INSTRUCTOR: Volcano Spanish. Lesson 1 INSTRUCTOR: In this Spanish course, I will show you how to quickly and easily expand your Spanish vocabulary. You may find this hard to believe, but you already know literally thousands of Spanish words. When you finish with this Spanish course, you will have the tools in order to build an enormous Spanish vocabulary just by following a few simple rules and applying them to your knowledge of the English vocabulary. There are certain words that exist in both Spanish and English that are spelled the same way or almost the same way, and that have the same meaning or very similar meanings. These words are called cognates. The Spanish language evolved from Latin over the last two thousand years. Although the English language is not as closely related to Latin as Spanish, the English language still borrows thousands of words from Latin. Many of these words are the same words that Spanish uses. Spanish and English have also borrowed many words from Greek. As a result, Spanish and English have thousands of cognates in common. This is another reason why you can quickly build a huge Spanish vocabulary based on the English words that you already know. But be aware that there are certain words that have a common origin in Latin but have very different meanings in Spanish and English. These words are called false cognates. You may have also heard the terms false friends or "amigos falsos." But you should be happy to know that the overwhelming majority of these words, which are spelled the same or almost the same, have similar meanings in the two languages. While learning these Spanish cognates, or Spanish words that are similar to English words, be aware that many of these words may also have a slightly different spelling from English and the pronunciation is almost always a little different. All you have to do is make some slight changes in the spelling of many English words and they become Spanish words. In fact, there are many Spanish words which are spelled exactly the same way as their English counterparts. 1
In this lesson, you will learn about 7 groups or 7 categories of these Spanish cognates. Let s begin with the group of Spanish cognates that end in the letters O- R. These Spanish words, which end in the letters O-R, are stressed on the last syllable. Normally, these words are spelled the same way in both Spanish and English. Later in this lesson, I will have lots of interactive exercises for you to do. But for right now, I want you to repeat the following Spanish words after the Spanish speaker. Keep in mind that the Spanish word el means the. And the Spanish word un means a or an. Now repeat after the Spanish speaker. SPANISH SPEAKER: el actor el autor (author) el coautor (co-author) el color el director el doctor el humor el motor el error el profesor el tractor el doctor el inspector el instructor el opresor el editor un favor un conductor un inventor interior exterior superior ardor (Group 1- Spanish words that end in the letters O-R) 2
candor censor fervor furor honor horror INSTRUCTOR: The next group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know, end in the letters A-L. In most cases, you will find that the spelling of the words are identical in the two languages. It is very important that you repeat after the Spanish speaker if you want to develop proper pronunciation and an authentic Latin American Spanish accent. Now repeat the following Spanish words: SPANISH SPEAKER: (Group 2- Spanish words that end in the letters A-L) abdominal accidental animal anual arsenal artificial brutal canal capital carnal catedral (cathedral) central cereal ceremonial colonial colosal (colossal) comercial condicional confidencial (confidential) constitucional (constitutional) continental convencional (conventional) 3
coral cordial corral credencial criminal cristal (cristal) cultural decimal dental editorial educacional (educational) electoral elemental emocional (emotional) episcopal esencial (essential) especial excepcional (exceptional) experimental facial fatal federal festival final formal fraternal frugal fundamental funeral general gradual gramatical (grammatical) gutural horizontal hospital ideal ilegal (illegal) imparcial (impartial) imperial industrial 4
infernal informal inicial (initial) instrumental intelectual intencional (intentional) internacional (international) intestinal irracional (irrational) jovial judicial legal liberal literal local material matrimonial maternal medicinal mental metal monumental moral mortal municipal mural musical nacional (national) natural naval neutral normal ocasional oficial oral oriental original ornamental parcial (partial) pastoral 5
paternal pedal pedestal personal plural portal postal potencial (potential) principal profesional provincial puntual (punctual) racial racional (rational) regional residencial (residential) rival rural sensacional (sensational) sensual sentimental social superficial terminal total tradicional (traditional) trivial tropical universal usual vertical visual vital vocal INSTRUCTOR: The next group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know, end in the letters B-L-E. Spanish words that end in the letters B-L-E are stressed on the next to last syllable. You will usually find that the words are identical in the two languages. Repeat the following Spanish words after the Spanish speaker: 6
