Rules of Spanish Flashcards
to understand the fundamentals that apply throughout
What is a reflexive verb and explain how it then changes as its conjugated?
In Spanish, a reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject of the sentence is performing an action on itself. This means that the subject and the object of the verb are the same entity. Reflexive verbs are often accompanied by reflexive pronouns, such as “me,” “te,” “se,” “nos,” and “os,” which correspond to the different grammatical persons (I, you, he/she/it, we, you all/they).
A reflexive verb (llamarse, mantenerse, bañarse, arreglarse, etc. / (“ar/er/ir verb”+”se”)) is a verb (action word) that by definition is done towards oneself.
When we conjugate a reflexive verb - llamarse: (the “se” at the end moves to the front and changes)
Llamarse
Yo me llamo Maria
Tú te llamas Darrin
Él se llama
Nosotros nos llamamos
Ellos se llaman
For example, in English, you might say “I wash myself” or “She dresses herself.” In Spanish, these sentences would use reflexive verbs:
Me lavo (I wash myself).
Ella se viste (She dresses herself).
Here, “lavarse” and “vestirse” are reflexive verbs, and “me” and “se” are the reflexive pronouns that indicate the action is being performed on the subject by itself. Reflexive verbs are quite common in Spanish and are used in various contexts to convey actions done to oneself.
The root word for “lavo” is? and what does it mean?
The root word for “lavo” is “lavar.” “Lavar” is the infinitive form of the verb, which means “to wash” in English. When conjugated, it changes depending on the subject and tense. “Lavo” specifically corresponds to the first person singular present tense form, meaning “I wash” or “I am washing.”
The root word for “viste” is? use in sentence with 2nd person “Tu”?
The root word for “viste” is “vestir.” “Vestir” is the infinitive form of the verb, which means “to dress” or “to wear” in English. When conjugated, it changes depending on the subject and tense. “Viste” specifically corresponds to the second person singular past tense form, meaning “you dressed” or “you wore.”
When we conjugate a reflexive verb - i.e. llamarse or “mantenerse” or “arreglarse” the “se” at the end moves to the front and changes). In the singular and plural, what are the se changes to? Yo, Tu, El, Nosotros, Ellos?
Yo me llamo Maria
Tú te llamas Darrin
Él se llama
Nosotros nos llamamos
Ellos se llaman
What is A non-reflexive verb?
A non-reflexive verb in Spanish is simply a verb that doesn’t involve the action being done to oneself. In other words, with non-reflexive verbs, the subject performs the action directly on an object or someone else.
For example, the verb “comer” (to eat) is non-reflexive:
Yo como una manzana. (I eat an apple.)
Here, “yo” (I) is the subject, “como” is the conjugated form of the verb “comer,” and “una manzana” (an apple) is the direct object.
Another example is the verb “escribir” (to write):
Él escribe una carta. (He writes a letter.)
In this sentence, “él” (he) is the subject, “escribe” is the conjugated form of the verb “escribir,” and “una carta” (a letter) is the direct object.
So, in summary, non-reflexive verbs in Spanish are verbs where the action is directed outward, toward an object or someone else, rather than back onto the subject.
What are ten non-reflexive Spanish verbs and explain whay they are non-reflexive?
Sure! Here are ten non-reflexive Spanish verbs
Hablar (to speak): This verb involves communication or expression but doesn’t imply an action being performed on oneself. When you speak, you’re not speaking to yourself.
Comer (to eat): Eating is an action done to consume food, not to oneself directly. You eat food, but you’re not eating yourself.
Bailar (to dance): Dancing is a form of expression or movement involving rhythmic steps or gestures, typically with music. You dance with a partner or alone but not on yourself.
Correr (to run): Running is a physical activity of moving rapidly on foot. You run in a particular direction or to a destination, but you’re not running onto yourself.
Nadar (to swim): Swimming involves moving through water using one’s limbs, typically with a goal of reaching a destination or for recreation. You swim in a pool, lake, or ocean, but you’re not swimming on yourself.
Leer (to read): Reading is the action of interpreting written or printed material. When you read, you’re processing external information, not doing something directly to yourself.
Escribir (to write): Writing is the act of forming letters or characters on a surface to create words or messages. You write words or sentences on paper or digitally, but you’re not writing on yourself.
Escuchar (to listen): Listening involves paying attention to sound or spoken words. When you listen, you’re perceiving auditory information from external sources, not listening to yourself.
Estudiar (to study): Studying is the act of acquiring knowledge or information through reading, research, or practice. You study textbooks, articles, or materials to learn, but you’re not studying yourself.
Trabajar (to work): Working involves performing tasks or activities for a purpose, such as employment or productivity. You work on projects, assignments, or tasks, but you’re not working on yourself directly.
What is the distinction between “por” and “para” and when to use?
The distinction between “por” and “para” in Spanish can be tricky, as both can be translated as “for” or “by” in English. However, they are used in different contexts and have distinct meanings. Here’s a general guideline:
“Por” is used to indicate:
Motion or general location: Por is used to talk about movement through a place or general location.
Ejemplo: Caminamos por el parque. (We walked through the park.)
Duration of time: Por is used to talk about the duration of an action or event.
Ejemplo: Estudié por tres horas. (I studied for three hours.)
Cause or reason: Por can express the cause or reason behind an action.
Ejemplo: Lo hice por ti. (I did it for you.)
Means or method: Por can indicate the means or method by which something is done.
Ejemplo: Pagué por tarjeta. (I paid by card.)
“Para” is used to indicate:
Purpose or goal: Para is used to express purpose, aim, or destination.
Ejemplo: Estudio para ser médico. (I study to become a doctor.)
Recipient or intended recipient: Para is used to indicate the recipient of something.
Ejemplo: Este regalo es para ti. (This gift is for you.)
Deadline or specific time in the future: Para can indicate a deadline or a specific point in the future.
Ejemplo: Necesito el informe para el viernes. (I need the report by Friday.)
Comparison or contrast: Para can indicate a comparison or contrast.
Ejemplo: Para ser su primer intento, lo hizo muy bien. (For a first attempt, he did very well.)
Remember, while these guidelines can be helpful, there are always exceptions and idiomatic uses that may require practice and exposure to the language to fully grasp.
What are the possessive adjectives for 1st, 2nd and third person Singular and Plural Objects
Yo (I),mi (my),mis (my)
Tú (you, informal),tu (your),tus (your)
Él/Ella/Usted (he/she/you, formal),su (his, her, your),sus (his, her, your)
Nosotros/as (we),nuestro/a (our),nuestros/as (our)
Vosotros/as (you all, informal),vuestro/a (your),vuestros/as (your)
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes (they, you all formal),su (their, your),sus (their, your)
Simpática (with example)
Nice - esté niña es simpática
How to say this boy is one year old?
Este niño tienes un año
What is word for “pet”
Mascota
What is “short” in español
Baja
What are articles? When used? Definite vs. indefinite?
Articles are words that come before a noun (the name of something) to show its gender (masculine or feminine), number (singular or plural), and whether the noun is known or unknown.
• Indefinite article (“a/an”): Used when the noun refers to something not specifically known to the listener. For example, in English, “a house” refers to any house, not a particular one. In Spanish, this would be “una casa” (feminine noun). • Definite article (“the”): Used when the noun refers to something specific and known to the listener. In English, “the house” refers to a particular house that both the speaker and listener are aware of. In Spanish, this would be “la casa” (feminine noun).
So, the article helps clarify whether you’re talking about something specific or general, and it adjusts according to the noun’s gender and number in languages like Spanish.
Article in espanol ?
Articulo
