EmersonWaldorfSpanishText

2000 Most Important Spanish Words

A Philosophy of Language Learning

This Spanish course is based on the assumption that students will learn Spanish most quickly if they enjoy making mistakes.

Please make mistakes!

Any attempt at communication is cause for rejoicing since practice alone creates the mental and physical patterns which result in communication.

The foremost obstacle to language learning is the die-hard desire "to get it Right". This understandable inclination to "be perfect” - especially in the presence of one's peers - is the foremost obstacle to language learning.

Shame - if not dismissed at the outset - becomes a big stumbling block. Consider this: no parent shames a child who coos and burbles its first “significant sounds.” On the contrary, these initial attempts at verbal communication are especially precious: they represent the spark we must fan into flame.

The more mistakes students make, particularly in conversation, the faster they will learn. Language learning - like learning to walk - is a result of trial and error.

In the beginning – and for a long time after - all learners stumble.

The only requirement for successful language acquisition is the ability to delight in error.

Remember: you're not supposed to "get it right."

You're only supposed to try. Time after time after time....

In fact, students learn quickest when confident of their responsibility to mess up.

Error is a learner's best friend, in part because we learn from our mistakes, but also because sustained practice accustoms our mouths and minds to fashioning “meaningful sound.”

No instrument can be tuned unless it is first played. This is why symphony orchestras sound cacophonous in those moments before the conductor takes the stage.

This is as it should be. This is as it must be.

To quote Shakespeare (slightly out of context): "The play’s the thing."

Approach Spanish in a playful spirit, knowing that your attempts at speech will often tongue-tie you. One essential hurdle is this: when tongue-tied, stay cool. Think of yourself as someone who wants to “murder Spanish in cold blood.”

Such cool dispassion will serve you well.

Remember: your teachers are aware that you are toddlers in the language-learning process. We want you to make mistakes. We want you to make lots of mistakes. We want you to take pleasure in any sound that comes from your mouth. Don’t worry. Be happy.

Try it! Just try it… and you will see… how delicious green eggs and ham can be.

This halting approach to conversation – these fitful stops and starts – enable spoken language to develop.

Verbal communication - both “spoken” and “heard” - becomes meaningful only when "pattern recognition" begins. Like the creation of a mosaic, this takes time.

To create a mosaic, many pieces must be put in place before any “meaningful picture” “comes into view.” Then, late in the process – and usually quite suddenly -- a recognizable pattern emerges.

Make every effort to speak up, no matter how bumbling your attempt, no matter how senseless your fragmented attempts to speak

Patterns – and pattern recognition -- will follow.

The eternal comfort of language-learners is this: "It's so easy, even a child can do it."

Like walking in thin drizzle, you don't realize you're getting wet until suddenly you're soaked to the bone.

Learning a language is an odd combination of chaos and order.

In order to learn, it is necessary that students get in "over their head".

Despite a student worries about being "out of their depth" -- despite the fear that you're "drowning" -- remain open. Allow the sounds of Spanish to bathe your ears. Resist the temptation of telling yourself: "I don't get it. I don’t understand any of this".

In the beginning, you’re not supposed to “get it.” In the beginning – and well into the future - you will yearn for a clearer understanding of what's being said.

Remember: pattern recognition WILL occur.

When you wish to clarify something, stay in character. Continue to speak in Spanish. Use key phrases like: “Como se dice….?” (“How do you say…?”); “Qué significa…?” (“What’s the meaning of…?); "Más despacio por favor" ("Slower please"), and "Repita por favor" ("Please repeat that").

Although most Americans are afflicted by a crippling dose of perfectionism, most Hispanics are thrilled to find any "gringo" who actually wants to speak their language. You’ll be astonished by the warm engagement and eager cooperation you’ll find among latinos.

Whenever you have opportunity to strike up a conversation with a native Spanish speaker, don’t hold back. Just do it. “Hola. Me llamo…. De dónde es usted?” (“Hi. My name’s … Where are you from?”)

A Spanish saying offers this advice to perfectionists:

"Lo mejor es enemigo de lo bueno."

"The best is enemy of the good."

Practical Suggestions

1.) Whenever you study, say everything out loud. By speaking Spanish -- out loud -- as often as possible, you will enhance memory-formation at the same time your mouth and ear grow accustomed to expression and comprehension. (If you find yourself in a "quiet" study area, at least form Spanish words with your lips.)

2.) In language acquisition, rote learning is important. In particular, I encourage students to learn conjugations by repeating them in sing-song fashion. The ability of youngsters to memorize television jingles demonstrates the efficacy of "musical" repetition.

3.) Be sure to master Present Tense and Past Tense Irregularities. As suggested above, learn these irregular forms by repeating them -- out loud -- in sing-song fashion.

4.) To facilitate relaxed conversation in our tutorial groups, you are encouraged to adopt any "persona" you wish. Your adopted persona enables you to shed the ties of personal history in order to participate in conversation in a free-wheeling way.

For example... If the question is "Do you prefer President Bush or John Kerry?" you’re welcome to reply "Actually, I prefer Harry Potter". For purposes of Spanish language conversation, the truth does not matter. The important thing is to talk.

Relax. Enjoy yourself.

Go ahead. Make a million mistakes.....

and learn to speak Spanish

Pronunciation

The "secret" to good Spanish language pronunciation is paying minute attention to the proper pronunciation of vowels. If, from the beginning, you "over" pronounce vowels, you will soon speak Spanish with an excellent accent.

a = "ah"

e = "a" (like the name of the English letter "a")

i = "e" (like the name of the English letter "e")

o = "oh" (like the name of the English letter "o")

u = "ooh" (English speakers are reluctant to pronounce the Spanish vowel "u" because it makes the speaker sound like a monkey. PLEASE: SOUND LIKE A MONKEY!)

Letter Name Pronounced like:

(in English phonetics) (the English word: letter underlined)

bay (grande)

boy

say

can (If followed by "e" or "i", "c" is pronounced like "cell.")

chay

church

day

dog

a (the English letter)

effay

fog

hay

gut (If followed by "e" or "i", "g" is pronounced like "hay.")

ahchay

The "h" is always silent

e (the English letter)

she

hohta

hollow

kah

kilogram

ellay

lick

ehyay

yes

ehmay

man

ehnay

not

ehnyay

canyon

o (the English letter) O.K.

pay

q (followed by u) coo (like a dove)

kick

ehray

rock (All words that start with are "rolled" as is the Spanish "rr." See the next letter.)

ehrrray

"rrr" (a "rolled" "r" sound)

essay

soap

tay

touch

ooh

juice

bay (chiquita)

boy

dohblay bay

wash

equis (as in Dos Equis) excellent, México

"e" gree-ay-gah

yes (In the "oy" letter combination, "y" sounds like the "oy" in "soybean")

saytah

sack

NOTE: The Spanish alphabet has four letters that do not occur in the English language alphabet. They are "ñ," "ll," "rr," and "ch."

NOTE: The Spanish letters "w" and "k" do not occur in the "native" Spanish alphabet. However, they have been incorporated into the Spanish alphabet to accommodate certain words of foreign origin. When, on occasion, a native Spanish word makes a "w" sound, it uses the letter combination "gu" (and sometimes "gü") as in "agua" (= water), or "desagüe" (= drain)

NOTE: Spanish pronunciation is very "stable," with very little of the phonetic variation that makes English such a difficult language to spell. The pronunciation of the Spanish "c" and the Spanish "g" have two predictable variants which are easy to learn. (See above.)

NOTE: Although the Spanish "t" and "d" have slightly different pronunciations than the ones given above, it is not fruitful to try to master these subtleties.

NOTE: Sometimes, the vowel "e" is pronounced like the "e" in the English word "red." However, if you always attempt to pronounce the Spanish "e" as if it were the English letter "a," your mouth will automatically default to the "red" pronunciation when appropriate.

NOTE: Often, side-by-side vowel combinations have unique "merged" sounds. These relatively rare consecutive vowel sounds will be examined as they present themselves during the course.

