Have you ever looked up the meaning of a verb in a Spanish dictionary? If so, you've probably come across the letters tr. and intr. before seeing the definition. These abbreviations have an essential meaning in Spanish verbs, indicating whether a verb is transitive or intransitive, which will help you distinguish between them and continue your adventure of learning Spanish in Spain.

At don Quijote, we'll tell you everything you need to know about Spanish transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, and copulative verbs, the differences between them, and examples so you know how to tell them apart. We'll also give you some exercises to practice!

Keep reading this article or change the language to Spanish, French, Italian, or Portuguese.

Spanish transitive verbs

Spanish transitive verbs are those that need a direct object to make sense in a sentence. Without the object, the sentence would be unclear or incomplete. Some of these verbs are comer (to eat), escribir (to write), comprar (to buy), and tocar (to touch).

These transitive verbs in Spanish, needing an object to have complete meaning, are always followed by a Spanish direct object.

Spanish intransitive verbs

Spanish intransitive verbs, on the other hand, do not need a complement to make sense. These verbs express an action that does not require a direct object, although they can take other types of complements. Some intransitive verbs in Spanish are: llegar (to arrive), nacer (to be born), caminar (to walk), and dormir (to sleep).

Copulative verbs in Spanish

Finally, Spanish copulative verbs are more special and there are only three: ser, estar, and parecer. These verbs do not express an action but rather link the subject with an attribute and do not need a complement because the actions take place on their own.

Thus, in Spanish copulative verbs, the essential element is not the action of the verb, but the attribute, which can be an adjective, noun, or pronoun, and which qualifies the subject.

Differences between transitive and intransitive verbs

It is important to learn to differentiate between Spanish transitive and intransitive verbs, especially if you need to perform a Spanish sentence analysis. Here are some tips to help you understand and learn to differentiate between these verbs:

Need for a direct object. Transitive verbs in Spanish always need a direct object to complete their meaning. Intransitive verbs in Spanish do not need this complement. For example:

• Laura lee un libro (Laura reads a book). In this sentence, the direct object is un libro (a book), so the verb is transitive.
• Pedro corre rápido (Pedro runs fast). In this sentence, there is no direct object, so the verb is intransitive.

Meaning of the action. While in transitive verbs in Spanish the action occurs to the direct object, in intransitive verbs in Spanish the action falls only on the subject. Examples:

• El niño rompió el vaso (The boy broke the glass). Here the action falls on the glass, which receives the action.
• El bebé llora (The baby cries). In this sentence, the action falls on the subject itself, that is, the baby.

Possibility of passive voice. Another trick is to convert the sentence into the passive voice to find out if the verb is transitive or intransitive. Spanish transitive verbs can be converted into passive sentences, but Spanish intransitive verbs cannot. Example:

• Maria escribió una carta (María wrote a letter): active voice
• Una carta fue escrita por María (A letter was written by María): passive voice

Common complements. If you analyze what type of complement the sentence has, you can figure out what type of verb it is. If you find direct, indirect, or circumstantial complements in a sentence, you are probably dealing with a Spanish transitive verb. Intransitive verbs in Spanish, on the other hand, are usually accompanied by circumstantial complements of place, time, manner, etc.

For example:

• Ana envió una carta a su amiga (Ana sent a letter to her friend). Spanish transitive verb because it is accompanied by a direct complement, una carta (a letter), and an indirect complement, a su amiga (to her friend).
• Ellos viajan en verano (They travel in summer). Spanish intransitive verb because it is accompanied by a circumstantial complement of time, en verano (in summer).

On the other hand, Spanish copulative verbs are easy to differentiate from the previous ones, as there are only three and they are very easy to identify. Remember that the copulative verbs are ser, estar, and parecer. For example:

• La casa es grande (The house is big)
• El café está caliente (The coffee is hot)
• Te pareces a tu padre (You look like your father)
• Mi hermana está trabajando (My sister is working)

Exercises with Spanish transitive and intransitive verbs

Once you have learned the definition of each type of verb, it's time to test your knowledge. Below are 12 sentences for you to determine whether the verb is transitive or intransitive. You will find the answers at the end of the article!

1. Juan lee un libro (Juan reads a book)
2. Nosotros viajamos a Madrid (We travel to Madrid)
3. El bebé duerme en su cuna (The baby sleeps in his crib)
4. María compra pan en la tienda (María buys bread at the store)
5. Ellos juegan en el parque (They play in the park)
6. Ana escribe una carta (Ana writes a letter)
7. Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo pequeño (My grandfather lives in a small town)
8. Pedro rompe el vaso (Pedro breaks the glass)
9. Carmen nada en la piscina (Carmen swims in the pool)
10. Laura toca la guitarra (Laura plays the guitar)
11. Invitaron a todos sus amigos a la fiesta (They invited all their friends to the party)
12. Tardamos cuatro horas en llegar a nuestro destino (It took us four hours to reach our destination)

Were you able to identify the transitive and intransitive verbs? Keep practicing to master verbs and achieve the level of Spanish you've always dreamed of. And if you need help and want to get to know a city in Spain better, with don Quiote's intensive Spanish courses, everything is at your fingertips.

Venture into Spanish and discover all the wonders that the language, its culture, and its people have to offer. We are waiting for you!

Answers: transitive, intransitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, intransitive, transitive, transitive, intransitive.

You've probably wondered why some words in Spanish have two dots above the vowel U. This linguistic phenomenon is called diéresis in Spanish (diaeresis) and appears in certain words, but do you know what its function is?

If you want to find out what a diaeresis is and how it is used, this article from don Quijote is perfect for you. Continue on your journey of learning Spanish in Spain and discover the secrets we reveal to help you master the language like a native speaker.

You can also read this article in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, or Dutch.

What is diaeresis?

The diaeresis or dieresis in Spanish is an orthographic symbol represented by two small dots above vowels. In Spanish, this symbol is placed above a single vowel, the U, and only in certain words. The diaeresis indicates that the vowel is pronounced in that word.

