Spanish Language Basics: Units 1-4 Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Spanish alphabet phonetics, personal pronouns, ser vs. estar, basic vocabulary (family, house, colors), and foundational verb conjugations (tener, ir, -ar verbs).

How many letters are in the Spanish alphabet?

$$27$$

Which two consonants in Spanish were historically distinct but now sound the same, like a soft 'B'?

B and V

What is the pronunciation rule for the letter 'H' in Spanish words like 'hablar' or 'hombre'?

The letter 'H' is silent.

When does the letter 'R' have a strong rolling sound?

When it is at the beginning of a word, doubled ($rr$), or placed after N, L, or S (e.g., Rata, carro, sonrisa).

Under what two conditions does the letter 'Y' sound like the vowel 'I'?

When it is at the end of a word (e.g., hoy) or by itself as the word 'and' (y).

In Spain, how is the letter 'C' pronounced when it is followed by the vowels E or I?

$$/θ/$$

What letter combination is used in Spanish to obtain the sound /k/ with the vowels E and I?

QU (as in Queso)

What is the function of a diéresis (") placed over the letter U in combinations like 'pingüino'?

It indicates that the U must be pronounced between G and E or between G and I.

How is the third-person plural 'they' expressed in Spanish for a group containing both men and women?

ellos (the masculine version is used for mixed groups)

Why is the formal pronoun 'usted' conjugated in the third person?

Because it originates from the old courtesy formula 'vuestra merced' (your mercy).

What are the common uses of the verb 'ser'?

Permanent attributes, physical or personality traits, nationality, origin, and professions.

What are the common uses of the verb 'estar'?

Non-permanent attributes, moods, physical conditions, and location (even if permanent).

How is a sentence made negative in Spanish?

By placing the word 'no' right before the verb.

How do you form the plural of a Spanish noun that ends in a consonant?

Add -es (e.g., doctor becomes doctores).

What are the four definite articles in Spanish?

el, la (singular) and los, las (plural)

What are the four indefinite articles in Spanish?

un, una (singular) and unos, unas (plural)

Translate the following family members: 'the grandson', 'the aunt', and 'the nephew'.

el nieto, la tía, el sobrino

Where are adjectives generally placed in a Spanish sentence?

After the noun (e.g., el piano rojo).

List the days of the week in order from Monday to Sunday.

lunes, martes, miércoles, jueves, viernes, sábado, domingo

Conjugate the verb 'tener' (to have) for all subject pronouns in the present tense.

yo tengo, tú tienes, él/ella/usted tiene, nosotros/nosotras tenemos, vosotros/vosotras tenéis, ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen

Conjugate the verb 'ir' (to go) for all subject pronouns in the present tense.

yo voy, tú vas, él/ella/usted va, nosotros/nosotras vamos, vosotros/vosotras vais, ellos/ellas/ustedes van

What happens when the preposition 'a' (to) is followed by the masculine singular article 'el'?

They combine to form the contraction 'al' (a + el = al).

What Spanish word is used to express both 'there is' and 'there are'?

hay

What are the present tense endings for regular -ar verbs?

-o, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an

List the Spanish interrogative pronouns for 'where', 'how', and 'why'.

dónde, cómo, por qué

What are the possessive adjectives for 'our' (singular masculine/feminine and plural masculine/feminine)?

nuestro, nuestra, nuestros, nuestras

How do you express possession in Spanish without a possessive adjective (e.g., 'Juan's house')?

Using the formula 'la casa de Juan' (the house of Juan).

Translate the following house-related words: 'the kitchen', 'the bedroom', and 'the window'.

la cocina, el cuarto, la ventana