¡Hola!
In this lesson we will learn how to ask questions in Spanish.
First, you will find a video that explains how to do it and below the video you will find a PDF transcript you can print to make notes or carry around with you.
You will also find a downloadable Audio file in MP3 format you can save to your audio player or computer to practice when you are off line.
Here are the materials for today´s lesson, have fun:
AudioTranscript (text version):
Download Text File (right click, Save As)
Audio File (MP3):
Download Audio (right click, Save As)
See you soon! – ¡Nos vemos pronto!
My biggest challenge is when someone thinks I speak well. They respond to me and I’m not completely sure what they said.
That’s a common challenge.
The most important thing is not to freak out and take control of the conversation.
It is up to you to let the other person know where you are in terms of Spanish.
In order to help you feel more confident, you can memorize the following phrases in case you need them:
1- I don’t understand, can you repeat? I’m learning Spanish – No entiendo, ¿puede repetir por favor? Estoy aprendiendo español
2- Again please, I’m learning Spanish. – Otra vez por favor. Estoy aprendiendo español
3- Can you speak slower please? I’m learning Spanish. – ¿Puede hablar más lento por favor? Estoy aprendiendo español
Keep up the good work!
¡Saludos!
I hope it’s useful =)
That is also my biggest challenge as well. I can understand Spanish when spoken at a moderate pace.
Comprehension is my challenge, as well, but this is so great. Thank you so much!!
Understanding spoken Spanish is one of the most common challenges. In case you haven’t tried it, I suggest you practice your listening skills with my free podcast “15 Minute Spanish for Your Job”
You can find it here:
Using a web browser: https://spanishforyourjob.com/category/podcast/
For Apple devices: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/learn-spanish-15-minute-spanish-for-your-job-easy-spanish/id1045461151?mt=2
For Android devices: http://subscribeonandroid.com/spanishforyourjob.com/feed/podcast/
Have fun! 🙂
When asking a question of someone, you appear to use the third person form of the verb. E.g. should l say ?Que tu quiere? Or ?Que tu quieres?
Hi Jack!
That’s a great question and I love that you included a few examples.
It’s important to keep in mind that in Spanish we use 2 different conjugations for addressing someone casually (someone you’re familiar with, or someone younger) and for addressing someone formally (someone you don’t know well, such as a customer)
For casual questions, you would use the conjugation for the second person of singular.
In the case of “querer” (to want) it would be “quieres”
A full question would be phrased like this: “¿Qué quieres tú?” (What do you want?)
But in everyday life, people say “¿Qué quieres?”
In the case of addressing someone formally (such as a customer, which you’ve seen in some examples on this site) you would use the conjugation for the third person of singular which is usually used for he / she (él / ella)
A full question would be phrased like this: “¿Qué quiere usted?” (What do you want Sir / Ma’am?)
But in everyday life, people say “¿Qué quiere?” (make sure you smile when you say this, to make sure they know you’re being friendly)
Please let me know in case I didn’t answer your question.
¡Saludos Jack!