Why then in Spanish is it only used on the vowel U? Because generally, in words such as guerra (war) or guitarra (guitar), the U is silent. In this way, the diaeresis indicates that in a specific word, the vowel is pronounced and has an independent sound.

For example, some words with diaereses in Spanish are:

• Pingüino (Penguin)
• Lingüístico (Linguistic)
• Vergüenza (Embarrassment)
• Ambigüedad (Ambiguity)
• Bilingüe (Bilingual)
• Antigüedad (Antiquity)
• Cigüeña (Stork)
• Paragüero (Umbrella stand)
• Amortigüé (Cushioned)

Without the Spanish diaeresis, the above words would be pronounced incorrectly according to the phonetic rules of the Spanish language.a

When should you use words with diaeresis?

As you have seen, the diaeresis in Spanish is used in the syllables “gue” and “gui,” where the U changes from being silent to being pronounced. Thus, this symbol ensures correct pronunciation and helps to differentiate words phonetically.

For example, in the word guerra, the U is not pronounced because the emphasis of the pronunciation falls on the vowel E. Whereas in the word paragüero, the U is pronounced so that, phonetically, the vowel sounds.

Tips for using the diaeresis

As with any other orthographic symbol, the diaeresis in Spanish has a series of rules that can help you understand it better and know how and when to use it.

• It always goes on the U. The only vowel that takes the diaeresis in Spanish is the U.
• It always goes in the syllables gue/gui. The diaeresis is only used in the syllables gue and gui so that the U in between is pronounced.
• It is always followed by vowels (e/i). Like the syllable, the U with a diaeresis is always followed by the vowels E or I.
• It is always written. The diaeresis is always written in Spanish as it indicates differences in the pronunciation of words.
• It is normally used in stressed syllables, although there are exceptions.

Diaeresis in other languages

In addition to Spanish, diaeresis are used in other languages, but with different functions. As we have seen, in Spanish diaeresis are always used to indicate that the vowel U is pronounced differently; for example, in the words pingüino (penguin) or paragüero (umbrella stand).

In other languages, such as German, the diaeresis is called an umlaut and changes the tone of the vowels ä, ö, and ü. In French, the tréma indicates that two vowels should be pronounced in separate syllables. As in French, the diaeresis has the same function in Dutch.

In English, it is very rare, appearing mainly in words from other languages or in proper names. For example, the Brontë sisters, who were writers. Other languages in which the diaeresis is present are Turkish, Finnish, and Albanian.

Examples of words with diaeresis

Below are some sentences with Spanish words containing diaeresis so you can see examples:

1. El pingüino caminaba torpemente sobre el hielo (The penguin walked awkwardly on the ice)
2. Estudia lingüística en la universidad de Salamanca (He studies linguistics at the University of Salamanca)
3. Su comportamiento le causó mucha vergüenza (His behavior caused him a lot of embarrassment)
4. La cigüeña anidó en lo alto del campanario (The stork nested at the top of the bell tower)
5. Compré un paragüero para la entrada de la casa (I bought an umbrella stand for the entrance of the house)
6. El documento resalta la ambigüedad del contrato (The document highlights the ambiguity of the contract)
7. El nuevo chico es bilingüe y domina inglés y francés (The new guy is bilingual and fluent in English and French)
8. Me amortigüé el golpe con las manos (I cushioned the blow with my hands)
9. Averigüé su secreto cuando se despistó el otro día (I found out his secret when he let it slip the other day)
10. El ungüento de tu abuela me ayudó con los dolores musculares (Your grandmother's ointment helped me with my muscle pain)
11. La zarigüeya me parece un animal muy curioso y adorable (I find the opossum a very curious and adorable animal)
12. La lengüeta de la zapatilla me hizo daño durante toda la tarde (The tongue of my shoe hurt me all afternoon)

These are the most common words in Spanish that have diaeresis. Did you know them all? Keep learning and practicing Spanish with don Quijote and venture into our blog to discover more useful tips and resources in Spanish. Don Quijote is waiting for you!

Spanish has many interesting words in its extensive vocabulary that you may or may not have heard before. Would you like to expand your vocabulary with some interesting Spanish words? The don Quijote school brings you this article to help you improve your knowledge of the language with interesting Spanish words.

Still unsure about whether to start studying the language? Sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses to reach your desired level in no time. Begin your adventure in Spain and discover magnificent cities with don Quijote.

Spanish interesting words

Below is a list of some interesting Spanish words. Did you know any of them? Are there any words missing from this list? Let us know!

1. Blandengue. Said of a person who is weak in character or physically unresilient. This word is often used in a derogatory tone.

For example: Juan es tan blandengue que nunca contradice a nadie, aunque piense lo contrario (Juan is so soft that he never contradicts anyone, even if he thinks otherwise)

2. Centellear. When an object shines with intense, intermittent light. For example: El anillo centelleaba bajo la luz del sol (The ring sparkled in the sunlight).

3. Chapuzero. Used to describe a person who does work poorly or carelessly. For example: El fontanero fue un chapuzero, dejó la tubería peor de lo que estaba antes (The plumber was a disaster; he left the pipe worse than it was before).

4. Chimuelo. This interesting word is used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The word chimuelo refers to a person or animal with one or more missing teeth. For example: El niño sonreía orgulloso a pesar de estar chimuelo (The boy smiled proudly despite being toothless).

5. Chispa. Said of an incandescent particle or brief flash of light. It can also refer to wit or mental alertness. Example: En su mirada había una chispa de picardía (There was a spark of mischief in his eyes).

6. Chirimbolo. A small, strange object whose function is not always clear. It is usually used to describe or name something you don't know the exact name for. For example: ¿Para qué sirve este chirimbolo de la cocina? (What is this thing in the kitchen for?)

7. Chupacabras. Said of a mythical creature that supposedly attacks animals and drinks their blood. It is also used to describe someone who ‘sucks’ or drains resources, money, or energy in an abusive way. However, it can also have other meanings, depending on the Spanish-speaking country you are in.

