Course for absolute beginnersSpanish words

*Welcome to the course!!* In this course you will learn the basics of Spanish. This is also known as "castellano". Spain has 4 official languages: "el castellano", "el catalán", "el gallego" "el vasco/euskera." It also exists "el latinoamericano" used in Latin America. The most common greeting you will hear from native Spanish speakers is "Hola" which means *Hello*. But there are other options too, for example, "Buenos días" (used until noon) or "Buenas tardes" (used in the afternoon). In the evening/night we use "Buenas noches". To say goodbye (bye) we can use "adiós" or "hasta luego". There are two ways to say *How are you ?* and there is no difference. "¿Qué tal?" "¿Cómo estás?"

*Gender* All nouns are either masculine or feminine. In general, masculine nouns end in *-o* and feminine nouns end in *-a*. *Articles - indefinite:* In Spanish there are definite and indefinite articles. The articles have to correspond with the number and gender. Now we will look at the indefinite articles. We use indefinite articles when the noun is not specified, when we mention it for the first time or also when we want to say 'one' or 'some'. "una chica" (feminine) "un chico" (masculine) "Él es un chico." "Tengo un par de botas." "Un poco de agua."

*Articles - definite* We use the definite article when we refer to something or someone we have already mentioned before or when it is clear from the context what or who are we talking about. Articles have to correspond with number and gender. "el perro" (masculine - singular) "los perros" (masculine - plural) "la chica" (feminine - singular) "las chicas" (feminine - plural).

*To be* In Spanish, there are three expressions for the verb *to be* - "ser" / "estar" / "haber (hay)". "yo soy" "tú eres" "él/ella es" "nosotros/nosotras somos" "vosotros/vosotras sois" "ellos/ellas son" "yo estoy" "tú estás" "él/ella está" "nosotros/nosotras estamos" "vosotros/vosotras estáis" "ellos/ellas están" The main difference: "ser" is used for *permanent state* "estar" is used for *temporary state* "ser" - characteristic - time, date - origin - occupation - nationality - relationship - possession "estar" - location - state or condition (emotions) "haber (hay)" We are going to explain later.

*Your first conversation* Let's take a look at some useful expressions that will help you to communicate in Spanish. You can find more in the set *Basic phrases* Remember that Spanish uses an exclamation point and a question mark at the top and bottom.

*Other useful phrases used in everyday conversations* Let's go through some practical sentences that you will use every day.

*Personal pronouns* "Yo" "Tú" "Él"/ "Ella" / "Usted" "Nosotros" (just men or both - women and men) / "Nosotras" (just women) "Vosotros" (just men or both - women and men) / "Vosotras" (just women) "Ellos" (just men or both - women and men) / "Ellas" (just women) / "Ustedes" *Usted / Ustedes* are formal expressions to say *you*, e.g. *Usted es su padre. / Ustedes son nuestros padres.* e.g. "Él es mi padre" e.g. "Ella es mi madre" e.g. "Nosotras somos buenas amigas." (just women - we use nosotr*as*) e.g. "Nosotros somos buenos amigos." (just men or both - we use nosotr*os*)

*Possessive pronouns* Dependent - always used with a noun, in the plural, *s* is added. "mi" "tu" "su" "nuestro" /"nuestra" "vuestro"/"vuestra" "su" "Mi madre es guapa" "Nuestras amigas son simpáticas" Independent - not immediately followed by a noun, in the plural we add *s*. "mío" / "mía" "tuyo" / "tuya" "suyo" / "suya" "nuestro" / / "nuestra" "vuestro" / / "vuestra" "suyo" / "suya" Possessive pronouns have to correspond with number and gender. Difference: Dependent: "Esto es mi libro." Independent: "No es tuyo, es mío."

*Prepositions* Let's look at some of the most commonly used prepositions. "DE" - of, on, of One of the most common Spanish prepositions used to express possession, point of origin, part of something and what something is made of. Ex: "Ella es de Polonia". "Está encima de la mesa." "La mesa es de madera." "A" - in, a It is used to express time, to introduce an indirect object, to give a command or to indicate manner and movement. For example "Vamos a la escuela." "Al lado de la silla está Pedro." "A la una." Take a look at this grammatical change: de + el = "DEL" to + the - = "AL"

*More prepositions* Other typical prepositions are "en" and "con". "EN" - in, on Is used to describe locations, to express time (e.g. "llegamos en dos horas") e.g.: "Vivo en España." "El dinero está en la mesa." e.g.: "CON" - with "Hablo con mi abuela todos los días." "¿Puedo venir con mis amigos?"

*Forming plural* Nouns ending in a vowel - we add *-s*: "el libro" "los libros" Nouns ending in a consonant - we add *-es*: "el profesor" "los profesores" Nouns ending in *-s* do not change in plural: "el paraguas" "los paraguas" Note that the ending of some plural nouns changes. e.g. "la cruz" "las cruces", "la actriz" "las actrices"

*Adjectives* In Spanish, most adjectives change form according to the gender and number of the noun they refer to. "el chico simpático" "la chica simpática" In plural we add -s "los chicos simpáticos" / "las chicas simpáticas" Note that the correct location for descriptive adjectives is after the noun.

*Adjectives ending in -e * Adjectives that end in -e also change form for singular or plural but they do not change form depending on the gender: "el chico inteligente" / "la chica inteligente" "los chicos inteligentes" / "las chicas inteligentes" "un problema importante" / "unos problemas importantes"

*Demonstrative pronouns* A demonstrative pronoun replaces the noun and should only be used when it’s already clear what you’re talking about (either from what you’ve previously said or from a gesture, like pointing at something). "Esa es hermosa." — That is beautiful. (Referring to the house). "Este es caro." — This is expensive. (Referring to the dress). Other typical demonstravite pronouns: "este" (masculine) / "esta" (feminine) something near to speaker "ese" (masculine) / "esa" (feminine) something near to listener "aquel" (masculine) / "aquella" (feminine) something far away

*Present tense - Verbs ending with -ar* In Spanish all verbs end with "-ar, -er" or -"-ir." There are no exceptions. First we start with regular verbs ending in "-ar." e.g. "hablar" "yo hablo" "tú hablas" "él/ella/usted habla" "nosotros/nosotras hablamos" "vosotros/vosotras habláis" "ellos/ellas/ustedes hablan" In Spanish, there are also verbs ending with *-er* and *-ir*. We'll take a look at them later.

*Present tense - Verbs ending with -er* e.g. "comer" "yo como" "tú comes" "él/ella/usted come" "nosotros/nosotras comemos" "vosotros/vosotras coméis" "ellos/ellas/ustedes comen"

*Present tense - Verbs ending with -ir* e.g. "vivir" "yo vivo" "tú vives" "él/ella/usted vive" "nosotros/nosotras vivimos" "vosotros/vosotras vivís" "ellos/ellas/ustedes viven"

*Denial* To create a negative sentence, we add the word "no" before the verb. "Él no habla español." "Nosotros no cantamos bien." In English, double negations are accepted: "Yo no necesito nada" "Nunca le compra nada a nadie."