Starting with a short sentence | Learn Spanish in English

About This Lesson

Use Starting with a short sentence to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Las palabras sencillas son más fáciles para mí.

lahs pah-LAH-brahs sen-SEE-yahs sohn mahs FAH-see-les pah-rah MEE Simple words are easier for me.

Podemos empezar con una frase corta.

poh-DEH-mohs em-peh-SAR kohn OO-nah FRAH-seh KOR-tah We can start with a short sentence.

Eso me ayuda a entender.

EH-soh meh ah-YOO-dah ah en-ten-DAIR That helps me understand.

Lee esta línea después de mí.

LEH-eh EH-stah LEE-neh-ah dehs-PWES deh MEE Read this line after me.

Estoy listo para intentarlo.

ehs-TOY LEES-toh pah-rah een-ten-TAR-loh I am ready to try.

Tómate tu tiempo y dilo con claridad.

TOH-mah-teh too TYEHM-poh ee DEE-loh kohn klah-ree-DAHD Take your time and say it clearly.

Word by Word

Las “Las” means “the” before a feminine plural noun. In “Las palabras sencillas,” it identifies the words being discussed, so this pattern is useful when referring to a specific group of things.

palabras “Palabras” means “words” in this dialogue. It is the noun in “Las palabras sencillas,” a useful pattern for describing particular words in a lesson or conversation.

sencillas “Sencillas” means “simple” and describes “palabras” in “Las palabras sencillas.” Its form matches that noun, so it is useful for describing a group of words as simple.

son “Son” connects “Las palabras sencillas” with their description, meaning “are.” In “son más fáciles,” it states a general feature of the words, a pattern useful for saying what something is like.

más “Más” adds the comparative meaning “more” to “fáciles” in “son más fáciles para mí.” The pattern “más + adjective” is useful when saying that something has a quality to a greater degree.

fáciles “Fáciles” means “easy” in “son más fáciles para mí.” Together with “más,” it describes the words as easier for the speaker, a useful way to compare the difficulty of things.

para “Para” means “for” in “para mí” and marks whose perspective or benefit is being described. This pattern is useful when saying that something is easy or difficult for a particular person.

mí “Mí” means “me” after “para” in “para mí.” It identifies the person for whom the words are easier, so this form is useful when expressing a personal point of view after “para.”

Podemos “Podemos” means “we can” and presents “empezar” as something the speakers are able or willing to do. The pattern “Podemos + infinitive” is useful for suggesting a possible shared action.

empezar “Empezar” means “to start” after “Podemos” in “Podemos empezar.” The infinitive names the action that the speakers can do, a useful pattern for proposing where an activity should begin.

con “Con” means “with” in “empezar con una frase corta.” It introduces the thing used as the starting point, a useful pattern for saying what an activity begins with.

una “Una” means “a” before the feminine noun “frase” in “una frase corta.” It introduces one sentence without identifying a specific sentence, a useful pattern for mentioning a new item.

frase “Frase” means “sentence” in “una frase corta.” It names the short piece of language the speakers will start with, so it is useful in a language-learning context when referring to a sentence.

corta “Corta” means “short” and describes “frase” in “una frase corta.” Its form matches that noun, and the phrase is useful for specifying the length of a sentence or other item.

Eso “Eso” means “that” and refers to the previous idea, starting with a short sentence. In “Eso me ayuda,” it makes that earlier idea the thing that helps, a useful way to refer back to something just mentioned.

me “Me” means “me” in “me ayuda a entender” and marks the person who receives the help. This position before the verb is useful when saying that an action affects or benefits you.

ayuda “Ayuda” means “helps” in “me ayuda a entender.” It describes the helpful effect of “Eso” on the speaker, and the pattern “me ayuda a + infinitive” is useful for saying what helps you do something.

a “A” links “ayuda” with the action “entender” in “ayuda a entender.” In this pattern, it introduces the action that the help makes possible, so it is useful after “ayudar.”

entender “Entender” means “to understand” in “me ayuda a entender.” It names the action the speaker is helped to do, and the pattern “ayuda a + infinitive” is useful for describing helpful actions.

