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Learn Spanish by Yourself: Conquer Regular Verbs in the Present in Minutes
Learning basic Spanish before traveling to South America can make a huge difference in your trip.
Most locals in South American countries speak little to no English, so knowing even a few key phrases helps you connect with people on a more personal level. Whether you’re ordering food, asking for directions, or chatting with a local shop owner, being able to communicate in Spanish shows respect for the culture and opens doors to more authentic experiences. Plus, it makes navigating daily situations like finding transportation or checking into hotels much easier.
A little Spanish can go a long way!
Why to learn spanish by yourself is important!
I remember when I first traveled to Europe, I tried to get by without knowing much French, because I was in France and assuming that is very similar to spanish in a restaurant, I ordered what I *thought* was grilled chicken, but it turned out to be a mystery dish!
Sometimes knowing a few important verbs and words, I could’ve avoided the surprise meal. So trust me—knowing regular verbs makes your trip smoother and way more fun!
1. Why Learning Regular Verbs Is Crucial for Travelers
Learning regular verbs in the present tense is an absolute must for travelers because it's what you’ll use every single day! Whether you’re ordering meals, asking questions, booking accommodations, or just introducing yourself, regular verbs make all of that possible. The present tense is key to communicating in real-time—like when you want to say "I need a taxi" (Yo necesito un taxi) or "We are staying here" (Nosotros nos quedamos aquí). Verbs like "hablar" (to speak), "comer" (to eat), and "vivir" (to live) are super common and easy to learn because they follow simple patterns. Mastering them will help you handle most daily situations when traveling, so you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of stressing about the language!
2. Understanding Regular Verbs in Spanish
Regular verbs in Spanish are the ones that play nice and follow predictable patterns. These verbs are grouped based on their infinitive endings: **-ar, -er,** and **-ir**. Once you know these endings, conjugating them in the present tense is a breeze!
Here’s the deal: regular verbs have the same stem, and you just swap out the ending depending on who’s doing the action (I, you, we, etc.). It’s like filling in the blanks!
For example:
- **-ar verbs:** hablar (to speak) – Yo **hablo**, tú **hablas**, nosotros **hablamos**.
- **-er verbs:** comer (to eat) – Yo **como**, tú **comes**, ellos **comen**.
- **-ir verbs:** vivir (to live) – Yo **vivo**, tú **vives**, nosotros **vivimos**.
So, instead of memorizing each verb individually, you just learn the pattern and use it with any regular verb. Easy, right? Once you get the hang of these patterns, you’ll be able to whip up sentences in no time—like a language pro!
3. Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense
For -ar verbs: Replace "-ar" with the endings: o, as, a, amos, áis, an
By instance: to speak hablar
- yo hablo = I speak
- tu hablas = you speak
- el habla = he speaks
- ella habla = she speaks
- nosotros hablamos = we speak
- *vosotros habláis = you all speak
- ellos hablan = they speak
- ustedes hablan = (LATAM) you all speak
For -er verbs: Replace "-er" with the endings: o, es, e, emos, éis, en
Comer = to eat
- Yo como = I eat
- tu comes = you eat
- el come = he eats
- ella come = she eats
- nosotros comemos = we eat
- *vosotros coméis = you all eat
- ellos comen = they eat
- ustedes comen = (LATAM) you all eat
- ustedes comen
For -ir verbs: Replace "-ir" with the endings: o, es, e, imos, ís, en
Vivir = to live
- yo vivo = I live
- tu vives = you live
- el vive = he lives
- ella vive = she lives
- nosotros vivimos = we live
- *vosotros vivís = you all live
- ellos viven = they live
- ustedes viven = (LATAM) you all live
PLEASE NOTICE that if you are planning to travel to South America, we do not use VOSOTROS instead USTEDES and we conjugated as ellos.
About us!
La Escuelita Spanish School in Montañita, Ecuador is the place to learn Spanish by the sea. My name is Gaby Estrella and I will be happy to help you to improve your spanish level, you can reach me at our school or in our socials, I am happy to join you in this amazing journey to learn spanish.
We are a local family business that offers personalized Spanish courses with certified and experienced teachers. Here, you won’t just learn Spanish; you’ll also immerse yourself in authentic Ecuadorian life. We’re just a minute’s walk from the beach and close to the famous surf spot known as ‘La Punta,’ where you can enjoy nature and relax in Montañita’s safest and most tranquil area. You’ll have the chance to chat with locals, explore colorful streets, and experience Spanish in its real context. We also offer online spanish lessons for you to master the language from the comfort of your home, more info!
Tips for Learning Spanish by Yourself
- Consistency is Key
Practicing a little every day, especially focusing on common verbs. - Interactive Tools
I recommend tools like language apps (Duolingo, Babbel), watching Spanish TV shows, and practicing with native speakers online or in person. if you want to know more or my recommendations check this blog: - Set Goals and Track Progress
Do not forget to set specific goals like learning a certain number of verbs per day and gradually incorporating them into conversations.
Conclusion
Mastering Regular Verbs for your South American Adventure will allow travelers to navigate basic conversations confidently, we love your effort and appreciate you are trying to communicatie with us in our language! We are happy to welcome you here in Ecuador and do not forget to check our free program:
10 days spanish guide, how you can actually learn spanish by yourself in only 10 days!
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