For example:

• Los granjeros decían que el chupacabras rondaba por el pueblo (The farmers said that the chupacabras was prowling around the village)
• El jefe de mi prima es un chupacabras, les exprime y no les paga bien (My cousin's boss is a chupacabras; he squeezes them dry and doesn't pay them well)

8. Churrete. Said of a stain, especially on the face or clothes. For example: Tienes un churrete de chocolate en la mejilla (You have a chocolate stain on your cheek).

9. Desvelarse. When a person cannot sleep or stays awake when they are supposed to be sleeping. For example: Me desvelé después de tener una pesadilla anoche (I stayed up all night after having a nightmare last night).

10. Empalagar. If food causes weariness due to excessive sweetness or intensity, it is said to be empalagoso. Although it can also be used figuratively to refer to something that is excessive or repetitive. Examples:

• Ese pastel tan dulce me empalagó después de dos bocados (That cake was so sweet it made me sick after two bites)
• Mira a esos dos enamorados, son un poco empalagosos, todo el día juntos (Look at those two lovebirds, they're a little sickening, together all day long)

11. Epifanía. Said of a sudden revelation or understanding of something. For example: Tuve una epifanía sobre mi futuro mientras caminaba (I had an epiphany about my future while I was walking).

12. Imberbe. Refers to a person who does not have a beard, either because they are young or because of their physical characteristics. Figuratively, it can also be used to describe someone who is inexperienced, immature, or a novice in a particular area. It is often used as a metaphor for youth or lack of maturity, especially in contexts where inexperience is emphasized.

For example:

• Aún es un imberbe, pero tiene mucho potencial (He's still beardless, but he has a lot of potential)
• Tu primo es imberbe ¿no? Desde que le conozco no le he visto nunca con barba (Your cousin is beardless, isn't he? I've never seen him with a beard since I've known him)

13. Lampiño. Describes a person who lacks body or facial hair by nature, without this necessarily depending on age. Its use is uncommon, although in a humorous tone it can allude to innocence or naivety.

It is used more to describe a visible trait than an abstract quality. For example: Aunque tiene 30 años, sigue lampiño como un adolescente (Although he is 30 years old, he is still hairless like a teenager).

14. Mamporrero. Said of a person who helps a male mate with a female in horse breeding. For example: El mamporrero guiaba al semental hacia la yegua (The stallion handler guided the stallion towards the mare).

15. Mamitis. Used to indicate the excessive emotional dependence of a child on their mother. There is also another term but used for the father: papitis. Examples:

• No quiere ir al campamento por pura mamitis (She doesn't want to go to camp because she is mama’s girl)
• No viaja sin su papá, tiene papitis (He doesn't travel without his dad, he’s overly attached to his father)

16. Morbo. Describes a person's attraction to the forbidden, dangerous, or scandalous. For example: Esa película tiene un morbo que atrae a muchos (That movie has a morbid appeal that attracts many people).

17. Papanatas. Said of a naive or foolish person. Usually used in a derogatory way. For example: Ese papanatas se creyó todas las mentiras que le contaron (That twerp/simpleton believed all the lies they told him).

18. Pringado. Literally, a person or thing stained with grease, oil, or another sticky substance. Figuratively, very colloquial and common in Spain, it refers to someone who is naive, clumsy, or easily fooled, and therefore often ends up taking on tasks or problems that are not their responsibility.

For example:

• Después de arreglar la bicicleta, terminé pringado de grasa hasta los codos (After fixing the bike, I ended up covered in grease up to my elbows)
• Siempre le piden a Luis que haga las horas extra, porque es un pringado y nunca se queja (They always ask Luis to work overtime because he's a loser/sucker and never complains)

19. Resplandecer. Said of a person or thing that shines brightly or stands out for its qualities. For example: El diamante resplandecía en la vitrina de la joyería (The diamond sparkled in the jewelry store window).

20. Serendipia. Said of a valuable discovery that occurs accidentally, unexpectedly, and without cause. For example: Encontrar ese libro fue pura serendipia (Finding that book was pure serendipity).

21. Vagar. When a person walks around aimlessly or without occupation, they are said to be wandering. For example: Pasó la tarde vagando por la ciudad ella sola (She spent the afternoon wandering around the city alone).

22. Zalamero. When a person likes to flatter excessively to please others, they are described as zalamero. For example: Es tan zalamero que consigue siempre lo que quiere (He is so flattering that he always gets what he wants).

These are just some of the Spanish interesting words we wanted to show you in this article, but are you left wanting more? Don't worry, our blog has interesting articles on funny Spanish words and beautiful words in Spanish so you can continue expanding your knowledge and discover your new favorite Spanish word.

Conjugating verbs in Spanish can be one of the most difficult challenges for students, as Spanish verb tenses are not easy at first due to the number of verb forms, tenses, and grammatical persons. However, Spanish verb conjugation is one of the fundamental aspects of the language for speaking and writing correctly.

Although it may seem complex at first, with daily practice and a good foundation, such as the one you will get in an intensive Spanish course at don Quijote, you will gain the knowledge you need to master Spanish verb conjugation.

That's why, in this article, which you can also read in Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Dutch, we'll give you some tips and tricks to help you begin to understand how to conjugate verbs in Spanish. Don't miss anything and keep reading!

Conjugate Spanish verbs

Conjugating a verb in Spanish means changing it to agree with the subject (in Spanish, these can be the Spanish personal pronouns: yo, tú, él, nosotros, vosotros, or ellos) and the tense (present, past, or future). For example, the verb hablar in the infinitive form changes depending on who is performing the action and when:

• Yo hablo (present, first person)
• Tú hablaste (past, second person)
• Nosotros hablaremos (future, first person plural)

Each of these changes is a conjugated form of the verb hablar. As you can see, depending on the person and the tense, the verb is conjugated in one way or another. Our article on Spanish verb tenses can help you understand this.

Although it may seem daunting at first, it's not as difficult as you might think. The most important thing is to know where to start, so here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Learn the infinitives and their endings

Verbs in Spanish only have three different endings in the infinitive:

• -ar: hablar, cantar, estudiar
• -er: comer, beber, aprender
• -ir: vivir, escribir, dormir

These three endings help you know how to conjugate the verb, as each group has its own rules.

