Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish

And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.
        —CHAUCER

A hardcover edition of this book was originally published in 1951 by Doubleday. It is here reprinted by arrangement with Doubleday.

Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish. Copyright © 1951, 1953, 1989 by Margarita Madrigal. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information, address: Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc., 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.

BROADWAY BOOKS and its logo, a letter B bisected on the diagonal, are trademarks of Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Visit our website at www.broadwaybooks.com

First Broadway Books trade paperback edition published 2001.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Madrigal, Margarita.
   [Magic key to Spanish]
   Madrigal’s magic key to Spanish/Margarita
      Madrigal: illustrations by Andrew Warhol.—1st ed.
      p. cm.
   Includes index.
   eISBN: 978-0-307-75487-5
   1. Spanish language—Textbooks for foreign speakers—English.
I. Warhol, Andy, 1928–87.
II. Title.    III. Title: Magic key to Spanish.
PC4128.M35 1989    89-30448
468.2,421—dc20

v3.1 r1

Preface

t this moment you know several thousand Spanish words even if you have never seen or heard a Spanish word before. You are not aware of these words simply because they have not been pointed out to you. In this book I’m going to show you how easy it is to learn Spanish by showing you how much you already know. For instance, have you ever seen these Spanish words before?

Can you recognize any of these words?

If you can recognize even a few of these words, the Spanish language is yours for the taking.

It is encouraging to know that you can identify thousands upon thousands of Spanish words at sight. But it is really exciting to discover that with a few hints you yourself can form these words and that you can start out on your venture of learning Spanish with a large, ready-made vocabulary. When you study this method you will find that you will not only have the ability to recognize words, but that it will actually be within your power to convert English words into Spanish words.

Furthermore, you will learn what to do with these words. You will feel the thrill of starting right out forming sentences from the very first lesson. You will learn to think in Spanish and you will know the beauty and rhythm of spoken Spanish. When you finish this course you will be able to go to a Spanish-speaking country and talk to the people and understand them.

From the time man first began to learn foreign tongues down to the present time, language methods have relied on memory and not on the pupil’s powers of creation. Now the process is reversed. This book will teach you to create. The very first lesson will prove to you that you can create at least one hundred times more material than you could possibly memorize in the same given time. Furthermore, the process of creation is exciting, whereas mechanical memorizing is tremendously boring. Also consider that you are apt to forget a word that you memorize mechanically. But a word that you create stays with you forever.

The motto of this book, if such there be, is “And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche” (Chaucer). From my own experience I know that what is not gladly learned is not learned at all. It is the essence of this method to make learning Spanish a pleasure for you. I have tried to guide you lovingly through the language. Every means of making it easy for you has been incorporated into this book. Thousands of questions that have been asked by former students have made it possible for me to anticipate your questions and to answer them.

Do you believe that you cannot learn a foreign tongue?

Did you study languages in school and fail to learn to speak them?

Do yon know a great many Spanish words that you cannot put into sentences?

Were you ever bored in a language class?

Have you thought that learning a new language involved so much work that it couldn’t fit into your schedule?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the questions above, this method is for you.

This book will teach you to:

1. Speak Spanish
2. Read Spanish
3. Write in Spanish
4. Think in Spanish

This is not an empty promise. The method has proved successful with more than a quarter of a million people in the span of a few years. Not one student who has started this method has failed. Some went more slowly than others, but in the end every student learned more Spanish for every hour that he spent with the book than he had thought possible in his fondest dreams.

This method, which has worked with so many students, will work with you. Turn to Lesson I and prove this to yourself right now.

Pronunciation Key

1. A - The letter A is always pronounced “ah” as in “Ah, Sweet Mystery.”
2. E - The letter E is always pronounced “E” as in bet, test, bless.
3. I - The letter I is always pronounced “EE” as in greet, beet.
4. O - The letter O is always pronounced “O” as in obey (but without the slightest trace of a U sound. It is a clean, distinct O sound).
5. U - The letter U is always pronounced “OO” as in cool, pool.
6. B -
   1. The letter B is pronounced “B” as in bit.
   2. However, when a letter B appears between vowels it is pronounced very softly. In fact, the B between vowels is so soft that your lips hardly touch when you pronounce it. Try pronouncing the word “abundancia” with a very, very soft B.
7. C -
   1. The C before A, O, U is hard as the C in can.
   2. The C before E or I is soft as the C in cent.
8. CC - is pronounced “X.” “Acción” is pronounced “axion.”
9. CH - As in child.
10. D -
    1. The letter D is pronounced “D” as in “do.”
    2. When the D is the last letter of a word or when it appears between vowels, it is pronounced as the softest TH imaginable. Say the English word “the” several times making the TH very, very soft; then say “ciudad,” pronouncing both D’s with the same soft TH.
11. G -
    1. The G before A, O, U is hard as in get.
    2. The G before E or I is pronounced H as in hen. “General” is pronounced “heneral.”
12. H - The H is always silent in Spanish. “Hotel” is pronounced “otel.”
13. J - The J is pronounced “H” as in hen.
14. L - The L is pronounced “L” as in let.
15. LL - The LL is pronounced “Y” as in yes. “Caballo” is pronounced “cabayo”; “llevo” is pronounced “yevo.”
16. ñ - The ñ is pronounced “NY.” “Cabaña” is pronounced “cabanya” and “señor” is “senyor.”
17. R - The R is slightly trilled except when it is the first letter in a word, in which case it is strongly trilled.
18. RR - Always strongly trilled.
19. T - The T is always pronounced as the “TT” in attractive. “Patio” (pattio), “simpático” (simpáttico).
20. Y -
    1. The letter Y is pronounced “Y” as in yet.
    2. However, when the letter Y stands alone it is pronounced “EE” as in beet. “Y” means “and” in Spanish.
21. Z - The Z is pronounced “S” as in sent.
22. QUE - is pronounced “KE” as in kept.
23. QUI - is pronounced “KEE” as in keen, keep.
24. GUE - is pronounced “GUE” as in guest.
25. GUI - is pronounced “GEE” as in geese.

The rest of the letters are pronounced as they are in English, with only very slight variations.

In some parts of Spain the C before E or I is pronounced “TH,” and the Z is always pronounced “TH.”

Contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Preface
• Lección Número Uno
  • Words that are identical in Spanish and English. How to convert English words into Spanish words. How to form sentences. Lists of words that are similar or identical in Spanish and English. How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “al,” “ble,” “ic,” “ent,” and “ant.” Basic differences in spelling between Spanish and English.
• Lección Número Dos
  • How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ist,” “ous,” and “ion.” The use of these words in sentences.
• Lección Número Tres
  • How to convert nouns that end in “ion” into verbs. How to form questions.
• Lección Número Cuatro
  • How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ty.” Conversation using “tomé” (I took) and “tomó” (you took).
• Lección Número Cinco
  • How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ry” and “em.” Conversation using “visité” (I visited) and “invité” (I invited).
• Lección Número Seis
  • A simple way of converting English verbs into Spanish verbs. How to use these verbs in sentences.
• Lección Número Siete
  • Conversation using “hablé” (I spoke, talked). How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ce” and “cy.”
• Lección Número Ocho
  • An easy way to convert Spanish nouns you know into verbs. How to form questions in the past tense.
• Lección Número Nueve
  • How to greet people. Conversation using “¿Cómo está?” (How are? How is?).
• Lección Número Diez
  • How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “in” or “ine.” Conversation using “compré” (I bought) and “compró” (you bought).
• Lección Número Once
  • How to express future action. How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ive.”
• Test Your Progress
• Lección Número Doce
• Further practice in expressing future action. Conversation using “trabajar” (to work). The days of the week.
• Lección Número Trece
  • Verbs that end in “er” and “ir.” Practice in expressing future action with these verbs. How to form adverbs.
• Lección Número Catorce
  • How to form the past tense singular of “er” and “ir” verbs. List of “er” and “ir” verbs that are similar to their English equivalents. How to form the plural of nouns.
• Lección Número Quince
• Lección Número Diez y Seis
  • Conversation using “leer” (to read). How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “cle” and “y.”
• Lección Número Diez y Siete
  • How to form the past tense plural of “ar” verbs. Conversation using “pasar” (to pass, to spend time).
• Lección Número Diez y Ocho
  • Past tense plural of “er” and “ir” verbs. The months of the year.
• Lección Número Diez y Nueve
  • How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ct.” Conversation using “cantar” (to sing) and “oír” (to hear).
• Lección Número Veinte
  • Conversation using “estar” (to be). How to form Spanish words from English words that end in “ure” and “ute.”
• Test Your Progress
• Lección Número Veintiuno
  • How to form the Spanish equivalents of English participles that end in “ing”—“singing,” “working,” etc.—and their use in conversation.
• Lección Número Veintidós
  • How to form the present tense singular of “ar” verbs. Conversation using these verbs.
• Lección Número Veintitrés
  • How to form the present tense singular of “er” and “ir” verbs. Conversation using these verbs. Further practice with Spanish adjectives.
• Lección Número Veinticuatro
  • How to form the plural of the present tense.
• Lección Número Veinticinco
  • A simple way to convert Spanish verbs into nouns. Conversation using “tuve” (I had) and “estuve” (I was).
• Lección Número Veintiséis
  • Use of “ir” (to go) in the present and past tenses. Conversation using “hice” (I did, made) and “vine” (I came).
• Lección Número Veintisiete
  • How to form the present perfect tense with the auxiliary “haber …” (to have …). Conversation using these verbs.
• Lección Número Veintiocho
  • Spelling changes in verbs. The numbers.
• Lección Número Veintinueve
  • Complete review of the most useful and important tenses of verbs. Further practice in using these verbs.
• Lección Número Treinta
  • Verbs that have slight changes in the stem.
• Test Your Progress
• Lección Número Treinta y Uno
  • An easy way to learn irregular verbs. A list of the principal irregular verbs showing their similarity to each other. The present and past tenses of these verbs.
• Lección Número Treinta y Dos
  • How to use him, her, and you in Spanish conversation.
• Lección Número Treinta y Tres
  • Dialogues using him, her, and you.
• Lección Número Treinta y Cuatro
  • How to use to him, to her, to you, and for him, for her, for you in Spanish conversation.
• Lección Número Treinta y Cinco
  • Further practice in the use of to him, to her, to you. How to combine pronouns.
• Lección Número Treinta y Seis
  • Practice using the irregular verbs in conversation.
• Lección Número Treinta y Siete
  • Verbs which end in “cer.” How to use “me gusta” (I like) and “le gusta” (you like). A menu vocabulary.
• Lección Número Treinta y Ocho
  • How to use “me” (myself) and “se” (yourself).
• Test Your Progress
• Lección Número Treinta y Nueve
  • How to say I used to … you used to … in Spanish.
• Lección Número Cuarenta
  • How to give commands in Spanish. List of frequently used commands.
• Test Your Progress
• Lección Número Cuarenta y Uno
  • How to express hope, fear, doubt, and desire in Spanish.
• Lección Número Cuarenta y Dos
  • How to express past hopes, fears, doubts, and desires in Spanish. How to say I would … you would … etc., in Spanish.
• Lección Número Cuarenta y Tres
  • Stem-changing verbs I, II, III. Lists of all types of stem-changing verbs
• Lección Número Cuarenta y Cuatro
  • Irregular past participles. Verbs that end in “uir.” Impersonal verbs. How to use the verb “deber” (should, oughty must). Passive voice. Negatives and double negatives.
• Lección Número Cuarenta y Cinco
  • The familiar form of address. Possessives. Diminutives. Stresses and accents.
• Common Spanish Expressions
• Vocabulary
• Index

Lección Número Uno

el mono (the monkey)

t is very easy to build a large vocabulary of Spanish words. In fact, you already know thousands of English words that become Spanish words if you change them very slightly. These words fall into several large categories.

