Have you ever doubted the spelling of a word in English? You bet I have! However, English is not the only language in which a word can change meaning simply by its spelling.

The most obvious case is “por qué“, “porque“, “por que” and “porqué“.

If you are used to writing in Spanish, you have probably hesitated more than once between the various spellings.

Here is the lesson plan that will make your task easier. By understanding the meaning and usage of each word, you will never make a mistake again.

“Por qué”

The grammatical form “por qué” is usually an adverb whose literal translation is “why”. It is therefore frequently used to introduce interrogative sentences. It can also be used in some affirmative sentences. However, “por qué” can also be used in a different context than the English “why”. It is also used to begin certain exclamatory sentences.

Examples :

• ¿Por qué llegaste tan tarde ayer? = Why did you arrive so late yesterday?
• ¿Por qué no me lo dijiste? = Why didn’t you tell me?
• No entiendo por qué actuas así = I don’t understand why you act this way
• No sé por qué lo vende tan caro = I don’t know why he sells it so expensively
• ¡Por qué situacion tan difícil estamos pasando! = What a difficult situation we are going through!

“Porqué”

“Porqué” written as a single word and with an accent is a common noun synonymous with cause, reason or motive. It can be used in the plural and is usually preceded by a definite or indefinite article.

Examples :

• Julio no me explicado el porqué de su silencio = Julio did not explain to me why he was silent
• Dame un solo porqué para tratar de entenderte = Give me one reason to try to understand you
• Los porqués son muchos = The reasons are many
• Todas las consecuencias tienen sus porqués = All consequences have their causes

“Porque”

The Spanish “porque” is a conjunctive phrase that is usually translated as “because” in English. However, it can also be used to express the finality of an action or a cause and effect relationship. It can then replace “para que” and have the meaning of “because / so that” in English.

Examples :

• No fui al trabajo porque estaba enfermo = I didn’t go to work because I was sick
• ¿Por qué no viene?. Porque no tiene tiempo = Why doesn’t he come? Because he doesn’t have time
• Hice muchos esfuerzos porque me entiendera = I made a lot of effort to make him understand me
• Le compré chocolate porque haga un pastel = I bought him some chocolate so he could make a cake

“Por que”

The expression “por que” is the combination of the preposition “por” and the relative pronoun “que”. In some cases, these two words can be juxtaposed and form the expression “por que”. It can therefore be translated into English as “for that”, or sometimes simply “that” without expressing a cause and effect relationship. 

Examples :

• El profesor optó por que saliera de la clase = The teacher opted for him to leave the classroom
• Estaba ansioso por que llegará su hermano = He was impatient for his brother to arrive
• No sé la razón por que hizo eso = I don’t know why he did it
• El trofeo por que jugaron era feo = The trophy they played for was ugly

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👉 Next lesson: Tú or Usted

👉 Previous lesson: Bien, bueno or buen?

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In English, whether you are addressing a group of people who are being addressed in a formal or informal manner, you will use the same word “You“.

In Spanish, depending on whether you are addressing a group of people in a formal or informal way, you will use different words: “Ustedes” (formal) or “Vosotros/Vosotras” (informal).

I. Informal You in Spanish

* To address a single person informally in Spanish, we use Tú: tú comes, tú hablas, tú vives, etc.
* To address a group of people informally, Vosotros or Vosotras is used: vosotros coméis, vosotros habláis, vosotros vivéis, etc.

II. Formal You in Spanish

* To address a single person formally, we use USTED (it is used as the 3rd person singular):

• Usted habla muy bien español ==> You speak Spanish very well.

* To address more than one person formally, we use USTEDES (it is used as the 3rd person plural):

• Ustedes hablan muy bien español ==> You (group) speak Spanish very well.

III. Use of the polite You in Spain and in the world

In Spain, people almost never use “usted”. In Spain, it is very common for two people who do not know each other to be on first-name terms from the very first exchange.

In Spain, for example, students use “tú” with their teachers. The use of formal address is used for very formal or official moments (for example if you are meeting a high ranking official or during a job interview).

“Usted” is much more common in Latin America in countries like Colombia. There, it is common for family members to use “usted” with each other.

👉 Next lesson: También or Tampoco?

👉 Previous lesson: Por qué, porque, por que and porqué: what’s the difference?

Pedir

The Spanish verb “pedir” is used to initiate an action. Its use implies that we expect a reaction from another person or that we want someone to do something for us.

