then the month. This can be very confusing
for American English speakers!
American English
April 4, 2000 = 4/8/00
Spanish
el 8 de abril 2000 = 8-4-00
If you want to answer with the day of the week, use the following construction:
Es
Hoy es
Estamos a
+ day, + date + de + month

(+ de + year)
Es sbado, 8 abril de 1977.

Hoy es martes, 25 de diciembre de 2000.
Estamos a lunes, 3 de agosto.
To ask What day (of the week) is it? say Qu da es hoy?
To answer, simply use (Hoy) Es + the day of the week.
Hoy es sbado.
Es jueves.
Related Vocabulary + Lessons:
Calendar
Numbers
To be
Hacer in expressions of time

C - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The Spanish letter C can be pronounced in two different ways.
Examples
1.
When the C precedes an E or an I, it is a soft C and is pronounced like a TH (in Spain)* or an S (in Latin America).
once
diciembre
2.
When the C precedes an A, O, U, or a consonant it is a hard C and is pronounced like a K.
como
cuatro
octubre
CH - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

In Spanish, CH is considered a single letter.*
The Spanish CH is pronounced like the ch in the English words chat and chess.
Examples:
chico
ocho
mucho
fecha
*It's very important to be aware of this when looking something up in a Spanish dictionary. The CH section is between the C and D
sections. For example, chico is located after como, ocho follows octubre, etc.
H - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation
The Spanish letter H is silent. When you see an H, pronounce the word as if it weren't there.*
Examples:
hola
hablar
hace
El Tiempo - Weather
Learn how to talk about the weather in Spanish.

How's the weather?
Qu tiempo hace?
It's...
Hace...
hot
calor
cold
fro
cool
fresco
nice out
buen tiempo
bad weather
mal tiempo
windy
viento
sunny
sol
foggy
neblina
cloudy
nublado
It's...
Est...
raining
lloviendo
pouring
lloviendo a cntaros
snowing
nevando
Note that in Spanish, you use the verb hacer when talking about the weather. You cannot talk about the temperature or condition of the
sky using the verbs ser or estar. You do, however, use estar with verbs like llover (to rain) and nevar (to snow), in the construction
known as the present progressive.
Hacer - To Do, Make - Spanish Verb
Hacer - to do or to make - is irregular in the first person singular.

yo
hago
nosotros
hacemos
haces
vosotros
hacis
l, ella, Ud.
hace
ellos, ellas, Uds.
hacen
Hago la cama cada maana.
I make the bed every morning.
Hacis la sopa?
Are you making the soup?
Hacen su trabajo.
They're doing their work.
Qu haces?
What are you doing?
El Tiempo - Weather
Learn how to talk about the weather in Spanish.

How's the weather?
Qu tiempo hace?
It's...
Hace...
hot
calor
cold
fro
cool
fresco
nice out
buen tiempo
bad weather
mal tiempo
windy
viento
sunny
sol
foggy
neblina
cloudy
nublado
It's...
Est...
raining
lloviendo
pouring
lloviendo a cntaros
snowing
nevando
Note that in Spanish, you use the verb hacer when talking about the weather. You cannot talk about the temperature or condition of the
sky using the verbs ser or estar. You do, however, use estar with verbs like llover (to rain) and nevar (to snow), in the construction
known as the present progressive.
Nombres plurales - Spanish Plural Nouns
Making nouns plural in Spanish is slightly more complicated that in English, but it's not too bad.
If the noun ends in a vowel, add S.
casa
hombre
foto
casas
hombres
fotos
If the noun ends in any consonant except Z, add ES.
mujer
rey
mes
mujeres
reyes
meses
If the noun ends in a Z, changed the Z to a C and add ES. (Why is this?)
vez
lpiz
nariz
veces
lpices
narices
The Spanish letter D can be pronounced in two different ways.

Similar English Spanish
sound
examples
1
.
When the D is at the beginning of a word or after L or N, it is pronounced like an English D.
2
.
When the D follows a vowel or any consonant except L or N, it sounds like a voiced English TH.
At the end of a word, it may be pronounced more softly or not at all.
Food - Los Alimentos
dog
had
dos
diez
cundo
dnde
falda
this
bathe
adis
nublado
perdn
sbado
salud
tener hambre
to be hungry
comer
to eat
tener sed
to be thirsty
beber, tomar
to drink
la comida
meal
el desayuno
breakfast
el almuerzo
lunch
la cena
dinner
el bocadillo
snack
el aperitivo
appetizer
la sopa
soup
el plato principal
main course
la ensalada
salad
el postre
dessert
la cocina
kitchen, cooking
el comedor
dining room
el restaurante
restaurant
Food - General Vocab
Verbs
Fruit
Vegetables
Tener
Meat
Dairy
Beber, Comer (-ER verbs)
Dessert
Drinks
Tomar (-AR verb)
Dishes
Et cetera
Restaurant
Shopping
Venir - To Come - Spanish Verb

Venir - to come or to happen - is a common irregular Spanish verb.
yo
vengo
nosotros
venimos
vienes
vosotros
vens
l, ella, Ud.
viene
ellos, ellas, Uds.
vienen
Venir is used just like its English equivalent "to come":
l viene a las dos.
He's coming at two.
Venimos de Per.
We come from (we're from) Peru.
Una idea me viene.
An idea is coming to me.
Venir can also mean to happen or occur.
Me vienen muchas desgracias.
A lot of mishaps happen to me/I have a lot of mishaps.
Qu viene despus?
What happens next?
Venir can also be the helping verb for the Spanish present progressive in order to mean "to have been doing."
Qu vienes diciendo?
What have you been doing?
Vengo estudiando.
I've been studying.
Venir - To Come - Spanish Expressions

Venir is used in a number of common expressions.
venir a
to come to, serve to
venir a buscar
to get, to come for
venir a las manos
to come to blows
venir a ser
to turn out to be
venir bien
to fit, do nicely, be suitable
venir de
to come from, stem from, originate in
venir cansado, aburrido
to be tired, bored
venir + present participle
to have been doing something (present progressive)
estar a ver venir
to sit on the fence
hacer venir a uno
to fetch someone
ver venir
to see what happens
venirse
to ferment
venirse abajo, al suelo, a la tierra
to fall down, crumble
A qu viene esto?
What's behind all this?
A qu vienes?
What do you want?
Eso vengo diciendo, haciendo
That's what I've been saying, doing all along
(la semana) que viene
next (week)
Venga!
Come on! Let's go! Hand it over!
(alguien) venga a pedir
(someone) keeps asking questions
venga de preguntas
with endless questions
Venga lo que venga/viniere
Come what may
Venga ya!
Come off it!
En el Restaurante - In the Restaurant

Essential vocabulary (also see Food)
Qu le gustara?
What would you like?
Me gustara...
Quisiera...
I would like...
Cunto cuesta...?
How much does ... cost?
Soy vegetariano/a
I am a vegetarian
Tengo alergia a...
I'm allergic to...
No puedo comer...
I can't eat...
poco hecho
rare
medio hecho
medium
muy hecho
well done
el/la camarero/a
waiter/waitress
el/la cocinero/a
cook
la cuenta
check/bill
la carta
menu
la propina
tip
servicio incluido
tip included
Cuidado!
Watch out!
Buen provecho!
enjoy your meal
Prohibido fumar
no smoking
No se permite llevar animales
no pets allowed
Las Tiendas - Spanish Stores

la tienda de ultramarinos
grocery store
el mercado
outdoor market
la panadera
bakery
la pastelera
pastry shop
la confitera
candy store
la lechera
dairy
la carnicera
butcher
la chacinera
pork butcher
la pescadera
fish market
el estanco (informal)
tobacco shop
la droguera
drugstore
la farmaca
pharmacy
la lavandera
laundromat
la tintorera
dry cleaner
la ropera
clothing store
los grandes almacenes
department store
G - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The Spanish letter G can be pronounced in two different ways.
Similar English sound
Spanish
examples
1
.
When the G precedes A, O, U, or a consonant, it is pronounced like a hard English

g. It may also be softened to something approaching 2, below.
gave
go
gum
glow
agosto
agua
galleta
guisantes
grande
2
.
When the G precedes an E or I, it is pronounced like a Spanish J.
None. Similar to theParisian R,

or the CH in loch.
gente
gigante
Also see lesson on hard/soft vowels
J - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The Spanish letter J has a single pronunciation.
Spanish examples
The Spanish J is a harsh, throaty sound, similar to the Parisian R or the CH in the Scottish word loch.
jugo
jamn
jueves
jess
Colors - Los Colores

Colors, like other Spanish adjectives, must change in gender and number to agree with the nouns that they modify. However, there are a
few exceptions:
1. Violeta is invariable.
2. Azul, verde, and gris have only singular and plural forms; they are the same for masculine and feminine.
You can listen to the pronunciation for each color by clicking on the underlined masculine singular color.
masc sing.
fem sing.
masc plural
fem plural
red
rojo
roja
rojos
rojas
purple
violeta
violeta
violeta
violeta
blue
azul
azul
azules
azules
green
verde
verde
verdes
verdes
yellow
amarillo
amarilla
amarillos
amarillas
orange
anaranjado
anaranjada
anaranjados
anaranjadas
black
negro
negra
negros
negras
white
blanco
blanca
blancos
blancas
grey
gris
gris
grises
grises
brown
marrn
marrn
marrones
marrones
pink
rosado
rosada
rosados
rosadas
light blue
azul claro
azul clara
azules claros
azules claras
dark red
rojo oscuro
roja oscura
rojos oscuros
rojas oscuras
Spanish Past Tense - Pretrito

The pretrito is the Spanish simple past tense, used to talk about things that were completed in the past.
Compr una chaqueta.
I bought a jacket.
Comimos a las ocho.
We ate at 8.
Fueron al banco.
They went to the bank.
Hiciste tu tarea?
Did you do your homework?
The pretrito and imperfecto are often confusing for Spanish students - learn the difference.
Conjugating the pretrito: Regular verbs
Most regular Spanish -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs are conjugated with a standard root (found by dropping the infinitive) plus the appropriate
endings.
Hablar - to talk
yo
habl
nosotros
hablamos
hablaste
vosotros
hablasteis
habl
ellos
hablaron
Comer - to eat
yo
com
nosotros
comimos
comiste
vosotros
comisteis
comi
ellos
comieron
Vivir - to live
yo
viv
nosotros
vivimos
viviste
vosotros
vivisteis
vivi
ellos
vivieron
Note that the pretrito endings are identical for -ER and -IR verbs.
There are also, however, a number of verbs which are irregular in the pretrito. These can be broken into two categories: stem-changing
verbs and irregular verbs. Use the links below to learn how to conjugate these verbs in the pretrito, then take the test.

Conjugating the pretrito: Stem-changing verbs
Verbs which are stem-changing in the present tense may or may not be in the pretrito. Note that they use the same endings for the
pretrito as regular verbs.
Stem-changing verbs that end in -AR and -ER do not stem-change in the pretrito.
Verb
Present tense
Pretrito
pensar
yo pienso
yo pens
entender
l entiende
l entendi
Stem-changing verbs that end in -IR have a different stem change in the pretrito. Those that have an E change to an I, and those that
have an O change to a U, but only in the third person conjugations.
Pedir - to ask for
yo
ped
nosotros
pedimos
pediste
vosotros
pedisteis
pidi
ellos
pidieron
Dormir - to sleep
yo
dorm
nosotros
dormimos
dormiste
vosotros
dormisteis
durmi
ellos
durmieron
Verbs which end in -CAR, -GAR, and -ZAR have a stem-change in the first person singular of the pretrito, even if they are not stemchanging in the present tense.
In these verbs, the C, G, or Z changes to QU, GU, or C, respectively. (Why is this?)
Buscar - to search, look for
yo
busqu
nosotros
buscamos
buscaste
vosotros
buscasteis
busc
ellos
buscaron
Pagar - to pay
yo
pagu
nosotros
pagamos
pagaste
vosotros
pagasteis
pag
ellos
pagaron
Lanzar - to throw
yo
lanc
nosotros
lanzamos
lanzaste
vosotros
lanzasteis
lanz
ellos
lanzaron
Note that since -AR verbs lose their stem-change, -CAR, -GAR, and -ZAR verbs which are stem-changing in the present (e.g., comenzar)
lose that stem-change but gain a new one in the pretrito: yo comienzo (present) -- yo comenc (pretrito).