Category I

The first and easiest category is made up of words which end in “or.” These words are often identical in Spanish and English.

Remember: “el” means “the,” “un” means “a” or “an.”

the actor = el actor; an actor = un actor

NOTE: Spanish words that end in “or” are stressed on the last syllable. Example: doc-TOR. The letter “r” is trilled in Spanish.

Category II

Next there is a category of words that end in “al.” These also are often identical in Spanish and English.

the animal = el animal

NOTE: Spanish words that end in “al” are stressed on the last syllable. Example: lo-CAL.

Category III

Then comes a category of words that end in “ble.” These also are often identical in Spanish and English.

the cable = el cable

NOTE: Spanish words that end in “ble” are stressed on the next to the last syllable. EXAMPLE: no-TA-ble.

Category IV

A fourth large category is made up from those words that end in “ic” in English. To change them into Spanish simply add the letter “o.”

IC = ICO
the public = el público

NOTE: In Spanish the accent never alters the sound of letters. Whenever a letter is accented, stress the letter firmly. Example: PU-bli-co.

Category V

Another large category is made up from those words which end in “ent” or “ant.” If you simply add the letter “e” to many of these, they magically become Spanish words.

ENT = ENTE
ANT = ANTE

the president = el presidente; important = importante

NOTE: Words that end in “ent” or “ant” are accented on the next to the last syllable. EXAMPLE: pre-si-DEN-te.

The letter “g” is pronounced “h” as in “hen” when it appears before “e” or “i.” EXAMPLE: “inteligente” is pronounced “intelihcnte.”

Now that you know all these words, let’s see how easy it is to put them into sentences. Just remember that:

“es” means “is” “no es” means “is not” “el” means “the” “un” means “a” or “an”

El actor es popular.

El tenor es romántico.

El presidente es diplomático.

El actor no es un animal.

El elefante es un animal.

El conductor no es insolente.

El doctor es inteligente.

El canal es importante.

El restaurante es excelente.

El criminal es terrible.

El cliente es importante.

El elefante es fantástico.

El cable es urgente.

El hotel es excelente.

NOTE: The letter “h” is always silent in Spanish: “hotel” is pronounced “otel.”

The sentences above can be made into questions by changing the word order. In Spanish you do not say, “Is the actor popular?” You must say, “Is popular the actor?”

EXAMPLES:

¿Es popular el actor? Is the actor popular?

¿Es romántico el tenor? Is the tenor romantic?

¿Es diplomático el presidente? Is the president diplomatic?

¿Es importante el canal? Is the canal important?

WORDS TO REMEMBER

CONVERSACIÓN

¿Es popular el actor? Is the actor popular?

Sí, el actor es popular.

¿Es terrible el profesor? Is the professor terrible?

No, el profesor no es terrible. El profesor es excelente.

¿Es romántico el tenor? Is the tenor romantic?

Sí, el tenor es romántico.

¿Es romántico el mono? Is the monkey romantic?

Ay no, el mono no es romántico.

¿Es curioso el mono? Is the monkey curious?

Sí, el mono es curioso.

¿Es inteligente el mono?

Sí, en mi opinión, el mono es inteligente.

¿Es fantástico el elefante?

Sí, en mi opiniAón, el elefante es fantástico.

¿Es inteligente el presidente?

Sí, el presidente es inteligente.

¿Es arrogante el profesor?

Ay no, el profesor no es arrogante. El profesor es tolerante.

¿Es impertinente el estudiante?

No, el estudiante no es impertinente

¿Es ignorante el estudiante?

No, el estudiante no es ignorante.

¿Es excelente el restaurante?

Sí, el restaurante es excelente.

¿Es urgente el cable?

Sí, el cable es urgente,

¿Es import ante el agente?

Sí, el agente es importante.

¿Es importante el cliente?

Sí, el cliente es importante.

“Es” means “is” and also “it is” or “it’s.”

EXAMPLES:

Practice the following expressions:

“No es” means “is not” and also “it is not” or “it isn’t.”

EXAMPLES:

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

You will find three columns of Spanish words below. Take words from Column 1, Column 2, and Column 3 and form complete sentences with them. For example, take “el actor” from Column 1, “es” from Column 2, and “popular” from Column 3. Put them together and they form the sentence “El actor es popular.” Other sample sentences:

El restaurante es excelente.

El cliente es importante.

El doctor no es terrible.

For practice, combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. The actor is popular.
2. The tenor is popular.
3. The restaurant is excellent.
4. The hotel is excellent.
5. The doctor is intelligent.
6. The cable is urgent.
7. The hospital is excellent.
8. The client is important.
9. The conductor is patient.
10. The general is important.
11. The president is democratic.
12. The inventor is intelligent.
13. The general is diplomatic.
14. The cable is important.

Check your sentences with the correct Spanish translations below.

1. El actor es popular.
2. El tenor es popular.
3. El restaurante es excelente.
4. El hotel es excelente.
5. El doctor es inteligente.
6. El cable es urgente.
7. El hospital es excelente.
8. El diente es importante.
9. El conductor es paciente.
10. El general es importante.
11. El presidente es democrático.
12. El inventor es inteligente.
13. El general es diplomático.
14. El cable es importante.

Basic differences in spelling between Spanish and English.

  1. In Spanish “ph” becomes “f.”

PH = F

  2. In Spanish “th” becomes “t.”

TH = T

  3. The only letters that are doubled in Spanish are “l” and “r.”

DOUBLE ONLY L, R

All other letters, such as “ss, pp, mm, nn, tt, ff” (except “1,” “r”), which are doubled in English, become single letters in Spanish.

EXAMPLES:

You will find “cc” in Spanish but this is not a double “c.” Each “c” is pronounced separately since each belongs to a different syllable. The first “c” has a “k” sound and the second, an “s” sound.

correction = corrección

The two “c’s” go into separate syllables in the following way:

correc–ción
instruc–ción
construc–ción

  4. In Spanish “tion” always becomes “ción.”

TION = CIÓN

Following are long lists of words that you get free, without toil or struggle, in your very first Spanish lesson. Go through the lists reading each word aloud. These words are wonderful because you don’t have to memorize them or even study them to any extent. By the time you have read the lists aloud you will have mastered the technique of making up words in each of the five different categories. For a complete explanation of stresses and accents see this page.

Category I

Words that end in “or” are often identical in Spanish and English.

the doctor = el doctor

Some words that end in “tor” in English end in “dor” in Spanish.

TOR = DOR

the senator = el senador

Category II

Words that end in “al” are often identical in Spanish and English.

NOTE: The letter “j” is always pronounced “h” in Spanish.
EXAMPLE: “jovial” is pronounced “hovial.”

Some words that end in “cal” in English end in “co” in Spanish.

CAL = CO

logical = lógico

Category III

Words that end in “ble” are often identical in Spanish and English.

the cable = el cable

Category IV

Add the letter “o” to words that end in “ic” in English.

Category V

Add the letter “e” to words that end in “ent” or “ant” in English.

ENT = ENTE

the agent = el agente

NOTE: Words that end in “ment” are changed into Spanish by adding the letter “o.”

MENT = MENTO

the instrument = el instrumento

ANT = ANTE

the restaurant = el restaurante

Get some 3″ by 5″ cards at your stationer’s and copy the material that is shown on the sample below on one of them. Carry the card with you, in your pocket or purse, and glance at it during your spare moments (on the bus, while you are waiting for people, etc.). Each time you look at it try to make up several words in each category aside from those that are listed on the card.

REMINDER CARD 1

  I. OR (identical)
        el doctor
        el actor

 II. AL (identical)
        el animal
        personal

3. BLE (identical)
           el cable
           probable

4. IC = ICO
           el Atlántico
           eléctrico

 V. ENT = ENTE
     ANT = ANTE
        el presidente
        excelente
        el restaurante
        importante

Throughout your study of Spanish carry cards as reminders. Glance at them once in a while and you will progress twice as fast as you would without them.

Lección Número Dos

el doctor

Category VI

ou can convert many English words that end in “ist” into Spanish words by adding the letter “a” to them.

IST = ISTA

the pianist = el pianista

Category VII

You can convert many English words that end in “ous” into Spanish words by changing the “ous” to “oso.”

OUS = OSO

famous = famoso

Category VIII

If a word ends in “tion” in English you can convert it into Spanish simply by changing the “t” to “c.”

TION = CIÓN

the action = la acción

WORDS TO REMEMBER

CONVERSACIÓN

¿Es popular el pianista?

Sí, el pianista es popular.

¿Es inteligente el pianista?

Sí, el pianista es inteligente.

¿Es inteligente el novelista?

Sí, el novelista es inteligente.

¿Es curioso el novelista?

Sí, el novelista es muy curioso.

¿Es curioso el dentista?

Sí, el dentista es muy curioso.

¿Es exceptional el artista?

Sí, el artista es exceptional.

¿Es famoso el presidente?

Sí, el presidente es muy famoso.

¿Es famoso el general?

Sí, el general es muy famoso.

¿Es ambicioso el pianista?

Sí, el pianista es muy ambicioso.

¿Es ambicioso el artista?

Sí, el artista es muy ambicioso.

¿Es impaciente el doctor?

Ay no, el doctor no es impaciente. El doctor es muy paciente.

¿Es impaciente el dentista?

Ay no, el dentista no es impaciente. El dentista es muy paciente.

¿Es paciente el artista?

Sí, el artista es muy paciente.

¿Es inteligente el artista?

Sí, el artista es muy inteligente.

¿Es generoso el doctor?

Sí, en mi opinión, el doctor es muy generoso.

¿Es generoso el dentista?

Sí, en mi opinión, el dentista es muy generoso.

¿Es interesante el novelista?

Sí, en mi opinión, el novelista es muy interesante.

¿Es interesante el general?

Sí, en mi opinión, el general es muy interesante.

¿Es interesante el programa?

Sí, en mi opinión, el programa es muy interesante.

¿Es delicioso el rosbif?

Sí, el rosbif es delicioso.

¿Es delicioso el biftec?

Sí, el biftec es delicioso.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

For practice, combine the words in the columns below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out the sentences, check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. The pianist is famous.
2. The artist is ambitious.
3. The doctor is generous.
4. The novelist is intelligent.
5. The hotel is excellent.
6. The doctor is very patient.
7. The roast beef is delicious.
8. The beefsteak is delicious.
9. In my opinion, the restaurant is excellent.
10. The program is very interesting.