It can therefore be used in the context of a normal discussion, in a bar or restaurant, when begging someone, etc.

• Le quiero pedir su número de telefono = I want to ask for his phone number
• Quisiera pedirte un favor = I want to ask you a favor
• Voy a pedir una pizza con una cerveza = I’m going to ask for a pizza with a beer
• Te pido perdón = I want to ask for your forgiveness

Preguntar

“Preguntar” has a different meaning from “pedir” it never leads to action, but rather an answer to a question. By using “preguntar” you are asking someone about something.

Therefore, this verb can be used to ask a question, to ask for more information or to ask about someone.

• Le quiero preguntar cuántos años tiene = I want to ask him how old he is
• Marcos me pregunta si vamos al cine hoy = Marcos asks me if we’re going to the movies today
• María pregunta por nosotros = María is asking about us
• Me preguntó si quería salir a cenar con él = He asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner with him

👉 Next lesson: Tomar, llevar or Traer

👉 Previous lesson: También or Tampoco?

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“Take”, “take away”, “bring”, even in English these verbs can be difficult to use correctly.

If you’re learning Spanish, you’ve probably noticed that the verbs “tomar“, “llevar” and “traer” also have similar meanings, but it’s best not to confuse them.

In this lesson you will find all the explanations you need to use these three verbs correctly.

Tomar

This verb can be translated as “to take“. It can therefore be used in a very broad sense. It is used in a literal sense, when one wants to take something with the hand, as well as in a figurative sense.

In Latin America, “tomar” also means to drink or swallow.

Examples :

• Tómalo en tu mano = Take it in your hand
• Vamos a tomar el autobús para ir a la playa = We are going to take the bus to go to the beach
• Ella tomó el sol durante todo el verano = She took the sun all summer long
• Tengo que parar para tomar aliento = I have to stop to catch my breath
• Voy a tomar las medidas necesarias = I will take the necessary steps
• Tarde o temprano tendré que tomar una decisión = Sooner or later I should make a decision

Llevar

The verb “llevar” can be translated as “to bring” or “to take“. It conveys the idea that one carries an object or a person from one place to another.

Examples :

• Puedes llevar tus cosas de aquí = You can take your things from here
• ¿Puedes llevar a Sandra al trabajo ahora = Can you take Sandra to work right away?
• No olvides llevar tu paraguas = Don’t forget to bring your umbrella
• Voy a llevar a mi madre al doctor = I’m going to take my mother to the doctor

Traer

Traer is usually translated as “to bring“. It is used to express the movement of something or someone from another place to the place where you are.

Examples :

• Julio va traer su madre aquí = Julio will bring his mother here
• Trajeron vino = They brought wine
• ¿Puedes traerme el coche, por favor? = Can you bring me the car please?
• Pedro siempre trae el postre cuando viene a comer = Pedro always brings dessert when he comes to eat

👉 Practice now!

👉 Next lesson: Present tense

👉 Previous lesson: Pedir or Preguntar?

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The use of Qué and Cuál in Spanish is confusing because both words have the same translation in English: what

We can determine whether to use one or the other of these interrogative adverbs depending on the context.

Note that, like all interrogative adverbs, Qué and Cuál always have an accent.

I. Use of Qué

Generally speaking, Qué is used in a DEFINITION, EXPLANATION or DESCRIPTION situation.

The structure QUÉ + SER is used when we want to define something:

¿ Qué es un verbo? ==> What is a verb?
¿ Qué es eso? ==> What is this?
¿ Qué es un placebo? ==> What is a placebo?
¿ Qué estas bebiendo? ==> What are you drinking?
¿ Qué vas a comprar? ==> What are you going to buy?
¿ Qué quieres? ==> What do you want?

II. Emploi de Cuál

The word Cuál is used to ask for information about one or more things (Cuáles) belonging to a group already identified.

Cuál is also used to make a choice between several elements of a group – the group is already known to the people who are talking and the choice is about something concrete, tangible.

* When Cuál is preceded by the verb SER, it corresponds to the English “What is…? “

Examples:

¿ Cuál coche quieres más ? ==> Which car do you like the most?
¿ Cuáles son tus prioridades? ==> What are your priorities?
¿ Cuáles son los días de la semana? ==> What are the days of the week?
¿ Cuál es tu nombre? ==> What is your name?
¿ Cuál es su dirección? ==> What is your address?
¿ Cuáles son las opciones? ==> What are the options?
¿ Cuál será el propósito de tu viaje? ==> What will be the purpose of your trip?