Conjugating the pretrito: Irregular Verbs
Most irregular verbs have an irregular stem as well as a special set of pretrito endings (-e, -iste, -o, -imos, -isteis, -ieron). The following
are the most common irregular verbs, most of which follow the above.
Dar - to give
Decir - to say
di
dimos
dije
dijimos
diste
disteis
dijiste
dijisteis
dio
dieron
dijo
dijeron
Estar - to be
Hacer - to do, make
estuve
estuvimos
hice
hicimos
estuviste
estuvisteis
hiciste
hicisteis
estuvo
estuvieron
hizo
hicieron
Poder - to be able to
Poner - to put
pude
pudimos
puse
pusimos
pudiste
pudisteis
pusiste
pusisteis
pudo
pudieron
puso
pusieron
Querer - to want, love
Saber - to know
quise
quisimos
supe
supimos
quisiste
quisisteis
supiste
supisteis
quiso
quisieron
supo
supieron
Tener - to have
Traer - to bring
tuve
tuvimos
traje
trajimos
tuviste
tuvisteis
trajiste
trajisteis
tuvo
tuvieron
trajo
trajeron
Venir - to come
Ver - to see
vine
vinimos
vi
vimos
viniste
vinisteis
viste
visteis
vino
vinieron
vio
vieron
Ser - to be and Ir - to go have the same conjugation in the pretrito.

fui
fuimos
fuiste
fuisteis
fue
fueron
Imperfecto - Spanish Imperfect

The imperfect tense is used to talk about a past action or state of being without specifying when it began or ended. It is often equivalent
to "was ___-ing" in English. The Spanish imperfect can also express repeated actions in the past - equivalent to "used to" in English.
Dnde estabas ayer?
Where were you yesterday?
Quera ir al cine.
I wanted to go to the movies.
Ella lea el peridico.
She was reading the newspaper.
Partais?
Were you leaving?
No tenan tiempo de estudiar.
They didn't have time to study.
Llova anoche?
Did it rain last night?
Bailbamos todos los das.
We used to dance every day.
The imperfecto and pretrito are often confusing for Spanish students - learn the difference.
Conjugating the imperfecto
The imperfecto is relatively easy, because all regular and all but three irregular Spanish verbs are conjugated with the standard root
(found by dropping the infinitive) plus the appropriate endings.
Hablar - to talk
yo
hablaba
nosotros
hablbamos
hablabas
vosotros
hablabais
hablaba
ellos
hablaban
Comer - to eat
yo
coma
nosotros
comamos
comas
vosotros
comais
coma
ellos
coman
Vivir - to live
yo
viva
nosotros
vivamos
vivas
vosotros
vivais
viva
ellos
vivan
Note that the yo and l forms are identical; if the context leaves ambiguity as to which person was doing the action, be sure to use the
pronoun.
Ir, ser, and ver are the only irregular verbs in the imperfecto.
Ir - to go
yo
iba
nosotros
bamos
ibas
vosotros
ibais
iba
ellos
iban
Ser - to be
yo
era
nosotros
ramos
eras
vosotros
erais
era
ellos
eran
Ver - to see
yo
vea
nosotros
veamos
veas
vosotros
veais
vea
ellos
vean
A la escuela - At School
desk
un escritorio
school
una escuela
student desk
un pupitre
high school
un colegio
chalkboard
una pizarra
college
una universidad
chalk
una tiza
classroom
una aula
map
un mapa*
book
un libro
teacher
un/a profesor/a
dictionary
un diccionario
student
un/a estudiante
notebook
un cuaderno
paper
el papel
piece of paper
una hoja de papel
pen
una pluma
pencil
un lpiz
eraser
un borrador
course
una clase
calculator
una calculadora
homework
la tarea
backpack
una mochila
test
un examen
Saber vs Conocer - Spanish Verbs "To Know"

Saber and conocer can both be translated by the English verb to know, but they are used in completely different situations.
Saber means to know a fact or to know how to do something. It is often followed by an infinitive or a subordinate clause.
No s la respuesta.
I don't know the answer.
Sabis francs?
Do you know French?
Sabemos cocinar.
We know how to cook.
In the pretrito, saber means to learn or to find out:

Supe el secreto ayer.
I learned/found out the secret yesterday.
Expressions with saber
Present Tense Conjugations for Saber

yo s
nosotros sabemos
tu sabes
vosotros sabis
l sabe
ellos saben
Saber conjugations
Conocer means to know someone or to be familiar with someone, something, or somewhere. It can only be followed by the a direct
object, never by an infinitive or a subordinate clause. Remember that if the direct object is a person, thepreposition a must be used.
Conozco a tu padre.
I know your father.
No conocen la obra de Cervantes.
They're not familiar with Cervantes' work.
Ud. conoce Barcelona?
Are you familiar with Barcelona?
In the pretrito, conocer means to meet someone for the first time.
Juan conoci su novia en Costa Rica.
Juan met his girlfriend in Costa Rica.
Present Tense Conjugations for Conocer

yo conozco
nosotros conocemos
tu conoces
vosotros conocis
l conoce
ellos conocen
Conocer conjugations
Personality ~ Spanish for Beginners

Learn how to describe your friends and family in Spanish with this list of common personality traits.
Note that I only listed the masculine singular form of these adjectives. For information on making them feminine and/or plural, please see
the adjective lesson.
athletic
atltico
brave
valiente
friendly
amistoso
funny
cowardly
cobarde
divertido
serious
serio
hard-working
trabajador
lazy
perezoso
interesting
interesante
boring
aburrido
kind
amable
mean
mezquino
nice
simptico
open-minded
imparcial
snobbish
esnob
outgoing
abierto
shy
tmido
patient
paciente
impatient
impaciente
patriotic
patritico
smart
inteligente
stupid
estpido
sophisticated
sofisticado
naive
ingenuo
strong
fuerte
weak
dbil
studious
estudioso
playful
guasn
Office - La Oficina
Learn office vocabulary like desk, email, computer, and more.
office
una oficina
computer
un ordenador
desk
un escritorio
printer
una impresora
chair
una silla
copy machine
una copiadora
fax machine
una telecopiadora
typewriter
una mquina de escribir
pen
una pluma
pencil
un lpiz
adding machine
una sumadora
highlighter
un marcador
calculator
una calculadora
stapler
una grapadora
staple
una grapa
briefcase
un maletn
paper clip
un clip
paper
el papel
piece of paper
una hoja de papel
mail
el correo
filing cabinet
un fichero
email
el correo electrnico
file folder
una carpeta
telephone
un telfono
cell phone
un telfono celular
secretary
un/a secretario/a
On the Phone in Spanish ~ Por telfono

The telephone has its own special vocabulary - here are some useful phrases to know when making or receiving phone calls in Spanish.
Al!
Diga!
Bueno! (Mexico)
Hello?
Quisiera hablar con ___.
I'd like to speak to___.
De parte de quin?
Quin llama?
Who is calling?
Soy ___.
I'm / It's ___.
No cuelgue, por favor.
Please hold.
La lnea est ocupada.

Est comunicando.
The line is busy.
un telfono
telephone
un telfono celular
cell phone
una llamada
phone call
una llamada a cobro revertido
collect / reversed charge call
un nmero de telfono
phone number
una gua telefnica
phone book
un tono de marcar
dial tone
una cabina de telfono
phone booth
un contestador automtico
answering machine
llamar por telfono
to call
marcar
to dial
descolgar
to pick up (the phone)
desconectar
to cut off
dejar un mensaje/recado
to leave a message
colgar
to hang up
sonar
to ring
G - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The Spanish letter G can be pronounced in two different ways.
1
.
When the G precedes A, O, U, or a consonant, it is pronounced like a hard English

g. It may also be softened to something approaching 2, below.
Similar English sound
Spanish
examples
gave
go
gum
agosto
agua
galleta
2
.
When the G precedes an E or I, it is pronounced like a Spanish J.
glow
guisantes
grande
None. Similar to theParisian R,

or the CH in loch.
gente
gigante
Also see lesson on hard/soft vowels

S - Pronunciacin - Spanish Pronunciation

The pronunciation of the Spanish letter S is pretty straightforward. As in English, there are two pronunciations.
Sound
Notes
Examples
[s]
The S is usually "soft," like the English S in words like house and some.
camisa
escuela
gris
sombrero
[z]
When the S precedes a voiced consonant (b, d, g, l, m, n), it is a "hard" sound, like the S in rose andcause.
mismo
desde
Mood ~ Spanish for Beginners

A list of some common Spanish adjectives related to mood - practice this new vocabulary by describing your friends andfamily. These
adjectives are all used with the verb estar - to be.
Note that I only listed the masculine singular form of these adjectives. For information on making them feminine and/or plural,
see adjective lesson.
angry
enojado
bored
aburrido
calm
tranquilo
confident
seguro
confused
perplejo
delighted
encantado
embarassed, ashamed
avergonzado
exhausted
agotado
happy
feliz
impatient
impaciente
nervous
nervioso
rushed, in a hurry
de prisa
tired
cansado
sad
triste
scared
asustado
sorry
arrepentido
worried
inquieto
English, the Spanish language has direct object pronouns, words that replace the direct object. This is so that we don't say things like
"Maria was at the bank today. When I saw Maria I smiled." It's much more natural to say "Maria was at the bank today. When I saw her I
smiled."
The direct object is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb in a sentence. To find the direct object in a sentence, ask
the question Who? or What?
I have a book - Tengo un libro.
Lo tengo. = I have it.
What do I have? A book.
He knows Maria - Conoce a Maria.
La conoce. = He knows her.
Who does he know? Maria.
The Spanish direct object pronouns are as follows:
1st person
me
me
nos
us
2nd person
te
you
os
you
3rd person masc.
lo
him, you, it
los
them, you
3rd person fem.
la
her, you, it
las
them, you
Note: Lo is also a neuter object pronoun.

The most difficult thing to remember about direct object pronouns is this: they usually go in front of the verb in Spanish.
I'm eating it. - Lo como.

He knows her. - La conoce.
I love you. - Te quiero.
You love me. - Me quieres.
For infinitives, present participles, and affirmative commands, pronouns can get attached to the end - learn more.
Lo voy a hacer OR Voy a hacerlo - I'm going to do it.
Los quiero comer OR Quiero comerlos - I want to eat them.
Note: When deciding between direct and indirect objects, the general rule is that if the person or thing is preceded by apreposition, that
person/thing is an indirect object. If it is not preceded by a preposition, it is a direct object. In Spanish, the preposition a must be used
between every verb (except tener) and the person that follows, thus all verbs except tener take an indirect object (even though some
might take a direct object in English).
Objetos directos - Spanish Direct Objects - Test

Test yourself on Spanish direct object pronouns by replacing the word(s) in bold with the correct pronoun and then rewriting the
sentence, or by translating the English sentences into Spanish. You can look back at the lesson if you need to review.
1. Leo el libro.
Lo leo
2. Conocemos a unos estudiantes.

Los conocemos
3. Tenis mi pluma?
La tenis?
4. I looked for you (t).

Te busqu.
5. He doesn't understand you (Uds.).

No los comprende.
6. Did you forget me?

Me olvidaste?
7. They didn't wait for us.

No nos esperaron.
8. Tengo que comprar unas uvas.
Las tengo que comprar OR Tengo que comprarlas
9. Voy a lavar el carro.

Lo voy a lavar OR Voy a lavarlo.
10. Quiero mirar la televisin.

La quiero mirar OR Quiero mirarla.
G Verbs - Spanish Verbs

There are a number of Spanish verbs which are regular in all but the first person singular. These are known as G verbs, because the first
person singular requires an unexpected G.
Click on the links for conjugations, uses, and idiomatic expressions.
caer - to fall
hacer - to do, make
poner - to put
salir - to go out
traer - to bring
valer - to be worth
Caer - To Fall - Spanish Verb

Caer - to fall - is irregular in the first person singular.
yo
caigo
nosotros
caemos
caes
vosotros
cais
l, ella, Ud.
cae
ellos, ellas, Uds.
caen
Caer is usually reflexive when the subject is concrete and is actually falling. When caer is used figuratively, it is not reflexive (see the last
example).
Me caigo de la cama.
I'm falling out of bed.
Cuidado, vas a caerte!
Be careful, you're going to fall!
La tasa de inters cae cada ao.
The interest rate falls every year.
Caer - To Fall - Spanish Expressions

Caer has many different meanings and is used in a number of common expressions.
caer
to fall
to fall down, out, off
to go down
to decline
to crash
to be located
to realize, understand
to be captured (city)
to fade (color)
to be arrested
(informal)
caer a
to look over, toward
caer al suelo
to fall to the ground
caer bien a uno
to suit, look good on someone
caer como chinches, moscas
to fall like flies
caer en cama
to become ill
caer enfermo
to become ill
caer en la cuenta de
to catch on to, see the opint of
caer en la red
to fall into a trap
caer en un error
to fall into an error
caer hacia
to look over, toward
caer mal a
to disagree with
caer mal a uno
to not suit, not look good on someone.
caer redondo
to fall in a heap
caer sobre
to fall/pounce on
caer un aguacero
to rain heavily, to pour (down)
caer un rayo en + noun
to be struck by lightning
caer una maldicin
to be a curse on, cursed
caer una tormenta
to storm, to be stormy
caerse de + adj
to be very + adjective
caerse de miedo
to be terrified
al caer de la noche
at nightfall
dejar caer
to drop, let fall
dejarse caer
to let oneself go, fall
estar al caer
to be about to fall, happen, arrive
hacer caer
to knock down, over, off
Eso (se) cae de suyo.
That goes without saying.
Me cae(n) mal.
I don't like him/her (them).
No caigo.
I don't get it.
No me cae(n) bien.
I don't like him/her (them).
Se cae de viejo
He's so old he can hardly walk.
Ya caigo.
I see, now I understand.
Caer - To fall, collapse ~ Spanish Verb Conjugations