REMEMBER:

For great pronunciation

EMPASIZE THE PRONUNCIATION OF SPANISH VOWELS

***

Syllable Division

1.) Generally, the syllables of Spanish words are divided between adjacent vowels.

e.g.) puedo = pu-e-do = I am able; I can

2.) An over-riding rule is that syllabic breaks occur between adjacent consonants takes precedence over the separation of adjacent vowels.

e.g.) fun-ci-o-nan = they function

3.) Syllabic "breaks" also occur between a vowel and a subsequent consonant, and between adjacent consonants (except when the consonants are "ll," "rr" and "ch" which really are NOT "adjacent" consonants, but rather individual letters, just as the "double u" ("w") is an individual letter in English.)

NOTE: In Spanish, the second last syllable is always accented unless:

1.) there is a written accent mark elsewhere, or,

2.) the word ends with a consonant other than "n" or "s." When a word ends with any consonant other than "n" or "s," accent the last syllable. If the last letter is "n" or "s" accent the second last syllable.

e.g.) The word "her-man-dad" (= brotherhood) has

an unwritten accent on the last syllable.

NOTE: Pronunciation of a terminal consonant is merged with the pronunciation of the vowel that precedes it. Also notice that the accent is placed on the second last syllable.

e.g.) con-ver-san

NOTE: The "ñ" is always pronounced like the "ny" in canyon. (In fact, the English word "canyon" is a transliteration of the Spanish word "cañón.")

OTHER EXAMPLES:

1.) ¿Cómo se llama? (What is your name)

1.) ¿kóh-moh say yáh-mah?

2.) Quiero un burrito de pollo. (I want a chicken burrito.)

2.) Key-ay-roh oohn booh-rreée-toh day póh-yoh.

3.) ¿Dónde está el baño? (Where is the bathroom?)

3.) Dóhn-day ays-táh ayl báh-nyoh?

***

Cool Shortcut

USE OF THE PRESENT TENSE TO EXPRESS FUTURE ACTIVITY

In addition to expressing the present tense meanings of hablar -- "I speak," "you speak," "he/she/it/you (formal) speak(s)," "we speak," "they/y'all speak" -- the Present Tense may also be used to describe future events, i.e., "I will speak," "you will speak," "he/she/it/you (formal) will speak," "we will speak," "they/y'all will speak." Admittedly, using the present tense to "carry" future meaning may sound a little peculiar, but it is an effective simplification which native Spanish speakers themselves often use.

In English, we sometimes use the Present Progressive Tense - "I am going to the party on Friday" - to describe future events. In Spanish, you may always use the Spanish Present Tense to refer to the future, since the Spanish Present Tense also "carries" the present progressive "sense" of the verb. Although this usage may sometimes sound forced or inappropriate, it is difficult to imagine a situation in which the Spanish Present Tense can not effectively communicate future meaning.

e.g.) Hablo con el médico mañana.

"I'm going to speak with the physician tomorrow."

In this example, "Hablo" goes beyond the simple present tense meaning of "I speak" and "carries" the "present progressive" meaning, "I am speaking" (typically rendered as "I am going to speak," or, "I will speak.")

***

"SER" and "ESTAR"

Two Ways of Saying "To Be"

"Existence" -- or "being" -- is the underlying condition of our lives. To speak about anything obliges us to describe qualities or characteristics of "being". Consequently, it is essential that we familiarize ourselves with the two verbs that allow us to talk about what "is," what "was," what "will be" and what "would be if..."

The conjugated forms of "to be" are highly irregular in English. They are also highly irregular in Spanish.

We have seen that all four basic English language conjugations -- the present tense, the past tense, the future tense and the conditional tense -- have a total of 3 different conjugated forms (in addition to the future and conditional helping verbs "will"

and "would.") On the other hand, Spanish verbs -- whether regular or irregular in construction -- have at least 23 different conjugated forms.

This "plot" thickens when we realize that Spanish has TWO DIFFERENT VERBS both of which mean "to be."

Both verbs are highly irregular.

Present Tense of Ser:

soy

I am

somos = we are

eres

you are

he, she, it is

son

they/y'all are

you (formal) are

Present Tense of Estar:

estoy

I am

estamos = we are

estás

you are

está

he, she, it, is

están =

they/y'all are

you (formal) are

There are many minuscule rules to distinguish between the use of "ser," and the use of "estar."

Traditionally, the basic distinction between these two verbs has been that "ser" is used for "permanent" aspects of "being," whereas "estar" is used for changeable, transient or temporary aspects of "being."

These two fundamental distinctions worked quite well until the 20th century when world-wide cultural upheaval changed basic patterns of human existence. For example, it used to be that people would have a limited number of "possessions" and those possessions remained "theirs" until "the pot" or "the spoon" wore out.

Similarly, it used to be that "professions" remained constant throughout one's life: priest, lawyer, merchant, sailor, soldier, candle-stick maker etc. Furthermore, most people were peasants. In fact, until 1750 - over 90% of humankind never ventured more than 50 miles from their place of birth.

Because of this cultural stability, "ser" has been used to refer to possessions and to professions as well as being the verb of choice for describing "personal characteristics," "in-dwelling attributes of things" and "a person's place of origin," (which, of course, never changes.)

Uses of Ser..... the so-called "permanent" form of "to be."

e.g.) 1.) Son de Nueva York.

1.) They are from New York.

2.) Soy un trabajador social.

2.) I am a social worker.

3.) La jeringa es de Doctor Cooper.

3.) The syringe is Doctor Cooper.

4.) Es un médico bueno.

4.) S/he is a good physician.

5.) El paciente es simpático.

5.) The patient is kind.

However, although each of the above sentences use a conjugated form of "ser," most of us would argue that an individual's profession is subject to change and that our belongings "come and go" according to fashion, buying and selling, or planned obsolescence.

NOTE: Perhaps the simplest way to distinguish between the use of "ser" and "estar" is to use "estar" for

1.) location

2.) health

3.) states of mind, and

4.) any clearly changeable circumstance

such as "El café está caliente." – "The coffee is hot."

Although it is an over-simplified rule-of-thumb to limit the use of "estar" to these four circumstances, generally, it is true that if you use "estar" under these four circumstances, you may then use "ser" for everything else.

NOTE: A few idiomatic uses of "ser":

¿Cómo es? = What's it like?

¿Cómo es su jefe? = What's your boss like?

¿Cómo son? = What are they like?

Uses of Estar --- the so-called changeable (or temporary) form of "to be."

eg.) 1.) Su cliente está en la sala de espera.

1.) Your client is in the waiting room.

2.) Dónde están los formularios (or, las formas)?

2.) Where are the forms?

3.) El herido está en malas condiciones.

3.) The injured (fellow) is in bad shape.

4.) Mis padres están muy alegres con mi decisión.

4.) My parents are very happy with my decision.

5.) ¿Estás listo/a?

5.) Are you (my friend) ready?

6.) Las mujeres están bien preparadas.

6.) The women are well prepared.

NOTE:

¿Cómo está(s)? = How are you?

¿Cómo están? = How are you all?

NOTE: Since "estar" describes temporary, changeable conditions or states, a great many useful phrases can be created by linking "estar" with an adjective.

For example, if you are describing some changeable aspect of yourself, use the Present Tense form "estoy" meaning "I am...." To describe a changeable aspect of "someone" or "something" else, use the Present Tense form "está" which means "he, she, it is....."

To describe yourself -- OR someone else -- in the past tense, use the double-duty verb form "estaba" meaning "I was..." Estaba also means "he, she, it was..."

estoy.... aburrido(a) - I am bored

está.... agotado(a) - He/she is exhausted (or, It is used up)

estaba.... alegre - He/she/I was happy

estoy.... cansado(a) - I am tired

está.... casado(a) con - He/she is married to

estaba.... contento(a) - He/she/I was content (or happy)

delicioso(a) - delicious

deprimido(a) - to be depressed

divorciado(a) - to be divorced

emocionado(a) - excited

enojado(a) (furioso, rabioso) - to be angry

enfermo(a) - to be sick

exquisito(a) - really tasty

harto(a) - to be fed up

infectado(a) - to be infected

listo(a) - ready, clever

muerto(a) - dead

nervioso(a) - nervous

ocupado(a) - to be busy

perdido(a) - to be lost

preocupado(a) - to be worried (pre-occupied)

rico(a) - tasty

sabroso(a) - tasty, delicious

soltero(a) - to be single

tranquilo - calm, peaceful, tranquil

triste - to be sad

This is a short list of adjectives that may be used with "estar" to describe a temporary state or condition. Thousands of adjectives may be used in this way.

