This lesson is part of the Intermediate Spanish Course (143 lessons)
Expand and master your Spanish skills with this in-depth view of more advanced grammar topics, vocabulary and expressions that have been condensed and simplified so that you can understand and remember them in no time at all. This course is jam-packed with easy-to-follow information that will enable you to not just understand and be understood, but really show off!
Click here for a list of all 143 lessons in this course
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FULL VIDEO OR MP3 COURSE
In this free Spanish lesson we will look in more detail at the different uses of the Spanish word Como, specifically analysing Como si … and Ni que … This continues the theme from the previous Spanish lesson and if you haven’t already watched that lesson I recommend going back to do so just after, or just before, this new lesson. Como is another of those words that we use a lot in everyday Spanish conversation and for that reason it is a good idea to become familiar with all of its meanings and uses. As we have mentioned before, it is very very rare that a Spanish word has one simple and straightforward translation into English, such as Como = Like. You have to keep an open mind and be prepared to deal with lots of different translations for any one Spanish word. Como, for example, can be translated to Like, As, About, or How in English depending on the specific moment it is used in. It takes time to pick up all of the little intricacies of the Spanish Language and patience, perseverance and an open mind are strong qualities in the most successful Spanish students. The best and easiest way to pick up all of the finer details is to live in Spain or Latin America and surround yourself with native speakers all day and every day. That way you will be learning Spanish and improving even when you are not aware of it. Even, if you don’t live in Spain or Latin America, however, you can still get all of the material you need from the wonderful invention that is The Internet! I am a firm believer that anyone of any age can learn a foreign language; it all depends on the time you can set aside to studying Spanish and practising Spanish and the dedication you have to achieving your goals.
Lesson notes:
Como si + subjuntivo: To describe something real with an imaginary idea in Spanish:
Como si + imperfecto de subjuntivo: When both elements are simultaneous
Habla en inglés como si fuera británico: He speaks English as if he was British
Como si + pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo: When the imaginary element occurred first
Habla ingles como si hubiera vivido en Inglaterra: He speaks English as if he had lived in England
Ni que + imperfectde subj/pluscuamp de subj: To describe something real with an imaginary idea in Spanish, giving greater emphasis on the imaginary idea:
Silvia gasta todo su dinero en ropa. ¡Ni que fuera rica!: Silvia spends all her money on clothes as if she were rich
Activity:
Make up your own sentences in Spanish practicing “Como si” and “Ni que”:
Como si + imperfecto de subjuntivo
Como si + pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo
Ni que + imperfectde subj/pluscuamp de subj
Here are the possible answers to the last activity:
Mi padre habla como tú
Hice todo como me dijiste
Iba a hacer todo como me dijeras