2. Study personal pronouns

Before conjugating, it is essential to know the personal pronouns: yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, vosotros/as, ellos/as, ustedes. Each pronoun requires a different form of the verb, as we have shown you above.

Once you have mastered these two aspects, you can dive right in and see how verbs are conjugated in Spanish.

How do you conjugate regular verbs?

Starting with the simplest, there are the Spanish regular verbs. Regular verbs in Spanish follow specific patterns that are repeated. Here you can find examples of how regular verbs are conjugated in the present tense:

When to use each verb tense in Spanish?

Learning to conjugate verbs in Spanish also involves knowing when to use each tense. Here are some examples of the most common tenses for beginners:

• Present: used for habitual actions or actions happening now. For example: Yo trabajo todos los días (I work every day).
• Pretérito (past tense): used for actions that have been completed in the past. For example: Ayer comí pizza (Yesterday, I ate pizza).
• Futuro: used to talk about actions that will happen in the future. For example: Mañana estudiaré para el examen (Tomorrow, I will study for the exam).

On the other hand, there are the irregular verbs in Spanish, which are a little more complex because they don't all follow the same patterns. Some change their roots and others have special forms. Some of these verbs are:

• Ser → yo soy, tú eres, él es, nosotros somos…
• Ir → yo voy, tú vas, ella va, nosotros vamos…
• Tener → yo tengo, tú tienes, él tiene, nosotros tenemos…
• Hacer → yo hago, tú haces, ella hace, nosotros hacemos…

These verbs must be memorized, as they do not follow a single rule and you must learn the conjugation for each tense and person.

Tips for conjugating verbs in Spanish

Here are some useful tips if you are starting to learn Spanish in Spain that will help you understand how to conjugate verbs in Spanish:

• Start with the most common verbs. Don't try to learn them all at once.
• Practice every day. Daily repetition helps your memory.
• Make flashcards. Write the infinitive on one side and the conjugation on the other.
• Read and listen in Spanish. Recognizing verbs in context is key.
• Use songs and games. Learning can be fun and more effective with music or interactive activities.
• Learn in groups. Start with the regular verbs, then move on to the most common irregular ones.
• Speak aloud. Practicing and saying the conjugations aloud reinforces your pronunciation and memory.

Exercises for conjugating verbs in Spanish

To help you practice, here are some exercises where you fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in Spanish. You will find the answers at the end of the article.

1. Yo ______ (vivir) en Madrid.
2. Tú ______ (comer) muy rápido.
3. Ellos ______ (hablar) tres idiomas.
4. Nosotros ______ (aprender) español.
5. Ella ______ (leer) un libro interesante.
6. Nosotros __________ (cantar) en el coro de la escuela.
7. Tú __________ (escribir) muy bien.
8. Ellas __________ (beber) agua después de correr.
9. Yo __________ (trabajar) los fines de semana.
10. Vosotros __________ (abrir) la ventana cada mañana.

Although it may be difficult at first, learning to conjugate verbs in Spanish is an essential skill if you want to master the language. With practice and patience, you will eventually improve your Spanish and understand all Spanish verb conjugations. Take the plunge and start your Spanish journey with don Quijote!

Answers: vivo, comes, hablan, aprendemos, lee, cantamos, escribes, beben, trabajo, abrís.

Did you know that Spanish has a personal A that has no equivalent in other languages? If you try to translate a Spanish sentence with a personal A into another language, you won't get the same structure. Neither English, French, German, nor Italian have a literal translation for this linguistic phenomenon; it disappears completely.

Therefore, if your goal is to improve your language skills and continue learning to communicate in the Spanish-speaking world, you need to know how to use the A personal in Spanish. This article explains everything about the A personal in Spanish so that you can continue your journey and learn Spanish in Spain surrounded by culture and life.

Read this article in Spanish.

What is the personal A in Spanish?

The personal A in Spanish is the use of the preposition “a” before the direct object of a sentence, which in these cases is a person or a personified being.

If you don't know how a Spanish direct object works, our article on the subject can help you.

The direct object of a sentence can be a person, animal, or thing. However, the Spanish personal A is only used when referring to a person or, in some cases, a personified being.

Therefore, the personal A in Spanish is a grammatical term that describes the specific use of the preposition “a” when introducing a direct object of this type. Thus, the personal A has a Spanish prepositional use that indicates the person as the direct object in the sentence. For example: “Veo a María”. In this sentence, “a María” is the direct object, where you will find the Spanish personal A.

As mentioned above, in other languages such as English or French, the Spanish personal A has no direct equivalent or literal translation. For example, the previous sentence, “Veo a María”, is translated as I see María or Je vois Maria. In both cases, a preposition is not used to indicate the person as a direct object, as is the case with the personal A in Spanish.

When is the personal A in Spanish used?

The personal A in Spanish is only used when a direct object is a person. For example, in the sentence, “Llamé a mi madre por teléfono” (I called my mother on the phone”), “mi madre” is the direct object, and the Spanish personal A is used to refer to a person.

However, the personal A in Spanish can also be used to indicate that the direct object is a personified being and, in some cases, an animal. For example: “Vi a Spiderman en una nueva película” (I saw Spiderman in a new movie). Here, the fictional character Spiderman is being personified as a person.

When not to use the Spanish personal A?

When referring to inanimate objects, when the person is undefined, or when the verb expresses possession, it is not necessary to use the Spanish personal A. In these examples, you will see that it is not necessary to use the personal A in Spanish in the direct object:

• Tengo un perro llamado Bobby (I have a dog named Bobby)
• Compré un libro el otro día (I bought a book the other day)
• Buscan recepcionista en mi trabajo (They are looking for a receptionist at my work)

Examples of the personal A in Spanish

Now that you understand how the personal A in Spanish works and what it is used for, here are some examples of sentences that do require this linguistic phenomenon:

• Vi a Laura en el supermercado (I saw Laura at the supermarket)
• Escuchamos a los niños jugar en el patio (We heard the children playing in the yard)
• Ayudé a mi hermano con su tarea (We heard the children playing in the yard)
• Buscan a un médico con urgencia (They are urgently looking for a doctor)
• Saludamos a los profesores al llegar (We greeted the teachers when we arrived)
• Conocí a tu amiga en la fiesta (I met your friend at the party)
• Encontré a Pedro en la biblioteca (I found Pedro in the library)
• Invitamos a Sara al cine (We invited Sara to the movies)
• Respetan mucho a la Virgen María (They really respect the Virgin Mary)
• El perro siguió a su dueño hasta la casa (The dog followed its owner home)

Do you know how to tell if you've really understood the use of the personal A in Spanish? With practice exercises! Below is an exercise where you must complete the sentences with “a” if necessary or leave the space blank. You'll find the answers at the end of the article.

