SOUNDING MORE NATIVE WITH 'TAGS' from MARK FROBOSE

[Mark_Frobose]

Saludos a Todos Mis Alumnos,  = Greetings to all of my students

¿Cómo les ha ido?  = How have you you all been??

It's nice to hear back from all of you.

I thought you might like a few tips on sounding 'more native' though the use of tags.

Here goes .......

Tags are a great way to enhance your communicative ability in Spanish.

What is a 'tag'??

It's something you attach to the end of your sentences.

Here are a few suggestions:

¿Verdad? = Right?

¿No es cierto? = Isn't that correct?

¿Qué opina usted?  = What's your opinion?

¿Cómo la ve? = How do you see it? (colloquial Mexico)

¿No cree? = Don't you think? (believe?)

¿No? = Right?  Correct?  Alright?

Try these out today and see the magic they work on making you sound 'more native'.

Yours in language learning,

Mark Frobose

[mollz20]

Bien gracias. Y tu? Thank you for this lesson, I have copying down these phrases and practicing them at work as well.

Buenas noches,

Molly

[peg_loves_books]

I have a couple questions after listening to the 1st CD:

1. why do you say 'dar un paseo' and not 'tomar que caminar' (to take a walk)

2. Why do you say 'sacar buenas notas'  instead of 'conseguir buenas notas' (get good grades).

gracias,

peggy

[Mark_Frobose]

Hola Peg,

Thank you for your questions!!  - Gracias por tus preguntas

Here are the answers - Aquí están las respuestas

1. 'Dar un paseo' is an idiom.  It literally means 'to give a stroll' but the actual meaning is

'to take a walk'.

Please note:  You would never say 'tomar que caminar'.  Incorrect.

Simply say 'caminar'.  Voy a caminar.  I'm going to walk.

2. Sacar buenas notas is also an idiiom. In the whole it means to get good grades.  One cannot translate idioms word-for-word.

For example ....  Imagine you are teaching a Spanish speaker how to speak English.  The student asks you what 'I'd just as soon' means.  You try to explain that is has nothing to do with the word 'soon', or 'just'.  Together the meaning of 'just as soon' is 'prefer'.

I'd just as soon go to the store = I'd rather go to the store

The same rule applies to Spanish.  Idioms cannot be translated word for word, but must instead but seen as having an entirely new meaning when these seemingly disparate words are used together.

I hope this helps.

Happy language learning.

Mark Frobose

P.S. The verb  'Sacar' is very versatile and can mean everything from 'sacar la basura' to take out the garbage to 'sacar la pelota' for 'to serve the ball' while playing volleyball.  Interesting, ¿Verdad?

[peg_loves_books]

Muchas gracias, Marco.

Si, tus respuesta estan muy interesante. Yo entiendo ahora!

You can tell I am working with the cd's & the book. I really appreciate them both and your personal help to our (todos alumnos) preguntas.

peggy

[Mark_Frobose]

Hola Peg,

El gusto es mío - The pleasure is mine

I'm happy to serve and to help.  It's in giving that we receive.  I get more happiness that way too.

Please keep the questions coming.

¡Qué me hagan más preguntas! - May you all ask me more questions.

Abrazos,

Mark