Me encanta* - I really like. In this case the thing you really like is said after this. For example: Me encanta la flor. I like the flower.
(may en-cahn'-tuh)
* If the thing you really like is plural add an "n" to the end. For example: Me encantan las flores. I like the flowers.
Ok new word. We've learned how to say "I really like" but what if you just "like" something? In that case the phrase you want is:
"Me gusta" (may goo' stah). For example, "Me gusta el carro" I like the car. Like the other word with similar meaning, the subject follows and if plural an "n" is added to "gusta". For example: Me gusta el carro, I like the car but "Me gustan los carros" I like the cars.
almost. To make a noun (or adjective) plural add an "s" if the word ends in a vowel. If the word ends in a consonant use "es". For example: la flor las flores. To summarize: vowel - s, consonant - es
Not to heap too much information into one short little lesson, all nouns have gender. That is to say they're either masculine or feminine. There are rules as to what makes a word one or the other, but it's a long list and too confusing to memorize, imo. The easiest way is to just memorize the word "la" (fem.) or "el" (masc.) with the word. Dictionaries will put an "m" or "f" behind the translation to tell the learner which is which.
almost. To make a noun (or adjective) plural add an "s" if the word ends in a vowel. If the word ends in a consonant use "es". For example: la flor las flores. To summarize: vowel - s, consonant - es
Not to heap too much information into one short little lesson, all nouns have gender. That is to say they're either masculine or feminine. There are rules as to what makes a word one or the other, but it's a long list and too confusing to memorize, imo. The easiest way is to just memorize the word "la" (fem.) or "el" (masc.) with the word. Dictionaries will put an "m" or "f" behind the translation to tell the learner which is which.
I couldn't say for sure. I know that words in Spanish that end in "ma" are masculine because that's the way it is in Arabic. Which is due to the Muslim occupation of Spain at one time. As to any other commonalities I do good to know Spanish and English, lol.
Ordinarily words that end in "a" would be feminine, and words that end in "o" would be masculine. All others will simply have to be memorized with their respective articles: el or la
Good one. Just remember Anna isn't a lady 100% of the time nor is Otto a gentleman 100% of the time. However, as a general rule your memory device will work.
Ok, so while I'm here let's do another word. Let's revisit yesterdays word. While "me gusta/gustan" means "I like" a slight spelling change can give you the phrase "I would like". "Me gustarÃa la floreria": I would like the flower pot. Same rule with the "n" makes it "Me gustarÃan las florerias": I would like the flower pots.
Does the accent mark over the i mean that the emphasis is on that syllable? goo stah REE uh, not goo STAH ree uh? (I took French in high school, and the accents meant something completely different. Now that I live in Texas instead of Ohio, I really wish I had taken Spanish!)
This is a wonderful forum, by the way, Anne. Thank you!!!
