Although we know that Spanish verb tenses are difficult to learn from scratch, mastering periphrases in Spanish will allow you to express actions more precisely, nuance meanings, and communicate much more naturally in real-life situations. That's why mastering verbal periphrases is a fundamental step in advancing your Spanish level.

In this article, you will discover what a Spanish verbal periphrasis is, the main types that exist, clear examples, and practical exercises to consolidate everything you have learned with don Quijote. Keep reading and don't miss anything!

What is a Spanish verbal periphrasis?

A Spanish verbal periphrasis is a construction formed by two or more verbs that function as a single verbal unit and express a joint meaning. These structures are very common in everyday conversation and allow you to express nuances of time, intention, obligation, or probability that cannot always be conveyed with a single verb.

Generally, a periphrasis is composed of an auxiliary verb (conjugated) + an impersonal form of the main verb (infinitive, gerund, or participle). In some cases, it is necessary to add a linking word such as “a”, “de”, or “que.”

For example:

• Voy a estudiar español (I am going to study Spanish)
• Estoy aprendiendo mucho (I am learning a lot)
• Tengo que trabajar mañana (I have to work tomorrow)

In the above examples, the two verbs form a single idea. They do not function independently, but as a joint structure.

Types of verbal periphrases in Spanish

There are different types of verbal periphrases in Spanish, but they are usually classified into two main groups: aspectual periphrases and modal verbal periphrases. Let's take a closer look at them.

1. Aspectual periphrases

Aspectual periphrases indicate how the action unfolds: whether it is beginning, in progress, finished, etc. In turn, these periphrases are divided into:

Periphrases of beginning: they indicate that an action is beginning.

• Empezar a + infinitive
• Comenzar a + infinitive
• Ponerse a + infinitive

Examples:

• Empecé a estudiar español el año pasado (I started studying Spanish last year)
• Se puso a llorar sin motivo (She started crying for no reason)
• Vamos a empezar la clase (Let's start the class)

Periphrases of duration or progress: express that the action is in progress.

• Estar + gerund
• Seguir + gerund
• Llevar + gerund

Examples:

• Estoy estudiando para el examen (I'm studying for the exam)
• Sigue trabajando en el proyecto (Keep working on the project)
• Llevo viviendo en Madrid tres años (I've been living in Madrid for three years)

Periphrases of completion: indicate that the action ends or is completed.

• Acabar de + infinitive
• Terminar de + infinitive
• Dejar de + infinitive

Examples:

• Acabo de llegar a casa (I just got home)
• Terminó de hacer los deberes (I finished my homework)
• Dejé de fumar hace años (I quit smoking years ago)

2. Modal verbal periphrases

Modal verb periphrases express obligation, necessity, possibility, or probability. They are very important in everyday communication. Here are some of them:

Periphrases of obligation: those that use these verbs: tener que + infinitive, deber + infinitive, and hay que + infinitive. Examples:

• Tengo que estudiar más (I have to study more)
• Debes practicar cada día (You should practice every day)
• Hay que respetar las normas (You have to respect the rules)

Possibility or probability periphrases: these use the verbs poder + infinitive and deber de + infinitive. Also, remember that periphrases with the verb deber can express obligation or probability, for example:

• Debe estudiar (He must study) is an obligation
• Debe de estudiar (He must study) is a probability

Examples:

• Puede llover mañana (It may rain tomorrow)
• Debe de estar cansado (He must be tired)
• Es importante no confundir (It is important not to confuse)

How can you identify a verbal periphrasis in Spanish?

To recognize a verbal periphrasis in Spanish, you can check:

• If the second verb does not function on its own.
• If both verbs express a single action.
• If you cannot replace the second verb with a noun.

For example, in “Quiero estudiar español” (I want to study Spanish), there is no periphrasis because “quiero” retains its own meaning. On the other hand, in “Tengo que estudiar español” (I have to study Spanish), there is a periphrasis because it expresses obligation as a unit.

Examples with Spanish verbal periphrases

Now that you have seen the types of periphrases that exist in Spanish and how they are divided, here are some examples of everyday situations that you may encounter in your daily life:

• Voy a viajar a España este verano (I'm going to travel to Spain this summer)
• Estamos aprendiendo nuevas expresiones (We are learning new expressions)
• Tienes que practicar la pronunciación (You have to practice your pronunciation)
• Acaban de anunciar los resultados (They just announced the results)
• Puede ser difícil al principio (It can be difficult at first)

Note that, in all cases, the structure functions as a single unit of meaning.

Fill in the correct periphrasis

Below are some sentences for you to complete with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. The correct answers are at the end of the article.

1. Yo __________ (estar / estudiar) para el examen ahora mismo.
2. Nosotros __________ (tener que / salir) temprano mañana.
3. María __________ (acabar de / llegar) a casa.
4. Ellos __________ (poder / venir) esta noche.
5. Tú __________ (deber de / estar) cansado después del viaje.
6. El profesor __________ (empezar a / explicar) el tema nuevo ayer.
7. Nosotros __________ (seguir / trabajar) en el proyecto.
8. Ana __________ (dejar de / fumar) hace dos años.
9. Yo __________ (ir a / viajar) a España este verano.
10. Vosotros __________ (llevar / estudiar) español tres meses.

Now that you know what a verbal periphrasis is in Spanish, what the main types are, and how to use them correctly, you will have realized that they are essential for speaking Spanish naturally.

Modal verbal periphrases are especially important, as they allow you to express necessity, possibility, or probability, which are very common structures in everyday communication.

The best way to master them is to practice constantly, listen to real conversations, and use them in authentic contexts. Over time, periphrases will become a natural part of your Spanish speech. But if you want to give your level a complete boost, we recommend our intensive Spanish courses, where you will learn to master periphrases and all types of Spanish verbs. Come discover Spain with don Quijote. We are waiting for you!

Answers: estoy estudiando, tenemos que salir, acaba de llegar, pueden venir, debes de estar, empezó a explicar, seguimos trabajando, dejó de fumar, voy a viajar, lleváis estudiando.

Hospitality is an increasingly popular sector in which you deal with people from all over the world. In Spanish-speaking countries, being able to communicate clearly and politely in Spanish is a great advantage, so this article provides you with the vocabulary you need to know about hospitality in Spanish.

With our Spanish guide for hospitality, you will have at your fingertips the essential vocabulary and phrases you need to understand, communicate, and work in hotels, restaurants, tourism, and customer service environments. Whether you are a beginner or want to improve your professional Spanish, this article will help you easily handle real-life situations.

