Capítulo 6: Consultorio lingüístico

Question 1

Formal vs. Informal Register: Tú vs. Usted

Answer 1

The use of tú and usted differs between Latin America and Spain, and also among the countries and regions of Latin America. In general, tú is used for informal contexts, while usted is used for formal ones. However, in some regions in Latin America, usted is used for both formal and informal contexts. The choice of form or informal register has an impact on the verb forms that we need to use. There are different forms for tú and usted in all verbal tenses:

Tú: Vienes a cenar con nosotros esta noche?

Usted: Viene a cenar con nosotros esta noche?

Are you coming to have dinner with us tonight?

The choice of formal or informal register also has an impact on the object pronouns we need to use:

Tú: Te gusta este trabajo?

Usted: Le gusta (a usted) este trabajo?

Do you like this job?

Juan, quiero comprarTE un regalo = Juan, I want to buy you a gift

Dr. Sanz, quiero comprarLE un regalo = Dr. Sanz, I want to buy you a gift

Tú: TUS

Usted: SUS

Question 2

Command Forms

Answer 2

Command forms are used to make a direct request for someone else to do something. These are the singular forms for tú and usted:

Regular forms:
(tú)
MIRAR = mira
BEBER = bebe
SUBIR = sube

(usted)
MIRAR = mire
BEBER = beba
SUBIR = suba

Irregular forms:
(tú)
PONER = pon
IR = ve
DECIR = di
TENER = ten
SALIR = sal
VENIR = ven
HACER = haz

(usted)
PONER = ponga
IR = vaya
DECIR = diga
TENER = tenga
SALIR = salga
VENIR = venga
HACER = haga

me, te, lo, la, nost, los, las, le, les, and se

Ejemplo:
(tú) SiéntaTE, por favor
(usted) SiénteSE, por favor

Question 2

Use of Command Forms

Answer 2

Command forms are used in many contexts.

To give orders and ask others to do something:

LLAME a la directora. Por favor, DÍGALE que tiene una entrevista a las tres.

CALL the director. Please TELL HER that she has an interview at three.

To give instructions:
MARCA primero el 00 y luego MARCA el prefijo del país.

First DIAL 00 and then DIAL the prefix for the country.

To give advice:
HAZ ejercicio.
EXERCISE.

BEBE más agua.
DRINK more water.

To offer something, or to invite someone to do something:
TOMA un poco más de café.
HAVE a little bit more coffee.

To give someone permission:
Puedo llamar por teléfono desde aquí?
Sí, claro. LLAMA.

Can I call on the phone from here?
Yes, sure. CALL.

To get someone’s attention:
MIRA, te presento a Julia.
LOOK, this is Julia.

To introduce a question:
(tú) OYE, sabes…
Excuse me, do you know…

(usted) DISCULPE / OIGA
Excuse me, …

Question 3

Introductions and Greetings

Answer 3

Introductions
ESTA ES Gloria, una amiga
MUCHO GUSTO

This is Gloria, a friend. Nice to meet you.

TE PRESENTO A Gloria, una amiga
ENCANTADO/A

Let me introduce you to Gloria, a friend.
A pleasure.

LE PRESENTO A la Señora Gaviria.
HOLA QUE TAL? / CÓMO ESTÁ?

This is Mrs. Gaviria
Hello, how are you? / How are you doing?

Buenos días = good morning

Buenas tardes = good afternoon

Buenas noches = good evening

Question 4

Estar + Gerund

Answer 4

The gerund is a form that talks about an activity being carried out. It is formed in the following way:

-AR Verbs:
hablAR: habl + ANDO

-ER, -IR Verbs:
comER: com + IENDO
vivIR: viv + IENDO

Its most common use is in the form ESTAR + GERUND, which is used to present actions taking place at the moment of speaking:

(yo) estoy comiendo
(tú) estás hablando
(él, ella, usted) está trabajando
(nosotros) estamos escribiendo
(ellos, ellas, ustedes) están bebiendo

Está Juan? Is Juan there?
Sí, pero ESTÁ DURMIENDO. Yes, but he IS SLEEPING.

Some of the most frequent irregular forms of the gerund are:

LEER = leyendo
OÍR = oyendo
DECIR = diciendo
DORMIR = durmiendo
PEDIR = pidiendo