LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #1
Hi! How are You?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 1
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #1 1
DIALOGUE - SPANISH
MAIN

1. BEATRIZ : ¡Hola!

2. JOSÉ : ¡Hola! Buenos días.

3. BEATRIZ : ¿Cómo está?

4. JOSÉ : Yo estoy bien. ¿Y usted?

5. BEATRIZ : Yo estoy muy bien. Gracias.

ENGLISH

1. BEATRIZ : Hello.

2. JOSÉ : Hello. Good morning.

3. BEATRIZ : How are you, Sir?

4. JOSÉ : I am well. And you, Ma'am?

5. BEATRIZ : I am very well. Thanks.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

gracias thanks, thank you phrase, expression

estar to be verb

tú you personal pronoun

yo I personal pronoun

cómo how adverb

día day noun masculine

hola hello, hi interjection, expression

bueno good adjective,expression - answering the phone feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¡Gracias por tu ayuda! Gracias por su ayuda.

"Thank you for your help!" "Thank you for your help."

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #1 2
 Están bien. Tú hablas bien.

"They are fine." "You speak well."

Yo estoy feliz. ¿Cómo se dice?

"I am happy." "How do you say it?"

Dime cómo usar el control remoto. ¿Cómo se llama usted?

"Tell me how to use the remote control." "What's your name?" (formal)

¿Qué día es hoy? Es un día bonito.

"What day is it today?" "It's a nice day."

Hola, ¿cómo esta ud? ¿Eres de los Estados Unidos?

"Hi, how are you?" (formal) "Are you from the United States?"

Después de una tarde fría el chocolate es muy Buenos días.

bueno.
"Good morning."
"After a cold afternoon, hot chocolate is great."

GRAMMAR
The verb "estar" means 'to be'. It is used all the time in the Spanish language, so it is a good idea to learn
it right from the beginning. Whenever we learn a verb, we always will study it in the First Person, Second
Person and Third Person. And we will also study it in the Singular and the Plural. Today, we're going to
look at the First, Second and Third Persons in the Singular.

First Person Singular: "yo estoy" ( I am)

Second Person Singular: "tú estás" (you are, informally), "usted está" (you are, formal)
Third Person Singular: "él está" (he is), "ella está" (she is), and "está" (it is, impersonal).

When we break down a verb in this way, we call it a conjugation. We will learn more about the
conjugations in future lessons. Today, we have learned the First, Second and Third persons for the
Singular conjugation of the Present Tense in the Indicative Mood.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Spanish is a language that stretches across the globe. Originating in Spain, from the Castilian dialect of
Vulgar Latin, it is today the official language of 20 countries. In Central America, there is Costa Rica,
Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and
Puerto Rico. In South America, it is spoken in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay,
Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. In Africa, it is the official language of Equatorial Guinea. In addition to
these, it is spoken a great deal in Canada, Morocco, the Philippines, and the United States.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #1 3
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #2
How are you all?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 2
[Link] NEWBIE #2 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. JOSÉ : ¿Cómo están Claudia y tú?

2. BEATRIZ : Nosotras estamos bien.

3. JOSÉ : ¿Y cómo están Cristina y Javier?

4. BEATRIZ : Ellos también están bien.

5. JOSÉ : ¡Qué bueno!

ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ : How are you and Claudia?

2. BEATRIZ : We are well.

3. JOSÉ : And how are Cristina and Javier?

4. BEATRIZ : They are well too.

5. JOSÉ : Great!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. JOSÉ : ¿Cómo están Claudia y usted?

2. BEATRIZ : Nosotras estamos bien.

3. JOSÉ : ¿Y cómo están Cristina y Javier?

4. BEATRIZ : Ellos están bien también.

5. JOSÉ : ¡Qué bueno!

[Link] NEWBIE #2 2
ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ : How are you, Ma'am, and Claudia?

2. BEATRIZ : We are well.

3. JOSÉ : And how are Cristina and Javier?

4. BEATRIZ : They are well too.

5. JOSÉ : Great!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

y and coordinating conjunction

nosotros we pronoun masculine

bien well,good adverb

también also, as well, too adverb -

¡qué bueno! Great! How Great! exclamation

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Tú y yo somos amigos. Nosotros estamos presentes.

"You and I are friends." "We are present."

Están bien. Estoy bien.

"They're fine." "I'm fine."

Yo también fui al dentista la semana pasada. Hablo español también.

"I also went to the dentist last week." "I speak Spanish as well."

¡Qué bueno verte!

"How great to see you!"

GRAMMAR
The verb "estar" means "to be". Last lesson, we looked at "I am", "you are", "(s)he is". These are called
the First, Second and Third Person Singular, conjugated in the Present Tense of the Indicative Mood.
Today, we will look at the corresponding plural forms.

[Link] NEWBIE #2 3
First Person Plural: "nosotros estamos." (We are.)
Second Person Plural: "vosotros estáis" (You all are, informal.)
Third Person Plural: "ellos están" (they are, masculine)
Third Person Plural: "ellas están" (they are, feminine)
Third Person Plural: "ustedes están" (you all are, formal)

In Latin America, the form, "ustedes están", takes the places of "vosotros estáis". So there, the formal
and informal second person plural is always "ustedes están". Again, this is only so in Latin America. In
Spain, the second person plural, "vosotros", is reserved for informal forms of address; and the third
person plural, "ustedes", for formal.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
In Spanish, there are "formal" and "informal" ways of saying things. This happens quite a lot in speaking
to other people. There is the formal way of saying "You" ("usted"), and there is the informal way: "tú".
Both of them mean "you", but the formal way shows respect for the person being spoken to, and the
informal way shows confidence in the person being spoken to. The form of address, "usted", is used in
business, with acquaintances and with people older than we are. In general, it's used with people whom
we don't know well or whom we want to treat with noticeable respect. The form of address, "tú", is used
with friends, with people to whom you need not show respect, because it it already implicit. Also,
remember that these personal pronouns are often omitted, because the "person" is implicit in the
ending of the verb. Pronouns are included frequently to distinguish one person from another, when
there could otherwise be confusion.

[Link] NEWBIE #2 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #3
Who are you?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 3
[Link] NEWBIE #3 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. CÉSAR : ¿Quién eres tú?

2. AMANDA : Yo soy Amanda. ¿Y tú?

3. CÉSAR : Yo soy César. Soy músico.

4. AMANDA : ¡Qué bueno! Yo soy profesora.

5. CÉSAR : ¡Qué interesante!

ENGLISH

1. CÉSAR : Who are you?

2. AMANDA : I am Amanda. And you?

3. CÉSAR : I am Cesar. I am a musician.

4. AMANDA : Great! I am a teacher.

5. CÉSAR : How interesting!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. CÉSAR : ¿Quién es usted?

2. AMANDA : Yo soy Amanda. ¿Y usted?

3. CÉSAR : Yo soy César. Soy músico.

4. AMANDA : ¡Qué bueno! Yo soy profesora.

5. CÉSAR : ¡Qué interesante!

[Link] NEWBIE #3 2
ENGLISH

1. CÉSAR : Who are you, Ma'am?

2. AMANDA : I am Amanda. And you, Sir?

3. CÉSAR : I am Cesar. I am a musician.

4. AMANDA : Great! I am a teacher.

5. CÉSAR : How interesting!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

profesor(-ra) teacher, professor noun maculine/feminine

músico musician noun masculine

quién who, whom pronoun, interrogative adverb

ser to be (permanent characteristics) verb

qué interesante How interesting! exclamation

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Soy profesor. Él es músico.

"I am a teacher." "He is a musician."

¿Quién es el padre de Mario? Soy de los Estados Unidos.

"Who is Mario's father?" "I am from the United States."

¡Qué interesante el libro!

"What an interesting book!"

GRAMMAR
Let's study the verb "ser" (to be). It's really common in Spanish. You will find that it is essential in order
to speak.

As we always do, when studying verbs, we will look at it in the First Person, Second Person and Third
Person. And we will also study it in the Singular and the Plural. Today, we're going to look at the First,
Second and Third Persons in the Singular:

[Link] NEWBIE #3 3
First Person Singular: "yo soy" ( I am)
Second Person Singular: "tú eres" (you are, informal)
Third Person Singular: "él es" (he is)
Third Person Singular: "ella es" (she is)
Third Person Singular: "usted es" (you are, formal)
Third Person Singular: "es" (it is, impersonal)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Latin America is a continent diverse in cultural heritage. The Amerindians, which refers to all natives of
the Americas, have a strong presence in Central and South America. In countries like Bolivia and Peru,
the Amerindian population makes up the majority. It was in the territory of these countries that the
Inkan, Mayan and Aztec empires flourished, and where there were numerous other civilizations
beforehand. Largely colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese, people of these ancestries make up the
majority of European descendants. Other immigrant populations in Latin America include Chinese,
Italian, German, Croatian, and Japanese. Over time, immigrant and native populations have mixed,
creating multiple new ethnic groups, of which all can be called "criollo" (creole).

[Link] NEWBIE #3 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #4
Who are you all?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 4
[Link] NEWBIE #4 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. LUISA : ¿Quiénes son ustedes?

2. ANTONIO : Nosotros somos amigos de Gabriel.

3. LUISA : ¿De dónde son ustedes?

4. ANTONIO : Nosotros somos de Nueva York.

5. LUISA : ¡La gran manzana!

ENGLISH

1. LUISA : Who are you all?

2. ANTONIO : We are friends of Gabriel.

3. LUISA : Where are you from?

4. ANTONIO : We are from New York.

5. LUISA : The big apple!

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. Luisa : ¿Quiénes sois vosotros?

2. Antonio : Nosotros somos amigos de Gabriel.

3. Luisa : ¿De dónde sois vosotros?

4. Antonio : Nosotros somos de Nueva York.

5. Luisa : ¡La gran manzana!

[Link] NEWBIE #4 2
ENGLISH

1. LUISA : Who are you guys?

2. ANTONIO : We are friends of Gabriel.

3. LUISA : Where are you guys from?

4. ANTONIO : We're from New York.

5. LUISA : The big apple!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

quiénes who (plural) pronoun

ustedes you all, informal personal pronoun

amigo friend noun masculine

de from, of preposition

manzana apple noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Quiénes son ellos? Ustedes hablan bien.

"Who are they?" "You all speak well."

Ustedes son amigos. Soy de Nueva York.

"You all are friends." "I am from New York."

Las manzanas están buenas.

"The apples are good."

GRAMMAR
The verb "ser" means "to be". We started looking at this in Newbie Lesson 3, where we focused on the
first, second and third person singular. Today, we'll continue by looking at the first, second and third
person plural. Remember, the verb "ser" is generally used with permanent kinds of being, such as that
of origin, profession, nationality, etc. Let's take a look at the plural conjugation:

First Person Plural: "nosotros somos" (we are)

Second Person Plural: "vosotros sois" (you all are, informal)
Third Person Plural: "ellos son" (they are, masculine)
Third Person Plural: "ellas son" (they are, femenine)
Third Person Plural: "ustedes son" (you all are, formal)
[Link] NEWBIE #4 3
Once again, don't forget that the second person plural is not used in Latin America; instead, the
"ustedes" form, from the third person plural is used in both formal and informal situations.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
We tend to think about Latin America as a homogeneous place, when in fact it is really a conglomerate
of Amerindians and European immigrants. After the colonial era in the late 16th and early 17th century,
political independence caught on like a fever throughout the continent. Since then, Latin American
countries have striven to develop a sense of national identity, which has been challenged by long-
standing internal struggle between Amerindians and Europeans, and between different cultural groups
within the Amerindians themselves.

[Link] NEWBIE #4 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #5
Where is he from?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 5
[Link] NEWBIE #5 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. SUSANA : ¿De dónde es él?

2. DAVID : Él es de Inglaterra.

3. SUSANA : ¿De dónde es ella?

4. DAVID : Ella es de los Estados Unidos.

5. SUSANA : Ella está contenta, ¿no?

ENGLISH

1. SUSANA : Where is he from?

2. DAVID : He's from England.

3. SUSANA : Where is she from?

4. DAVID : She's from the United States.

5. SUSANA : She's happy, isn't she?

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. SUSANA : ¿De dónde es él?

2. DAVID : Él es de Inglaterra.

3. SUSANA : ¿De dónde es ella?

4. DAVID : Ella es de los Estados Unidos.

5. SUSANA : Ella está contenta, ¿no?

[Link] NEWBIE #5 2
ENGLISH

1. SUSANA : Where is he from?

2. DAVID : He's from England.

3. SUSANA : Where is she from?

4. DAVID : She's from the United States.

5. SUSANA : She's happy, isn't she?

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

de dónde from where interrogative adverbial phrase

él he personal pronoun masculine

ella she personal pronoun feminine

Inglaterra England noun

Estados Unidos United States noun

contento, -a happy adjective feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿De dónde es usted? Él es Martín.

"Where are you from?" "He is Martin."

Ella es guapa. Soy de inglaterra.

"She is pretty." "I'm from England."

Ella es de los Estados Unidos. Nosotros estamos contentos.

"She is from the United States." "We are happy."

GRAMMAR
Ser vs. Estar

We have said that "ser" tends to refer to permanent states of being, and "estar" to temporary
conditions of being. Now, let's look at how the meaning of a sentence changes, when only the verbs
"ser" and "estar" are interchanged:

[Link] NEWBIE #5 3
"Tomás está aburrido." (Thomas looks bored.]
"Tomás es aburrido." (Thomas is boring.]

Notice how the verb "está" takes on the temporary condition of being bored; while the "es" refers to him
being boring. The same occurs in the following:

"El pollo está rico." (The chicken tastes delicious.)

"El pollo es rico." (Chicken is delicious.)

Again, you can see how "estar" refers to 'this time'. The chicken "está" delicious means that this time it
came out good. The chicken "es" delicious means that it is delicious in general.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The countries of Chile, Peru and Bolivia have long disputed the border that lies in northern Chile, coastal
Bolivia and southern Peru. In a dispute over taxes on Chilean nitrate companies, Bolivia declared war on
Chile, bringing with them their ally, Peru. In the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Chile seized what was
then coastal Bolivia. Since then, these national crossroads have never been without dispute. Just
recently, Chile declared their rights to fishing waters off the coast of southern Peru, kindling the
animosity. In the town of Arica, in northern Chile, just a few miles from the Peruvian border, a giant
statue of Christ faces south, which in the opinion of many Peruvians was a backhanded gesture of
disrespect, as they have made Christ turn his back on Peru.

[Link] NEWBIE #5 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #6
Why are you here?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 6
[Link] NEWBIE #6 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. DIEGO : ¿Por qué estás en Ecuador?

2. ANN : Yo estoy en Ecuador para trabajar.

3. DIEGO : ¿Qué tipo de trabajo tienes?

4. ANN : Yo soy bióloga.

5. DIEGO : ¡Ah, eres científica!

ENGLISH

1. DIEGO : Why are you here?

2. ANN : I'm in Ecuador to work.

3. DIEGO : What kind of job do you have?

4. ANN : I'm a biologist.

5. DIEGO : Ah, you're a scientist!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. DIEGO : ¿Por qué está usted en Ecuador?

2. ANN : Yo estoy en Ecuador para trabajar.

3. DIEGO : ¿Qué tipo de trabajo tiene usted?

4. ANN : Yo soy bióloga.

5. DIEGO : ¡Ah, usted es científica!

[Link] NEWBIE #6 2
ENGLISH

1. DIEGO : Why are you here, Ma'am?

2. ANN : I am in Ecuador to work.

3. DIEGO : What kind of job do you have, Ma'am?

4. ANN : I am a biologist.

5. DIEGO : Ah, you Ma'am are a scientist!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

por qué why interrogative pronoun

para for, in order to preposition

trabajar to work verb

tipo kind, type noun masculine

tener to have verb

científico, -a scientist noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Por qué no trabajas? Este programa es para hacer diseño.

"Why don't you work?" "This program is for doing design."

A mí no me gusta trabajar en este restaurante. ¿Qué tipo de música le gusta escuchar?

"I do not like to work in this restaurant." "What type of music do you like to listen to?"

Ellos tienen demasiada basura en su jardín. Tengo dos hermanos y una hermana.

"They have too much garbage in their garden." "I have two brothers and one sister."

Ella tiene amigas. Ella es científica.

"She has girlfriends." "She is a scientist."

GRAMMAR
"ser" vs. "estar"

[Link] NEWBIE #6 3
In Newbie Lesson 5, we saw how a sentence can take either "ser" or "estar" and still be complete and
correct, except that its meaning can change, sometimes not in our favor. Today, let's focus in a little
closer on how to distinguish the usages of these two verbs from one another. The verb "ser" expresses
an intrinsic, natural or permanent quality or condition.
"The verb "estar" expresses an impermanent quality or characteristic or the result of an action or
process.

1) "Angela está nerviosa." (Angela is nervous.)

Notice how "nerviosa" (nervous) here is an impermanent quality. This means that Angela is not usually
nervous, but something has caused this temporary feeling to come over her.

2) "Angela es nerviosa." (Angela is high-strung.)

Here, "nerviosa" (high-strung) is a permanent quality. Angela has a problem with her nerves and this
nervous behavior is something that she deals with on a daily basis.

1) "Miguel está débil." (Miguel is weak.)

In this case, "débil" (weak) is an impermanent quality, which is to say that Miguel's health is usually
better than it is now. He is usually strong, but he may be under the weather or injured.

2) "Miguel es débil." (Miguel is a weakling.)

Now, "débil" (weakling) expresses a permanent quality. Miguel has a small physique and has little
muscle mass. He has never been strong and is unlikely to every be strong.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
During the l820's, the people inhabiting the Rio de la Plata and surrounding areas (what is now
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay) embarked on an endeavor to forcefully define the boundaries of what
was then the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina) and the Brazilian Empire in the
Argentina-Brazil War. The dispute was inherited from the colonizing countries of Spain and Portugal.
The conflict precipitated the raising of arms, in which the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata faced
off against the Brazilian Empire until the Treaty of Montevideo was signed, granting Uruguay its
independence.

[Link] NEWBIE #6 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #7
I'm Argentine. I'm American.

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 7
[Link] NEWBIE #7 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. SRA. ROSSI : ¿De qué país es usted?

2. SR. GUTIERREZ : Yo soy estadounidense. ¿Y usted, de qué país?

3. SRA. ROSSI : Yo soy argentina.

4. SR. GUTIERREZ : ¿De qué ciudad es usted?

5. SRA. ROSSI : Yo soy de Mendoza.

ENGLISH

1. MRS. ROSSI : What country are you from, Sir?

2. MR. GUTIERREZ : I am American. And you Ma'am, what country?

3. MRS. ROSSI : I am Argentine.

4. MR. GUTIERREZ : What city are you from, Ma'am?

5. MRS. ROSSI : I am from Mendoza.

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. SRA. ROSSI : ¿De qué país eres tú?

2. SR. GUTIERREZ : Yo soy estadounidense. ¿Y tú, de qué país?

3. SRA. ROSSI : Yo soy argentina.

4. SR. GUTIERREZ : ¿De qué ciudad eres tú?

5. SRA. ROSSI : Yo soy de Mendoza.

[Link] NEWBIE #7 2
ENGLISH

1. MRS. ROSSI : What country are ya' from?

2. MR. GUTIERREZ : I'm American. And you, what country?

3. MRS. ROSSI : I'm Argentine.

4. MR. GUTIERREZ : What city are ya' from?

5. MRS. ROSSI : I'm from Mendoza.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

qué what adjective, pronoun, adverb

de qué from what, from which interrogative adjectival phrase

país country noun masculine

estadounidense American adjective, noun masc. & fem.

argentino, -a Argentine adjective, noun masc. & fem.

ciudad city noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Qué tienes? ¿De qué país eres?

"What do you have?" "What country are you from?"

¿En qué país vives? El es estadounidense.

"What country do you live in?" "He's American."

Ellos son argentinos. La ciudad es grande.

"They are Argentine." "The city is large."