Why Spanish for hospitality?

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and a key skill in the hotel and tourism industry. Learning Spanish for the industry will allow you to work and communicate in any situation you need to:

• Communicate effectively with guests and customers
• Communicate when you arrive at a hotel or hostel in a Spanish-speaking country
• Provide better customer service
• Avoid misunderstandings and ask questions
• Improve your job opportunities in hotels, restaurants, and tourism

Spanish vocabulary for hospitality focuses on practical communication, polite expressions, and specific words, rather than complex grammar. Keep reading so you don't miss a thing.

Essential vocabulary: Spanish for hospitality

Below, you will find all the Spanish vocabulary related to hospitality that you need to know if you are staying in a hotel or must welcome a guest. We have divided it into categories to make it easier for you to learn.

Vocabulary related to hotels and accommodation

• Reserva (Reservation)
• Registro de entrada (Check-in)
• Salida (Check-out)
• Recepción (Reception)
• Llave de la habitación (Room key)
• Habitación individual / doble (Single/double room)
• Desayuno incluido (Breakfast included)
• Servicio de limpieza (Cleaning service)
• Ascensor (Elevator)
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant and food service vocabulary

• Menú / Carta (Menu)
• Cuenta (Check or bill)
• Reserva (Reservation)
• Propina (Tip)
• Entrante (Starter)
• Plato principal (Main course)
• Postre (Dessert)
• Alergias (Allergies)
• Vegetariano (Vegetarian)
• Sin gluten (Gluten-free)

Tourism and travel vocabulary

• Excursión (Excursion)
• Guía (Guide)
• Entrada or billete (Ticket)
• Horario (Schedule)
• Horario de apertura (Opening hours)
• Punto de encuentro (Meeting point)
• Información turística (Tourist information)

Essential Spanish phrases for hospitality staff

Making a good first impression is essential in the hotel industry, so with these phrases you will be able to greet all guests in a formal manner. And if you stay as a guest, you will be able to communicate with receptionists without any problems.

• Bienvenido/a (Welcome)
• Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches (Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening)
• ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? (How can I help you?)
• ¿Tiene una reserva? (Do you have a reservation?)
• Tengo una reserva a nombre de María García para 4 personas (I have a reservation under the name María García for 4 people)
• Tengo una reserva en el hotel, ¿puede ayudarme? (I have a reservation at the hotel; can you help me?)

In professional settings, it is more polite and appropriate to use usted in Spanish when speaking to people you don't know. Unless you are asked to use tú, the formal form of usted is more professional when communicating at a reception desk or hotel.

Making or receiving reservations

• ¿Para cuántas personas es la reserva? (How many people are the reservation for?)
• ¿Para qué día y a qué hora? (For what day and time?)
• Lo siento, estamos completos (I'm sorry, we are fully booked)
• Tenemos disponibilidad (We have availability)
• ¿A qué hora debemos dejar la habitación del hotel? (What time do we have to leave the hotel room?)
• ¿Me puede indicar cuál es el número de mi habitación? (Can you tell me my room number?)
• Me gustaría hacer una reserva para cenar a las 21h, a nombre de Luis Fernandez (I would like to make a reservation for dinner at 9 p.m., in the name of Luis Fernandez)
• Quisiera hacer una reserva para comer, para 4 personas, el sábado a las 14h, ¿es posible? (I would like to make a reservation for lunch for four people on Saturday at 2 p.m., is that possible?)

Offering help and services

• ¿Necesita ayuda con su equipaje? (Do you need help with your luggage?)
• ¿Desea algo más? (Would you like anything else?)
• ¿Le puedo ayudar en algo? (Can I help you with anything?)
• Ahora mismo se lo traigo (I'll bring it right over)
• El desayuno se sirve de 7 a 10 a.m. (Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m.)

Taking orders in a restaurant

• ¿Está listo/a para pedir? (Are you ready to order?)
• ¿Qué desea tomar? (What would you like to order?)
• ¿Alguna alergia o intolerancia? (Any allergies or intolerances?)
• ¿Me trae la cuenta, por favor? (Can I have the check, please?)
• ¿Me puede recomendar el plato del día? (Can you recommend the dish of the day?)
• ¿Qué me recomienda pedir de la carta? (What would you recommend I order from the menu?)
• Soy vegetariano, ¿qué puedo pedir que no lleve carne? (I'm a vegetarian, what can I order that doesn't contain meat?)
• Para beber, una botella de agua, gracias (To drink, a bottle of water, please)

How to handle problems and complaints

As in any other field, in the hospitality industry there may be issues with guests, and you need to know how to respond politely to problems. In customer service, it is essential to know how to handle any complaints you may receive.

• Siento mucho por las molestias (I'm very sorry for the inconvenience)
• Voy a solucionarlo ahora mismo (I'll fix it right away)
• Gracias por informarnos (Thank you for letting us know)
• Permítame comprobarlo (Let me check that for you)
• Dame un segundo y estoy con usted (Give me a second and I'll be right with you)

Tips in Spanish for the hospitality industry

• Use formal language with customers, especially in hotels and restaurants
• Polite expressions such as “por favor”, “gracias”, and “disculpa” or “perdón” are essential
• In Spain and Latin America, a friendly but respectful tone is expected
• Apologizing clearly is considered professional, not a weakness
• Remember to treat employees with respect, even if you have issues with the establishment; the person you are addressing is only doing their job

These small details make a big difference in customer satisfaction and in the customers’ perception of the place if they have had a problem.

Improve your professional skills in Spanish with don Quijote and our intensive Spanish courses. Whether you work or want to work in tourism, hospitality, or customer service, or if you want to visit or stay at a hotel, Spanish for hospitality will help you from day one. Contact our advisors for more information about our programs and come discover and learn Spanish in Spain with us. We are waiting for you!

When learning Spanish, there are some verbs that appear constantly in conversations, texts, and in your classes. Although mastering all the verb conjugations in Spanish is difficult due to the number of tenses, moods, and persons, knowing the most basic verbs in Spanish will help you express yourself in any context.

That's why, in this article, don Quijote teaches you the most common Spanish verbs, their meanings, and easy examples so that you can understand and use them in your daily life. Don't miss anything and keep reading!

