Hola amigos
When I first started learning Spanish I kept coming across words ending in “arse.”
That’s not as bad as it looks. It’s pronounced “AHR SEH.”
I am sure you have seen it too with words like these:
levantarse
cambiarse
casarse
preguntarse
acostumbrarse
cansarse
enfermarse
enojarse
escaparse
mejorarse
preocuparse
They are like taco stands in Tijuana, or Jack in the Box burger joints in Southern California – everywhere you look, you see one.
And they have a cousin that used to cause me even more confusion. Their cousin is the pesky little pronoun se:
Se habla español.
Se lava las manos.
Se levanta temprano.
Se tiene que ir.
Everywhere you look: se, se, se. Que pasa? (What’s going on?)
There is a slim chance you may have figured this out for yourself. If you have, then a big tip of the hat to you. It literally took me years to get a handle on these verbs.
Most likely though, like me in trying to decode this part of Spanish, you’ve been hit by explanations that left you feeling more confused.
Or maybe it made sense sometimes, but at other times it seemed inconsistent.
Good news!
I can show you a much easier way to use this part of the Spanish language.
The secret is in making connection between Spanish and English.
Once you start seeing the connections, you’ll understand more of what is said to you.
It’s also a great way to fast-track you advancement in how you speak the language. It makes your Spanish sound more authentic, more articulate and more natural.
You can take your first step to more authentic Spanish today by joining in the conversation on the “Hard Spanish Made Easy” lesson.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Note: This lesson is one of a series of Spanish multipliers that I am currently writing. This one uses the formal form of Spanish.
I designed the lessons with my graduates of Synergy Spanish in mind.
It’s a sample from the third of five conversation multipliers that come with membership in Bola de Nieve, which is the follow up course after Synergy Spanish,
If you can already get by in Spanish or you have done that course, then this lesson will fall into place for you very easily.
On the other hand, if you find this lesson too difficult, you probably don’t yet have the foundation you need to fully enjoy Spanish.
All you are missing are some key language patterns that are very easy to learn. Synergy Spanish can get you caught up and have your Spanish flowing in just a few weeks.
Let me know what you think of the lesson, and if you would like more lessons like this one.
I so enjoyed this lesson and all the lessons you send. I am still working in Synergy Spanish. Thank you.
es un maravilloso programa muy completo y con los mejores profesores para dominar el idioma español pero aqui hay algo con lo que lo complementaria here is this really helped me http://bit.ly/2sjnAPX realmente me funciono definitivamente combinaria los dos . Good Luck everyone l know you can do it ..
it seems to be a nice option to l will try both programs
Very useful technique for learning, would like to see development and more usage of reflexive verbs in conversation
Very helpful way to work through the use of se/me without too much pain.
That was very interesting.
Excellent. Great addition to Synergy Spanish.
Thanks Marcus…I have found your technique to be effective and so much fun.
I have lived in Spain for many years but because of the availability of English speakers I have been lazy and so far
have not committed myself to moving on with the language.I believe that it is high time I dedicated some real time
to study.
Thanks again
It’s worth the effort. It will enrich your life so much.
Thanks for the lesson.I found myself attempting to form the replies with great success…even if a little tricky at times.
Hi Marcus,
I really enjoy your technique and would like to see more like this. I have lived in Spain and have a basic grasp of the language but still struggling to understand full conversations and speak properly.
I would like an intensive month of Spanish training.
Thanks,
Sam
Gracias por todo la ayuda mi amigo. Salgo a Tijuana a veces y esta lección puede ayudarme con el lenguaje.
De Nuevo muchas gracias.
Muchas gracias, Marcus. Mejor ayuda. Si, mas, mas, mas!!! Tu buen amigo, Francisco
Me encanta la leccion! Me encanta todas sus lecciones! Y, me encantaria mas lecciones pronto. Gracias Marcus, por todas las lecciones excelente. Muy apreciado!
I would very much like to have more lessons like this I am at the intermediate level but need more help with my grammar
ay dios mio!! Que dificil es hablar en español? Por dos años fui a una iglesia hispanca. estaba aprendido a español en estos años. ahora estoy tomando una clase de español a mi escuela, pero no me siento como el material que mi profe esta de enseñar es suficiente. Me gusta los lecciones gratis que usted me dio, y me gustaria comprarlas. despues de la secundaria y la universidad, quiero vivir en Panama, y ahi quiero ser maestra de ingles a los que no hablan esta lingua.La razon primera y mas importante de querer vivir en Panama es que mi abuelo esta que esa pais. Dios le bendiga hermano y gracias por todo su ayuda.
Muy bein. Pero mucho muy difícil para mi. ..xx
Damn good. You keep the helpful little additional lessons coming. Eres el maestro de los profesores de español.
Saludos,
Keith
It’s really good and helpful.I enjoyed it.It’s easy for me to remember and understand spanish. Muchas Gracias, Marcus.
Your learning methods are very helpful. Gracias! Marcus.