NOTE: It is interesting that the phrase, "estar muerto" - "to be dead" - has, until quite recently, always been spoken of as a temporary condition. This curious outlook seems attributable to the pervasive influence of Christianity on the development of modern Spanish.

NOTE: "Rico" also means rich in the monetary sense, a usage that is usually accompanied by a form of the verb "ser."

NOTE: "Tranquilo" can be used as a one-word "command" to tell someone that "it's going to be all right." "Tranquilo" is the equivalent of "Relax. Take it easy. Don't worry."

VERY USEFUL VERB FORMS

Hay, Había, Habrá(n), Habría(n)

Hay - "There is, There are"

Había - "There was; There were";

Habrá(n) - "There will be"

Habría(n) - "There would be"

Although the infinitive "haber" is well known as the helping verb, "to have" (as in "I have learned to fly a plane") "haber" also gives rise to several unique - and EXTRAORDINARILY USEFUL - verb forms.

When referring to the "presence" or "availability" of someone or something, the words "hay, había(n), habrá(n), habría(n)" are the words of choice, even though forms of "ser" or "estar" can often be used to communicate this same meaning.

"Hay" (meaning "there is" or "there are") -- and sometimes "había" (meaning "there was" or "there were") -- are the only Spanish verb forms that can be used as either singular or plural verb forms.

"Hay" is a third person singular AND a third person plural verb.

"Había" can be used as both a third person singular AND a third person plural verb, although the third person plural form "habían" is often used if the subject is plural.

Present Tense

A.) Hay 195 páginas en éste libro.

There are 195 pages in this book.

B.) Hay un libro en la mesa.

There is one book on the table.

Past Tense

A.) Había un odontólogo en la clínica.

There was a dentist in the clinic.

B.) Había(n) muchas caries en la boca del paciente.

There were many cavities in the patient's mouth.

Future Tense

A.) Habrá un examen la semana próxima.

There will be an exam next week.

B.) Habrán muchos estudiantes que sacarán buenas notas.

There will be many students who get good grades.

Conditional Tense

A.) Habría otro exam si no fuera por el incendio.

There would be another exam if it weren't for the fire.

B.) Habrían más sandías si lluviera más.

There would be more watermelons if it rained more.

NOTE: Complete familiarization with "hay," "había(n)," "habrá(n)," and "habría(n)" enables a very broad range of expression. Study these forms carefully.

*****

"Tener" Phrases

The largest "cluster" of Spanish language phrases (or, what grammarians call "idiomatic expressions") are the "tener phrases." Not only are "tener phrases" numerous, they are very commonly used.

1.) tener hambre = to be hungry

Tengo hambre. = I am hungry.

2.) tener sed = to be thirsty

¿Tienes sed? = Are you thirsty"

3.) tener frío = to be cold

El accidentado tiene frío. = The accident victim is cold.

4.) tener calor = to be hot

Cuando pasan por el desierto, los indocumentados tienen mucho calor.

= When they pass through the desert, illegal immigrants are very hot.

5.) tener sueño = to be sleepy

Después de tomar el calmante, la mujer tiene sueño. = After taking the tranquilizer, the woman is sleepy.

6.) tener prisa = to be in a hurry

Tenemos prisa para terminar el procedimiento. = We are in a hurry to finish the procedure.

7.) tener miedo (de) = to be afraid (of)

El muchacho tiene miedo a las inyecciónes. = The boy is afraid of getting a shot.

8.) tener cuidado (de) = to be careful

Las madres tienen cuidado. = Mothers are careful.

9.) tener razón = to be right

El policía tiene razón. = The police officer is right.

10.) no tener razón = to be wrong

El testigo no tiene razón. = The witness is wrong.

11.) tener # años = to be # years old

¿Cuántos años tienen sus hijos? = How old are your children?

Mi hijo mayor tiene 9 años, y el menor tiene 7. = My older child is 9 years old, and the younger is 7.

12.) tener ganas de + inf. = to feel like (performing some activity)

Tengo ganas de salir. = I feel like leaving.

13.) tener vergüenza de = to be ashamed of

Tuvieron vergüenza de no asistir. = They were ashamed not to attend.

14.) tener derecho a = to have a right to

Tienes derecho a tratamiento gratis. = You have a right to free treatment.

15.) tener celos = to be jealous

Tengo celos. = I'm jealous.

16.) tener lugar (or, tomar lugar) = to take place

La cirujía tiene lugar mañana. = The surgery takes place tomorrow.

17.) tener gusto en = to take pleasure in, to be glad to

Tengo mucho gusto en conocerle. = I'm very happy to know you.

18.) tener algo que hacer = to have something to do

Pronto, tengo algo que hacer. = I have something to do soon.

19.) tener suerte = to be lucky

Tenemos suerte. = We're lucky.

20.) tener la culpa de = to be to blame for

Tiene la culpa del crimen. = He's to be blamed for the crime.

21.) tener que ver con... =

¿Qué tiene que ver esto con el precio del té en China? =

What does it have to do with the price of tea in China?

22.) tener en cuenta - to keep in mind

There are also a large number of "tener phrases" that are "the same" in Spanish and English:

tener dolor de..... to have a pain in....

tener dolor de cabeza = to have a head ache

de muela = to have a tooth ache

" " de estómago = to have a stomach ache

de espaldas = to have a back ache

de oído = to have an ear ache

tener.....

fiebre = to have a fever

tos = to have a cough

un resfrío (or) un resfriado = to have a cold

gripe = to have the flu

migraña (or, jaqueca) = to have a migraine

sarampión = to have measles

viruela = to have chicken pox

paperas = to have mumps

roncha (salpullido) = to have a rash

comezón (or, picazón) = to have an itch

una rotura, una fractura, un hueso roto = to have a broken bone

una enfermedad = to have a disease

una infección = to have an infection

tener = to have, to hold

Present Tense

tengo = I have, I hold

tenemos = we have, we hold

tienes = you have, you hold

tiene = he, she, it has; he, she, it holds

tienen = they/y'all have/hold

N.B. "tener que + infinitive" is one of the two most common Spanish language expressions. It means "to have to + infinitive."

e.g.) Tengo que comer. (I have to eat)

Tenemos que estudiar más. (We have to study more.)

SHORT CUTS

1.) Spanish routinely uses the WRITTEN infinitive form in lieu of a properly formed command.

eg.) A sign that reads "No Fumar" is telling you "Don't Smoke."

A sign that reads "Por Favor Entrar Aquí" is telling you, "Please Enter Here.”

2.) Whenever you wish to command anyone to do something - whether they be friend, foe, friends or foes - simply say "Favor de…" followed by the appropriate infinitive.

eg.) Favor de comer más frutas. = Please eat more fruit.

Whenever you wish to command anyone NOT to do something - whether they be friend, foe, friends or foes - simply say "Favor de" followed by the word "no" and the appropriate infinitive.

eg.) Favor de no tomar bebidas alcohólicas.

(Please don't drink alcoholic beverages.)

CONJUGATION

The Indicative Mode

The Indicative Mode is the broadest category of verb utilization. 95% - 98% of all verb forms are indicative verb forms.

Almost always we speak in the indicative mode, whether we are speaking in English or Spanish.

The purpose of the Indicative Mode is to "indicate" what is happening simply and directly.

The indicative mode is very matter-of-fact.

The Indicative Mode enables us to express ourselves in plain, straightforward sentences which declare - or indicate - the simple meaning we wish to communicate.

Here are some examples of simple, direct, indicative mode declarations:

1.)

Jorge escribe una carta.

(Jorge writes a letter.)

2.) Maria habló con la directora.

(Maria spoke with the director.)

