Reference — up to week 12
← cardsWeek 1 — Introductions, pronunciation & house vocab
This is how your tutor Ale might ask your name.
Remember 'll' sounds like 'y' in 'yes' in most of Latin America, including Colombia.
This is a reflexive verb, so it always uses a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos).
A common way to ask about someone's profession.
This is a regular -AR verb, a good one to practice your first conjugations.
Use 'soy' (from 'ser') to state your origin or permanent characteristics.
This is a regular -IR verb.
Tener is an irregular verb, especially in the 'yo' form. Use 'tener' for age.
A great way to ask about hobbies and interests.
Remember 'me gusta' literally means 'it pleases me'. You can add an infinitive verb or a noun after it.
A very common and informal greeting, similar to 'What's up?'
This uses 'estar' for temporary states, like how you are feeling.
A polite and common response to '¿Cómo estás?'
Useful in class with Ale. Notice the 'ción' ending, which sounds like 'syohn'.
Another essential phrase for your Spanish lessons.
This phrase is crucial for asking about new vocabulary.
In Spanish-speaking countries, people often have two last names.
Remember adjectives like 'casado' change ending based on gender: 'casado' for male, 'casada' for female.
This word uses the 'CA' sound, like in 'car'.
The 'h' in 'almohada' is silent, just like in 'hockey' in Spanish.
Also commonly called 'el refrigerador'.
The 'ch' in 'cuchillo' sounds like 'ch' in 'cheese', and 'll' like 'y' in 'yes'.
A basic but important piece of house vocabulary.
Also commonly called 'el ordenador', especially in Spain.
This word uses the 'CE' sound, which is like 'se' in 'sell' in Latin America.
In Spain, 'coche' is more common, but 'carro' is widely understood in Latin America.
Week 2 — Present tense regular verbs & chat simulation
Used when speaking to friends, family, or children.
Usted is used for formal singular 'you'.
Nosotras is used if all members are female.
Ustedes is the plural 'you' in most of Latin America.
A common way to introduce yourself.
Literally translates to 'I call myself Dave'.
Used for asking someone's origin.
Use 'Soy de [city/country]'.
A polite way to ask about someone's profession.
Remember to use 'soy' for professions.
Regular -AR verb.
Regular -IR verb.
Useful for hot Melbourne summers.
Not to be confused with 'gafas' (eyeglasses).
Practice this for pronunciation.
Conjugate 'hablar' for 'yo'.
Week 3 — Irregular verbs: ir, tener, querer, ver, escuchar
This is a highly irregular verb; the 'v' in 'voy' is pronounced strongly, like an English 'b' (bilabial).
Use 'al' for 'a el' (to the masculine singular), and 'a la' for feminine singular.
This construction expresses future actions, similar to 'will' or 'going to' in English.
Another highly irregular verb; note the 'go' ending in the 'yo' form.
This expresses obligation, similar to 'must' or 'should' in English.
This is a stem-changing verb (e > ie) in all forms except 'nosotros'.
Note the irregular 'yo' form 'veo'; the 'v' sound is often soft, like a 'b' between vowels (fricative).
This is a regular -ar verb; 'escuchar' already includes 'to', so no 'a' is needed after it.
This is a regular -ar verb.
A common informal greeting in Colombia and other parts of Latin America.
Another informal greeting, very common in Mexico.
A common way to ask 'How are you?' informally, focusing on how things are going for someone.
A frequency adverb, usually placed before the verb.
Another frequency adverb, often placed before the verb; can also be used with 'no' before the verb for emphasis.
This phrase indicates daily frequency.
This phrase indicates occasional frequency.
A common question to ask about future plans using the 'ir a + infinitive' construction.
Week 4 — Conversational practice & fluency markers
The 'yo' form is irregular: 'salgo'.
This is a stem-changing verb (o>ue) except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
This is a stem-changing verb (o>ue) except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
Used to introduce a response or thought, often implying a slight pause.
More versatile than 'pues', can also mean 'okay' or 'good'.
Used to clarify or rephrase something previously said.