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

Verb ser (to be)

The verb “ser” in Spanish is essential and basic. It is used to talk about permanent characteristics, identity, origin, or profession. This verb indicates what or how something or someone is. For example:

• Yo soy estudiante (I am a student)
• Madrid es la capital de España (Madrid is the capital of Spain)
• Ella es simpática (She is friendly)
• Nosotros somos de México (We are from Mexico)

Verb estar (to be)

The verb “estar” is another basic verb in Spanish and is used for temporary states, emotions, and location. It indicates how someone is or where they are. For example:

• Estoy cansado (I am tired)
• ¿Dónde estás? (Where are you?)
• El libro está en la mesa (The book is on the table)
• Hoy estamos muy contentos (Today we are very happy)

Verb tener (to have)

Another of the most common Spanish verbs is the verb “tener”. It means to possess something or to express a need. For example:

• Tengo un coche (I have a car)
• Tengo hambre (I am hungry)
• ¿Tienes tiempo? (Do you have time?)
• Ellos tienen dos hermanos (They have two brothers)

Verb hacer (to do)

The verb “hacer” is also essential in Spanish. It is used to talk about general actions, weather, and activities. It literally means to perform an action. For example:

• Hago deporte (I play sports)
• ¿Qué haces hoy? (What are you doing today?)
• Hace frío (It's cold)
• Ellos hacen la tarea (They do their homework)

Verb ir (to go)

Another very common verb in Spanish is “ir”, used to talk about travel and the near future. It means to move from one place to another. Examples:

• Voy a la escuela (I'm going to school)
• Vamos al trabajo (We're going to work)
• Mañana voy a estudiar español (Tomorrow I'm going to study Spanish)
• ¿Vas al cine? (Are you going to the movies?)

Verb decir (to say)

The verb “decir” appears frequently in everyday conversation. It means to express words or information. For example:

• Te digo la verdad (I'll tell you the truth)
• Ella dice su nombre (She says her name)
• ¿Qué dices? (What are you saying?)
• Nos dicen la hora (They tell us the time)

Verb poder (can)

The verb “poder” is very useful for asking for things politely and means to have the possibility or permission to do something. Examples:

• Puedo ayudarte (I can help you)
• ¿Puedes repetir, por favor? (Can you repeat that, please?)
• No puedo venir hoy (I can't come today)
• Ellos pueden entrar (They can come in)

Verb querer (to want)

The verb “querer” is used to express what you like or want. It means to love or desire something or someone. Examples:

• Quiero aprender español (I want to learn Spanish)
• ¿Quieres café? (Would you like some coffee?)
• Ella quiere viajar (She wants to travel)
• Queremos descansar (We want to rest)

Verb ver (to see/watch)

The verb “ver” is very common in everyday language and means to look or observe. Examples:

• Veo la televisión (I watch television)
• ¿Ves el problema? (Do you see the problem?)
• Nos vemos mañana (See you tomorrow)
• Ellos ven una película (They watch a movie)

Verb dar (to give)

The verb “dar” appears in many common expressions and means to give or offer something to someone. Examples:

• Te doy las gracias (I thank you)
• Me da miedo (I'm afraid)
• Ella da un regalo (She gives a gift)
• Nos dan información (They give us information)

Other basic verbs in Spanish

Although these last Spanish verbs are the most basic and the main ones you should master in Spanish, here is a more complete list. Use these Spanish verbs in basic conversations and texts; they will be very useful for expanding your vocabulary:

• Hablar – to speak
• Comer – to eat
• Beber – to drink
• Vivir – to live
• Trabajar – to work
• Estudiar – to study
• Aprender - to learn
• Escuchar – to listen
• Leer – to read
• Escribir – to write
• Levantarse – to get up
• Dormir – to sleep
• Salir – to go out
• Entrar – to enter
• Volver - to return
• Llegar – to arrive
• Gustar – to like
• Encantar – to love
• Sentir – to feel
• Pensar – to think
• Preguntar – to ask
• Responder – to answer
• Buscar – to look for
• Encontrar – to find
• Empezar – to start
• Terminar – to finish

Fill in the blanks with basic Spanish verbs

Fill in the blanks in these sentences with the correct form of the verb in Spanish. You will find the answers at the end of the article.

• Yo ___ estudiante de español
• Nosotros ___ en casa ahora
• ¿Tú ___ hambre?
• Mañana voy a ___ deporte
• Ella ___ aprender español
• ¿___ tú ayudarme, por favor?
• Madrid ___ en España
• Hoy ___ mucho frío
• Ellos ___ al trabajo en metro
• ¿Dónde ___ tú ahora?
• Yo ___ español en clase todos los días
• Nosotros ___ en Madrid
• ¿Tú ___ en una oficina o en casa?
• A ella le ___ mucho el café
• Ellos ___ a las ocho de la mañana
• ¿A qué hora ___ tú al trabajo?
• Yo ___ un libro en español
• ¿Dónde ___ vosotros hoy?
• Los estudiantes ___ a las nueve
• Yo ___ ocho horas cada noche

Although there are many basic verbs in Spanish, and there are many more, don't try to memorize them all at once. Start by learning the most basic ones, in small groups of 10 or 15, and use them in simple sentences and real-life situations.

Mastering Spanish verbs is one of the most difficult tasks for a student, but with practice and study, it will become easier and you will gradually understand them all. And if you want to continue practicing or improving your command of the language, don Quijote's intensive Spanish courses are ideal for you. Our native teachers will help you master verbs, communicate with ease, and improve your conversational skills. Don't hesitate any longer and come visit and discover Spain with don Quijote.

Answers: soy, estamos, tienes, hacer, quiere, puedes, está, hace, va, estás, hablo, vivimos, trabajas, gusta, comen, llegas, leo, vais, estudian, duermo.

Pronouns in Spanish are fundamental in this language and are divided into several categories. In today's article, don Quijote tells you what indefinite Spanish pronouns are and why they are essential in grammar. Discover how and when they are used, basic examples, and put them into practice with our final exercise to reinforce your learning.

Don't miss out and keep reading! You can also change the language of this text to Spanish, German, Italian, or Portuguese.

What are indefinite pronouns in Spanish?

Indefinite pronouns in Spanish allow us to talk about people, things, or quantities in an imprecise or unspecific way. They are used constantly in everyday communication and can be found in both spoken and written language.

Therefore, indefinite pronouns replace a noun and are used to refer to a person, thing or quantity in a vague or indeterminate way. In other words, indefinite pronouns do not specify exactly who or what we are talking about.

Unlike indefinite determiners, pronouns do not accompany a noun, but replace it.

For example:

• Alguien llamó a la puerta (Someone knocked on the door)
• No tengo nada que añadir (I have nothing to add)

In these example sentences, someone and nothing replace an unmentioned noun and are therefore indefinite pronouns.