SPANISH SPEAKER: abominable aceptable adaptable admirable adorable afable cable comparable curable deplorable detestable durable explicable favorable flexible formidable ilimitable imaginable impenetrable impregnable improbable inalterable incomparable incurable inefable inestimable inevitable inexplicable inflamable inimitable insaciable inseparable interminable intolerable irreparable irreprochable (Group 3 - Spanish words that end in the letters B-L-E) 7
irrevocable irritable lamentable miserable navegable noble notable presentable probable respetable responsable sociable tolerable variable venerable vulnerable accesible admisible compatible dirigible horrible imperceptible imposible incompatible infalible invisible irresistible plausible posible susceptible tangible terrible visible INSTRUCTOR: The fourth group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know, end in the letters I-C. In order to change Spanish words that end in I-C to English words, all you have to do is add the letter O. Repeat the following Spanish words after the Spanish speaker: 8
(Group 4 - Spanish words that end in the letters I-C which are formed by adding the letter O to the end of English words) SPANISH SPEAKER: académico acrobático acuático aeronáutico agnóstico alegórico anémico antiséptico aristocrático aromático arsénico atlántico atómico automático auténtico (authentic) autocrático báltico británico burocrático cáustico científico (scientific) cosmético cromático democrático diabético diagnóstico dinámico diplomático dramático drástico económico elástico eléctrico enciclopédico enigmático erótico 9
evangélico excéntrico exótico fanático fantástico filantrópico filarmónico fonético fotográfico gálico geográfico gimnástico hipnótico histórico idiomático irónico lingüístico litográfico lunático mágico magnético mecánico melodramático metálico metalúrgico microscópico monástico mosaico narcótico neurótico nostálgico óptico optimístico ortopédico pacífico paralítico patriótico plástico platónico plutocrático 10
prehistórico profético prolífico prosaico público romántico rústico sarcástico sardónico sinfónico teutónico tónico tópico trágico transatlántico trópico volcánico INSTRUCTOR: Let s now learn about the fifth group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know. By simply adding the letter e to many English words that end in the letters E-N-T you can instantly add new words to your Spanish vocabulary. Repeat the following Spanish words: (Group 5 Spanish words that are formed by adding the letter e to English words that end in the letters E-N-T) SPANISH SPEAKER: accidente adolescente agente astringente cliente competente contingente decadente decente diferente eficiente elocuente (eloquent) 11
eminente equivalente evidente excelente frecuente (frequent) impaciente imprudente incidente incompetente inconsistente inconveniente indecente independiente (independent) indiferente indolente indulgente inherente insistente insolente insuficiente inteligente irreverente negligente occidente oriente paciente (patient) permanente potente precedente presente presidente prominente prudente reciente (recent) suficiente superintendente tangente transparente urgente vehemente 12
INSTRUCTOR: We will now cover our sixth group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know. By simply adding the letter e to many English word that end in the letters A-N-T you can instantly add new words to your Spanish vocabulary. Repeat the following Spanish words: (Group 6 Spanish words that are formed by adding the letter e to English words that end in the letters A-N-T) SPANISH SPEAKER: abundante consonante constante dominante elefante elegante ignorante importante incesante intolerante lubricante radiante restaurante insignificante INSTRUCTOR: Let s now talk about our seventh group of Spanish words, which are similar to English words that you already know. By simply adding the letter o to many English words that end in the letters M-E-N-T you can add new words to your Spanish vocabulary. Repeat the following Spanish words: (Group 7 Spanish words that are formed by adding the letter o to English words that end in the letters M-E-N-T) SPANISH SPEAKER: el argumento el implemento el monumento el armamento 13
el linimento el fragmento el sacramento el sentimiento (sentiment) el suplemento el testamento el temperamento INSTRUCTOR: Now let s do an exercise. I will say a phrase in English and then you will translate the phrase by saying it in Spanish. The Spanish speaker will then say the correct response in Spanish. Be sure to say the correct answer before the Spanish speaker and then make sure that you repeat the correct answer after the Spanish speaker in order to make sure that you develop an authentic Latin American Spanish accent. I will assume that you already know the following: The Spanish word es means is. Although, there are actually two ways to say is in Spanish, in this lesson we will use the Spanish word es. And in order to say is not we will use the Spanish phrase no es. As a reminder, the Spanish word un means a or an. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice? How do you say?: The cable is important. SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable es importante. INSTRUCTOR: The phrase Cómo se dice? means how do you say? or how does one say? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The cable is not important. SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable no es importante. INSTRUCTOR: Make sure that you say the correct answer before the Spanish speaker says it. And then repeat the correct answer after the Spanish speaker in order to make sure that you develop an authentic Latin American Spanish accent. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The animal is important. SPANISH SPEAKER: El animal es importante. 14
INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The professor is important. SPANISH SPEAKER: El profesor es importante. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The actor is romantic. SPANISH SPEAKER: El actor es romántico. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The actor is NOT romantic. SPANISH SPEAKER: El actor no es romántico. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The criminal is brutal. SPANISH SPEAKER: El criminal es brutal. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The monument is essential. SPANISH SPEAKER: El monumento es esencial. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The festival is special. SPANISH SPEAKER: El festival es especial. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The doctor is competent. SPANISH SPEAKER: El doctor es competente. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The doctor is incompetent. SPANISH SPEAKER: El doctor es incompetente. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The instructor is intelligent. SPANISH SPEAKER: El instructor es inteligente. INSTRUCTOR:. Cómo se dice?: The hosptial is excellent. SPANISH SPEAKER: El hospital es excelente. 15
INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The cereal is horrible. SPANISH SPEAKER: El cereal es horrible. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The restaurant is terrible. SPANISH SPEAKER: El restaurante es terrible. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The president is sociable. SPANISH SPEAKER: El presidente es sociable. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The cable is flexible. SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable es flexible. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The material is durable. SPANISH SPEAKER: El material es durable. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The president is democratic. SPANISH SPEAKER: El presidente es democrático. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The author is cordial. SPANISH SPEAKER: El autor es cordial. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: The lubricant is transparent. SPANISH SPEAKER: El lubricante es transparente. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se dice?: An accident is tragic. SPANISH SPEAKER: Un accidente es trágico. INSTRUCTOR: You can change the above sentences into questions just by changing the word order. For example, Es sociable el presidente? means is the president sociable? But in normal, everyday conversational Spanish, you are more likely to hear Spanish speakers use the same word order as a sentence and then 16
simply add a rising intonation at the end of the sentence in order to ask a question. For example, El presidente es sociable? English speakers commonly ask questions the same way in English. For example, I can ask is the president sociable? Or I can use the same word order as a sentence and add a rising intonation at the end of the sentence in order to form a question. For example, I can ask the president is sociable? INSTRUCTOR: Let s do another exercise. I will say a question in English and then you will translate it by asking the same question in Spanish. Use the same word order as a sentence but add a rising intonation at the end in order to form a question. Make sure that you say the question in Spanish before the Spanish speaker. And then repeat the question after the Spanish speaker in order to make sure that you develop proper pronunciation and an authentic Latin American Spanish accent. INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta? How do you ask?: Is the cable is important? SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable es importante? INSTRUCTOR: The phrase Cómo se pregunta? means how do you ask? or how does one ask? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the animal important? SPANISH SPEAKER: El animal es importante? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: The cable is not important? SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable no es importante? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the professor important? SPANISH SPEAKER: El profesor es importante? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the actor romantic? SPANISH SPEAKER: El actor es romántico? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: The actor is NOT romantic? 17