Learn how to conjugate the Spanish verb caer, an irregular -ER verb.
Presente
yo
caigo
Subjuntivo
nosotros
caemos
yo
caiga
nosotros
caigamos
caes
vosotros
cais
caigas
vosotros
caigis
cae
ellos
caen
caiga
ellos
caigan
Pretrito
Imperfecto
yo
ca
nosotros
caimos
yo
caa
nosotros
caamos
caiste
vosotros
caisteis
caas
vosotros
caais
cay
ellos
cayeron
caa
ellos
caan
Futuro
Potencial
yo
caer
nosotros
caeremos
yo
caera
nosotros
caeramos
caers
vosotros
caeris
caeras
vosotros
caerais
caer
ellos
caern
caera
ellos
caeran
Imperfecto del subjuntivo
Imperativo
Formas con -RA
(t)
cae
yo
cayera
(t negativo)
no caigas
cayeras
(Ud.)
caiga
cayera
(nosotros)
caigamos
nosotros
cayramos
(vosotros)
caed
vosotros
cayerais
(vosotros neg.)
no caigis
ellos
cayeran
(Uds.)
caigan
yo
cayese
Gerundio
cayendo
cayeses
cayese
Participio pasado
caido
Formas con -SE
nosotros
caysemos
vosotros
cayeseis
ellos
cayesen
Spanish Past Participle

The English past participle is the -ed form of the verb. In Spanish, it's the -do form.
Formation
Regular verbs
I.
Drop the infinitive ending and add -ado.
-AR verbs
hablar
hablado
tomar
tomado
mirar
II.
-ER verbs, -IR verbs
Formation
I.
mirado
Drop the infinitive ending and add -ido.

aprender
aprendido
comer
comido
salir
salido
Irregular Verbs
Verbs with stem that ends in vowel - Drop the infinitive and add -do.
caer
cado
leer
ledo
traer
trado
II.
Completely irregular past participles:

abrir
abierto
cubrir
cubierto
decir
dicho
describir
descrito
escribir
escrito
hacer
hecho
ir
ido
morir
muerto
poner
puesto
romper
roto
ser
sido
ver
visto
volver
vuelto
Usage - The Spanish past participle is used mainly in perfect tenses.

Present perfect
He comido.
I have eaten.
Past perfect
Haban llegado.
They had arrived.
Future perfect
Habrs trabajado?
Will you have worked?
Poner - To Put - Spanish Verb

Poner - to put - is irregular in the first person singular.
yo
pongo
nosotros
ponemos
pones
vosotros
ponis
l, ella, Ud.
pone
ellos, ellas, Uds.
ponen
Pongo muchos jalapeos en mi salsa.
I put lots of jalapeos in my salsa.
Qu pones en la mesa?
What are you putting on the table?
No ponemos nuestro dinero en el banco.
We don't put our money in the bank.
Dnde ponen sus libros?
Where are you putting your books?
Salir - To Leave, To Go Out - Spanish Verb

Salir - to leave or to go out - is irregular in the first person singular.
yo
salgo
nosotros
salimos
sales
vosotros
sals
l, ella, Ud.
sale
ellos, ellas, Uds.
salen
A qu hora salen los nios?
When do the children leave?
Salimos cada noche a las ocho.
We go out every night at 8.
Sales hoy o maana?
Are you leaving today or tomorrow?
Salgo ahora.
I'm leaving now.
Traer - To Bring, To Wear - Spanish Verb

Traer - to bring or to wear - is irregular in the first person singular.
yo
traigo
nosotros
traemos
traes
vosotros
trais
l, ella, Ud.
trae
ellos, ellas, Uds.
traen
Qu trais a la fiesta?
What are you bringing to the party?
Traemos unos burritos.
We're bringing burritos.
Traigo una falda.
I'm wearing a skirt.
Ella no trae sus nuevos zapatos.
She's not wearing her new shoes.
Valer - To Be Worth - Spanish Verb

Valer - to be worth - is irregular in the first person singular.
yo
valgo
nosotros
valemos
vales
vosotros
valis
l, ella, Ud.
vale
ellos, ellas, Uds.
valen
Valer usually means to be worth, but also has a number of other possible meanings:
to aid, protect
to be valid, apply
to cause
to cost
to earn
to equal, be equal to
to help
to serve, be useful
to win
No vale ser famoso.
Being famous won't help/protect you.
Estos libros valen cien dlares.
These books are worth $100.
No valgo para este trabajo.
I'm no good for/at this job.
La cuenta vale 15 Euros.
The (restaurant) bill equals 15 Euros.
Cunto vale la mesa?
How much does the table cost?
Spanish Imperative - Imperativo

The imperative is a verb mood used to give a command, either affirmative (Go!) or negative (Don't go!).
The Spanish imperative exists for 5 different grammatical people: t, Ud., nosotros, vosotros, and Uds.
Espera a tu hermano.
Wait for your brother.
No escriba en su libro.
Don't write in your book.
Hablemos de otra cosa.
Let's talk about something else.
No gritis!
Don't shout!
Contesten las preguntas.
Answer the questions.
Conjugations
The imperative for all commands for Ud., Uds., and nosotros and for negative commands for t and vosotros are formed as follows:
Regular -AR verbs: Take the present tense of the verb and change the A at the beginning of the suffix to E.
Present tense
Imperative(s)
t estudias
no estudies
Ud. estudia
estudie, no estudie
nosotros estudiamos
estudiemos, no estudiemos
vosotros estudiis
no estudiis
Uds. estudian
estudien, no estudien
Regular -ER verbs: Change the E at the beginning of the suffix to A.

t bebes
no bebas
Ud. bebe
beba, no beba
nosotros bebemos
bebamos, no bebamos
vosotros bebis
no bebis
Uds. beben
beban, no beban
Regular -IR verbs:
For t, Ud., and Uds., change the E at the beginning of the suffix to A.
Nosotros: Change the I at the beginning of the suffix to A.
Vosotros: Change to I.
t abres
no abras
Ud. abre
abra, no abra
nosotros abrimos
abramos, no abramos
vosotros abrs
no abris
Uds. abren
abran, no abran
Notes:
The imperative endings for -ER and -IR verbs are identical.
Spanish imperative conjugations are the same as subjunctive conjugations.
Affirmative commands with t and vosotros are conjugated a bit differently.
T: Take the present tense and drop the final S: estudias --> estudia, bebes --> bebe, abres --> abre.
Vosotros: Take the infinitive and replace the final R with a D: estudiar --> estudiad, beber --> bebed, abrir --> abrid
Spanish Indirect Commands

In Spanish, indirect commands are used to state a wish or hope that something will happen or that someone will do something.
Indirect commands are formed with que plus the subjunctive.
Indirect commands are commonly used when referring to the third person (singular or plural). They are usually translated by "let,"
"may," or "have."
Que vaya bien.
May it go well. I hope it goes well.
Que pase.
Let/Have him come in.
Que me llamen.
Have them call me.
If the subject is stated, usually in order to emphasize or clarify the subject, it follows the verb.
Que pase ella.
Let her come in.
Que me llame Ana.
Have Ana call me.
Que no vea mam.
I hope Mom doesn't see.
This construction can also be in the second person, with an implication of encouragement or hoping:
Que lo hagas t.
You do it.
Que pongas un sombrero.
(I want you to) put on a hat.
Que tenga xito Ud.
I hope you succeed.
Indirect Commands vs Imperative

For the third person, there is no third person imperative, so indirect commands are the only option.
For the second person, the imperative gives a direct order, while indirect commands offer encouragement, guidance, or the
speaker's own hope/wish. The indirect command is softer, less emphatic than the imperative.
Spanish Reflexive Pronoun Se with Unplanned Occurrences

The reflexive construction, used mainly with pronominal verbs, can also be used to describe accidental and unplanned occurrences.
Se me olvid el libro.
I forgot the book.
Se le cay la pluma.
He dropped the pen.
In this type of construction, the reflexive pronoun se precedes an indirect object pronoun that indicates the subject, and the verb, rather
than being conjugated to agree with the subject, agrees with whatever noun follows the verb.
Se me olvidaron los libros.
I forgot the books.
Se te perdieron las llaves?
Did you lose the keys?
S, se me cayeron ayer.
Yes, I dropped them yesterday.
The accidental reflexive construction indicates that the action was unintentional. In addition, because the subject is only referred to by an
indirect object pronoun, this construction gives the sense that the subject is not to blame - he or she had nothing to do with the accident.
Literal meaning
Se le cay la pluma.
The pen got dropped by him.
Se me olvidaron los libros.
The books got forgotten by me.
Se te perdieron las llaves?
Did the keys get lost on you?
S, se me quedaron.
Yes, they got left behind on me.
Compare this to the passive voice:

Se cay la pluma.
The pen fell.
Se perdieron las llaves.
The keys got lost.
Se quedaron los libros.
The books got left behind.
The following verbs are commonly used in the accidental reflexive construction. Note that some of them have a somewhat different
meaning depending on whether they are used normally or reflexively:
Normal meaning
Meaning in this construction
acabar
to finish, complete
acabarse
to run out of
caer
to fall
caerse
to drop
ocurrir
to occur, happen
ocurrirse
to dawn on, occur to, get the idea
olvidar
to forget
olvidarse
to forget
perder
to lose
perderse
to lose
quedar
to remain, be left
quedarse
to leave behind
romper
to break
romperse
to break
Spanish Passive Voice ~ Voz pasiva

Voice is a grammatical term which indicates the relationship between a subject and verb. There are three different voices in Spanish
(and English): active (what you might call normal), reflexive, and passive.
In the passive voice, the action described by the verb is being done to the subject by an agent.
Active Voice
Reparo los coches.
I repair the cars.
Ella lee el libro.
She is reading the book.
Todo el mundo le respeto a l.
Everyone respects him.
Mis amigos quieren a mi madre.
My friends like my mother.
Passive Voice
Los coches son reparados por m.
The cars are repaired by me.
El libro es ledo por ella.
The book is read by her.
La comida es cocinada a las ocho.
The meal is cooked at 8 o'clock.
l es respetado por todo el mundo.
He is respected by the everyone.
Mi madre es querida por mis amigos.
My mother is loved by my friends.
Notes:
The agent (the person performing the action on something else) is introduced by the preposition por.
The passive voice has two parts: the conjugated verb ser + the past participle.
The past participle has to agree with the subject, not the agent, in gender and number, just like adjectives.
La voz pasiva can occur in all tenses and moods by conjugating ser into that tense or mood:
Voz activa
Voz pasiva
presente
yo hago la comida
la comida es hecha por m
pretrito
yo hice la comida
la comida fue hecha por m
imperfecto
yo haca la comida
la comida era hecha por m
futuro
yo har la comida
la comida ser hecha por m
subjuntivo
...que yo haga la comida
...que la comida sea hecha por m
et cetera
Spanish Passive Voice ~ Voz pasiva ~ Usage

The Spanish voz pasiva is used for two reasons:
1. To focus on the person or thing performing the action
Un nio escribi este libro.
vs
A child wrote this book.
Este libro fue escrito por un nio

This book was written by a child.
2. To focus on an action without identifying the performer

Jos escribi este libro.
vs
Este libro fue escrito en 1927.
Jos wrote this book.
This book was written in 1927.
La voz pasiva is rather formal and is much less common in spoken Spanish than spoken English. In Spanish, the passive tends to be
reserved for writing, such as newspapers and literature. The passive is used mainly when there is a named agent (e.g.,Este libro fue
escrito por un nio). However, there are several alternatives to la voz pasiva (besides la voz activa) when you want to focus on an action
without identifying the performer:
La verdad est sabida.
El libro es ledo pronto.
Eso no es dicho.
Reflexive se
Se sabe la verdad.
Se lee pronto el libro.
No se dice.
Ellos conjugation (without pronoun)
Saben la verdad.
Leen pronto el libro.
No dicen eso.
Todo el mundo/
Nadie
Todo el mundo sabe la verdad.
Todo el mundo lee pronto el libro.
Nadie dice eso.
La gente
La gente sabe la verdad.
La gente lee pronto el libro.
La gente no dice eso.
"To Become" in Spanish

There are several different Spanish equivalents for the English verb "to become," depending on several factors. (Note that in English,
various verbs like "to get" and "to turn" are sometimes more idiomatic than the literal meaning "to become.")
Ponerse is followed by an adjective and indicates an involuntary physical or emotional change.
Me puse enfermo en Madrid.
I got sick in Madrid.
Ana se pone roja cuando habla.
Ana turns red when she talks.
Volverse is followed by an adjective and indicates a sudden, profound change.