Used to indicate a consequence, a transition, or to summarize.
Explains the reason or cause for something.
A common conversational question to practice present tense verbs.
Practice using 'o' for choices and 'caminar' vs. 'tomar'.
Useful for discussing daily routines and preferences.
Practice using 'comprar' and places to buy food.
This question uses the 'ustedes' form of 'salir'.
Combines a conditional clause with the verb 'dormir'.
A direct question about a daily habit.
Practice using 'con quién' and describing lunch companions.
Practice telling time and discussing schedules.
Useful vocabulary for Dave's upcoming trip to Mexico.
This is an adjective, so it changes ending based on gender (enfermo for masculine, enferma for feminine).
Week 5 — Restaurant vocabulary & dialogue
Formal way to ask if someone has a reservation.
A polite way for the waiter to ask if you want drinks.
Formal plural question from the waiter.
A common way for a waiter to check on customers.
Used to get someone's attention politely.
A direct way to state a desire or order something.
A polite, formal way to request something from a waiter.
Useful when you're unsure what to order.
Essential for those with dietary preferences.
The standard way to ask for the bill.
Important question for payment, especially when traveling.
Common question when ordering food or drinks.
Use 'tener' (to have) with hunger, thirst, etc.
Do not use 'Estoy caliente' as it has a different meaning.
An emphatic way to say you are very hungry.
A staple food in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Literally 'water with gas'.
A regular -ir verb.
Use 'mesera' for a female waiter.
Week 6 — Gustar & affective verbs, restaurant roleplay
Used with indirect object pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les) and the verb agrees with the *thing* being liked.
When liking an action, the verb is always singular (gusta) and followed by an infinitive.
'A + person' clarifies or emphasizes who is doing the liking.
Works like 'gustar' but expresses a stronger liking, like 'to love' (not romantic).
Similar to 'gustar' and 'encantar', used to express strong interest or fascination.
Another verb that works like 'gustar', meaning 'to hurt'.
A common question in a restaurant setting.
A polite way to order, using the conditional tense.
Useful when unsure what to order.
Essential phrase for finishing a meal at a restaurant.
Use 'rico' for masculine nouns, 'rica' for feminine nouns.
A staple food in Colombia and Venezuela, often eaten for breakfast or as a side.
A hearty platter with various meats, rice, beans, egg, and avocado.
A rich chicken and potato soup, often served with capers and cream.
Fried or baked pastry, typically filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables.
A kind and helpful offer.
A polite way to check in on someone's progress or well-being.
Uses the subjunctive mood (vaya) to express hope.
Uses the subjunctive mood (llegues) after 'cuando' when referring to a future event.
A common informal farewell.
Another verb that functions like 'gustar', meaning 'to be missing' or 'to lack'.
Another verb that functions like 'gustar', meaning 'to matter' or 'to be important'.
Week 7 — Prepositions, weather & colombianismos
Used for movement towards a place or person.
Indicates origin, possession, or material.
Used for a starting point in time or space.
Indicates accompaniment or means.
Used for purpose, destination, recipient, or deadline.
Used for cause, duration, exchange, or means of transport.
Uses 'hacer' for general weather conditions.
'Hacer calor' describes the general temperature.
'Hacer frío' describes the general temperature.
'Hacer viento' describes the presence of wind.
Uses 'estar' + gerund for ongoing weather events.
Describes the state of the sky.
Describes a clear sky.
Uses 'ir a' + infinitive for future weather events.
A common word for heavy rain in Colombia.
A diminutive form of 'brisa' (breeze), common in Colombia.
Describes a phenomenon where it rains while the sun is out.
An expression to describe extreme heat.
A common way to express being very cold.
Diminutive of 'poco', often used to soften a request or quantity.
Diminutive of 'vaso' (glass), implying a small or cute glass.
Diminutive of 'casa' (house), often used affectionately or to describe a small, charming home.
Diminutive of 'perro' (dog), commonly used for puppies or small dogs.
Week 8 — Telling time & affective verbs expanded
Used to ask for the current time.
