In Weeks 1 and 2, you learned two essential ways to talk about what exists and where things are. "Hay" tells you something exists (there is/there are), while "estar" tells you where something specific is located. Combined with prepositions, these let you describe any space:
Examples
Hay un sofá en el salón.There is a sofa in the living room.
El sofá está al lado de la ventana.The sofa is next to the window.
¿Hay una farmacia cerca?Is there a pharmacy nearby?
La farmacia está enfrente del banco.The pharmacy is opposite the bank.
Tip
Key distinction: Hay = existence (Is there...? / There is...). Estar = location of something specific (Where is the...? / The ... is...). From Weeks 1-2.
Grammar point 2 of 7
Demonstratives & shopping (Week 3)
Demonstratives point to things based on distance: este/esta (this - close), ese/esa (that - medium), aquel/aquella (that over there - far). You used these when shopping for clothes and asking about items:
Examples
Este vestido es bonito.This dress is pretty.
¿Cuánto cuesta esa camiseta?How much does that T-shirt cost?
Aquella tienda tiene mejores precios.That shop over there has better prices.
Me llevo estos pantalones.I'll take these trousers.
Tip
Remember the pattern: est- (here, near me), es- (there, near you), aquel- (over there, far from both). All must agree in gender and number with the noun. From Week 3.
Grammar point 3 of 7
Weather with hacer (Week 4)
Spanish uses four different structures for weather: hacer + noun (most common), estar + adjective, hay + noun, and weather verbs on their own. Let's review:
Examples
Hace frío en invierno.It's cold in winter.
Hace sol hoy. ¡Qué bien!It's sunny today. How nice!
Está nublado esta mañana.It's cloudy this morning.
Llueve mucho en primavera.It rains a lot in spring.
Tip
Four weather patterns: Hace + noun (hace calor, hace frío, hace sol, hace viento). Está + adjective (está nublado). Verb alone (llueve, nieva). Hay + noun (hay tormenta, hay niebla). From Week 4.
Grammar point 4 of 7
Irregular verbs & reflexives (Weeks 5-6)
In Weeks 5 and 6, you tackled irregular verbs and reflexive verbs for daily routines. The go verbs (yo form ends in -go) and reflexivepronoun placement are key patterns:
Key Irregular Verbs & Reflexives - yo Forms
Verb
yo Form
Example
ir
voy
Voy al trabajo.
hacer
hago
Hago la cena.
salir
salgo
Salgo a las ocho.
tener
tengo
Tengo dos hermanos.
venir
vengo
Vengo del gimnasio.
levantarse
me levanto
Me levanto temprano.
acostarse
me acuesto
Me acuesto a las once.
Examples
Salgo de casa a las ocho.I leave the house at eight.
Vengo del trabajo a las seis.I come from work at six.
Me levanto a las siete.I get up at seven.
Ana se ducha por la mañana.Ana showers in the morning.
Tip
Reflexive pronoun order: me/te/se/nos/os/se goes BEFORE the conjugated verb (me levanto), or attached to the infinitive (voy a levantarme). From Weeks 5-6.
Grammar point 5 of 7
Ir a + infinitive & verb + infinitive structures (Weeks 7, 10)
You now know four verb + infinitive structures. Together they let you express desire, ability, intention, and obligation - covering most of what you need to communicate:
Four Verb + Infinitive Structures
Structure
Meaning
Example
querer + inf.
want to
Quiero comer.
poder + inf.
can / be able to
Puedo hablar español.
ir a + inf.
going to
Voy a estudiar.
tener que + inf.
have to / must
Tengo que trabajar.
Examples
Quiero visitar el museo. (desire)I want to visit the museum.
Puedo ayudarte. (ability)I can help you.
Vamos a viajar mañana. (intention)We're going to travel tomorrow.
Tengo que estudiar esta noche. (obligation)I have to study tonight.
Tip
Remember - only the first verb conjugates. The second always stays in the infinitive. From Weeks 7 & 10.