GRAMMAR
When the question "¿de qué país eres?" (What country are you from) is asked, the response can contain
the adjectival form of the country, instead of the noun form. For example, I may respond "soy
estadounidense" (I am American) or "soy de los Estados Unidos). In Spanish, the name of the country is
used with the initial letter capitalized, and the adjectival form of the countries (i.e. the nationalities) is
completely in lowercase. Here is a list of some countries with their corresponding adjectives:

[Link] NEWBIE #7 3
English Country in Spansh Adjective in Spanish

Argentina Argentina argentino, -a

Bolivia Bolivia boliviano, -a

Chile Chile chileno, -a

Cuba Cuba cubano, -a

Ecuador Ecuador ecuadoriano, -a

England Inglaterra inglés, -a

France Francia francés, -a

Germany Alemania alemán, -a

Holland Holanda holandés, -a

Honduras Honduras hondureño, -a

Haiti Haiti haitiano, -a

Italy Italia italiano, -a

Peru Perú peruano, -a

Sweden Suecia sueco, -a

United States Estados Unidos estadounidense

CULTURAL INSIGHT
As a result of economic and political instability in years past, many Latinos have come to the United
States in search of safety and work. As of now, there are about 41.3 million Latinos living in the United
States. About 2 million small businesses in America are owned by Latinos, and these bring in $300 billion
in gross annual income. It is also worth mentioning that about half of the Latinos living in the United
States (41.3 million) have family members still living in Latin American countries. Having this perspective,
it is not difficult to foresee the imminent need to learn Spanish as an American.

[Link] NEWBIE #7 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #8
I'm thirsty!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 8
[Link] NEWBIE #8 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. GUSTAVO : ¡Tengo mucha sed!

2. JAIME : Yo también tengo sed.

3. GUSTAVO : ¿Quieres una bebida?

4. JAIME : Sí, quiero tomar un jugo.

ENGLISH

1. GUSTAVO : I'm really thirsty!

2. JAIME : I'm thirsty too.

3. GUSTAVO : Do ya' want a drink?

4. JAIME : Yeah, I wanna' drink a juice.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. GUSTAVO : ¡Tengo mucha sed!

2. JAIME : Yo también tengo sed.

3. GUSTAVO : ¿Quiere usted una bebida?

4. JAIME : Sí, quiero tomar un jugo.

ENGLISH

1. GUSTAVO : I am quite thirsty!

2. JAIME : I am thirsty too.

3. GUSTAVO : Do you want a drink, Sir?

4. JAIME : Yes, I want to drink a juice.

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE #8 2
Spanish English Class Gender

mucho much, a lot adjective

sed thirst fem. noun feminine

un, -a a, some indefinite article masculine

beber to drink verb

querer to want verb

jugo juice noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Mucha gente trabaja en la ciudad. Ellos comen mucho.

"Many people work in the city." "They eat a lot."

Tengo sed. Quiero un jugo.

"I'm thirsty." "I want a juice."

Me encanta beber té caliente en un día frío. ¿Qué le gusta beber?

"I love to drink hot tea on a cold day." "What would you like to drink?"

Quiero dormir temprano hoy. No quiero que mis niños gasten todo su dinero
en dulces.
"I want to go to sleep early today."
"I don't want my children to spend all their
money on sweets."

No quiero eso. Tomamos jugo.

"I don't want that." "We drink juice."

GRAMMAR
To express the verb "to drink" in Spanish, we generally use "tomar" in Latin America and "beber" in
Spain; however, "beber" would be understood in either place. Here are the Present Tense conjugations
in the Indicative Mood for both verbs in the Singular and Plural:

[Link] NEWBIE #8 3
tomar beber

yo tomo yo bebo
(I drink) (I drink)

tú tomas tú bebes
(you drink, inform.) (you drink, inform.)

él toma él bebe
(he drinks) (he drinks)

ella toma ella bebe

(she drinks) (she drinks)

usted toma usted bebe

(you drink, form.) (you drink, form.)

nosotros tomamos nosotros bebemos

(we drink) (we drink)

vosotros tomáis vosotros bebéis

(you all drink, inform.) (you all drink, inform.)

ellos toman ellos beben

(they drink, masc.) (they drink, masc.)

ellas toman ellas beben

(they drink, fem.) (they drink, fem.)

ustedes toman ustedes beben

(you all drink, form.) (you all drink, form.)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
In Latin America, fresh juice abounds. Due to the large amount of fresh fruit grown on the steppe of the
Andes and in tropical areas, such as the Central American rain forest and in the Amazon River Basin, fruit
is cheap and of the highest quality, just about everywhere you go in Latin America. Usually, it is simply
prepared with a little bottled water and a touch of sugar, if necessary, in a blender. Common fresh fruit
juices include "piña" (pineapple), "papaya" (papaya), "carambola" (star fruit), tuna (prickly pear),
"maracuyá" (passion fruit), "melón" (cantaloupe), "fresa" (strawberry) and "naranja" (orange).

[Link] NEWBIE #8 4
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #9
I'm hungry!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 9
[Link] NEWBIE #9 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. MARÍA : ¡Tengo hambre!

2. HECTOR : Sí, yo también. Quiero almorzar.

3. ALEJANDRO : ¡Qué bueno! Para el almuerzo, tenemos curanto.

4. MARÍA : ¡Qué rico es el curanto!

5. HECTOR : ¡Tengo ganas de comer!

ENGLISH

1. MARÍA : I'm hungry.

2. HECTOR : Yeah, me too. I want to have lunch.

3. ALEJANDRO : Great! For lunch we have Curanto.

4. MARÍA : How delicious Curanto is!

5. HECTOR : I feel like eating.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. MARÍA : ¡Tengo hambre!

2. HECTOR : Sí, yo también. Quiero almorzar.

3. ALEJANDRO : ¡Qué bueno! Para el almuerzo, tenemos curanto.

4. MARÍA : ¡Qué rico es el curanto!

5. HECTOR : ¡Tengo ganas de comer!

[Link] NEWBIE #9 2
ENGLISH

1. MARÍA : I'm hungry.

2. HECTOR : Yeah, me too. I want to have lunch.

3. ALEJANDRO : Great! For lunch we have Curanto.

4. MARÍA : How delicious Curanto is!

5. HECTOR : I feel like eating.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

hambre hunger noun feminine

almorzar to have lunch, to eat lunch verb

almuerzo lunch noun masculine

qué rico how delicious exclamation

tener ganas to feel like, to have the urge to verbal phrase

comer to eat verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ella tiene hambre. Nosotros almorzamos pollo.

"She is hungry." "We have chicken for lunch."

Yo creo que es hora del almuerzo. ¿Qué comiste hoy durante el almuerzo?

"I think it is time for lunch." "What did you eat for lunch today?"

Yo prefiero comer el almuerzo sola en el parque. ¿Qué quieres para el almuerzo?

"I prefer to eat lunch on my own in the park." "What do you want for lunch?"

¡Qué rico es el jugo! Tengo ganas de comer.

"How delicious juice is!" "I feel like eating."

Estamos supuestos a comer al menos tres veces Comí un arroz chaufa bien taypá.
al día.
"I ate tons of fried rice."
"We are supposed to eat at least three times a
day."

Ellos comen mucho.

"They eat a lot."

[Link] NEWBIE #9 3
GRAMMAR
The verb "tener" means "to have" in the genitive sense of possession. However, it is often used in 'set
phrases' or 'idiomatic expression', and when it is, it takes on new meanings. Below, you will find some
examples of these phrases, with translations that highlight the meaning:

tener hambre (to be hungry)

[i.e. "Yo tengo hambre." I am hungry.]

tener sed (to be thirsty)

[i.e. "Ella tiene sed." She is thirsty.]

tener ganas de (to feel like)

[i.e. "Nosotros tenemos ganas de comer." We feel like eating.]

tener frío (to be cold)

[i.e. "Vosotros tenéis frío." You all are cold.]

tener calor (to be hot)

[i.e. "Ustedes tienen calor." You all are hot.]

tener ansias (to be anxious)

[i.e. "Tú tienes ansias." You are anxious.]

tener miedo (to be affraid)

[i.e. "Él tiene miedo." He is afraid.]

So you can see that 'having' in Spanish often expresses 'being', even though the verb "tener" does not
change. These expressions are common, and it's valuable to pick up on them at this early stage of the
process, as they will be encountered frequently.

If it seems strange to think of "tener" as "to have", you only need to consider the words "retain",
"maintain", "attain", "obtain", "contain", "abstain" and "sustain" and notice that their root is common
with "tener". This is due to the fact that all of these words can be traced back etymologically to the Latin
verb "tenere".

CULTURAL INSIGHT
[Link] NEWBIE #9 4
The Pan-American Highway ends on the island of Chiloé, where the archipelagos begin to form in the
southern direction of Tierra del Fuego. It is there that the famous Curanto is traditionally prepared with
the abundant shellfish caught locally and consumed fresh daily. Traditionally, Curanto is made by filling a
large stock-pot with mussels, clams, crabs, prawns, smoked pork ribs, chicken, potatoes, onions, garlic
and a bottle of white wine. Rocks are heated until they are red and then removed from the fire and
placed in a hole in the ground. The pot is set upon it to cook slowly for a few hours. The shellfish, meat
and potatoes are placed on a platter and everyone is served a mug of the rich, sulphury broth.

[Link] NEWBIE #9 5
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #10
I'm starving!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 10
[Link] NEWBIE #10 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. RENZO : ¡Lucía, me muero de hambre!

2. LUCÍA : Yo también tengo mucha hambre, Renzo.

3. RENZO : ¿Qué quieres comer tú?

4. LUCÍA : Yo quiero comer carne.

5. REZNO : Con la carne quiero tomar un vino tinto.

6. LUCÍA : Yo tengo un Malbec.

ENGLISH

1. RENZO : Lucía, I'm starving!

2. LUCÍA : I'm really hungry too, Renzo.

3. RENZO : What do ya' wanna' eat?

4. LUCÍA : I wanna' eat meat.

5. REZNO : With the meat, I wanna' drink red wine.

6. LUCÍA : I have a Malbec.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. RENZO : ¡Lucía, me muero de hambre!

2. LUCÍA : Yo también tengo mucha hambre, Renzo.

3. RENZO : ¿Qué quiere comer usted?

4. LUCÍA : Yo quiero comer carne.

5. REZNO : Con la carne quiero tomar un vino tinto.

6. LUCÍA : Yo tengo un Malbec.

[Link] NEWBIE #10 2

ENGLISH

1. RENZO : Lucía, I am starving!

2. LUCÍA : I am really hungry too, Renzo.

3. RENZO : What do you want to eat, ma'am?

4. LUCÍA : I want to eat meat.

5. REZNO : With the meat, I want to drink red wine.

6. LUCÍA : I have a Malbec.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

me muero de hambre I'm starving set phrase

comer to eat verb

carne meat, flesh noun feminine

con with preposition

vino wine noun masculine

tinto red, dyed adjective masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Quiero comer. Me muero de hambre. Ellos comen mucho.

"I want to eat. I'm starving." "They eat a lot."

La carne está rica. Voy al restaurante con mi hermano.

"The meat is delicious." "I'm going to the restaurant with my brother."

Quiero tomar vino. Tomamos vino tinto.

"I want to drink wine." "We drink red wine."

GRAMMAR
In the Spanish language, like in most languages, there are many expressions associated with being
hungry. You will find that these expressions are quite playful and fun to use when speaking with others.

Many of them are figurative, which means that we can't translate them literally. Observe the following
list of Spanish expressions, literal English translations and then figurative English translations:

[Link] NEWBIE #10 3

Yo tengo hambre. (I have hunger.) [I'm hungry.]
Yo me muero de hambre. (I'm dying of hunger.) [I'm starving.]
Yo tengo un hambre canino. (I have a canine hunger.) [I'm as hungry as a dog.]
Yo estoy hambriento. (I'm famished.) [I'm famished.]

You can see that only the last expressions' literal translation coincides with the figurative translation. For
this reason, it's important to memorize the figurative expressions.

Also, a little reflection and observation will tell us that exaggerations with expressions of hunger (and
with those of food in general) are extremely common. That being said, many of these figurative
expressions have be interchanged regularly in informal situations.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Just west of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the region of Mendoza, wine-makers have a long-standing
tradition that consists in the production of the world renown Malbec wine. Malbec is a full-bodied,
round red wine, usually with substantial bouquet. Malbecs are traditionally served with the heavily
Italian influenced Argentine cuisine, which is made up of the highest quality beef in the world and
numerous pasta dishes that must be called "Italian-American", in the broad sense of the word. Malbec is
an easy-drinking wine. One need not pay high prices for a decent bottle: in South America, around $
4.00; in North America, around $ 8.00. ¡Salud!

[Link] NEWBIE #10 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #11
Let's eat!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 11
[Link] NEWBIE #11 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. MOZO : Aquí tiene su chimichanga con mole, señor. Servido.

2. MANUEL : Gracias. Se ve rica.

3. MOZO : Y para usted, señora, aquí tiene su burrito de carne. Servida.

4. LUISA : Gracias, señor. Se ve sabroso.

5. MOZO : ¡Buen provecho!

ENGLISH

1. WAITER : Here you have your chimichanga with mole, Sir. There you are.

2. MANUEL : Thank you. It looks delicious.

3. WAITER : And for you, Ma'am, here you have your beef burrito. There you are.

4. LUISA : Thank you, Sir. It looks tasty.

5. WAITER : Bon appetite!

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. MOZO : Aquí tienes tu chimichanga con mole. Servido.

2. MANUEL : Gracias. Se ve rica.

3. MOZO : Y para tí, aquí tienes tu burrito de carne. Servida.

4. LUISA : Gracias, amigo. Se ve sabroso.

5. MOZO : ¡Buen provecho!

[Link] NEWBIE #11 2

ENGLISH

1. WAITER : Here you have your chimichanga with mole'. There ya' go.

2. MANUEL : Thanks. It looks delicious.

3. WAITER : And for you, here's your beef burrito. There ya' go.

4. LUISA : Thanks, buddy. It looks tasty

5. WAITER : Bon appetite!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

el the definite article masculine

la the definite article feminine

ver to see verb

servido, -a there you are, be served past participle feminine

sabroso, -a tasty, flavorful adjective masculine

buen provecho bon appetite noun phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

El vino está en la mesa. La fruta está rica.

"The wine is on the table." "The fruit is delicious."

Se ve bien. Servido señor.

"It looks good." "There you are, Sir."

La carne está sabrosa. Servido, señor. Buen provecho.

"The meat is tasty." "There you go, Sir. Bon appetite."

GRAMMAR
In Spanish, there are two key phrases that are used when food is served. One is "servido" and the other
is "buen provecho". Let's look at the meanings and usages of these two phrases:

[Link] NEWBIE #11 3

servido: this is used by the person serving the food. Literally it means "served" or "be served". While we
don't have a direct equivalent in the English language, we can understand what it means by considering
the phrases "there you go", and "there you are". The idea behind the expression is that the food is there
for you and that you are being served. If this is said to one male, we use the form "servido"; for more
than one male "servidos". If it's said to one female, we say "servida"; and for more than one female
"servias".

buen provecho: this is used by anyone at the table when the food is served. Literally, it means "good
gain" or "take advantage of it", but we translate it as "bon appetite". This phrase, or the abbreviated
form "provecho" is also used when someone needs to get up from the table before the rest of the
guests have finished their meals. In this case, it means "enjoy the rest of the meal", or "excuse me".

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Mexican cuisine is famous for its "mole". The word "mole" comes from the aboriginal Nahuatl word
"mulli" or "molli", which means "sauce". There are many types of mole in Mexico, though the most
famous perhaps is the Mole Poblano, which has in it dried ancho, pasilla, mutalo and chipotle peppers,
ground almonds, peanuts and sesame seeds, spices, charred avocado leaves and savory Mexican cocoa.
The dark heavy-favored sauce may top numerous traditional dishes. The concept of savory chocolate is
traced back to the Aztec ancestry of Central America.

[Link] NEWBIE #11 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #12
I'm full!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 12
[Link] NEWBIE #12 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. TÍA ROSA : ¿Quieres más, Felipe?

2. FELIPE : No, gracias, tía. Ya estoy lleno.

3. TÍA ROSA : ¿Y tú, Juana?

4. JUANA : Estoy satisfecha. Usted prepara muy bien el cebiche.

5. TÍA ROSA : ¿Ustedes están seguros?

6. FELIPE : Gracias tía, pero estamos repletos.

7. Click here for entire dialogue

ENGLISH

1. AUNT ROSA : Do you want more, Felipe?

2. FELIPE : No, thanks, Aunt Rosa. I am full.

3. AUNT ROSA : And you, Juana?

4. JUANA : I am satisfied. You prepare the Cebiche very well.

5. AUNT ROSA : Are you all sure?

6. FELIPE : Thank you, Aunt Rosa, but we are stuffed.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

más more, plus adverb, adjective

lleno(-a) full adjective feminine

satisfecho, -a satisfied adjective, past participle feminine

preparar to prepare verb

seguro sure, safe adjective, expression

tío, -a uncle, aunt noun feminine

repleto, -a stuffed, replete adjective feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

[Link] NEWBIE #12 2

 Mi cita más romántica fue en la playa. Ella quiere más comida.

"My most romantic date was on the beach." "She wants more food."

Mi botella está llena de agua. Estoy satisfecha con los resultados del examen.

"My bottle is full of water." "I am satisfied with the test results."

Preparáis la comida. Seguro. Voy a cuidar de eso.

"You all prepare the meal." "Sure. I will look after it."

Mi casa es un lugar muy seguro. No estoy cien por ciento seguro.

"My house is a very safe place." "I'm not a hundred percent sure."

Tía Rosa prepara el Cebiche bien. La caja está repleta de libros

"Aunt Rosa prepared the Cebiche well." "The box is full of books."

Estoy repleto.

"I am stuffed."

GRAMMAR
In Newbie Lesson 11, we looked at expressions used just before the meal. Today, we're going to
concentrate on expressions used to show that one is full or not hungry anymore. In Spanish, there are a
number of ways to express this. Below is a list of some of these expressions, with an English translation:

estoy lleno (I am full)

estoy satisfecho (I am satisfied)
estoy repleto (I am stuffed)
no puedo repetir (I can't have seconds)

As in many cultures of the world, food in Spanish-speaking cultures is foundational. A visitor to a

Spanish-speaking country is often offered food, as a sign of respect and humbleness, until he or she
turns it down.

For all of the above expressions, the verbs "estar" and "poder" have been conjugated to the first person
singular of the present tense in the indicative mood. This, of course, could be changed in order to refer
to other subjects. For example, "estamos llenos" (we are full) or "estamos satisfechos" (we are satisfied).

CULTURAL INSIGHT

[Link] NEWBIE #12 3

All along the Pacific coast of Peru, the traditional dish "Cebiche" (also spelled "Ceviche") is prepared.
Cebiche is a dish of fresh fish and/or seafood cured in lime juice and mixed with diced celery, native hot
peppers (rocoto, ají limo), cilantro, red onions, garlic, salt, pepper and is accompanied by boiled Andean
corn on the cob and a native purple sweet potato. It is usually prepared on the spot in a "Cebichería", a
restaurant dedicated to this dish solely. The lime juice is added to the mixture, and the dished is served
almost immediately. The longer the dish sits, the more cured the fish becomes. It is like serving fresh
fish and seafood in a savory and spicy limeade. Perhaps the most popular fish for Peruvian Cebiche is
the delicate "lenguado" (flounder).

[Link] NEWBIE #12 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #13
How delicious!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 13
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #13 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. HUMBERTO : ¡Qué rica la paella!

2. CLAUDIA : ¡Qué gustosa está!

3. HUMBERTO : Los mariscos están exquisitos.

4. CLAUDIA : Sí, están muy jugosos.

5. HUMBERTO : ¡Qué bien preparada está la paella!

ENGLISH

1. HUMBERTO : What delicious Paella!

2. CLAUDIA : How tasty it is!

3. HUMBERTO : The shellfish are exquisite.

4. CLAUDIA : Yeah, they're very juicy.

5. HUMBERTO : How well prepared this Paella is!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. HUMBERTO : ¡Qué rica la paella!

2. CLAUDIA : ¡Qué gustosa está!

3. HUMBERTO : Los mariscos están exquisitos.

4. CLAUDIA : Sí, están muy jugosos.

5. HUMBERTO : ¡Qué bien preparada está la paella!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #13 2

ENGLISH

1. HUMBERTO : What delicious Paella!

2. CLAUDIA : How tasty it is!

3. HUMBERTO : The shellfish are exquisite.

4. CLAUDIA : Yeah, they're very juicy.

5. HUMBERTO : How well prepared this Paella is!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

marisco shellfish, seafood noun masculine

gustoso, -a tasty, flavorful adjective masculine

exquisito, -a exquisite adjective feminine

jugoso, -a juicy adjective masculine

bien well adverb, noun, conjunction

preparado, -a prepared adjective, past participle feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Los mariscos son ricos. La comida está muy gustosa.

"Shellfish are delicious." "The meal is very tasty."

La carne está exquisita. La piña está jugosa.

"The meat is exquisite." "The pineapple is juicy."

La comida está bien preparada. Los mariscos están bien preprados.

"The food is well prepared." "The shellfish are well prepared."

