Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Año Bisiesto


Today 29th of February 2012 we look at the topical expression of the day: 'año bisiesto' = leap year

In the two-word Spanish expression 'año bisiesto', both words are of Latin origin, the main meaning of the expression is leap year. When indicating that a year is a leap year in Spanish the word 'año' is often omitted. In other words, 'bisiesto' may be used on its own (see example below).

 NB.- A leap year is a year with an extra day (366 days instead of the 365 days of ordinary years). The extra day is added to correct the accumulated error caused by each ordinary year being a little bit longer than its 365 days (a year is in fact some 365.24 days long). That accumulated error is corrected on leap years by adding the accumulated extra day to the month of February. It is for that reason that on leap years February has 29 days.

Hoy, veintinueve de febrero de dos mil doce repasamos la expresión 'año bisiesto' que en inglés significa 'leap year'.

En la expresión 'año bisiesto', las dos palabras tienen su origen en el latín y su significado en conjunto en inglés es, 'leap year'. En español la palabra 'año' no es necesaria para describir un año como 'bisiesto' (ver ejemplo).

NB.- Año bisiesto es aquel que tiene un día más que un año común/ corto. Es decir, un año bisiesto tiene 366 días, en vez de los 365 de un año común/ corto. Se añade un día con el objeto de corregir el error que resulta de asignar 365 días a cada año común/ corto, cuando en realidad cada año dura un poco más de 365 días. El año natural dura aproximadamente 365.24 días. Ese error que se acumula durante años comunes/ cortos se corrige añadiendo un día más al mes de febrero en aquel año clasificado como 'año bisiesto'. Por esa razón, el mes de febrero de cada año bisiesto tiene veintinueve días.

An example of how to indicate a year as a leap year is/ Un ejemplo de como indicar un año como 'año bisiesto' sería:
  • El año dos mil ocho fue bisiesto (2008 was a leap year).

 Love-Spanish.com loves the expression 'año bisiesto' in the YouTube clip: 2008 año bisiesto

 For more on the word 'bisiesto', visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Bisiesto

This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

For more Free Spanish:
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Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Tell Me, What Did You Use To Do When You Lived In Madrid?


SCENARIO
Imagine you are talking to a relative, a friend or a colleague. Perhaps you are talking about things you used to do often/ habitually in the past. Perhaps you have lived in Madrid. The other person wants to find what you used to do when you lived there. He/ she decides to says to you something like: "tell me, what did you use to do when you lived in Madrid?".

 In Spanish, he/ she could choose to be less formal and say to you:
Dime, ¿qué hacías cuando vivías en Madrid?

 On the other hand, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say to you:
Dígame, ¿qué hacía (usted) cuando vivía en Madrid?


OUR TIP
You could think of the question you are asked as a typical prompt to talk about things you habitually did do in the past.  When talking about what you used to do in the past, you DO NOT need to be concerned about levels of formality. You just need to concentrate on talking about past habitual actions. In this case, perhaps you want to say that when you lived in Madrid you:
  • Had many friends
  • Used to live in a nice area of town.
  • Lived some distance from your work.
  • Would always travel by public transport.
  • Would sometimes like going to the cinema.
  • Often took part in outdoor activities.

 Here are some examples of how you would say what you used to do when you lived in Madrid:
  • En Madrid tenía muchos amigos* (in Madrid, I had many friends).
  • En Madrid vivía en un barrio muy bonito* (In Madrid I lived in a nice part of town).
  • En Madrid vivía a diez minutos del trabajo* (In Madrid I lived ten minutes away from work).
  • En Madrid siempre viajaba en metro* (in Madrid, I used to always travel in the underground).
  • En Madrid a veces me gustaba ir al cine* (in Madrid, sometimes I used to like going to the cinema).
  • En Madrid iba a caminar por la sierra a menudo* (in Madrid, I often went walking on the hills).

     Now you should practice talking about the past to someone who says to you:
    Dime, ¿qué hacías cuando vivías en Madrid?