Grammar point 6 of 7
Preterite: irregular + regular (Weeks 8-9, 11)
You can now talk about the past! You know irregular preterites (ser/ir, estar) and all three regular patterns (-AR, -ER, -IR). Let's see the full picture:
Complete Preterite Summary
-AR (hablar)
-ER (comer)
-IR (vivir)
ser/ir
estar
(yo)
hablé
comí
viví
fui
estuve
(tú)
hablaste
comiste
viviste
fuiste
estuviste
(él/ella)
habló
comió
vivió
fue
estuvo
(nosotros)
hablamos
comimos
vivimos
fuimos
estuvimos
(vosotros)
hablasteis
comisteis
vivisteis
fuisteis
estuvisteis
(ellos/ellas)
hablaron
comieron
vivieron
fueron
estuvieron
Examples
Fui al cine ayer. (ir)I went to the cinema yesterday.
Estuve en Valencia el fin de semana. (estar)I was in Valencia at the weekend.
Compré un billete de tren. (-AR)I bought a train ticket.
Comimos paella en el puerto. (-ER)We ate paella at the port.
Escribí una postal. (-IR)I wrote a postcard.
Tip
-ER and -IR preterite endings are identical. -AR uses "a" vowel endings, -ER/-IR use "i" vowel endings. Ser and ir share the same preterite forms (context tells you which). From Weeks 8-9, 11.
Grammar point 7 of 7
Full A1 integration - three time frames
The most powerful thing you can do at A1 is combine present, near future, and preterite in one narrative. This lets you talk about your life across time - what you do, what you're going to do, and what you did:
Examples
Vivo en Madrid. (present)I live in Madrid.
Trabajo como ingeniero. (present)I work as an engineer.
Ayer fui al cine con Ana. (preterite)Yesterday I went to the cinema with Ana.
Comimos palomitas y vimos una película española. (preterite)We ate popcorn and watched a Spanish film.
Mañana voy a visitar a mi hermana Carmen. (near future)Tomorrow I'm going to visit my sister Carmen.
Tengo que comprar un regalo para ella. (obligation)I have to buy a gift for her.
Tip
Time markers help your listener follow which tense you're using. Present: hoy, siempre, normalmente. Past: ayer, la semana pasada, el año pasado. Future: mañana, la próxima semana, este verano. You're now ready for A2!
Conversation
Conversation example
Ana has moved into her new flat. Pablo visits for the first time.
Pablo¡Hola, Ana! ¡Por fin estoy aquí! Tu piso está muy cerca del metro, ¿no?Hi, Ana! I'm finally here! Your flat is very close to the metro, isn't it?
Ana¡Pablo! Sí, está muy cerca. Está enfrente de una panadería, cerca del parque.Pablo! Yes, it's very close. It's opposite a bakery, near the park.
Pablo¡Qué bonito! ¿Me enseñas el piso?How nice! Will you show me the flat?
AnaClaro. Mira, este es el salón. Hay un sofá nuevo y una mesa grande. Y la cocina está aquí, al lado.Of course. Look, this is the living room. There's a new sofa and a big table. And the kitchen is here, next to it.
PabloMe gusta mucho. ¿Y el dormitorio?I like it a lot. And the bedroom?
AnaEstá al fondo. Es pequeño pero tiene mucha luz. Ayer compré unas cortinas nuevas.It's at the back. It's small but has lots of light. Yesterday I bought some new curtains.
PabloOye, ¡hace mucho calor hoy! ¿No tienes aire acondicionado?Hey, it's really hot today! Don't you have air conditioning?
AnaNo, pero hay un ventilador. En Guadalajara también hace calor en verano, así que estoy acostumbrada.No, but there's a fan. In Guadalajara it's also hot in summer, so I'm used to it.
Pablo¡Ja! ¿Sabes qué? Todavía pienso en nuestro viaje a Valencia. Fue increíble.Ha! You know what? I still think about our trip to Valencia. It was incredible.
AnaSí, fue genial. Comimos la mejor paella de mi vida y visitamos lugares preciosos. Estuvimos tres días perfectos.Yes, it was great. We ate the best paella of my life and visited beautiful places. We had three perfect days.