What are the indefinite Spanish pronouns?

There are many indefinite pronouns in Spanish, but some are much more common than others. Below, we will teach you the most important ones and group them by their meaning.

The indefinite pronouns for people or things are: alguien, nadie, algo, nada, uno / una and otros / otras.

Some examples are:

• Alguien quiere hablar contigo (Someone wants to talk to you)
• Nadie entendió la explicación (No one understood the explanation)
• Algo no está bien (Something is not right)
• Nada es imposible si lo intentas (Nothing is impossible if you try)

The indefinite pronouns of quantity are: mucho / mucha / muchos / muchas (much), poco / poca / pocos / pocas (little), todo / toda / todos / todas (all), bastante / bastantes (quite a lot), demasiado / demasiada / demasiados / demasiadas (too much/too many) and varios / varias (several). As you can see, indefinite quantity pronouns vary according to gender and number.

Examples:

• Muchos piensan que aprender español es difícil (Many people think that learning Spanish is difficult)
• Pocos saben la respuesta correcta (Few people know the correct answer)
• Todo fue un éxito (Everything was a success)
• Bastantes personas llegaron tarde a clase (Quite a few people arrived late to class)

Indefinite pronouns of choice or distribution are: cualquiera, ambos / ambas and ninguno / ninguna.

Examples:

• Cualquiera puede cometer un error (Anyone can make a mistake)
• Ambos aprobaron el examen (Both passed the exam)
• Ninguno respondió correctamente (None answered correctly)

How and when to use indefinite pronouns in Spanish

Indefinite pronouns are not difficult to use in Spanish, but here are some basic rules to help you learn how to use them correctly:

1. Gender and number agreement

Many indefinite pronouns agree in gender and number with the noun they replace. For example: “Había muchas opciones, pero pocas eran buenas” (There were many options, but few were good). In this case, the indefinite pronouns used are feminine because they must agree with opiniones and buenas.

However, some indefinite Spanish pronouns are invariable, such as alguien, nadie, algo or nada.

2. Use in affirmative and negative sentences

Some pronouns change their form depending on whether the sentence is affirmative or negative, such as: algo / nada, alguien / nadie or alguno / ninguno.

Examples:

• Quiero algo de comer (I want something to eat)
• No quiero nada (I don't want anything)
• Alguien llamó (Someone called)
• No llamó nadie (No one called)

3. Position in the sentence

Indefinite Spanish pronouns can appear at the beginning of the sentence, after the verb, or before or after other complements.

Examples:

• Nadie sabía la respuesta (Nobody knew the answer)
• No vi a nadie (I didn't see anyone)
• Todo salió según lo previsto (Everything went according to plan)

Example sentences

Here are some example sentences with indefinite pronouns in Spanish so you can see how they are used:

• Alguien dejó su paraguas en la oficina (Someone left their umbrella in the office)
• Nada me hace más feliz que viajar (Nothing makes me happier than travelling)
• Muchos creen que el español es fácil (Many believe that Spanish is easy)
• Pocos entienden esta regla gramatical (Few understand this grammatical rule)
• Cualquiera puede aprender un idioma con práctica (Anyone can learn a language with practice)
• Ninguno de los estudiantes llegó tarde (None of the students arrived late)
• Todo lo que dices tiene sentido (Everything you say makes sense)
• Otros prefieren estudiar por la mañana (Others prefer to study in the morning)

Exercise with indefinite pronouns

In this exercise, you must complete the following sentences using indefinite pronouns in Spanish. Don't worry if you don't know any; we'll give you the answers at the end of the article.

• ________ llamó mientras no estabas en casa.
• No quiero ________ más, gracias.
• ________ de los estudiantes entendió la explicación.
• Hay ________ personas que prefieren estudiar solas.
• ________ puede cometer errores al aprender un idioma.
• No vi a ________ en la sala de espera.
• ________ salió mal durante el viaje.
• ________ aprobaron el examen final.
• ________ es perfecto, todos aprendemos poco a poco.
• ________ de estas opciones es correcta.

As you have seen, indefinite pronouns in Spanish are essential for expressing yourself naturally when there is no need to be specific or when it is not possible to be specific. Learning what they are, how they are used, and in what contexts they appear will help you improve your understanding and production of the language.

Practise with our examples and exercises or sign up for an intensive Spanish course with us to discover and better internalise indefinite pronouns. Take the opportunity to discover Spain, its culture and familiarise yourself with the language and its people. We are waiting for you!

Answers: alguien, nada, ninguno, muchas, cualquiera, nadie, algo, todos, nadie, una.

Spanish derived words are a fundamental part of vocabulary and a very useful resource for expanding your ability to express yourself in the language. If you are improving your command of the language this year, you should understand how derived words work, as this will help you learn more words in less time and better understand written texts and everyday conversations.

In this article, don Quijote Spanish school explains what derived words are, how they are formed, how to use them correctly, and provides examples of derived words, as well as phrases and a practical exercise to review everything we will tell you here. Don't miss it!

What are Spanish derived words?

Spanish derived words are those that are formed from a base word or root, to which prefixes or suffixes are added. This process is called derivación (derivation) and is very common in Spanish.

Some very common examples are:

• Pan → panadero (bread → baker)
• Feliz → felicidad (happy → happiness)
• Trabajar → trabajador (to work → worker)

So, if you're wondering what derived words are, the answer is quite broad, since practically any word that is created from another through a morphological change is a derived word.

Derived words in Spanish retain part of the meaning of the original word, but add a new nuance, such as profession, quality, action, place, or negation.

How are Spanish derived words formed?

To understand derived words well, it is important to know how they are formed. In Spanish, there are two main forms of derivation in Spanish:

1. Derived words with prefixes

In derived words with prefixes, these are placed before the base word and modify its meaning. Some examples of derived words with prefixes are:

• Feliz → infeliz (happy → unhappy)
• Hacer → rehacer (to do → to redo)
• Posible → imposible (possible → impossible)

Prefixes can indicate negation, repetition, intensity, place, or time.

2. Words derived with suffixes

On the other hand, words derived with suffixes are added to the end of the base word and are the most common in Spanish. Some examples of words derived with suffixes:

• Niño → niñez (Child → Childhood)
• Rápido → rapidez (Fast → speed)
• Cantar → cantante (Sing → Singer)
• Libro → librería (Book → Bookshop)

Many suffixes are used to indicate profession (-ero, -ista), quality (-dad, -eza), action (-ción, -imiento), or diminutive or augmentative (-ito, -ón).