• 1. Vi ___ mi prima en el parque
• 2. Compramos ___ un coche nuevo
• 3. El perro persigue ___ los gatos del vecino
• 4. Escuché ___ mi profesor hablar sobre historia
• 5. Encontré ___ un billete en el suelo
• 6. Saludamos ___ los abuelos de Juan
• 7. Buscan ___ jardinero para el edificio
• 8. Visitamos ___ el museo el sábado pasado
• 9. Ayudé ___ mi amiga con su mudanza
• 10. No vi ___ nadie en la entrada
• 11. Respetan mucho ___ sus maestros
• 12. Llamaron ___ un fontanero para arreglar la fuga
• 13. Esperamos ___ el autobús por media hora
• 14. Llevé ___ mi perro al veterinario
• 15. Observamos ___ los niños jugar en el patio

In summary, the use of the personal A in Spanish is a key aspect of grammar and will allow you to more clearly identify the recipient of the verbal action when it comes to people, animals, or personified beings.

Therefore, mastering this construction will help you communicate more naturally and accurately, bringing you closer to the way a native speaker expresses themselves. But if you still have questions, you can sign up for one of don Quijote's intensive Spanish courses so that our teachers can answer all your questions about the use of the personal A in Spanish.

Start your adventure now and come visit Spain with don Quijote!

Answers to the previous exercise:

• 1. A personal is used because “mi prima” is a person
• 2. A personal is not used because a “coche” is a thing
• 3. A personal is not used because “gatos” are not personified
• 4. A personal is used because “mi profesor” is a person
• 5. A personal is not used because a “billete” is a thing
• 6. A personal is used because “abuelos” are people
• 7. No personal is used because “jardinero” is indefinite (it does not refer to a specific person in this case)
• 8. No personal is used because “el museo” is a place, not a person
• 9. A personal is used because ‘mi amiga’ is a person
• 10. Although no one is indefinite, it refers to a person, so personal is used
• 11. It is used with personal pronouns because “sus maestros” are people
• 12. It does not take personal pronouns because a “fotnanero” is indefinite (a profession without a specific person)
• 13. It does not take personal pronouns because the “autobús” is a thing
• 14. It is used with personal pronouns when the animal has an emotional connection or is personified
• 15. It is used with personal pronouns because “los niños” are people

One of the most common mistakes students make when writing in Spanish is confusing sino with si no. At first glance, they differ only by a space, but this small detail can completely change the meaning of a sentence in Spanish.

That's why at don Quijote we explain how and when to use “sino” or “si no”, what differences there are between them, and provide several examples and exercises that will help you identify the difference naturally. Don't think twice, improve your Spanish with us, let's do it!

You can also read this article in Spanish, French, Italian, German and Dutch.

Sino in Spanish

Let's start with “sino.” Sino can be an adversative conjunction or a noun, depending on the context.

As an adversative conjunction, it is used to contrast one idea with another, negating the first and affirming the second. “Sino” is similar to the connectors “en vez de” or “al contrario” in a sentence.

For example: “No quiero café, sino té” (I don't want coffee, but tea). Here, the idea of drinking coffee is being negated, but the idea of drinking tea is being affirmed.

As a noun, “sino” means destiny or force of destiny. However, as a noun, it is usually used in more poetic or literary contexts.

For example: “El sino de los héroes siempre es trágico” (The fate of heroes is always tragic). In this case, “sino” refers to an inevitable destiny.

Si no in Spanish

“Si no” is a construction made up of two words. “Si” is a conditional conjunction (as in “si vienes, te espero” [if you come, I'll wait for you]), while “no” is an adverb of negation. When the two words are used together, they express a negative condition.

In other words, “si no” refers to something that will happen (or not) depending on whether another action does not occur.

For example: “Te llamo, si no llegas a tiempo” (I'll call you if you don't arrive on time). In this sentence, it says that if you don't arrive on time, I'll call you.

Differences between sino and si no

Now that you know what each one is, we will explain the fundamental differences between “sino” and “si no”.

While “sino” is a single word, “si no” is two words, a conjunction and an adverb of negation. In addition, “sino” functions as an adversative conjunction or as a noun. On the other hand, “si no” is a combination of two independent words.

The main use of “sino” is to oppose or contrast a negative idea with an affirmative one. On the other hand, “si no” is used to introduce a negative condition, i.e., what happens if something does not happen.

“Sino” is equivalent to expressions such as “en vez de” (instead of) or “al contrario” (on the contrary); “si no”, on the other hand, is equivalent to “en caso de que no” (in case of).

Example:

• No era rojo, sino azul (It wasn't red, but blue)
• No quiero esto, sino aquello (I don't want this, but that)
• Te llamo, si no llegas a tiempo (I'll call you if you don't arrive on time)
• Si no haces esto, pasará aquello (If you don't do this, that will happen)

Remember to use ‘sino’ to contrast ideas and ‘si no’ for negative conditions.

Tips for not confusing sino and si no

An easy way to know whether to write “sino” or “si no” is: if you can replace it with ‘on the contrary’ or ‘instead’, use “sino”. Whereas, if you can say ‘in case you don't’, use “si no”.

Examples:

• No fue él, sino su hermano (It wasn't him, but his brother) → It wasn't him, on the contrary, it was his brother.
• Ven temprano, si no te perderás la reunión (Come early, or you'll miss the meeting) → Come early, in case you don't come, you'll miss the meeting.