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. El pianista es famoso.
2. El artista es ambicioso.
3. El doctor es generoso.
4. El novelista es inteligente.
5. El hotel es excelente.
6. El doctor es muy paciente.
7. El rosbif es delicioso.
8. Ei biftec es delicioso.
9. En mi opinión, el restaurante es excelente.
10. El programa es muy interesante.

In Spanish we have both masculine and feminine words. Masculine words take the articles “el” (the) or “un” (a, an).

EXAMPLES:

The feminine articles are “la” (the) and “una” (a, an).

Spanish words that end in “ión” are feminine and consequently take the feminine articles “la” and “una.”

EXAMPLES:

Category VIII

Remember that if a word ends in “tion” in English, change the “t” to “c” and, presto, you have a Spanish word.

TION = CIÓN

the nation = la nación

“La” means “the”; “una” means “a, an.”

If a word ends in “sion” in English, it ends in “sión” in Spanish also. But don’t forget that you never have a double “s” in Spanish.

SION = SIÓN

Notice that words which end in “ión” are feminine.

The accent indicates ONLY that the accented letter should be stressed. Notice that the final “o” of every “ión” word has an accent.

Category VI

Add the letter “a” to words that end in “ist” in English.

IST = ISTA

the dentist = el dentista

Category VII

Change “ous” to “oso.”

OUS = OSO

delicious = delicioso

Category VIII

Change “tion” to “ción.” In general, words which end in “ion” in English also end in “ión” in Spanish.

TION = CIÓN
SION = SIÓN

the combination = la combinación

Turn over the reminder card that you filled out in Lesson I. Copy the material that is shown on the sample below onto your first card.

Each time you look at your card try to make up several words in each of the eight categories.

REMINDER CARD 2

  VI. IST = ISTA
            el dentista
            el pianista

 VII. OUS = OSO
            delicioso
            famoso

8. TION = CIÓN
          SION = SIÓN
               la invitación
               la conversación
               la nación
               la acción
               la discusión

Lacción Número Tres

la casa

THE PAST TENSE

rdinarily, the present tense is taught first because it comes first in the order of the language. But I feel that the past tense will be more useful to you at this point. So, at the risk of exposing myself to that dreadful epithet, unorthodox, I am jumping feet first with you into the past tense. Once you have mastered it you will have the narrative language that you use every day with your friends. You will be able to tell what you did and saw and how it impressed you. “I did” this or that is the beginning of a story, whereas “I do” thus and such is apt to stop you cold. “I eat a lot” can only be followed by a few unpleasant remarks, but “Last night I had dinner with Joe” opens up endless possibilities.

SOME EASY VERBS

There are over two hundred nouns that end in “ación” that can be converted into verbs if you simply remove the “ación” and add verb endings.

EXAMPLES:

“Yo” is the word for “I” in Spanish, but it is frequently dropped.

“Usted” means “you,” but it is frequently dropped.

Notice that the word order is inverted in questions.

“Usted” (you) is frequently dropped, but we’ll use it in this lesson so that you will get used to the inverted order of words in questions.

PAST TENSE ENDINGS

WORDS TO REMEMBER

PREPARÉ, I prepared
 NO PREPARÉ, I didn’t prepare
 ¿PREPARÓ USTED? Did you prepare?

CONVERSACIÓN

¿Preparó usted la lección?

Sí, preparé la lección.

¿Preparó usted la lección esta mañana?

Sí, preparé la lección esta mañana.

¿Preparó usted la lección para la clase?

Sí, preparé la lección para la clase.

¿Preparó usted la cena?

Sí, preparé la cena.

¿Preparó usted la cena esta mañana?

No, no preparé la cena esta mañana.

¿Preparó usted la cena esta tarde?

Sí, preparé la cena esta tarde.

¿Preparó usted la cena en el club?

No, no preparé la cena en el club.

¿Preparó usted la cena en el hotel?

No, no preparé la cena en el hotel.

¿Preparé usted la cena en su casa?

Sí, preparé la cena en mi casa.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

For practice, combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. I prepared the lesson this morning.
2. I prepared (the) dinner.
3. I prepared the lesson for the class.
4. I didn’t prepare (the) dinner this afternoon.
5. I didn’t prepare the lesson this morning.
6. Did you prepare the lesson?
7. Did you prepare (the) dinner?
8. Did you prepare the lesson this morning?
9. Did you prepare (the) dinner this afternoon?
10. Did you prepare the lesson for the class?
11. Did you prepare the lesson this afternoon?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Preparé la lección esta mañana.
2. Preparé la cena.
3. Preparé la lección para la clase.
4. No preparé la cena esta tarde.
5. No preparé la lección esta mañana.
6. ¿Preparó usted la lección?
7. ¿Preparó usted la cena?
8. ¿Preparó usted la lección esta mañana?
9. ¿Preparó usted la cena esta tarde?
10. ¿Preparó usted la lección para la clase?
11. ¿Preparó usted la lección esta tarde?

NOTE: In English the word “dinner” can mean either the evening meal or the noonday meal. In Spanish “cena” is ONLY the evening meal. “Cena” actually means “supper.”

Lección Número Cuatro

el avión

Category IX

ou can convert many English words that end in “ty” into Spanish words by changing the “ty” to “dad.”

TY = DAD

the capacity = la capacidad

WORDS TO REMEMBER

TOMÉ, I took
NO TOMÉ, I didn’t take
¿TOMÓ USTED? Did you take?

In Spanish the verb “to take” is used to express eating and drinking. We say, “I took dinner,” instead of, “I had dinner,” “I took coffee” instead of “I had coffee.”

CONVERSACIÓN

¿Tomó usted café esta mañana? (Did you have [take] coffee this morning?)

Sí, tomé café esta mañana. (Yes, I had [took] coffee this morning.)

¿Tomó usted café en el restaurante?

Sí, tomé café en el restaurante.

¿Tomó usted la cena en el restaurante?

No, no tomé la cena en el restaurante.

¿Tomó usted rosbif?

Sí, tomé rosbif.

¿Tomó usted biftec?

No, no tomé biftec.

¿Tomó usted sopa?

Sí, tomé sopa.

¿Tomó usted una ensalada?

Sí, tomé una ensalada.

¿Tomó usted una aspirina?

Ay no, eso es ridículo, no tomé una aspirina. Tomé rosbif, sopa, una ensalada, etc. (etcétera)

¿Preparó usted la cena anoche?

Sí, preparé la cena anoche.

¿Tomó usted un taxi esta mañana?

Sí, tomé un taxi esta mañana.

¿Tomó usted un tren en la estación?

No, no tomé un tren en la estación.

¿Tomó usted un avión en el aeropuerto?

No, no tomé un avión en el aeropuerto.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

For practice, combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

Notice that you don’t say “at the club.” In Spanish you must never say you are “at” places. You are always “in” places, such as “in the airport, in the club,” etc.

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

Remember that in Spanish you can never say, “I had coffee”; you must always say, “I took coffee.”

In the sentences below you will find the word “took” in parentheses to remind you to use “tomé” or “tomó.”

1. I had (took) roast beef.
2. I had (took) a salad in the restaurant.
3. I had (took) soup.
4. I had (took) tea at (in) the club.
5. I had (took) a sandwich in the station.
6. I took an aspirin this morning.
7. I took a taxi this afternoon.
8. I didn’t have (take) beef-steak.
9. I took the plane at (in) the airport.
10. Did you have (take) soup?
11. Did you have (take) a salad?
12. Did you have (take) dinner at (in) the airport?
13. Did you have (take) coffee at (in) the club?
14. Did you take an aspirin?
15. Did you take a taxi?
16. Did you take the train?
17. Did you take the plane?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Tomé rosbif.
2. Tomé una ensalada en el restaurante.
3. Tomé sopa.
4. Tomé té en el club.
5. Tomé un sandwich en la estación.
6. Tomé una aspirina esta mañana.
7. Tomé un taxi esta tarde.
8. No tomé biftec.
9. Tomé el avión en el aeropuerto.
10. ¿Tomó usted sopa?
11. ¿Tomó usted una ensalada?
12. ¿Tomó usted la cena en el aeropuerto?
13. ¿Tomó usted café en el club?
14. ¿Tomó usted una aspirina?
15. ¿Tomó usted un taxi?
16. ¿Tomó usted el tren?
17. ¿Tomó usted el avión?

Copy the following material on a card. Carry the card with you and glance at it whenever you have a chance.

REMINDER CARD 3

Category IX

You have already seen how you can convert many English words that end in “ty” into Spanish words by changing the “ty” to “dad.” Some of these words are seldom used in English but are common words in Spanish. For example, the Spanish word for “speed” is “velocidad” (velocity). In the following list you will find the word “speed” under “velocidad” to show that “velocidad” is the common, everyday word for “speed” in Spanish. Whenever a common Spanish word appears among these categories that has a slightly different use from the corresponding English word, the common English word will be written under it.

EXAMPLE: debilidad (weakness)

TY = DAD

the university = la universidad

Lección Número Cinco

mamá y papá

Category X

ou can convert many English words that end in “ry” into Spanish words by changing the “ry” to “rio.”

RY = RIO

the canary = el canario

Category XI

You can convert some English words that end in “em” or “am” into Spanish words by adding the letter “a.”

EM = EMA

AM = AMA

WORDS TO REMEMBER

Invité a Roberto. I invited Robert.
Visité a Roberto. I visited Robert.

“Invité” and “visité” are followed by the letter “a.” This “a” is called the personal “a” because it is used when PERSONS follow verbs.

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Invitó usted a su mamá al cine?

Si, invité a mi mamá al cine.

¿ Invitó usted a un amigo al cine?

Sí, invité a un amigo al cine esta noche.

¿ Invitó usted a un amigo al teatro?

Sí, invité a un amigo al teatro.

¿ Invitó usted a un amigo a la clase esta mañana?

Sí, invité a un amigo a la clase esta mañana.

¿ Invitó usted al profesor a su casa esta noche?

Sí, invité al profesor a mi casa esta noche.

¿ Invitó usted a Roberto a su casa?

Sí, invité a Roberto a mi casa.

¿ Invitó usted al profesor a la fiesta?

Sí, invité al profesor a la fiesta.

¿ Visitó usted al profesor esta mañana?

Sí, visité al profesor esta mañana.

¿ Visitó usted al presidente en la Casa Bianca (the White House) en Washington?

No, no visité al presidente en la Casa Blanca en Washington.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISES

Combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

Notice again that “visité” and “invité” are followed by the personal “a.”

