The Imperative Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 16, 2008
The imperative mode is used to give orders, instructions, suggestions, and commands. Formal commands (using the pronouns usted and ustedes) are formed with the subjunctive form of the verb. Note that the vowel of the subjunctive ending is the reverse of that usually associated with the particular conjugation: -ar verbs have the vowel –e and…
Word origins Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 13, 2008
We’re going to start a series today with word origins and history (etymology). 1. cirujano It was around 1340 that the word “cirujano” (surgeon) was registered in the Spanish language, even though cirujano had already appeared in Siete Partidas (1251-1265) by Alfonso X el Sabio: “Y esto que diximos delos orebzes se entiende tanbien delos…
Phone calls in Spanish Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 10, 2008
Today we’re going to have a look at some useful language to talk on the telephone. 1. Saying your telephone number Mi número de teléfono es el … – My phone number is … 2. Answering the phone ¿Sí? ¿Dígame? ¿Diga? ¡Aló! ¿Bueno? (Name of the company), buenos días. 3. Asking after someone – Buenos…
Sports vocabulary Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 6, 2008
Today we’re going to learn and review some sports vocabulary, take a look! el ala delta – hang-gliding el alpinismo – mountaineering las artes marciales – martial arts el atletismo – athletics/track and field el automovilismo – motor racing el bádminton – badminton el baloncesto – basketball el balonmano – handball el béisbol – baseball…
Negative Sentences Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 3, 2008
Let’s review some ways of making negative sentences in Spanish. 1. Place the adverb no before the verbal expression. María conoce a Carlos. (Maria knows Carlos) – María no conoce a Carlos. He terminado mis deberes. (I have finished my homework) – No he terminado mis deberes. 2. Here are some common negative words. Nadie…
Conjunctions and discourse markers Posted by Transparent Language on May 30, 2008
When we read and write in Spanish, or any other language, we need to provide this text (an e-mail, a letter, a report, a memo, or even a simple note) with cohesion and coherence. Conjunctions and discourse markers play a major role in connecting your ideas logically over long stretches of text or speech. They…
Food vocabulary Posted by Transparent Language on May 27, 2008
Hello there! OK, so a reader e-mailed me last week and asked, “Adir, Spanish is spoken in so many countries, and I just found out that food has several names in different countries, so how do I do to memorize that?” I gave it some thought and the answer to that question is: you don´t…