    *Please see grammar below
    Grammar-The Imperfect
    These are examples of expressions using the imperfect to talk about the past. Remember that in Spanish we use the imperfect in the following situations:

    1. When talking about habitual ongoing actions in the past. Some examples of expressions of this type are:
    • Antes me gustaba jugar a tenis (I used to like playing tennis).
    • Tú casi nunca madrugabas (you almost never got up early).
    • Pedro tenía muchos amigos (Pedro used to have many friends).
    • Siempre estábamos contentos (we used to be always happy).
    • A veces llegábais tarde (sometimes, you -plural were late).
    • Mis compañeros de trabajo apenas me conocían (my work colleagues hardly knew me).
    2. When talking about repeated ongoing events in the past. Some examples of  expressions of this type are:
    • Yo iba a la playa lo domingos* (on Sundays I used to go to the beach).
    • Todos los días te levantabas temprano (you used to get up early everyday).
    • Pedro trabajaba de lunes a viernes (Pedro used to work from Monday to Friday).
    • Nos gustaba ir a nadar los lunes (we liked going swimming on Mondays).
    • Los fines de semana íbais al campo (you -plural used to go to the countryside at the weekends).
    • Mis amigos venían a visitarme una vez a la semana (my friends used to come to visit once a week).
    3.  When describing the past. Some examples of  expressions of this type are:
    • Yo era amigo de Sofía (I was Sofía's friend).
    • Tú eras muy joven (you were very young) .
    • Mi coche era nuevo (my car was new).
    • Éramos como hermanos (we were like brothers).
    • Erais compañeros de trabajo de mi hermano (you -plural were work colleagues of my brother).
    • Mis padres eran muy mayores (my parents were very old).

    4.  When talking about ongoing past actions which were occurring at the same time as a completed action. Some examples of  expressions of this type are:
    • Yo comía cuando me llamaste (I was eating when you called).
    • Dormías cuando llegamos (you were sleeping when we arrived) .
    • Llovía cuando salí (it was raining when I left).
    • Llegabamos a Barcelona cuando amaneció (we were arriving in Barcelona when dawn broke).
    • Cuando os ví, salíais del bar (when I saw you -plural you were leaving the bar).
    • Cuando llegamos, mis padres salían (when we arrived, my parents were leaving).


    5.  When asking someone directly, what would you like?/ how can I help you? When replying to that type of question indicating, what I/ we would like/ are looking for. Some examples of  expressions of this type are:
    • ¿Qué  querías? (what would you like?/ what are you looking for?/ how can I help you?).
    • ¿Qué  quería (usted)? (what would you like?/ what are you looking for?/ how can I help you?).
    • ¿Qué  queríais? (what would you like?/ what are you looking for?/ how can I help you? - you plural).
    • ¿Qué  querían (ustedes)? (what would you like?/ what are you looking for?/ how can I help you? -you plural).
    • Quería una lata de sardinas (I wanted/ I am looking for/ could I have a tin of sardines?).
    • Queríamos una habitación doble (we wanted/ we are looking for/ could we have a double room?).

    Now you should practise using the imperfect with some examples of your own.


    This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

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    Monday, 27 February 2012

    Estómago


    Today's WOTD is: 'estómago' = stomach

    In Spanish, the noun 'estómago' is a masculine noun of Latin origin, the main meaning of which is stomach. 

     The Spanish describing word/ adjective 'estomacal' is used to describe something as being related to or appertaining to the stomach.