GRAMMAR
In Spanish, when we're talking about how much we like food, we often use exclamations and
interjections, instead of direct statements. These show the emotion and intensity of the speaker. Below
is a list of these in Spanish with English translations, which are often associated with food:

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #13 3

¡Qué rico, -a! (How delicious!)
¡Qué sabroso, -a! (How flavorful)
¡Qué gustoso, -a! (How tasty!)
¡Qué exquisito, -a! (How exquisite!)
¡Qué jugoso, -a! (How juicy!)
¡Qué carnoso, -a! (How meaty!)
¡Qué delicioso, -a! (How delicious!)

When writing an exclamation in Spanish, be sure to include the opening and closing exclamation marks.
Also, the pronominal exclamatory adverb "qué" receives an accent on the "e": qué.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Paella is a traditional Spanish dish consisting of rice, shellfish, chicken, rabbit, beans, tomatoes,
artichokes, red bell pepper and saffron. It is characteristic of the North African influence in Spanish
culture. It's traditionally made in a shallow metal pan over a wood fire. The rice absorbs the juices from
the shellfish and meat, taking on those flavors, while the rice becomes aromatic and bright yellow from
the saffron. This archetypal Spanish dish is usually enjoyed with dry red or white wine.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #13 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #14
I really like that!

CONTENTS

Formal Spanish
English
Informal Spanish
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 14
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #14 1
FORMAL SPANISH
1. JOSÉ: La crema volteada está rica.

2. FÁTIMA: ¡Sí, está cremosa!

3. JOSÉ: ¿Le gusta?

4. FÁTIMA: ¡La crema volteada me gusta mucho!

ENGLISH
1. JOSÉ: The upside-down custard is delicious.

2. FÁTIMA: Yeah, it's creamy!

3. JOSÉ: Do ya' like it?

4. FÁTIMA: I really like the upside-down custard!

INFORMAL SPANISH
1. JOSÉ: La crema volteada está rica.

2. FÁTIMA: ¡Sí, está cremosa!

3. JOSÉ: ¿Te gusta?

4. FÁTIMA: ¡La crema volteada me gusta mucho!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

crema cream fem. noun feminine

volteado, -a upside-down, turned over adjective, past participle masculine

cremoso, -a creamy adjective feminine

te you, to you, for you pronoun

me me, to me, for me pronoun

gustar to give pleasure to (to like) verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

La crema volteada es rica. La mesa está volteada.

"Upside-down custard is delicious." "The table is upside-down."

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #14 2

 La leche está cremosa. Te gusta el almuerzo.

"The milk is creamy." "The lunch is pleasing to you."

Me gusta la comida. Me gustan los vinos.

"The meal is pleasing to me." "I like wines."

GRAMMAR
The verb "gustar" is one of the most important verbs in the Spanish language. Literally, it means "to be
pleasing", but we often translate it as "to like". While learning how to use this verb, it will be helpful to
think about it as "to be pleasing".

Let's look at how this verb is conjugation in the present tense of the indicative mood:

Singular Plural

me gusta nos gusta

(I like it) (We like it)

te gusta os gusta
(You like it, informal) (You all like it, informal)

le gusta les gusta

(He likes it) (They like it, masculine)

le gusta les gusta

(She likes it) (They like it, feminine)

le gusta les gusta

(You like it, formal) (You all like it)

You can tell right away that this is different that many of the other verbs that we've looked at in the
Spanish language. When we use the verb "gustar" this way, it's called "un verbo pronominal" (a
pronominal verb), which means that in order to form it, we need to use a pronoun. The other thing that
important to keep in mind here is that the number of the verb depends on what is pleasing. So, notice
how "gusta" is in the third person singular. When this is so, that which is pleasing is singular. For
example, "la mesa me gusta" (the table is pleasing to me, or, I like the table); but when that which is
pleasing in plural, then the verb "gustar" is conjugated to the third person plural. For example "las
mesas me gustan" (the tables are pleasing to me, or, I like the tables). Let's look at the conjugation of
"gustar", again in the present tense of the indicative mood, when we're talking about multiple things
that are pleasing:

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #14 3

Singular Plural

me gustan nos gustan

(I like them) (We like them)

te gustan os gustan
(You like them, informal) (You all like them, informal)

le gustan les gustan

(He likes them) (They like them, masculine)

le gustan les gustan

(She likes them) (They like them, feminine)

le gustan les gustan

(You like them, formal) (You all like them)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The pan-Hispanic dessert, called "crema volteada" in Latin America and "flan" in Spain, is a custard made
with evaporated milk, condensed milk, vanilla, eggs and sugar. It is a light custard that is baked in the
oven and then flipped upside-down before being served (hence, "crema volteada", upside-down
custard). It has numerous varieties from country to country. Sometimes, particularly in the Spanish
tradition, it tends to be thinner; while others, particularly in the Latin American tradition, it can be as
high as two or three inches. This delicious dessert is often enjoyed with black coffee or tea.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #14 4

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #15
Brrrrrr... It's cold out!

CONTENTS
2 Informal Spanish
2 English
2 Formal Spanish
3 English
3 Vocabulary
3 Sample Sentences
4 Grammar
4 Cultural Insight

# 15
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 INFORMAL SPANISH

1. MARCELO: ¡Hace frío! ¿Tienes frío?

2. DANIELA: ¡Sí! Yo tengo frío.

3. MARCELO: Yo también tengo frío.

4. DANIELA: ¿Necesitamos abrigos?

5. MARCELO: Necesitamos gorros y guantes también.

ENGLISH

1. MARCELO: It's cold out! Are ya' cold?

2. DANIELA: Yeah! I'm cold.

3. MARCELO: I'm cold too.

4. DANIELA: Do we need coats?

5. MARCELO: We need hats and gloves too.

FORMAL SPANISH

1. MARCELO: ¡Hace frío! ¿Usted tiene frío?

2. DANIELA: ¡Sí! Yo tengo frío.

3. MARCELO: Yo también tengo frío.

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #15 - BRRRRRR... IT'S COLD OUT! 2

4. DANIELA: ¿Necesitamos abrigos?

5. MARCELO: Necesitamos gorros y guantes también.

ENGLISH

1. MARCELO: It is cold out! Are you cold, Ma'am?

2. DANIELA: Yes! I am cold.

3. MARCELO: I am cold too.

4. DANIELA: Do we need coats?

5. MARCELO: We need hats and gloves too.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

hacer to make, to do verb

frío, -a cold adjective, noun

abrigo coat noun masculine

gorro hat noun masculine

guante glove noun masculine

necesitar to need verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

[Link] NEWBIE #15 - BRRRRRR... IT'S COLD OUT! 3

Ella hace dibujos bonitos. ¿Qué haces?

"She makes pretty drawings." "What do you do?"

Tengo frío. En invierno, yo me pongo un

abrigo caliente.
"I'm cold."
"In winter I wear a warm coat."

Necesito un abrigo. Es un buen gorro.

"I need a coat." "It's a good hat."

Los guantes son esquisitos. En realidad necesito que me

escuches.
"The gloves are exquisite."
"I really need you to listen to me."

Todas las mañanas necesito tomar un café.

"Every morning, I need to drink coffee."

GRAMMAR

The verb "hacer" is used with many weather expressions. These expressions can be called
"idiomatic", in the sense that their meanings cannot be derived by conjoining the meanings
of their elements. Let's take a look at some idiomatic expressions of weather:

hace frío (it makes cold) = it's cold out

hace mucho frío (it makes a lot of cold) = it's really cold out
hace muchísimo frío (it makes so very much cold) = it's freezing out
hace fresco (it makes fresh) = it's chilly out
hace fresquito (it makes a little fresh) = it's nippy out

Idiomatic expressions can be confusing if you don't recognize them as such, because you'll
find yourself trying to interpret the meaning of each individual word and then adding these
meanings together. Therefore, it's important to learn to recognize phrasal constructions,
such as the ones mentioned here, so as to avoid these kinds of confusions.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

[Link] NEWBIE #15 - BRRRRRR... IT'S COLD OUT! 4

Running the length of the continent of South America, the Andes Mountains dominate the
geography of much of the Spanish-speaking world. This range runs more than 4,400 miles
through numerous Latin American countries. The word "Andes" comes from the Quechua
"Anti" (high crest). Rising up high above the Pacific Ocean, this enormous range reaches
22,205 feet in northern Peru, but the highest point of the range lies in Argentina, where
Aconcagua reaches a tremendous 22,841 feet. These tectonically formed mountains are
remarkable for their glaciers, flora and fauna. What is more, hiking through these
mountains is unlike most Latin American expeditions, due to the fact that people still live
rurally in extreme altitude, where walking the mountain roads is just a way of life and not
ecotourism.

[Link] NEWBIE #15 - BRRRRRR... IT'S COLD OUT! 5

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #16
Wow, it's hot out!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 16
[Link] NEWBIE #16 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. ANGELA : ¡Caramba! ¡Hace calor!

2. RODRIGO : Sí, ¡hace mucho sol!

3. ANGELA : La playa está llena.

4. RODRIGO : Tú estás muy bronceada.

5. ANGELA : Todos estamos muy bronceados.

ENGLISH

1. ANGELA : Wow! It's hot out!

2. RODRIGO : Yeah, it's really sunny!

3. ANGELA : The beach is full.

4. RODRIGO : You're really tan.

5. ANGELA : We're all really tan.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. ANGELA : ¡Caray! Hace calor!

2. RODRIGO : Sí, ¡hace mucho sol!

3. ANGELA : La playa está llena.

4. RODRIGO : Usted está muy bronceada.

5. ANGELA : Todos estamos muy bronceados.

[Link] NEWBIE #16 2

ENGLISH

1. ANGELA : Oh my! It is hot out!

2. RODRIGO : Yes, it is very sunny!

3. ANGELA : The beach is full.

4. RODRIGO : You are very tan, Ma'am.

5. ANGELA : We are all very tan.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

caramba wow!, shoot! interjection

calor heat, hot noun, adjective masculine

sol sun, sunny noun, adjective masculine

playa beach, coastline noun feminine

bronceado, -a tan, tanned adjectve, past participle feminine

todo(-a) all, every, everyone, completely, whole adjective, pronoun, noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¡Caramba! Hace frío. Hace calor.

"Wow! It's cold." "It's hot out."

Hace sol. Manuel Antonio es mi playa favorita.

"It's sunny out." Manuel Antonio is my favorite beach.

Estás bronceado. Todos están bien.

"You're tanned." "Everyone is well."

GRAMMAR
In Lesson 16, we said that the verb "hacer" is used with many weather expressions and that these can be
called idiomatic because their meanings cannot be derived by conjoining the meanings of their
elements. Today, we're going to focus on weather expressions that denote heat. Let's take a look at
some:

[Link] NEWBIE #16 3

Hace calor (It makes heat) = It's hot out
Hace mucho calor (It makes a lot of heat) = It's really hot out
Hace muchísimo calor (It makes so very much hot) = It's scorching out
Hace calorcito (It makes warm) = It's warm out
Hace sol (It makes sun) = It's sunny out
Hace solazo (It make a lot of sun) = It's blistering out

When you are reading or listening to someone speak Spanish, and you find that you don't understand a
word, consider that word along with the words that are next to it. Remember that language consists of
words, their pronunciation and the methods of combining them. It is a system of relations, and
therefore, it cannot be understood by solely looking at single words.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The Atacama Desert in the region of Antofagasta, in northern Chile, is the driest place on Earth,
averaging merely 1mm of rainfall per year. Even though some of the mountains in that region reach as
high as 22,500 feet, they are free of glaciers, due to the sparseness of rainfall. In the rolling hills on the
highlands of the Atacama Desert, there are also Salt Fields, where the light reflects a brilliant white
throughout the emptiness in the surroundings.

[Link] NEWBIE #16 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #17
It's cloudy out

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 17
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #17 1
DIALOGUE - SPANISH
MAIN

1. MARCOS : Hay muchas nubes.

2. FÉLIX : Sí, está nublado.

3. OLIVIA : Siempre hay nubes en Concepción.

4. MARCOS : El cielo está gris.

5. OLIVIA : Hay niebla también.

ENGLISH

1. MARCOS : There are a lot of clouds.

2. FÉLIX : Yeah, it's cloudy out.

3. OLIVIA : There are always clouds in Concepción.

4. MARCOS : The sky is grey.

5. OLIVIA : There is fog too.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

haber to have, there is, there are verb

nube cloud noun feminine

nublado, -a cloudy adjective, past participle feminine

cielo sky, the heavens noun masculine

gris grey noun masculine

niebla fog noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Mañana habrá conciertos en el parque. Las nubes están grandes.

"Tomorrow, there will be a concert in the park." "The clouds are big."

Está nublado. El cielo está nublado.

"It's cloudy." "The sky is cloudy."

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #17 2

 Gris no es un color muy llamativo. El cielo está gris.

"Gray is not a very flashy color." "The sky is grey."

La niebla simpre es gris.

"Fog is always grey."

GRAMMAR
In Lessons 15 and 16, we looked at weather expressions that use the word "hace" and a weather
adjective. Today, we're going to have a look at weather expressions that take "está" and "hay". We know
that "está" comes from "estar" (to be). Coming from the verb "haber" (to have), the form "hay" means
"there is" or "there are". Let's look at some examples:

"hay nubes" (there are clouds)

"está nublado" (it is cloudy)
"hay niebla" (there is fog)
"está húmedo" (it is humid)
"hay humedad" (there is humidity)
"está gris" (it is grey)

So you can see that there are different ways to express weather conditions in Spanish, aside from using
the word "hace". These words covered here "está" and "hay" are important for these expressions, as
well as for many others that will be covered in future lessons.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
In the city of Concepción, Chile, in what is known as the Lake District, just north of Patagonia, the coastal
town wakes up everyday to a saline cloud cover rolling in off the Pacific Ocean. In the drier months, this
curious fog gives you the impression that the sun will not only be hidden from you today, but will not be
showing itself for a long time. Yet, lo and behold, on a daily basis, the sun burns off this Pacific fog by
eight or nine in the morning, revealing a sky as blue as can be the day throughout. This fog is one of the
enchantments of Concepción.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #17 3

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #18
Is it raining?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 18
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #18 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. CARMEN : ¿Está lloviendo?

2. PAOLA : No. No es lluvia; es llovizna.

3. CARMEN : Mira, las gotas son chiquititas. ¿Las ves?

4. PAOLA : Sí, las veo, pero tampoco es llovizna. Es garúa.

5. CARMEN : Ya veo, Paola. Es garúa y es muy misteriosa.

ENGLISH

1. CARMEN : Is it raining?

2. PAOLA : No. It's not rain, it's a drizzle.

3. CARMEN : Look, the raindrops are tiny. Do you see them?

4. PAOLA : Yeah, I see them, but it's not a drizzle either. It's mist.

5. CARMEN : Now I get it, Paola. It's mist and it's very mysterious.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. CARMEN : ¿Está lloviendo?

2. PAOLA : No. No es lluvia; es llovizna.

3. CARMEN : Mire, las gotas son chiquititas. ¿Las ve?

4. PAOLA : Sí, las veo, pero tampoco es llovizna. Es garúa.

5. CARMEN : Ya veo, Paola. Es garúa y es muy misteriosa.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #18 2

ENGLISH

1. CARMEN : Is it raining?

2. PAOLA : No. It is not rain, it is a drizzle.

3. CARMEN : Look, the raindrops are tiny. Do you see them?

4. PAOLA : Yes, I see them, but it is not a drizzle either. It is mist.

5. CARMEN : Now I get it, Paola. It is mist and it's very mysterious.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

llover to rain verb

llovizna drizzle noun feminine

gota drop, raindrop noun feminine

chiquitito tiny adjective, noun masculine

garúa mist fem. noun feminine

misterioso, -a mysterious adjective masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

En Costa Rica llueve mucho. Es una llovizna.

"It rains a lot in Costa Rica." "It's a drizzle."

A mí me gusta ver caer las gotas de agua. El wáter está chiquitito.

"I like to see the rain drops falling." "The toilet is tiny."

Siempre hay garúa. La niebla es misteriosa.

"There is always mist." "The fog is mysterious."

GRAMMAR
When we want to talk about precipitation in Spanish, we often use impersonal verbs, such as "llover" (to
rain), "lloviznar" (to drizzle) and "garuar" (to mist). It wouldn't make much sense to say "I rain", "you
rain", "he rains", etc. These kinds of verbs that don't have all the forms are called defective verbs. Let's
take a look at how this works:

"llover" (to rain, infinitive): "llueve" (it rains, it is raining)

"lloviznar" (to drizzle, infinitive): "llovizna" (it drizzles, it is drizzling
"garuar" (to mist, infinitive): "garúa" (it mists, it is misting

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #18 3

While these verbs have only one form, they use all the tenses. The example given here are all in the
Present Tense. Other tenses will be covered in future lessons.

Example:

Llueve mucho en el invierno.

(It rains a lot in the winter.)

Llovizna en la noche.
(It drizzles at night.)

Garúa por toda la costa.

(It mists all along the coast.)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The capital city of Lima sits upon 300 foot bluffs on the Pacific coast of Peru. Despite being in the middle
of the desert, Lima is constantly filled with humid air from the southern Humboldt current, which results
in a micro-climate that produces fog and mist almost daily. As the city was the viceregal capital of the
Spanish during colonial times, this incessant moisture has been called the "maldición de los inkas" (the
curse of the Inkas), because it makes for a hot and sticky environment in the warmer months, and the
chilly and humid environment in the colder months. But the moisture has an interesting aesthetic
quality, as it rolls over the city's promenade and down into the colonial, cobblestone streets, where
mystery and history converge in the diaphanous veil of fog.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #18 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #19
Look! The moon is full!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 19
[Link] NEWBIE #19 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. GLICERIO : ¡Mira, Fiorela! La luna está llena.

2. FIORELA : Es muy brillante.

3. GLICERIO : Hay muchas estrellas también.

4. FIORELA : Es verdad. Veo escorpión. ¿Ves?

5. GLICERIO : ¡Sí, mira la cola!

ENGLISH

1. GLICERIO : Look, Fiorela! The moon is full.

2. FIORELA : It's really bright.

3. GLICERIO : There are a lot of stars too.

4. FIORELA : It's true. I see Scorpio. Do ya see?

5. GLICERIO : Yeah, look at the tail!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. GLICERIO : ¡Mire, Fiorela! La luna está llena.

2. FIORELA : Es muy brillante.

3. GLICERIO : Hay muchas estrellas también.

4. FIORELA : Es verdad. Veo escorpión. ¿Ve?

5. GLICERIO : ¡Sí, mire la cola!

[Link] NEWBIE #19 2

ENGLISH

1. GLICERIO : Look, Fiorela! The moon is full.

2. FIORELA : It is very bright.

3. GLICERIO : There are many stars too.

4. FIORELA : It is true. I see Scorpio. Do you see, Sir?

5. GLICERIO : Yes, look at the tail!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

mirar to look at verb

luna moon noun feminine

brillante shiny, bright, diamond adjective, noun

estrella star noun feminine

verdad truth noun feminine

cola tail, line noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Miramos el cielo. La luna está llena.

"We look at the sky." "The moon is full."

La luna está brillante. Las estrellas son pequeñas.

"The moon is bright." "The stars are small."

Él siempre dice la verdad. Es verdad.

"He always tells the truth." "It's the truth."

Tiene una cola grande.

"It has a long tail."

GRAMMAR
In Spanish, there are what we call Moods. Moods express the attitude of the speaker with respect to the
action, to which he or she refers. Today, we going to consider the difference between the Indicative
Mood and the Imperative Mood:

[Link] NEWBIE #19 3

Indicative Imperative

mood of statements mood of commands

mira ¡mira!

he looks, she looks, you look, formal Look!

The Imperative Mood shown here is the informal way of commanding one person. There are also ways
of commanding one person formally, and there are ways of command more than one person both
informally and formally. We'll look at those ways in future lessons.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
In Peru, astronomy is an old tradition, dating back to the Incan Empire. Many places of worship, called
"huacas", are centered around natural phenomena relating to the sun and stars. The biggest
celebration related to the celestial bodies is called "Inti Raymi", which in Quechua means "Festival of the
Sun". It is celebrated on June 25th, the solstice, at the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, a magisterial construction
on the outskirts of the Inkan capital Cuzco. The Inkas believed they were the children of the sun, thus
explaining the preeminence of this celebration. At another set of nearby ruins, Q'enko, at noon the sun
hits a freestanding rock and projects a puma onto a rock walls behind it. Peru abounds with these
phenomena and for this reason attracts curiosity from all over the country and abroad.

