The verb Está can be used as either a second or third person singular form of the verb Estar ("to
be"). In the second person, it literally means "You are." However, when coupled with the
pronoun Usted, the verb Está becomes a third person singular verb that creates a sense of
formality and respect between the speaker and his audience.
Usted is the pronoun for “you” in a formal context. It is used to address both men and women
you would otherwise acknowledge as as “sir” or “ma'am.”
Estoy is the 1st person singular form of the verb “to be” in the present tense. It literally means “I
am.” Hence the pronoun “I” (in Spanish, yo) is often omitted.
The question word ¿Cuál? literally means "Which?" or "Which one?" However, in the sentence
¿Cuál es su nombre? The question word ¿Cuál? Translates as "what?" as in "What is your
name?"
Adiós means Good-bye. Adiós can be used in formal and informal situations. There are other
forms of leave-taking in Spanish, such as: Nos vemos (See you later), Chao (borrowed from
Italian), Hasta luego (See you later), and Hasta pronto (See you soon).
Lesson 2
You may have noticed that Spanish has two ways of saying you: Tú and Usted. They are used
differently. Tú is an informal way of address that you use with friends, coworkers, relatives, and
people you address casually. Usted is the formal way to say “you;” it is used to show respect and
is often abbreviated as "Ud." It is used in formal situations--basically anyone that you address as
ma’am or sir.
In Spanish we do not have “it;” everything has a gender. So when using pronouns it is necessary
to be more specific when referring to groups of people. You would use the pronouns nosotras
and ellas when talking about groups of females only. For mixed groups or all-male groups you
use nosotros or ellos. There is no gender difference for the plural form of you: ustedes (often
abbreviated as "Uds").
Es is the 2nd person singular form of the irregular verb Ser, “to be.” It literally means “You are,”
or in a question: Are you? Es is also the 3rd person singular form of the irregular verb Ser, used
with he, she, or it. So when addressing someone formally, it is necessary to include the pronoun
Usted to clarify the meaning.
The 3rd person conjugation is also used for 2nd person formal to give a sense of distance and
respect between speakers. You use this when talking to people you address formally.
The Spanish consonant Ñ does not exist in English. It is similar to the “ny” sound in the word
canyon. It is written as a letter "N" with a line above it. It is very important to include the line on
the ñ, otherwise the sound of the word will change to that of the English “N.”
Lesson 3
Estás is the second person singular conjugation of the verb "to be." It literally means, "You are,"
or in a question, "Are you?" Hence the Spanish pronoun tu (you) is often omitted.
Tú is the word for “you” in an informal context. It is used with both men and women you address
casually, such as family and friends.
Poco and pequeño both translate in English to "little." The difference is that poco is used for
quantity: Tengo poco dinero (I have little money), and pequeño is used for size: Quiero un
sombrero pequeño (I want a small hat).
Lesson 5
There are three basic greetings in Spanish. They are a bit more formal, but you can also use them
in casual situations. Buenos días is used for "Good Morning," Buenas tardes is "Good
Afternoon," and Buenas noches is "Good Night" or "Good Evening." These three basic greetings
serve a double-duty and can also be used as leave-taking expressions.
Lesson 6
Estar is one of the verbs that means "to be" in Spanish. Estar is used when identifying location,
place, action, conditions, and emotions, which are for the most part things that are not of a
permanent nature. For example:
Estoy lista –I am ready. (condition)
Estamos en Argentina – We are in Argentina. (location)
El libro está en la mesa – The book is on the table. (place)
Están jugando al futból – They are playing soccer. (action)
Estás furiosa – You are furious. (emotion)
Ser is the other verb that means "to be" in Spanish. Ser is used to talk about more permanent
things, such as origin/nationality, time/date, personality/physical characteristics, and to express
possession.
Soy de Puerto Rico; soy puertorriqueña. – I am from Puerto Rico, I am Puerto Rican.
(origin/nationality)
Este café es de Colombia. –This coffee is from Colombia. (origin)
Tú eres inteligente. – You are intelligent. (characteristic)
Ella es rubia. – She is blonde. (physical characteristic)
Ese lápiz es de Juan. - That is Juan's pencil. (possession)
El día de año nuevo es el primero de enero. - New year's day is January first. (date)
Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made with fried green plantains. First the plantains
are fried, and then they are mashed with garlic and olive oil. It often includes pork rinds
(chicharrón) mixed in with the plantains and shaped into a ball or cone.
Exercise 7
Flan is a traditional caramel custard dessert served in many Spanish-Speaking countries. Flan is a
rich custard with a layer of soft caramel on top.
Exercise 8
Making the plural form of a noun is similar to the way it is done in English. If a noun ends in a
vowel--a, e, i, o, or u--simply add “s.” If a noun ends in a consonant, add “es.” Also, remember
to change the article to match in number with the noun. For example, el zapato becomes los
zapatos.
Here are a few more rules of thumb:
If a Spanish noun ends in “z,” it will change to a “c” before adding the “s.” La cruz becomes las
cruces.
If you have a group that includes both feminine and masculine you will always use the masculine
form. For example, when referring to "a boy and a girl," which in Spanish is el niño y la niña,
together they are los niños. If a noun ends in “-ión,” you will need to drop the written accent
before adding “es”: la conversación becomes las conversaciones.
Exercise 9
Exercise 10