* When used with verbs other than SER, cuál expresses a choice and corresponds to Which one(s).

Example :

¿ Cuál quieres? ==> Which one do you want?
¿ Cuáles son tus chocolates favoritos? ==> What are your favorite chocolates?

*Cuál preceded by the preposition “de” means “Which one of….” (In a group/set already identified)

Example :

¿ Cuál de los dos prefieres ? ==> Which of the two do you prefer?
¿ Cuál de esas frutas prefieres ? ==> Which of these fruits do you prefer?

* When it comes to making a choice in a homogeneous group, we choose the word Cuál :

Example :

De todas esas películas ¿ Cuál es tu favorita ? ==> Of all these movies, which one is your favorite? (Homogeneous group)

* When it is a question of making a choice in a heterogeneous group, one will choose the word Qué :

Example :

Para el regalo de Ana ¿ Qué compramos, un libro o un reloj ? ==> For Ana’s present, what are we buying, a book or a watch? (Heterogeneous group of objects).

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👉 Next lesson: Por or para?

👉 Previous lesson: Prefixes and suffixes

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POR is used to express :

* THE CAUSE
Example : Es famoso por sus invenciones ==> He is known for his inventions.

* A CROSSING (in the geographical, spatial sense)
Example: Paso por el parque para ir a trabajar ==> I am going through the park to go to work.

* A TIME OF DAY
Example : Por la mañana me levanto temprano ==> I get up early in the morning.

* A FEELING
Example : Siento amor por ti ==> I feel love for you.

* A DURATION (can be replaced by durante)
Example : Me voy a estudiar a Madrid por 2 meses ==> I am going to study in Madrid for two months.

* A DATE OR AN IMPRECISE MOMENT
Example : Iré a visitar mis abuelos por el mes de Julio ==> I will visit my grandparents around July.

* THE PRICE OR EXCHANGE
Example: He comprado esta bicicleta por 100 euros ==> I bought this bike for 100 euros.

* WITH AN AGENT COMPLEMENT (in the passive)
Example : El iphone fue inventado por Steve Jobs ==> The iphone was invented by Steve Jobs.

* IN CERTAIN VERBAL LOCUTIONS like: interesarse por, preocuparse por, …
Examples :
Me intereso por lo que paso en Europa ==> I am interested in what is happening in Europe.
Me preocupo por los incendios en Brasil ==> I am concerned about the fires in Brazil.

* EXPRESS GRATITUDE
Example: Gracias por escucharme ==> Thank you for listening to me.

II. Use of PARA

PARA is used to express:

* THE GOAL, THE PURPOSE
Example : Estoy estudiando para encontrar trabajo ==> I am studying to find a job.

* THE RECIPIENT
Example : Este regalo es para mi padre ==> This gift is for my father.

* THE DESTINATION
Example : El avión es para Madrid ==> This is the plane to Madrid.

* THE POINT OF VIEW or COMPARISON
Examples :
– Para mí, es importante prestar atención a los demás ==> In my opinion, it’s important to be attentive to others.
– Para mí, es mejor viajar con moto que viajar con coche ==> It is better to travel by motorcycle than by car.

* A PLANNED DATE
Example: Para el 20 de enero, tenemos que haber terminado este trabajo ==> We need to finish this work by January 20.

👉 Practice online now!

👉 Next lesson: Diminutives

👉 Previous lesson: Qué or cuál?

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Diminutives are used a lot in Spanish. They are used to reinforce the meaning of the word, to give an affective value or even to reinforce an idea of smallness. Some diminutives also have a pejorative value.

I. Formation of diminutives

* For words ending in -O or -A (and words of more than two syllables ending in -E), the suffix, -ito or -ita, is added after the final vowel has been removed.

Example : Gato (Cat) ==> Gatito ; Perro (Dog) ==> Perrito

* For words ending in a consonant (except R and N), the suffix (-ito/-ita) is added directly.

