To Study Spanish, Learn These Fun Language Tips

2012-02-08T04:23:00.001-08:00

You've decided to study Spanish? Great! Learning to speak it a little has many benefits, given there are so many Spanish-speaking cultures in the world. If you take a little time to study it each day, you can have the basics mastered quickly.

When you're gearing up to study Spanish, there are a few basics to learn about it first. One of those "basics" is that it's going to be easier to learn than you're assuming.

Before your know it, you'll be speaking in complete sentences. Really, it's not impossible! To start studying Spanish, just keep in mind these tips and fun facts.

1. Not So Foreign After All

When you study Spanish, you'll learn that Spanish words have their roots in Latin. So do many English words. That's why a word like diferente for "different" looks so familiar.

2. Small World

Many words we commonly use in English were originally Spanish words. The similarities in pronunciation sometimes give them away, but not always. We pronounce the "j" in jalapeno as a Spanish speaker would, but not the "ll" in guerrilla.

3. ¿Have You Seen This?

Spanish writers let you know ahead of time when they have something to ask or shout about. Questions start with an inverted question mark and exclamations follow the same pattern. ¡It's fun!

4. Common Ground

Different countries may pronounce Spanish words differently or have different usage patterns, but don't let that scare you. When you study Spanish, you'll be able to converse comfortably with people from a wide variety of Hispanic cultures.

5. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

You'll notice little things as you study Spanish- literally. Suffixes called diminutives such as -ito and -cito are commonly used to denote small size or affection. Rosita, for example, means "little rose."

6. Vowel, Anyone?

Spanish vowels only have one distinct sound each. The characteristic accent mark over a vowel can mean one of two things. It's either being stressed, or it's there to differentiate between two words that are spelled the same way but have different meanings.

7. Quick Results

While many English-speaking adults still haven't mastered English spelling, it only takes a Spanish-speaking student a year or so to master Spanish spelling.

8. Ladies and Gentlemen

Every noun in Spanish has a gender, with only a few exceptions. Masculine nouns are preceded by the articles el meaning "the" or un meaning "a" - while feminine nouns sport la or una, meaning "a".

It's pretty easy to catch on, so what are you waiting for? No huge investment is required. You can study Spanish in your spare time. Soon, all your friends will envy your bi-lingual prowess and newly expanded cultural circle.

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To Study Spanish, Learn These Fun Language Tips