[Link] NEWBIE #19 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #20
Listen! There's a public concert.

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 20
[Link] NEWBIE #20 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. JORGE : ¡Escucha, Otilia! Hay música.

2. OTILIA : ¡Oye! Tienes razón.

3. JORGE : Es un concierto público.

4. OTILIA : Me gusta la música.

ENGLISH

1. JORGE : Otilia, listen! There's music.

2. OTILIA : Hey, you're right.

3. JORGE : It's a public concert.

4. OTILIA : I like the music.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. JORGE : ¡Escuche, Otilia! Hay música.

2. OTILIA : ¡Oiga! Usted tiene razón.

3. JORGE : Es un concierto público.

4. OTILIA : Me gusta la música.

ENGLISH

1. JORGE : Otilia, listen! There is music.

2. OTILIA : Hey, you are right, Sir.

3. JORGE : It is a public concert.

4. OTILIA : I like the music.

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE #20 2

Spanish English Class Gender

escuchar to listen to verb

música music noun feminine

¡oye! hey! interjection

razón reason noun feminine

el público audience, public, fans noun masculine

concierto concert noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Escuchamos la música. La música está buena.

"We listen to the music." "The music is good."

¡Oye! Hay muchas razones.

"Hey!" "There are many reasons."

El equipo de la capital tiene un público muy El concierto de Shakira es en el estadio.

respetuoso.
"The Shakira concert is in the stadium."
"The team from the capital city has very
respectful fans."

GRAMMAR
The verb oír means "to hear", but in spoken Spanish, it is often used in the informal and formal
imperative (i.e. as a command) to interject and say "Hey!". Let's take a look at exactly how this is done:

oye: informal (used to attract the attention of someone with whom you would speak informally)
oiga: formal (used to attract the attention of someone with whom you would speak formally)

For the most part, oye and oiga are used like "hey" is in English, although it's word placement in a
sentence does vary from time to time.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Much of Caribbean music is centered around the clave, or the key. This is a basic bell pattern that is
incorporated into Rumba, Guaguancó and Salsa. The clave originates in the Congo, where it was played
in Shango, a typical West African rhythm. Rumba has many variations from country to country. It was
made popular in the Americas via Cuba, from which Guaguancó was born. Guaguancó incorporates
Spanish style guitar playing over the clave and rumba. Salsa is the most stylized form of the rumba,
adding a complete horn section to the drums and guitars. Good examples of these are the early
recordings of Celia Cruz (rumba), Potato y Totico (guaguancó) and Héctor Lavoe (salsa).

[Link] NEWBIE #20 3

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #21
Come here! I'll be right there!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 21
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #21 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. ROSANA : ¡Tomás, ven para acá!

2. TOMÁS : ¿Dónde estás, Rosana?

3. ROSANA : Estoy en el patio.

4. TOMÁS : Ya voy para allá.

ENGLISH

1. ROSANA : Tomás, come here!

2. TOMÁS : Where are ya', Rosana?

3. ROSANA : I'm on the patio.

4. TOMÁS : I'll be right there.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. ROSANA : ¡Tomás, venga para acá!

2. TOMÁS : ¿Dónde está, Rosana?

3. ROSANA : Estoy en el patio.

4. TOMÁS : Ya voy para allá.

ENGLISH

1. ROSANA : Tomás, come here!

2. TOMÁS : Where are you, Rosana?

3. ROSANA : I am on the patio.

4. TOMÁS : I will be right there.

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #21 2

Spanish English Class

venir to come verb

acá here, over here adverb

patio patio noun

ya already, now adverb

ir to go verb

allá there, over there adverb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Mis abuelos vienen a mi casa cada verano. ¡William, ven acá!

"My grandparents come to my house every "William, come here!"

summer."

Cuando hace sol nos sentamos en el patio. El carro ya está adentro de la cochera.

"We sit on the patio when it is sunny." "The car is already inside the garage."

El gobierno ya tiene demasiado poder. Estamos yendo a la playa.

"The government already has too much power." "We are going to the beach."

Sientate allá.

"Sit over there."

GRAMMAR
In this lesson we continued learning about "mandatos", or "commands". We are expressing the
speaker's desire for an action to occur or not to occur. Here we will focus on telling someone to "come
here". In Spanish, the irregular verb "venir", means "to come". If we remove the ending from the
infinitive of this verb we get "ven". In the conversation we heard Rosana say "¡Tomas, ven para acá!", and
this was translated as "Tomas, come here!". This is an informal command used in an informal
conversation, and it is directed towards just one person. To formally tell someone "to come here", we
need to change the conjugation to express the formality of the command. We also need to change the
conjugation if the command is directed towards more than just one person.

*Conjugating an irregular verb such as "venir" (to come) to give a command can be tricky at first. Look
below to see how we conjugate this particular "mandato" (command) in all its forms:

tú/you: ven acá (come here *informal/singular)

usted/you: venga acá (come here *formal/singular)

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #21 3

ustedes/you all: vengan acá (come here *plural)

vosotros/you all: venid acá (come here *plural)

It is important to know how to respond to such a command as well. Generally, we respond when
someone calls for us by saying "I'll be right there". In the conversation we hear Alan give this response
with the phrase "Ya voy para allá". The shortened version of this response is "ya voy", or "I'm coming
now". Using these expressions you will be able to answer people whenever they call for you.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Looking at the conversation in this lesson, we notice that the commands are given informally. It is
important to keep the nature of a conversation in mind when giving commands. If you are in a relaxed
setting with friends or family, then it is appropriate to call for them by saying "ven acá", or "come here".
If you are in a more formal situation (speaking with a boss or a teacher for example), then it is better to
use a formal command. For instance, if you want your boss to visit your house, you might say "venga a
mi casa para cenar", or "come to my house to have dinner". Using the formal conjugation in certain
contexts conveys respect and also demonstrates a higher comprehension of the language.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #21 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #22
Are you ready? Let's Go!

CONTENTS

Formal Spanish
English
Informal Spanish
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 22
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #22 1
FORMAL SPANISH
1. AUGUSTO: ¡Oiga, Cecilia! ¿Está lista?

2. CECILIA: Sí. Ahora voy.

3. AUGUSTO: Tengo muchas ganas de salir esta noche.

4. CECILIA: Ya estoy lista. ¡Vamos!

ENGLISH
1. AUGUSTO: Hey, Cecilia! Are ya' ready?

2. CECILIA: Yeah. I'm goin' right away.

3. AUGUSTO: I really feel like goin' out tonight.

4. CECILIA: Now I'm ready. Let's go!

INFORMAL SPANISH
1. AUGUSTO: ¡Oye, Cecilia! ¿Estás lista?

2. CECILIA: Sí. Ahora voy.

3. AUGUSTO: Tengo muchas ganas de salir esta noche.

4. CECILIA: Ya estoy lista. ¡Vamos!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

listo(a) ready, intelligent adjective, noun, interjection feminine

ahora now, just now, right away adverb, conjunction

noche night noun feminine

¡Vamos! Let's go! expression

salir to leave, to go out verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

La semana que viene comés yogur y listo... Ahora salimos.

"Next week, you eat some yogurt and you're all "We leave right away."
set..."

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #22 2

 ¿Cuál es tu plan para este viernes en la noche? La noche está fresca.

"What's your plan for this Friday night?" "The night is cool."

¡Vamos! Salimos esta noche.

"Let's go!" "We're going out tonight."

GRAMMAR
One aspect of the present tense of the indicative mood in the Spanish language is that it can express a
command. This is the case with the expression "¡Vamos!" (Let's go!). The first person plural in the
imperative mood is actually "vayamos", but this is not used in spoken Spanish and rarely used in written
Spanish. For all practical purposes, "¡Vamos!" means "Let's go!"

One way to think about it is by comparing it to the phrase "I'm out of here!" You'll notice that this phrase
is actually in the present indicative. It's not a command, but it expresses a command. If it were a
command, it would be "Let's get out of here!" The same occurs with the expression "¡Vamos!" (Let's go!).

CULTURAL INSIGHT
Throughout the Spanish-speaking world, and particularly in Latin America, punctuality is not a common
custom. In fact, most Latin Americans are very laid back when it comes to making plans or setting a time
to meet up. The word "ahora" (now) is indicative of this custom, as it means "now", and also "just now"
and "right away". This flexibility of time runs deep throughout the cultures of Latin America, and it's
important to remember this, as it is quite different from many other cultures, like the German and
American cultures, which tend to be quite punctual. But this lack of hurry is not necessarily laziness;
rather, it can be seen as a way of enjoying the relaxation of everyday life. While many Americans, for
example, work hard to eventually retire and be able to relax and enjoy the pleasures of life, many Latin
Americans retire from work on a daily basis to enjoy these pleasures regularly.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #22 3

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #23
Can you speak Spanish?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 23
[Link] NEWBIE #23 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. GUILLERMO : ¿Usted puede hablar en español?

2. JUANA : Sí. Yo puedo hablar un poco del español.

3. GUILLERMO : Usted habla bien en español.

4. JUANA : Hablo bien, pero un poco no más.

ENGLISH

1. GUILLERMO : Can you speak Spanish, Ma'am?

2. JUANA : Yes. I can speak a bit of Spanish.

3. GUILLERMO : Ma'am, you speak Spanish well.

4. JUANA : I speak well, but just a bit.

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. GUILLERMO : ¿Tú puedes hablar en español?

2. JUANA : Sí. Yo puedo hablar un poco del español.

3. GUILLERMO : Hablas bien en español.

4. JUANA : Hablo bien, pero un poco no más.

ENGLISH

1. GUILLERMO : Can you speak Spanish?

2. JUANA : Yes. I can speak a bit of Spanish.

3. GUILLERMO : You speak Spanish well.

4. JUANA : I speak well, but just a bit.

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE #23 2

Spanish English Class Gender

poder to be able, can verb

hablar to speak, to talk verb

el the Spanish one, the Spaniard, the Spanish noun masculine

español language

poco, -a a bit, a little, rarely, few adjective, adverb, pronoun

no más just, not more adverbial phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Puedes decirme por qué no me llamaste? Yo puedo hablar en español.

"Can you tell me why you didn't call me?" "I can speak in Spanish."

Hablamos sobre la historia en mi clase. Aquí se habla español.

"We talk about history in my class." "Spanish is spoken here."

Ella sabe un poco de inglés. Quieren sopa no más.

"She knows a little English." "They just want soup."

GRAMMAR
In this lesson we discuss the verb "poder" (to be able, can). This verb is associated with expression of
potential and ability. For example, when we say "hablo" it translates to "I speak". On the other hand, we
can say "yo puedo hablar" which translates to "I can speak". We are expressing that the action,
"speaking", can happen.

This verb can be used in conjunction with any other verb to convey potential or ability: "puedes dormir"
(you can sleep), "puedo comer" (I can eat), "pueden escuchar" (they can listen), "Ella puede cocinar" (She
can cook), "nosotros podemos correr" (we can run), etc.

The stem of the verb "poder" (to be able, can) is "P-O-D". However, it is important to note that this is a
stem-changing verb. This means that the stem of the verb changes when we conjugate it. In the Present
Tense, the vowel "O" of the stem changes to "UE" for all the forms except "nosotros" (we) and
"vosotros" (you all). Look over the table below to learn how we conjugate the verb "poder" (to be able,
can) in the Present Indicative:

[Link] NEWBIE #23 3

yo puedo nosotros podemos
(I can) (we can)

tú puedes vosotros podéis

(you can) (you all can)

él puede ellos pueden

(he can) (they can)

ella puede ellas pueden

(she can) (they can *feminine)

usted puede ustedes pueden

(you can *formal) (you all can)

Before we finish, let's take a look at one more phrase that is commonly used: "puede ser". This
translates to "it could be". When someone suggests a possibility, "puede ser" is a common response
that expresses potential. For example, check out this dialog:

Jose: ¿Crees que estoy enfermo? (Do ya' think I am sick?)

Alejandro: Sí pues, puede ser. (Well yeah, it could be)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
When we think about Spain and Latin America, we tend to think that Spanish is the only language
spoken there. But this is not true. The languages of Spain other than Spanish include Aragonese,
Asturian, Basque, Caló, Catalan-Valencian-Balear, Extremaduran, Fala, Galician, Gascon, Quinqui. In Latin
America, languages other than Spanish include Portuguese, French, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, Miskito,
Sumo, Rami, Nahautl, Yaruru, Itonama, among many others. Throughout Latin America, there are over
172 languages other than Spanish! Nevertheless, Spanish has a very high currency throughout all of
Latin America and Spain, and thus, anyone going to either of these places will do fine with Spanish.

[Link] NEWBIE #23 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #24
Can you all speak English?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 24
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #24 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. YMA : ¿Ustedes entienden inglés?

2. MARISSA : Sí, yo entiendo, si usted habla despacio.

3. LUKE : Sí. Mi esposa y yo entendemos inglés.

4. YMA : Muy bien. Empecemos el tour con la tumba de Francisco Pizarro.

ENGLISH

1. YMA : Can you all understand English?

2. MARISSA : Yes, I can, if you speak slowly.

3. LUKE : Yes. My wife and I understand English

4. YMA : Very well. We begin the tour with the tomb of Francisco Pizarro.

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. YMA : Vosotros entiendéis inglés?

2. MARISSA : Sí, yo entiendo, si hablas despacio.

3. LUKE : Sí. Mi esposa y yo entendemos inglés.

4. YMA : Muy bien. Empecemos el tour con la tumba de Francisco Pizarro.

ENGLISH

1. YMA : Are ya' ll able to understand English?

2. MARISSA : Yeah, I can, if ya' speak slowly.

3. LUKE : Yeah. My wife and I can understand English

4. YMA : Very well. We begin the tour with the tomb of Fransisco Pizarro.

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #24 2

Spanish English Class Gender

entender to understand verb

despacio slow, slowly adverb

esposo(-a) husband, wife noun masculine

empezar to begin, to start verb

tour tour noun masculine

tumba tomb, grave noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Entendiste? Creo que te entendí mal. ¿Me lo puedes repetir?

"Did you understand?" "I think I misunderstood you. Can you repeat it
for me?"

Entendemos el inglés. ¡Vamos despacio!

"We understand English." "Let's go slowly!"

Mi esposo trabaja en el centro, cerca de la plaza El empezó a trabajar en la gasolinería hace una
mayor. semana.

"My husband works at the center, close to the "He started working at the gas station a week
Mayor Plaza." ago."

Yo empecé mis clases hace un mes. El tour empieza acá.

"I began my classes a month ago." "The tour begins here."

La tumba de Pizarro está aquí.

"Pizarro's tomb is here."

GRAMMAR
In Spanish, the word for "language " is "idioma". Even though this ends with an "-a", it is masculine. That
is, we saw "el idioma" (the language). The same happens when we use an adjective to describe 'what
kind' of language. For example, "el idioma español" (the Spanish language). Moreover, we often omit the
word "idioma" (language) and simply say "el español" (Spanish). In English, when we do this, we also
omit the article, but in Spanish, we need the article in order to know that we are talking about a
language. Here is a list of languages in Spanish:

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #24 3

Language in English Language in Spanish

Spanish el español

English el inglés

Japanese el japonés

German el alemán

Dutch el holandés

French el francés

Chinese el chino

Italian el italiano

Potuguese el portugués

Swedish el sueco

CULTURAL INSIGHT
As is well known, the English language is spoken is many parts of the world. Latin America is no
exception. But, in Latin America, everyone does not speak English, in fact most people do not. The
English language is often spoken by business professionals who work in some field that participates in
the global market. It's also spoken by many academics in a whole range of fields. You will also find that
English is spoken all through the tourism industry. It is, by far, the first language, after Spanish, spoken
in tourism. English is also spoken frequently by children, who are growing up with English in their
schools, on the internet, and on television. In general, English is spoken by much of the upper class in
most Latin American countries, as a result of private education curriculum and a number of other
factors.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #24 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #25
Can you speak slower, please?

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 25
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #25 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. YMA : Ahora, continuamos con el altar.

2. MARISSA : ¿Puede usted hablar más despacio, por favor?

3. YMA : ¡Claro! ¿Hablo muy rápido para ustedes?

4. LUKE : Sí. Queremos escuchar cada cosa. ¡Es muy interesante!

ENGLISH

1. YMA : Now, we continue with the altar.

2. MARISSA : Ma'am, can you speak slower, please?

3. YMA : Of course! Do I speak very fast for you all?

4. LUKE : Yes. We want to listen to everything. It is very interesting!

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. YMA : Ahora, continuamos con el altar.

2. MARISSA : ¿Tú puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?

3. YMA : ¡Claro! ¿Hablo muy rápido para vosotros?

4. LUKE : Sí. Queremos escuchar cada cosa. ¡Es muy interesante!

ENGLISH

1. YMA : Now, we continue with the altar.

2. MARISSA : Can ya' speak slower, please?

3. YMA : Of course! Do I speak very fast for ya' ll ?

4. LUKE : Yeah. We wanna' listen to everything. It's very interesting!

VOCABULARY

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #25 2

Spanish English Class

continuar to continue, to go on, to carry on verb

más despacio slower adverbial phrase

por favor please phrase

rápido, -a quick, fast, quickly, rapids (pl.) adverb

cada each, every adjective

cosa thing, matter noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Ella continúa el tour. Puedo hablar más despacio.

"She continues the tour." "I can speak slower."

¡Vamos por favor! María corre muy rápido.

"Let's go please!" "María runs really fast."

Cada noche, salgo. Es una cosa interesante.

"Every night, I go out." "It's an interesting matter."

GRAMMAR
The verb "poder" is an auxiliary verb, which means that it requires another verb to complete its
meaning. These verbs are sometimes called "helping" verbs or "modal" verbs as well.
Let's have a look at how these words are used:

[personal pronoun] + [auxiliary verb] + [main verb] + [noun]

[yo] + [puedo] + [hablar] + [el español]
[I] + [can] + [speak] + [Spanish]

[personal pronoun] + [auxiliary verb] + [main verb] + [noun]

[nosotros] + [podemos] + [continuar] + [el tour]
[We] + [can] + [continue] + [the tour]

Today, we're going to have a close look at the grammar involved with the question "Can you speak
slower, please?". In order to form this question, we are going to need to use the verb "poder", which we
have seen, means "to be able" or "can". Also, we're going to use the expression "más despacio", which
means "slower".

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #25 3

Here is the full phrase: "¿Puede, usted, hablar más despacio por favor?" (Can you speak slower, please?).
We can see the verb "poder" (to be able, can) is used in the formal sense here: "usted puede". Recall that
"usted" is the formal "you". After the verb "puede", we add the verb "hablar" (to speak), which is in the
infinitive. Then, we add "más despacio", which we saw means "slower". To finish the expression, you
simply add "por favor", which means "please".

To ask this question in the informal sense we would say, "Tú puedes hablar más despacio, por favor?"
(can ya' speak slower, please?). Notice that the only thing that's different, when changing this question
from formal to informal, is the conjugation of the verb "poder". Instead of using the "usted" form and
the corresponding third person singular form "puede", we now use the "tú" form, with the verb form
"puedes".

*This is an important question to learn, as you begin your studies of Spanish, because it helps you get
people to speak 'with you' instead of 'to you', at a speed you can understand.

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The Spanish language is known for its manner of blending words into each other, when it comes to
pronunciation. Many people who don't speak Spanish believe that this is simply due to the fact that for
them it is a foreign language, and thus, words are indistinguishable from each other. But, this is not the
case. In fact, word do blend into each in Spanish. This phenomenon is called "enlace" or "word-linking".
There are a number of cases in which this occurs, and these will be studies in future lessons. For now,
let's just note that when a word ends with a vowel and begins with another vowel, those vowels will be
blended together. This adds a great deal to the rhythm of the Spanish language, which is so
characteristic of its sound.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #25 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #26
Romance #1 - I would like to be blind

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 26
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #26 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. ELIANA : ¿Y qué haces tú en Santiago?

2. RAMÓN : Bueno, estoy aquí por mis estudios.

3. ELIANA : Ah, ¿y qué quisieras ser?

4. RAMÓN : Quisiera ser ciego.

5. ELIANA : Ciego, ¿por qué ciego?

6. RAMÓN : Para poder leerte con las manos...

7. ELIANA : ¡Ay, pero qué imbécil!

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : And what are you doing in Santiago?

2. RAMÓN : Well, I'm here for school.

3. ELIANA : Ah, and what would you like to be?

4. RAMÓN : I'd like to be blind.

5. ELIANA : Blind, why blind?

6. RAMÓN : So I can read you with my hands.

7. ELIANA : Phuh! What a jerk!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. ELIANA : ¿Y qué hace usted en Santiago?