A

B

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. I invited my mother to the movies.
2. I invited your mother to the party.
3. I invited Robert to the movies tonight.
4. I visited your mother this morning.
5. I visited Robert this afternoon.
6. Did you visit my father this afternoon?
7. Did you visit my mother this morning?
8. Did you visit Robert tonight?
9. Did you invite Robert to the party?
10. Did you invite a friend to the class?
11. Did you invite your mother to the movies?
12. Did you invite your father to the theatre?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Invité a mi mamá al cine.
2. Invité a su mamá a la fiesta.
3. Invité a Roberto al cine esta noche.
4. Visité a su mamá esta mañana.
5. Visité a Roberto esta tarde.
6. ¿ Visitó usted a mi papá esta tarde?
7. ¿ Visitó usted a mi mamá esta mañana?
8. ¿ Visitó usted a Roberto esta noche?
9. ¿ Invitó usted a Roberto a la fiesta?
10. ¿ Invitó usted a un amigo a la clase?
11. ¿ Invitó usted a su mamá al cine?
12. ¿ Invitó usted a su papá al teatro?

In Spanish we do not say “Visité a el doctor”; instead, we say “Visité al doctor.” The word “al” is a contraction of “a” and “el.”

EXAMPLES:

Copy the material that is shown on the sample below onto a card. Carry the card with you and glance at it whenever you get a chance.

REMINDER CARD 4

NOTE: “Mamá” and “papá” are informal words like “mom” and “dad.” “Madre” (mother) and “padre” (father) are more formal.

Category X

You can convert many English words that end in “ry” into Spanish words by changing the “ry” to “rio.”

RY = RIO

the canary = el canario

Some of the above words may be made feminine simply by changing the final “o” to “a.”

EXAMPLES:

el secretario (masc.), la secretaria (fem.)

Category XI

You can convert some English words that end in “em,” “am,” “om” into Spanish words by adding the letter “a.”

Some words that end in “ma” are alike in English and Spanish: el drama, el panorama, el dilema.

“El clima” means “the climate.”

Lección Número Seis

el teléfono

PAST TENSE (PRETERITE)

ou have already learned that if you are speaking of yourself you must end the verb in “é.”

When speaking of anybody but yourself (singular), you must end verbs in the letter “ó.”

EXAMPLES:

Roberto preparó la lección. Robert prepared the lesson.

El doctor tomó un taxi. The doctor took a taxi.

El general visitó al presidente. The general visited the president.

¿ Preparó usted la cena? Did you prepare dinner?

Remember, then, that if you speak of yourself you must end the verb in “é” and if you speak of anyone else (singular) you must end the verb in “ó.” This is easy to remember if you say a kind of jingle to yourself: “É for me, Ó for others.”

In order to help you connect the letter “ó” with everything and everybody in the world (except yourself), I have devised a figure which I call the third man. Every time the third man appears before a verb, you can be sure that the verb must certainly end in the letter “ó.”

Allow me to present the third man:

The third man is really the figure of a sleeping man wearing a sombrero. The figure has been drawn in the shape of a number 3 and will appear in the rest of the lessons like this: .

The third man is a versatile fellow. He represents EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY in the world except you. When speaking of a star, a flower, a table, Julius Caesar, or your Aunt Sarah you must use the third man form, that is, you must end the verb in the letter “ó.”

You already know hundreds and hundreds of verbs in English that are also Spanish verbs if you change them very slightly.

“Visité” and “invité” are like the English verbs “visited” and “invited” with the letter “d” dropped. There are a great many verbs in English that can be changed into Spanish in the same way.

Following is a list of these verbs that you can learn virtually at a glance. Notice the little drawing of the third man before every third man form below.

FIRST PERSON	THIRD MAN FORM
usé, I used	usó, you, he, she used
voté, I voted	votó, you, he, she voted
inventé, I invented	inventó, you, he, she invented
importé, I imported	importó, you, he, she imported
copié, I copied	copió, you, he, she copied
curé, I cured	curé, you, he, she cured
examiné, I examined	examinó, you, he, she examined
noté, I noted, noticed	notó, you, he, she noted, noticed
presenté, I presented	presentó, you, he, she presented
comparé, I compared	comparó, you, he, she compared
combiné, I combined	combinó, you, he, she combined
causé, I caused	causó, you, he, she caused
deposité, I deposited	depositó, you, he, she deposited
insulté, I insulted	insultó, you, he, she insulted
planté, I planted	plantó, you, he, she planted
patenté, I patented	patentó, you, he, she patented
cancelé, I canceled	canceló, you, he, she canceled
continué, I continued	continuó, you, he, she continued

There are other verbs that are slightly different from their English equivalents, but that are still very easy to recognize and learn.

recomendé, I recommended	recomendó, you, he, she recommended
progresé, I progressed	progresó, you, he, she progressed
anticipé, I anticipated	anticipó, you, he, she anticipated
acepté, I accepted	aceptó, you, he, she accepted
cultivé, I cultivated	cultivó, you, he, she cultivated
dicté, I dictated	dictó, you, he, she dictated
expresé, I expressed	expresó, you, he, she expressed
celebré, I celebrated	celebró, you, he, she celebrated
estudié, I studied	estudió, you, he, she studied
fotografié, I photographed	fotografió, you, he, she photographed
confesé, I confessed	confesó, you, he, she confessed
tosté, I toasted	tostó, you, he, she toasted
pasé, I passed	pasó, you, he, she passed
cooperé, I co-operated	cooperó, you, he, she co-operated

Then there are a great number of verbs that are rarely used in everyday speech in English but that are common, everyday words in Spanish.

comencé, I began	comenzó, you, he, she began
terminé, I finished	terminó, you, he, she finished
felicité, I congratulated	felicitó, you, he, she congratulated
molesté, I bothered	molestó, you, he, she bothered
entré, I came in, went in, entered	entró, you, he, she came in, went in, entered
estacioné, I stationed, parked (car)	estacionó, you, he, she stationed, parked (car)
saludé, I greeted, said “hello”	saludó, you, he, she greeted, said “hello”

As you can see by all the preceding material in the book, there is a great similarity between English and Spanish. This is of tremendous advantage to you, for it will help you to learn very quickly. But you must press this advantage and give your imagination encouragement. Try to guess the meaning of every Spanish word you encounter. Make up words and sentences. In other words, let yourself go.

Now let’s see how the third man verb form is used: “I voted” is “voté.” But if you wish to say that anyone else in the world voted, you must use the third man verb form “votó.”

If you wish to ask a question invert the word order.

WORDS TO REMEMBER

Below, I have written some sentences for you to translate into English. If you come upon a sentence which you feel you can’t translate, study it and make a wild stab at a translation. You will find that you are almost invariably right in your guess. After you have written out all the sentences in English check with the correct translation below the exercise.

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

You will find a personal “a” after verbs which are followed by persons.

1. Invité a un amigo a mi casa anoche.
2. Roberto visitó a un amigo en Cuba.
3. Mamá preparó la cena anoche.
4. El presidente aceptó la invitación.
5. Terminé la composición para la clase.
6. María estudió la lección esta mañana.
7. Roberto tomó la cena en un restaurante.
8. El doctor tomó una aspirina.
9. Usé el vocabulario en la clase.
10. Alexander Graham Bell inventó el teléfono.
11. Don Ameche no inventó el teléfono.
12. Marconi inventó el radio.
13. Copié la lección anoche.
14. El profesor tomó una Pepsi Cola.
15. El agente importó perfume de Francia.
16. Mi mamá visitó a un amigo en el hospital.
17. Tomé espárragos.
18. Estacioné mi automóvil.
19. Mi padre recomendó a su amigo.
20. El general entró en la capital.
21. El ministro preparó el sermón para la congregación.
22. Mi diente importó café de Costa Rica.
23. Tosté el pan para los sandwiches.
24. Juan entró en el hotel y saludó a su amigo.
25. El mecánico lubricó el automóvil en el garage.
26. Mi amigo cultivó café en el rancho.
27. El grupo presentó un drama.
28. El profesor felicitó al estudiante.
29. ¿ Votó usted esta mañana?
30. El doctor curó al paciente.
31. Deposité dinero en el banco esta mañana.
32. ¿ Copió usted la composición?
33. ¿ Estudió usted la lección para la clase?
34. ¿ Aceptó usted la invitación?
35. Mi padre invitó a Juan al cine.
36. Juan aceptó la invitación.
37. Edison inventó el fonógrafo.

Check your sentences with the translation below.

1. I invited a friend to my house last night.
2. Robert visited a friend in Cuba.
3. Mother prepared dinner last night.
4. The president accepted the invitation.
5. I finished the composition for the class.
6. Mary studied the lesson this morning.
7. Robert had dinner in a restaurant.
8. The doctor took an aspirin.
9. I used the vocabulary in the class.
10. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
11. Don Ameche didn’t invent the telephone.
12. Marconi invented the radio.
13. I copied the lesson last night.
14. The professor had a Pepsi Cola.
15. The agent imported perfume from France.
16. My mother visited a friend in the hospital.
17. I had asparagus.
18. I parked my car.
19. My father recommended your friend.
20. The general entered the capital.
21. The minister prepared the sermon for the congregation.
22. My client imported coffee from Costa Rica.
23. I toasted the bread for the sandwiches.
24. John went into the hotel and greeted his friend.
25. The mechanic lubricated the automobile in the garage.
26. My friend cultivated coffee on the ranch.
27. The group presented a drama.
28. The professor congratulated the student.
29. Did you vote this morning?
30. The doctor cured the patient.
31. I deposited money in the bank this morning.
32. Did you copy the composition?
33. Did you study the lesson for the class?
34. Did you accept the invitation?
35. My father invited John to the movies.
36. John accepted the invitation.
37. Edison invented the phonograph.

Now, if you feel ambitious and want to try your hand at a more difficult task, translate the English sentences back into Spanish. I will say to you what the señorita said when Pedro told her he loved her so much that he would swim the Atlantic for her. She said, “Eef you can do eet, I kees you!”

You have learned forty new verbs in this lesson. Use them and enjoy them. You will find that you can make up hundreds of sentences with them.

Use the following nouns to fill in the blanks in the sentences below:

  1. aceptó la invitación.

(accepted the invitation)

  2. tomó la cena en el club.

(had dinner at the club)

  3. depositó dinero en el banco.

(deposited money in the bank)

  4. visitó a un amigo.

(visited a friend)

  5. invitó a Roberto a la fiesta.

(invited Robert to the party)

Lección Número Siete

los sombreros

Category XII

You can convert some English words that end in “ce” into Spanish words by changing “ce” to “cia.”

CE = CIA

the distance = la distancia

Category XIII

You can convert some English words that end in “cy” into Spanish words by changing the “cy” to “cia.”

CY = CIA

the agency =la agencia

WORDS TO REMEMBER

del, of the, from the, about the (contraction of “de el”)
con, with (chile con carne, pepper with meat)

  HABLÉ, I talked                      
  NO HABLÉ, I didn’t talk           
¿ HABLÓ USTED? Did you talk?

hablé con, I talked with

Hablé por teléfono. I talked on the phone, I called up.

Maria habló. Mary talked.

hable de, I talked about

Remember that when you ask a question the verb goes before the noun.

EXAMPLES:

¿ Habló María? Did Mary talk?

¿ Aceptó María? Did Mary accept?