Another trick that can help is, if you're unsure, separate “si” and “no”. If the sentence still makes sense when separated, then they probably go separately.

Example sentences sino vs si no

Here are some clear examples with Spanish sentence structure so you can see how “sino” and “si no” are used in Spanish:

1. No quiero salir de fiesta, sino descansar (I don't want to go out partying, I want to rest)
2. Cada uno elige su propio sino (Everyone chooses their own fate)
3. Llámame, si no puedes venir (Call me if you can't come)
4. No es tonto, sino distraído (He's not stupid, just distracted)
5. No me importa el dinero, sino la felicidad (I don't care about money, just happiness)
6. Si no estudias, suspenderás el examen (If you don't study, you'll fail the exam)
7. Tendremos problemas, si no firmamos hoy (We'll have problems if we don't sign today)
8. Si no me dices la verdad, me voy (If you don't tell me the truth, I'm leaving)
9. No compré manzanas, sino naranjas (I didn't buy apples, I bought oranges)
10. Avísame si no puedes venir a la reunión (Let me know if you can't come to the meeting)
11. Tendremos que cancelar el evento si no mejora el clima (We'll have to cancel the event if the weather doesn't improve)
12. La película no fue aburrida, sino lenta (The movie wasn't boring, it was slow)
13. Llámame si no encuentras el restaurante (Call me if you can't find the restaurant)
14. Lo importante no es el resultado, sino el esfuerzo (It's not the result that matters, it's the effort)

Exercises with sino vs si no

If you already know how and when to use “sino” and “si no”, test your knowledge with these exercises filling in sino vs si no. The correct answers are below:

• No fue culpa tuya, __________ de las circunstancias
• No me interesa el premio, __________ participar
• Avísame __________ llegas tarde al trabajo
• __________ terminas a tiempo, no podrás entregar el informe
• No quiero que me digas lo que quiero oír, __________ la verdad
• __________ encuentras las llaves, mira en la cocina
• No solo olvidaste mi cumpleaños, __________ que ni siquiera me llamaste luego
• Podemos ir al parque __________ empieza a llover
• No era un problema de actitud, __________ de organización
• Vamos a perder el turno __________ nos apuramos

Answers: sino, sino, si no, si no, sino, si no, sino si no, sino, si no

Whenever you're unsure, ask yourself:

• Am I contrasting one thing with another? If so, use “sino”
• Am I stating a negative condition? If the answer is yes, use “si no”

Although “sino” and “si no” sound the same, they have very different meanings and functions. Using one instead of the other can completely change the meaning and what you want to say. Therefore, the key is in the context and structure of the sentence.

With a little practice and the tips, we've shared with you, you'll see that it's not that difficult to tell them apart. However, if you still have doubts and want to improve your Spanish with the best teachers, don't hesitate to come and learn Spanish in Spain with don Quijote. Discover a country full of culture, history, and good vibes while mastering the language surrounded by locals.

In Spanish language, there are many different types of Spanish pronouns. In this article, don Quijote will teach you everything you need to know about Spanish relative pronouns. Although the name may sound a little technical, they are quite common and useful in everyday speech.

Therefore, to become a fluent Spanish speaker, you must master these and many other categories of Spanish grammar and language. We will explain what relative pronouns in Spanish are, what types there are, and how to use them, as well as provide examples and exercises so you can practice what you have learned. Don't miss anything and come learn Spanish in Spain!

You can read this same article about relative pronouns in Spanish, Italian, French, or German.

What are relative pronouns in Spanish?

Relative pronouns in Spanish are used to link two sentences or ideas, referring to something that has already been mentioned. Their main function is to avoid repetition of words and make sentences sound more natural and fluent.

For example: “Vi una película que me encantó” (I saw a movie that I loved). Here the Spanish relative pronoun in this sentence is “que,” and it connects two ideas: watching a movie and loving the movie. Therefore, “que” as a relative pronoun in Spanish replaces “la película” to avoid repetition in the sentence and make it sound more natural.

Spanish Relative pronouns are words that connect information about people, things, or objects mentioned earlier. You can use them to connect ideas in the same sentence and avoid repetition of words.

Types of Spanish relative pronouns

Relative pronouns in Spanish are divided into several types. We can distinguish between simple and complex:

Following, let's take a closer look at each relative pronoun in Spanish.

The most common relative pronoun is “que”. It can be used for people, things, animals, places... practically everything. For example:

• El libro que estoy leyendo es muy interesante (The book that I am reading is very interesting)
• La chica que canta es mi hermana (The girl who sings is my sister)
• Este es el lugar que te mencioné (This is the place that I mentioned to you)

The next Spanish relative pronoun is “quien” and “quienes”, which are used only for people. When you want to talk about people, “quien” is used in the singular and “quienes” in the plural. It can refer to the subject, who performs the action, or to the object, who receives it. It is often used with commas, especially if the information is additional.

Examples:

• Mi abuela, quien vive en el campo, cocina platos deliciosos (My grandmother, who lives in the country, cooks delicious meals)
• Los estudiantes, quienes llegaron tarde, no asistieron a la ponencia (The students who arrived late did not attend the lecture)
• El cantante, quien se cayó del escenario, se rompió una pierna (The singer, who fell on stage, broke his leg)

To express possession, the Spanish relative pronouns “cuyo”, “cuya”, “cuyos”, and “cuyas” are used. These indicate that something belongs to someone, so they must agree in gender and number with the thing possessed. They are always used with things or objects, never with people.

Examples:

• El señor, cuyo coche es rojo, es mi vecino (The man whose car is red is my neighbor)
• La niña, cuya madre es doctora, ganó un premio (The girl whose mother is a doctor won a prize)
• Los alumnos, cuyas tareas están completas, pueden salir (The students whose homework is complete can leave)

Here's a trick for using this relative pronoun: if you can say “the man's car” or “the girl's mother,” then you can use “cuyo” or “cuya”.