2. RAMÓN : Bueno, estoy aquí por mis estudios.

3. ELIANA : Ah, ¿y qué quisiera ser usted?

4. RAMÓN : Quisiera ser ciego.

5. ELIANA : Ciego, ¿por qué ciego?

6. RAMÓN : Para poder leerle con las manos...

7. ELIANA : ¡Ay, pero qué imbécil!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #26 2

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : And what are you doing in Santiago, sir?

2. RAMÓN : Well, I am here for school.

3. ELIANA : Ah, and what would you like to be, sir?

4. RAMÓN : I would like to be blind.

5. ELIANA : Blind, why blind?

6. RAMÓN : So I can read you with my hands.

7. ELIANA : Phuh! What a jerk!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

ciego, -a blind adjective, noun

poder to be able, can verb

leer to read verb

mano hand fem. noun

¡ay! ah! interjection

imbécil jerk, imbecil noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Mi abuelo está ciego. El bebé no puede caminar.

"My grandfather is blind." "The baby cannot walk."

Si tenía más tiempo, leería cada día. ¡Manos arriba!

"If I had more time, I would read everyday." "Hands up!"

¡Ay! Qué día! Daniel es un imbécil.

"Ah! What a day!" "Daniel is a jerk."

GRAMMAR
In today's lesson, we went over the preposition "por" (for). This preposition has a number of different
uses. First, let's take a look at where it comes up in the lesson conversation:

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #26 3

"Bueno, estoy aquí por mis estudios." (Well, I’m here for school.)
Here, we translate "por" as "for". In this context, we can also translate it as follows: "I am here 'because'
of my studies.
Note that in this case the preposition "por" is used to express the cause of an action.

Here is a similar example in which "por" is used to express cause of an action:

"Trabajo por mi familia." (I work for/on behalf my family.)
Keep in mind that this literally means "I'm working to support my family".
Contrast the preposition "por" with the preposition "para" in this context:
"Trabajo para mi familia" (I work for/am employed by my family.)
"Para" has a different meaning: it is as if I were employed by my family rather than working to support
them.

Let's take a look at all the different functions of the preposition "por":

Cause: Expresses the cause of an action:

"Por haber llovido mucho, el partido fue cancelado" (Because of it having rained so much, the game was
cancelled).

Time and Place: It vaguely expresses local and temporal relationships.

"Entrar por la puerta" (To enter through the door).

Agent of the Passive: Introduces the agent of a passive action.

"Él ha sido arrestado por la policía" (He has been arrested by the police).

Medium: Expresses the medium through which an action is carried out.

"Hablar por teléfono" (To talk by phone).

Mode: Forms adverbial and conjunctive phrases.

"Por fín" (At last).

Substitution/Equivalence: expresses that an action is carried out by a subject on behalf of someone else:
"Trabaja por tu padre hoy día" (Work for/instead of your father today).

Used in formulas of judgement/exclamation:

"¡Por el amor de Dios!" (For the love of God!).

CULTURAL INSIGHT

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #26 4

In Latino culture, it is normal for men to more forward when courting women. As we saw in today's
conversation, Latinos can be very direct and daring. Latina women receive such lines on a daily basis in
most places. Believe it or not, sometimes these kinds of pick-up lines actually work. It is expected that
the men will ask the women out, almost never is it the other way around. The macho culture creates this
type of dating atmosphere. It is common for Latinos to show very forthright interest in a woman in
order to convince her to date him. This is, in part, where the classic image of Latin romance comes from.
Of course, the pick-up lines will always vary from brash to eloquent.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #26 5

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #27
Romance #2 - I can't love you...

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 27
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #27 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. RAMÓN : ¿Por qué nunca me das la oportunidad de mostrarte el amor que tengo por ti?

2. ELIANA : ¡Ramón, no te puedo amar!

3. RAMÓN : ¡No puede ser! ¡Mi vida! ¡No...! ¿¡Por qué!?

4. ELIANA : Porque amo a Ernesto.

5. RAMÓN : ¡Ese desgraciado! ¿¡Cómo vas a decirme eso!?

6. ELIANA : ¡Ay, Ramón, no hagas eso!

ENGLISH

1. RAMÓN : Why don't you ever give me a chance to show you the love I have for you?

2. ELIANA : Ramón, I can't love you!

3. RAMÓN : Impossible! My love! No...! Why!?

4. ELIANA : Because I love Ernesto.

5. RAMÓN : That scum! How are you going to say that to me!?

6. ELIANA : Oh, Ramón, don't do that!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. RAMÓN : ¿Por qué nunca me da la oportunidad de mostrarle el amor que tengo por usted?

2. ELIANA : ¡Ramón, no le puedo amar!

3. RAMÓN : ¡No puede ser! ¡Mi vida! ¡No...! ¿¡Por qué!?

4. ELIANA : Porque amo a Ernesto.

5. RAMÓN : ¡Ese desgraciado! ¿¡Cómo va a decirme eso!?

6. ELIANA : ¡Ay, Ramón, no haga eso!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #27 2

ENGLISH

1. RAMÓN : Why don't you ever give me a chance to show you the love I have for you, Ma'am?

2. ELIANA : Ramón, I cannot love you!

3. RAMÓN : Impossible! My love! No...! Why!?

4. ELIANA : Because I love Ernesto.

5. RAMÓN : That scum! How are you going to say that to me!?

6. ELIANA : Oh, Ramón, do not do that!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

mostrar to show verb

desgraciado, -a unfortunate, vile, scum, adjective, noun

porque because conjunction

¿por qué? why? adverb

oportunidad opportunity noun feminine

vida life noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Me puedes mostrar tu cara más graciosa? Quiero mostrarte mi cuarto.

"Can you show me your funniest face?" "I want to show you my room."

Daniel es un desgraciado y lo odio. Me gustas porque eres bonita.

"Daniel is a vile person and I hate him." "I like you because you are pretty."

¿Por qué has venido aquí? A la primera oportunidad.

"Why have you come here?" "At the earliest opportunity."

La vida es corta.

"Life is short."

GRAMMAR

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #27 3

In today's lesson, we discuss the preposition ‘a’. We see this preposition used in our conversation:
"Porque amo a Ernesto" (Because I love Ernesto). In this case, Ernesto is the direct object of the verb
"amar" (to love). When the direct object of a verb is a person, we need to use the preposition 'a' to show
whom the action is being directed towards. Another example is, "Llamo a Fernando" (I call Fernando).
Notice how the preposition, 'a', doesn't even get translated, but it needs to be there in order for the
sentence to make grammatical sense.

It is important to remember that 'a' is used as a preposition with direct and indirect object compliments.
For example: "Vimos a tu hermana" (We saw your sister).
Here, the preposition 'a' is used with the direct object compliment.
We cannot say, "vimos tu hermana", but rather, we must say "vimos a tu hermana".
This always occurs when the direct object compliment is a person or a thing that has been personified.
This means that the direct object compliment is determined rather than undetermined in the mind of
the speaker.

Now look at the difference between a person that is determined in the mind of the speaker in contrast
to one that is not:

"Vimos a tu hijo en el jardín" (We saw your son in the garden).

vs.
"Vimos un niño en el jardín" (We saw a child in the garden).

The first sentence refers to a determined person: "your son". The second sentence refers to an
undetermined person: "a child"; we don't know the child's identity.

In the case of indirect object compliments, the preposition 'a is used to express the person or thing that
receives harm or benefit from the action of a verb.

For example: "yo envié un regalo a Pedro" (I sent a present to Pedro). In this case, the direct compliment
to the verb "enviar" (to send), is "un regalo" (a present), and the indirect complement is "Pedro".

CULTURAL INSIGHT
It the Latin American world of dating, machismo is still the norm. Although progressive trends in dating
do exist, the man is still usually the one who is expected to make advances. These advances are often
very bold and forthright. What may be considered an old school outlook by some still reigns supreme.
Dating is usually fast, serious, and intense. Couples are affectionate and unabashedly so. Public displays
of affection, and jealousy, can be expected. Proceed with caution!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #27 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #28
Romance #3 - Ramón, the Detailist, with
Julia

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 28
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #28 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. RAMÓN : Cariño, tengo alguito para tí.

2. JULIA : ¿Un regalo?

3. RAMÓN : A ver si te gusta...

4. JULIA : ¡Qué lindas argollas! Gracias, mi amor. ¡Qué tal detallista!

5. RAMÓN : No, mi vida...

6. JULIA : Te recompenso en besos.

ENGLISH

1. RAMÓN : Sweety, I've got a little something for you.

2. JULIA : A gift?

3. RAMÓN : Let's see if you like it...

4. JULIA : What beautiful earrings! Thanks, baby! How considerate!

5. RAMÓN : Don't thank me, honey...

6. JULIA : I'll pay you back in kisses.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. RAMÓN : Cariño, tengo alguito para usted.

2. JULIA : ¿Un regalo?

3. RAMÓN : A ver si le gusta...

4. JULIA : ¡Qué lindas argollas! Gracias, mi amor. ¡Qué tal detallista!

5. RAMÓN : No, mi vida...

6. JULIA : Le recompenso en besos.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #28 2

ENGLISH

1. RAMÓN : Sweetheart, I have got a little something for you.

2. JULIA : A gift?

3. RAMÓN : Let us see if you like it...

4. JULIA : What beautiful earrings! Thank you, darling! How considerate!

5. RAMÓN : Do not thank me, honey...

6. JULIA : I will pay you back in kisses.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

cariño affection, darling, sweetheart masc. noun

regalo gift, present noun masculine

argolla earring noun feminine

detallista perfectionist, considerate adjective

beso kiss noun masculine

dulce sweet adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Qué hay de cena, cariño? Quiero muchos regalos para mi cumpleaños.

"What's for dinner, honey?" "I want a lot of presents for my birthday."

Adriana se pone argollas bonitas. Me gusta que mi pareja sea detallista.

"Adriana puts on pretty earrings." "I like that my partner is a perfectionist."

Manuel da muchos besos a su esposa. La fruta está dulce.

"Manuel gives many kisses to his wife." "The fruit is sweet."

GRAMMAR
In today's lesson we focus on the preposition "en" (in). This preposition is used to communicate
concepts of space and time. While the preposition 'a' establishes a dynamic relation, the preposition 'en'
establishes static relationships. For example: “vivo en Madrid” (I live in Madrid). In this example, the
spacial concept of living in Madrid is static/permanent.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #28 3

The preposition 'en' can denote participation in abstract and collective concepts. Here are two examples:
“soy valiente en una pelea” (I am valiant in a fight), “soy hábil en engañar” (I am skilled in deception).

From this sense of participation in a larger abstract concept comes a set of related verbs that express
thought and belief that function with the preposition:

“creer en” (to believe in), “esperar en” (to wait/hope in), “confiar en” (to trust in), “dudar en” (to doubt in).

*Note that the phrase, “creer a mi hermano”, means “to grant him credit in that which he says”, while the
phrase, “creer en mi hermano”, denotes a much more extensive belief in my brother which includes not
only what he says, but also belief in his talents, his honesty, and all his other qualities.
*The preposition 'en' functions the same for the other verbs of thought that are previously listed.

The preposition 'en' can often be combined with verbs of motion to vaguely express the end of the
movement: “caer en el agua” (to fall in the water), “entrar en la iglesía” (to enter the church).

The preposition 'en' also has modal significance for numerous adverbial phrases: en serio (seriously), en
broma (jokingly), en secreto (secretly), en general (generally), en particular (particularly), en absoluto
(absolutely).

We can also use the preposition 'en' to convey the instrument, means, or price of something:
“hablar en inglés” (to talk in English), “viajar en avión” (travel by plane), “vender en 200 pesetas” (to sell
for 200 pesetas).

Finally, the preposition 'en' is used with infinitives and the gerund to form verbal phrases:
“Estoy caminando en el parque” (I am walking in the park), “Comer en la cocina” (to eat in the kitchen).

CULTURAL INSIGHT
In relationships all over the world, but in Latin America especially, males are expected to bring gifts. The
act of gift giving is actually very important in many countries. If one is invited to a home, better not show
up empty handed! If on a date, don’t forget the man is expected to pay. Gender roles have not lost all of
their force and importance. Just make sure, if on a date, bring flowers. They are always a safe bet. Or, if
all else fails, chocolate!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #28 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #29
Romance #4 - Eliana and Ernesto:
Enamorados

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 29
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #29 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. ELIANA : ¿Qué, ya son las dos tan rápido? ¡Ya me tengo que ir!

2. ERNESTO : Amor, tranquila...

3. ELIANA : Me tengo que ir... al menos que me invites a desayunar.

4. ERNESTO : Ay, mujer... ¡Quédate! ¿Qué desayunamos?

5. ELIANA : Frutas muy frescas y pan calientito.

6. ERNESTO : ¡Ya tengo hambre!

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : What, it's already two o'clock? I've got to go!

2. ERNESTO : Honey, relax...

3. ELIANA : I've got to go... unless ya' invite me to breakfast.

4. ERNESTO : Oh, sweetheart... Stay! What do ya' want for breakfast?

5. ELIANA : Fresh fruit and hot hard-rolls.

6. ERNESTO : That makes me hungry!

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. ELIANA : ¿Qué, ya son las dos tan rápido? ¡Ya me tengo que ir!

2. ERNESTO : Amor, tranquila...

3. ELIANA : Me tengo que ir... al menos que me invite a desayunar.

4. ERNESTO : Ay, mujer... ¡Quédese! ¿Qué desayunamos?

5. ELIANA : Frutas muy frescas y pan calientito.

6. ERNESTO : ¡Ya tengo hambre!

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #29 2

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : What, it is already two o'clock? I have got to go!

2. ERNESTO : Honey, relax...

3. ELIANA : I have got to go... unless you invite me to breakfast.

4. ERNESTO : Oh, sweetheart... Stay! What do you want for breakfast?

5. ELIANA : Fresh fruit and hot hard-rolls.

6. ERNESTO : That makes me hungry!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

tener que to have to verb phrase

al menos at least prepositional phrase

mujer woman feminine noun

caliente hot, warm adjective

quedarse to stay put pronominal verb

pan bread noun masculine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Tengo que hacer mi tarea. Al menos no conoces a su madre.

"I have to do my homework." "At least you don't know her mother."

Una mujer está tomando una taza de café. Y la mujer esa... ¿qué, es una amiga tuya?

"A woman is drinking a cup of coffee." "And that woman over there, what, is she a
friend of yours?"

Me gusta comer sopa caliente en el invierno. Nos quedamos en la casa de mi amigo.

"I like to eat hot soup in the winter." "We stayed at my friend's house."

El pan blanco no es saludable para ti. Prefiero el pan integral.

"White bread is not healthy for you." "I prefer whole wheat bread."

Venden pan y queso en la tienda.

"They sell bread and cheese at the store."

GRAMMAR

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #29 3

In today's lesson, we see the contraction of the preposition "a" (to, at) and the definite article "el" (the).
When we combine these two elements, we get the contraction "al" (to the, at the). Remember that the
preposition "a" is fundamentally used to express the idea of material or figurative movement.

For example: "voy a Granada" (I am going to Granada).

Also, keep in mind that when we talk about movement, we use the definite article "el" (the) with
masculine nouns to say where the movement is going.

For instance: "el norte" (the north), "el campo" (the country), "el trabajo" (work).

In Spanish, we combine the preposition "a" with the definite article "el" to say where the movement is
directed.
Instead of incorrectly saying "voy a el mercado", we use the contraction to say "voy al mercado" (I am
going to the market).

Let's take a look at a few examples of how this contraction is commonly employed in the Spanish
language:
"Caminamos al norte de la ciudad" (We walk to the north of the city).
"Al menos no perdimos el partido" (At the very least we didn't lose the game).
"Vas al trabajo" (You are going to work).
"Manejo al campo" (I drive to the country).
"Le doy una bandera al presidente" (I give a flag to the president).
"Necesito ir al baño" (I need to go to the bathroom).

*Note that this contraction is made only with the definite article "el" for masculine nouns. When we are
talking about feminine nouns, the definite article "la" is used. In this case, there is no contraction.
"voy a la escuela" (I go to school). "tengo que ir a la farmacia" (I have to go to the pharmacy).

CULTURAL INSIGHT
As in any part of the world, Spanish speaking countries have varied definitions and levels for
relationships. First, we have the entry level classification of "enamorados". If you are "enamorados" you
are in love or you are at least reaching that point where your heart starts racing a bit when you are
going to see your "enamorado". This is that infatuation faze. In your eyes, your beloved can do no
wrong. Next up, we have "novios". If you find yourself being called "novio" you are in a
girlfriend/boyfriend situation. However, this is definitely a more serious connotation than the American
concept of boyfriends and girlfriends. If everything goes well and you stay together, everyone will expect
you to become "comprometidos". In English, we call this "engaged". Get ready for love and marriage!
Once you are hitched, you are "casado" (married).

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #29 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #30
Romance #5 - Liar!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 30
[Link] NEWBIE #30 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. JULIA : ¿¡Ramón, me estás sacando la vuelta!?

2. RAMÓN : ¿De qué hablas, mi vida, mi amor, luz de mi vida?

3. JULIA : ¡Dejó su lápiz de labios en el baño, mentiroso!

4. RAMÓN : Amor, espera...

5. JULIA : No me digas amor. ¡Ya no!

6. RAMÓN : ¿ Julia, me puedes perdonar?

ENGLISH

1. JULIA : Ramón, are ya' cheating on me!?

2. RAMÓN : What are ya' talking about, honey, baby, light of my life?

3. JULIA : She left her lipstick in the bathroom, you liar!

4. RAMÓN : Baby, wait...

5. JULIA : Don't call me baby. Not anymore!

6. RAMÓN : Julia, can ya' forgive me?

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. JULIA : ¿¡Ramón, me está sacando la vuelta!?

2. RAMÓN : ¿De qué habla, mi vida, mi amor, luz de mi vida?

3. JULIA : ¡Dejó su lápiz de labios en el baño, mentiroso!

4. RAMÓN : Amor, espere...

5. JULIA : No me diga amor. ¡Ya no!

6. RAMÓN : ¿ Julia, me puede perdonar?

[Link] NEWBIE #30 2

ENGLISH

1. JULIA : Ramón, are you cheating on me!?

2. RAMÓN : What are you talking about, honey, baby, light of my life?

3. JULIA : She left her lipstick in the bathroom, you liar!

4. RAMÓN : Baby, wait...

5. JULIA : Do not call me baby. Not anymore!

6. RAMÓN : Julia, can you forgive me?

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

sacar to take out, to remove verb

vuelta turn, return, walk noun feminine

lápiz de labios lipstick compound noun masculine

mentiroso deceitful, liar adjective, masculine noun

baño bathroom noun masculine

perdonar to forgive verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Hay que sacar la ropa. Necesito sacar dinero del banco.

"We have to get out the laundry." "I need to take out money from the bank."

Nos damos la vuelta en la próxima esquina. Mi novia no usa su lápiz de labios.

"We turn at the next corner." "My girlfriend doesn't use her lipstick."

El presidente no cumple sus promesas, es un El excusado está en el baño.

mentiroso.
"The toilet is in the bathroom."
"The president doesn't keep his promises, he's a
liar!"

Voy al baño. Hay que perdonar los errores.

"I'm going to the bathroom." "We have to forgive mistakes."

Hay algunas cosas que no se pueden perdonar.

"There are some things one cannot forgive."

[Link] NEWBIE #30 3

GRAMMAR
For the past few lessons, we've been focusing on prepositions. In today's lesson, we look at the
preposition "DE", since it came up twice in the lesson conversation.

The Preposition "DE" is used to express "Possession" and "Membership":

We express possession by means of the name of the possessor preceded by the preposition "DE".
For example: "el libro de Martín" (the book of Martin, Martin's book).

With membership, we do not refer to the relation between the possessor and the thing possessed.
Instead, we refer to the attributes or objects contained in a person or thing. That is to say, we convey the
qualities, nature, condition, or character of something or someone.
For example: "la sinceridad de Miguel" (Miguel's sincerity); "el brillo del piso" (the shine of the floor);
"estudiante de talento" (a student of talent, a talented student).

Along these same lines, we use the preposition "DE" to express the material of which something is
made:
"la puente de madera" (the bridge of wood, the wooden bridge); "cuaderno de cuero" (notebook of
leather, leather notebook).

This usage has extended to signify the matter or issue of something.

For example: "el libro de geografía" (the book of geography, the geography book); "hablábamos de la
política" (we were talking of politics, we were talking about politics).

*Note how one simple little preposition can be utilized to convey such a wide variety of meanings.

