Chapter 7 Grammar Flashcards
When does Spanish translate an article with a profession?
When it is an unmodified profession, the article doesn’t translate. If it is modified, an indefinite article is translated:
Juan es pintor.
Juan is a painter.
Juan es un pintor maravilloso.
Juan is a marvelous painter.
How is the definite article used with days of the week?
- The definite article is used with days of the week; the English word “on” is not translated:
Ella salió el martes.
She left on Tuesday.
Ramón va a volver el sábado.
Ramon is going to return Saturday.
- The article is omitted only when expressing the day of the week is following a form of “ser”:
Hoy es miercoles.
Today is Wednesday.
Que dia es? Hoy es viernes.
What day is it? Today is Friday.
How is the definite article used with months?
The definite article accompanies months, even when it is not the case in English:
La primavera es bonita.
Spring is beautiful.
El verano es ideal.
Summer is ideal.
How does the definite article interact with verbs like “gustar”?
It is always used, though English may not:
Me gustan los vegetales.
I like vegetables.
A Paula le encanta el cine.
Paula likes the cinema.
How does the article follow “haber”?
Definite articles cannot follow haber, though other forms may:
Hay una persona aqui.
There is one person here.
How do articles interact with named academic subject matter, general statements, abstract nouns, and classes of things?
The definite article is used:
Enrique estudia la ley.
Henry studies law.
Los cigarillos son malos.
Cigarettes are bad.
La honestidad es rara.
Honesty is rare.
Los delfines son inteligentes.
Dolphins are intelligent.
How is the definite article used with personal titles?
It is used in a general statement, but it is omitted in a direct address:
El senor Munoz esta aqui.
Mr. Munoz is here.
Hola, senorita Lopez.
Hello, Ms. Lopez.
How is the article used in a “measuring” sense?
The definite article is used before nouns of measurement, where it carries the meaning of “per”:
Pagamos cien dolares la libra.
We paid 100 dollars per pound.
How is “que” used as a relative pronoun?
“Que” can mean “that,” “which,” or “who” as a relative pronoun:
Este hombre, que habla mucho, es mi amigo.
This man, who talks a lot, is my friend.
Tengo la informacion que necesitas.
I have the information that you need.
What does “cuyo/cuya/cuyos/cuyas” mean and how does it function?
Cuyo means “whose,” and can serve as a relative pronoun or relative adjective. It most often acts as an adjective, however, because it typically precedes the noun that it modifies and agrees with it in gender and number.
Los niños cuya familia vive lejos se sienten solos.
The children whose family lives far away feels lonely.
What does “lo que” mean and how does it function?
- “lo que” means “that which” and is often translated as “what.” It is a neuter relative pronoun and refers to an abstract idea.
Julia siempre entiende lo que le enseñamos.
Julia always understands what (that which) we teacher her.
Lo que quiero decirles es la verdad.
That which I want to say to you is the truth.
- It can also mean “whatever” if it is followed by the subjunctive:
El dia de tu cumpleanos, puedes hacer lo que quieras.
On your birthday, you can do whatever you want to.
