Hot Spanish Language & Culture How-Tos

How To: Use indirect objects & object pronouns in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use indirect objects & object pronouns in Spanish. When you have a noun that is coming after a pronoun, you will have to change the first word that comes after it. If you are saying "yo compro", then you will use "las" after this, to describe the pronoun that you are purchasing. Indirect objects answer the question of who or what. If you want to say "I buy the flowers for you" you would say "Yo compro las flores para ti". Use these simple rules while speaking Sp...

How To: Use the antes de and despues de verbs in Spanish

In this tutorial, we learn how to speak Spanish: Antes de / despues de + verb. If you want to say "I eat breakfast before I go to school" you will say "yo desayuno antes de ir a la escuela". You will change a verb in the phrase depending on where it is placed in the sentence. If you change this same example sentence around, it will sound different in the Spanish version of the same exact sentence than the original. To express the opposite idea, you will change the end of the verb to state the...

How To: Use "gustar" to express likes and dislikes in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use "gustar" to express likes and dislikes in Spanish. By practicing examples, you will be able to learn this concept easily. In English, you would say that you like something. But, the equal to this in Spanish is "gustar". You will need to use the appropriate indirect object pronouns while you are saying this in your sentences. To say Me, you will say "a mi" and "to you" is "a ti". When you are speaking to someone about yourself or a group of people, etc your t...

How To: Use the entes de and después de verbs in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish: Antes de / DespuŽs de + verbs. When you say "antes de" this means before and "despues de" means after. Saying these in sentences can help describe doing something at a specific time. The formula for this is to have the "antes/despues de" + an infinitive. Learning some basic reflexives can help you describe what you are doing. For example, "levantarse" means to get up. You will change the tense of the verb depending on when you did it, then change ...

How To: Use the present tense of -AR verbs in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish: Present tense of -AR verbs (tu form). When you are speaking with "ar" verbs, you will have to change them depending on who you are talking about. You will also have to change if you are talking about yourself and depending on what the tenses are. If you are talking about yourself drawing, you would say "yo dibujo", which means "I draw". You will say "tu dibujas" if you are saying "you draw" to a group of people. Learn some common "ar" verbs, then ...

How To: Understand vowels and vowel sounds in Spanish

In this tutorial, we learn how to understand vowels and vowel sounds in Spanish. To best understand how to say the vowel sounds in Spanish, you will want to listen to a native speaker saying different words. Take some of the words that you might think sound the same, but are completely different. These words can use the same vowels but have a different sound because of the pronunciation that is associated with them. Start to practice the vowels out one by one, then start to use them in words ...

How To: Understand subject pronouns in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to understand subject pronouns in Spanish. Subject pronouns are pronouns that stand in for the person that is going to carry out the action in the sentence. In English, sentence pronouns are things like "I", "you", "he", "she", "we", and "you guys". In Spanish, pronouns change to "yo", "tu", "usted", "el", "ella", "nosotros", and more. Whenever you talk about a verb in a sentence, it will change what the subject pronoun is and how it's said in the sentence. Make su...

How To: Use direct objects & direct object pronouns in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use direct objects & direct object pronouns in Spanish. A direct object is the object of the subject inside of a sentence. An example of this is "yo contesto el telefono". The direct object in this sentence is "el telefono" and the subject is "yo". The direct object is the "what" of the sentence, not the who. Another example of this is "nosotros miramos las peliculas". In this sentence, the subject is "nosotros" and the direct object is "las peliculas". Pay clos...

How To: Use the subjunctive with verbs of volition in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish: Subjunctive with verbs of volition. Volition is requests when someone asks, needs, or wants something. To form these, you must first take the "yo" form and remove the final "o". Then, you will add in the opposite vowel endings. For example, with "yo hablo" you would say, "yo hable" or "hables". This will change if you are talking about a group of people, one person, or a formal group of people. A verb with the "er" ending will change to "a" or "es...

How To: Express "to be" in Spanish using ser, estar and haber

In this tutorial, we learn how to express "to be" in Spanish using ser, estar and haber. When expressing forms such as: am, are, was and were you will say "ser" and "estar" in Spanish. The verb "ser" should be conjugated for each of the different tenses that you are using. Often, "ser" is used to ask questions such as: where you are from, what nationality are you, and what things belong to someone. "Ser" is also used to indicate occupation, religion, political party, event locations, date, an...

How To: Make informal and formal commands in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to make Informal and formal commands in Spanish. When you speak in first person singular, you will say "yo" when you speak in plural, you will say "nosotros". These are both informal or familiar forms of the word. When you are speaking to someone that is a elder, you will want to speak in formal instead of informal. Use informal mode when you are talking with friends, family, children, and anyone else you talk to in a daily basis. Pay attention if you are talking a...

How To: Use present tense of Spanish AR verbs

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish using present tense AR verbs. "Nosotros" means "we", "nosotras" means we as well, it's just talking about a female while the other is talking about a male. Common "ar" verbs include: necesitar, patinar, practicar, terminar, tocar, trabajar, nadar, hablar. These mean (in order): to need, to skate, to practice, to fish, to play, to work, to swim, and to talk. When you are talking about a male, female, or group of people you need to change the last pa...

How To: Use the passive voice in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use the passive voice in Spanish. The first way to use the passive voice in Spanish is to use "ser", the second is by using "se". First, recognize the subject, verb, and object in your sentence. Now, write your sentence using a passive voice, making the object the subject and change the tense of the verb. This is very easy to do and basically just flips the sentence around and changes out the tense of the verb. This will change the sentence into the passive voic...