PabloY la Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias fue impresionante. Saqué cien fotos.And the City of Arts and Sciences was impressive. I took a hundred photos.
Ana¡Es verdad! Oye, tengo que contarte algo. Mi hermano Diego va a venir a Madrid la próxima semana.That's true! Hey, I have to tell you something. My brother Diego is going to come to Madrid next week.
Pablo¡Qué bien! ¿Y qué vais a hacer?How nice! And what are you going to do?
AnaVamos a visitar el centro. Quiero enseñarle el Retiro y la Plaza Mayor. Y tenemos que probar las croquetas del bar de abajo.We're going to visit the centre. I want to show him the Retiro and Plaza Mayor. And we have to try the croquetas from the bar downstairs.
Pablo¡Me encantan las croquetas! ¿Puedo ir con vosotros?I love croquetas! Can I come with you?
Ana¡Claro que sí! Va a ser divertido. Oye, ¿quieres un café? Tengo que estrenar mi cafetera nueva.Of course! It's going to be fun. Hey, do you want a coffee? I have to try out my new coffee maker.
el desayuno / la comida / la cenabreakfast / lunch / dinnerIn Spain lunch is la comida (comer = to have lunch). El almuerzo means lunch in Latin America and parts of Spain, but a mid-morning snack in eastern Spain
¿Qué hora es?What time is it?
por la mañana / por la tardein the morning / in the afternoon
siempre / a veces / nuncaalways / sometimes / never
soy / estoy / tengoI am (ser) / I am (estar) / I have
Practice
Test your understanding with these exercises.
Exercise 1 of 6 · Reading
Read the text about María's week and answer the questions:
Lectura
Me llamo María y vivo en Barcelona. Mi piso está en el centro, cerca de la Rambla. Hay dos dormitorios, un salón y una cocina pequeña.
La semana pasada fui a Sevilla con mi amiga Inés. Viajamos en AVE y llegamos en cinco horas y media. Visitamos la catedral y el Alcázar. Comimos tapas en el barrio de Triana y bebimos tinto de verano. ¡Estaba delicioso! Estuvimos tres días y compré recuerdos para mi familia.
Ahora estoy en casa. Hoy hace sol y no hace mucho calor. Esta tarde voy a ir al supermercado porque tengo que comprar fruta. Mañana tengo que trabajar, pero el sábado quiero ir a la playa. Me levanto temprano los fines de semana porque me gusta pasear por la mañana.
Este verano voy a viajar a Colombia. Quiero conocer Bogotá y Cartagena. Tengo que reservar el vuelo pronto.
1. Where does María live?
2. What did María do in Seville?
3. What is María going to do this afternoon?
4. Where does María plan to travel this summer?
Exercise 2 of 6 · Matching
Match the Spanish words and phrases to their English meanings - items from all Stage 2 weeks:
Spanish
English
Exercise 3 of 6 · Fill in the blanks
Complete each sentence with the correct form. The grammar point is mixed - hay, estar, demonstratives, irregular verbs, the preterite, ir a and reflexives:
un parque muy bonito cerca de mi casa.
La farmacia al lado del banco.
Ayer al cine con mis amigos. (ir - yo)
Mañana a visitar a mi abuela. (ir a - yo)
Ana a las siete de la mañana. (levantarse)
Nosotros paella en Valencia la semana pasada. (comer)
¿Cuánto cuesta camiseta? (this)
Ayer con mi madre por teléfono. (hablar - yo)
El domingo en casa todo el día. (estar - nosotros)
Todos los días de casa a las ocho. (salir - yo)
Los domingos la comida para mi familia. (hacer - yo)
Exercise 4 of 6 · Multiple choice
Choose the correct answer for each question - all topics from Stage 2:
1. Which sentence correctly describes the weather?
2. "Ayer _____ a la playa." Which form is correct?
3. You want to say "I have to buy a ticket." Which is correct?
4. "_____ tres habitaciones en mi piso." Choose the correct word:
5. Which reflexive sentence is correct?
6. You point at some shoes at the far end of the shop, far from you and from the shop assistant: "_____ zapatos del fondo son bonitos."
