Learning the basic grammar of a new language is important, even if you`re studying abroad as part of an immersion program and spending time on the beach or hiking in the rainforest. The grammar of a language is the glue that holds everything together and ensures clear communication and smooth navigation through social situations. So read on to learn more about the five most important grammar rules in the Spanish language. This means that bailo, from bailar (to dance), means “I dance”. Baila, also from bailar, means “you dance” (formal, singular), “he dances” or “she dances”. The -o or -a at the end of verb forms reflects subject and number (first person singular or third person singular), but not gender. Learn the basics of grammar at CRLA, Costa Rica`s most trusted international language school with over 25 years of experience! CRLA provides: Standard forms in each Spanish-speaking country include: tú (singular, informal); usted (singular, formal) and ustedes (plural, formal). All these forms are used to address both men and women. There are also regional forms of “you”.
For example, the beach is “la playa”, to visit the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, however, you would say “las playas de Costa Rica”. The word for beach is assigned a feminine gender, which applies both singularly and plurally. So there are four ways to say “the” in Spanish – el libro, los libros, la playa, las playas. The definite article “the” only changes to match the name in gender and number. They are only used for stress or clarity, because the verb that ends at the end of the verb form does all the work. For example, a friendly Tico may say, “Bailas bien.” Note that the tú is not used here because it is clear that the person is talking to you. For more information on how to learn the basics of the Spanish language while going to the beach, traveling and enjoying all that Costa Rica has to offer, please contact us. And if you`re a teacher, consider enrolling in a special CRLA language immersion course designed specifically for teachers. Idioms, arguably the most exciting part of a language, reflect historical and social circumstances – and they`re a lot of fun to learn when you sign up for a Spanish immersion program. The English expression “When pigs fly” is translated into Spanish in different ways depending on the region. One way to translate this common saying is “when frogs grow hair.” And the Spanish proverb “No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír” translates word for word as “there is no worse deaf man than he who does not want to hear”, although the correct expression in English is: “There is no one as blind as he who will not see”.