[Link] NEWBIE #30 4

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #31
Romance #6 - I'll do anything

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 31
[Link] NEWBIE #31 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. ELIANA : Ernesto, toda mi familia hace la misma pregunta.

2. ERNESTO : ¿Qué cosa?

3. ELIANA : ¿Cuándo, Ernesto, cúando?

4. ERNESTO : ¿Cuándo qué?

5. ELIANA : ¿Cuándo nos formalizamos?

6. ERNESTO : Para tí, amor, hago cualquier cosa.

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : Ernesto, my whole family is asking the same question.

2. ERNESTO : What's that?

3. ELIANA : When, Ernesto, when?

4. ERNESTO : When what?

5. ELIANA : When are we going to make it formal?

6. ERNESTO : For you, baby, I'll do anything.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. ELIANA : Ernesto, toda mi familia hace la misma pregunta.

2. ERNESTO : ¿Qué cosa?

3. ELIANA : ¿Cuándo, Ernesto, cúando?

4. ERNESTO : ¿Cuándo qué?

5. ELIANA : ¿Cuándo nos formalizamos?

6. ERNESTO : Para usted, amor, hago cualquier cosa.

[Link] NEWBIE #31 2

ENGLISH

1. ELIANA : Ernesto, my whole family is asking the same question.

2. ERNESTO : What is that?

3. ELIANA : When, Ernesto, when?

4. ERNESTO : When what?

5. ELIANA : When are we going to make it formal?

6. ERNESTO : For you, my darling, I'll do anything.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

familia family noun feminine

mismo, -a same, very adjective, pronoun, adverb

formalizarse to formalize reflexive verb

pregunta question noun feminine

cuándo when adverb

cualquier(a) any indefinite adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

La Familia Real tendrá una reunión importante. La familia es muy amable.

"The Royal Family will have an important "The family is very friendly."
reunion."

Siempre hablamos de la misma cosa. Esta tarde habrá una sesión de preguntas.

"We always talk about the same thing." "This afternoon there will be a question session."

Tengo una pregunta. ¿Cuándo es la fiesta?

"I have a question." "When is the party?"

Supongo que cualquier día recibiré la carta que tanto espero.

"I imagine that any day now I'll receive the letter that I've been waiting so long for."

GRAMMAR
Today's topic is the preposition "Para". We use this preposition to express the direction of movement:
“ir para Lima” (to go towards Lima), “vienen para acá” (they come towards here).

[Link] NEWBIE #31 3

In these cases, the direction is less determined than when it is expressed with the preposition "a", which
conveys determined destination:
“ir a Lima” (to go to Lima).

Because of the inherent indetermination associated with "para", it cannot be used with verbs that imply
the end of a movement/final destination. For example, we say “llegaremos a Caracas” (we will arrive in
Caracas), using "a" rather than "para".

This preposition is also employed in relation to time. "Para" denotes approximate time rather than exact
time. For example:
“La fiesta ha sido aplazada para el jueves.” (The party has been set for Thursday.)
“Para Navidad nos reuniremos." (We will get together for Christmas.)

*Note that the times expressed in these examples are general days rather than precise moments.

Additionally, We can use "para" to express the final purpose of a thing:

“Trajeron una carta para Vanesa.” (They brought a card for Vanesa.)
“El regalo es para ti.” (The present is for you.)
“La vida es para vivir.” (Life is for living.)

Here is a complete list of the uses for "Para":

1 (utility/utilidad) for:
"¿Para qué tanto esfuerzo?" (What's all this effort for?)

2 (motive/motivo) to, in order to:

"Lo dijo para molestarme." (She said it to annoy me.)

3 (destination/destinatario) for:
"Es para mamá." (It's for mom.)

4 (opinion/opinión) For, To:

"Para Jorge, todas las mujeres son guapas." (All women are pretty to Jorge.)

[Link] NEWBIE #31 4

5 (comparisons/comparación) for:
"Para ser tan joven, tiene ideas muy sensatas." (He has very sensible ideas for his age.)

6 (time/tiempo) by:
"Estará listo para las cinco." (It'll be ready by five.)

7 (about to/a punto de) To:

"Está para salir." (It's about to leave.)
8 (direction/dirección) For:
"El tren para Sevilla acaba d e salir." (The train for Seville has just left.)

[Link] NEWBIE #31 5

LESSON NOTES

Newbie #32
Bubble, Bubble...Stomach Trouble - 1

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 32
[Link] NEWBIE #32 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. GABRIEL : No me siento bien, Lucía.

2. LUCÍA : ¿Qué tienes?

3. GABRIEL : Me duele el estómago.

4. LUCÍA : ¿Qué has comido?

5. GABRIEL : Nada fuera de lo normal. Espero que no sea una enfermedad grave.

6. LUCÍA : ¡Olvídate! ¿Te preparo una manzanilla?

ENGLISH

1. GABRIEL : I don't feel so good, Lucía.

2. LUCÍA : What's wrong?

3. GABRIEL : My stomach hurts.

4. LUCÍA : What've you eaten?

5. GABRIEL : Nothing outside the ordinary. I hope it's not a serious illness.

6. LUCÍA : Forget about it! Can I make some chamomile tea for ya'?

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. GABRIEL : No me siento bien, Lucía.

2. LUCÍA : ¿Qué tiene?

3. GABRIEL : Me duele el estómago.

4. LUCÍA : ¿Qué ha comido?

5. GABRIEL : Nada fuera de lo normal. Espero que no sea una enfermedad grave.

6. LUCÍA : ¡Olvídase! ¿Le preparo una manzanilla?

[Link] NEWBIE #32 2

ENGLISH

1. GABRIEL : I do not feel so good, Lucía.

2. LUCÍA : What is wrong?

3. GABRIEL : My stomach hurts.

4. LUCÍA : What have you eaten?

5. GABRIEL : Nothing outside the ordinary. I hope it is not a serious illness.

6. LUCÍA : Forget about it! Can I make some chamomile tea for you?

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

sentirse to feel reflexive verb

dolerse to hurt transitive verb

estómago stomach noun masculine

enfermedad sickness, illness noun feminine

grave serious, grave adjective

manzanilla chamomile noun feminine

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Hoy no voy a ir a trabajar, me siento enfermo. Me duele la cabeza.

"I'm not going to work today: I feel sick." "I have a headache."

Me pegó muy fuerte en el estómago. Su estómago está hinchado.

"He hit me very hard in the stomach." "His stomach is bloated."

Hay muchas personas con enfermedades en el Tenemos un problema grave.

hospital.
"We have a serious problem."
"There are many people with illnesses in the
hospital."

Es bueno tomar manzanilla cuando te duele el estómago.

"It is good to drink chamomile when your stomach hurts."

GRAMMAR
Today we talk about reflexive verbs. In particular, we focus on the verb "sentirse" (to feel). The personal
pronoun "se" attached to the infinitive denotes a reflexive verb.

[Link] NEWBIE #32 3

We can see a case of a reflexive verb in the lesson conversation when Gabriel says:
"No me siento bien."
(I don't feel well.)

Let's look at the verb "sentirse". The stem of "sentir" in the infinitive is "s-e-nt-", but the stem changes to
"s-i-e-n-t-" (except for nosotros and vosotros) when it's conjugated in the present tense of the indicative
mood.

Reflexive verbs must be conjugated with a personal pronouns, and the pronoun needs to agree with the
verb in person and number:
"me, te, se, nos, os, se"

Observe the table below to see how we conjugate "sentirse" (to feel) in the present indicative mood:

yo me siento nosotros nos sentimos

(I feel) (we feel)

tú te sientes vosotros os sentís

(you feel) (you all feel)

él se siente ellos se sienten

(he feels) (they feel)

ella se siente ellas se sienten

(she feels) (they feel *feminine)

usted se siente ustedes se sienten

(you feel *formal) (you all feel)

*If we omit the personal pronoun when conjugating the verb, the meaning of the verb changes. This is a
pitfall, so watch out. When we use the verb "sentir" without the reflexive pronoun, it means "to feel" in
the sense of "to think".
For example:
"Siento que va a llover."
(I think it's going to rain.)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
While traveling in Latin America, one must be conscious of what they eat and drink. It is less sanitary
conditions than the simple fact that your body might not have the defenses against the bacteria present
in the water and food. People that reside in the country have spent their lives building their immune
systems against the bacteria present in their environment. Many times, even if drinking bottled water,
the simple act of brushing your teeth or drinking a drink with ice is enough to make you sick to your
stomach.

[Link] NEWBIE #32 4

[Link] NEWBIE #32 5
LESSON NOTES

Newbie #33
Bubble, Bubble...Stomach Trouble - 2

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Informal Spanish

Main
English
Dialogue - Formal Spanish
Main
English
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 33
[Link] NEWBIE #33 1
DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. LUCÍA : Gabriel, ¿cómo vas con la molestia?

2. GABRIEL : La verdad es que no ha mejorado y me siento peor.

3. LUCÍA : ¿En serio? ¡Ay, pobrecito! Tienes que ir a la farmacia.

4. GABRIEL : ¿Sabes dónde queda la farmacia más cercana?

5. LUCÍA : Sí, sé. ¿Te acompaño?

6. GABRIEL : Ah, gracias, Lucía, mejor.

ENGLISH

1. LUCÍA : Gabriel, how are you doing with your discomfort?

2. GABRIEL : The truth is that it hasn't gotten better and I feel worse.

3. LUCÍA : Seriously? Oh, you poor little thing! You've got to go the pharmacy.

4. GABRIEL : Do you know where the nearest pharmacy is?

5. LUCÍA : Yeah, I do. Should I go with you?

6. GABRIEL : Oh, Lucía, thanks, that would be better.

DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. LUCÍA : Gabriel, ¿cómo va con la molestia?

2. GABRIEL : La verdad es que no ha mejorado y me siento peor.

3. LUCÍA : ¿En serio? ¡Ay, pobrecito! Tiene que ir a la farmacia.

4. GABRIEL : ¿Sabe dónde queda la farmacia más cercana?

5. LUCÍA : Sí, sé. ¿Le acompaño?

6. GABRIEL : Ah, gracias, Lucía, mejor.

[Link] NEWBIE #33 2

ENGLISH

1. LUCÍA : Gabriel, how are you doing with your discomfort?

2. GABRIEL : The truth is that it has not gotten better and I feel worse.

3. LUCÍA : Seriously? Oh, you poor little thing! You have got to go the pharmacy.

4. GABRIEL : Do you know where the nearest pharmacy is?

5. LUCÍA : Yes, I do. Should I go with you?

6. GABRIEL : Oh, Lucía, thank you, that would be better.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

molestia bother, trouble noun feminine

quedar to be in a place, in a state of being verb

mejorado improved past participle

pobrecito, -a poor little thing noun

farmacia pharmacy, drugstore noun feminine

cercano, -a near, close adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

No es una molestia. Manuel se quedó en su casa.

"It's not a bother." "Manuel stayed in his house."

Mi español ha mejorado. Se ha roto un dedo, ¡pobrecita!

"My Spanish has improved." "She broke her finger, poor thing!"

¿Estás enfermo? Pobrecito... Su bolsa es toda una farmacia.

"You're sick? Poor little thing..." "Her bag is a total pharmacy."

Venden medicina en la farmacia. Busco una farmacia cercana de aquí.

"They sell medicine in the pharmacy." "I am looking for a pharmacy near here."

GRAMMAR
Today we will study the Preterit Perfect. We use this formation to speak about what "has happened". We
must focus on the verb "haber" (to have) in the present indicative tense. In addition, we must learn the
formation of regular past participles.

[Link] NEWBIE #33 3

In today's lesson conversation, Gabriel, still not feeling well, tells Lucía that his discomfort "no ha
mejorado" (has not improved). This is the construction that we're going to be focusing on: "Haber
(present indicative) + past participle of verb"

Recall that "haber" (to have) can be used in combination with other verbs; and when this is so, we can
call it either an "auxiliary verb" or a "helping verb" because it helps to complete the meaning of the main
verb.

Review the conjugations for "haber" (to have):

yo he nosotros hemos
(I have) (we have)

tú has vosotros habéis

(you have) (you all have)

él ha ellos han
(he has) (they have)

ella ha ellas han

(she has) (they have *feminine)

usted ha ustedes han

(you have) (you all have)

Now, let's look at how the past participle is formed for regular -AR- and -IR/ER verbs:

The "R" at the end of the infinitive is replaced by the letters "D" and "O":
For example, from "mejorar" (to improve), to "mejorado" (improved).
From "mentir" (to lie), to "mentido" (lied).

*This rule doesn’t apply to verbs ending in ER. For ER ending verbs you should replace the "ER" for "IDO"
COMER COM-IDO
BEBER BEB-IDO
TRAER TRA-IDO

Observe the following changes to form the past participle:

From "hablar" (to speak), we get "hablado" (spoken).

From "llamar" (to call), we have "llamado" (called).
From "caminar" (to walk), we get "caminado" (walked).

[Link] NEWBIE #33 4

So, we are able to speak about past actions using this structure.
"Hemos terminado con la lección de hoy".
(We have finished with today's lesson.)

CULTURAL INSIGHT
What do I do if I get a stomach bug in Latin America? Funny as it may sound, this is a legitimate question
that many a tourist has had to ask himself. First, make up for loss of liquids by increasing your water
intake. Many times, you just need to let the bug run its course, and drinking lots of water will speed up
the process. Electrolytes are also very important. Sports drinks as well as light, homemade chicken
broth will get you the salts you need to get back on track. Stay away from solid foods until your appetite
returns (maybe a couple of days). Once you're ready to start eating again, start slowly! A good way to
start is simply by adding a little big of white rice to the chicken broth. But, don't go overboard. Even
though you may be starving, the last thing you want to do is shock the system. Another suggestion I
have, based on experience, is to stay away from medicines which stop you from going to the bathroom.
Even though diarrhea is very uncomfortable, it's also the body's way of purging itself of toxins and other
harmful organisms and bacteria. And, above all, rest. Especially if you have lot a good amount of liquids,
you will need to rest while you try to catch up with water and broth.

[Link] NEWBIE #33 5

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #34
Oh, you've got to go to the clinic!

CONTENTS
2 Informal Spanish
2 English
2 Formal Spanish
3 English
3 Vocabulary
4 Sample Sentences
5 Grammar
6 Cultural Insight

# 34
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 INFORMAL SPANISH

1. LUCÍA: Gabriel, ¿sigues mal del estómago?

2. GABRIEL: Sí, no sé qué hacer.

3. LUCÍA: ¡Ay, tienes que ir a la clínica!

4. GABRIEL: ¿A la clínica?

5. LUCÍA: No te preocupes. La asistencia médica ahí siempre es muy buena.

6. GABRIEL: Si tú lo dices... ¡vamos pues!

ENGLISH

1. LUCÍA: Gabriel, is your stomach still off?

2. GABRIEL: Yeah, I don't know what to do.

3. LUCÍA: Oh, you've got to go to the clinic!

4. GABRIEL: To the clinic?

5. LUCÍA: Don't worry. The medical assistance there is always very good.

6. GABRIEL: If you say so... then let's go!

FORMAL SPANISH

1. LUCÍA: Gabriel, ¿usted sigue mal del estómago?

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #34 - OH, YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CLINIC! 2

2. GABRIEL: Sí, no sé qué hacer.

3. LUCÍA: ¡Ay, tiene que ir a la clínica!

4. GABRIEL: ¿A la clínica?

5. LUCÍA: No se preocupe. La asistencia médica ahí siempre es muy buena.

6. GABRIEL: Si usted lo dice... ¡vayamos pues!

ENGLISH

1. LUCÍA: Gabriel, is your stomach still off?

2. GABRIEL: Yes, I do not know what to do.

3. LUCÍA: Oh, you have got to go to the clinic!

4. GABRIEL: To the clinic?

5. LUCÍA: Do not worry. The medical assistance there is always very good.

6. GABRIEL: If you say so... then let's go!

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class

seguir to continue, to follow verb

tener que ir to have to go verbal phrase

clínica clinic fem. noun

[Link] NEWBIE #34 - OH, YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CLINIC! 3

 negative exclamation,
¡No te preocupes! Don't worry! expression

médico, -a medical adjective

ahí there, over there adverb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

El pronóstico del tiempo dijo que Seguí para allá, hasta el antiguo
habría lluvia, seguida de una Banco Negro.
fuerte nevada durante las
"Keep going over there until you
próximas horas.
get to the former Black Bank."
"The forecast said there will be
rain, followed by heavy snow
during the next few hours."

Teníamos que ir a mi casa antes Tenemos que ir. ¡Póngale!

de venir aquí.
"We have to go. Get a move on!"
"We had to go to my house before
coming here."

Anda a la clínica antes de que te ¡No te preocupes, no puedes

pongas muy mal. ganar todo el tiempo!

"Go to the clinic before you "Don't worry, you can't win every
become very ill." time!"

¡No te preocupes por la revisión. ¿A qué hora tienes la cita médica?

Yo la haré.
"What time do you have your
"Don't worry about the revision. doctor's appointment?"
I'll do it."

[Link] NEWBIE #34 - OH, YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CLINIC! 4

Por favor, pon las bolsas de las Estoy ahí a las ocho.
compras ahí.
"I'll be there at eight o'clock."
"Please, put the shopping bags
there."

GRAMMAR

Adjectives are modifiers. They shape the meaning of a noun by describing its
characteristics. "Asistencia médica" (Medical assistance) is an example of this. In Spanish,
there is a fairly well-established set of rules by which we use adjectives. Today, we're going
to consider two aspects of Adjectives: 1) Agreement and 2) Placement.

1) Adjectives are either singular or plural. This way of breaking down the group in two is
called "el número" (the number) of the adjective. Number is shown in the ending of the
word. We call this "inflection". Also shown in the ending is the "gender" of the word; not to
be confused with the "sex" of a person. Adjectives are either masculine or feminine.

2) Adjectives are normally placed after the noun they modify. So, in the example "la
asistencia médica aquí es siempre muy buena", notice that the adjective "médica" comes
after the noun which it modifies "asistencia". This is the normal placement. Exceptions to
this rule occur when we want to place more emphasis on the characteristic being
attributed to the meaning of the noun than to the meaning of the noun itself.

The following are the "normal" endings for adjectives that have number and gender:

Singular:
Masculino: médic + o = médico
Femenino: médic + a = médica

Plural:
Masculino: médic + os = médicos
Femenino: médic + as = médicas

Below are a few example of adjectives being used in common phrases. Note the gender and
placement.

"¿Has visto mi camisa roja?"

(Have you seen my red shirt?)
"La asistencia médica aquí es siempre muy buena."

[Link] NEWBIE #34 - OH, YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CLINIC! 5

(The medical attention here is always very good.)
"Ha sido una noche larga."
(It has been a long night.)
"Nunca recibo tus correos electrónicos."
(I never receive your emails.)

*Once you learn to recognize the gender and number of nouns, using adjectives is pretty
easy, since you only need to make sure that they "agree" with each other, which is really
just another way of saying that we need to conserve the "concordancia" (agreement,
concordance). Unfortunately, the system is not perfect in this regard, and there are plenty
of exceptions. For example, adjectives like "verde" (green) and "sonriente" (smiley) end in
and "-e" in the singular and "-es" in the plural. So, one of these two forms is used, despite
the gender of the noun its modifying. So, we would say "los niños sonrientes" (the smiley
boys) as well as "las niñas sorientes" (the smiley girls).

Also, we should mention the issue of "mixed genders". For example, plural nouns that
contain masculine and feminine characteristics: "los platos y las tazas sucios se quedaron
en la mesa" (the dirty plates and cups remained on the table). Here, since "platos" is
masculine (and plural) and since "tazas" is feminine (and plural), the adjective
"sucios" (masculine and plural) is used. When groups of things or people include both
masculine and feminine nouns, the masculine form is always dominant. In this way, it kind
of acts like a formal that is "neutral" in terms of its gender.

In terms of their usage, adjectives are also known in Spanish to be used as a form of
address. That is to say, a noun can be replaced by an adjective which assumes the quality
of a noun. Linguists sometimes call it "la substantivación del adjetivo". For instance, to
flatter a woman one might say "hola, linda" (hello beautiful) or to complain "¡apúrate
flojo!" (hurry up, lazy!) or to show affection often in the diminutive "ven acá, mi
gordito" (come here, my chunky-monkey).

Adjectives serve to add life and vigor to the language! Learning gender and placement will
allow you to broaden your communication abilities substantially.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

Clinics in Latin America vary. If you plan on going to a public clinic or hospital, expect a very
long wait. Waiting rooms, in my experience, have always been full of people with many
different ailments. Do not expect preferential treatment. Obviously, some clinics are better
than others, but they generally go provide very good health care. If you have the money, I
would definitely recommend going to a private clinic. While a little more expensive, you
would not end up spending your entire day waiting to be seen by a doctor or nurse.