To give more emphasis or clarity, use “el que” or “la que” in the singular, and “los que” or “las que” in the plural. These are used to avoid ambiguity and are more specific. They can also be preceded by a preposition. For example:

• No entendí el libro del que me hablaste (I didn't understand the book you told me about)
• Los niños, los que estaban en el parque, son mis primos (The children who were in the park are my cousins)
• Esa es la chica con la que hablé el otro día (That's the girl I spoke to the other day)

Finally, “el cual” and “los cuales” are used for general ideas or concepts. In Spanish, these relative pronouns are used when you are talking about something that is not specific or a complete idea.

Examples:

• El documento, el cual fue enviado ayer, ya fue aprobado (The document, which was sent yesterday, has already been approved)
• La conferencia trató varios temas, los cuales fueron discutidos en profundidad (The conference covered several topics, which were discussed in depth)
• Mi maleta, la cual pesa mucho, no cabe en el compartimiento superior (My suitcase, which weighs a lot, doesn't fit in the overhead compartment)

In addition to these, you may find that “donde” and “cuanto” can also be used as Spanish relative pronouns in some contexts. Thus, “donde” can refer to a place mentioned earlier, while “cuanto” is used in more literary or emphatic registers and refers to the quantity or totality of something already mentioned.

Examples:

• Esa es la casa donde nací (you could also say: “Esa es la casa en la que nací”) (That is the house where I was born)
• Aprovechó cuantos recursos tenía (you could also say: “Aprovechó todos los recursos que tenía”) (He took advantage of all the resources he had)

Exercises with relative pronouns in Spanish

Now that you know what relative pronouns in Spanish are, do you think you can identify them in these sentences? We'll give you the answers at the end of the exercise.

1. Conocí a una chica que habla cinco idiomas (I met a girl who speaks five languages)
2. El profesor, quien es muy simpático, nos ayudó mucho (The teacher, who is very nice, helped us a lot)
3. La casa cuya puerta está rota es antigua (The house whose door is broken is old)
4. Ese es el amigo con el que viajé a México (That is the friend with whom I traveled to Mexico)
5. No entendí lo que dijiste (I didn't understand what you said)
6. Vi a los estudiantes cuyos exámenes fueron corregidos (I saw the students whose exams were corrected)
7. La película que vimos anoche ganó varios premios (The movie we saw last night won several awards)
8. El coche en el que viajamos era muy cómodo (The car in which we traveled was very comfortable)
9. Mis amigos, los cuales viven en otra ciudad, vendrán mañana (My friends, who live in another city, are coming tomorrow)
10. La niña a quien le diste el regalo está feliz (The girl to whom you gave the gift is happy)

Don't worry if you confuse some of these relative pronouns in Spanish at first, it's normal. But the most important thing is to understand who or what they refer to and keep practicing. You can watch series or movies in Spanish and listen to podcasts or television programs. You'll see that with practice; Spanish relative pronouns will become easy and useful.

Reflexive pronouns in Spanish will be familiar to you if you have read our article on Spanish reflexive verbs. But if you still don't know what they are, how to use this type of pronoun, or when to use them, this post from don Quijote will tell you everything you need to know. Take the plunge into the language and start learning Spanish in Spain now!

Plus, you can change the language of this article on reflexive pronouns to Spanish, French, Italian or German.

What are Spanish reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns in Spanish are particles that accompany reflexive verbs and indicate that the action falls on the subject itself. In Spanish, this type of pronoun is used to express that someone is performing an action on themselves.

There are six different pronouns, and depending on the subject, one or the other will be used:

• Me: for the subject I
• Te: for the subject you
• Se: for the subject he/she/you
• Nos: for the subject we
• Os: for the subject you
• Se: for the subject they

When to use reflexive pronouns in Spanish?

Although the use of Spanish reflexive pronouns may seem complicated, don't worry, it's easier than it looks, and don Quijote is here to help you understand. Remember that Spanish reflexive pronouns are used when the action of the verb falls on the person speaking. Furthermore, reflexive pronouns are very common in Spanish, so you'll find them easy to identify.

If you want to know how to use this type of pronoun in Spanish, you simply have to place the correct reflexive pronoun according to the verb form. There are two ways to use reflexive pronouns in Spanish:

1. Placed before the conjugated verb. The reflexive pronoun in Spanish appears before the verb in the subject of the sentence. For example: “Me lavo los dientes todas las noches” (I brush my teeth every night).

2. Attached to the end of an infinitive, gerund, or imperative. It may also be the case that when the verb is in the infinitive, gerund, or imperative form, the reflexive pronoun is placed at the end. For example:

• Infinitive: “Voy a peinarme” (I'm going to comb my hair)
• Gerund: “Estoy bañándome” (I'm bathing)
• Imperative: “Levántate pronto” (Get up early)

Another feature to keep in mind is that, in English, reflexive actions are usually expressed without using a pronoun, unlike in Spanish. However, the context shows that the action is performed on oneself. For example: I wake up or She sits down. Thus, the most correct translation into English of the reflexive pronouns in Spanish are myself, yourself, or herself, which are used to emphasize that the subject performs the action on itself.

Although all this may seem complicated, here are some extra tips to help you fully understand the use of reflexive pronouns:

• Practice daily. Read in Spanish and pay attention to the conversations around you to better understand the use of these pronouns. You can also practice by writing and forming sentences that require their use.
• Pay attention to the context. If you are unsure whether a pronoun is reflexive, ask yourself whether the person is performing the action on themselves or on someone else.
• Remember the correct order. Place the pronoun before the verb or at the end of the infinitive, gerund, or imperative to use this type of Spanish reflexive pronoun correctly.

Examples of Spanish reflexive pronouns

Here are some examples of sentences showing how and where reflexive pronouns in Spanish are used.