     Some commonly used expressions containing the words 'estómago' or 'estomacal' are:
    • Afección estomacal (stomach condition/ illness).
    • Ardor de estómago (heartburn).
    • Asentar el estómago (to settle the stomach).
    • Asentarse en el estómago (to cause indigestion).
    • Beber con el estómago vacío (to drink on an empty stomach).
    • Boca del estómago (pit of the stomach).
    • Calambre de estómago (stomach cramp/ stomachache).
    • Comer con el estómago vacío (to eat on an empty stomach).
    • Doler el estómago (to have stomachache).
    • Echarse algo al estómago (to eat/ drink a large amount of something).
    • Empacho (de estómago) (indigestion).
    • Estar con el estómago descompuesto (to have an upset/ unsettled stomach).
    • Estómago agradecido (someone who feels obliged to return previously received favours).
    • Hacer buen estómago a algo (to accept what may happen).
    • Hacer buen estómago algo (said of something which is pleasant).
    • Hacer mal estómago algo (said of something which is unpleasant).
    • Gritarle a alguien el estómago (to be really hungry).
    • Ladrarle a alguien el estómago (to be really hungry).
    • Revolver el estómago a alguien (to turn someone's stomach/ to make someone feel sick).
    • Tener buen estómago (to have a strong stomach/ few scruples).
    • Tener mucho estómago (to have a strong stomach/ few scruples).
    • Tener dolor de estómago (to have stomachache).
    • Tener el estómago en los pies (to be really hungry).
    • Tener el estómago descompuesto (to have an upset/ unsettled stomach)
    • Tener el estómago revuelto (to have an upset/unsettled stomach).
    • Tener a alguien sentado en el estómago (to detest someone/ to be unable to bear him/ her).
    • Tener a alguien sentado en la boca del estómago (to detest someone/ to be unable to bear him/ her).
    Examples of the use of the word 'estómago' are:
    • Tengo una afección estomacal que no me permite tomar alcohol (I have a stomach problem which precludes me from drinking alcohol).
    • Tengo ardor de estómago (I have heartburn).
    • Una tila ayuda a asentar el estómago (a lime blossom tea helps settle the stomach).
    • Tengo la cena asentada en el estómago (the supper is stuck in my stomach/ is causing me indigestion).
    • No es aconsejable beber alcohol con el estómago vacío (is not advisable to drink alcohol on an empty stomach).
    • Es aconsejable comer fruta con el estómago vacío (it is advisable to eat fruit on an empty stomach).
    • Tengo a Antonio sentado en la boca del estómago (I can't stand Antonio).
    • Después de comer, me ha dado un calambre de estómago (after eating, I have stomach cramps).
    • ¿Te duele el estómago? (do you have stomachache?).
    • ¿Tienes dolor de estómago? (do you have stomachache?)
    • Tengo ganas de echarme una buena paella al estómago (I feel like having a large paella).
    • Tengo un poco de empacho (de estómago) (I have a bit of indigestion).
    • Pedro y Antonio no son más que estómagos agradecidos (Pedro and Antonio are only doing what they are doing because they feel under obligation to repay a favour).
    • No queda más remedio que hacer buen estómago a la crisis (there is no option but to accept the consequences of the crisis).
    • Ese viaje me hace mal estómago (that journey doesn't fill me with pleasure).
    • Me grita el estómago (I am really hungry)
    • Me ladra el estómago (I am really hungry).
    • Tener que hablar con Pedro me revuelve el estómago (having to talk to Pedro makes me feel sick).
    • Hay que tener buen estómago para aguantar a Chelo (you need a strong stomach to put up with Chelo).
    • Hay que tener mucho estómago para aguantar a Chelo (you need a strong stomach to put up with Chelo).
    • Tengo el estómago en los pies (I am really hungry).
    • Tengo el estómago revuelto (I have an upset/ unsettled stomach).
    • Tengo el estómago descompuesto (I have an upset/ unsettled stomach).

     Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'estómago' in the YouTube clip: Comer Frutas Con el Estómago Vacío

     For more on the word 'estómago', visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Estómago

    *NB 'Click' on the speaker icon next to the word “estómago” in the link to hear the word pronounced.
    This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

    For more Free Spanish:
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    © Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.
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    Sunday, 26 February 2012

    What Are You Writing?


    SCENARIO
    Imagine you are writing something when a relative, a friend or a colleague stops by. The other person is curious and says to you: "what are you writing?"


    In Spanish, the other person could choose to be less formal and say:
    ¿Qué escribes?*

    Alternatively, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say:
    ¿Que escribe (usted)?*


    *NB In Spanish, it is quite common to use this form of the question ("what do you write?"), even though what may be meant (in English) is: "what are you writing?".