Example : Arbol (Tree) ==> Arbolito ; Papel (paper) ==> Papelito

* For words ending in N or R, the suffix -cito / -cita is added

Example : Amor (Love) ==> Amorcito ; Mujer (Woman) ==> Mujercita

* For words of one or two syllables ending in -E, we add the suffix -cito / -cita

Example : Cofre (Chest/Box) ==> Cofrecito ; Llave (key) ==> LLavecita

* For words composed of only one syllable, we add the suffix -ecito (masculine) or -ecita (feminine)

Example : Una flor (a flower) ==> Una florecita ; Un pan (a bread) ==> Un panecito

N.B : There are many exceptions to these rules, which can only be determined by use.

II. Remarks

* For words ending in -Z, the final -z becomes -c

Example : Actriz ==> Actrecita

* For words ending with the /k sound, a spelling change is usually made to preserve the pronunciation.

Example : Poco ==> Poquito

* Sometimes the use of diminutives changes the meaning of the word.

Example : Paño (sheet) ==> Un pañuelo (a handkerchief) ; una capa (a layer) ==> una capilla (a chapel)

• There are other diminutives ending in –iño, -iña, -eto, –eto, -illo, or –illa, etc. These are rare and vary greatly by region.

For example, the suffixes -illo and -illa are very common in Andalusia: chica (girl) ==> chiquilla (little girl). Be careful because they can also have a pejorative value: una mujer (a woman) ==> mujercilla (a slut).

III. Use of diminutives

* Used with a noun, the diminutive reinforces the idea of smallness or is used to talk about someone in an affectionate way.

Example :

– Mi casa (Ma maison) ==> Mi casita (my little house, my home).
– Mi Abuelo (Mon grand-père) ==> Mi abuelito (reinforced emotional sense).

* When used with an adjective or adverb, the diminutive reinforces their meaning.

Example:

– Despacio (slowly) ==> Despacito (Very slowly).
– Callada (Quietly) ==> Calladita (Very quiet).

IV. Diminutives with a pejorative value

The diminutives built with the suffix -ucho (masculine) or -ucha (feminine) have a pejorative connotation.

Example : Casa (House) ==> Casucha (Slums) ; Medico (Doctor) ==> Medicucho (Charlatan)

 

👉 Next lesson: Common grammar errors to avoid

👉 Previous lesson: Por or para?

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Spanish and English have many similarities, but also real differences. Language students often tend to copy their native language to the one they are learning. This is sometimes a source of error, as we will see.

Pronominal expressions

Pronominal verbs are numerous in Spanish, and are a frequent source of error:

• Te lo mereces.
  You deserve it (literally: you deserve yourself).
• ¡Comete lo! ¡Tomate lo!
  Eat it! Drink it!
• Tengo que irme.
  I have to go.
• ¿No te avergüenzas?
  Aren’t you ashamed?
• No puede dormirse.
  He can’t sleep, he can’t fall asleep.
• ¿Te inventaste este mueble?
  Did you make this furniture (yourself)?
• Me arrepiento de esas palabras.
  I regret these words.
• Se negó a ayudarme.
  He refused to help me.
• Se me perdieron las gafas.
  I lost my glasses.
• Me hice el loco.
  I acted like a fool, pretending not to understand.
• Peleamos.
  We had an argument.
• Recuerdo muy bien que lo hice.
  I remember very well that I did it.
• Tengo que descansar.
  I have to rest.

Imperfect subjunctive

The imperfect subjunctive is essential in Spanish, even in everyday and colloquial language.

• Le dijo que se callara.
  He told him to be quiet.
• Te lo di para que lo usaras.
  I gave it to you to use.

Present and future subjunctive

In a subordinate time clause, the Spanish present subjunctive has the value of future tense. A common mistake is to use the future tense in this case.

• Te lo diré cuando vuelvas.
  I’ll tell you when you get back.
• Avíseme tan pronto como el caso esté listo.
  Let me know as soon as the case is ready.​

Use of the past simple

This grammatical tense is commonly used in Spanish, especially in Latin America.

• ¿Donde lo compraste?
  Where did you buy it?
• ¿A que hora llegaron anoche?
  What time did they arrive last night?
• ¡Te equivocaste!
  You made a mistake!

The compound past tense opens the field of possibilities for the present, whereas the simple past tense expresses that an action or fact belongs definitively to the past.
This point is important in negative sentences, where the choice of tense allows for very clear nuances of expression in Spanish, obvious to a Spanish speaker, and often a source of awkwardness or error when the language is poorly mastered.

