SpanishPod101.com Blog

All About Spanish: Win the Spanish Grammar Challenge!

SpanishPod101.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:30:49 +0000

Unlike English, Spanish sentences are not so dependent on word order. Instead, Spanish uses a system of suffixes and particles to help mark the subject and object. Spanish verbs’ tense suffixes, for example, carry information about the person and number of the subject. This system of verb tense suffixes is called “conjugation,” and though it sounds challenging, don’t give up! After learning to conjugate, Spanish becomes a smooth sail!

It is important to remember the following points: gender and number.

“Gender” - Spanish nouns fall into two categories, “feminine” and “masculine” .
Generally, feminine nouns end in an” -a “vowel, and masculine nouns end in an ” -o” vowel.

“Number” - Check if the noun is singular or plural.
Usually, plurals end with an ” -s”.

Furthermore, adjectives and articles in Spanish reflect the gender and number of the items that they modify. This is called “agreement.” If you remember how to keep your agreements flowing smoothly, you will be speak just like a native! Surprise Spanish speakers by keeping to these rules of Spanish, which the speakers are aware of might be difficult for learners, and your efforts won’t go unappreciated!

All About Spanish: The Spanish Alphabet

SpanishPod101.com — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:30:25 +0000

Spanish and English are cognate languages; that is, many words in Spanish sound and look similar to their English equivalents. Because of these cognate words, and because of the similarity in alphabets, learners of Spanish can often guess the English equivalents of a Spanish word with a high degree of accuracy, and vice versa.

The Spanish writing system is based on the Roman alphabet,though some features are specific to Spanish, like the letter -ñ (as in Español!) , as well as the digraphs -ch, -ll, and -rr, which we traditionally analyze as single letters.

In addition to these peculiarities, a few Spanish words carry a written accent to distinguish homonyms, as in “él” (definite article “el” vs. subject pronoun “él”).

Thankfully enough, the Spanish alphabet is very similar to English and you will probably have no trouble with is small differences. Do keep in mind though, that missing these marks can lead to some confusion and even change the meaning of your sentence.
For example, “uña” (fingernail) and “una” ( the article “a̶ are distinguished only by the “ñ”, though context can make it apparent which one you are using.

Either way, it is important to keep your eyes open and identify them, and you will be well on your way to becoming an expert in Español!

February 2010 Social Media Contest Winners!

SpanishPod101.com — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:20:55 +0000

Every month, we are giving away great SpanishPod101.com prizes to 4 lucky listeners. Sign up to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or SpanishPod101.com to be eligible to win. Increase your chances of winning by following us on all three sites!

Here are February’s winners:

Facebook: Ashley Gelpi
Youtube: HeartlessAngelD
Twitter: travelojos
SpanishPod101: ysolberg

See your name here? Email us at contactus@spanishpod101.com to claim your prize. Check back next month for March`s winners!

All About Spanish: Your passport to an exciting world!

SpanishPod101.com — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:30:16 +0000

Having been developed from Latin and part of the Romance languages, Spanish was born in Spain, from where Spanish colonials spread the language to the western hemisphere, and to this day, remains the official language of the majority of Central and South America, and the Caribbean. However, you may have noticed that nowadays, people all over the world are studying Spanish in Brazil, the United States, and much of Europe.

The Spanish spoken in most of the world is the “Castellano” type of Spanish (originating from the Castille region of Spain), and is usually the Español we are mostly familiar with.

Today, Español keeps becoming more popular as a language for business, tourism, and travel. That is because Spanish is the native language of about 350 million people worldwide!

However, business aside, Spanish is a great language to learn if you want to experience all the delicious cuisines and fascinating culture that Spanish speaking countries can offer.

And most of all, don’t be shy! Generally speaking, Spanish speakers are very glad to help those who want to learn, and will gladly open the doors to their friendship if you just give it a try and say a simple “Hola!”

It is not in vain that native Spanish speakers have a well-earned reputation of warmth, friendliness, and great sense of humor.