3.)

La casa es grande.

(The house is big.)

4.)

Yo estoy bien.

(I am well.)

5.)

Mi madre vivía en Nueva York.

(My mother used to live in New York.)

6.)

El sol brilla.

(The sun shines.)

NOTE: It is not even necessary that you understand what is meant by the Indicative Mode.... at least NOT YET. Toward the end of this text, when we examine the Subjunctive Mode, it will then be useful to understand what is meant by the Indicative Mode so that you can contextualize the difference between these two ways of speaking.

***

Most Waldorf students already understand the concept of "conjugation."

Unless your child is having difficulty with "conjugation" - i.e., transforming "infinitives" into verb forms that correspond to "I," "you," "he/she/it," "we," "they" you may bypass this section, proceeding directly to "Amar (an infinitive meaning "to love")

CONJUGATION

How “impersonal” verb forms (= "the infinitives") are linked to the people who actually “perform the verb’s action”

Albert Camus once observed that "genius is having a profound grasp of the obvious." If Camus is right, his insight condemns every Spanish textbook ever written.

Typically, Spanish language textbooks begin with a discussion of pronunciation and then, without any prefatory explanation, launch into the conjugation of the Present Tense.

It seems that textbook authors never account for the obvious fact that the very concept of "conjugation" is bewildering to a great many English speakers. Instead, authors assume that their readers already know what is meant by this curious word - "conjugation" - whose roots reach back to two Latin words -- "cum" and "jugare" --meaning "to yoke together."

The Latin roots beg an important question: when we say that a verb is "conjugated," what two things are being "yoked together?" What grammatical components are joined as effectively as two oxen yoked together to concentrate their pulling power?

Baldly stated, Spanish conjugations "yoke" the infinitive form of a verb with people, with doers, with agents, with subjects. In the process, the impersonal infinitive becomes personalized.

I hasten to add that an infinitive is a "naked" verb form, independent of any subject, agent or “doer.” Examples include: "to taste," to flee," "to love," "to burn," "to paint," "to smother," "to sprout," "to soar," "to burst." Notice that these infinitive forms call to mind certain activities, but that no particular people are called to mind when we simply state the "naked" infinitive.

To "put clothes" on the infinitive, to make the infinitive personal, to yoke the abstract activity suggested by the infinitive with a particular person, we conjugate the verb.

The English Language Present Tense

The English conjugation of the infinitive is:

to love (infinitive)

Singular

Plural

Subjects

love

you

love

he, she, it loves

they, or, y'all

love

English language conjugations lack clear-cut definition because there is very little difference between one conjugated form and another. In the present tense, two forms -- "love," and "loves" -- are spread over all eight subject "slots."

The past tense reveals this lack of differentiation even more clearly:

loved

you

loved

he, she, it

loved

they, or, y'all

loved

Here we see that in the past tense, the single conjugated form "loved" is used for all eight subject "slots."

In the future tense, we again encounter total lack of differentiation:

I will

love

we will love

you will

love

he, she, it will

love

they/y'all will love

Nor does the conditional tense provide any differentiation:

I would

love

we would love

you would

love

he, she, it would

love

they/y'all would love

NOTE: Only three forms of the word "love" -- or of any typical English verb -- are found in all four English language conjugations.

These three forms are: 1.) love, 2.) loves, and 3.) loved.

Spanish, on the other hand, has five conjugations (including TWO past tense conjugations) -- and, with the exception of three forms that "overlap" -- Spanish conjugations have a different conjugated form in each "personalized position," resulting in 23 different conjugated forms where English has only 3 different forms.

NOTE: In Spanish, verb tenses are referred to as "tiempos," or "times." It is clarifying that Spanish considers the past, present and future "tenses" as "present time," "past time" and "future time."

NOTE: Each verb "tense" (or "tiempo") is the temporal framework -- present, past, future or conditional -- that is "fleshed out" by five different conjugated verb forms: 1.) I love, 2.) you love, 3.) he/she/it loves, 4.) we love, 5.) they/y'all love.

THE "SUBJECT" IN SPANISH SENTENCES

Before listing the Spanish conjugations of "amar" (an infinitive meaning "to love"), let's explore the meaning of "personal slots" (i.e., the "I," "You," "He/She/It," "We" and They/Y'all positions) in order to understand "why" and "how" grammarians refer to these five different slots (or positions) as "persons." These "persons" may also be viewed as the "agents," "doers," or "subjects" of the sentence.

Here - in grammatical layout (with singular subjects in the left hand column, and plural subjects in the right hand column) are the five "personal" slots (or, positions) corresponding to every conceivable "subject" that a sentence might have:

Singular

Plural

Subjects

first person singular - I

first person plural - we

second person singular - you

third person singular - he, she, it, you

third person plural – they, all of you

Now examine these same "personal" "slots" when "subjects" are joined to the appropriate conjugated forms of "amar."

Amar (an infinitive meaning "to love")

Tiempo Presente - Present Time

yo (I)

amo

nosotros/as (we)

amamos

tú (you)

amas

él, ella, ello, usted ama

ellos, ellas, ustedes

aman

(he, she, it, you)

(they, they, all of you)

Tiempo Pretérito - Preterite Past Time

amé

nosotros/nosotras

amamos

tú

amaste

él, ella, ello, usted amó

ellos/ellas/ustedes

amaron

Tiempo Imperfecto - Imperfect Past Time

amaba

nosotros/nosotras amábamos

tú

amabas

él, ella, ello, usted

amaba

ellos/ellas/ustedes amaban

Tiempo Futuro - Future Time

amaré

nosotros/nosotras amaremos

tú

amarás

él, ella, ello, usted amará

ellos/ellas/ustedes amarán

Tiempo Potencial - Conditional Time

amaría

nosotros/nosotras amaríamos

tú

amarías

él, ella, ello, usted amaría

ellos/ellas/ustedes amarían

***

THE "DISAPPEARANCE" OF SPANISH SUBJECTS

In the following charts, only Spanish conjugated verb forms are listed (without their corresponding English language translations.) Unlike English where the one word "love" does not clarify whether "I love," or "you love" or "we love," or "they love" (not to mention the uncertainty that also exists in the English Past, Future and Conditional Tenses,) the meaning of Spanish conjugations is almost always clear EVEN WITHOUT STATING THE SUBJECT. As odd as it may seem, Spanish conjugated forms routinely "drop" the corresponding subject pronoun. This elision -- this "dropping" of subjects -- is made possible because the verb forms themselves are sufficiently differentiated to make clear "who" the "subject" is. For example, in Spanish, the single word, "amo" can only mean "I love." "Amo" cannot be confused with any "person" other than "I" since all other possible Spanish subjects are linked to unique conjugated forms. Because Spanish has such highly differentiated conjugated forms, it is difficult to mistake the subject even when the subject is not stated. For example, even when the pronoun "yo" is absent, "amo" -- all by itself -- can only mean "I love."

Now notice how Spanish conjugated forms are highly differentiated in all five Spanish language tenses (or, "times".)

Tiempo Presente - Present Time

amo

amamos

amas

ama

aman

Tiempo Pretérito - Preterite Past Time

The "Bang! It's over" tense

amé

amamos

amaste

amó

amaron

Tiempo Imperfecto - Imperfect Past Time

The "used to" or "continuous" past tense

amaba

amábamos

amabas

amaba

amaban

Tiempo Futuro - Future Time

The "will _____" tense.

amaré

amaremos

amarás

amará

amarán

Tiempo Potencial - Conditional Time

The "would _____" tense.

amaría

amaríamos

amarías

amaría

amarían

The only real source of confusion with these “unspoken” subjects occurs in the 3rd person. For example, does "amó" (with an accented "ó") mean "he" loved, "she" loved, "it" loved, or you (usted) loved? Due to this potential confusion, Spanish often states the subject pronoun when third person conjugated forms are used. However, once the subject is stated, these "third person" (pro)nouns again tend to disappear later in the same conversation. Once "speakers" know whom they're talking about, there's no longer need to reiterate the subject.

