Understanding Spanish Pronouns and Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide, Study notes of Spanish

Download Understanding Spanish Pronouns and Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide and more Study notes Spanish in PDF only on Docsity! 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. 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.