Se volvi loco!
He went crazy!
Julio se ha vuelto imposible.
Julio has become impossible.
Hacerse and llegar a ser are followed by a noun or adjective and indicate a change brought about by effort.
Me hice mdico.
I became a doctor.
Es posible hacerse rico en los EEUU?
Is it possible to get rich in the US?
Llegars a ser abogado?
Are you going to be a lawyer?
Lleg a ser muy popular.
He became very popular.
Convertirse en and transformarse en are followed by a noun and usually indicate a change to a thing rather than a person.
La condicin se convirti en una emergencia mdica.
The condition turned into a medical emergency.
La leche puede tranformarse en queso.
Milk can be turned into cheese.
There are also a number of Spanish verbs which express a specific change and tend to be somewhat more formal. When(se) is in
parentheses, the verb may be used both intransitively and reflexively.
adelgazar(se)
to become thin
cansarse
to get tired
emocionarse
to get excited
enfadarse
to become angry
enfermar
to become sick
enflaquecer(se)
to become thin
enfurecerse
to become furious
engordar
to become fat
enloquecer(se)
to go mad
enmudecerse
to become mute
enojarse
to get angry
enorgullecerse
to become haughty
enriquecerse
to get rich
enrojecer(se)
to become red
ensordecer
to become deaf
envejecer(se)
to become old
palidecer
to become pale
Pronombres sujetos - Spanish Subject Pronouns

The subject of a sentence is the person or thing which performs the action. Subject pronouns replace this person or thing. You must
understand subject pronouns before you begin conjugating Spanish verbs, as the form of verbs changes for each one.
Spanish is what linguists call a "pro-drop" language, which simply means that the pronoun can be dropped. It's not necessary for
comprehension, the way it is in English, because the subject of the verb is evident from the conjugated verb. "I go" can be translated by
"yo voy" or simply "voy" (from the verb ir - to go).
Pronombres de sujeto
Singular
1st person
yo1
Plural
nosotros
nosotras5
we
2nd person
you2
vosotros
vosotras5
you2
3rd person
l
ella
he, it3
she, it3
ellos
ellas5
they
Ud.4
you2
Uds.4
you2
Notes
1. Yo is only capitalized at the beginning of a sentence, unlike its English counterpart I. It is pronounced differently inArgentina.
2. There are four words for you in Spanish.

singular
plural
familiar
vosotros
formal
Ud.
Uds.
3. Vosotros is used only in Spain. In Latin America, Uds. is the only plural "you," used to refer to both familiar and formal groups.
The formal "yous" are used to show respect or to indicate the the person is unknown to the speaker. In Argentina and some other
Spanish-speaking countries, there is an additional pronoun: vos.
4. In Latin America, since all Spanish nouns are either masculine or feminine, the 3rd person subject pronouns which correspond to
the gender may sometimes be used. Thus l can refer to a male (he) or a masculine noun (it) and ellacan refer to a female (she)
or a feminine noun (it).*
5. Ud. and Uds. are short for usted and ustedes, respectively, and may also be written Vd. and Vds. Note that they use the third
person conjugations.
6. Nosotras, vosotras, and ellas means we, you, and they respectively when all of the nouns (both people and things) referred to
are feminine. If there are any masculine nouns, the subject pronoun defaults to the masculinenosotros, vosotros, or ellos.
Spanish Capitalization - Las maysculas

Spanish and English capitalization are quite different, as it is much less common in Spanish. Many words that must be capitalized in
English cannot be in Spanish, so read through this lesson to make sure that you're not over-capitalizing your Spanish.
1. First person singular subject pronoun (lesson)
He said, "I love you."
Dijo yo te amo.
2. Days of the week, months of the year (lesson)

Monday, Tuesday...
lunes, martes...
January, February...
enero, febrero...
3. Titles
Only capitalize the first word (and proper names, if any).
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Cien aos de soledad
Like Water for Chocolate
Como agua para chocolate
I'll Always Come Back to San Juan
Volver siempre a San Juan
4. Languages (list of languages)

Spanish, French, English...
5. Nationalities (list of nationalities)
espaol, francs, ingls...
I'm American.
Soy americano.
He bought a Spanish flag.
Compr un libro espaol.
She married a Mexican.
Se cas con un mexicano.
I saw an Australian.
Vi a un australiano.
6. Religions
The name of most religions, their adjectives, and their adherents (proper nouns) are not capitalized in Spanish.
Religion
Adjective
Proper Noun
Christianity
el cristianismo
Christian
cristiano
Christian
un cristiano
Judaism
el judasmo
Jewish
judo
Jew
un judo
Hinduism
el hinduismo
Hindu
hind
Hindu
un hind
Buddhism
el budismo
Buddhist
budista
Buddhist
un budista
Islam
Muslim
musulmn
Muslim
un musulman
*Exception Islam - el Islam
Spanish Double Object Pronouns
A Spanish sentence can have both a direct and an indirect object pronoun. These "double object pronouns" cannot be separated, and the
indirect pronoun always precedes the direct pronoun.
He's giving it to us. - Nos lo da.
What is he giving? - It.
To whom? - Us.
I'm showing it to you. - Te lo muestro.
What am I showing? - It.
To whom? - You.
Double object pronouns usually precede the verb(s) they modify. In the case of infinitives, present participles, and affirmative commands,
they can get attached to the end - learn more.
Double object pronoun replacements

When a third person indirect object pronoun (le or les) precedes a third person direct object pronoun (lo, la, los, or las), the indirect
pronoun must be changed to se. Context will let you know whether the se is replacing le or les.
le +
les +
lo
la
los
las
se
se
se
se
lo
la
los
las
He's giving it to them. - Se lo da.

I'm showing it to her. - Se lo muestro.
This replacement is not optional; native Spanish speakers would never say "le lo" or "les lo."
However, when se stands for les and is followed by the neuter pronoun lo, Spanish speakers in Latin America will often
replace lo with los for clarification.
Nadie se los dijo - No one told them. (In Spain: Nadie se lo dijo)
Es verdad, se los aseguro [a Ustedes] - It's true, I assure you. (In Spain: Se los aseguro)
Objetos indirectos - Spanish Indirect Objects

Indirect objects are the people or things in a sentence to whom/what or the action of the verb occurs.
I'm talking to Jos. - Hablo a Jos.
To whom am I talking? Jos.
He gives books to the students - Da unos libros a los estudiantes.
To whom does he give books? - The students.
Indirect object pronouns are the words that replace the indirect object, which is usually a person.
The Spanish indirect object pronouns are as follows:
1st person
me
me
nos
us
2nd person
te
you
os
you
3rd person
le
him, her, you, it
les
them, you
Like direct object pronouns, Spanish indirect object pronouns are placed in front of the verb.
I'm talking to him. - Le hablo.
He writes to them - Les escribe.
I'm giving the bread to you. - Te doy el pan.
She answered me - Ella me contest.
For infinitives, present participles, and affirmative commands, pronouns can get attached to the end - learn more.
Le voy a decir OR Voy a decirle - I'm going to tell him.
Les quiero traer el regalo OR Quiero traerles el regalo - I want to bring the gift to them.
Note: When deciding between direct and indirect objects, the general rule is that if the person or thing is preceded by apreposition (with
the exception of the personal a) that person/thing is an indirect object. If it is not preceded by a preposition, it is a direct object.
Spanish Verbs - Indirect Object Pronoun Verbs

There are about a dozen Spanish verbs which must be conjugated with an indirect object pronoun. This grammatical construction does
not exist in English, but it's not difficult once you get used to it.
The following verbs require an indirect object pronoun (the le represents the pronoun in the infinitive):
to suit, be good for
to love something
to be excited about something
to be missing something, to not have
to fascinate, to be fascinated by
to like
to need something
to care about something, to mind
to be interested in
to have something left
to have more than enough of something
to be one's turn
OK, so here's how it works. The indirect object precedes the verb. The verb can only be conjugated in the third person singular or plural,
depending on the grammatical number of the subject which follows.
For example: I care about school. School is singular, so the verb, importar, will be in the third person singular, and we end up with Me
importa la escuela (literally School is important to me).
In the sentence I like books, the subject is plural, so the verb will be conjugated in the third person plural: Me gustan los
libros (literally Books are liking to me).
This construction can also be used with an infinitive as the subject: We like to read - Nos gusta leer.
The following table shows conjugations for indirect object pronoun verbs.
GUSTAR - to like
me
gusta
el libro.
me
gustan
los libros.
te
gusta
el libro.
te
gustan
los libros.
le
gusta
el libro.
le
gustan
los libros.
nos
gusta
el libro.
nos
gustan
los libros.
os
gusta
el libro.
os
gustan
los libros.
les
gusta
el libro.
les
gustan
los libros.
Note: Le can refer to him, her, it, or you (Ud.) and les can refer to them or you (Uds.), so to clarify, you can add a + person at the
beginning of the sentence. (Remember that the preposition a must be used whenever a verb is followed by a person - more information):
He likes art - A l le gusta el arte.
Ana has 100 pesos left - A Ana le quedan 100 pesos.

They are excited about traveling - A ellos les entusiasma viajar.
Falsos Amigos - False Cognates

One of the great things about learning Spanish or English is that many words have the same roots in the Romance languages and
English. However, there are also a great many falsos amigos, or false cognates, which look similar but are in fact very different. This is
one of the biggest pitfalls for students of Spanish. There are also semi-false cognates: words that can only sometimes be translated by
the similar word in the other language.
Because some of the words are identical in the two languages, the Spanish word appears in blue and the English in purple.
Newest falsos amigos
Discusin vs Discussion
Discusin can be a simple discussion, but more commonly it refers to something more intense, like a debate,dispute, or argument.
Discussion is equivalent to discusin or deliberaciones.
Equivocado vs Equivocal
Equivocado means wrong.
Equivocal is equvoco or ambiguo.
Nudo vs Nude
Nudo is a noun: knot, node, joint.
Nude is a noun or adjective: desnudo.
Pie vs Pie
Pie = foot.
Pie = pastel.
Tabla vs Table
Tabla can refer to a board, plank, sheet (of metal), table top, or stage.
Table is una mesa.
Previous falsos amigos
Absoluto vs Absolute(ly)
Absoluto is a rather interesting word. Alone, it means absolute, utter, complete. When preceded by en, it means not at all, by no
means, no way.
Absolute = absoluto. Absolutely = absolutamente, completamente, totalmente.
Actual vs Actual
Actual means current or present: El presidente actual vive en Madrid - The current president lives in
Madrid.Actualmente means currently, at present, or now.
Actual means verdadero or efectivo. Actually can be translated by realmente, en realidad, or en efecto.
Advertencia vs Advertisement
Advertencia is a warning, piece of advice, reminder, or preface.
Advertisement = un anuncio.
Agona vs Agony
Agona = death throes, dying moments.
Agony refers to terrible physical or mental pain: dolor agudo, angustia.
Alterado vs Altered
Alterado can mean changed or altered as well as angry or upset.
Altered = modificado, cambiado, alterado.
Americano vs American
Americano usually refers to anyone from North or South America.
American = estaounidense (adjective of Estados Unidos - United States)
Aplicar vs Apply
Aplicar means to apply something, like a theory, paint, or sanctions.

Apply = aplicar when it is a transitive verb. As an intransitive verb, it has many translations: apply for a job -solicitar or presentar; to
apply oneself to - dirigirse a uno; to apply in the sense of be applicable - ser aplicableor interesar.
Apologa vs Apology
Apologa refers to defense or a eulogy.
Apology = una disculpa or excusa.
Aprobar vs Approve
Aprobar means to approve (of), consent to, or endorse, as well as to pass a test or class.
Approve = aprobar.
Arena vs Arena
Arena means sand.
Arena = anfiteatro, redondel, plaza.
Argumento vs Argument
Argumento means argument in the sense of reasoning (as in a courtroom).
Argument in the sense of disagreement translates as una discusin, pelea, disputa, or polmica.
Asesino vs Assassin
Asesino can refer to an assassin as well as non-political murderer or killer. It's also an adjective: murderous.
Assassin = asesino.
Asistencia vs Assistance
Asistencia usually means attendance, though it can also mean assistance.