    OUR TIP
    The first thing to note is that you DO NOT need to be concerned about the level of formality in the other person's question. Your main concern should be about communicating what you are writing. Perhaps you want to say that you are writing:
    • A book.
    • A pamphlet.
    • A brochure.
    • An article (for a newspaper).
    • An essay.
    • A report.
    • A resumé.
    • A letter.
    • An -email.
    • Some notes.

    Here are some examples of how you would say what you are writing:
    • Escribo un libro (I am writing a book).
    • Estoy escribiendo un libro (I am writing a book).
    • Escribo panfleto  (I am writing a pamphlet)
    • Estoy escribiendo un panfleto (I am writing a pamphlet).
    • Escribo un folleto (I am writing a brochure).
    • Estoy escribiendo un folleto (I am writing a brochure).
    • Escribo un artículo (I am writing an article)
    • Estoy escribiendo un artículo (I am writing an article).
    • Escribo un ensayo  (I am writing an essay).
    • Estoy escribiendo un ensayo (I am writing an essay).
    • Escribo un informe  (I am writing a report).
    • Estoy escribiendo un informe (I am writing a report).
    • Escribo un resumen (I am writing a resumé).
    • Estoy escribiendo un resumen  (I am writing a resumé).
    • Escribo una carta (I am writing letter).
    • Estoy escribiendo una carta (I am writing a letter)
    • Escribo un correo electrónico (I am writing an e-mail).
    • Estoy escribiendo un correo electrónico (I am writing an e-mail).
    • Tomo notas (I am writing/ taking some notes).
    • Estoy tomando notas (I am writing/ taking some notes).


    Now you should practice answering the question:
    ¿Qué escribes?


    This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

    For more Free Spanish:
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    Saturday, 25 February 2012

    Tell Me, What Are You Going To Do When You Finish?


    SCENARIO
    Imagine you are talking to a relative, a friend or a colleague. Perhaps you are in the middle of studying a Spanish lesson. The other person is keen to know what you are planning to do when you finish the lesson. He/ she says to you something like: "tell me, what are you going to do when you finish?".

     In Spanish, he/ she could choose to be less formal and say to you:
    Dime, ¿qué vas a hacer cuando termines?

     On the other hand, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say to you:
    Dígame, ¿qué va a hacer (usted) cuando termine?


    OUR TIP
    You could think of the question you are asked as a typical prompt to talk about your plans for the future, when you finish what you are currently doing.  When talking about what you are doing/ planning to do/ thinking about doing in the future, you DO NOT need to be concerned about levels of formality. You just need to concentrate on expressing your plans for the future. In this case, perhaps you want to say that when you finish you are going to:
    • Go to a specific geographical destination (town/ country/ etc.).
    • Get some health care attention (medical/ dental/ etc.).
    • Do something general (work/ rest/ etc.).
    • Take part in a sports/ leisure activity (playing tennis/ golf/ etc.).
    • Visit someone.

     Here are some examples of how you would say what you are going to do when you finish:
    • Cuando termine voy a ir a Los Ángeles* (when I finish I am going to to go to LA).
    • Cuando termine voy a ir al médico* (when I finish I am going to see the doctor).
    • Cuando termine voy a descansar* (when I finish I am going to rest).
    • Cuando termine voy a jugar a tenis* (when I finish I am going toplay tennis).
    • Cuando termine voy a ver a mis padres (when I finish I am going to visit my parents).

       Now you should practise talking about the future to someone who says to you:
      Dime, ¿qué vas a hacer cuando termines?

      *Please see grammar below
      Grammar-The Future
      These are examples of expressions using the construction  "ir + a" followed by an infinitive  to express the future. Remember that in Spanish we have three separate ways to express the future:

      1. Using the present Tense.- In  Spanish we can use the present tense to express the future (plans/ intentions/ events/ etc.). Some examples of  expressions of the future of this type are:
      • Mañana vamos a la playa* (tomorrow we are going to the beach).
      • La semana que viene es mi cumpleaños (next week is my birthday).
      • El mes que viene no tengo exámenes (next month I don't have any exams).
      • ¿Qué hacéis el año que viene?* (what are you -plural doing next year). 
      Notes
      *In English, when expressing the future the continuous present is often used (for example "tomorrow we are going to the beach"). In contrast, in Spanish the ordinary present is used throughout ( "mañana vamos a la playa"/ "¿qué hacéis el año que viene?").