How to use derived words in Spanish correctly?

Derived words in Spanish are used in a wide variety of contexts: everyday language, academic, professional, and literary. To use them correctly, it is important to consider the context and grammatical category of the words.

A common mistake among Spanish students is to use a derived word in Spanish without adapting the agreement or verb tense. Therefore, practicing with real examples helps to internalize their use. In addition, with practice, you will see that multiple related words can be generated from a single root.

Learning Spanish derived words allow you to express ideas more precisely and enrich your vocabulary without memorizing isolated words.

Examples of derived words in Spanish

Below is a list of derived words in Spanish:

• Educación → educar
• Panadero → pan
• Felicidad → feliz
• Trabajador → trabajar
• Librería → libro
• Organización → organizar
• Protección → proteger
• Claridad → claro
• Imposible → posible
• Desordenado → orden
• Culturizar → cultura
• Rapidez → rápido
• Amistoso → amigo
• Responsabilidad → responsable
• Preparación → preparar
• Lectura → leer
• Nacimiento → nacer
• Vendedor → vender
• Iluminación → iluminar
• Crecimiento → crecer
• Desigualdad → igual
• Informativo → informar
• Juventud → joven
• Modernizar → moderno
• Amabilidad → amable

Difference between derived words and compound words

On the other hand, it is important not to confuse derived words with compound words in Spanish.

On one hand, Spanish derived words are formed from a single root. On the other hand, Spanish compound words are formed by two different words (sacapuntas, paraguas, abrelatas).

Both processes are essential for expanding your Spanish vocabulary, but they are different from each other.

Exercise with Spanish derived words

Complete the following sentences using a Spanish derived word formed from the word in parentheses. Pay attention to the context and agreement. Don't worry, we'll give you the answers at the end of the article.

• La __________ es fundamental para el desarrollo personal y profesional. (educar)
• Marta es una persona muy __________ y siempre termina su trabajo a tiempo. (organizar)
• El __________ trabaja en una cafetería cerca de la universidad. (pan)
• La __________ del profesor fue clara y fácil de entender. (explicar)
• Vivir en el extranjero tiene muchas __________. (ventaja)
• La __________ de este ejercicio es bastante sencilla. (resolver)
• Es importante cuidar la __________ del medio ambiente. (proteger)
• Juan habló con mucha __________ durante la presentación. (seguro)
• La __________ de este barrio ha mejorado mucho en los últimos años. (urbanizar)
• Necesitamos más __________ para terminar el proyecto a tiempo. (colaborar)

Learning derived words in Spanish is a key strategy for students of Spanish as a second language. Understanding what derived words are, how they are formed, and how they are used makes reading easier, improves written expression, and allows for more fluent communication.

If you want to continue learning and improving your language skills and need a final push, don Quijote's intensive Spanish courses are your best ally. Learn with our teachers and discover more about derived words, compound words, and much more!

Answers: educación, organizada, panadero, explicación, ventajas, resolución, protección, seguridad, urbanización, colaboración.

If you want to go beyond basic Spanish vocabulary, in this article from don Quijote we bring you compound words in Spanish. Do you know what types of compound words there are? They probably exist in your native language too, but do you know how to use them in Spanish?

Discover everything related to compound words, their meaning, and example sentences so you can see where and when to use them. Are you ready to take your journey of learning Spanish in Spain to the next level? don Quijote helps you achieve the level you've always wanted.

What are compound words in Spanish?

In Spanish, compound words are those that are formed by joining two or more simple words. Thus, both words combine their structures and create a new term with a meaning different from the original words. Compound words in Spanish can be formed by several grammatical elements: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or prepositions.

In general, compound words in Spanish can be inseparable, for example, sacapuntas, which is a single indivisible unit. Or they can be separable, such as teórico-práctico, when it comes to elements that retain a certain independence.

Types of Spanish compound words

As mentioned above, just as compound words can be inseparable or separable, there are different types and divisions. These are the most common:

• They form a single word. The union of two words contributes to the appearance of a single word. The elements may undergo modifications. For example, agridulce (bittersweet), rompecabezas (puzzle), or medianoche (midnight).
• They remain separate. Two words are joined, but they refer to a single element, so they are written separately, even though their meaning is combined. For example: medio ambiente (environment) or pez espada (swordfish).
• Joined by a hyphen. Although they form a single word, they are separated by a hyphen, but they designate a single referent and do not merge, as in the previous examples. For example: hispano-romano (Hispanic Roman) or socio-económico (socio-economic).

List of Spanish compound words

Once you understand that there are different types of compound words in Spanish, it's time to learn the most common ones. Below is a complete list of very common compound words, the two words that form them, and their meaning.

Common Spanish compound words

• Abrecartas (abre + cartas). Letter opener: an object used to open envelopes or paper letters.
• Abrelatas (abre + latas). Can opener: a tool for opening cans of food.
• Agridulce (agrio + dulce). Bittersweet: a flavor that combines sweet and sour.
• Altamar (alta + mar). High seas: the open sea, far from the coast.
• Bienestar (bien + estar). Well-being: state of satisfaction or comfort.
• Boquiabierto (boca + abierto). Open mouth: when a person is very surprised.
• Bocacalle (boca + calle). Turning or entrance into a street: entrance or beginning of a street.
• Cumpleaños (cumple + años). Birthday: anniversary of birth.
• Girasol (gira + sol). Sunflower: plant that turns its flower toward the sun-
• Guardaespaldas (guarda + espaldas). Bodyguard: person who protects another.
• Lavavajillas / lavaplatos (lava + vajillas/platos). Dishwasher: machine that automatically washes dishes.
• Limpiaparabrisas (limpia + parabrisas). Windshield wiper: mechanism in cars that cleans the front glass when it rains.
• Maldecir (mal + decir). Curse: to insult or speak ill of someone.
• Medianoche (media + noche). Midnight: 12:00 a.m.
• Paraguas (para + aguas). Umbrella: an object used to protect oneself from the rain.
• Pararrayos (para + rayos). Lightning rod: a device that protects against lightning strikes.
• Pasamanos (pasa + manos). Handrail: a bar used for support when going up or down stairs.
• Pelirrojo (pelo + rojo). Redhead: a person with red hair.
• Quitamanchas (quita + manchas). Stain remover: a product that removes stains from clothing or other surfaces.
• Rascacielos (rasca + cielos). Skyscraper: a very tall building in cities.
• Rompecabezas (rompe + cabezas). Puzzle: a difficult puzzle or riddle.
• Sacapuntas (saca + puntas). Pencil sharpener: tool for sharpening pencils.
• Salvavidas (salva + vidas). Life jacket or life vest: float or object to prevent drowning.
• Sobremesa (sobre + mesa). After-dinner conversation: time spent at the table after eating.
• Tirachinas (tirar + chinas). Slingshot: instrument for throwing small stones.