Lee “Lee” tells one person to read in “Lee esta línea.” It is used as a direct instruction in the lesson, so this form is useful when asking someone to read something aloud or silently.

esta “Esta” means “this” and identifies “línea” in “esta línea.” It points to a particular line near the speakers, a useful pattern for referring to one specific item.

línea “Línea” means “line” in “Lee esta línea.” It names the text the learner is asked to read, so it is useful when referring to a line in a dialogue, text, or exercise.

después “Después” means “after” in “después de mí.” It places the learner’s reading after the other speaker’s reading, a useful expression for describing sequence.

de “De” completes the expression “después de mí” and links “después” with the person who acts first. This pattern is useful for saying that one action happens after another person or event.

Estoy “Estoy” means “I am” when describing the speaker’s state in “Estoy listo.” It presents readiness as the speaker’s current condition, a useful pattern for stating how you feel or what state you are in.

listo “Listo” means “ready” in “Estoy listo para intentarlo.” It describes the speaker’s readiness for the action that follows, so the pattern “Estoy listo para + infinitive” is useful when saying that you are prepared to do something.

intentarlo “Intentarlo” means “to try it” in “para intentarlo.” The ending “lo” refers to the thing being tried, and this form is useful when saying that someone is ready to attempt something already understood from the context.

Tómate “Tómate” is the command used in “Tómate tu tiempo,” which tells the listener to allow themselves enough time. With “tu tiempo,” it is useful advice when encouraging someone not to hurry.

tu “Tu” means “your” in “tu tiempo” and identifies the time as belonging to the listener. The pattern “tu + noun” is useful when addressing someone directly about something connected with them.

tiempo “Tiempo” means “time” in “Tómate tu tiempo.” Together, the expression advises the listener to proceed without rushing, so it is useful when giving patient encouragement during a task.

y “Y” means “and” and joins the two instructions in “Tómate tu tiempo y dilo con claridad.” It is useful for connecting related actions in one instruction.

dilo “Dilo” means “say it” in “dilo con claridad.” It asks the listener to say the previously mentioned line, so this form is useful when directing someone to say a particular thing aloud.

claridad “Claridad” means “clarity” in “con claridad.” The full expression describes speaking clearly, so it is useful when giving instructions about how something should be said.

Grammar Points

poder + infinitivo

Podemos empezar.

poh-DEH-mohs em-peh-SAR

We can start.

Use poder followed by an infinitive to express ability or possibility, as in podemos empezar.

Imperativo afirmativo + pronombre

Tómate tiempo.

TOH-mah-teh TYEHM-poh

Take your time.

In affirmative commands, a reflexive or object pronoun can attach to the verb: tómate, dilo, intentarlo.

Spanish Vocabulary

ayudar verb

ah-yoo-DAR to help ayuda

corto adj

KOR-toh short corta

empezar verb

em-peh-SAR to start

entender verb

en-ten-DAIR to understand

eso pron

EH-soh that Eso

fácil adj

FAH-seel easy fáciles

frase noun

FRAH-seh sentence; phrase

leer verb

LEH-ehr to read Lee

palabra noun

pah-LAH-brah word palabras

para mí phrase

pah-rah MEE for me

poder verb

poh-DAIR can; to be able to podemos

sencillo adj

sen-SEE-yoh simple sencillas

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

We can start with a short sentence.

Show Answer

Podemos empezar con una frase corta.

That helps me understand.

Show Answer

Eso me ayuda a entender.

Read this line after me.

Show Answer

Lee esta línea después de mí.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

sentence; phrase

Show Answer

frase

easy

Show Answer

fáciles

word

Show Answer

palabras

to start

Show Answer

empezar