7. "En invierno _____ mucho frío en Madrid." Choose the correct word:
Exercise 5 of 6 · Matching
Complete the hotel check-in dialogue - match each sentence to the missing word:
Sentence
Missing word
Exercise 6 of 6 · Multiple choice
Choose the best response for each situation - DELE A1 style:
1. You are at a train station and need to buy a return ticket to Barcelona. You say:
2. Your friend asks what you did last weekend. You went to the beach. You say:
3. Someone asks where the pharmacy is. You know it's next to the bank. You say:
4. You want to tell your teacher about your morning routine. You say:
Listening practice
ConversationBeginnerElenaCarlos
Repaso con amigos
Review with Friends
Tip: If you need help, review the questions first, use the slow speed option, and check the transcript.
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ShowHide Transcript
Elena¡Hola, Carlos! ¿Qué tal? ¿Cómo está tu apartamento nuevo?Hi, Carlos! How are you? How's your new flat?
Carlos¡Muy bien! Es pequeño pero me gusta mucho. Hay un salón grande y la cocina está al lado. Está cerca del metro.Very well! It's small but I like it a lot. There's a big living room and the kitchen is next to it. It's near the metro.
Elena¡Qué bien! Oye, ¿qué hiciste el fin de semana pasado?How nice! Hey, what did you do last weekend?
CarlosEl sábado fui al centro con unos amigos. Comimos en un restaurante nuevo y después vimos una película. Y el domingo me levanté tarde y fui al parque.On Saturday I went to the centre with some friends. We ate at a new restaurant and afterwards we watched a film. And on Sunday I got up late and went to the park.
Elena¡Suena genial! Yo estuve en casa porque llovió todo el fin de semana aquí en Bogotá. Escribí emails y estudié para mis clases.Sounds great! I was at home because it rained all weekend here in Bogotá. I wrote emails and studied for my classes.
Carlos¡Qué aburrido! Aquí en Madrid hace sol hoy. Oye, ¿tienes planes para este verano?How boring! Here in Madrid it's sunny today. Hey, do you have plans for this summer?
ElenaSí, voy a viajar a España. Quiero visitar Barcelona y Sevilla. Tengo que comprar los billetes de avión pronto.Yes, I'm going to travel to Spain. I want to visit Barcelona and Seville. I have to buy the plane tickets soon.
Carlos¡Fantástico! Puedes visitarme en Madrid también. Vamos a pasear por el Retiro y te voy a enseñar los mejores restaurantes.Fantastic! You can visit me in Madrid too. We'll stroll through the Retiro and I'm going to show you the best restaurants.
Elena¡Me encanta la idea! Tengo que hablar con mis hermanas. Lucía y Marta quieren venir también.I love the idea! I have to talk to my sisters. Lucía and Marta want to come too.
Carlos¡Perfecto! Va a ser un verano increíble.Perfect! It's going to be an incredible summer.
Test yourself on this week's vocabulary with interactive flashcards.
Practise this week
Review all verb tables from Stage 2 - present tense irregulars, reflexives, and all preterite forms
Write a paragraph about yourself using all three time frames: present, preterite, and near future
Describe your home using hay and estar with prepositions
Tell someone about a past trip using mixed preterite forms
Practise a role-play: buying a train ticket, checking into a hotel, or shopping for clothes
Homework
Write a self-assessment: list 5 things you can now do in Spanish that you couldn't do before Stage 2. Then list 3 areas where you want to improve in A2.
Record yourself speaking for 2 minutes about your daily routine, a past holiday, and your plans for this summer - try to use all three time frames naturally.
Extra practice
Reinforce what you learned this week with these exercises from our site:
Welcome to A2 Stage 1! Next week you'll learn more irregular preterites (hice, tuve, pude, puse, supe, quise) to talk about life events and what you did. Later in A2 Stage 1 come the imperfect, for how things used to be, and object pronouns. Your Spanish adventure is just getting started!
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