Spanish compound words with hyphens

• Cultural-lingüístico (cultural + lingüístico). Cultural-linguistic: topics related to culture and language.
• Físico-químico (físico + químico). Physical-chemical: topics related to physics and chemistry.
• Histórico-artístico (histórico + artístico). Historical-artistic: related to history and art.
• Hispano-alemán / franco-español (hispano + alemán / franco + español). Hispanic-German / French-Spanish: mixed or related to two countries.
• Médico-quirúrgico (médico + quirúrgico). Medical-surgical: topics related to medicine and surgery.
• Político-social (político + social). Political-social: topics related to politics and society.
• Socio-económico (socio + económico). Socio-economic: social and economic in nature.
• Teórico-práctico (teórico + práctico). Theoretical-practical: combining theory and practice.

Separate compound words in Spanish

• Caja fuerte (caja + fuerte). Safebox: a place to store valuable items.
• Casa cuna (casa + cuna). An institution for babies or young children.
• Coche bomba (coche + bomba). Car bomb: a vehicle used as an explosive device.
• Lagarto ocelado (lagarto + ocelado). Ocellated lizard: reptile with circular spots.
• Manos libres (manos + libres). Hands-free: device that allows you to use the phone without using your hands.
• Mesa camilla (mesa + camilla). Table with brazier: traditional round table with a brazier.
• Ojo de buey (ojo + buey). Porthole: round window on ships.
• Ojo de gallo (ojo + gallo). Cock's eye: injury to the foot.
• Oso panda (oso + panda). Panda bear: black and white mammal native to China.
• Pata de gallo (pata + de + gallo). Crow's feet: wrinkles around the eyes.
• Pez ángel (pez + ángel). Angelfish: ornamental fish.
• Pez espada (pez + espada). Swordfish: type of fish with an elongated shape.
• Pez globo (pez + globo). Pufferfish: fish that inflates like a balloon.
• Perro guía (perro + guía). Guide dog: dog that helps blind people.
• Piel de gallina (piel + de + gallina). Goosebumps: sensation when the hair stands on end.
• Serpiente coral (serpiente + coral). Coral snake: brightly colored snake.
• Tiburón martillo (tiburón + martillo). Hammerhead shark: shark with a hammer-shaped head.
• Uña de gato (uña + gato). Cat's claw: medicinal climbing plant.

These are just some of the most common compound words in Spanish that you may hear in everyday life or during your intensive Spanish course. And if you want to learn more, we invite you to visit our website and come to one of the 11 cities where we offer Spanish classes so you can perfect the language in a short time and in your own way.

If you are just starting to learn Spanish and you can't find some words in the dictionary, it may be because they have a Spanish suffix or prefix that modifies their intensity. These words are called augmentatives or diminutives and are commonly used in colloquial language.

In this article, we explain what Spanish augmentatives are and give you useful examples to help you understand how they are used. At don Quijote, we know that learning a new language is a challenge, so in addition to this article, we recommend that you browse our Spanish courses in Spain and take a look to find the one that best suits your needs.

What are Spanish augmentatives?

Spanish augmentatives are suffixes that are added to a word to express an increase in size, intensity, or importance. They serve to give an idea of grandeur, exaggeration, or anger to the word, depending on the context in which it is used. In addition, augmentatives can modify the meaning of a noun, adjective, or adverb.

For example, to say that a casa (house) is big, we can use the word “casoplón”.

In Spanish, augmentatives not only indicate physical size but can also refer to emotional or expressive nuances. Thus, augmentatives in Spanish can have a positive or negative tone, depending on the context. For example:

• ¡Qué cochazo tienes! (What an amazing car you have!) à Here, the word cochazo refers to a new or very nice car, so it is an augmentative with a positive tone.
• En menudo problemón te has metido (What a big problem you've gotten yourself into) à In contrast, here, the word problemón has a negative meaning because it refers to a huge problem.

Unlike augmentatives, Spanish diminutives indicate smallness, affection, or softness. Thus, both are resources used in Spanish that allow for nuance in conversation without the need to add, for example, more adjectives.

When to use augmentatives in Spanish?

As we have seen, augmentatives in Spanish are used to express different meanings, depending on the speaker's intention. In informal conversation, augmentatives are not used to indicate that something is big, for example, but to reflect an emotional or evaluative attitude toward an object or person.

Here are some of the most common augmentatives in Spanish:

1. Size

The most common use of augmentatives in Spanish is to indicate that something is physically large. For example:

• Dio un portazo que hizo temblar todo el edificio (He slammed the door so hard that the whole building shook)
• Viven en un casoplón enorme a las afueras de la ciudad (They live in a huge mansion on the outskirts of the city)

2. Intensity

Another way to use augmentatives in Spanish is to indicate intensity or exaggerate something. These suffixes emphasize the noun or adjective. Examples:

• Se dio un golpetazo al tropezar con una piedra (He gave himself a bump when he tripped over a rock)
• Menudo problemón que no puedas venir el viernes a la reunión (What a big problem that you can't come to the meeting on Friday)

3. Admiration

Some words can be modified with augmentatives to show admiration, affection, love, or surprise.

• Te mando un abrazote desde aquí (I'm sending you a big hug from here)
• Tu primo es un pezado de artista (Your cousin is a real artist)

4. Mockery

In other cases, augmentatives are used to give a word an ironic or derogatory nuance. For example:

• Ese grandullón no puede levantar tanto peso (That big guy can't lift that much weight)
• No seas cabezota y deja que te ayude (Don't be stubborn and let me help you)

How are Spanish augmentatives formed?

You may have noticed that Spanish augmentatives are formed by adding a suffix to the root of a word. The most common are: -ón / -ona; -ote / -ota; -azo / -aza; -uco / -uca; -ón / -ona; -acho / -acha.

Remember that, in some cases, adding the suffix to a word can change its spelling, for example, casa becomes “casoplón”.

Practical exercises with Spanish augmentatives

As you have seen, Spanish augmentatives are used in everyday and colloquial language and, often, in formal situations, adding expressiveness to speech.