SPANISH SPEAKER: El actor no es romántico? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the criminal brutal? SPANISH SPEAKER: El criminal es brutal? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the monument essential? SPANISH SPEAKER: El monumento es esencial? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the festival special? SPANISH SPEAKER: El festival es especial? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the doctor competent? SPANISH SPEAKER: El doctor es competente? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the doctor incompetent? SPANISH SPEAKER: El doctor es incompetente? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the instructor intelligent? SPANISH SPEAKER: El instructor es inteligente? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the hospital excellent? SPANISH SPEAKER: El hospital es excelente? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the cereal horrible? SPANISH SPEAKER: El cereal es horrible? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the restaurant terrible? SPANISH SPEAKER: El restaurante es terrible? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the president sociable? SPANISH SPEAKER: El presidente es sociable? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the cable flexible? SPANISH SPEAKER: El cable es flexible? 18
INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the material durable? SPANISH SPEAKER: El material es durable? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the president democratic? SPANISH SPEAKER: El presidente es democrático? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the author cordial? SPANISH SPEAKER: El autor es cordial? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is the lubricant transparent? SPANISH SPEAKER: El lubricante es transparente? INSTRUCTOR: Cómo se pregunta?: Is an accident tragic? SPANISH SPEAKER: Un accidente es trágico? INSTRUCTOR: Let s do another exercise. In the following exercise, I will ask a question in Spanish. You will respond in Spanish with an affirmative answer. Make sure that you say the correct response before the Spanish speaker. And then repeat the correct response after the Spanish speaker in order to make sure that you develop correct pronunciation in Spanish. As a reminder, the Spanish word for yes is sí Let s begin. INSTRUCTOR: El cable es importante? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el cable es importante. INSTRUCTOR: El animal es importante? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el animal es importante. INSTRUCTOR: Un accidente es trágico? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, un accidente es trágico. INSTRUCTOR:. El profesor es importante? 19
SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el profesor es importante. INSTRUCTOR: El actor es romántico? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el actor es romántico. INSTRUCTOR: El criminal es brutal? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el criminal es brutal. INSTRUCTOR: El monumento es esencial? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el monumento es esencial. INSTRUCTOR: El festival es especial? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el festival es especial. INSTRUCTOR: El doctor es competente? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el doctor es competente. INSTRUCTOR: El doctor es incompetente? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el doctor es incompetente. INSTRUCTOR: El instructor es inteligente? SPANISH SPEAKER: Sí, el instructor es inteligente. INSTRUCTOR: Now I want you to respond in Spanish with a negative answer. Once again, make sure that you say the correct response before the Spanish speaker. And then repeat the correct response after the Spanish speaker in order to make sure that you develop correct pronunciation in Spanish. As a reminder, the Spanish word for no is no Let s begin. INSTRUCTOR: El actor es romántico? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el actor no es romántico. INSTRUCTOR: El hospital es excelente? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el hospital no es excelente. 20
INSTRUCTOR: El cereal es horrible? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el cereal no es horrible. INSTRUCTOR: El restaurante es terrible? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el restaurante no es terrible. INSTRUCTOR: El presidente es sociable? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el presidente no es sociable. INSTRUCTOR: El cable es flexible? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el cable no es flexible. INSTRUCTOR: El material es durable? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el material no es durable. INSTRUCTOR: El presidente es democrático? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el presidente no es democrático. INSTRUCTOR: El autor es cordial? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el autor no es cordial. INSTRUCTOR: El lubricante es transparente? SPANISH SPEAKER: No, el lubricante no es transparente. INSTRUCTOR: This is the end of lesson number 1 of Volcano Spanish. Repeat this lesson as many times as it takes in order for you to feel confident speaking the vocabulary words and phrases that you have learned in this lesson. For additional practice, print the PDF transcript to this lesson and try forming your own sentences and questions using the vocabulary words from this lesson. Be sure to speak out loud when practicing, so that you improve your Spanish pronunciation. 21