Assistance is most commonly translated by ayuda or auxilio.
Asistir vs Assist
Asistir means to attend.
Assist translates as ayudar.
Atender vs Attend
Atender can mean to attend in Latin America, but in Spain it means to pay attention to, to heed, or to care for.
Attend = asistir.
Autor vs Author
Autor can refer to an author or writer as well as the creator of something (e.g., a painting) or the perpetratorof a crime.
Author nearly indicates a writer: un autor, una autora.
Bachillerato vs Bachelor
Bachillerato is the equivalent of a high school diploma in the US or A-levels in the UK.
Bachelor refers to an unmarried man: un soltero. A bachelor's degree is una licenciatura.
Billn vs Billion
Billn is kind of a semi-false cognate. It indicates a trillion in US, billion in UK.
Billion, as spoken by an American, = mil millones. When a Brit says billion, s/he means billn.
Bizarro vs Bizarre
Bizarro has two categories of meaning: 1) valient, gallant, brave, or 2) generous.
Bizarre means extrao or raro (see raro vs rare, below).
Blanco vs Blank
Blanco is a semi-false cognate. It is usually the Spanish word for the color white but can in some instances be translated by blank: una
pgina blanca - a blank sheet of paper.
Blank is an adjective meaning en blanco, liso, or sin adorno.
Blindar vs Blind
Blindar means to armor-plate or to shield, and its adjective blindado means armor-plated, shielded, or bullet-proof.
Blind = ciego as an adjective, and cegar or deslumbrar as a verb.
Bufete vs Buffet
Bufete is a desk or a lawyer's office.
Buffet refers to una cantina, un buffet libre, or una comida buffet.
Cmara vs Camera
Cmara can mean a camera, a camera operator, or a chamber.
Camera usually refers to a still camera: una cmara, una mquina fotogrfica.
Campo vs Camp
Campo means country(side), field, or farm.
Camp refers to un campamento.
Cargo vs Cargo
Cargo refers to a post or position as well as a charge in all senses: hacerse cargo de - to take charge, sin cargo - free of charge, retirar
los cargos contra - to drop the charges against.
Cargo = cargamento, carga.
Carpeta vs Carpet
Carpeta = folder, file, portfolio, briefcase, or table cloth.
Carpet is una alfombra or una moqueta.
Carrera vs Career
Carrera can refer to any of the following: running, race; a row or line; a beam, girder,
or joist; route, ride,journey, course; avenue; career; or university studies.
Career indicates una carrera profesional or una profesin.
Carta vs Cart/Card
Carta refers to a (postal) letter, document, deed, charter, map, or menu.
Cart is un carro, una carreta, un carretn, or una carretilla. A card is usually una tarjeta.
Chocar vs Choke
Chocar normally means to shock or startle, but can also mean to clink (glasses) or to shake (hands).
Choke = sofocarse or atragantarse.
Colegio vs College
Colegio refers to a high school, usually private.
College can be translated by colegio only when it refers to "colleges" as in divisions of a school.
Otherwise,college = universidad or escuela superior.
Colorado vs Colored
Colorado means red or reddish.
Colored = de color.
Complexin vs Complexion
Complexin refers to one's constitution, make-up, temperament, or physical build.
Complexion = la tez, el cutiz, or la piel.
Compromiso vs Compromise
Compromiso is an obligation, commitment, promise, or agreement.
Compromise as a noun can be expressed as una transaccin, una avenencia, unas concesiones recprocas, eltrmino medio, or
la solucin intermedia. The verb is comprometer or transigir.
Conductor vs Conductor
Conductor equals conductor when referring to science: un conductor de electricidad - conductor of electricity. It can also mean
a driver or a TV or radio presenter.
Conductor of an orchestra is un(a) director(a), and train conductor is un(a) revisor(a).
Conexin vs Connection
Conexin is a physical or logical connection.
Connection when referring to human/emotional connections is una relacin.
Conferencia vs Conference
Conferencia can mean conference, meeting, lecture, speech, or phone call.
Conference = una conferencia, una reunin, una asamblea, or un congreso.
Constipacin vs Constipation
Constipacin and its synonym constipado both refer to a cold or catarrh.
Constipation = el estreimiento.
Contestar vs Contest
Contestar means to answer or reply.
Contest as a verb means impugnar, atacar, disputar, or contender.
Conveniente vs Convenient
Conveniente means suitable, fitting, proper, useful, or advantageous.
Convenient means cmodo, prctico, til, or accesible.
Copa vs Cup
Copa = a glass or goblet, an alcoholic drink, a trophy (la Copa del Mundo - World Cup).
Cup = una taza.
Copia vs Copy
Copia is a photopcopy or other duplicate.
Copy can also mean un ejemplar (of a book) or un nmero (of a magazine).
Coraje vs Courage
Coraje can mean courage as well as anger.
Courage can be translated by el coraje as well as el valor, la valenta, los nimos, and las fuerzas.
Corresponder vs Correspond
Corresponder means things like to correspond, tally, fit in, match, or belong.
Correspond translates to corresponder only in the sense of agreeing with or matching (e.g., this corresponds with our thoughts). When
referring to a correspondence by mail, the Spanish translation is escribirse or estar en correspondencia con.
Cuestin vs Question
Cuestin is a matter/issue/question to be resolved.

Question is translated by cuestin when referring to an issue, or una pregunta when asking a question.
Culto vs Cult
Culto can refer to a religious sect or to a religious service. As an adjective, it means cultured or refined.
Cult = una secta.
Damnificado vs Damned
Damnificado = victim, from the verb damnificar - to injure, harm, damage.
Damned means condenado or maldito.
Decepcin/Decepcionar vs Deception/Deceive
Decepcin = disappointment. Decepcionar = to disappoint.
Deception = un engao, un fraude. To deceive = engaar, defraudar.
Defraudar vs Defraud
Defraudar can mean to defraud or cheat as well as to disappoint or let down.
Defraud means estafar or defraudar.
Delito vs Delight
Delito refers to a crime, offence, or misdeed.
Delight = el placer, el deleite, el encanto, or la delicia. To delight = encantar or deleitar.
Departamento vs Department
Departamento means department, section; office; compartment; province; or apartment.
Department = departamento, seccin, ministerio.
Desgracia vs Disgrace
Desgracia means misfortune, mishap, accident, setback, or bad luck.
Disgrace refers to la deshonra or ignominia.
Deshonesto vs Dishonest
Deshonesto means indecent or lewd. It means dishonest only in the sense of untrustworthy, not in the sense of not telling the truth.
Dishonest = poco honrado, fraudulento.
Despertar vs Desperate
Despertar means to wake up, both figuratively and literally, and requires a direct object. To say "I'm waking up" in the sense of getting
out of bed, you need to use the reflexive form, despertarse.
Desperate = desesperado.
Destituido vs Destitute
Destituido means devoid of or lacking.
Destitute = indigente, desamparado, necesitado, or en la miseria.
Disco vs Disco
Disco is a semi-false cognate. Aside from disco, it has numerous translations: disk, discus, traffic-light, or (audio) record.
Disco = disco, discoteca, or sala de baile.
Discutir vs Discuss
Discutir is stronger than discuss; more like debate or argue.
Discuss = hablar de, tratar de, comentar.
Disgusto vs Disgust
Disgusto is not as strong as disgust; it means annoyance, displeasure, grief, or trouble.

Disgust refers to repugnancia or aversin.
Echar vs Echo
Echar has numerous meanings, including to throw, to put, to pour, to give, to cut, and to push.
Echo means resonar, repetir, or hacer eco.
Editor vs Editor
Editor is an adjective: publishing, and a noun: publisher or editor.
Editor can be translated by editor, director, or redactor.
Educacin vs Education
Educacin has a broader meaning than education. The Spanish word's best translation is upbringing, which includes both school
education as well as what a child learns at home.
Education is best translated by formacin or enseanza.
Educado vs Educated
Educado means well-mannered, polite, or cultivated, from the verb educar - to raise, bring up, rear.
Educated is from the verb to educate: formar or instruir.
Efectivo vs Effective
Efectivo means real or actual. En efectivo means in cash. Efectivos are military forces or (police) officers.
Effective = eficaz.
Elevador vs Elevator
Elevador means elevator only in Mexico, though un elevador de granos is a grain elevator anywhere.
Elevator = un ascensor.
Embarazada vs Embarrassed
Embarazada means pregnant. It can also be a noun: una embarazada = a pregnant woman, an expectant mother.
Embarrassed is avergonzado, molesto, or incmodo.
(anecdote about embarazada)
Emocionante vs Emotional
Emocionante means exciting, thrilling, or moving.
Emotional indicates something that is afectivo, emocional, or emotivo, or someone that is sentimental.
Eventual vs Eventual
Eventual means fortuitous, possible, or temporary.
Eventual = final, definitivo, consiguiente.
Excitar vs Excite
Excitar means to excite sexually.
Excite when talking about something you're looking forward to is entusiasmar or provocar.
xito vs Exit
xito means success: a gran xito - very successful.
Exit is una salida.
Fbrica vs Fabric
Fbrica is a factory, plant, or mill.

Fabric is el tejido or la tela.
Factora vs Factory
Factora can mean a factory (in some Spanish-speaking countries), but is more commonly a trading post.
Factory = una fbrica.
Facultad vs Faculty
Facultad refers to mental faculty, power or ability, or a university department.
Faculty in reference to a group of teachers is el profesorado.
Falta vs Fault
Falta is a lack, want, need, absence, shortage, failure, or shortcoming.
A fault (imperfection) is un defecto, un desperfecto, or una imperfeccin. Fault (blame) is la culpa.
Familiar vs Familiar
Familiar as an adjective means family, familiar, domestic, informal, plain, or colloquial. As a noun it refers to arelative or close friend.
Familiar is only an adjective: familiar, conocido, comn, familiarizado, ntimo.
Fastidioso vs Fastidious
Fastidioso means annoying or boring. It can mean fastidious in Latin America.
Fastidious means escrupuloso.
Firma vs Firm
Firma can refer to a firm, but more commonly means a signature.
Firm as an adjective means firme, slido, duro, seguro. As a noun, it can be translated by una firma or una empresa.
Fiscal vs Fiscal
Fiscal means fiscal or tax-related as an adjective. As a noun, however, it refers to a district attorney or public prosecutor.
Fiscal = fiscal.
Formal vs Formal
Formal means reliable, dependable, responsible, or serious.
Formal means solemne, correcto, oficial, or, when referring to clothing, de etiqueta.
Fracaso vs Fracas
Fracaso is a failure or disaster.
Fracas is une gresca or una reyerta.
Ftbol vs Football
Ftbol refers to soccer (in American English).
Football = el ftbol americano.
Ftil vs Futile
Ftil means trivial, while
Futile means intil, vano, or infructuoso.
Grabar vs Grab
Grabar is to engrave, record, or impress.
Grab means asir, coger, or arrebatar.
Gracioso vs Gracious
Gracioso means funny or cute.

Gracious = gentil, corts, or refinado.
Grosera vs Grocery Store
Grosera seems to follow the -a pattern on most Spanish words for stores, but in fact it refers only torudeness, crudeness, or vulgarity.
Grocery Store = tienda de abarrotes/comestibles, bodega, or abacera, depending on what country you're in.
Honesto vs Honest
Honesto means sincere, honorable, or decent.
Honest = sincero, franco, or honrado.
Humor vs Humor
Humor means mood or humor.
Humor refers to gracia or humor. Sense of humor = sentido del humor.
Idioma vs Idiom
Idioma refers to a language.
Idiom = idiotosmo, modismo, or lenguaje.
Ignorar vs Ignore
Ignorar means to not know or to be unaware of.
Ignore means no hacer caso de, desatender, or dejar a un lado.
Insulto vs Insult
Insulto means insult in most places, but in Mexico it can also refer to indigestion or a stomachache.
Insult = insulto.
Introducir vs Introduce
Introducir is a semi-false cognate. It means to introduce only in the context of introducing a topic.
Introduce can mean to introduce a topic or a person. The latter is translated by presentar in Spanish.
Jubilacin vs Jubilation
Jubilacin refers to retirement: both the act of retiring and a pension.
Jubilation = jbilo.
Labor vs Labor
Labor can mean any kind of work: paid work, chores, needlework, etc.
Labor refers to trabajo (the actual work) or la mano de obra (the workers).
Largo vs Large
Largo means long, generous, or abundant.
Large = grande or importante.
Lectura vs Lecture
Lectura refers to the act of reading or reading material.
Lecture = una conferencia, una explicacin, or un sermoneo.
Letra vs Letter
Letra refers only to a letter of the alphabet.
Letter is un letra (of the alphabet) or una carta (that you write to a friend).
Librera/Librero vs Library
Librera is a bookstore, while librero refers to a bookseller or bookcase.

Library refers to una biblioteca.
Lujuria vs Luxury
Lujuria = lust, lewdness, excess.
Luxury = el lujo.
Mama vs Mama
Mama refers to a breast.
Mama = mam (see how important an accent can be?)
Mango vs Mango
Mango can mean mango the fruit as well as a handle (as of a knife).
Mango = mango.
Marca/Marco vs Mark
Marca is a mark (as in a spot or line) as well as a brand, make, or label. In sports, una marca is a record orbest time. Un marco is a
(picture) frame, goal, setting, or framework.
Mark can be translated by una mancha or una seal.
Masa vs Mass
Masa can mean mass (in terms of people and volume), as well as dough.
Mass in reference to church is la misa.
Matar vs Mate
Matar means to kill.

Mate = as a noun is un macho / una hembra for animals, un compaero / una compaera for people. To mate means aparear or unir.
Mayor vs Mayor
Mayor as an adjective means main, major, larger, older. As a noun is means chief, boss, superior, adult, orancestor.
Mayor = el alcalde or la alcadesa.
Minorista vs Minority
Minorista is a Caribbean and South American word for retail or retail seller.
Minority = la minora or, as an adjective, minoritario.
Molestar vs Molest
Molestar means to annoy or bother.
Molest = acosar sexualmente.
Motivo vs Motive
Motivo isn't necessarily the same thing as motive (which tends to have a negative connotation, like "motive for the murder"); it's more
like reason or cause.
Motive = mvil, motivos, or intencin.
Natural vs Natural
Natural as an adjective means natural, fresh (with fruit), and illegimate (with children). As a noun it meansnature or native.
Natural can be translated by natural, normal, innato, or biolgico (with family members).
Negocio vs Negotiation
Negocio refers to a business, deal, or transaction.