[Link] NEWBIE #34 - OH, YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO THE CLINIC! 6

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #35
The ATM ate my debit card!

CONTENTS
2 Formal Spanish
2 English
2 Informal Spanish
3 English
3 Vocabulary
4 Sample Sentences
5 Grammar
6 Cultural Insight

# 35
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 FORMAL SPANISH

1. MARTÍN: Disculpe, señor, pero el cajero no me devuelve mi tarjeta.

2. GERENTE: ¿Hace cuánto tiempo que está, usted, en el Perú?

3. MARTÍN: Hace un par de días.

4. GERENTE: ¿Y su banco sabe que usted ha viajado al Perú?

5. MARTÍN: ¡Pucha! Me olvidé de avisarle.

6. GERENTE: Lo siento, pero no puedo hacer nada.

ENGLISH

1. MARTÍN: Excuse me, Sir, but the ATM won't give me my card back.

2. MANAGER: How long, Sir, have you been in Peru?

3. MARTÍN: A couple of days.

4. MANAGER: And does your bank know that you have traveled to Peru?

5. MARTÍN: Shoot! I forgot to let them know!

6. MANAGER: I'm sorry, but I can't do anything.

INFORMAL SPANISH

1. MARTÍN: Disculpa, señor, pero el cajero no me devuelve mi tarjeta.

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 2

2. GERENTE: ¿Hace cuánto tiempo que estás en el Perú?

3. MARTÍN: Hace un par de días.

4. GERENTE: ¿Y tu banco sabe que has viajado al Perú?

5. MARTÍN: ¡Pucha! Me olvidé de avisarle.

6. GERENTE: Lo siento, pero no puedo hacer nada.

ENGLISH

1. MARTÍN: Excuse me, Sir, but the ATM won't give me my card back.

2. MANAGER: How long have ya' been in Peru?

3. MARTÍN: A couple of days.

4. MANAGER: And does your bank know that you've traveled to Peru?

5. MARTÍN: Shoot! I forgot to let them know!

6. MANAGER: I'm sorry, but I can't do anything.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

to return, to give
devolver back verb

tarjeta card noun feminine

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 3

 olvidarse to forget pronominal verb

to inform, to let
avisar know, to warn verb

ATM (masculine
cajero noun only), bank
teller

nothing, not at all,

nada nothingness pronoun

SAMPLE SENTENCES

Los animales fueron devueltos a ¿Por qué no me has devuelto el

la naturaleza. auto?

"The animals were returned to "Why haven't you given me back

the wild." my car?"

No dejes de revisar el recibo ¿Cómo me puedo olvidar de tí?

después de realizar cualquier
"How can I forget about you?"
transacción con tu tarjeta de
débito.

"Don't stop checking your receipt

after any transaction using your
debit card."

Sólo quiero olvidarme de tí. Tu tío siempre se olvida traer su

traje de baño.
"I just want to forget about you."
"Your uncle always forgets to
bring his swimsuit."

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 4

Avísame antes si vas a llegar Había avisado a mi amigo que no
tarde. podía acompañarle.

"Inform me in advance if you will "I had let my friend know that I
arrive late." wouldn't be able to join him."

¿Dónde queda el cajero más ¿Por qué no haces nada?

cercano?
"Why don't you do anything?"
"Where is the nearest ATM?"

GRAMMAR

The verb "hacer" (to make, to do), as we've seen, is used very often in Spanish, and due to
this frequency of usage, it tends to take on many different meanings. Today, we see it
being used to express time in the past. The third person singular form, or so-called
"impersonal" is used in this construction: "hace". This is followed my some amount of time,
such as "mucho tiempo", "cuánto", "unos días", etc.

In order to ask "how long have you been here?", we will use this expression:

"¿Hace cuánto tiempo que estás aquí? (How long have you been here?).

The complete answer to this question is as follows:

"Desde hace + period of time".

The shortened form of this, which is also correct, is "hace + period of time".

For example:

Question- "¿Hace cuánto tiempo que estás en el Perú?" (How long have you been in Peru?)

Answer- "Hace un par de días." (A couple of days.)

*Notice how the verb "estar", conjugated to the present tense of the indicative mood
"estoy", changes to the Present Perfect in English "I have been".

Let's look a little closer at how to form these kinds of questions and answers:

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 5

La pregunta (The Question):

["Hacer" 3rd person singular of the present indicative] + [Interrogative Adjective] + [Noun]
+ [Conjunction] + [Present Indicative of "Estar"] + [Indirect Object Phrase]

"¿[Hace] + [cuánto] + [tiempo] + [que] + [estás] + [en el Perú]?" (How long have you been in
Peru?)

La respuesta afirmativa (The Affirmative Answer):

["Hacer" 3rd person singular of present indicative ] + [Amount of Time] + [Conjunction] +

[Present Indicative of "Estar"] + [Indirect Object Phrase].

"[Hace] + [tres meses] + [que] + [estoy] + [en el Perú]." (I've been in Peru for three months.)

La respuesta negativa (The Negative Answer):

["Hacer" 3rd person singular of present indicative ] + [Amount of Time] + [Conjunction] +

[Negation] + [Present Indicative of "Estar"] + [Indirect Object Phrase].

"[Hace] + [tres meses] + [que] + [no} + [estoy] + [en el Perú]." (It's been three months since
I was in Peru).

Observe the following samples sentences to see how the construction works:

"Hace un año que no te veo." (It's been a year since last I saw you.)

"¿Hace cuánto que vives ahí?" (How long have you lived there?)

"Hace una semana que no sale el sol." (It's been a week since the sun has come out.)

*The tenses are not always going to be the same. For example, I could say "I hadn't seen
you in a long time", which would require us to use the imperfect tense for the verb "hacer",
again, conjugated to the third person singular: "hacía mucho tiempo que no te viera". While
this form is a little more complex, to get started you might stick to the present tense forms
of the verbs. This form of "hacer" in the third person singular can also be used to talk about
something that "just" happened. For example, if you ask me "¿cuándo salió Marcos?" (when
did Marcos leave?), I could say "hace poco" (a little while a ago) or even "hace un rato" (just
a bit ago).

CULTURAL INSIGHT

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 6

In today's world, banks are very conscious of theft. If you know that you are going to be
traveling abroad for an extended period of time, it is a good idea for you to let your bank
know. If not, do not be surprised when you attempt to purchase something and your card is
rejected. It has happened to me before with both my debit card and my credit card. Most
cards have a toll free or international collect call number that you may call to resolve the
issue. Your best bet is to alert your bank before you leave your country of residence. Tell
them the length of your stay and which countries you will be visiting. You will not have any
problems after that. Remember, it is all for your protection!

[Link] NEWBIE #35 - THE ATM ATE MY DEBIT CARD! 7

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #36
The bureaucracy of the ATM troll

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 36
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. MARTÍN : Pero, señor, ¿qué hago? Acabo de llegar a Lima, ¡y ya no tengo cómo retirar dinero!

2. GERENTE : Lo lamento, pero este procedimiento es por su seguridad.

3. MARTÍN : Le confieso que sin la tarjeta me siento desamparado.

4. GERENTE : Lo único que quedaría sería hacer una solicitud a su banco para tramitar la devolución
de su tarjeta...pero no es recomendable.

5. MARTÍN : ¿No? ¿Y por qué?

6. GERENTE : Porque en toda mi experiencia como gerente de este banco, ningún cliente con el caso
como el de usted ha recibido su tarjeta de vuelta. Siento mucho no poderle ayudar.

ENGLISH

1. MARTIN : But, Sir, what do I do? I've just arrived in Lima, and now I don't have a way to withdraw
money!

2. MANAGER : I am sorry, but this procedure is for your safety.

3. MARTIN : To tell you the truth, without my card I feel abandoned.

4. MANAGER : The only other thing that you could do would be to make a request to your bank so
that they process the return of your card... but it is not recommendable.

5. MARTIN : No? And why not?

6. MANAGER : Because in all of my experience as manager of this bank, no client with a case like
yours has received his or her card back. I am really sorry that I cannot help you.

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. MARTÍN : Pero, amigo, ¿qué hago? Acabo de llegar a Lima, ¡y ya no tengo cómo retirar dinero!

2. GERENTE : Lo lamento, pero este procedimiento es por tu seguridad.

3. MARTÍN : Te confieso que sin la tarjeta me siento desamparado.

4. GERENTE : Lo único que quedaría sería hacer una solicitud a tu banco para tramitar la devolución
de tu tarjeta...pero no es recomendable.

5. MARTÍN : ¿No? ¿Y por qué?

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 2

6. GERENTE : Porque en toda mi experiencia como gerente de este banco, ningún cliente con el caso
como el tuyo ha recibido su tarjeta de vuelta. Siento mucho no poderte ayudar.

ENGLISH

1. MARTIN : But, buddy, what do I do? I've just arrived in Lima, and now I don't have a way to
withdraw money!

2. MANAGER : I'm sorry, but this procedure is for your safety.

3. MARTIN : To tell ya' the truth, without my card I feel abandoned.

4. MANAGER : The only other thing that ya' could do would be to make a request to your bank so
that they process the return of your card... but it's not recommendable.

5. MARTIN : No? And why not?

6. MANAGER : Because in all of my experience as manager of this bank, no client with a case like
yours has received his or her card back. I'm really sorry that I can't help ya'.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

retirar to withdraw verb

lamentar to be sorry, to lament verb

procedimiento procedure masc. noun

seguridad safety fem. noun

experiencia experience fem. noun

gerente manager masc. & fem. noun masc. or fem.

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¿Cuánto dinero deseas retirar? Lamentamos no poderte asistir.

"How much money do you wish to withdraw?" "We're sorry for being unable to help you."

Es importante que todos entendamos Por su seguridad, esta llamada puede ser
claramente los procedimientos. grabada.

"It's important that we all understand the "This call may be recorded for your safety."
procedures clearly."

Tenemos que revisar algunos datos, pero no se ¿Qué me podría decir, usted, sobre su
preocupe, es por su seguridad. experiencia laboral?

"We have to go over some information, but don't "What could you tell me, Sir, about your work
worry, it's for your safety." experience?"

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 3

 Recientemente, muchos gerentes gozan de una ¿Hace cuánto tiempo que trabajas de gerente?
mala reputación.
"How long have you worked as a manager?"
"Recently many managers have been getting a
bad reputation."

¿Ya ha llegado el gerente?

"Has the manager arrived yet?"

GRAMMAR
Pronouns replace nouns or noun phrases in sentences where the context still allows the meaning to be
understood (i.e. 'They are my shirts' becomes 'They are mine'). Possessive pronouns, then, show
"possession" or "ownership" while at the same time replacing the noun or the noun phrase.

Let's have a look at the forms:

1st Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Masc. Noun:

mío (mine) = El libro es mío. (The book is mine.)

1st Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Fem. Noun:

mía (mine) = La copa es mía. (The cup is mine.)

1st Person Sing. Prn. + Pl. Masc. Noun:

míos (mine) = Los libros son míos. (The books are mine.)

1st Person Pl. Prn. + Sing. Masc. Noun:

nuestro (ours) = El libro es nuestro. (The book is ours.)

1st Person Pl. Prn. + Sing. Fem. Noun:

nuestra (ours) = La copa es nuestra. (The cup is ours.)

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 4

1st Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Masc. Noun:

nuestros (ours) = Los libros son nuestros. (The books are ours.)

1st Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Feminine Noun:

nuestras (ours) = Las copas son nuestras. (The cups are ours.)

----------

2nd Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Masc. Noun:

tuyo (yours) = El libro es tuyo. (The book is yours.)

2nd Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Fem. Noun:

tuya (yours) = La copa es tuya. (The cup is yours.)

2nd Person Sing. Prn. + Pl. Masc. Noun:

tuyos (yours) = Los libros son tuyos. (The books are yours.)

2nd Person Sing. Prn. + Pl. Fem. Noun:

tuyas (yours) = Las copas son tuyas. (The cups are yours.)

2nd Person Pl. Prn. + Sing. Masc. Noun:

vuestro (yours) = El libro es vuestro. (The book is all of yours)

2nd Person Pl. Prn. + Sing. Fem. Noun:

vuestra (yours) = La copa es vuestra. (The cup is all of yours.)

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 5

2nd Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Masc. Noun:

vuestros (yours) = Los libros son vuestros. (The books are all of yours.)

2nd Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Fem. Noun:

vuestras (yours) = Las copas son vuestras. (The cups are all of yours.)

-----------

3rd Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Masc. Noun:

suyo (his, hers, yours, its) = El libro es suyo. (The book is his, hers, yours, its.)

3rd Person Sing. Prn. + Sing. Fem. Noun:

suya (his, hers, yours, its) = La copa es suya. (The cup is his, hers, yours, its.)

3rd Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Masc. Noun:

suyos (his, hers, all of yours, its) = Los libros son suyos. (The books aretheirs, theirs, all of yours, theirs.)

3rd Person Pl. Prn. + Pl. Fem. Noun:

suyas (his, hers, all of yours, its) = Las copas son suyas. (The cups are theirs, theirs, all of yours, theirs.)

Here are some sample sentences that show how the formations are used:

"¡Deja los platos sucios! Son míos." (Leave the dirty dishes. They're mine.)

"El periódico que está en la mesa es tuyo." (The newspaper that's on the table is yours.)

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 6

"Martín siempre deja la ropa en el piso. La camisa es suya." (Martín always leave clothes on the floor. The
shirt is his.)

*Remember that possessive pronouns replace the noun to which they refer. For example, we can
change the sentence "es mi revista" (it is my magazine), to "es mía" (it is mine). Don't get confused when
we say "la revista es mía"; if we didn't used "mía", we would have to repeat the noun "revista" and say "la
revista es mi revista". Therefore, we are in fact replacing this second noun with the possessive pronoun.

If you'd like to expand your understanding of pronouns in general, you might also study direct and
indirect object pronouns, which tell us whom or what receives the verbal action directly and whom or
what receives it indirectly: We can change the sentence "Le dí las llaves ayer. Son de ella." (I gave her the
keys yesterday. They are hers.), to "Se las dí ayer. Son suyas." (I gave them to her yesterday. They are
hers.)

As always, visit the Grammar Bank in the Learning Center for all the detailed information you need on
these complex topics!

CULTURAL INSIGHT
The bureaucracy in Latin American public and private banking institutions are usually very poorly
organized. In Lima, lines are so long that they play full length movies on the TV screens as people coil
through the waiting area. In Costa Rica, the lines are just as bad. Most travelers would be used to
walking up to an ATM and taking out money. In Latin America, be prepared to wait in line. Things
become especially bad on the 1st and 15th of the month. This is usually when people get paid. If you
have to go to a bank, try to arrive at an off peak time. In my experience, 2pm is the best time to go if
possible.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #36 7

LESSON NOTES

Newbie S1 #37
It's absurd! It really is stupidity!

CONTENTS

Dialogue - Formal Spanish

Dialogue - Informal Spanish
Vocabulary
Sample sentences
Grammar
Cultural insight

# 37
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #37 1
DIALOGUE - FORMAL SPANISH
MAIN

1. MARTÍN : Entonces, ¿por qué presentan la solicitud como una opción? ¡Es absurdo! Jejeje.... ¡es
realmente una tontería!

2. GERENTE : Esas son las normas, señor. ¿Le podría asistir en algo más?

3. MARTÍN : Hmm... Sí, de hecho necesito usar los servicios, pero temo no ser devuelto.

4. GERENTE : Jeje... Bueno, señor...

5. MARTÍN : Me es difícil creer que usted no pueda hacer nada.

6. GERENTE : Así son las cosas. Que tenga un buen día.

ENGLISH

1. MARTIN : So then, why do offer the request as an option? It's absurd! Hahaha... it really is
stupidity!

2. MANAGER : Those are the rules, Sir. Could I assist with anything else?

3. MARTIN : Hmm... Yes, actually I need to use the rest room, but I'm afraid it won't give me back.

4. MANAGER : Hehe... well, Sir.

5. MARTIN : It's hard for me to believe that you can't do anything.

6. MANAGER : That's how it goes. Have a nice day.

DIALOGUE - INFORMAL SPANISH

MAIN

1. MARTÍN : Entonces, ¿por qué presentad la solicitud como una opción? ¡Es absurdo! Jejeje.... ¡es
realmente una tontería!

2. GERENTE : Esas son las normas, compadre. ¿Te puedo asistir en algo más?

3. MARTÍN : Hmm... Sí, de hecho necesito usar los servicios, pero temo no ser devuelto.

4. GERENTE : Jeje... Bueno, compadre...

5. MARTÍN : Me es difícil creer que tú no puedas hacer nada.

6. GERENTE : Así son las cosas. Que tengas un buen día.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #37 2

ENGLISH

1. MARTIN : So then, why do ya' offer the request as an option? It's absurd! Hahaha... it really is
stupidity!

2. MANAGER : Those are the rules, buddy. Can I assist with anything else?

3. MARTIN : Hmm... Yes, actually I need to use the rest room, but I'm afraid it won't give me back.

4. MANAGER : Hehe... well, Sir.

5. MARTIN : It's hard for me to believe that ya' can't do anything.

6. MANAGER : That's how it goes. Have a nice day.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class

tontería stupidity, stupid thing, nonsense fem. noun

norma rule, norm, standard fem. noun

asistir attend, to serve, to assist verb

servicios restroom facilities, services plural masculine noun

devuelto returned, given back past participle

así like this, like that, so adverb, adjective

SAMPLE SENTENCES

No digas tonterías. Una de las normas más importantes es la de

control de calidad.
"Quit talking nonsense."
"One of the most important regulations is that of
quality control."

¿Con qué te puedo asistir? ¿Dónde encuentro los servicios?

"How can I help you?" "Where can I find the restroom facilities?"

Cuando me llamaste, ya te había devuelto las ¿Por qué no me has devuelto el auto?
llaves en tu casa.
"Why haven't you given me back my car?"
"When you called me, I had already left you the
keys at your house."

Así parecería.

"So it would seem."

GRAMMAR
[Link] NEWBIE S1 #37 3
An indirect object is to whom or for whom the action of the verb is carried out. When the noun that's
acting as an indirect object is replaced by a pronoun, then it's called an indirect object pronoun. In
English, indirect object pronouns are: me, you, him, her, us and them.

Let's have a look at how that this translates to Spanish:

Indirect Object Pronouns receive the verbal action "indirectly". So, they don't tell us "what" happened,
but rather for whom it happened, or to what it happened. What can be tricky about learning these in
Spanish is that they usually don't require prepositions. Depending on the placement of one of these
words, these indirect object pronouns, and the context in general, we will understand the prepositional
meaning implicit in the pronominal phrase.

Formation:

me (to/for me) -----*----- nos (to/for us)

te (to/for you, inform.) -----*----- os (to/for you all, inform.)

le (to/for him) -----*----- les (to/for them, masc.)

le (to/for her) -----*----- les (to/for them, fem.)

le (to/for you, form.) -----*----- les ( o/for you all, form.)

Observe the following sample senteces (The first is from today's lesson conversation):

"Me es difícil creer que, usted, no pueda hacer nada." (It's hard for me to believe that you can't do
anything.)

"Me es interesante escuchar lo que me cuentas." (It's interesting for me to listen to what you tell me.)

"Que las vacaciones te sean gratas." (May the holidays be enjoyable for you.)

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #37 4

"Ella me dijo que vendría esta noche." (She said to me that she would come tonight.)

"Te daré todo lo que tengo." (I will give all that I have to you.)

"A Mariana la universidad le mandó su diploma." (The university sent to Mariana her diploma.)

*If you want to learn more about pronouns, why not also study Direct Object Pronouns and Possessive
Pronouns to get a clearer view of the big picture. For example, "me es grato tenerte, eres mío". Here, the
indirect object pronoun is "me" as in ("me es grato"); the direct object pronoun is "te" as in "tenerte";
and the possessive pronoun is "mío" as in "eres mío". All these topics are covered in greater depth in
the Grammar Bank of the Learning Center!

CULTURAL INSIGHT
I have a funny story that addresses the issue of the futility of expressing frustration to a bureaucrat. A
friend wanted to come to Latin America. He didn't have a passport and applied for one. Now, an
American passport can be expedited for a fee and that was what he wanted. He paid a fee to get the
normally 6 week process speeded up. What he didn't know what that the expedition process required
more questions regarding your trip and destination. When an official called him to ask some questions
he was offended and answered in a very rude way. He has never travelled internationally and I told him
that the minute you get frustrated with the process you have lost. They have all the power. In the end, he
was required to drive quite a distance to get his passport. Bureaucrats see many people throughout the
day with the same issues and your best bet is to grin and bear the stress. Think about it, you are there
for a couple of hours at max and they are there all day. Make your life easier and simply show courtesy
to those who have the power to make your travels a horrible experience.