How To: Describe and express personality in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish by describing personality. There are many words to express personality and how you are. Some of these words include "generoso" (generous), "simpatico" (nice), and "ordenado" (organized). The most common ending to words is "o", which can be used to describe yourself. Only a few words will end in "r", "e", or "a". The end of the word is important because it tells us the gender of the word. This means the adjectives will change depending on who they a...

How To: Use the phrase "I like" or "me gusta" in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish: "me gusta" (I like). First, you will need to learn how to form sentences. After saying "me gusta", you will need to say a verb that you like to do. These include: "nadar" (to swim), "practicar deportes" (to practice sports), and "estudiar" (to study). These are just a few of the many words you can use for verbs. An example of a sentence would be "me gusta tocar la guitarra" (I like to play guitar). If you would like to say you don't like to do som...

How To: Talk about your daily routine in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to talk about your daily routine in Spanish. First, you need to learn common expressions about doing things. The key verbs that talk about your typical routine include: "despertarse" (to wake up), "levantarse" (to get up), "banarse" (to bathe), and "ducharse" (to shower). These are just a few of the verbs you can use for your daily routine. Other activities include: "estudiar" (study), "cenar" (to have dinner), and "acostarse" (to go to bed). Make sure if you are u...

How To: Pronunce Spanish consonant letters and sounds

In this video, we learn how to pronounce Spanish consonant letters and sounds. "B" and "v" sound the same in a number of different dialects. Practice saying these words with the letters in both the beginning and end of the word so you know exactly how to say them, and how they differ when used in different words. Practice saying the other letters and learning what their pronunciation is like in different words. There will be different sounds depending on the words, so pay close attention. Lea...

How To: Use the imperfect or past subjunctive in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use the imperfect or past subjunctive in Spanish. When you are speaking in first person, you are going to use the singular "yo". If you are speaking in plurals, you will us "os", such as "nosotros". For second person familiar, you will use "tu", then for second person formal you would say "usted". For third person, you will say "el". When you talk in second person familiar and formal you will stress the second syllable in the word. Dissect the sentence to find o...

How To: Use compound tenses with "haber" & "estar" in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use compound tenses with "haber" and "estar" in Spanish. "I am speaking" would translate into "You estoy hablando". If you are talking about a girl eating, you would say "Ella esta comiendo". To say "they were writing letters", you would say "Ellos estaban escribiendo cartas". You will see the form of the verb changing in each of the sentences. You will also see the gender of the verb changing in each of the sentences, depending on who is being talked about. The...

How To: Use reflexive verbs in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to use reflexive verbs in Spanish. All of the reflexive verbs are related. Once you have your verb changed, you will have to change how you are saying the different words in the sentence. If you are talking about yourself, you will have to make sure you take out "es", so you aren't saying the sentence incorrectly. If you are calling yourself something, you are reflecting the verb back to yourself. I you want to say "I talk", you will say "yo habo", because you are ...

How To: Order food & drinks in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to order food and drinks in Spanish. First, you will need to learn how to say "to want", "I need", "please", "to be able to". Once you familiarize yourself with these phrases, you will have the first part of being ready to order in Spanish. You will also need to learn the names for foods and the verbs for eat, drink, and bring. Depending on the types of food you eat, many are easy to learn. Some foods don't change name in Spanish and sound the same in English. Ther...

How To: Use the present tense of AR verbs in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish by using the present tense of AR verbs. For females, "ellas" means they and for males "ellos" means they. To say "you all" you would say "ustedes". For example, the word "trabajar" would knock the "ar" off depending on who was the subject in the sentence. It would be replaced with "o", "as", "a", etc depending on who was being talked about. This goes the same for every verb that ends in "ar". The tense must change when you are talking about singula...

How To: Ask for the time in Spanish

In this video, we learn how to speak Spanish by asking what time. The phrase, "a que hora" translates to "at what time" in English. The word "termina" means "it ends" ad "empieza" means it begins. You can ask questions using these words, such as what time a concert starts, what time school starts, what time a party begins, etc. Practice learning how to say the hours of the day in Spanish so you can respond to someone when they ask you what time it is. When answering this question, you will st...

How To: Count from 0 to 10 in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how to say the Spanish words for the numbers zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten. Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Tell someone what your name is in Spanish ("Me llamo")

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to introduce yourself to someone in perfect Spanish: "Me llamo ..." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Thank someone in perfect Spanish ("Muchas gracias")

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how to say the Spanish words for thank you: "Muchas gracias." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Ask someone please in perfect Spanish ("Por favor")

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say and pronounce the Spanish words for please: "Por favor." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Say hello to someone in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how to say the Spanish word for hello: "¡Hola!"Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Tell someone "goodbye" in Spanish ("Adios")

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say and pronounce the Spanish word for goodbye: "adios." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Tell someone that it's nice to meet them in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how to tell someone that it's nice to meet him or her. Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Say that something or someone is "good" in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to say and properly pronounce the Spanish word for "good." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Say "excuse me" in perfect Spanish ("Perdon")

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to beg someone's pardon in Spanish: "Perdon." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Ask where something is in perfect Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask "where?" or "¿dónde?" Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Ask someone what his or her name is in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how someone what his or her name is in perfect Spanish. Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Ask how much something costs in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to ask how much something costs in perfect Spanish. Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

How To: Compliment a person's cooking in Spanish

In this free video language lesson, you'll learn how to complement someone's cooking in perfect Spanish: "El comida esta delisiosa." Interested in learning Spanish but haven't got the time to take a weekly class? No problemo! The Internet is awash in free, high-quality video lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started using this phrase yourself, watch this helpful video guide for Spanish students.

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