Negotiation is una negociacin
Nombre vs Number
Nombre means name or noun.
Number is un nmero.
Noticia vs Notice
Noticia is a news item or piece of news. Noticias means news or information.
Ocasin vs Occasion
Ocasin is usually a chance or opportunity. It can also mean cause or reason, and in Latin American it refers to a bargain.
Occasion refers to una vez, una oportunidad, un acontecimiento, una razn, or un motivo.
Oculto vs Occult
Oculto can mean hidden, concealed, or secret, as well as occult.
Occult = oculto or misterioso.
Oficial vs Official
Oficial as an adjective is the same as in English. As a noun, it refers to a military officer or a skilled worker.
Official as a noun is un funcionario.
Oficio vs Office
Oficio = trade or function, religious service/mass, or an official letter.
Office is una oficina, un despacho.
Once vs Once
Once is eleven in Spanish.
Once = una vez.
Ordinario vs Ordinary
Ordinario can mean ordinary as well as common or coarse (in reference to a person) and fine or ok, in answer to Cmo ests?
Ordinary = normal or corriente.
Pan vs Pan
Pan = bread
Pan is una cazuela, cacerola, olla, or sartn.
Papa/Pap vs Papa
Papa means potato when it's feminine and Pope when it's masculine. Pap is equivalent to papa or dad in English.
Papa = pap.
Pariente vs Parent
Pariente is any relative
Parent = el padre or la madre only.
Patrn vs Patron
Patrn can indicate a boss or owner as well as a pattern or standard.
Patron = patrocinador or cliente.
Plagio vs Plague
Plagio is plagiarism.
Plague refers to la peste, la plaga, or el fastidio.
Prcticamente vs Practically
Prcticamente should not be used to mean almost; it means practically in the sense of "in a practical way" or "in practical terms."
Practically = casi.
Preciso vs Precise
Preciso can mean precise, correct, or necessary.
Precise = preciso or exacto.
Presente vs Present
Presente = present when talking about time or presence.
Present meaning "gift" is un regalo.
Preservativo vs Preservative
Preservativo indicates a condom.
Preservative is un conservador.
Pretender vs Pretend
Pretender means to claim: Ella pretende ser rica - She claims to be rich.
Pretend is translated by fingir or simular.
Privado vs Private
Privado means private as in exclusive (such as a school or club).
Private is fairly general - it's basically the opposite of public and can be translated by privado, personal, secreto, ntimo, or particular.
Procurar vs Procure
Procurar rarely means to procure; the more common translations by far are to try and to manage (to do something).
Procure = obtener, conseguir.
Quitar vs Quit
Quitar means to take away, remove, or get rid of.
Quit = dejar, abandonar, salir de. To quit one's job: abandonar su puesto, dimitir.
Raro vs Rare
Raro can mean rare, but more commonly means odd or strange.
Rare = poco comn or excepcional.
Real vs Real
Real can mean real as well as royal.
Real means verdadero, autntico, or legtimo.
Realizar vs Realize
Realizar means to realize only in the sense of to make real, to attain, or to fulfill.
Realize can mean realizar as well as darse cuenta de, comprender, and reconocer.
Receta vs Receipt
Receta = recipe or prescription.
Receipt = un recibo.
Recoleccin vs Recollection
Recoleccin is a collection, harvest, or summary.

Recollection is el recuerdo or la memoria.
Recordar vs Record
Recordar means to remember, recall, or remind.
Record is equivalent to registrar, inscribir, or grabar.
Red vs Red
Red refers to a network.
Red is the color rojo.
Relativo vs Relative
Relativo has the same meaning as an adjective, but as a noun it is used only in linguistics.
Relative as a noun = pariente or familiar.
Restar vs Rest
Rester means to take away or subtract, to not give much, to remain or be left or, in sports, to return.
Rest as a verb = descansar or apoyar.
Revolver vs Revolver
Revolver is a verb: to move around, turn over, revolve, or disturb.
Revolver is a noun: un revlver (that accent is important!)
Ropa vs Rope
Ropa means clothing.
Rope = una cuerda or una soga.
Salario vs Salary
Salario refers to hourly wages, while
Salary indicates fixed earnings per month or year: el sueldo.
Sano vs Sane
Sano = healthy, fit, or intact.
Sane means cuerdo, sensato, or de juicio sano.
Sensible vs Sensible
Sensible = sensitive or regrettable.
Sensible means juicioso, sensato, or prudente.
Simple vs Simple
Simple can nearly always be translated by simple: when it means foolish, not compound, etc.
Simple, however, is translated as sencillo when it means unadorned or uncomplicated.
Sobre vs Sober
Sobre is either a noun: envelope or a preposition: on, above, over.
Sober means sobrio or sereno.
Sopa vs Soap
Sopa refers to soup or, informally, a hangover, while
Soap is jabn.
Soportar vs Support
Soportar means to bear, carry, support, hold up, or withstand.

Support as a verb is usually translated by apoyar, sostener, or mantener.
Suceder vs Succeed
Suceder means to happen or to follow, come next.
Succeed = tener xito, triunfar.
Suceso vs Success
Suceso is an event, incident, happening, or outcome.
Success refers to un xito or triunfo.
Tipo vs Type
Tipo means type/kind as well as guy or bloke.
Type = tipo or clase. To type = escribir a mquina.
Trampa vs Tramp
Trampa indicates a trap.
Tramp is a un vagabundo or una zorra.
Tratar vs Treat
Tratar means to treat or handle; to deal with, be about, have to do with; or to address.
Treat as a verb means tratar, invitar, curar, or discutir.
Tuna vs Tuna
Tuna has a range of meanings: prickly pear, a student music group, the life of a rogue, and, in Central America,drunkenness.
Tuna = el atn.
ltimamente vs Ultimately
ltimamente means lastly, finally, as a last resort, or lately.
Ultimately = por ltimo, al final, a la larga, en el fondo.
ltimo vs Ultimate
ltimo means final or last.
Ultimate has several meanings: the best - definitivo, the most important/essential - fundamental, esencial; the latest - ltimo grito.
Vaso vs Vase
Vaso is a glass or tumbler.
Vase indicates un florero or jarrn.
Objetos reiterados - Spanish Redundant Object Pronouns

In Spanish, you will often see an object pronoun, either direct or indirect, used in addition to the actual noun that it would normally
replace. This redundant object pronoun may be required or simply stylistic. This lesson explains the general tendencies, but please note
that there is a great deal of variation from one Spanish-speaking region to another.
Emphasis
In order to emphasize the direct or indirect object of a sentence, a redundant object pronoun may be placed before the verb.
The redundant pronoun is required when the actual direct or indirect object precedes the verb.
Eso lo quiero yo.
That is what I want.
Eso no lo s.
That I don't know.
Dinero lo tengo a montones.
I have tons of money.
A Pablo le envi flores.
I sent flowers to Pablo.
However, when the object follows the verb, a redundant pronoun is usually (optional).
(Le) estoy hablando a mi hermano.
I'm talking to my brother.
(Le) traigo unos libros a la escuela.
I'm taking some books to the school.
Mi idea (le) paraci al profesor la ms interesante.
My idea seemed the most interesting to the teacher.
(Le) envi flores a Pablo.
I sent flowers to Pablo.
Relative Clauses
Redundant pronouns may be used in relative clauses as a sort of reminder of the direct or indirect object.
Tengo que hacer muchas cosas que no las comprendo.
I have to do a lot of things that I don't understand.
Cmo se llama el nio a quien le cuidas?
What is the name of the boy you are taking care of?
Le for les
The redundant pronoun les is often replaced by le.
Tquele a todas las puertas.
Knock on all the doors.
Quiero darle a los nios un regalo.
I want to give the children a gift.
Spanish Relative Pronouns ~ Pronombres relativos

Just like in English, a Spanish relative pronoun links a dependent/relative clause (i.e., a clause that cannot stand alone) to
a main clause. This lesson is a comparative summary of the Spanish relative pronouns que, quien, el que, el cual, and donde. Depending
on context, the English equivalents are who, whom, that, which, whose, or where.
Note: In Spanish, relative pronouns are required, whereas in English, they are sometimes optional.
Quien can only refer to people, while que can refer to people or things. Other than that, they are interchangeable in the subject and
direct object position.
Quien and que can replace the subject:
El profesor va a ayudarnos. l vive en Barcelona.
El profesor, quien / que vive en Barcelona, va a ayudarnos.
The teacher, who lives in Barcelona, is going to help us.
Las chicas quieren trabajar juntas. Ellas son hermanas.
Las chicas, quienes / que son hermanas, quieren trabajar juntas.
The girls, who are sisters, want to work together.
Voy a comprar el libro. l tiene cien pginas.
Voy a comprar el libro que tiene cien pginas.
I'm going to buy the book that has 100 pages.
A quien or que can replace the direct object:
Ana quiere al hombre. Yo lo vi.
Ana quiere al hombre que / a quien yo vi.
Ana loves the man (that) I saw.
Perd la pluma. Mi hermano la compr.
Perd la pluma que mi hermano compr.
I lost the pen (that) my brother bought.
Quien can replace the object of a preposition (Note that que cannot be used here; if the object is not a person, el que/cual may be
used).
La mujer es muy inteligente. Vivo con ella.
La mujer, con quien vivo, es muy inteligente.
The woman, with whom I live, is very smart (or The woman I live with is very smart).
Los estudiantes estn aqu. Hablaba de ellos.
Los estudiantes, de quienes hablaba, estn aqu.
The students about whom I was talking are here (or The students I was talking about are here).
El cual and el que may refer to people or things. El que and el cual are nearly always* interchangeable and have two uses:
1. In nonrestrictive clauses (where the relative pronoun does not limit the person or thing it replaces), el que/cual can beboth the
subject and the object:
El profesor, el que / cual vive en Barcelona, va a ayudarnos.
Las chicas, las que / cuales son hermanas, quieren trabajar juntas.
2. El que/cual can simultaneously replace a human antecedent and be the object of a preposition:

Ana quiere al hombre al que / cual yo vi.
Las chicas no han llegado. Mi hermano trabaja con ellas.
Las chicas con las que / cuales mi hermano trabaja no han llegado.
The girls with whom my brother works haven't arrived.
Los estudiantes de los que /cuales hablaba estn aqu.
The students about whom I was talking are here (or The students [whom] I was talking about are here).
*There are a few situations where cual must be used - see my lesson on el cual.
Donde means where and joins a main clause to a dependent or relative clause. It is usually preceded by a preposition.
Es la escuela donde estudi.
That's the school where I studied (or That's the school I studied at).
Busco la puerta por donde podemos salir.
I'm looking for the door through which we can leave.
Es a donde vamos.
That's where we're going.
No s el pas de donde viene.
I don't know the country (where) he's from (or I don't know which country he's from).
Spanish Relative Pronoun Quien ~ Pronombre relativo

a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss quien, which literally means who or whom. Note that in Spanish, relative pronouns are
required, whereas in English, they are sometimes optional.
Quien joins a main clause to a dependent or relative clause, replaces one or more words, and can only refer to people.* The plural
form is quienes.
*If you need to replace a thing, use que. More on whether to use quien or que in an upcoming lesson.
Quien can replace the subject:

El profesor, quien vive en Barcelona, va a ayudarnos.
Las chicas, quienes son hermanas, quieren trabajar juntas.
Quien can replace the direct object and must be preceded by the preposition a:

Ana quiere al hombre a quien yo vi.
Las chicas no han llegado. Mi hermano las conoce.
Las chicas a quienes mi hermano conoce no han llegado.
The girls (that/who) my brother knows haven't arrived.
Quien replaces the object of a preposition:

La mujer es muy inteligente. Vivo con ella.
La mujer, con quien vivo, es muy inteligente.
The woman, with whom I live, is very smart (or The woman (who) I live with is very smart).
Los estudiantes, de quienes hablaba, estn aqu.
The students about whom I was talking are here (or The students (who) I was talking about are here).
Spanish Relative Pronoun Que ~ Pronombre relativo

a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss que - the simplest and most common Spanish relative pronoun. Depending on context, the
English equivalent can be who, whom, that, or which. Although relative pronouns are sometimes optional in English, they are always
required in Spanish.
Que is used to join a main clause with a dependent or relative clause. It always replaces a word from the dependent clause:
Que replaces the subject (person or thing):

Busco al profesor. l vive en Barcelona.
Busco al profesor que vive en Barcelona.
I'm looking for the teacher (who) lives in Barcelona.
Voy a comprar el libro. l tiene cien pginas.
Voy a comprar el libro que tiene cien pginas.
I'm going to buy the book that has 100 pages.
Que replaces the direct object (person or thing):
Ana quiere al hombre que yo vi.
Perd la pluma. Mi hermano la compr.
Perd la pluma que mi hermano compr.
I lost the pen (that) my brother bought.
Spanish Relative Pronoun El Cual ~ Pronombres relativos

a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss el cual, which literally means who or whom and has four different forms. Note that in Spanish,
relative pronouns are required, whereas in English, they are sometimes optional.
The relative pronoun el cual agrees in gender and number with the noun it replaces:
el cual
la cual
los cuales
las cuales
El cual joins a main clause to a dependent or relative clause, replaces one or more words, and may refer to people or things.El cual is
used almost exactly like el que - they are nearly always interchangeable.*
In nonrestrictive clauses (where the relative pronoun does not limit the person or thing it replaces), el cual can be both the subject
and the object:
El profesor, el cual vive en Barcelona, va a ayudarnos.
Las chicas, las cuales son hermanas, quieren trabajar juntas.
El cual can simultaneously replace a human antecedent and be the object of a preposition:
Ana quiere al hombre al cual yo vi.