NOTE: You may use pronouns as often as you wish. Remember, however, that native speakers use subject pronouns quite sparingly.

EL TIEMPO PRESENTE

THE PRESENT TENSE, OR, PRESENT TIME

Although we have just introduced the five Spanish tenses of the "regular" "___ar" verb "amar," I have included these conjugated forms only to clarify that Spanish verb forms seldom need an accompanying subject pronoun, such as "yo (I)," "tú (you, my friend)," "él (he)," "ella (she)," "ello (it)," "usted ('you' formal)," "nosotros (we, masculine)," "nosotras (we, feminine)," "ellos (they, masculine)," "ellas (they, feminine)" and "ustedes (you all)."

The introduction provided above was not intended to give you a sense of "how" and "why" different Spanish tenses are used.

Before expanding upon the five tenses (or, "times") that comprise the spectrum of Spanish language conjugated forms, note that Spanish INFINITIVES -- the fundamental form of each verb -- always end with the letters "___ar," "___er," or "___ir."

"Hablar" (to speak), "comer" (to eat), and "vivir" (to live) are three exemplary infinitives that will be used throughout our presentation of Spanish conjugations. Since it is customary to refer to Spanish infinitives as belonging to one of these three categories, all Spanish language infinitives are called "ar" verbs, "er" verbs, or "ir" verbs, depending on the last two letters of the infinitive form.

NOTE: Textbooks rarely point out that "__er" and "__ir" conjugations are exactly identical with only one exception. Taking into account all 25 different conjugated forms, there is only one single difference, and that difference is a single letter --- an "i" versus an "e." This single letter's difference occurs in the "we" form of the present tense of "___er" and "___ir" verbs. "Comemos" (meaning "we eat") is an "___er" verb, and "vivimos" (meaning "we live") is an "___ir" verb. This solitary change is the only difference among all “___er” and “___ir” endings. Every other "conjugated ending" for regular "___er" and "___ir" verbs is identical in for all other forms of the present, preterite, imperfect, future and conditional tenses.

The Present Tense: "___ar" verbs

hablar - to speak, or talk

The present tense of "__ar" verbs is formed from the infinitive -- e.g., hablar -- by dropping the so-called infinitive ending - "__ar" -and then adding the present tense "endings" for "__ar" verbs.

These "endings" are underlined in the chart below: "o," "as," "a," "amos," "an."

hablar = to speak >>> habl___

hablo

nosotros/nosotras

hablamos

tú

hablas

él, ella, ello, usted

habla

ellos, ellas, ustedes

hablan

OTHER REGULAR "___AR" VERBS

(I.E., THEY CONJUGATE JUST LIKE "HABLAR")

aconsejar - to counsel, to advise

ocultar - to hide

alquilar - to rent

armar - to assemble

odiar - to hate

asegurar - to insure

pagar - to pay

asesinar - assassinate

pasar - to happen, to spend

atrasar - to delay, to set back

parar - to stop

averiguar - to find out, to ascertain

pasear - to stroll

avisar - to inform to warn

bajar - to descend, to lower,

to go down, to get out of (a vehicle)

bailar - to dance

pegar - to hit/smack, to glue

bañar - to bathe

practicar - practice

botar - to throw out

cambiar - to change, to exchange

preguntar - to ask a question

caminar - to walk, to move along

preparar - to prepare

charlar - to chat

prestar - to lend

cobrar - to collect, to charge, to cash quedar - to remain, to stay

cocinar - to cook

to be located

comprar - to buy

quejar - to complain

contagiarle algo a alguien -

to infect someone with something

continuar - to continue

quemar - to burn

contestar - to answer

quitar - to remove

conversar - to converse

cuidar (de) - to take care (of)

dañar - to damage

desayunar - to breakfast

rechazar - to reject

desear - to desire

rentar - to rent

dibujar - to sketch

respirar - to breathe

disfrutar - to enjoy

revelar - to reveal

doblar - to turn, to fold, to double, dub regresar - to return (in ANY sense)

dudar - to doubt

durar - to last (duration of time)

robar - to rob

echar - to throw, to pour

empujar - to push

engañar - to deceive

significar - to mean

enojar - to anger

saludar - to greet

enseñar - to teach, to show

secar - to dry

entrar (en) - to enter (into)

señalar - to show, point out

entregar - to deliver, to hand over

tomar - to take

enviar - to send (en via = on its way)

(in ANY sense of the word)

escuchar - to listen

tomar also means "to drink"

estudiar - to study

(as in the British sense of

explicar - to explain

"to take" some tea with me)

examinar - to examine

tirar - to throw, to pull

extrañar - to miss (someone)

faltar - to be lacking

trabajar - to work

fracasar - to fail

tratar - to treat

fumar - to smoke

tratar de + inf - to try to ___

funcionar - to function (to work) usar - to use

gastar - to spend

utilizar - to use, to utilize

golpear - to hit, to strike

vaciar - to empty

gritar - to shout

viajar - to travel

gustar - to be pleasing to

violar - to violate

juntar - to join together

votar - to vote

importar - to be important, to matter

indicar - to indicate, to show

intentar a + infinitive - to try to + inf.

lastimar - to hurt, to injure

lavar - to wash

levantar - to lift, to raise

limpiar - to clean

lograr (.....) - to accomplish, to achieve, to manage (to do something)

llamar - to call

llegar - to arrrive

llenar - to fill

llevar - to carry, bear, to wear

llorar - to cry

mandar - to order, command, to send

malgastar - to waste

manejar - to manage, to drive

mirar - to look at

molestar - to bother, pester, disturb

necesitar - to need

observar - to observe

NOTE: You may create a noun out of any infinitive simply by putting the masculine article "el" (meaning "the") in front of it. Sometimes these nouns don't sound very "pretty" but they can be very effective in supplying needed vocabulary to get your idea across.

e.g.) El fumar = smoking

El alquilar = renting

El bailar = The dancing

The Present Tense: "___er" verbs

Comer - to eat

The present tense of "___er" verbs is formed from an infinitive such as "comer" by dropping the so-called infinitive ending -- in this case, "___er" -- and then adding the present tense "endings" for "___er" verbs.

These "endings" "o," "es," "e," "emos," "en" are underlined in the chart below:

Present Tense

comer = to eat

como

nosotros/nosotras

comemos

tú

comes

él, ella, ello, used

come

ellos, ellas, ustedes

comen

OTHER REGULAR "er" VERBS

(THEY CONJUGATE JUST LIKE "comer")

coger - to get (a bus/taxi), to take, to catch

comprender - to understand, to comprehend

correr - to run

corromper - to corrupt

deber (+ inf.) - to owe, (ought, should + inf.)

depender - to depend

escoger - to choose

esconder - to hide

meter - to insert, to put in

nacer - to be born (Nací = I was born; Nació = s/he/usted was/were born)

parecer - to seem (Me parece que .... = It seems to me that....)

permanecer - to stay, to remain

pertenecer - to belong (to), to pertain

poseer - to possess

responder - to respond, to answer

romper - to break

The Present Tense: "___ir" verbs

Vivir - to live

The present tense of "___ir" verbs is formed from an infinitive by dropping the so-called infinitive ending -- in this case "___ir" -- and then adding the present tense "endings" for "ir" verbs. These "endings" -- "o," "es," "e," "imos," "en" -- are underlined in the chart below:

vivir = to live

vivo

nosotros/nosotras

vivimos

tú

vives

él, ella, ello, usted

vive

ellos, ellas, ustedes

viven

NOTE: As mentioned above, there is only one conjugated ending that is different among all 25 conjugated forms of either "___er" or "___ir" verbs. Although this textbook will list all conjugated forms for both "___er" and "___ir" verbs, you can save worry and work by remembering that the conjugations for "__er" and "__ir" verbs are identical with the exception of a single vowel in the present tense "nosotros" form. (e.g., "Comemos," "Vivimos")

OTHER REGULAR "ir" VERBS

(i.e., THEY CONJUGATE JUST LIKE "vivir")

cubrir - to cover

cumplir - to complete, to fulfil

cumplir # años - to turn # (years of age)

decidir - to decide

descubrir - to discover

escribir - to write

exigir - to demand

ocurrir - to occur

permitir = to permit

recibir - to receive

subir - to ascend, to rise, to go up, to get into (a vehicle)

The Preterite Past Tense

Think of the Preterite Past Tense as "The Bang! It's over" tense.