      2. Using the Future Tense*.-  In  Spanish we can use the future tense to express the future (plans/ intentions/ events/ etc.). Some examples of  expressions of the future of this type are: :
      • Mañana iremos a la playa* (tomorrow we will go/ we will be going to the beach[*]).
      • La semana que viene será mi cumpleaños (next week it will be my birthday).
      • El mes que viene no tendré exámenes (next month I will not have/ will not be having any exams[*]).
      • ¿Qué haréis el año que viene?* (what will you -plural do/ what will you -plural be doing next year)*.
      Notes
      *Please note that this form of expressing the future (using the future tense) is not quite so common in spoken Spanish language.
      [*]Please note also that in Spanish, the use of the continuous future tense (e.g., we will be going to the beach) is a lot less common when expressing the future and should not be used in future expressions such as this one.



      3. Using "ir + a" followed by an infinitive*.- In  Spanish we can use the construction "ir + a" plus an infinitive to express the future (plans/ intentions/ etc.). Some examples of  wish expressions of this type are:
      • Mañana vamos a ir a la playa* (tomorrow we are going to go the beach).
      • La semana que viene va a ser mi cumpleaños (next week is going to be my birthday).
      • El mes que viene no voy a tener exámenes (next month I am not going to have any exams).
      • ¿Qué váis a hacer el año que viene?* (what are you -plural going to do next year?).
      Notes
      *Please note that this a very common form of expressing the future in spoken Spanish language.

      Now you should practise expressing the future with some examples of your own.

      Grammar-The Subjunctive

      Please note that when using "cuando" or "siempre que" to refer to some unspecified time in the future, as in: "whenever I can"/ "whenever you wish"/ "whenever is possible"/ or similar expressions, the subjunctive mood should be used.

       Some examples of this use of the subjunctive are:
      • Cuando pueda descanso (I'll rest whenever I can)
      • Cuando quieras, nos vamos (we'll go whenever you want)
      • Cuando venga Marta, vamos a hablar (we'll talk whenever Marta comes)
      • Cuando lleguemos te llamo (we'll call you whenever we arrive)
      • Cuando terminéis llámame (call me whenever you finish)
      • Cuando Marta y Alfonso quieran salimos (we'll leave whenever Marta and Alfonso want it)
      Now you should practise this use of the subjunctive with some more sentences of your own

      This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

      For more Free Spanish:
      Follow us on:
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      © Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.
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      Friday, 24 February 2012

      Hígado


      Today's WOTD is: 'hígado' = liver

      In Spanish, the noun 'hígado' is a masculine noun of Latin origin, the main meaning of which is liver. The noun 'hígado' is also used in many parts when referring to guts.

       In Spanish, the noun 'hígado' when used in its plural form, 'hígados', may also mean a mood (spirits/ disposition) or courage.

       Some commonly used expressions containing the word 'hígado' are:
      • Aceite de hígado de bacalao (cod liver oil).
      • Caer como una patada en el hígado (usually said about someone's reaction to an unpleasant encounter with another person or another person's actions).
      • Echar los hígados (to burst one's guts).
      • Sentar como una patada en el hígado (usually said about someone's reaction to an unpleasant encounter with another person or another person's actions).
      • Ser un hígado (to be an unpleasant/ annoying/ irritating person)
      • Tener malos hígados (to be really nasty).
      • Tener buen hígado (to have guts/ a strong stomach for something).
      • Tener mucho hígado (to have a lot of guts).
      Examples of the use of the word 'hígado' are:
      • El aceite de hígado de bacalao es rico en vitamina E (cod liver oil is reach in vitamin E).
      • Lo que hizo Pedro me cayó como una patada en el hígado (what Pedro did felt really bad/ it was an extremely unpleasant experience).
      • Lo que hizo Pedro me sentó como una patada en el hígado (what Pedro did felt really bad/ it was an extremely unpleasant experience) .
      • No vale la pena echar los hígados para no terminar eso hoy (it is not worth bursting your guts if you are not going to finish that today).
      • Antonio es un hígado (Antonio is a pain in the neck).
      • Hay que tener malos hígados para hacer eso (it takes some nasty person to do something like that).
      • Hace falta buen hígado para ser cirujano (you need a strong stomach to be surgeon).
      • Hay que tener mucho hígado para atreverse a eso (it takes lots of guts to dare doing that).