Great lesson Marcus.
Dear Marcus, Your lessons in Synergy Spanish is very helpful. I’m makig wonderful progress in my Spanish learning. Gracias mucho.
Marcus gracias por su audio, me gustaria mas lecciones.
Saludos. Joey
hola Marcus
muchas gracias por la lección.
Reflexive verbs and pronouns are a bit of a problem for me so any advice and guidance is very gratefully received,
salud Steve
Hola, Señor Marcus
Gracias para estas lecciones. Me gusta recibirlos. yo casi
terminar synergy Spanish. Me gusto la lcciones muy bien.
The special videos are always welcome.
James (Jaime)
This audio was excellent.I really learnt something new.I like these lessons but I need the video also.
all in Polish is the same
I continue to be amazed at the work you are doing. I think this should expand to a nation wide program so we can communicate with our neighbors. I am thrilled with your course and do plan to go to the next level when I complete synergy Spanish. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing. I am half Mexican and have told you about my mother who died at 103 years old. I only wish I had this information then because as she regressed her primary language became Spanish again she used to say when she would speak in Spanish and I didn’t understand, “well you should! One day, when I see her again, she will be thrilled and want to meet you and your fine family????
I like yout teaching methods Marcus, a higher level would be great.
It was excellent and perfect for my ability level.
I am 81 and can speak perhaps not very perfect but I am not afraid to go to Argentina for 30 days
at a time and speak Spanish only. My friends cannot believe it and I only finished lesson 9 because
I was on a plane between Germany and Malta and had a stroke on the plane.
I will finish the course in the next few weeks as soon as I complete 150 hours of difficlt exams.
Thanks much
Dr. Joe N aquilina
Gracias Marco.
Confidence is soaring as never before. I am beginning to think in Spanish as I try to talk to myself in Spanish around the house as I cook, clean and wash. The reflexives have always been a puzzle but I think there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am devouring Synergy.at the moment.
Geraldine
Marcus, at 76, I so wanted (need) to see it one more time with you speaking and I able to read , just like all the other lessons we have. Could not be done, could only hear it for a second time, not reading. Please allow us to hear and see it written as well. Of course this is as awesome as everything else we are learning. For us oldies, the only difference is the pace. In a nut shell, joy, joy, joy learning Spanish your way.
Thank you Marcus. Wishing you and the entire family well.
Paula Zina in Ecuador.
No hay problema.
Try this version with video:
http://www.synergyspanishsystems.com/blog/hard-spanish-made-even-easier/
Anyway, I’m relearning good Spanish now, and trying to practice. Thank you!
This is the first lesson I’ve had time to go through, start to finish, and I liked it a lot! I learned French in grades 7-11, but moved to Japan, so rarely used it. Then we moved to Italy, six months in Livorno, and 3.5 years in Sardegna… I was very fluent in both street and clasdroom Italian for many years, then fell away from using it, living back in the U.S. I took two Spanish-immersion courses, a year apart, and it confused my Italian My partner of many years is Cuban-American now, with an almost monolingual family… his Spanish is surprinsingly limited, and vocabulary is small too, based on mostly socializing. The accent sounds like the Godfather!
Yes, I would like more lessons like this one
Very good but it would be helpful if the words were written. I wasn’t sure how to spell ‘remember’ in Spanish because it wasn’t one of the list of words used.
Su clase es grande. Yo practico cada lesson todos las dias y estoy aprendiendo mucho
Qué bueno, Marcus !
Gracias por sus lecciones muy interesante y agradable.
holo Marcus , thanks for video too hard for me yet anne
Fantastic. This is so wonderful that I feel elated by the progress this audio has offered me.
perfect
Audio not working could not listen to lesson
This is an awesome lesson! I am “fixin’ to” (That is tejano! 🙂 ) share it with the Spanish class I teach…..
Me gusto mucho. Continue sending me the lessons.
Thank you, I am very happy about every lesson you are sending me. Gracias
Marcus,
As usual with all your audios, very well done. I appreciate those extras that come up every so often. I have completed Synergy and am moving on to Bola within a few days.
Saludos,
Thanks Marcus,
I am really enjoying my learning experience on Synergy Spanish. All these extras are great!
It’s true that if you enjoy a lesson, as a pleasurable experience, then you are more likely to learn and to retain this information. This is how I feel with your method of teaching Spanish.
I don’t feel bogged down with the grammatical knowledge, that a lot of other methods seem to burden you with. In your method my knowledge of the grammar will come along during the conversational text without the intensity. Thank you once more.
Jak Kilkenny
Just found your website while searching for meaning of REFLEXIVE VERBS IN SPANISH. =)
I loved what I read, and then, l was able to listen to about half of your audio lesson. I can relate to your manner of teaching. Need to pack for a trip–Will definitely be coming back to this site – Thanks
delighted with your lessons
Thank you
This is brilliant!
Me gusto mucho. He aprendido nuevas palabras de una manera nueva.
Muchas gracias