The two following examples epitomize the Preterite Past Tense.

e.g.)

1.) "Los carros se chocaron." ("The cars crashed.")

2.) "Se disparó en el pie." ("S/he shot himself/herself in the foot.")

The Preterite Past Tense usually refers to actions that happened suddenly - and usually only once. (The Preterite also refers to past actions -- even those that happened continuously or repeatedly -- that the speaker now views as completely over and done.

The Preterite Past Tense is very often related to specified moments-in-time, which is to say that the Preterite regularly expresses the "beginning" or the "end" of a past action. The beginning and the end are fused in the following example:

e.g.)

1.) "Lee Harvey Oswald killed President Kennedy on November 22nd, 1963."

1.) "Lee Harvey Oswald asesinó al presidente Kennedy el 22 de noviembre, 1963."

NOTE: The following words and phrases specify a particular moment-in-time and are often associated with Preterite Tense usage:

anoche = last night

anteayer = day before last

ayer = yesterday

esta mañana = this morning

el fin de semana pasado = last week end

el año pasado = last year

el mes pasado = last month

el domingo (el lunes etc.) pasado = last Sunday (Monday)

una vez = once

al mediodía = at noon

a medianoche = at midnight

a las siete y catorce (etc.) - at seven fourteen

The Imperfect Past Tense

Unlike the Preterite Past Tense, the Imperfect Past Tense describes actions that happened 1.) continuously, or, 2.) repeatedly over a period of time.

e.g.)

1.) Yo comía allí cada martes por diez años.

1.) I used to eat there every Tuesday for ten years.

2.) El drogadicto tomaba todo tipo de droga.

2.) The drug addict used to take every kind of drug.

3.) Yo hablaba con el preso cuando me rompió el diente.

3.) I was speaking with the prisoner when he broke my tooth.

In general, Imperfect Tense "conjugated forms" translate into English with the helping verbs "used to ......" or "was ......" However, it is by no means necessary that these helping verbs will be present.

Although it is our ultimate aspiration to speak Spanish well, it is more important "early on" to speak in any way that can be understood. Too many subtle distinctions can paralyze a learner's ability to speak at all.

So, in addition to learning how we "should" speak, it is important - particularly when Spanish throws us "curves" - to think strategically about how we can make ourselves understood without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

It is better to make yourself understood -- and to "sound funny" in the process -- than to "say everything perfectly" but not be able to say much.

As far as I know, this text represents the first time that Spanish has been taught in such a pragmatic way.

For example, the fact that Spanish has two Past Tenses presents a situation that is very difficult for most beginners to navigate. In the long run, you will learn the correct use of the Preterite and the Imperfect even faster if, at the beginning, you don't much care which of these two tenses you use, so long as you "keep talking." The important thing is "to produce language."

Keep a stream of words tripping from the tongue.

Don't worry whether the words you speak are grammatically correct.

Just speak!

NOTE: For learners-of-Spanish who wish to focus their initial attention on either the Preterite or the Imperfect, it should be noted that the Preterite Past Tense has many more irregular forms than the Imperfect Past Tense. The Imperfect Past Tense also has the "advantage" of allowing learners of Spanish to use the same conjugated form for the 1st person singular and 3rd person singular, a coincidence which lets you talk about oneself and about other people using just one conjugated verb form.

NOTE: Time expressions that refer to long periods of time -- or repeated occurence -- are very often associated with the Imperfect Tense:

eg.) a menudo - often

muchas veces - often

con frecuencia - frequently, often

repetidas veces - frequently

frecuentemente - frequently

de vez en cuando - from time to time

todas los días - every day

todos los meses - every month

todos los años - every year

todos los domingo (...los lunes etc) - every Sunday (etc.)

***

THE PRETERITE PAST TENSE.

THE "BANG! IT'S OVER" PAST TENSE

CONJUGATED FORMS

The Preterite Past Tense

Conjugated Forms of

Regular "___ar" verbs

hablar = to speak

hablé

= I spoke

hablamos = we spoke

hablaste = you spoke

habló

= he, she, it, you spoke

hablaron = they, y'all spoke

The Preterite Past Tense

Conjugated Forms of

Regular "___er" verbs

comer = to ear

comí = I ate

comimos = we ate

comiste = you ate

comió = he, she, it, you ate

comieron = they, y'all ate

The Preterite Past Tense

Conjugated Forms

Regular "___ir" verbs

vivir = to live

viví = I lived

vivimos = we lived

viviste = you lived

vivió = he, she, it, you lived

vivieron = they, y'all lived

***

Irregular Preterite Verbs

(The single most important group of Spanish Irregularities)

NOTE: Preterite Irregularities contain NO ACCENTS, whereas Regular Preterite conjugations bear an accented terminal vowel in the 1st and 3rd person singular forms.

dar = to give decir = to say

dimos

dije

dijimos

diste

dijiste

dio

dieron

dijo

dijeron

estar = to be (impermanent) andar = to walk

estuve

estuvimos

anduve

anduvimos

estuviste

anduviste

estuvo

estuvieron

anduvo

anduvieron

hacer = to make, to do ir = to go

hice

hicimos

fui

fuimos

hiciste

fuiste

hizo

hicieron

fue

fueron

oír = to hearpoder = to be able

oí

oímos

pude

pudimos

oiste

pudiste

oyó

oyeron

pudo

pudieron

poner = to put, to place, to set querer = to want, to love

puse

pusimos

quise

quisimos

pusiste

quisiste

puso

pusieron

quiso

quisieron

saber = to know

(In the preterite, "to find out") ser = to be (permanent)

supe

supimos

fui

fuimos

supiste

fuiste

supo

supieron

fue

fueron

tener = to have, to hold traer = to bring

tuve

tuvimos

traje

trajimos

tuviste

trajiste

tuvo

tuvieron

trajo

trajeron

venir = to come

vine

vinimos

viniste

vino

vinieron

NOTE: The preterite conjugations of "ser" and "ir" are identical. This is the only such coincidence in the Spanish language.

THE IMPERFECT PAST TENSE

THE REPETITIVE, OR CONTINUAL PAST TENSE

CONJUGATED FORMS

The Imperfect Past Tense

Conjugated Forms of

Regular "___ar" verbs

hablar = to speak

hablaba = I used to speak...

hablábamos = We used to speak...

I was speaking...

We were speaking...

I spoke

We spoke

hablabas = You used to speak.

You were speaking...

You spoke

hablaba = He, she, it, you used to speak...

hablaban = They, y'all used to speak...

He, she, it was speaking...

They, y'all were speaking...

You were speaking ..

They, y'all spoke

He, she, it, you spoke

The Imperfect Past Tense

Conjugated Forms of

Regular "___er" verbs

comer = to eat

comía = I used to eat...

comíamos = We used to eat...

I was eating...

We were eating.

I ate

We ate

comías = You used to eat...

You were eating...

You ate

comía = He, she, it, you used to eat...

comían = They, y'all used to eat...

He, she, it was eating...

They, y'all were eating...

You were eating...

They, y'all ate

He, she, it, you ate

The Imperfect Past Tense

Conjugated Forms of

Regular "___ir" verbs

vivir = to live

vivía = I used to live...

vivíamos = We used to live...

I was living...

We were living.

I lived

vivías = You used to live...

You were living...

You lived

vivía = He, she, it, You used to live...

vivían = They, Y'all used to live...

He, she, it was living...

They, y'all were living...

You were living...

They, y'all lived

He, she, you lived

NOTE: The 1st and 3rd person singular forms of the Imperfect Past Tense are identical. Although this "overlap" seems confusing, in fact it isn't. As a practical matter, it is almost always clear when "I" "am" the subject of a sentence, and when someone (or something) else is the subject of a sentence.