• No lo he hecho.
  I didn’t do it (but maybe I will later).
• No lo hice.
  I haven’t (and won’t).

• Esa mujer no ha tenido hijos.
  This woman has not had children (not yet, but she may).
• Esa mujer no tuvo hijos.
  This woman did not have children (and will not have any more).

Ser and Estar

This is a classic difficulty in learning Spanish, since these two verbs translate the same way in English and many other languages.

Basic rules

We use ser when we talk about the nature of beings or things, which cannot change (or not easily).

• Soy plomero.
  I am a plumber (that’s my job).
• Es ingles.
  He is English.
• Este regalo es para mí.
  This gift is for me.

We use estar to designate what is related to circumstances, time and space.

• Estoy en mi cuarto.
  I am in my room.
• España está en Europa.
  Spain is in Europe.
• Estábamos en el siglo 19.
  We were in the 19th century.
• ¿Está Juan?
  Is Juan here (is he present)?

The basic rule is simple and useful, but unfortunately, it is not always applicable. In the following cases, the choice of verb is imperative, although it may seem to contradict the basic rule.

• Somos cinco personas en el coche, en el ascensor…
  We are five people in the car, in the elevator…
• Son las tres.
  It is three o’clock.
• Hoy es el 2 de agosto.
  Today is August 2.
• Portarse así de mal no está bien.
  It is not good to behave so badly.

Without attribute, ser has the meaning of occurring, standing, taking place.

• La cumbre es en Madrid.
  The summit is held in Madrid
• El concierto será en Londres.
  The concert will take place in London.

The same sentence can sometimes use ser or estar, but with a different meaning:

• Es de mal genio.
  He is in a bad mood (he usually is, it’s his character).
• Está de mal genio.
  He is in a bad mood (right now, today, these days…).

• Este abrigo es caliente.
  This coat is warm (it keeps you warm).
• Este abrigo está caliente.
  This coat is warm (to the touch, it comes out of the dryer, it was in the sun…).

• Es negro.
  He is black (of color).
• Está negro.
  He is angry.

• Es vivo.
  It is lively (fast, agile).
• Está vivo.
  He is alive.

The distinction is not always clear, especially in references to a fixed place. Both verbs are used interchangeably by native speakers in many sentences with essentially the same meaning, although only estar is correct according to academic courses.

• ¿Dónde es/está tu casa?
  Where is your house?
• Mi casa es/está en la esquina.
  My house is around the corner.
• Minneapolis es/está en Minnesota.
  Minneapolis is in Minnesota.

In the same way, estar is normally de rigueur with a past participle, but ser is commonly used.

• Está/es prohibido pisar el césped.
  It is forbidden to walk on the grass.

The meaning is much the same, with perhaps a nuance in the temporary or permanent nature of the ban.

Por and para

This is the other classic difficulty. These two words are often translated as “for” in English.

Basic Rules

Por expresses cause, feelings, the notion of duration or circumscribed movement.

Para expresses finality, spatial destination, a future date, a perception or an opinion.

• Me lo prestó por dos meses.
  He lent it to me for two months.
• Paseamos por el centro comercial.
  We are walking through the shopping center.
• Lo compré por 50 €.
  I bought it for 50 €.
• Gracias por su confianza.
  Thank you for your trust.

• Esta tarea es para el lunes.
  This task is for Monday.
• Fue un golpe muy duro para él.
  It was a very hard blow for him.
• Este regalo es para mí.
  This gift is for me.
• A caballo vamos para el monte.
  We are going to the mountains on horseback.
• Estamos para acabar.
  We are almost finished.

Here again, the basic rule is sometimes contradicted, at least in appearance, especially because the notions of cause and purpose can be joined. Por is mandatory in the examples below.

• Luchábamos por la vida.
  We were fighting for life (because of life).
• Pelearon por eso.
  They fought over it (because of it).

Both prepositions are sometimes possible, but the meaning is not exactly the same.

• Lo hago por ti.
  I do it for you (because of you, for your sake).
• Lo hago para ti.
  I am doing it for you (to please you, to do you a favor).

We can see that while Spanish may sometimes seem easy when you hear people speak it, mastering it is not always so. But knowing a few basic ideas coupled with practice helps to avoid common mistakes that will soon seem obvious.

👉 Practice now!

👉 Next lesson: Bien, bueno or buen?

👉 Previous lesson: Diminutives

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