¿ Habló usted por teléfono? Did you talk on the phone? Did you call up?

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Habló usted por teléfono esta mañana?

Sí, esta mañana hablé por teléfono con María.

¿ Invitó usted a María a su casa?

Sí, invité a María a mi casa.

¿ Aceptó María la invitación?

Sí, María aceptó la invitación.

¿ Tomó María la cena en su casa?

Sí, María tomó la cena en mi casa.

¿ Qué tomó María?

María tomó un coctel de frutas, sopa, papas, espárragos y una ensalada.

¿ Tomó María carne?

Sí, María tomó rosbif.

¿ Tomó María café?

Sí, María tomó café con crema.

¿ Tomó usted chocolate?

No, no tomé chocolate, tomé café con crema.

¿ Habló usted con María durante la cena?

Sí, hablé mucho con María durante la cena.

¿ Habló usted del teatro con María?

Sí, hablé del teatro con María.

¿ Habló María de su (her) permanente?

Sí, María habló de su permanente y de su sombrero.

¿ Habló María con su mamá?

Sí, María, habló con mi mamá y con mi papá.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

Combine the phrases in Column 1 and Column 2 to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

1	2
Hablé (I talked)	por teléfono
No hablé (I didn’t talk)	con María
¿ Habló usted? (Did you talk?)	con el doctor
María habló (Mary talked)	con Juan
Roberto habló (Robert talked)	con Alberto
El doctor habló (The doctor talked)	de la clase
¿ Habló María (Did Mary talk?)	de México
¿ Habló Roberto (Did Robert talk?)	del accidente
¿ Habló el doctor	del teatro
¿ Habló mamá	en la clase
	esta mañana

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. The above columns can be used as a translation guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. I talked with Mary this morning.
2. I talked about Mexico in the class.
3. I didn’t talk with the doctor.
4. Mary talked with John.
5. The doctor called up. (The doctor talked on the phone.)
6. Robert called up. (Robert talked on the phone.)
7. The doctor talked about the accident.
8. Robert talked about the theater.
9. Did you talk with the doctor?
10. Did you talk about Mexico in the class?
11. Did you talk about the theater?
12. Did you call up? (Did you talk on the phone?)
13. Did mother talk with the doctor?
14. Did Robert talk in the class this morning?
15. Did Mary talk about the theater?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Hablé con María esta mañana.
2. Hablé de México en la clase.
3. No hablé con el doctor.
4. María habló con Juan.
5. El doctor habló por teléfono.
6. Roberto habló por teléfono.
7. El doctor habló del accidente.
8. Roberto habló del teatro.
9. ¿ Habló usted con el doctor?
10. ¿ Habló usted de México en la clase?
11. ¿ Habló usted del teatro?
12. ¿ Habló usted por teléfono?
13. ¿ Habló mamá con el doctor?
14. ¿ Habló Roberto en la clase esta mañana?
15. ¿ Habló María del teatro?

Use the following nouns to fill in the blanks in the sentences below:

  1. Hablé con
 (I talked with)

  2.
Roberto habló con (Robert talked with)

  3. Hablé por teléfono con
 (I called up)

4. El doctor habló por teléfono con
 (The doctor called up)

REMINDER CARD 5

Hablé	por teléfono
(I talked)	con Roberto
	con María
¿ Habló usted?	con su mamá
(Did you talk?)	de México
	de la clase
No hablé	del cine
(I didn’t talk)	del teatro
	en la clase
	mucho (much, a lot)

Copy the above material onto a card. Carry the card with you and glance at it whenever you get a chance.

Category XII

Remember that you can convert some English words that end in “ce” into Spanish words by changing the “ce” to “cia.” These words are feminine and take the articles “la” (the) and “una” (a, an).

CE = CIA

the distance = la distancia

A few words that end in “ce” in English are masculine in Spanish.

Category XIII

Remember that you can convert some English words that end in “cy” into Spanish words by changing the “cy” to “cia.” These words are feminine and take the articles “la” (the) and “una” (a, an).

CY = CIA

the agency = la agencia

Another basic difference in spelling between Spanish and English: when an English word begins with “s” and is followed by a consonant you must put an “e” before the “s” in Spanish.

SP = ESP

Lección Número Ocho

el fonógrafo

he best way to learn Spanish is through large concepts and ideas, not through memorizing little isolated words. One idea well established in your mind will give you two hundred verbs forever. And every time you use one of these two hundred verbs you become more automatic in the use of the other hundred ninety-nine!

Memorizing is dull and ineffectual. When you learn twenty verbs by rote you are apt to forget most of them and be bored by all of them. You are annoyed by the fact that you have to sit down and toil over them, and they become your enemies. But when you invent a verb it is your creation; you have made it, and you will always like it.

You are probably saying, “How can I invent a verb? Where do I start?”

Start with words that end in “tion” in English.

  1. invitation

  2. preparation

  3. co-operation

  4. imitation

  5. continuation

  6. recitation

Convert them into Spanish nouns by changing “t” to “c” as you learned in Lesson 2.

  1. invitación

  2. preparación

  3. cooperación

  4. imitación

  5. continuación

  6. recitación

Then remove “ación.”

  1. invit — ación

  2. prepar — ación

  3. cooper — ación

  4. imit — ación

  5. continu — ación

  6. recit — ación

Add “é” for me, “ó” for anybody else (third man).

  1. invité,         invitó

  2. preparé,      preparó

  3. cooperé,      cooperó

  4. imité,          imitó

  5. continué,     continuó

  6. recité,         recitó

Never let a word lie fallow in your mind. The minute you have learned it, try to use it. The mental process of using the word makes it stay with you. Now, let’s take the above words and put them into sentences.

Translate into Spanish:

  1. I invited Mary to the party.

  2. I prepared dinner last night.

  3. The general co-operated with the president.

  4. The monkey imitated Mary.

  5. Robert recited a poem (un poema) in the class.

Check your sentences with those below to see if they are correct.

  1. Invité a María a la fiesta.

  2. Preparé la cena anoche.

  3. El general cooperó con el presidente.

  4. El mono imitó a María.

  5. Roberto recitó un poema en la clase.

EXERCISE IN WRITING

Following is a list of nouns converted into verbs.

1. Use a sheet of lined paper that has been divided into three columns, and cover up all but the first (left-hand) column below.
2. Drop “ación” from each noun in the first column.
3. Add “é” for me (as in the second column below), and write the verb in the first column of your sheet.
4. Add “ó” for anybody else, writing the verb in the second column of your sheet.
5. Then translate the verb into English.
6. Now check your three columns with the three right-hand columns below.

NOUNS CONVERTED INTO VERBS PAST TENSE (PRETERITE)

NOUNS	FIRST PERSON	THIRD MAN
la acumulación	acumulé	acumuló	accumulated
la acusación	acusé	acusó	accused
la administración	administré	administró	administrated
la admiración	admiré	admiró	admired
la adoración	adoré	adoró	adored
la afirmación	afirmé	afirmó	affirmed
la agitación	agité	agitó	agitated
la animación	animé	animó	animated
la anticipación	anticipé	anticipó	anticipated
la apreciación	aprecié	apreció	appreciated
la aproximación	aproximé	aproximó	approximated
la asociación	asocié	asoció	associated
la aspiración	aspiré	aspiró	aspired
la calculación	calculé	calculó	calculated
la celebración	celebré	celebró	celebrated
la circulación	circulé	circuló	circulated
la coagulación	coagulé	coaguló	coagulated
la colaboración	colaboré	colaboró	collaborated
la combinación	combiné	combinó	combined
la compensación	compensé	compensó	compensated
la compilación	compilé	compiló	compiled
la concentración	concentré	concentró	concentrated
la condensación	condensé	condensó	condensed
la confirmación	confirmé	confirmó	confirmed
la congratulación	congratulé	congratuló	congratulated
la conservación	conservé	conservó	conserved
la consideración	consideré	consideró	considered
la consolación	consolé	consoló	consoled
la consolidación	consolidé	consolidó	consolidated
la contaminación	contaminé	contaminó	contaminated
la contemplación	contemplé	contempló	contemplated
la continuación	continué	continuó	continued
la conversación	conversé	conversó	conversed
la cooperación	cooperé	cooperó	co-operated
la coordinación	coordiné	coordinó	co-ordinated
la culminación	culminé	culminó	culminated
la cultivación	cultivé	cu vó	cultivated
la declaración	declaré	declaró	declared
la decoración	decoré	decoró	decorated
la deliberación	deliberé	deliberó	deliberated
la denunciación	denuncié	denunció	denounced
la deterioración	deterioré	deterioró	deteriorated
la determinación	determiné	determinó	determined
la detestación	detesté	detestó	detested
la dominación	dominé	dominó	dominated
la estimulación	estimulé	estimuló	stimulated
la estrangulación	estrangulé	estranguló	strangled
la evaporación	evaporé	evaporó	evaporated
la exageración	exageré	exageró	exaggerated
la exasperación	exasperé	exasperó	exasperated
la excavación	excavé	excavó	excavated
la excitación	excité	excitó	excited
la exclamación	exclamé	exclamó	exclaimed
la experimentación	experimenté	experimentó	experimented
la exploración	exploré	exploró	explored
la exportación	exporté	exportó	exported
la exterminación	exterminé	exterminó	exterminated
la fascinación	fasciné	fascinó	fascinated
la fermentación	fermenté	fermentó	fermented
la fluctuación	fluctué	fluctuó	fluctuated
la formación	formé	formó	formed
la formulación	formulé	formuló	formulated
la graduación	gradué	graduó	graduated
la imaginación	imaginé	imaginó	imagined
la imitación	imité	imitó	imitated
la imploración	imploré	imploró	implored
la improvisación	improvisé	improvisó	improvised
la inauguración	inauguré	inauguró	inaugurated
la inflación	inflé	infló	inflated
la información	informé	informó	informed
la initiación	inicié	inició	initiated
la inoculación	inoculé	inoculó	inoculated
la insinuación	insinué	insinuó	insinuated
la inspiración	inspiré	inspiró	inspired
la instalación	instalé	instaló	installed
la interpretación	interpreté	interpretó	interpreted
la invitación	invité	invitó	invited
la irritación	irrité	irritó	irritated
la laceración	laceré	laceró	lacerated
la lamentación	lamenté	lamentó	lamented
la limitación	limité	limitó	limited
la manifestación	manifesté	manifestó	manifested
la manipulación	manipulé	manipuló	manipulated
la matriculación	matriculé	matriculó	matriculated
la meditación	medité	meditó	meditated
la observación	observé	observó	observed
la ocupación	ocupé	ocupó	occupied
la operación	operé	operó	operated
la orientación	orienté	orientó	oriented
la participación	participé	participó	participated
la penetración	penetré	penetró	penetrated
la perforación	perforé	perforó	perforated
la precipitación	precipité	precipitó	precipitated
la predominación	predominé	predominó	predominated
la premeditación	premedité	premeditó	premeditated
la preocupación	preocupé	preocupó	worried (preoccupied)
la preparación	preparé	preparó	prepared
la presentación	presenté	presentó	presented
la preservación	preservé	preservó	preserved
la proclamación	proclamé	proclamó	proclaimed
la protestación	protesté	protestó	protested
la recitación	recité	recitó	recited
la reclamación	reclamé	reclamó	reclaimed
la recomendación	recomendé	recomendó	recommended
la recuperación	recuperé	recuperó	recuperated
la reformación	reformé	reformó	reformed
la regeneración	regeneré	regeneró	regenerated
la registración	registré	registró	registered
la reparación	reparé	reparó	repaired
la representación	representé	representó	represented
la salvación	salvé	salvó	saved
la saturación	saturé	saturó	saturated
la separación	separé	separó	separated
la situación	situé	situó	situated
la toleración	toleré	toleró	tolerated
la transformación	transformé	transformó	transformed
la transportación	transporté	transportó	transported
la vacilación	vacilé	vacuó	vacillated
la variación	varié	varió	varied
la ventilación	ventilé	ventiló	ventilated
la vibración	vibré	vibró	vibrated

Now that you know the technique of changing “ación” nouns into verbs you are ready to begin working with speed. You can get the most advantage out of these verbs if you learn to form them in the flick of an eyelash.

