How to Spanish (2024)

Not a lot of difference.

The major difference is thatvamos is thenosotros form ofir in the present tense. Sovamos can mean “we go”.

But in terms of a command…

Vamos is “Let’s go”;Vámonos is “Let us go”.

The real difference here is thatvamos is fromir; andvámonos is a reflexive nosotros command form ofirse.

Whileir means “to go”,irse means “to go away / to leave”.

The difference is the same asvoy “I’m going” or “I go” vs.me voy “I’m going” or “I’m leaving”.

In some cases reflexives take on a whole different meaning… in this case, the meaning is somewhat different but not completely different.

For instance…

Lava los platos. - Wash the dishes.

Lávate las manos. - Wash your hands. [Reflexive]

Or…

Duerme. - Sleep.

Duérmete. - Go to sleep. / Fall asleep.

Or sometimes…

Quita eso. - Get rid of that.

Quítate eso. - Take that [masculine noun] off.

Quítese eso. - Take that off (formal).

Quítense eso. - Take that off (all of you).

Pon la mesa. - Set the table.

Ponte la camisa. - Put on a shirt.

Póngase la camisa. - Put on a shirt (formal).

Pónganse la camisa. - Put on your shirts (everyone).

So when it’s a reflexive involvingnosotros, it could just be the verb by itself… or they add the-nos because that’s the reflexive marker fornosotros.

Durmamos. - Let’s sleep.

Durmámonos. - Let’s go to sleep. / Let’s fall asleep.

Quitemos eso. - Let’s get rid of that.

Quitémonos la camisa. - Let’s take off our shirts.

Pongamos la mesa. - Let’s set the table.

Pongámonos la camisa. - Let’s put on our shirts.

Some people usevamos, some usevámonos. It’s one of the cases where the meaning is understood either way if you’re using it as a command.

Though, I know lots of people in the U.S. who sayvámonos just because it’s more familiar a command thanvamos… probably because things like Dora the Explorer sayvámonos and not so muchvamos.

How to Spanish (2024)

FAQs

How can I learn Spanish by myself? ›

How to learn Spanish on your own: The best tips and techniques
  1. Read in Spanish (even as a beginner)
  2. Spend time on grammar.
  3. Listen to Spanish podcasts and music.
  4. Focus on pronunciation.
  5. Watch Spanish TV and Movies.
  6. Have conversations: Go beyond “¿como estas?”
  7. Use apps and social media.
  8. Immerse yourself.
Feb 1, 2024

How can I learn Spanish so fast? ›

Spanish, like any other language you want to learn, isn't easy, but here are ten sure-fire ways to learn it faster:
  1. Sing along to the music. ...
  2. Watch Telenovelas. ...
  3. Read everything. ...
  4. Enhance your commute. ...
  5. Translate. ...
  6. Find a Spanish-speaking lover. ...
  7. Move to Spain! ...
  8. Or at least travel to a Spanish-speaking spot (and then practice!)

Is Spanish easy to learn? ›

Yes! Spanish is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn. While any language requires hard work to master, our language experts sat down and looked at spelling, pronunciation, and grammar and found Spanish to be the easiest option for beginners.

How to start speaking Spanish? ›

How to speak Spanish once and for all – 11 things you must do
  1. Learn to spell and pronounce Spanish words.
  2. Get the hang of basic vocabulary in Spanish.
  3. Master your grammar.
  4. Practice reading aloud.
  5. Watch movies in Spanish.
  6. Listen to music and sing along.
  7. Educate yourself on common mistakes.
  8. Immerse yourself in the language.

Is there a trick to learning Spanish? ›

Practice with Native Speakers

Regular practice with native Spanish speakers is invaluable for improving your conversational skills. Engaging in real-life conversations helps in understanding the practical use of words and phrases, making your learning process more dynamic.

What is the easiest language to learn? ›

10 Easiest Languages for English Speakers to Learn
  1. Afrikaans. Like English, Afrikaans is in the West Germanic language family, once thought of as a Dutch dialect. ...
  2. French. Ah, the language of love. ...
  3. Spanish. ...
  4. Dutch. ...
  5. Norwegian. ...
  6. Portuguese. ...
  7. Swedish. ...
  8. Italian.

Is 30 minutes a day enough to learn Spanish? ›

Based on the data in our courses: If you learn Spanish by yourself, focus on learning chunks native Spanish speakers use, and you commit to studying 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week, you can get to an intermediate level in 48 weeks.

How long does it realistically take to learn Spanish? ›

So, to answer “how long does it take to learn Spanish” – it should take you about 24 weeks to learn Spanish, according to Foreign Service Institute. To explain it a bit more, if you spend 3 hours every day learning Spanish, you'll achieve fluency in around six months.

Why can I read Spanish but not speak it? ›

Receptive multilingualism occurs because there is a radical difference in the cognitive efforts required to undertake the brain activity of comprehending a language and speaking it. If you've been exposed to a language for a sufficient period of time, understanding it is easier and faster than communicating in it.

What are 5 Spanish words? ›

13 Very Common Spanish Words
  • Hola – hello.
  • Adiós – goodbye.
  • Por favor – please.
  • Gracias – thank you.
  • Lo siento – sorry.
  • Salud – bless you (after someone sneezes)
  • Sí – yes.
  • No – no.

Is French or Spanish easier? ›

Spanish may be easier to learn at first , but the vowels, past tense rules, and conjugation can make it more challenging as you progress in your learning journey. On the other hand, once you get the basics of French down, like consonants and accent, it may be just as easy as Spanish to you.

Is Spanish or Italian harder? ›

Spanish grammar is often considered simpler than Italian grammar due to its relatively straightforward conjugation rules and more consistent verb endings. Spanish verbs tend to follow more predictable patterns, with fewer irregularities compared to Italian.

How can I self learn Spanish? ›

Immersing yourself in the Spanish language is key to developing fluency and conversational skills. Listen to Spanish podcasts, audiobooks, and spanish songs to refine your listening comprehension. Mimic native speakers, practice pronunciation, and engage in conversation with language exchange partners or tutors.

How long does it take to become fluent in Spanish on your own? ›

To explain it a bit more, if you spend 3 hours every day learning Spanish, you'll achieve fluency in around six months. On the other hand, if you reduce your Spanish time to one hour a day, it will take about 1.5 years to learn, according to FSI.

How can I become fluent in Spanish at home? ›

Top tips on how to speak Spanish fluently
  1. Immerse yourself in Spanish. ...
  2. Read Spanish (a lot) ...
  3. Start speaking Spanish from day one. ...
  4. Study Spanish grammar. ...
  5. Make a study plan. ...
  6. Listen to Latin music. ...
  7. Focus on one Spanish dialect at a time. ...
  8. 1-on-1 lessons with a tutor.

How to teach Spanish to beginners? ›

Spanish Lesson Plans
  1. The Alphabet. Lesson Goal: Introduce the Spanish alphabet and pronunciation. ...
  2. Numbers. ...
  3. Definite and Indefinite Articles. ...
  4. Create a “Langspo” Board. ...
  5. Rearrange Desks for Different Lessons. ...
  6. Cover a Wall with Real-world Spanish Examples. ...
  7. Make a Spanish Hand Collage. ...
  8. Create Visual Flashcards.
Jan 16, 2024

Is it possible to learn Spanish just by listening to it? ›

The truth is, humans acquire languages in one way and one way only, and that's by understanding the input, not by hearing the language. If you just expose yourself to auditory content that you do not understand, you might absorb it, but you will not progress to independent fluency.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.