If you feel confident using augmentatives in Spanish, here is an exercise for you to complete. Add the correct form of the word to form augmentatives. Don't worry, you'll find the answers below.

• El perro era tan grande que todos lo llamaban el (perro) ________.
• Cuando cerró la puerta, dio un (puerta) ________.
• ¡Qué (calor) ________ hace hoy!
• Mi abuela siempre me da un (abrazo) ________ cuando la visito.
• Compraron un (casa) ________ con cinco habitaciones y jardín enorme.
• Se dio un (golpe) ________ al caerse de la bicicleta.
• Ese (grande) ________ no quiso ayudar a nadie y se fue molesto.
• Mi amigo es un (amigo) ________: siempre está cuando lo necesito.
• En la calle diluviaba cuando se dio un (golpe) ________ con la bici en una esquina.
• Ese niño es un poco rebelde, pero en el fondo es un (bueno) ________.

Augmentatives in Spanish are useful and easy-to-use words that add nuance and variety to your conversations. They indicate that something changes in size, but you can also use them to express intensity or affection. Keep practicing and use augmentatives every day to become a fluent Spanish speaker.

Answers: perrazo, portazo, calorazo, abrazote, casoplón, golpazo, grandullón, amigazo, golpetazo, buenazo.

Verb tenses in Spanish are one of the most difficult exercises for Spanish students due to their complexity, but they are one of the fundamental aspects of the language. That's why at don Quijote we believe it's essential that you also learn modal verbs in Spanish, which you're sure to recognize in English and which are also essential in Spanish.

If you are just beginning your journey in the language and need a little help with Spanish verb conjugation or verb types, here are some related articles that may be useful:

• Spanish infinitive
• Spanish imperatives
• Spanish subjunctive
• Spanish conditional
• Spanish reflexive verbs
• Irregular verbs in Spanish
• Spanish transitive and intransitive verbs
• How to conjugate verbs in Spanish

What are modal verbs in Spanish?

Spanish modal verbs are auxiliary verbs in Spanish that accompany other verbs in the infinitive to express the speaker's attitude or mood. Therefore, a Spanish modal verb modifies the meaning of the main verb and can express obligation, willingness, knowledge, permission, possibility, probability, or reiteration.

In Spanish, there are five Spanish modal verbs: deber, querer, saber, poder, and soler. These verbs express the speaker's attitude towards an action, and they can all take on a different meaning depending on whether they are used in an affirmative or negative tone.

Additionally, some of these modal verbs in Spanish can be found as verbal periphrases. Some of these periphrases are: “deber de,” “tener que,” or “haber que”.

On the other hand, in Spanish there are other verbs that are used as modals and are also followed by an infinitive. These verbs express intention, desire, or will, and the most common ones are: intentar, desear, pensar, procurar, esperar, and preferir.

But in this article, we will teach you the five most common modal verbs in Spanish that will be useful in any situation. Remember that you can also read this article in Spanish, German, or Portuguese.

Deber

The verb deber is one of the most common modal verbs in Spanish. This verb is used to express obligation, recommendation, or supposition.

As we mentioned earlier, the verb deber also functions as a verbal periphrasis: “deber de.” This periphrasis expresses deduction and can be positive or negative.

Some examples of the verb deber as a modal and periphrasis are:

• Debes estudiar más para aprobar el último examen del curso (You must study more to pass the last exam of the course)
• Tu primo debe hacer los deberes antes de cenar (Your cousin must do his homework before dinner)
• Todos debemos respetar las normas del estadio (We all must respect the stadium rules)
• Deberían llegar temprano al trabajo todos los días (You should arrive early to work every day)
• El profesor debe de haber olvidado el libro en otra clase (The teacher must have forgotten the book in another class)
• Deben de estar en casa para las 12 de la noche (You must be home by midnight)
• Debes de entregar a tiempo el trabajo (You must hand in your work on time)

Querer

The second modal verb in Spanish is querer, which is used to express desire, intention, or willingness. Some examples are:

• Quiero aprender a tocar el piano este año (I want to learn to play the piano this year)
• Mi hermana quiere viajar a Francia el próximo verano (My sister wants to travel to France next summer)
• ¿Quieres venir conmigo al cine mañana? (Do you want to come with me to the movies tomorrow?)
• Ellos quieren mejorar su español antes del examen (They want to improve their Spanish before the exam)
• Siempre he querido conocer Japón (I've always wanted to visit Japan)
• ¿Sabías que tu amigo quiere montar un negocio propio? (Did you know that your friend wants to start his own business?)

Saber

The verb saber is used to express knowledge, skill, or ability, and is one of the most used verbs in Spanish, especially when asking questions. For example:

• Sé nadar muy bien (I know how to swim very well)
• No sabes cocinar, ¿verdad? (You don't know how to cook, do you?)
• Ella sabe hablar tres idiomas (She knows how to speak three languages)
• Sabemos resolver este tipo de problemas en equipo (We know how to solve these kinds of problems as a team)
• ¿Sabías tocar el piano cuando eras niño? (Did you know how to play the piano when you were a child?)
• Ellos saben conducir cualquier tipo de vehículo (They know how to drive any kind of vehicle)

Poder

The verb poder is used to indicate ability, possibility, or permission to perform an action. These examples may help you understand it:

• Puedo ayudarte con los deberes de matemáticas esta tarde (I can help you with your math homework this afternoon)
• No puedes salir sin tu chaqueta; hace mucho frío (You can't go out without your jacket; it's very cold)
• ¿Pueden terminar el proyecto antes del viernes? (Can you finish the project before Friday?)
• No pude asistir a la reunión ayer por una cita médica (I couldn't attend the meeting yesterday because of a doctor's appointment)
• ¿Podrías decirme la hora, por favor? (Could you tell me the time, please?)
• Podemos viajar a la playa este fin de semana (We can go to the beach this weekend)

Soler

The verb soler in Spanish is commonly used to express daily customs or habits. Some examples are:

• Suelo levantarme a las 8h todos los días (I usually get up at 8 a.m. every day)
• Mi abuelo suele contar historias de cuando era joven (My grandfather usually tells stories about when he was young)
• Ellos suelen ir al cine los fines de semana (They usually go to the movies on weekends)
• ¿Sueles comer fuera entre diario? (Do you usually eat out during the week?)
• Cuando era niño, solía jugar en el parque con mis amigos (When I was a child, I used to play in the park with my friends)
• Solemos viajar todos los años a la playa en verano (We usually travel to the beach every year in the summer)

Exercises with Spanish modal verbs

Once you have understood what modal verbs in Spanish are and how they work, here are some exercises for you to complete by filling in the gaps with the appropriate verb: poder, deber, querer, saber, soler, or tener que. Good luck! You will find the correct answers to the exercises at the end of the article.