• Voy a lavarme las manos antes de comer (I'm going to wash my hands before eating)
• Me levanto temprano todos los días para hacer ejercicio (I get up early every day to exercise)
• Se peina antes de salir de casa todos los días (She combs her hair before leaving the house every day)
• Están vistiéndose para la fiesta en la habitación de arriba (They are getting dressed for the party in the upstairs bedroom)
• Quiero acostarme temprano, que mañana madrugo (I want to go to bed early because I must get up early tomorrow)
• Se despiertan a las seis de la mañana para ir a escalar (They wake up at six in the morning to go climbing)
• Dúchate rápido, por favor, que llegamos tarde (Take a shower quickly, please, we're going to be late)
• Péinate antes de salir (Comb your hair before you go out)
• Vamos a sentarnos aquí (Let's sit down here)
• Sigue preparándote para el examen de mañana (Keep getting ready for tomorrow's exam)
• ¿Te duchas después de hacer ejercicio? (Do you shower after exercising?)
• Nos acostamos tarde el fin de semana tras la boda (We went to bed late on the weekend after the wedding)
• Se enfadan cuando las cosas no salen bien (They get angry when things don't go well)
• Te arrepientes de no haber ido al cine, ¿verdad? (You regret not going to the movies, don't you?)
• Me lavo los dientes después de cada comida (I brush my teeth after every meal)

But if you want to practice using reflexive pronouns in Spanish, these 10 exercises will help you put everything you've learned in this article into practice. We'll leave the correct answers at the end!

• Cada mañana, Juan ______ cepilla los dientes.
• Nosotros ______ preparamos el desayuno los domingos.
• ¿Tú ______ acuerdas de lo que dijo el profesor?
• Yo ______ pongo nervioso antes de hablar en público.
• Mis hermanos ______ bañan después de jugar al fútbol.
• ¿Vosotros ______ levantáis tarde los sábados?
• Tú y yo siempre ______ saludamos con un abrazo.
• Yo no ______ siento bien hoy.
• Ellos nunca ______ quejan del clima.
• ¿Ustedes ______ divierten en las fiestas?

Without a doubt, with lots of practice, reading and writing in Spanish, you will master Spanish reflexive pronouns in no time. Still have questions? Well, now is your chance to sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses to clear up all your doubts with our qualified teachers, who will help you understand and practice pronouns. Don't think twice and start your Spanish adventure now!

One of the peculiarities of Spanish is the large number of homophones words in Spanish it has. One of the most confusing for students of Spanish as a second language is distinguishing between ahí, hay, and ay. Since they are pronounced the same, it is often difficult to know which one to use when writing, especially in the early stages of learning.

How to differentiate between ahí, hay, and ay can be quite a challenge, in this article from don Quijote, you will discover the keys to learning and how to distinguish them. Learn when to use ahí, hay, and ay, what type of word each one is, and practical examples.

Keep reading so you don't miss a thing, and you can also change the language of this article to Spanish, Italian, French, German, or Dutch.

Hay in Spanish

The first word you are going to learn is “hay”. “Hay” is an impersonal form of the present tense of the Spanish verb haber. It is used to indicate the existence of something or someone. It is a peculiar form because it does not change from singular to plural.

For example:

• Hay muchas fresas en la nevera (There are many strawberries in the fridge)
• Hay un gato en el alféizar de la ventana (There is a cat on the windowsill)
• No hay mucho espacio en el armario para guardar la ropa (There isn't much space in the wardrobe to put the clothes away)

A tip that can help you if your mother tongue is English is that if you can say “there is” or “there are”, then you should use “hay”.

Ahí in Spanish

“Ahí” is an adverb of place used to indicate a nearby location, but it is not as precise as when using “aquí”. Here are some examples:

• Siéntate ahí, por favor (Sit down there, please)
• No dejes los libros ahí olvidados (Don't leave the books there)
• Nos vemos ahí, en el restaurante, a las 14h (See you there, at the restaurant, at 2pm)

Ay in Spanish

Finally, “ay” is an interjection. This word expresses emotion or feeling, usually pain, surprise, fear, or joy. For example:

• Ay, que guapo es tu sobrino (Oh, your nephew is so handsome!)
• ¡Ay! Me he cortado con el papel (Oh! I cut myself on the paper)

What is the difference between hay, ahí and ay?

It is much easier to distinguish between hay, ahí and ay than you might think. The key to distinguishing between them when writing is simple. When you want to express pain or an emotion, you should use “ay.” However, if you want to indicate that you have or that something exists, you should use “hay.” Finally, to indicate a place, for example, where an object is located, you should use “ahí.”

In the following examples, you can see how each of these words is used:

• Mi mochila está ahí, al lado del sofá (My backpack is there, next to the sofa)
• ¡Ay! Que susto me has dado (Oh! You scared me)
• Hay muchas estrellas esta noche (There are many stars tonight)

A trick to remember when to use “ahí” is to imagine that you are pointing at something, so you will know that you should write “ahí”. And to use “ay”, think about whether it is an emotional expression. Finally, if you need to indicate quantity, use “hay” from the verb haber.

Exercises with hay, ahí, and ay in Spanish

Below are some exercises for you to practice using hay, ahí, and ay in Spanish. Can you figure out the correct answer? We've provided the answers below the exercises.

• ¡___! Me torcí el tobillo bajando las escaleras.
• No pongas eso ___, se puede caer.
• ¿___ clases hoy por la tarde?
• ___, qué dolor de cabeza.
• Deja tu chaqueta ___, en el perchero.
• ___ muchos libros en la biblioteca.
• ___, se me ha olvidado la cartera.
• El restaurante está justo ___.
• ___ una mosca en mi sopa.
• ¡___, qué susto me diste!
• Me dejé las llaves ____, encima de la cocina
• ___ muchos animales en el zoo

How many of the phrases were you able to figure out? Here are the correct answers: ay, ahí, hay, ay, ahí, hay, ay, ahí, hay, ay, ahí, hay.

Although it may be tricky at first, knowing how to distinguish between ahí, hay, and ay is not that difficult. You just must practice and do grammar exercises, write and read in Spanish, or sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses.

Soon it will be very easy to know when to use these words, and you will see that the differences between ahí, hay, and ay in Spanish are very easy for you! With practice and attention, it will come naturally. Here is one last reminder: “ahí” is for place; “hay” is for existence; and “ay” is for emotions.

Good luck on your adventure of learning Spanish in Spain!