Spanish Language - Essential Concepts

General Language Use

• Always answer questions in complete sentences.

• The verb haber (there is/are) in the third person doesn't always change for simple statements like stating presence.

Vocabulary & Family Relations

• Step-relations: Formed by adding a suffix to a regular word. For example, a "hangnail" is called "stepfather" (padrastro) in Spanish.

• In-laws:

  • Brother-in-law: cuñado

  • Sister-in-law: cuñada

• Cousins: primos

• Great-uncle: The brother of one's grandfather.

• Gender-neutral words: Professions like "doctor" or "artist" are often gender-neutral; only the accompanying article changes (e.g., el artista, la artista).

Pronunciation & Linking

• The letter 'h' is always silent in Spanish.

• Diphthongs: Two vowels in a row pronounced as a single sound.

• Vowel linking (Sinalefa): When a word ends in a vowel and the next word starts with the same vowel (or a silent 'h' followed by that vowel), they blend into one sound.

• Consonant linking: When a word ends in a consonant and the next word starts with the same consonant, they blend into one sound, producing a single consonant sound.

Study & Exam Tips

• Sections detailing family structures/descriptions in the book are a common source for oral exam questions.

• To practice vocabulary, describe your own family tree (up to three generations) using Spanish terms.