***

IRREGULAR IMPERFECT VERBS

There are only three:

"Ir," Ser," and "Ver"

ver = to see

veía

veíamos

veías

veía

veían

NOTE: The only irregular aspect of "ver" in the the Imperfect Tense is that the "e" is retained, rather than dropped before adding the "regular" Imperfect "endings" --- ___ía, ___ías, ___ía, ___íamos, ___ían.

ser = to be

(when "being" is a "permanent" state, quality or characteristic -- when talking about the nature or essence of a person or thing)

era

éramos

eras

era

eran

ir = to go

iba

íbamos

ibas

iba

iban

The Imperfect Tense of "ir" has a common usage that corresponds exactly to how we express the same meaning in English. In both languages, the essence of these expressions involves the imperfect phrase "was going" plus an infinitive.

Although this usage occurs very often in the formulation of questions, it is by no means limited to questions.

e.g.) 1.) ¿Quién iba a hacer la cirugía?

1.) (Who was going to perform the surgery.)

2.) El Doctor Carrasco iba a realizar la cirugía.

2.) (Dr. Carrasco was going to perform the surgery.)

3.) Ibamos a estudiar más, pero interrumpió la guerra.

3.) We were going to study more, but war interrupted us.

NOTE: In this last example, the word "íbamos" has a written accent on the first syllable. However, capital letters are seldom written with accents on them. Therefore, words that carry a written accent on the first letter will be pronounced correctly only if you recall that such words carry a written accent in that initial, capitalized location.

***

Present Participles (or Gerunds)

In English, the Present Participle ALWAYS ends with the suffix "____ing," as in "going," "doing," "cooking," "studying," "eating," "chatting," "hitting," "smoking."

In Spanish, the Present Participle ends with "___ando" if the verb is an "___ar" verb, and with "___iendo" if the verb is an "___er" or "___ir" verb.

To form the Present Participle, remove the "___ar," "___er" or "___ir" infinitive ending, and add the appropriate suffix --- either "___ando," or, "___iendo."

e.g.)

hablar > habl > hablando (= "speaking.")

comer > com > comiendo (= "eating")

vivir > viv > viviendo (= "living")

NOTE: There are no irregularities in the formation of the Present Participle, although a number of predictable spelling changes

-- usually based on "stem-changes" -- result in slightly altered forms.

e.g.) decir (i, i) - diciendo (saying)

pedir (i, i) - pidiendo (asking for)

medir (i, i) - midiendo (measuring)

seguir (i, i) - siguiendo (following)

servir (i, i) - sirviendo (serving)

dormir (ue, u) - durmiendo (sleeping)

ir - yendo (going)

construir - construyendo (building)

destruir - destruyendo (destroying)

***

The Past Participle

In English, the Past Participle has a wide variety of different endings, although "___ed," "___t" and "___n(e)" are the most common. Examples include "learned," "cooked," "burned," (or, "burnt"), "gone," "went," "flown," "done," "studied," "eaten," "chatted," "hit," and "smoked."

In Spanish the Past Participle endings "stay put." When forming a Past Participle from an "___ar" verb, add the suffix (___ado) to the infinitive root. When forming a Past Participle from an "___er" or "___ir" verb, add the suffix "___ido" to the infinitive root.

e.g.)

hablar > habl > hablado (= "spoken")

comer > com > comido (= "eaten")

vivir > viv > vivido (= "lived")

NOTE: There are a number of irregular Past Participles in Spanish.

e.g.) abrir - abierto (opened)

cubrir - cubierto (covered)

descubrir - descubierto (discovered)

decir - dicho (said)

escribir - escrito (written)

hacer - hecho (done)

morir - muerto (died)

poner - puesto (put, placed, set)

componer - compuesto (composed, fixed)

descomponer - descompuesto (decomposed, broken)

reponer - repuesto (replaced)

romper - roto (broken)

ver - visto (seen)

volver - vuelto (returned)

revolver - revuelto (stirred, revolved)

NOTE: All Past Participles may be used as adjectives. Furthermnore, by putting the masculine article "el" in front of any adjective, a noun is created. Most often the creation of a noun from a "Past Participle adjective" results in an English translation with the following "sound":

e.g.) el abierto - the opened one

(Dame el abierto. = Give me the opened one.)

el cubierto - the covered one (also means "deck")

el visto - the seen one

However, quite often, Past Participles that "double" as adjectives also become very particular nouns:

e.g.) el dicho - the saying

el hecho - the deed

el escrito - the writing

el puesto - the stand, the booth, the stall, the post, the job

el roto - the break

Although some Past Participles become particular nouns, these same Past Participles can ALSO be used in the more general sense:

e.g.) el dicho - the said thing

el hecho - the done thing

el escrito - the written thing.

NOTE: The transformation of Past Participles adjectives into nouns may also assume feminine form:

e.g.) la abierta - the opened one

(when referring to somethinsuch as "la botella" (= "the bottle"))

The Progressive Tenses

The four Progressive Tenses are used to emphasize an activity in-progress. By combining the helping verb "to be" (= "estar") with a Present Participle, the action described by the Progressive Tenses is "s t r e t c h e d o u t" over time to emphasize that the action is, (was or, will be) ongoing.

e.g.) In English, the Present Tense simply says, "I eat,"

whereas the English language Present Progressive

Tense says: "I am eating."

NOTE: Unlike English, the Spanish Present Tense may be used to communicate both meanings:

e.g.) "Como."

"I eat."

"I am eating."

However, despite the fact that the Spanish Present Tense can imitate the Present Progressive Tense -- and despite the fact that the Imperfect Tense mimics the Past Progressive Tense -- the Progressive Tenses are the best way to place maximum emphasis on the ongoing quality of an action.

ESTAR = to be

The Helping Verb of the Progressive Tenses

Present Tense

Past (Imperfect) Tense

estoy

estamos

estaba

estábamos

estás

estabas

está

están

estaba estaban

Future Tense

Conditional Tense

estaré

estaremos

estaría

estaríamos

estarás

estarías

estará

estarán

estaría

estarían

THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The Present Progressive Tense is formed by attaching a Present Participle to the Present Tense forms of "estar."

e.g.)

estoy hablando (I am speaking)

estamos hablando (We are speaking)

estás hablando (You are speaking)

está hablando (S/he is speaking. You (Ud.) are speaking.)

están hablando

(They/y'all are speaking.)

THE PAST PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The Past Progressive Tense is formed by attaching a Present Participle to Imperfect Tense forms of "estar."

e.g.)

estaba hablando (I was speaking)

estábamos hablando = (We were speaking)

estabas hablando (You were speaking)

estaba hablando (S/he/you was/were speaking.) estaban hablando = (They/y'all were speaking.)

NOTE: There is only one Past Progressive Tense. The Past Progressive Tense uses the Imperfect Tense of "estar" as a helping verb. THERE IS NO PROGRESSIVE TENSE THAT USES THE PRETERITE TENSE OF "ESTAR."

THE FUTURE PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The Future Progressive Tense is formed by attaching a Present Participle to Future Tense forms of "estar."

e.g.)

estaré hablando (I will be speaking.)

estaremos hablando = (We will be speaking)

estarás hablando (You will be speaking.)

estará hablando (S/he/you will be speaking.) estarán hablando = (They/y'all will be speaking.)

NOTE: The Future Progressive Tense is RARELY USED: it is almost always pre-empted by the Future Tense, or, by "ir a + infinitive."

e.g.) "Hablaré" is a Future Tense form that means "I will talk" or, "I will be talking."

THE CONDITIONAL PROGRESSIVE TENSE

The Future Progressive Tense is formed by attaching a Present Participle to Future Tense forms of "estar."

e.g.)

estaría hablando (I would be speaking.)

estábamos hablando = (We would be speaking.)

estarías hablando (You would be speaking)

estaría hablando (S/he/you would be speaking.) estarían hablando = (They/Y'all would be speaking.)

NOTE: The Conditional Progressive Tense is RARELY USED and is almost always pre-empted by other verb forms, including the simple Conditional Tense.

e.g.) "Hablaría" is a simple Conditional Tense form that means "I would speak" (or, due to the coincidence of 1st and 3rd person singular conditional forms, "hablaría" could also mean ""He, she, it, you would speak.") This simple Conditional form is almost always an adequate - and often is a preferred - alternative to the Conditional Progressive Tense.