Las chicas con las cuales mi hermano trabaja no han llegado.
Los estudiantes de los cuales hablaba estn aqu.
*There are a few situations in which el cual should be used. Aside from being somewhat more formal than el que, el cual is usually used
in the following cases:
1. When the relative pronoun is separated from its antecedent, either by other words or some sort of grammatical pause (such as a colon
or period):
Hay un perro en mi barrio, el cual ladra toda la noche.
There's a dog in my neighborhood who barks all night.
Cuando fui al mercado, haba un problema con mi tarjeta de crdito; el cual fue arreglado por mi banco.
When I went to the store, there was a problem with my credit card; it was fixed by my bank.
2. After most multi-syllable prepositions and prepositional phrases:
Las enfermedades contra las cuales luchamos
The diseases we are fighting against
La casa frente a la cual yo vivo
The house I live across from
3. After segn, when it means "according to":

El principio segn el cual...
The principle according to which...
La profesora segn la cual...
The teacher according to whom...
4. After indefinite pronouns and expressions of quantity:
Vi a los estudiantes, algunos de los cuales me saludaron.
I saw the students, some of whom waved at me.
Tengo una casa en Madrid, la mitad de la cual es aquilada.
I have a house in Madrid, half of which is rented.
Spanish Relative Pronoun El Que ~ Pronombres relativos

a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss el que, which literally means who or whom and has four different forms. Note that in Spanish,
relative pronouns are required, whereas in English, they are sometimes optional.
The relative pronoun el que agrees in gender and number with the noun it replaces:
el que
los que
la que
las que
El que joins a main clause to a dependent or relative clause, replaces one or more words, and may refer to people or things.El que is
almost used exactly like el cual - they are nearly always interchangeable. (See the lesson on el cual for the exceptions).
In nonrestrictive clauses (where the relative pronoun does not limit the person or thing it replaces), el que can be both the subject
and the object:
El profesor, el que vive en Barcelona, va a ayudarnos.
Las chicas, las que son hermanas, quieren trabajar juntas.
El que can simultaneously replace a human antecedent and be the object of a preposition:
Ana quiere al hombre al que yo vi.

Las chicas con las que mi hermano trabaja no han llegado.
Los estudiantes de los que hablaba estn aqu.
Spanish Relative Pronoun Donde ~ Pronombres relativos

Just as in English, a Spanish relative pronoun links a dependent/relative clause (i.e., a clause that cannot stand alone) to
a main clause. In this lesson we'll discuss donde, which literally means where. Note that in Spanish, relative pronouns are required,
whereas in English, they are sometimes optional.
Donde joins a main clause to a dependent or relative clause and is usually preceded by a preposition.
Es la escuela donde estudi.
That's the school where I studied (or That's the school I studied at).
Busco la puerta por donde podemos salir.

I'm looking for the door through which we can leave.
Es a donde vamos.
That's where we're going.
No s el pas de donde viene.
I don't know the country (where) he's from (or I don't know which country he's from).
Note that donde is a relative pronoun and dnde is an interrogative pronoun.
Subjuntivo - Spanish Subjunctive - Conjugations of Regular Verbs

The subjunctive is usually considered the most difficult Spanish verb form for students, but hopefully this lesson will simplify matters for
you. In Part I, we will learn how to form the present subjunctive of regular verbs. In Part II, we will learn the present subjunctive
of irregular verbs. In Parts III, IV, and V, we'll take an in-depth look at using the Spanish subjunctive.
Regular -AR verbs: Take the present tense of the verb and change the A (or O, in yo form) at the beginning of the suffix toE.
HABLAR
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
hablo
hable
...que t
hablas
hables
...que l/ella/Ud.
habla
hable
...que nosotros
hablamos
hablemos
...que vosotros
hablis
hablis
...que ellos/Uds.
hablan
hablen
-ER verbs: Take the present tense and change the E (or O) to A.
COMER
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
como
coma
...que t
comes
comas
...que l/ella/Ud.
come
coma
...que nosotros
comemos
comamos
...que vosotros
comis
comis
...que ellos/Uds.
comen
coman
-IR verbs: The conjugation rules for -IR verbs are a bit more complicated.
yo form - change O to A
t, l, and ellos forms - change E to A
nosotros form - change I to A
vosotros form - change to I
If this seems too complicated, try this: take off the present tense ending and add the subjunctive ending.
ABRIR
Present
Subjunctive
Subj. ending
...que yo
abro
abra
-a
...que t
abres
abras
-as
...que l/ella/Ud.
abre
abra
-a
...que nosotros
abrimos
abramos
-amos
...que vosotros
abrs
abris
-is
...que ellos/Uds.
abren
abran
-an
Stem-changing verbs: Stem-changing -AR and -ER verbs follow the above rules; they use the same stem as in the present tense and
thus maintain their stem changes in the subjunctive.
PENSAR
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
pienso
piense
...que t
piensas
pienses
...que l/ella/Ud.
piensa
piense
...que nosotros
pensamos
pensemos
...que vosotros
pensis
pensis
...que ellos/Uds.
piensan
piensen
PODER
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
puedo
pueda
...que t
puedes
puedas
...que l/ella/Ud.
puede
pueda
...que nosotros
podemos
podamos
...que vosotros
podis
podis
...que ellos/Uds.
pueden
puedan
Notes:
Stem-changing -IR verbs are irregular and are thus explained on the irregular conjugations page.
In the subjunctive, the first and third person singular conjugations are identical.
Spanish subjunctive conjugations are the same as imperative conjugations.

More Spanish Subjunctive
Conjugations:
Regular verbs
Irregular verbs
Usage:
Verbs and expressions
Conjunctions
Adjective clauses
Si clauses
Spanish Subjunctive Tenses:
Present
Present Perfect
Imperfect
Pluperfect
Future
Subjuntivo - Spanish Subjunctive - Conjugations of Irregular Verbs

you. In Part I, we learned how to form the present subjunctive of regular verbs. In Part II, we will learn the present subjunctive
of irregular verbs. In Parts III, IV, and V, we'll take an in-depth look at using the Spanish subjunctive.
Note: All irregular verbs except for dar and estar (see below) use regular endings for subjunctive conjugations.
Stem-changing verbs: There are three kinds of stem-changing -IR verbs.
1. E -- IE
All singular forms (yo, t, l) and third person plural (ellos) maintain the stem change
Nosotros and vosotros forms change E in stem to I
SENTIR
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
siento
sienta
...que t
sientes
sientas
...que l/ella/Ud.
siente
sienta
...que nosotros
sentimos
sintamos
...que vosotros
sents
sintis
...que ellos/Uds.
sienten
sientan
2. E -- I
All forms have an I in the stem, whether or not they have it in the present
PEDIR
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
pido
pida
...que t
pides
pidas
...que l/ella/Ud.
pide
pida
...que nosotros
pedimos
pidamos
...que vosotros
peds
pidis
...que ellos/Uds.
piden
pidan
3. O -- UE
All singular forms and third person plural maintain the stem change
Nosotros and vosotros forms change the O in the stem to U
DORMIR
Present
Subjunctive
...que yo
duermo
duerma
...que t
duermes
duermas
...que l/ella/Ud.
duerme
duerma
...que nosotros
dormimos
durmamos
...que vosotros
dorms
durmis
...que ellos/Uds.
duermen
duerman
Note: Stem-changing -AR and ER verbs are regular in the subjunctive and are thus explained on the regular conjugations page.
Irregular first person singular: Most verbs, including all G verbs, which have an irregular first person singular conjugation use that
conjugation as the subjunctive stem.
Verb
Yo form
Subjunctive
caber
yo quepo
quepa, quepas, quepa, quepamos, quepis, quepan
caer
caigo
caiga, caigas, caiga, caigamos, caigis, caigan
conocer
conozco
conozca, conozcas, conozca, conozcamos, conozcis, conozcan
construir
construyo
construya, construyas, construya, construyamos, construyis, construyan
decir
digo
diga, digas, diga, digamos, digis, digan
distinguir
distingo
distinga, distingas, distinga, distingamos, distingis, distingan
elegir
elijo
elija, elijas, elija, elijamos, elijis, elijan
hacer
hago
haga, hagas, haga, hagamos, hagis, hagan
or
oigo
oiga, oigas, oiga, oigamos, oigis, oigan
parecer
parezco
parezca, parezcas, parezca, parezcamos, parezcis, parezcan
poner
pongo
ponga, pongas, ponga, pongamos, pongis, pongan
salir
salgo
salga, salgas, salga, salgamos, salgis, salgan
tener
tengo
tenga, tengas, tenga, tengamos, tengis, tengan
traer
traigo
traiga, traigas, traiga, traigamos, traigis, traigan
valer
valgo
valga, valgas, valga, valgamos, valgis, valgan
venir
vengo
venga, vengas, venga, vengamos, vengis, vengan
ver
veo
vea, veas, vea, veamos, veis, vean
Note: Verbs with the same endings (-ger, -gir, -guer, -guir, -uir, etc.) follow the same conjugation patterns.
Irregular stems: The following verbs have irregular subjunctive stems:

Verb
Stem
Subjunctive
haber
hay-
haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayis, hayan
ir
vay-
vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayis, vayan
saber
sep-
sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepis, sepan
ser
se-
sea, seas, sea, seamos, seis, sean
Irregular stem endings: The following verb groups change the final letter in the stem due to the issue of hard/soft vowels:
Verbs that end in -car (c -- qu)
buscar
busqu-
busque, busques, busque, busquemos, busquis, busquen
Verbs that end in -gar (g -- gu)

pagar
pagu-
pague, pagues, pague, paguemos, paguis, paguen
Verbs that end in -zar (z -- c)

lanzar
lanc-
lance, lances, lance, lancemos, lancis, lancen
Dar and estar: These verbs have irregular subjunctive forms due to accents:
Verb
Subjunctive
dar
d, des, d, demos, deis, den
estar
est, ests, est, estemos, estis, estn
Subjuntivo - Spanish Subjunctive with Verbs and Impersonal Expressions

The Spanish subjunctive mood is usually considered the most difficult verb form for students, but hopefully this lesson will simplify
matters for you. In Parts I and II, we learned about Spanish subjunctive conjugations. In Part III, we'll take a look at using the Spanish
subjunctive with verbs and impersonal expressions. In Part IV, we'll examine the subjunctive with conjunctions and relative pronouns,
and in Part V, we'll look at the subjunctive in adjective clauses.
The subjunctive is a verb mood, not a tense. Mood refers to the attitude of the speaker toward the action/condition of the verb - how
likely/factual the statement is. The subjunctive mood is subjective; it expresses emotional, potential, and hypothetical attitudes about
what is being expressed - things like will/wanting, emotion, doubt, possibility, necessity, judgment. The "normal" verb mood is called the
indicative and is used for factual or definite statements about reality.
The Spanish subjunctive is often found in dependent clauses introduced by que (that). The subjects of the dependent and main clauses
are usually different (if the subjects are the same, the infinitive can be used instead of the subjunctive).
Quiero que tu lo hagas.
I want you do it.
No es cierto que yo venga.
It's not certain that I will come (am coming).
The subjunctive is used when the main clause expresses subjectivity, as summarized below. (Some of the English translations may seem
a little awkward: "that" is not always required in English, and we sometimes use a completely different structure which avoids the
subjunctive altogether)
I. Verbs/expressions of will or want which express an order, a need, a piece of advice, or a desire:
aconsejar que
to advise
decir que
to tell
dejar que
to let, allow
desear que
to desire that
es hora que
it's time that
es importante que
it is important that
es necesario que
it is necessary that
esperar que
to hope that
es preciso que
it is necessary that
evitar que
to avoid
exigir que
to demand that
hacer falta que
to be necessary that
hacer que
to make, force
impedir que
to prevent
insistir en que
to insist that
invitar que
to invite
mandar que
to order
necesitar que
to need
pedir que
to ask (someone to do something)
permitir que
to permit
preferir que
to prefer that
prohibir que
to forbid
proponer que
to propose that
querer que
to want that
recomendar que
to recommend
rogar que
to request, beg
sugerir que
to suggest that
II. Verbs/expressions of emotion or feeling which indicate fear, happiness, anger, regret, surprise, or other sentiments or biases.
alegrarse de que
to be happy that
es bueno que
it's good that
es conveniente que
it's convenient that
es difcil que
it's hard
es extrao que
it's strange that
es fcil que
it's easy
es increble que
it's incredible that
es interesante
it's interesting that
es intil que
it's useless that (there's no point)
es justo que
it's fair that
es (una) lstima que
it's a pity that
es malo que
it's ( too) bad that
es mejor que
it's better that
es peor que
it's worse that
es preferible que
it's preferable that
es raro que
it's strange that
es triste que
it's sad that
es til que
it's useful that
estar contento que
to be happy that
estar triste que
to be sad that
extraarse que
to be amazed that
gustarse que
to like
ms vale que
it's better that
sentir que
to regret, be sorry that
sorprenderse que
to be surprised that
temer que
to fear that
tener miedo que
to be afraid that
III. Verbs/expressions of doubt, possibility, opinion

aparecer que
to appear, seem that
buscar ... que*
to look for
detestar que
to hate
dudar que
to doubt
es dudoso que
it is doubtful that
es imposible que
it is impossible that
es improbable que
it is improbable that
es posible que
it is possible that
es probable que
it is probable that
negar que
to deny
no es cierto que
it is not certain that
no es claro que
it's not clear that
no es evidente que
it is not obvious that
no es obvio que
it is not obvious that
no es que
it's not that
no est seguro que
it is not certain that
no es verdad que
it is not true that
tal vez
perhaps
*Busco un libro que me interese (it may not exist = doubt)