[Link] NEWBIE S1 #37 5

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #38
Calling for Backup

CONTENTS
2 Informal Spanish
2 English
3 Formal Spanish
4 English
4 Vocabulary
5 Sample Sentences
5 Grammar
6 Cultural Insight

# 38
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 INFORMAL SPANISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: ¿Aló?

2. MARTÍN: ¡Oye brother, habla Martín, el banco me acaba de cagar! El cajero

se comió mi tarjeta y el gerente se escuda en una ley cojuda para
no devolvérmela.

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Oye, compadre, ¡qué tal mañana la tuya!

4. MARTÍN: ¡Recójeme, hermano! Estoy en la quinta cuadra de Pardo. Tengo

que ir a mi casa y de allí al Western Union. Mi hermana me va a
hacer una transferencia.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Claro, hermano. Dame quince minutos, me acabo de levantar.

6. MARTÍN: Está bien, gracias.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Nooo... ¿de qué? Ya nos vemos, chau.

8. MARTÍN: Chau.

ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Yo?

2. MARTÍN: Hey, hermano, it's Martín, the bank has just screwed me over! The
ATM ate my card and the manager is hiding behind a lame law so
that he doesn't have to give it back to me.

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Wow, dude, what a morning you've had!

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 2

4. MARTÍN: Pick me up, man! I'm on the fifth block of Pardo. I've got to go to
my house and from there, to Western Union. My sister is going to
wire me a transfer.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Of course, man. Give me fifteen minutes, I just got up.

6. MARTÍN: Cool, thanks.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Nooo... What for? See ya' soon. Bye.

8. MARTÍN: Bye.

FORMAL SPANISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: ¿Aló?

2. MARTÍN: ¡Oiga, compadre, habla Martín, el banco me acaba complicar las

cosas! El cajero se comió mi tarjeta y el gerente se escuda en una
ley injusta para no devolvérmela.

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Oiga, compadre, ¡qué tal mañana la suya!

4. MARTÍN: ¡Recójame, hermano! Estoy en la quinta cuadra de Pardo. Tengo

que ir a mi casa y de allí al Western Union. Mi hermana me va a
hacer una transferencia.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Claro, hermano. Déme quince minutos, me acabo de levantar.

6. MARTÍN: Está bien, gracias.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Nooo... ¿de qué? Ya nos vemos, chau.

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 3

8. MARTÍN: Chau.

ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Hello?

2. MARTÍN: Listen, my friend, it is Martin speaking. The bank has just

complicated things for me! The ATM ate my card and the
manager is hiding behind an unjust law so he doesn't have to give
it back to me.

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Hey there, my friend, what a morning you have had!

4. MARTÍN: Pick me up, brother! I am on the fifth blog of Pardo. I have to go to

my house and from there to Western Union. My sister is going to
make a transfer for me.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Of course, my brother, give me fifteen minutes, I just woke up.

6. MARTÍN: Sure, thanks.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Nooo... For what? See you soon. Bye!

8. MARTÍN: Bye.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class

to deficate, to screw up
cagar (slang), to crap (vulgar) verb (vulgar)

escudar to shield verb

[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 4

 quinto, -a fifth adjective

cojudo, -a lame, stupid adjective (slang)

transferencia transfer, wire transfer fem. noun

tener que ir to have to go verbal phrase

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¡La cagaste! El criminal se escudó bajo una ley

antigüa.
"You screwed up!"
"The criminal shielded himself
under an old law."

Esta es la quinta vez que me No seas cojudo y acompáñame.

llamas.
"Don't be lame and come with
"This is the fifth time that you call me."
me."

Mi hermano me envió una Teníamos que ir a mi casa antes

transferencia ayer y vengo a de venir aquí.
recogerla.
"We had to go to my house before
"My brother sent me a wire coming here."
transfer yesterday, and I've come
to pick it up."

Tenemos que ir. ¡Póngale!

"We have to go. Get a move on!"

GRAMMAR

One of the ways to express obligation it to use the verb "tener" (to have). Think of this

[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 5

formation along the same lines that we express obligation in English: "I HAVE to study."

We can also express impersonal obligation with the verb "haber" (there is/there are). When
we say something like "one must pay", we are expressing an impersonal obligation
because the particular person who must pay is not specified.

Below we cover how to express personal and impersonal obligation:

PERSONAL OBLIGATION

"tener + que + infinitivo del verbo"

(To have + to + infinitive of verb)

IMPERSONAL OBLIGATION

"hay + que + infinitivo del verbo"

(one must + infinitive of verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES - EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL OBLIGATION:

"Yo tengo que salir" (I have to go out).

"Tú tienes que descansar" (You have to rest).

"Él tiene que leer su libro" (He has to read his book).

"Tenemos que comprar leche" (We have to buy milk).

"Ellos tienen que practicar" (They have to practice).

"Ustedes tienen que dormir" (You all have to sleep).

SAMPLE SENTENCES - EXAMPLES OF IMPERSONAL OBLIGATION:

"Hay que tener paciencia". (One must have patience).

"Hay que estudiar para graduarse". (One must study in order to graduate).

"Hay que ir al centro". (One must go downtown).

*When talking about past obligation, we conjugate the verb "tener" (to have) in the Imperfect
Past Tense. The structure is the same:

"Yo tengo que estudiar" (I have to study), becomes "Yo tenía que estudiar" (I had to study).

CULTURAL INSIGHT
[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 6
Getting a wire transfer is generally easy. Western Union and other money transfer services
are worldwide and you receive your money very quickly. There is a fee of course, but when
one is in a pinch it doesn't matter. Getting a wire transfer to a foreign bank account is
another thing all together. Your local bank will assist you but do not be surprised when both
banks charge you for the privilege of accessing your own money. This transfer's
smoothness depends on the country and bank in question. Understandably, many
countries have very strict banking laws. A lot of information must be provided. Do not get
frustrated with the questions or the delay, they are there for your protection, that and the
gentlemen with the shotgun standing outside.

[Link] NEWBIE #38 - CALLING FOR BACKUP 7

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #39
Better to cut your losses

CONTENTS
2 Informal Spanish
2 English
3 Formal Spanish
3 English
4 Vocabulary
4 Sample Sentences
5 Grammar
7 Cultural Insight

# 39
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 INFORMAL SPANISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Hola, Martín. ¿Qué dices?

2. MARTÍN: Todo sigue igual.Vámonos. ¡Me raya este pendejo!

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Tranquilo no más. Mira, ese tipo no va a cambiar de idea. Así es la
burocrácia aquí.

4. MARTÍN: Tienes razón. Mejor cortar por lo sano.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Oye, cuando terminemos, te invito unas cervezas.

6. MARTÏN: Muy temprano para mí, Pepe.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Entonces, ¡tendríamos que almorzar primero!

8. MARTÍN: Jeje... Bueno, no me opongo. Gracias de nuevo.

ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Hey, Martin. What's up?

2. MARTÍN: Nothing has changed. Let's go. I can't stand this wise guy!

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Cool down, man. Look, that guy is never gonna' change his mind.
That's how bureaucracy is here.

4. MARTÍN: You're right. Better to cut your losses.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Hey, when we're done, let me buy you a beer.

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 2

6. MARTÏN: A little too early for me, Pepe.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Then we'll just have to have lunch first.

8. MARTÍN: Haha... Well, I won't oppose. Thanks again.

FORMAL SPANISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Hola, Martín. ¿Qué dice?

2. MARTÍN: Todo sigue igual. Vámonos. ¡Me raya este pendejo!

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Tranquilo no más. Mire, ese tipo no va a cambiar de idea. Así es la
burocrácia aquí.

4. MARTÍN: Usted tiene razón. Mejor cortar por lo sano.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Oiga, cuando terminemos, le invito unas cervezas.

6. MARTÏN: Muy temprano para mí, José.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Entonces, ¡tendríamos que almorzar primero!

8. MARTÍN: Jeje... Bueno, no me opongo. Gracias de nuevo.

ENGLISH

1. JOSÉ LUIS: Hello, Martin. What do you say?

2. MARTÍN: Nothing has changed. Let's go. I cannot stand this wise guy!

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 3

3. JOSÉ LUIS: Cool down. Look, that guy is never going to change his mind. That
is how bureaucracy is here.

4. MARTÍN: You are right. Better to cut your losses.

5. JOSÉ LUIS: Listen, when we are done, let me buy you a beer.

6. MARTÏN: A little too early for me, Pepe.

7. JOSÉ LUIS: Then we will just have to have lunch first.

8. MARTÍN: Haha... Well, I will not oppose. Thanks again.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class Gender

to underline, to
rayar scratch, to border verb
on, to drive crazy

pendejo wise guy; dummy masc. noun (coll.)

burocracia bureaucracy fem. noun

cortar por lo sano to cut one's losses verbal phrase

cerveza beer noun feminine

oponer to oppose verb

SAMPLE SENTENCES

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 4

Lo que me raya es que nunca No deberías mezclarte con ese
llegas a tiempo. pendejo.

"What drives me crazy is that you "You shouldn't get mixed up with
never show up on time." that wiseguy."

No tengo paciencia por ese tipo No te enfurezcas. Mejor es cortar

de burocrácia. por lo sano.

"I don't have patience for that "Don't get infuriated. It's better to
kind of bureaucracy." cut your losses."

La cerveza mexicana es famosa Me gustaría tomar una cerveza.

alrededor del mundo.
"I'd like to have a beer."
"Mexican beer is famous around
the globe."

¡Tomemos un par de cervezas! Si tú quieres salir a comer, no me

opongo.
"Let's have a couple of beers!"
"If you to go out to eat, I don't
oppose."

GRAMMAR

Today, we study how to express future actions using "la perífrasis" (a unit made up of one
verb in a personal form and another in an impersonal form). This way of speaking often
takes the place of the Absolute Future.

Here, we conjugate the personal verb "ir" (to go) and then we add the preposition "a" and
the infinitive of the future action to be carried out.

Unlike the Absolute Future Tense, which expresses a definitive statement that we will do
something, we are expressing "el futuro de intención" (the future of intention), which shows
our intention to carry out an action with less absolute certainty.

In order to build this structure we need to know the conjugation of the verb "ir" (to go) in

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 5

both the Imperfect Past Tense and the Present Tense.

FORMATION:

"ir (personal verb) + a + infinitive (impersonal verb)"

PRESENT TENSE:

yo voy a...
tú vas a...
él va a...
ella va a...
usted va a...
nosotros vamos a...
vosotros vais a...
ellos/ellas van a...
ustedes van a...

IMPERFECT PAST TENSE:

yo iba a...
tú ibas a...
él iba a...
ella iba a...
usted iba a...
nosotros íbamos a...
vosotros ibais a...
ellos/ellas iban a...
ustedes iban a...

Take a look at the following sample sentences to see how we use this construction:

"Voy a caminar en el parque" (I'm going to walk in the park).

"Vas a hacer tu tarea" (You are going to do your homework).

*Contrast this to the following use of the Absolute Future:

"Iré a caminar en el parque" (I will go to walk in the park).

"Harás tu tarea" (You will do your homework).

Now observe the difference between Present Tense and Imperfect Past Tense conjugation of
the verb "ir (to go):

"Yo voy a trabajar" (I am going to work).

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 6

"Yo iba a trabajar" (I was going to work).

"Tú vas a venir" (You are going to come).

"Tú ibas a venir" (You were going to come).

"Ella va a dormir" (She is going to sleep).

"Ella iba dormir" (She was going to sleep).

"Nosotros vamos a jugar" (We are going to play).

"Nosotros íbamos a jugar" (We were going to play).

"Vosotros vais a comer algo" (You all are going to eat something).

"Vosotros ibais a comer algo" (You all were going to eat something).

"Ellos van a correr" (They are going to run).

"Ellos iban a correr" (They were going to run).

*Remember that "ir" (to go) is referred to as the personal verb in this case because we are
conjugating it to show who is going to carry out the impersonal action (the attached
infinitive).

There are two reasons why this periphrastic construction is so important to learn: 1) it's
very, very common in everyday speech, since this expresses a future tense in a less direct
way than the absolute future. 2) Secondly, it's so important to learn because the verb
"ir" (to go) is very, very irregular, which means that you're going to have to memorize the
forms.

There are many different kinds of periphrastic constructions in Spanish. For example, we
can say "estoy por llegar", which means "I am about to arrive" or "este concept puede ser
difícil" (this concept can be difficult). Check out the Grammar Bank for more information!

CULTURAL INSIGHT

Luckily, if you are a foreigner that finds themselves at the mercy of a Spanish speaking
bureaucracy they will almost certainly have someone who speaks English to communicate
with you. In my opinion, dealing with an bureacracy successfully requires a good amount of
humility. As an individual, you are already at a disadvantage. Frustration will never help the

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 7

situation. Depending on the infraction, usually politiness and courtesy is your best bet.
Keep in mind that government workers are expecting to be contended with by an angry
individual and you will awaken their defensiveness very quickly. Take the inconvenience in
stride and if you are accussed of anything, do not sign anything that you cannot understand!

[Link] NEWBIE #39 - BETTER TO CUT YOUR LOSSES 8

LESSON NOTES
Newbie #40
If you want to flatter me, I'm not
opposed

CONTENTS
2 Informal Spanish
2 English
2 Formal Spanish
3 English
3 Vocabulary
4 Sample Sentences
4 Grammar
5 Cultural Insight

# 40
COPYRIGHT © 2019 INNOVATIVE LANGUAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 INFORMAL SPANISH

1. MARIELA: Andrés, ¿cómo te va en los estudios?

2. ANDRÉS: No tan mal como antes. Poco a poco me estoy soltando.

3. MARIELA: ¡Imáginate que hace poco con las justas podías saludar!

4. ANDRÉS: Con paciencia y perseverancia, como decía mi abuelo.

5. MARIELA: Dentro de poco hablarás mejor que yo.

6. ANDRÉS: Jeje... no lo creo, pero si quieres halagarme, no me opongo.

ENGLISH

1. MARIELA: Andrés, how are your studies goin'?

2. ANDRÉS: Not as bad as before. Little by little I'm loosening up.

3. MARIELA: Imagine that not too long ago you could barely say hello!

4. ANDRÉS: With patience and perseverance, like my grandpa used to say.

5. MARIELA: Pretty soon, you'll be speakin' better than I do.

6. ANDRÉS: Hehe... I don't believe it, but if you wanna flatter me, I'm not
opposed.

FORMAL SPANISH

CONT'D OVER

[Link] NEWBIE #40 - IF YOU WANT TO FLATTER ME, I'M NOT OPPOSED 2
1. MARIELA: Andrés, ¿cómo le va en los estudios?

2. ANDRÉS: No tan mal como antes. Poco a poco me estoy soltando.

3. MARIELA: ¡Imáginese que hace poco con las justas podía saludar!

4. ANDRÉS: Con paciencia y perseverancia, como decía mi abuelo.

5. MARIELA: Dentro de poco usted hablará mejor que yo.

6. ANDRÉS: Jeje... no lo creo, pero si quiere halagarme, no me opongo.

ENGLISH

1. MARIELA: Andrés, how are your studies going?

2. ANDRÉS: Not as bad as before. Little by little I am loosening up.

3. MARIELA: Imagine that not too long ago you could barely say hello!

4. ANDRÉS: With patience and perseverance, like my grandpa used to say.

5. MARIELA: Pretty soon, you will be speaking better than I do.

6. ANDRÉS: Hehe... I do not believe it, but if you want to flatter me, I am not
opposed.

VOCABULARY

Spanish English Class

tan so, such, as adverb

[Link] NEWBIE #40 - IF YOU WANT TO FLATTER ME, I'M NOT OPPOSED 3
 poco a poco little by little adverbial locution of time

soltar to loosen up, to let go verb

barely, by the skin of one's

con las justas teeth set phrase

to say hello, to send one's

saludar regards verb

perseverancia perseverance fem. noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES

¡Hoy está tan caliente! Poco a poco te acostumbrarás.

"Today is so hot!" "Little by little, you'll get used to

it."

Después de estudiar por cinco Llegué al paradero con las justas.

meses me solté y empecé a Veinte segundos después pasó el
hablar. micro.

"After studying for five months, I "I arrived at the bus stop by the
loosened up and began to speak." skin of my teeth. Twenty seconds
later, the bus came."

Salúdale a tu hermano de mi Te vi ayer, pero estuve demasiado

parte. apurada para saludar.

"Say hello to your brother for me." "I saw you yesterday, but I was in
too much of a hurry to say hello."

Con un poco de perseverancia se logra mucho.

"A lot is achieved with a little perseverance."

GRAMMAR

[Link] NEWBIE #40 - IF YOU WANT TO FLATTER ME, I'M NOT OPPOSED 4
Here, we will take a closer look at comparisons of equality. In English we use an adjective or
an adverb and the word "as" to make such comparisons. For instance, "this lesson is as
interesting as the last one". In Spanish, there is a simple formula that we use to construct
the same kinds of comparisons of equality:

Tan + adjective or adverb + Como

*It is possible to make both positive and negative comparisons of equality. For example,
"this lesson is as long as the last one, but it is not as hard as the rest."

POSITIVE COMPARISONS OF EQUALITY:

"Manejas tan lento como mi abuela."

(You drive as slowly as my grandma does.)

"La comida aquí es tan rica como la comida que mi madre prepara."
(The food here is as delicious as the food that my mother prepares.)

"Habla tan rápido como un papagayo."

(He speaks as fast as a parrot.)

"Su carro es tan nuevo como su carro de mi tío."

(His car is as new as my uncle's car.)

NEGATIVE COMPARISONS OF EQUALITY:

"No tan mal como antes." (Not as bad as before.) *{From the lesson conversation}

"Esta película no es tan interesante como la que vimos anoche."

(This movie isn't as interesting as the one we saw last night.)

"La tarea de hoy no es tan difícil como la de ayer."

(Today's homework is not as difficult as yesterday's.)

"Angela no es tan alta como Maria."

(Angela is not as tall as Maria.)

*We can make positive statements that indicate the equality between two or more things.
However, we can also use the same structure while adding the word "no" to show that one
thing is not equal to another. In either case, the construction "tan + adjective/adverb +
como" remains intact.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

[Link] NEWBIE #40 - IF YOU WANT TO FLATTER ME, I'M NOT OPPOSED 5
At the end of Newbie Season 1 one should feel they have a grasp of the fundamentals of
the Spanish language. The Newbie series focuses on the bare bones and now with the
completion you are ready to move on to the beginner series. As you move on, the
conversations will become more involved and you will see that the grammar concepts as
well the vocabulary build from the Newbie series. This scaffolding method helps students
gage their progress and have a generally accurate sense just where they are in their
studies. If you feel like you need more assistance, Newbie series 2 is there to fill any holes.

[Link] NEWBIE #40 - IF YOU WANT TO FLATTER ME, I'M NOT OPPOSED 6
 Intro 21 Come here! I'll be right there!
1 Hi! How are You? 22 Are you ready? Let's Go!
2 How are you all? 23 Can you speak Spanish?
3 Who are you? 24 Can you all speak English?
4 Who are you all? 25 Can you speak slower, please?
5 Where is he from? 26 Romance #1 - I would like to be blind
6 Why are you here? 27 Romance #2 - I can't love you...
7 I'm Argentine. I'm American. 28 Romance #3 - Ramón, the Detailist, with Julia
8 I'm thirsty! 29 Romance #4 - Eliana and Ernesto: Enamorados
9 I'm hungry! 30 Romance #5 - Liar!
10 I'm starving! 31 Romance #6 - I'll do anything
11 Let's eat! 32 Bubble, Bubble...Stomach Trouble - 1
12 I'm full! 33 Bubble, Bubble...Stomach Trouble - 2
13 How delicious! 34 Oh, you've got to go to the clinic!
14 I really like that! 35 The ATM ate my debit card!
15 Brrrrrr... It's cold out! 36 The bureaucracy of the ATM troll
16 Wow, it's hot out! 37 It's absurd! It really is stupidity!
17 It's cloudy out 38 Calling for Backup
18 Is it raining? 39 Better to cut your losses
19 Look! The moon is full! 40 If you want to flatter me, I'm not opposed
20 Listen! There's a public concert.
©2020 Innovative Language Learning, LLC (P)2020 Innovative Language Learning, LLC presented by [Link]