The best way to learn to change these nouns into verbs quickly is to look at the noun, remove “ación,” and add the letter “é” in one quick mental process. Do not read the noun aloud. Just look at it, change it as quickly as you can, and repeat the verb aloud. As you read the list of nouns, change each into a verb as quickly as you can. You will find that by the time you have reached the end of the list you can change a noun into a verb in a split second.

FORMING QUESTIONS

Cover the right-hand column and translate the expressions on the left.

1. Did you vote?	¿ Votó usted?
2. Did you continue?	¿ Continuó usted?
3. Did you co-operate?	¿ Cooperó usted?
4. Did you exaggerate?	¿ Exageró usted?
5. Did you exclaim?	¿ Exclamó usted?
6. Did you participate?	¿ Participó usted?
7. Did you protest?	¿ Protestó usted?
8. Did you recite?	¿ Recitó usted?
9. Did you go in?	¿ Entró usted?
10. Did Robert vote?	¿ Votó Roberto?
11. Did Robert co-operate?	¿ Cooperó Roberto?
12. Did Robert protest?	¿ Protestó Roberto?
13. Did Mary recite?	¿ Recitó María?
14. Did Mary go in?	¿ Entró María?
15. Did the doctor co-operate?	¿ Cooperó el doctor?
16. Did the doctor go in?	¿ Entró el doctor?
17. Did the doctor come in?	¿ Entró el doctor?
18. Did Albert come in?	¿ Entró Alberto?
19. Did Albert go in?	¿ Entró Alberto?
20. Did the general co-operate?	¿ Cooperó el general?
21. Did Robert install the radio?	¿ Instaló Roberto el radio?

WORDS TO REMEMBER

ESTACIONE	ESTACIONÓ, parked (car)
ENTRÉ	ENTRÓ, went in, came in
DEPOSITÉ	DEPOSITÓ, deposited
INSTALÉ	INSTALÓ, installed, set up
PREOCUPÉ	PREOCUPÓ, worried

¿ Quien entró? Who came in?

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Dónde estacionó usted su automóvil? (Where did you park your car?)

Estacioné mi auto en frente del banco.

¿ Entró usted en el banco?

Sí, entré en el banco.

¿ Depositó usted dinero en el banco?

Sí, deposité dinero en el banco.

¿ Quién habló por teléfono esta mañana?

Roberto habló por teléfono esta mañana.

¿ Invitó usted a Roberto a su casa?

Sí, invité a Roberto a mi casa.

¿ Dónde estacionó Roberto su auto?

Roberto estacionó su auto en frente de mi casa.

¿ Entró Roberto a su casa?

Sí, Roberto entró a mi casa.

¿ Quién instaló el radio en su casa?

Roberto instaló el radio en mi casa.

¿ Instaló Roberto la antena para el radio?

Sí, Roberto instaló la antena para el radio.

¿ Instaló Roberto el fonógrafo?

Sí, Roberto instaló una combinación radio fonógrafo.

¿ Inventó Roberto el radio?

Ay no, eso es ridículo. Roberto no inventó el radio.

¿ Quién inventó el radio?

Marconi inventó el radio.

¿ Tomó Roberto la cena en su casa?

Sí, Roberto tomó la cena en mi casa.

¿ Qué tomó Roberto para la cena?

Roberto tomó un coctel de frutas, sopa, rosbif, espárragos y una ensalada.

¿ Tomó Roberto café?

Sí, Roberto tomó café con crema.

¿ Quién preparó la cena?

Mamá preparó la cena.

¿ Quién preocupó a mamá?

Roberto preocupó a mamá.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISES

Combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the three columns in every sentence you form.

A

These verbs are followed by persons, so the personal “a” is required. Notice the personal “a” before each person in the third column.

1	2	3
¿ Quién (who)	recomendó	a Juan
Roberto	visitó	a mi padre
María	invitó	a Roberto
El doctor	operó	al paciente
El paciente	preocupó (worried)	al doctor
El conductor	acusó	al criminal
El general	salvó (saved)	a su amigo

B

These verbs are not followed by persons and therefore do not require the personal “a.”

1	2	3
El novelista	acumuló	una fortuna
Roberto	depositó	el dinero en el banco
El presidente	inauguró	el monumento
María	estudió	la lección
¿ Quién	instaló	el fonógrafo
El estudiante	usó	el vocabulario
Alberto	terminó (finished)	la composición
Mi mamá	preparó	la cena
El doctor	estacionó	el auto
Juan	copió (copied)	el vocabulario
Mi papá	tomó	una ensalada
El dentista	habló	por teléfono

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written all the sentences check with the correct translations given below this exercise.

1. Robert visited my father.
2. Mary invited your friend.
3. The patient worried the doctor.
4. The general saved his friend.
5. Who invited John?
6. Who recommended John?
7. Who invited Robert?
8. The novelist accumulated a fortune.
9. Mary deposited the money in the bank.
10. The student used the vocabulary.
11. Albert finished the composition.
12. My mother prepared the dinner.
13. John parked the car.
14. My father called up (talked on the phone).
15. Who installed the phonograph?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Roberto visitó a mi padre (a mi papá).
2. María invitó a su amigo.
3. El paciente preocupó al doctor.
4. El general salvó a su amigo.
5. ¿ Quién invitó a Juan?
6. ¿ Quién recomendó a Juan?
7. ¿ Quién invitó a Roberto?
8. El novelista acumuló una fortuna.
9. María depositó el dinero en el banco.
10. El estudiante usó el vocabulario.
11. Alberto terminó la composición.
12. Mi mamá preparó la cena.
13. Juan estacionó el auto.
14. Mi papá habló por teléfono.
15. ¿ Quién instaló el fonógrafo?

Lección Número Nueve

el diablo

here are two verbs in Spanish that mean is: “es” and “está.” “ESTÁ” IS USED TO SAY WHERE THINGS ARE OR TO ASK WHERE THINGS ARE.

DÓNDE (where)

¿ Dónde está María? Where is Mary?

¿ Dónde está la estación? Where is the station?

Mi papá está en Cuba. My father is in Cuba.

“ESTÁ” IS ALSO USED TO SAY HOW PEOPLE ARE OR TO ASK HOW PEOPLE ARE.

CÓMO (how)

¿ Cómo está su mamá? How is your mother?

¿ Cómo está usted? How are you?

Mi papá está bien. My father is well.

Mi mamá está muy bien. My mother is very well.

Let’s reduce this to a short rule: “Dónde” (where) and “cómo” (how) take “está.”

The following dialogue is repeated millions of times every day in the Spanish-speaking world.

—¿ Cómo está usted? How are you?

—¿ Bien, gracias, y usted? Well, thank you, and you?

—Muy bien, gracias. Very well, thank you.

WORDS TO REMEMBER

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Cómo está usted?

Bien, gracias, y usted?

Muy bien, gracias.

¿ Cómo está su mamá?

Mamá está muy bien, gracias.

¿ Cómo está su papá?

Papá está bien, gracias.

¿ Cómo está Roberto?

Roberto está muy bien, gracias.

¿ Dónde está Roberto?

Roberto está en el club de tenis.

¿ Dónde está su mamá?

Mamá está en casa.

¿ Dónde está su papá?

Papá está en la oficina.

¿ Dónde está la crema?

La crema está en el refrigerador.

¿ Dónde está el conductor?

El conductor está en el tren.

¿ Dónde está el presidente?

El presidente está en la Casa Bianca.

¿ Dónde está el doctor?

El doctor está en su oficina.

¿ Dónde está el diablo?

El diablo está en el infierno.

¿ Es Roberto un diablo?

Ay no, Roberto no es un diablo. Roberto es terrible, pero no es un diablo.

¿ Es un ángel Roberto? Ay no, Roberto no es un ángel.

¿ Qué es Roberto? Roberto es un hombre.

¿ Es María un hombre?

Ay no, eso es ridículo, María no es un hombre, María es una mujer.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISES

Combine the words in the columns below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

A

1.		2.
¿ Dónde está (Where is?)		el restaurante?
		la estación?
		el banco?
		el hospital?
		el auto?
		el dinero?
		el teléfono?
		su papá?
		su mamá?
		su sombrero?
		la crema?

B

1	2	3
El doctor	está (is)	en el hotel
El mecánico	no está (isn’t)	en el garage
El teléfono		en la oficina
El profesor		en casa
El tren		en el club
Su sombrero		en la estación
El dinero		en el sofá
La crema		en el banco
Roberto		en el refrigerador

C

1		2
¿ Cómo está (How is, how are you?)		su mamá?
		su papá?
		usted?
		Roberto?
		el profesor?
		su amigo?

D

1	2	3
Mi amigo	está (is)	bien
El paciente	no está (isn’t)	bien, gracias
El doctor		muy bien, gracias
El profesor		mejor (better)
Mi papá		mejor, gracias
Mi mamá

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. After you have written out all the sentences check with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. Where is the station?
2. Where is the bank?
3. Where is the telephone?
4. Where is your father?
5. Where is the car?
6. The mechanic is in the garage.
7. The money is in the bank.
8. The train is in the station.
9. Your hat is on the sofa.
10. The cream is in the refrigerator.
11. How are you?
12. How is your mother?
13. My mother is well, thank you.
14. The patient is better.
15. My father is better, thank you.

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. ¿ Dónde está la estación?
2. ¿ Dónde está el banco?
3. ¿ Dónde está el teléfono?
4. ¿ Dónde está su papá?
5. ¿ Dónde está el auto?
6. El mecánico está en el garage.
7. El dinero está en el banco.
8. El tren está en la estación.
9. Su sombrero está en el sofá.
10. La crema está en el refrigerador.
11. ¿ Cómo está usted?
12. ¿ Cómo está su mamá?
13. Mi mamá está bien, gracias.
14. El paciente está mejor.
15. Mi papá está mejor, gracias.