Busco el libro que estoy leyendo (I know it exists = no doubt)
Note: the following verbs and expressions do not take the subjunctive when they are used in the affirmative, because they
express facts which are considered certain. When negative or interrogatory, they require the subjunctive (Example: Crees que l sea
triste? Si, creo que es triste; No, no creo que sea triste):
conocer (alguien) que
to know (someone) that
creer que
to believe that
esprer que
to hope that
estar cierto que
to be certain that
estar seguro que
to be sure that
es cierto que
it is certain that
es claro que
it's clear that
es evidente que
it is obvious that
es seguro que
it is certain that
es una realidad
it's a fact that
es un hecho
it's a fact that
es verdad que
it is true that
pensar que
to think that
saber que
to know that
The verbs dudar (to doubt) and negar (to deny) take the subjunctive when they are affirmative, but not when they are negative.
Dudo que venga.
I doubt he'll come.
No dudo que viene.
I don't doubt that he'll come.
That's it for the Spanish subjunctive with verbs and impersonal expressions; time to move on to the subjunctive withconjunctions.
Subjuntivo - Using the Spanish Subjunctive with Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns
you. In Parts I and II, we learned about Spanish subjunctive conjugations. In Part III, we looked at using the Spanish subjunctive with
verbs and impersonal expressions. In Part IV, we'll examine the subjunctive with conjunctions and relative pronouns, and in Part V, we'll
look at the subjunctive in adjective clauses.
The Spanish subjunctive is required after a number of common conjugations and relative pronouns, whereas its usage is optional after
others.
I. Conjunctions which require the subjunctive:

a condicin de que
on the condition that
a fin de que
so that
a menos que
unless
antes (de) que
before
con tal (de) que
provided that
en caso de que
in case
ojal que
hopefully
para que
so that
por miedo de que
for fear that
siempre que
provided that
sin que
without
II. Conjunctions of time take the indicative when the action in the subordinate clause is either habitual or in the past. The subjunctive
is used when the main clause is a command or in the (potential) future:
as que
as soon as
cuando
when
despues de que
after
en cuanto
as soon as
hasta que
until
luego que
as soon as
tan pronto como
as soon as
For example...
Trabaj hasta que mis nios me llamaron.
I worked until my kids called.
Trabajo hasta que mis nios me llaman.
I (usually) work until my kids call.
Trabaja hasta que tus niols te llamen.
Work until your kids call.
Trabajar hasta que mis nios me llamen.
I'll work until my kids call.
III. Conjunctions of (un)certainty may be followed by the indicative or the subjunctive, depending on the certainty and reality of the
subordinate clause.
aunque
although
como
how
de manera que
so that
de modo que
so that
donde
where
mientras que
while, until
quizs
perhaps
segn
according to
For example...
Quizs tu puedes hacerlo.
Maybe you can do it (I think you can).
Quizs tu puedas hacerlo.
Maybe you can do it (but I doubt it).
Yo vengo aunque no tengo dinero.
I'll come even though I don't have any money (I know I don't).
Yo vengo aunque no tenga dinero.
I'll come even if I don't have any money (I don't know if I have any).
Hgalo como quiere.
Do it the way you want to (you've already told me how).
Hgalo como quiera.
Do it the whatever way you want to (I don't know how that is)
IV. Conjunctions which do not take the subjunctive express facts which are considered certain:
as como
just as, in the same way
porque
because
ya que
since, as
Imperfecto de Subjuntivo - Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect tense of the subjunctive mood is used to express the same subjectivity as the present subjunctive, but in the past.
The imperfect subjunctive has three main uses:
1.
2.
3.
Express subjectivity in the past after the same verbs, impersonal expressions, and conjunctions as the present subjunctive. For the
imperfect subjunctive to be needed, the verb in the main clause has to be in one of the following tenses/moods: preterite,
imperfect, conditional, or pluperfect.
Quera que lo hicieras.
I wanted you to do it.
Fue una lstima que no pudiera venir.
It was too bad that he couldn't come.
Yo ira al banco para que tuviramos dinero.
I would go to the bank so that we'd have money.
Make a very polite request or suggestion (only with the verbs deber, poder, and querer).
Quisiera dos libros, por favor.
I'd like two books, please.
Pudiera Ud. ayudarnos?
Could you (possibly) help us?
In conditional sentences (si clauses) and with the conjunction como si.
Si tuviera dinero, ira contigo.
If I had money, I would go with you.
Me escucha como si fuera su profesor.
He listens to me as if I were his teacher.
Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugations

To conjugate the imperfect subjunctive, take the third person plural preterite form of any regular, irregular, or stem-changing verb, drop
the -RON ending to find the radical, and add the appropriate ending:
-RA conjugation
-SE conjugation
yo
-ra
nosotros
-ramos
yo
-se
nosotros
-semos
-ras
vosotros
-rais
-ses
vosotros
-seis
-ra
ellos
-ran
-se
ellos
-sen
Notes:
The yo and l forms of the imperfect subjunctive are identical.
In the nosotros form of both conjugations, an acute accent is added to the last vowel in the radical.
There are two complete sets of conjugations for the Spanish imperfect subjunctive. Although you only need to memorize
and use one or the other, you still need to be able to recognize both. The -RA set of conjugations is more colloquial than the -SE
set.
For example...
HABLAR - ellos hablaron

yo
hablara
nosotros
hablramos
hablaras
vosotros
hablarais
hablara
ellos
hablaran
yo
hablase
nosotros
hablsemos
hablases
vosotros
hablaseis
hablase
ellos
hablasen
TENER - ellos tuvieron

yo
tuviera
nosotros
tuviramos
tuvieras
vosotros
tuvierais
tuviera
ellos
tuvieran
yo
tuviese
nosotros
tuvisemos
tuvieses
vosotros
tuvieseis
tuviese
ellos
tuviesen
Pluscuamperfecto - Spanish Pluperfect

The Spanish pluperfect (aka past perfect) is used to indicate an action in the past that occurred before another action in the past. The
latter can be either mentioned in the same sentence or implied.
Ya haba salido (cuando t llamaste).
I had already left (when you called).
No haban comido (antes de hacer su tarea).
They hadn't eaten (before doing their homework).
Fui al mercado por la maana; ya haba ido al banco.
I went to the store this morning; I had already gone to the bank.
Conjugating the Spanish Pluperfect

The pluperfect is a compound verb formed with the imperfect of the auxiliary verb haber + the past participle of the main verb.
HABLAR
yo
haba hablado
nosotros
habamos hablado
habas hablado
vosotros
habais hablado
l
ella
Ud.
haba hablado
ellos
ellas
Uds.
haban hablado
SALIR
yo
haba salido
nosotros
habamos salido
habas salido
vosotros
habais salido
l
ella
Ud.
haba salido
ellos
ellas
Uds.
haban salido
Spanish Compound Tenses ~ Tiempos compuestos
Spanish verb conjugations can be divided into two categories: simple tenses and compound tenses.
Simple tenses have only one part (yo como) whereas compound tenses have two (yo estoy comiendo). Spanish compound tenses
can be subdivided into two categories: progressive tenses and perfect tenses. Compound tenses are obviously more complicated than
simple tenses - this lesson will explain what you need to know about them.
But first, a chart of the three kinds of Spanish tenses. The simple tense on the left is the conjugation for the auxiliary verb of the
compound tenses in the middle and right columns:
Compound Tenses*
Simple Tenses
Perfect Tenses
Progressive Tenses
Present
Present perfect
Present progressive
Imperfect
Pluperfect
Imperfect progressive
Preterite
Preterite perfect
Past progressive
Future
Future perfect
Future progressive
Conditional
Conditional perfect
Conditional progressive
Subjunctive
Present perfect subjunctive
Imperfect subjunctive
Pluperfect subjunctive
Future subjunctive
Infinitive
Perfect infinitive
*Note: For the sake of simplicity, I've lumped all the compound conjugations together. Subjunctive and conditional are actually moods,
not tenses, but they follow the exact same conjugation rules as compound tenses.
Characteristics of Spanish compound tenses

1. Compound tenses are always made up of two parts: the conjugated auxiliary verb and a participle. In the chart above, the tense in
the simple column is the tense used as the auxiliary verb for the compound tenses listed next to it.
There are two types of compound tenses:
Perfect tenses are conjugated with haber as the auxiliary verb + the past participle.
Progressive tenses have estar as the auxiliary verb + the gerund.
Yo como.
Yo he comido.
Yo estoy comiendo.
I eat.
I have eaten.
I am eating.
l vendr.
l habr venido.
l estar viniendo.
He will come.
He will have come.
He will be coming.
2. Object pronouns always precede the auxiliary verb in perfect tenses (except for the perfect infinitive):
Lo he visto.
I've seen it.
Me habas mentido?
Have you lied to me?
However, they may either precede the auxiliary or be attached to the gerund in progressive tenses - learn more.
Te estoy hablando/
Estoy hablndote.
I'm talking to you.
Lo estar mirando/
Estar mirndolo.
He will be watching it.
For detailed information about the conjugations and uses of the individual compound tenses, follow the links in the summary table at the
top of the page.

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At Home in Spanish - En la casa

Mi casa es su casa! - Make yourself at home! (Literally, My house is your house)

den, living room

Furniture - Los Muebles - Spanish for Beginners

in the Living Room

una baera, un bao

Nmeros - Spanish Numbers

Notes on Spanish numbers

drop the final e

add i (meaning "and")

add the digit

take veinte, treinta, cuarenta, etc.

add the digit

Nmeros ordinales y fracciones - Spanish Ordinal Numbers and Fractions

It's one o'clock

It's two o'clock

Son las dos.

Son las tres y media.

Son las tres y treinta.

Son las cuatro y cuarto.

Son las cinco menos cuarto.

Son las cinco y diez.

Son las siete menos diez.

Son las siete de la maana.

Son las tres de la tarde.

Son las seis de la noche.

Hacer in expressions of time

Hacer in expressions of time - Spanish Verb

I started working here three years ago.

Cunto tiempo hace que lo encontraste?

How long ago did you find it?

La conoc hace dos semanas.

I met her two weeks ago.

Past action continuing into the present (2 constructions)

hace + time + que + present tense or present + hace + time

I've worked here for three years.

Cunto tiempo hace que conoces a ella?

How long have you known her?

La conozco hace dos semanas.

I've known her for two weeks.

present tense + desde hace + time

I've worked here for three years.

Conoces a elle desde hace cunto tiempo?

How long have you known her?

La conozco desde hace dos semanas.

I've known her for two weeks.

Past action interrupted by another action in the past (2 constructions)

haca + time + que + imperfect or imperfect + haca + que

I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father

Haca una semana que l lea el libro cuando lo perdi.

Tena los haca mucho tiempo cuando decid a mudarme.

imperfect + desde haca + time

I had been working in Mexico for three years when my father

l lea el libro desde hace una semana cuando lo perdi.

Tena los desde hace mucho tiempo cuando decid a mudarme.

He's been at home since 3 o'clock.

Busco mis llaves desde lunes.

I've been looking for my keys since Monday.

La conozco desde junio.

I've known her since June.

Trabajo aqu desde 1999.

I've worked here since 1999.

Hay - there is, there are

There's a book on the table.