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Spanish Lessons!
Can anyone help me?
I'm studying Pimsluer Spanish at work at the moment and a phrase I would like to use is "Can I have ......." The course so far has given "I want", "Give me", "Is there" which all seem inappropriate. What is the correct phrase for asking for something in a shop/restaurant etc. I could always ask someone when I get home but Im too impatient for that and need to push on with the course. Thanks in advance leckytech :) |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
If you want to speak Spanish like the Spanish then the phrases they are giving you are correct - you cannot just translate English into Spanish and expect it to work, what might seem abrupt/rude to us is everyday Spanish and how it is spoken.
However if you want to do it your way try: Puedo yo tener |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by leckytech
(Post 7842801)
Can anyone help me?
I'm studying Pimsluer Spanish at work at the moment and a phrase I would like to use is "Can I have ......." The course so far has given "I want", "Give me", "Is there" which all seem inappropriate. What is the correct phrase for asking for something in a shop/restaurant etc. I could always ask someone when I get home but Im too impatient for that and need to push on with the course. Thanks in advance leckytech :) me pide - me pone quería quiero ponme póngame dame déme |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by spainrico
(Post 7842816)
If you want to speak Spanish like the Spanish then the phrases they are giving you are correct - you cannot just translate English into Spanish and expect it to work, what might seem abrupt/rude to us is everyday Spanish and how it is spoken.
However if you want to do it your way try: Puedo yo tener edit the more I think about that the more I can't believe or understand why you would tell someone something so completely wrong:frown: why:confused: |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Yes this was dificult when I started learning. I found the trick was to use the polite version of the imperitive. This is the most polite way you can ask for things in Spanish. For example:
"Me cobras" por favor "Me traes la cuenta por favor" "Me das" la camisa con rayas "Me pones" un gin tonic por favor (or "me pongas" if you want to be super-polite use the subjunctive - I think....) This is better than using the imperitive i.e. ponme, dame, cobrame, traeme. Politeness in Spanish is all down to the tone of voice, a slight inclination towards the end of the sentence suggests that you are not being demanding. Foreign people can annoy Spaniards by shouting out imperitives in an agressive tone :) |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 7842834)
Yes this was dificult when I started learning. I found the trick was to use the polite version of the imperitive. This is the most polite way you can ask for things in Spanish. For example:
"Me cobras" por favor "Me traes la cuenta por favor" "Me das" la camisa con rayas "Me pones" un gin tonic por favor (or "me pongas" if you want to be super-polite use the subjunctive - I think....) This is better than using the imperitive i.e. ponme, dame, cobrame, traeme. Politeness in Spanish is all down to the tone of voice, a slight inclination towards the end of the sentence suggests that you are not being demanding. Foreign people can annoy Spaniards by shouting out imperitives in an agressive tone :) |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 7842843)
when I'm teaching I tend to find that the less words a student needs to learn the better - reminding them as you say, about a pleasant tone of voice & a questioning lilt - I call it the 'aussie lift'
I was lucky enough to have my university summer holidays in Spain at my parents. Mainly consited of watching the cricket and learning Spanish from my books. Then I spent 1 month on an intensive course and all the theory clicked into place. Since, then I've not looked at a book again, just put myself in situations where I need to speak and listen |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 7842821)
don't be mean:frown:
edit the more I think about that the more I can't believe or understand why you would tell someone something so completely wrong:frown: why:confused: |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 7842850)
The only person I have taught is myself :)
I was lucky enough to have my university summer holidays in Spain at my parents. Mainly consited of watching the cricket and learning Spanish from my books. Then I spent 1 month on an intensive course and all the theory clicked into place. Since, then I've not looked at a book again, just put myself in situations where I need to speak and listen usually along the lines of 'do you remember when we learned.....................................? well, that's called the.......................... & you can use the same method/idea/construction to say.......................................' a groan went up when I said 'verb' the other day! it's the difference between teaching them how to manage on a day to day basis & how to pass an exam - they're not going to be taking any exams, so it really doesn't matter if it's called the subjunctive/imperative/preterite/simple tense/compound tense/whatever! |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by Mitzyboy
(Post 7842871)
I think the OP wanted the direct translation of "Can I have"
and it's not what spainrico put anyway:( |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 7842876)
most of my students don't know or want to know anything about grammar - I teach them how to say something & sneak the grammar in when they're not looking!
usually along the lines of 'do you remember when we learned.....................................? well, that's called the.......................... & you can use the same method/idea/construction to say.......................................' a groan went up when I said 'verb' the other day! it's the difference between teaching them how to manage on a day to day basis & how to pass an exam - they're not going to be taking any exams, so it really doesn't matter if it's called the subjunctive/imperative/preterite/simple tense/compound tense/whatever! Yes I agree, I'm sure the grammer thing is what makes so many un-academic people give up. If the goal is for them to get by at the shops then there is no need to teach the grammer If the goal is to eventual speak fluent Spanish, grammer has to form the basis. There is no other way in Spanish as the subtleties between the conjugation of verbs make all the difference. |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 7842880)
I don't think so though - and if he did you wouldn't use that phrase in a restaurant or a shop, as I think he realises
and it's not what spainrico put anyway:( If he used it and people didnt understand him then he would become very dispondent |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 7842882)
Yes I agree, I'm sure the grammer thing is what makes so many un-academic people give up.
If the goal is for them to get by at the shops then there is no need to teach the grammer If the goal is to eventual speak fluent Spanish, grammer has to form the basis. There is no other way in Spanish as the subtleties between the conjugation of verbs make all the difference. one day when I have time......................... |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 7842884)
I agree with lynnxa. The OP cant go around sayin Puedo yo tener... it makes absolutely no sense.
If he used it and people didnt understand him then he would become very dispondent |
Re: Spanish Lessons!
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 7842880)
I don't think so though - and if he did you wouldn't use that phrase in a restaurant or a shop, as I think he realises
and it's not what spainrico put anyway:( |
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