Spanish Grammar Quick Study Notes (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and phrases from the video notes.

Presente de Indicativo

The present tense in Spanish used to describe current actions, general truths, and habitual actions.

SER

To be used for permanent/essential characteristics, identity, nationality, profession, and time.

SER conjugations

soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son (present tense forms).

ESTAR

To be used for temporary states, emotions, location, and ongoing actions.

ESTAR conjugations

estoy, estás, está, estamos, estáis, están.

HABER (hay)

There is/are; hay is used for existence in singular or plural.

SER vs ESTAR usage

SER for essence/identity; ESTAR for states/locations and temporary conditions.

entender (to understand) conjugation

entiendo, entiendes, entiende, entendemos, entendéis, entienden.

volver (to return) conjugation

vuelvo, vuelves, vuelve, volvemos, volvéis, vuelven.

GUSTAR-like verbs structure

Indirect object pronoun + verb + subject (e.g., Me gusta el libro).

Indirect object pronouns

me, te, le, nos, les; indicate to/for whom the action is done.

Direct object pronouns

me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las; replace direct objects.

Direct vs Indirect pronouns usage

Direct pronouns replace the object of the verb; indirect pronouns indicate to/for whom.

Placement of pronouns

Pronouns usually precede the conjugated verb; with double pronouns, indirect precedes direct (e.g., Se la traigo).

Double pronouns (Se la traigo)

Example of indirect + direct pronouns together; shows ordering and pronoun agreement.

Gustar-like verbs forms

Me gusta vs me gustan depending on whether the subject is singular or plural.

Common gustar-like verbs

gustar, interesar, preocupar, doler, encantar, molestar.

Me duele la cabeza

Me duele la cabeza means 'My head hurts' (dolor).

Reflexive pronouns

me, te, se, nos; used when the action is performed on the self.

Reflexive verbs: acostarse

to go to bed; me acuesto, te acuestas, se acuesta.

Reflexive verbs: acordarse

to remember; me acuerdo, te acuerdas, se acuerda.

Reflexive verbs: dormirse

to fall asleep; me duermo, te duermes, se duerme.

Non-reflexive counterparts

acostar (to put someone to bed), acordar (to agree), dormir (to sleep).

Direct object pronouns example

Lo compro = I buy it.

Indirect object pronouns in sentences

Se la traigo = I bring it to you.

Order of indirect + direct pronouns

Indirect before direct (se lo, se la, me lo, te la).

Más que

More than (used with qualities).

Menos que

Less than.

Más de

More than (with numbers).

Tan… como

As… as (with adjectives/adverbs).

Tanto/a/os/as… como

As much/many… as (with nouns).

Irregular comparisons: bueno → mejor

Bueno becomes mejor (better).

Irregular comparisons: malo → peor

Malo becomes peor (worse).

Grande → mayor

Grande becomes mayor (older or bigger).

Pequeño → menor

Pequeño becomes menor (younger or smaller).

Rasgos físicos: los ojos colors

Eye colors: azules, negros, verdes, color miel, color café.

La barba / el bigote

Barba = beard; bigote = mustache.

Las canas

Gray hairs.

La cicatriz

Scar.

El lunar

Mole.

El cabello / el pelo

Hair; color terms include castaño, rubio, color miel, color café.

Llevar lentes de contacto

To wear contact lenses.

Ser calvo/a

To be bald.

Ser pelirrojo/a

To be a redhead.

el estereotipo

stereotype.

El carácter

Character; temperament.

La personalidad

Personality.

antipático/a

Unfriendly or unpleasant.

callado/a

Quiet.

cariñoso/a

Affectionate.

chistoso/a

Funny.

conservador/a

Conservative.

egoísta

Selfish.

generoso/a

Generous.

simpático/a

Friendly.

serio/a

Serious.

hablador/a

Talkative.

pesado/a

Dull, bothersome, or annoying.

tonto/a

Dumb or silly.

Qué + adjetivo!

What a + adjective! (exclamations: Qué simpática!).

Qué + sustantivo + tan + adjetivo!

What a noun + so + adjective! (emphasizes).

¡Sé / ¡No seas (un/a) + adjetivo!

Be / Don’t be … (imperative with adjectives).

la charla

Talk; conversation.

el esfuerzo

Effort.

la pobreza

Poverty.

el sueño

Dream.

la juventud

Youth.

conseguir

To achieve, obtain.

exitoso/a

Successful.

sencillo/a

Simple.

a nivel mundial

Worldwide.

en cambio

By contrast.

La vida universitaria

University life.

los apuntes / las notas

Notes / grades.

la beca

Scholarship.

aprobar

To pass.

faltar a clase

To miss class.

suspender / reprobar

To fail.

la licenciatura

Bachelor's degree (BA).

la materia

Subject matter; course.

el requisito

Requirement.

el tema

Topic.

el/la universitario/a

University student.

el bachillerato

High school / pre-university.

la carrera de …

To major in / study the field of …