1. Yo no ___ ir al cine esta noche porque ya tenía una cita
2. Tú ___ estudiar más si quieres aprobar el examen
3. Ellos ___ hablar inglés muy bien
4. Nosotros ___ levantarnos temprano los fines de semana
5. María ___ viajar a Francia el próximo verano
6. ¿Vosotros ___ terminar el proyecto antes del próximo mes?
7. Mi hermano ___ tocar la guitarra desde niño
8. Ellos ___ cumplir con las reglas de la empresa
9. ¿Tú ___ ayudarme con esta tarea, por favor?
10. Cuando era niña, yo ___ jugar en el parque todas las tardes
11. Tú ___ pedir permiso antes de salir de clase
12. Nosotros ___ aprender a conducir un coche manual
13. Ellas ___ desayunar siempre a las nueve de la mañana
14. Yo ___ descansar un poco después de la caminata
15. Vosotros ___ entregar los documentos antes de la fecha límite

As you have seen, all these modal verbs in Spanish are essential if you want to construct complex sentences and convey precise ideas. That's why it's necessary to practice and put everything you've learned to the test, so you can improve your language skills in no time. To do so, you can sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses and experience Spanish culture firsthand in one of the 11 cities in Spain where don Quijote has schools.

We look forward to seeing you! Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Answers: puedo, debes, saben, solemos, quiere, podríais, sabe, deben, puedes, solía, debes, sabemos, suelen, quiero, tenéis que.

You've probably wondered how many homophones in Spanish there are and how to learn to differentiate between them. One of the most common among native speakers and students of the language is sobre todo and sobretodo. Both words sound the same, but their meaning and usage are very different.

If you want to know the difference between sobre todo and sobretodo in Spanish, you've come to the right place. It's important to know how to write correctly in Spanish to avoid common mistakes and continue on your path to learning Spanish in Spain.

What does sobre todo mean?

Of these two words, the most common is sobre todo. Sobre todo is an adverbial phrase that means mainly, especially, or above all. It is used to highlight something within a group or to express priority. Here are some examples:

• Me gusta ir al cine, sobre todo a ver películas de acción (I like going to the movies, especially to see action movies)
• Debes cuidar tu salud, sobre todo en invierno (You should take care of your health, especially in winter)
• Lo que más valoro, sobre todo, es la sinceridad (What I value most, above all, is sincerity)

What does sobretodo mean in Spanish?

Sobretodo is a masculine noun, not as common as the phrase, which refers to a long, thick garment worn over clothing to protect against the cold or rain. Therefore, sobretodo is synonymous with coat, raincoat, or overcoat. Examples:

• Me puse el sobretodo porque hacía mucho frío (I put on my overcoat because it was very cold)
• En invierno siempre llevo un sobretodo de lana (In winter I always wear a woolen overcoat)
• Colgó su sobretodo en el perchero al entrar (He hung his overcoat on the coat rack when he came in)

Differences between sobretodo and sobre todo

Although sobre todo and sobretodo are homophones, meaning they sound the same, they have different grammatical functions and meanings, as you can see from their definitions. Below are some key differences to help you learn when to use each one in your writing.

Sobretodo is a noun that refers to garment worn over other clothes. For example: Se puso el sobretodo antes de salir (He put on his coat before leaving).

Meanwhile, sobre todo is an adverbial phrase, meaning ‘mainly’ or ‘especially’. For example: Me gustan los colores claros, sobre todo el blanco (I like light colors, especially white).

Remember that if you can replace sobre todo with ‘principalmente’ (mainly) or ‘especialmente’ (especially), then it is written separately. But if the text refers to ‘abrigo’ (coat) or ‘gabardina’ (raincoat), then it should be written together.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

One of the most frequent mistakes among Spanish learners is to always write the word sobretodo together when they want to use the phrase sobre todo.

Why does this happen? Because both words sound the same, but only one (the adverbial phrase) is used very frequently in everyday speech and written texts.

How can you avoid this mistake? Very simple: think about the meaning of the phrase.

• If you are talking about clothing, write sobretodo
• Try substituting the words: if you can say principalmente, then it is sobre todo. If you can say abrigo, then it is sobretodo.
• Sobretodo (written together) is a physical object; sobre todo (written separately) is an expression used to give emphasis or priority

Examples and exercises with sobre todo and sobretodo

Below are some sentences showing how each of these words is used:

• El detective llevaba un sobretodo gris y un sombrero (The detective was wearing a gray overcoat and a hat)
• Coloca tu sobretodo en el armario, que está lloviendo (Put your overcoat in the closet, it's raining)
• Compré un sobretodo nuevo para el invierno (I bought a new overcoat for the winter)
• Me encanta la comida italiana, sobre todo la pasta (I love Italian food, especially pasta)
• Es una persona amable, sobre todo con los niños (He is a kind person, especially with children)
• Quiero descansar este fin de semana, sobre todo el domingo (I want to rest this weekend, especially on Sunday)

Once you understand how to use sobre todo and sobretodo, it's time to put it into practice! In the following sentences, you must fill in the blanks with sobre todo or sobretodo, depending on the context. Don't worry if you're unsure; you'll find the correct answers at the end of the article. Good luck!

1. Me puse el __________ antes de salir porque hacía frío.
2. Me gusta viajar, __________ a lugares con playa.
3. El profesor valoró, __________, el esfuerzo de sus alumnos.
4. Colgó su __________ en el perchero al entrar a la casa.
5. Lo más importante, __________, es ser honesto.
6. Compró un __________ nuevo para el invierno.
7. Disfruto de la lectura, __________ las novelas históricas.
8. Deberías abrigarte bien, __________ si vas a salir de noche.
9. El actor apareció en escena con un elegante __________ negro.
10. Me gustan los deportes, __________ el baloncesto y el tenis.

Do you already know how to use sobre todo and sobretodo? If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask us or sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses. Continuing to learn and develop your Spanish skills every day will help you become fluent in no time, and don Quijote is here to help you achieve that goal.

Contact us if you have any further questions. Our advisors will be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have.

Answers: sobretodo, sobre todo, sobre todo, sobretodo, sobre todo, sobretodo, sobre todo, sobre todo, sobretodo, sobre todo.

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.

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