       Love-Spanish.com loves the word 'hígado' in the YouTube clip: Sexual Democracia - Acuérdese de su pobre hígado

       For more on the word 'hígado', visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Hígado

      *NB 'Click' on the speaker icon next to the word “hígado” in the link to hear the word pronounced.
      This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

      For more Free Spanish:
      Follow us on:
      Twitter: @LoveSpanish_com
      © Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.
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      Thursday, 23 February 2012

      What Are You Reading?


      SCENARIO
      Imagine you are reading something when a relative, a friend or a colleague stops by. The other person is curious and says to you: "what are you reading?"


      In Spanish, the other person could choose to be less formal and say:
      ¿Qué lees?*

      Alternatively, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say:
      ¿Que lee (usted)?*


      *NB In Spanish, it is quite common to use this form of the question ("what do you read?"), even though what may be meant (in English) is: "what are you reading?".

      OUR TIP
      The first thing to note is that you DO NOT need to be concerned about the level of formality in the other person's question. Your main concern should be about communicating what you are reading. Perhaps you want to say that you are reading:
      • A book.
      • A book/ literary genre.
      • A newspaper.
      • A magazine.
      • A letter.
      • An -email.
      • A specific book.
      • A specific newspaper.
      • A specific letter.
      • A specific e-mail.

      Here are some examples of how you would say what you are reading:
      • Leo un libro (I am reading a book).
      • Estoy leyendo un libro (I am reading a book).
      • Leo una novela  ( I am reading a novel)
      • Estoy leyendo una novela (I am reading a novel).
      • Leo una revista (I am reading a magazine).
      • Estoy leyendo una revista (I am reading a magazine).
      • Leo el periódico (I am reading a newspaper).
      • Estoy leyendo el periódico (I am reading a newspaper).
      • Leo una carta  (I am reading a letter).
      • Estoy leyendo una carta (I am reading a letter).
      • Leo un correo electrónico  (I am reading an e-mail).
      • Estoy leyendo un correo electrónico (I am reading an e-mail).
      • Leo "El Señor De Los Anillos: Las  Dos Torres" de Tolkien (I am reading "The Lord of the Rings- The Two Towers" by J.R.R. Tolkien).
      • Estoy leyendo "El Señor De Los Anillos: Las  Dos Torres" de Tolkien  (I am reading "The Lord of the Rings- The Two Towers" by J.R.R. Tolkien).
      • Leo el "Daily Telegraph" (I am reading  the "Daily Telegraph").
      • Estoy leyendo el "Daily Telegraph" (I am reading  the "Daily Telegraph")
      • Leo la carta de Pedro (I am reading  the letter from Pedro).
      • Estoy leyendo  la carta de Pedro (I am reading  the letter from Pedro ).
      • Leo el correo electrónico de Pedro (I am reading  the e-mail from Pedro).
      • Estoy leyendo  el correo electrónico de Pedro (I am reading  the e-mail from Pedro)


      Now you should practice answering the question:
      ¿Qué lees?


      This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

      For more Free Spanish:
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      © Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by JM González. All Rights Reserved.
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      Wednesday, 22 February 2012

      Tell Me, What Will You Do Next Year?


      SCENARIO
      Imagine you are talking to a relative, a friend or a colleague. Perhaps you are talking about your plans for improving your Spanish. The other person wants to know something about your plans for next year. So he/ she says to you something like: "tell me, what will you do next year?".

       In Spanish, he/ she could choose to be less formal and say to you:
      Dime, ¿qué harás el año que viene?