Don’t miss out on the chance to learn Spanish; great times, great fun,and great friends await you in the Spanish-speaking world!

January 2010 Social Media Contest Winners!

SpanishPod101.com — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:28:48 +0000

Every month, we are giving away great SpanishPod101.com prizes to 4 lucky listeners. Sign up to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or SpanishPod101.com to be eligible to win. Increase your chances of winning by following us on all four sites!

Here are January’s winners:

Facebook: Sara Schaub
Youtube: nKATHY7
Twitter: zonjineko
SpanishPod101: serena07

See your name here? Email us at contactus@SpanishPod101.com to claim your prize. Check back next month for February’s winners!

December Social Networking Contest Winners!

SpanishPod101.com — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:26:43 +0000

Here are December’s winners:

Facebook: Rosalind Derksen
Youtube: erinachan413
Twitter: AnnaMarie6695
SpanishPod101: plojer

See your name here? Email us at contactus@SpanishPod101.com to claim your prize. Check back next month for January’s winners!

November Social Networking Contest Winners!

SpanishPod101.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:28:12 +0000

Here are November’s winners:

Facebook: Mohamed Beko
Youtube: migfer82
Twitter: gorillachild
SpanishPod101: hanabi

See your name here? Email us at contactus@SpanishPod101.com to claim your prize. Check back next month for December’s winners!

November 2009 Newsletter

SpanishPod101.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:59:22 +0000

1. Get serious about Spanish with The Ultimate Getting Started Spanish Package - Limited Time Offer! Stop by SpanishPod101.com/ULTIMATE to find out more.

2. Happy Thanksgiving! We want to say "Thank you" for listening to SpanishPod101.com! Use coupon code THANKS09 by November 26th and save 26% off any basic or premium subscription today! Click here to redeem this incredible, limited time offer today!

3. Best Lessons and Blog Entries for November! - Find out what’s popular this month! The blog has some great content for you to see.

Welcome to the SpanishPod101.com newsletter. These periodic newsletters will deliver to you all the exciting developments that are going on at SpanishPod101.com. With each issue, you will receive the latest announcements, promotional offers, blog news, and forum news, while getting a rare glimpse of the behind-the-scenes life at the SpanishPod101.com office!

Read and Enjoy! And as always, if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at contactus@spanishpod101.com

SpanishPod101.com Team

P.S. Don’t forget to use coupon code THANKS09 by November 26h to save 26% off any basic or premium subscription. Click here to redeem this incredible, limited time offer today!

October 2009 Newsletter

SpanishPod101.com — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:53 +0000

Introduction

Awesome new upgrade available for the iPhone/iPod Touch application - WordPower Spanish and now available for Android (the Google phone).
Social Networking Monthly Giveaways! - Every month, SpanishPod101.com will give away one 3-month Premium Subscription, one 3-month Basic Subscription, and two of our phenomenal iPhone applications. Become a subscriber to SpanishPod101’s YouTube account, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, or have a free lifetime account at SpanishPod101 to be eligible to win!
Best Lessons and Blog Entries for October! - Find out what’s popular this month! The blog has some great content for you to see.

Read and Enjoy! And as always, if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at contactus@SpanishPod101.com.

The SpanishPod101.com Team

P.S. Click here to learn Spanish, or any other language, even faster. Get 50% OFF a Second language with coupon code HALFPRICE.

[ IMPORTANT ] Back to School Special - SpanishPod101 September 2009 Newsletter

SpanishPod101.com — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:00:37 +0000

SAVE 15% OFF!
Back to School Special is Back for 2 days!
Save 15% OFF Any Basic or premium subscription!

Introduction

Save an INSTANT 15% OFF Any Basic or Premium Subscription! Back to School Special is here for 48 hours only! Claim your discount now.
Secets to Learning Spanish Secrets to learning Spanish REVEALED!
Best Lessons and Blog Entries for September! - Find out what’s popular this month! The blog has some great content for you to see.

Read and Enjoy! And as always, if you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at contactus@Spanishpod101.com.

SpanishPod101.com Team