NOTE: Pronouns are frequently dropped in Spanish. People often drop the “usted” in “¿ Cómo está usted?” and simply say, “¿ Cómo está?” This means “How are you?” and is absolutely complete and correct.

“Está” is a third man form and is used with anybody but yourself.

Está bien.

You are well.

He is well.

She is well.

It’s O.K.

It’s fine.

It’s all right.

¿ Está bien?

Are you well?

Is he well?

Is she well?

Is it O.K.?

No está.

You aren’t here.

He isn’t here.

She isn’t here.

It isn’t here.

You don’t need to say the word “here” in Spanish. You can just say, “No está.”

Está en casa.

You’re at home.

He’s at home.

She’s at home.

REMINDER CARD 6

¿ Dónde está (Where is)	el banco? su papá? Roberto? la crema? el dinero? mi sombrero? la estación? el teléfono?
¿ Cómo está (How are you, how is?)	usted? Roberto? su mamá? su papá?
Bien, gracias (Well, thank you)

Copy the above material onto a card. Carry the card with you and glance at it whenever you get a chance.

Lección Número Diez

las frutas

emember that you can convert many English words that end in “ce” into Spanish if you change the “ce” to “cia.”

CE = CIA

You can convert many English words that end in “cy” into Spanish if you change the “cy” to “cia.”

CY = CIA

CATEGORY XIV

Some words that end in “ine” in English end in “ina” in Spanish.

INE = INA

the sardine = la sardina

WORDS TO REMEMBER

la semana pasada, last week (literally, the week past)

COMPRÉ, I bought
NO COMPRÉ, I didn’t buy
3 ¿ COMPRÓ USTED? did you buy?

¿ Dónde compró usted? Where did you buy?

¿ Cuándo compró usted? When did you buy?

¿ Qué compró usted? What did you buy?

¿ Qué compró Alicia? What did Alice buy?

¿ Qué compró su mamá? What did your mother buy?

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Compró listed una ambulancia?

Ay no, eso es ridículo, no compré una ambulancia. Compré un automóvil.

¿ Dondé compró usted el auto?

Compré el auto en la agencia de automóviles.

¿ Cuándo compró usted el auto?

Compré el auto la semana pasada.

¿ Qué compró Alicia en Francia?

Alicia compró perfume en Francia.

¿ Es París la capital de Francia?

Sí, París es la capital de Francia.

¿ Compró Alicia un sombrero en París?

Sí, Alicia compró un sombrero en París.

¿ Es bonito el sombrero?

Sí, el sombrero es muy bonito.

¿ Es elegante el sombrero?

Sí, el sombrero es muy elegante.

¿ Compró usted un sombrero la semana pasada?

Sí, compré un sombrero la semana pasada.

¿ Compró usted una blusa la semana pasada?

Sí, compré una blusa la semana pasada.

¿ Dónde compró usted la blusa?

Compré la blusa en una tienda.

¿ Qué compró su mamá esta mañana?

Mamá compró un suéter para mi papá esta mañana.

¿ Dónde compró su mamá el suéter?

Mamá compró el suéter en la tienda.

¿ Qué compró Marta está mañana?

Marta compró carne, pan, café, espárragos, y chocolate esta mañana.

¿ Qué compró Alicia esta tarde?

Alicia compró frutas esta tarde.

¿ Compró usted chocolates para su mamá?

Sí, compré chocolates para mi mamá.

¿ Qué compró usted en la farmacia?

Compré alcohol en la farmacia.

¿ Compró usted aspirinas en la farmacia?

Sí, compré aspirinas en la farmacia.

¿ Qué compró el doctor?

El doctor compró rosas para una señorita.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISES

Combine the words in the columns below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Again, be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

A

1	2	3
¿ Compró usted (Did you buy?)	carne	en una tienda
	pan	para mi mamá
No compré (I didn’t buy)	café	para mi papá
	espárragos	para su mamá
Compré (I bought)	chocolate	para su papá
Compró Roberto (Did Robert buy?)	chocolates	para Marta
	aspirinas	en Francia
¿ Compró Marta	alcohol	la semana pasada
¿ Compró su mamá	un sombrero	esta mañana
¿ Compró Alicia	una blusa	esta tarde
Alicia compró	el auto	esta noche
Alicia no compró	perfume	en París
Marta compró	frutas	en la agencia de automóviles
Marta no compró	un suéter
	rosas

B

1	2
¿ Qué compró Alicia (What did Alice buy?)	en la tienda?
¿ Qué compró usted (What did you buy?)	en París?
¿ Qué compró Roberto	esta mañana?
¿ Qué compró Marta	esta tarde?
¿ Qué compró su papá	en la farmacia?

C

1	2
¿ Cuándo compró usted	la casa
(When did you buy?)	el auto
	el tractor
¿ Cuandó compró Marta	el suéter
(When did Martha buy?)	la blusa

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. Check your sentences with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. Did you buy a blouse this morning?
2. Did you buy the car in the automobile agency?
3. Did you buy perfume in Paris?
4. Did you buy the car last week?
5. Did you buy chocolates for your mother?
6. Did you buy a sweater for your father?
7. I bought a hat this morning.
8. Did Martha buy a hat in Paris?
9. Alice didn’t buy bread this morning.
10. What did Martha buy in the store?
11. What did Robert buy in the drugstore?
12. What did your father buy this afternoon?
13. When did you buy the house?
14. When did you buy the car?
15. When did Martha buy the blouse?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. ¿ Compró usted una blusa esta mañana?
2. ¿ Compró usted el auto en la agencia de automóviles?
3. ¿ Compró usted perfume en París?
4. ¿ Compró usted el auto la semana pasada?
5. ¿ Compró usted chocolates para su mamá?
6. ¿ Compró usted un suéter para su papá?
7. Compré un sombrero esta mañana.
8. ¿ Compró Marta un sombrero en París?
9. Alicia no compró pan esta mañana.
10. ¿ Qué compró Marta en la tienda?
11. ¿ Qué compró Roberto en la farmacia?
12. ¿ Qué compró su papá esta tarde?
13. ¿ Cuándo compró usted la casa?
14. ¿ Cuándo compró usted el auto?
15. ¿ Cuándo compró Marta la blusa?

CATEGORY XIV

Some words that end in “in” or “ine” in English end in “ina” in Spanish.

IN = INA
INE = INA

the medicine = la medicina

REMINDER CARD 7

¿ Qué compró usted	esta mañana?
(What did you buy?)	esta tarde?
¿ Qué compró María	en la farmacia?
(What did Mary buy?)	en la tienda?

¿ Dónde compró usted	la casa?
(Where did you buy?)	el auto?
	el tractor?
¿ Cuándo compró usted	la blusa?
(When did you buy?)	el sombrero?

EXTRA WORDS

Lección Número Once

el tren

isitar” means “to visit” and is the infinitive of the verb. It is called the infinitive because it is infinite; it doesn’t say who visited or when anyone visited. It goes on forever with no person or time attached to it.

You can form the infinitive of all the verbs you have learned thus far by removing the “é” of the past tense, first person and adding “ar.”

EXAMPLES:

The infinitive is a very handy form of the verb because in combination with “Voy a” (I’m going to) it expresses future action.

EXAMPLES:

(Here you use “estar” because you say WHERE you’re going tobe.)

“Va a” means:

EXAMPLES:

¿ Va a San Francisco?	Are you going to San Francisco?
¿ Va a Cuba?	Are you going to Cuba?
¿ Va a la clase?	Are you going to the class?
¿ Va a comprar una casa?	Are you going to buy a house?
¿ Va a visitar a María?	Are you going to visit Mary?

QUESTIONS	ANSWERS
¿ Va a tomar el tren? (Are you going to take the train?)	Sí, voy a tomar el tren. (Yes, I’m going to take the train.)
¿ Va a estudiar? (Are you going to study?)	Sí, voy a estudiar. (Yes, I’m going to study.)
¿ Va a terminar? (Are you going to finish?)	Sí, voy a terminar. (Yes, I’m going to finish.)
¿ Va a estar en Cuba manana? (Are you going to be in Cuba tomorrow?)	Sí, voy a estar en Cuba mañana. (Yes, I’m going to be in Cuba tomorrow.)
¿ Va al cine? (Are you going to the movies?)	Sí, voy al cine. (Yes, I’m going to the movies.)

WORDS TO REMEMBER

BESÉ,	I kissed
NO BESÉ,	I didn’t kiss
BESÓ,	you, he, she kissed
VOY A,	I’m going to
NO VOY A,	I’m not going to
VA A,

“Va a estudiar” means:

Don’t forget that the third man form stands for everybody (singular) in the world except yourself.

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Va a visitar a María en San Francisco? (Are you going to visit Mary in San Francisco?)

Sí, voy a visitar a María en San Francisco.

¿ Va a San Francisco en avión? (Are you going to San Francisco by plane?)

No, no voy a San Francisco en avión.

¿ Va a San Francisco en tren?

Sí, voy a San Francisco en tren.

¿ Va a comprar un boleto?

Sí, voy a comprar un boleto.

¿ Dónde va a comprar el boleto?

Voy a comprar el boleto en la estación.

¿ Dónde va a tomar el tren?

Voy a tomar el tren en la estación.

¿ Quién va a tomar su boleto en el tren?

El conductor va a tomar mi boleto en el tren.

¿ Va a hablar con el conductor?

Sí, voy a hablar con el conductor.

¿ Va a besar al conductor?

Ay no, eso es ridículo, no voy a besar al conductor.

¿ Va a tomar la cena en el tren?

Sí, voy a tomar la cena en el tren.

¿ Va a hablar con una señorita en el tren?

Sí, probablemente voy a hablar con una señorita en el tren.

¿ Va a estudiar en el tren?

Sí, voy a estudiar en el tren.

¿ Va a terminar la composición para la clase en el tren?

Sí, voy a terminar la composición para la clase en el tren.

¿ Va a besar a María en la estación en San Francisco?

Sí, voy a besar a María en la estación.

¿ Va a estacionar su auto en frente de la casa de María?

No, no voy a estacionar mi auto en frente de la casa de María. Mi auto no está en San Francisco.

¿ Dónde está su auto?

Mi auto está en casa.

¿ Va a tomar un taxi en frente de la estación con María?

Sí, voy a tomar un taxi en frente de la estación con María.

¿ Va a fotografiar a María?

Sí, voy a fotografiar a Maríacon mi cámara.

¿ Va a invitar a María al cine en San Francisco?

Sí, voy a invitar a María al cine.

¿ Va a comprar los boletos para el cine?

Sí, naturalmente, voy a comprar los boletos para el cine.

¿ Va a estar en San Francisco mañana?

No, no voy a estar en San Francisco mañana.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISE

Combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

1	2	3	4
Voy a (I’m going to)	estudiar terminar estar (to be) estacionar	la lección la composición en casa (at home)	está tarde mañana esta mañana esta noche
¿ Va a (Are you going to?)	hablar con comprar besar a fotografiar a visitar a invitar a tomar Cuba la clase	su auto el doctor un sombrero María Roberto su mamá Alicia la cena un taxi el tren	a la fiesta (to the party)

EXERCISE IN TRANSLATION

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. Check your sentences with the correct translations below this exercise.