       On the other hand, he/ she could choose to be more formal and say to you:
      Dígame, ¿qué hará (usted) el año que viene?


      OUR TIP
      You could think of the question you are asked as a typical prompt to talk about your plans for the future (next year).  When talking about what you are doing/ planning to do/ thinking about doing in the future, you DO NOT need to be concerned about levels of formality. You just need to concentrate on expressing your plans for the future. In this case, perhaps you want to say that next year you will:
      • Make some change to my life.
      • Continue studying.
      • Buy something.
      • Take up a sport/ leisure activity.
      • Make some changes at work.
      • Make a visit to a country/ city/ etc.

       Here are some examples of how you talk about your plans for next year:
      • El año que viene me casaré* (next year I will get married).
      • El año que viene continuaré estudiando español* (next year I will continue studying Spanish).
      • El año que viene me compraré un coche nuevo* (next year I will buy a new car).
      • El año que viene empezaré a jugar a golf (next year I will take up golf).
      • El año que viene pediré una subida de sueldo (next year I will ask for a salary increase).
      • El año que viene iré a los Estados Unidos (next year I will go to the USA).

         Now you should practice talking about the future to someone who says to you:
        Dime, ¿qué harás el año que viene?

        *Please see grammar below
        Grammar-The Future
        These are examples of expressions using the future tense to express the future. Remember that in Spanish we have three separate ways to express the future:

        1. Using the present Tense.- In  Spanish we can use the present tense to express the future (plans/ intentions/ events/ etc.). Some examples of  expressions of the future of this type are:
        • Mañana vamos a la playa* (tomorrow we are going to the beach).
        • La semana que viene es mi cumpleaños (next week is my birthday).
        • El mes que viene no tengo exámenes (next month I don't have any exams).
        • ¿Qué hacéis el año que viene?* (what are you -plural doing next year). 

         Notes

         *In English, when expressing the future the continuous present is often used (for example "tomorrow we are going to the beach"). In contrast, in Spanish the ordinary present is used throughout ( "mañana vamos a la playa"/ "¿qué hacéis el año que viene?").




        2. Using the Future Tense*.-  In  Spanish we can use the future tense to express the future (plans/ intentions/ events/ etc.). Some examples of  expressions of the future of this type are: :
        • Mañana iremos a la playa* (tomorrow we will go/ we will be going to the beach[*]).
        • La semana que viene será mi cumpleaños (next week it will be my birthday).
        • El mes que viene no tendré exámenes (next month I will not have/ will not be having any exams[*]).
        • ¿Qué haréis el año que viene?* (what will you -plural do/ what will you -plural be doing next year)*.

         Notes

         *Please note that this form of expressing the future (using the future tense) is not quite so common in spoken Spanish language.
        [*]Please note also that in Spanish, the use of the continuous future tense (e.g., we will be going to the beach) is a lot less common when expressing the future and should not be used in future expressions such as this one.



        3. Using "ir + a" followed by an infinitive*.- In  Spanish we can use the construction "ir + a" plus an infinitive to express the future (plans/ intentions/ etc.). Some examples of  wish expressions of this type are:
        • Mañana vamos a ir a la playa* (tomorrow we are going to go the beach).
        • La semana que viene va a ser mi cumpleaños (next week is going to be my birthday).
        • El mes que viene no voy a tener exámenes (next month I am not going to have any exams).
        • ¿Qué váis a hacer el año que viene?* (what are you -plural going to do next year?).

         Notes
        *Please note that this a very common form of expressing the future in spoken Spanish language.





        Now you should practise expressing the future with some examples of your own.

        This is another Free online Spanish lesson from Love-Spanish.com. We conduct Spanish lessons online on a wide range of topics using the latest video conferencing facilities. Online lessons are the ideal way to improve listening and speaking skills. For more details on our lessons online and how to book them, please visit:

        For more Free Spanish:
        Follow us on:
        Twitter: @LoveSpanish_com
        © Copyright 2012 Love-Spanish.com. by Jose M González. All Rights Reserved.
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