A USEFUL HINT FOR BEGINNERS

It is possible to communicate almost anything with the Progressive Tenses. If you don't know -- or, if you can't recall -- a needed Present, Preterite, Imperfect, Future or Conditional Tense form, you can probably "get by" with the Progressive Tenses.

This "expanded use" of the Progressive Tenses means that you DO NOT NEED TO KNOW every conjugated verb forms in order to express yourself, but instead can rely on the conjugation of one verb - "estar" - to meet your needs.

Such expanded use of the Progressive Tenses may "sound funny," but it works.

e.g.)

If you wish to say, "Where did you eat lunch today?" the correct form is ¿Dónde almorzaste hoy? However, you may -- as an alternative -- use the Past Progressive form of the verb, "estabas almorzando," instead of the correct Preterite form, "almorzaste." If you choose to use the Past Progressive Tense instead of the Preterite Tense, the new sentence becomes:

1.) ¿Dónde estabas almorzando hoy?

1.) Where were you eating lunch today?

This Past Progressive usage sounds as if you're "conducting an interrogation," but it communicates the idea effectively and is an easy alternative if you don't know the Preterite conjugation of "almorzar."

By "playing around" with the Progressive Tenses, you'll soon be able to communicate a VERY wide range of meaning through simple conjugation of "estar" and use of the Present Participle.

***

THE COMPOUND TENSES

(What Grammarians Sometimes Call the "Perfect" Tenses)

The Compound Tenses join together - or "compound" - conjugated forms of the helping verb "haber" and a Past Participle.

The Compound Tenses refer to action that "has," "had," "will have," or "would have" been done.

e.g.) 1.) I have written 12 books. (Present Compound)

He escrito doce libros.

2.) I had written 8 books prior to 1984. (Past Compound)

Había escrito 8 libros antes de 1984.

3.) I will have written 14 books by 2010 A.D. (Future Compound)

Habré escrito 14 libros para el año dos mil.

4.) I would have written one other book if my husband had permitted me. (Conditional Compound)

Habría escrito otro libro si mi esposo me hubiera permitido.

Notice that all Compound Tense conjugations contain a Past Participle and therefore ALL COMPOUND TENSES SOUND LIKE THEY ARE PAST TENSE FORMS.

However, to determine which of the four Compound Tenses is being used, disregard the "past sound" engendered by the presence of the Past Participle, and ask yourself "What is the tense of the helping verb -- either "have" or "haber" -- that precedes the Past Participle?"

i.e.)

1.) "Have" is a Present Tense form of the helping verb, and is therefore used with the Present Compound.

2.) "Had" is a Past Tense form of the helping verb, and is therefore used with the Past Compound.

3.) "Will have" is a Future Tense form of the helping verb, and is therefore used with the Future Compound.

4.) "Would have" is a Conditional Tense form of the helping verb, and is therefore used with the Conditional Compound.

REMEMBER: In both English and Spanish, the Compound Tenses are compounded of the helping verb "have" (= "haber") and the "past participle." In both English and Spanish, the Compound Tenses are used in identical situations.

NOTE: Compound Tenses are often used when asking questions such as inquiring whether someone "has ever done" something.

e.g.) Have you ever visited Cuba?

¿Jamás has visitado Cuba?

This type of question can only be asked by using the Compound Tense. (Notice that the introductory word "jamás" communicates the idea "ever.")

HABER = to have

The Helping Verb of the Compound Tenses

Present Tense

Imperfect Tense

hemos

había

habíamos

has

habías

han

había

habían

Future Tense

Conditional Tense

habré

habremos

habría

habríamos

habrás

habrías

habrá

habrán

habría

habrían

THE PRESENT COMPOUND TENSE

(What Some Grammarians Call "The Present Perfect" Tense.)

The Present Compound Tense is formed by combining Present Tense forms of "haber" with a Past Participle.

e.g.)

he hablado - I have spoken hemos hablado - we have spoken

has hablado - you have spoken

ha hablado - s/he has spoken han hablado - they have spoken,

you have spoken y'all have spoken

NOTE: The Present Compound Tense is used when an action that has been done before may be done again.

e.g.) I have spoken with the director several times already.

Ya he hablado con el director varias veces.

THE PAST COMPOUND TENSE

(What Some Grammarians Call "The Pluperfect Tense.")

The Past Compound Tense is formed by attaching a Past Participle to Imperfect Tense forms of "haber."

eg.)

había hablado - I had spoken habíamos hablado - we had spoken

habías hablado - you had spoken

había hablado - s/he had spoken habían hablado - they had spoken,

you had spoken y'all had spoken

NOTE: The Past Compound Tense tends to "bury" actions in the past, suggesting that an action will not take place again.

e.g.) I had spoken with the surgeon prior to the operation.

Yo había hablado con el cirujano antes de la operación.

NOTE: Just as there is only one Past Progressive Tense (instead of the two you might expect,) so too is there only one Past Compound Tense. The Past Compound Tense uses the Imperfect Tense forms of the helping verb "haber."

THERE IS NO COMPOUND TENSE THAT EMPLOYS THE PRETERITE TENSE OF "ESTAR."

THE FUTURE COMPOUND TENSE

(What Some Grammarians Call "The Future Perfect Tense.")

The Future Compound Tense is formed by attaching a Past Participle to Future Tense forms of "haber."

eg.)

habré hablado = habremos hablado =

I wll have spoken we will have spoken

habrás hablado = you will have spoken

habrá hablado = s/he will have spoken habrán hablado =

you will have spoken they will have spoken,

or, y'all will have spoken

NOTE: The Future Compound "imagines" some future point in time as a point of reference. It is then imagined that when the subject arrives at that future point in time, some action "will have been" done. An imaginary time-in-the-future is used as a vantage for looking back on actions that have not happened yet, but "will have been done by then."

e.g.) I will have finished the treatment by Monday.

Habré terminado el tratamiento para el lunes.

NOTE: The Future Compound is a dying tense in English and is probably doomed in Spanish as well. In English, it is now customary to say "It'll be done by Monday" or "I will finish it by Monday" -- both simple Future Tenses -- rather than expressing this same basic thought as a Future Compound Tense: i.e., "I will have finished it by Monday."

THE CONDITIONAL COMPOUND TENSE

(What Some Grammarians Call "The Conditional Perfect Tense.")

The Conditional Compound Tense is formed by attaching a Past Participle to Conditional Tense forms of "haber."

habría hablado = habríamos hablado =

I would have spoken we would have spoken

habrías hablado = you would have spoken

habría hablado = s/he would have spoken habrían hablado =

you would have spoken they would have spoken,

or, y'all would have spoken

NOTE: The Conditional Compound Tense - like the simple Conditional Tense and the Progressive Conditional Tense - either "states" or "implies" the existence of some "condition," whose fulfillment is necessary for the completion of the sentence's central action.

When a condition is explicitly stated, the clause containing the condition typically employs a Past Subjunctive verb form.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS SUBJUNCTIVE FORM. AS WE'LL SEE LATER, THE SUBJUNCTIVE NEEDN'T BE USED AT ALL IN ORDER TO BE ADEQUATELY UNDERSTOOD.

e.g.) 1.) "The patient would have died if it were not for the paramedic."

In this sentence the words "would have died" are a Conditional Compound form, while the clause starting with "if" is the stated condition.

2.) "El paciente se habría muerto si no fuera por el paramédico."

In this Spanish translation of the English example, "habría muerto" is a Conditional Compound form, and the clause containing "the condition" includes the Past Subjunctive form "fuera."

HOWEVER: For purposes of successful communication, it is sufficient - if technically incorrect - to say "El paciente se moriría si no fue por el paramédico." ("Fue" is a simple, Preterite form of "ser.")

NOTE: This simplistic alternative is NOT grammatically correct. However, this incorrect sentence effectively communicates the same idea without resorting to the complexities of the Conditional Compound Tense and the Past Subjunctive Tense.