Use 'Es la una' for 1:00, singular.
Use 'Son las' for any hour other than one, plural.
Used to indicate 15 minutes past the hour.
Used to indicate 30 minutes past the hour.
Used to specify an exact hour.
Used to ask for the time an event will occur.
Refers to a specific time within the morning.
Refers to a general period in the afternoon or early evening.
Refers to a general period at night.
An adverb meaning 'early'.
Can be an adverb (late) or an adjective (late).
Works like 'gustar'; the thing loved is the subject.
Similar to 'gustar', the annoying thing is the subject.
Functions like 'gustar'; the interesting thing is the subject.
A stem-changing verb (o>ue) that works like 'gustar'; the body part hurting is the subject.
Week 9 — Affective verbs with culture & connectors
Used like 'gustar', but for a stronger feeling of love or delight.
Remember the indirect object pronoun 'le' for 'la gente'.
Similar structure to 'gustar', the thing that bothers is the subject.
The verb 'interesar' agrees with the thing that is interesting (documentales).
The most common affective verb, meaning 'to be pleasing to'.
Used for a strong sense of fascination or captivation.
The verb 'aburrir' means 'to bore' or 'to be boring to'.
Used to express what is important or matters to someone.
Used to express an opinion or how something seems to someone.
Used to add something similar or in agreement.
Can indicate a consequence or a sequence of events.
A basic conjunction to connect words or phrases.
Used to introduce a contrast or exception.
Introduces a concession or a contrasting idea.
Week 10 — Reflexive verbs & daily routine
The 'rr' is a trilled 'r', while a single 'r' is a flap sound.
These pronouns indicate that the subject performs the action on itself.
This is a stem-changing verb (e > ie).
Often used with body parts, e.g., 'lavarse la cara' (to wash one's face).
Commonly used for 'cepillarse los dientes' (to brush one's teeth) or 'cepillarse el pelo' (to brush one's hair).
This is an irregular verb in the 'yo' form.
This is a stem-changing verb (e > i).
This verb is typically used for applying makeup.
This is a stem-changing verb (o > ue).
This is a stem-changing verb (o > ue).
This is a non-reflexive verb.
This is a stem-changing verb (o > ue) and non-reflexive.
This is a non-reflexive verb.
While 'ducharse' is more common for showering, 'bañarse' specifically refers to taking a bath.
Week 11 — Reflexive stem changes & antes de/despues de
This is a stem-changing verb (o > ue).
This is a stem-changing verb (e > ie).
This is a stem-changing verb (e > i).
This is a stem-changing verb (o > ue).
This verb does not have a stem change.
The object 'los dientes' is often explicitly stated.
Can be used with various body parts, e.g., 'lavarse el pelo' (to wash one's hair).
Note the irregular 'yo' form: 'pongo'.
This verb is the opposite of 'ponerse'.
It can also mean 'to fix' something non-reflexively.
Used to connect an action that happens prior to another.
Used to connect an action that happens subsequent to another.
Focus on the 'yo' form stem change (o > ue).
Focus on the 'ella' form stem change (e > i).
Focus on the 'tú' form of this reflexive verb.
Focus on the 'nosotros' form of this reflexive verb.
Week 12 — Routine verbs expanded & conversation connectors
Irregular 'yo' form.
Reflexive verb, often used when leaving a specific place.
`Sacar` is a regular verb.
`Arreglarse` and `prepararse` are synonyms.
`Volver` is a stem-changing verb (o>ue) in most forms, except `nosotros`.
A common way to say 'see you'.
Common in Colombia, where Ale is from.
`Después` can also be used as a preposition (`después de`).
A more formal synonym for `otra vez`.
`Último` is an adjective, `por último` is an adverbial phrase.
Used before a noun or an infinitive.
Used before a noun or an infinitive.
Can also mean 'bigger' for size, or 'main/major' for importance.
Can also mean 'smaller' for size, or 'minor' for importance.
Can also mean 'on' or 'over' (e.g., `el libro está sobre la mesa`).