1. I’m going to take a taxi.
2. I’m going to buy a car.
3. I’m going to visit Mary tonight.
4. I’m going to buy a hat this afternoon.
5. I’m going to be at home this morning.
6. I’m going to study the lesson this afternoon.
7. I’m going to invite Alice to the party.
8. Are you going to finish the composition?
9. Are you going to Cuba?
10. Are you going to the class?
11. Are you going to be at home tonight?
12. Are you going to park your car?

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. Voy a tomar un taxi.
2. Voy a comprar un auto.
3. Voy a visitar a María esta noche.
4. Voy a comprar un sombrero esta tarde.
5. Voy a estar en casa esta mañana.
6. Voy a estudiar la lección está tarde.
7. Voy a invitar a Alicia a la fiesta.
8. ¿ Va a terminar la composición?
9. ¿ Va a Cuba?
10. ¿ Va a la clase?
11. ¿ Va a estar en casa esta noche?
12. ¿ Va a estacionar su auto?

CATEGORY XV

You can convert many English words that end in “ive” into Spanish by changing the “ive” to “ivo.”

IVE = IVO
active = activo
the explosive = el explosivo

POR is used with communications and time.

PARA is used with people and occasions.

REMINDER CARD 8

Voy a	comprar	una casa
(I’m going to)	visitar a	María
	estar (to be)	en casa
¿ Va a	estudiar	la lección
(Are you going to?)	Cuba	esta noche
	la clase	mañana
Va a	tomar	la cena
(You are going to)		un taxi
		el avión
		el tren

Test Your Progress

ow that you have completed eleven lessons this is a good place to pause and see what you have learned. The following test is chosen from the categories of words that you should know at this point. Let’s see how well you have learned them.

TEST I

Fill in the blanks with the Spanish equivalents of the following English words. You should be able to complete this test in fifteen minutes.

1. the actor
   
2. natural
   
3. the president
   
4. the favor
   
5. elastic
   
6. probable
   
7. the restaurant
   
8. artistic
   
9. the cable
   
10. superior
    
11. the doctor
    
12. important
    
13. urgent
    
14. the client
    
15. personal
    
16. the license
    
17. the aspirin
    
18. descriptive
    
19. curiosity
    
20. the situation
    
21. delicious
    
22. flexible
    
23. the agency
    
24. attractive
    
25. the sardine
    
26. terrible
    
27. the dentist
    
28. generous
    
29. the invitation
    
30. insignificant
    
31. the optimist
    
32. famous
    
33. the action
    
34. the pianist
    
35. meticulous
    
36. the university
    
37. the tractor
    
38. prosperity
    
39. the telegram
    
40. the production
    
41. the distance
    
42. the medicine
    
43. television
    
44. the coincidence
    
45. active
    
46. electricity
    
47. the recommendation
    
48. excellent
    
49. the responsibility
    
50. the tendency

That was a fair test. Each word illustrated something you have learned by now if you have read the lessons seriously.

Now check your words with the correct answers below. If you have made no more than six errors you are doing superior work. Continue to read the lessons as carefully as you have before.

If you have not written more than twenty-five words correctly, you are only hitting the high spots. I suggest that you review the categories before you go on to the next lesson.

1. el actor
2. natural
3. el presidente
4. el favor
5. elástico
6. probable
7. el restaurante
8. artístico
9. el cable
10. superior
11. el doctor
12. importante
13. urgente
14. el cliente
15. personal
16. la licencia
17. la aspirina
18. descriptivo
19. curiosidad
20. la situación
21. delicioso
22. flexible
23. la agencia
24. atractivo
25. la sardina
26. terrible
27. el dentista
28. generoso
29. la invitación
30. insignificante
31. el optimista
32. famoso
33. la acción
34. el pianista
35. meticuloso
36. la universidad
37. el tractor
38. prosperidad
39. el telegrama
40. la producción
41. la distancia
42. la medicina
43. televisión
44. la coincidencia
45. activo
46. electricidad
47. la recomendación
48. excelente
49. la responsabilidad
50. la tendencia

TEST II

This test will show you how well you have learned the verbs. Fill in the blanks with the Spanish equivalents of the following English words. You should be able to complete this test in ten minutes.

1. I prepared.
   
2. Did you take?
   
3. I didn’t invite.
   
4. I visited.
   
5. I talked.
   
6. Did you talk?
   
7. Robert talked.
   
8. I bought.
   
9. Did you buy?
   
10. I’m going to invite.
    
11. Are you going to visit?
    
12. I’m going to Cuba.
    
13. I didn’t prepare.
    
14. I invited.
    
15. Robert visited.
    
16. Are you going to buy?
    
17. I’m going to take.
    
18. I’m going to talk.
    
19. Are you going to talk?
    
20. I’m going to study.

This test is not easy. If you have 15 or more correct answers your work is superior. If you have less than 10 correct answers you should review the verbs before you go on to the next lesson.

Check your verbs with the correct answers below.

1. Preparé.
2. ¿ Tomó usted?
3. No invité.
4. Visité.
5. Hablé.
6. ¿ Habló usted?
7. Roberto habló.
8. Compré.
9. ¿ Compró usted?
10. Voy a invitar.
11. ¿ Va a visitar?
12. Voy a Cuba.
13. No preparé.
14. Invité.
15. Roberto visitó.
16. ¿ Va a comprar?
17. Voy a tomar.
18. Voy a hablar.
19. ¿ Va a hablar?
20. Voy a estudiar.

TEST III

The following test will show you how well you can understand Spanish sentences written on the subjects you have learned. Write the English equivalents of the following Spanish sentences. You should be able to complete this test in ten minutes.

1. Es importante.
2. El programa es muy interesante.
3. Preparé la lección esta mañana.
4. Tomé la cena con Roberto anoche.
5. María habló por teléfono.
6. Hablé de México en la clase.
7. ¿ Copió usted la composición?
8. Mi papá estacionó el auto.
9. ¿ Quién habló por teléfono esta mañana?
10. ¿ Quién entró?
11. El paciente preocupó al doctor.
12. ¿ Cómo está usted?
13. Compré una blusa esta mañana.
14. ¿ Qué compró Alicia esta tarde?
15. ¿ Cuándo compró usted la casa?
16. ¿ Dónde está mi sombrero?
17. ¿ Va a estar en Cuba mañana?
18. Voy al cine esta noche.
19. Voy a tomar la cena en el tren.
20. ¿ Quién va a comprar los boletos?

This was an easy test. If you have eighteen or more correct answers you are doing superior work. If you have less than twelve correct answers you are not reading the lessons carefully enough. Try to do better on the next lessons.

Check your sentences with the correct translations below.

1. It’s important.
2. The program is very interesting.
3. I prepared the lesson this morning.
4. I had dinner with Robert last night.
5. Mary called up.
6. I talked about Mexico in the class.
7. Did you copy the composition?
8. My father parked the car (auto).
9. Who called up this morning?
10. Who came in? (Who went in?)
11. The patient worried the doctor.
12. How are you?
13. I bought a blouse this morning.
14. What did Alice buy this afternoon?
15. When did you buy the house?
16. Where is my hat?
17. Are you going to be in Cuba tomorrow? (Is he, she going to be in Cuba tomorrow?)
18. I’m going to the movies tonight.
19. I’m going to have dinner on the train.
20. Who is going to buy the tickets?

Lección Número Doce

la fábrica

a a comprar” is a third man form and means:

In fact, it refers to anybody (singular) in the world except yourself.

When pupils reach this point they often ask, “How do you know who’s going to buy, if it can mean so many different persons?” The answer is that people always know the subject of their conversation. If they are talking about Charles, it obviously means that Charles is going to buy. If they are talking about Mary, it means that Mary is going to buy, and so on.

In Spanish you always establish the subject of conversation and continue to talk in the third man form indefinitely. Everyone knows that if you are talking about Charles, everything you say is about Charles, although you don’t mention him again. Then, when you want to change the subject, you mention somebody else. For example, “Is Mary going to San Francisco too?” This starts a whole conversation about Mary.

One day, one of my pupils asked a Mexican visitor, “How do you know what you’re talking about?” The Mexican smiled and answered, “Señorita, Mexicans always know what they’re talking about, don’t Americans?”

1. ¿ Va a comprar la casa? Are you going to buy the house?
2. ¿ Va a comprar la casa su papá? Is your father going to buy the house?

Notice that the two questions above are identical except that the words “su papá” have been added to the second. This word order is used when asking about a third person in the future.

EXAMPLES:

1. ¿ Va a comprar un sombrero? Are you going to buy a hat?
2. ¿ Va a comprar un sombrero su mamá? Is your mother going to buy a hat?

1. ¿ Va a estacionar el auto? Are you going to park the car?
2. ¿ Va a estacionar el auto Roberto? Is Robert going to park the car?

1. ¿ Va a tomar un taxi? Are you going to take a taxi?
2. ¿ Va a tomar un taxi María? Is Mary going to take a taxi?

WORDS TO REMEMBER

TRABAJAR, to work     TRABAJÉ, I worked
NO TRABAJÉ, I didn’t work
¿ TRABAJÓ USTED? Did you work?

Voy a trabajar. I’m going to work

¿ Va a trabajar Carlos? Is Charles going to work?

CONVERSACIÓN

¿ Va a trabajar mañana?

Sí, voy a trabajar mañana.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar?

Voy a trabajar en la universidad.

¿ Va a trabajar mañana el profesor?

Sí, el profesor va a trabajar mañana.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar el profesor?

El profesor va a trabajar en la universidad.

¿ Va a trabajar mañana su papá?

Sí, papá va a trabajar mañana.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar su papá?

Papá va a trabajar en la oficina.

¿ Va a trabajar está tarde el doctor?

Sí, el doctor va a trabajar esta tarde.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar el doctor?

El doctor va a trabajar en el hospital.

¿ Va a trabajar mañana Carlos?

Sí, Carlos va a trabajar mañana.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar Carlos?

Carlos va a trabajar en la fábrica.

¿ Dónde va a trabajar María?

María va a trabajar en casa.

¿ Va a comprar una casa su papá?

Sí, papá va a comprar una casa.

¿ Va a comprar una casa en San Francisco?

No, no va a comprar una casa en San Francisco.

¿ Dónde va a comprar la casa?

Va a comprar la casa en Santa Barbara.

¿ Cuándo va a comprar la casa?

Va a comprar la casa mañana.

¿ Va a comprar una casa su mamá?

No, no va a comprar una casa.

¿ Qué va a comprar su mamá?

Va a comprar un sombrero y un suéter para papá.

¿ Va a comprar una blusa?

Sí, probablemente va a comprar una blusa.

¿ Va a comprar un radio?

Sí, probablemente va a comprar un radio.

SENTENCE-FORMING EXERCISES

Combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Just be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

A