Use this library whenever you want a clear, standalone explanation of Mexican Spanish. Grammar examples include their English meanings, the verb and pronoun references show Spanish forms beside practical English equivalents, the pronunciation library explains the alphabet and major Mexican-Spanish sound patterns, and the cognate library keeps every approved family pattern visible with only the transformation letters in red.
A standalone Spanish grammar reference organized as individual lessons. Each lesson explains the structure in plain English, shows the core pattern, gives natural Mexican Spanish examples, highlights a common mistake, and links to related reference lessons. Use it whenever you want to understand the grammar behind what you are saying.
What this grammar does
Spanish often allows the subject pronoun to disappear because the verb ending already identifies the person. Keep the subject when you need emphasis, contrast, or clarity.
Core pattern
(subject) + verb + complement
Watch for this
Do not copy the English habit of repeating I, you, he, she in every sentence. Spanish uses subject pronouns more selectively.
Related reference lessons
Subject pronouns · Regular present tense · Basic word order & focus
What this grammar does
The basic negative word no normally goes directly before the conjugated verb. Other negative words can replace or reinforce it. Spanish allows negative agreement, so two negative-looking words can belong in the same negative sentence.
Core pattern
no + conjugated verb
Watch for this
Do not translate English “do not” word by word. Spanish normally needs only no before the verb.
Related reference lessons
Statements & subject omission · Quantifiers & indefinite words · Direct object pronouns
What this grammar does
A yes/no question can keep the same word order as a statement. Question marks, intonation, and context show that it is a question.
Core pattern
¿statement word order?
Watch for this
Written Spanish uses both ¿ and ?. You usually do not need an English-style auxiliary such as do or does.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Question words ask for the missing information. Most carry a written accent when they are interrogative: qué, quién, cuál, cuándo, dónde, cómo, cuánto and por qué.
Core pattern
question word + verb + rest
Watch for this
Distinguish por qué “why” from porque “because.” Keep the accent on interrogative words in direct and indirect questions.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Both verbs can translate as “to be,” but they organize meaning differently. Ser identifies, classifies, defines, gives origin, profession, material and time. Estar locates and describes states or conditions viewed as circumstances.
Core pattern
ser = identity/classification; estar = location/state
Watch for this
Do not reduce the contrast to “permanent vs temporary.” A location can be permanent and still normally use estar; an event location normally uses ser.
Related reference lessons
Hay vs está / están · Adjective position & meaning · Passive voice vs result states
What this grammar does
Hay presents the existence of something: “there is/there are.” Está and están locate a specific or already identified thing. Hay does not change for singular or plural in standard present usage.
Core pattern
hay + indefinite thing; definite thing + está/están
Watch for this
Avoid *hay los restaurantes* when you mean “the restaurants are there.” Use están for definite things.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
When a direct object is a specific person—or sometimes a personified animal—Spanish normally places a before that object. The a does not mean “to” in this construction.
Core pattern
verb + a + specific person
Watch for this
Do not add personal a before ordinary things: Veo la casa, not *Veo a la casa*.
Related reference lessons
Direct object pronouns · Contractions: al and del · Unknown or nonexistent referents
What this grammar does
The preposition a contracts with el to form al, and de contracts with el to form del. These contractions do not occur with la, los, las or with él meaning “he.”
Core pattern
a + el = al; de + el = del
Watch for this
Do not contract de él or a él when él is a pronoun.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Spanish has flexible word order, but a neutral statement often follows subject–verb–object when the subject is expressed. Pronouns and context allow Spanish to move information for emphasis, contrast or natural topic flow.
Core pattern
neutral: (subject) + verb + object/complement; move elements for focus
Watch for this
Do not assume every English word must stay in the same position. Keep object-pronoun rules and natural information flow in mind.
Related reference lessons
Statements & subject omission · Pronoun placement · Adverbs & -mente
What this grammar does
Tú is the normal informal singular “you.” Usted is singular and grammatically takes third-person verb forms for respectful or formal address. In Mexican Spanish, ustedes is the normal plural “you” in both informal and formal groups.
Core pattern
tú + 2nd-person singular; usted/ustedes + 3rd-person forms
Watch for this
Do not use vosotros for ordinary Mexican Spanish. Match usted and ustedes with third-person verb forms.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Spanish nouns have grammatical gender. Many nouns ending in -o are masculine and many ending in -a are feminine, but these are clues rather than absolute rules. Learn a noun with its article when possible.
Core pattern
el + masculine noun; la + feminine noun
Watch for this
Do not guess only from the final letter. Common exceptions must be learned as complete noun phrases.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Most nouns ending in a vowel add -s. Nouns ending in a consonant usually add -es. Written accents can shift or disappear to preserve normal stress.
Core pattern
vowel + s; consonant + es
Watch for this
Plural spelling follows pronunciation and stress rules, not just an automatic -s.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The definite articles are el, la, los and las. Spanish uses them in many places where English may omit “the,” especially with general categories, body parts, days and certain habitual expressions.
Core pattern
el / la / los / las + noun
Watch for this
Do not mechanically remove the article because English has no “the.” Spanish article use follows its own patterns.
Related reference lessons
Indefinite articles · Article use: Spanish vs English · Noun gender
What this grammar does
The indefinite articles are un, una, unos and unas. They introduce a nonspecific member or members of a group. Spanish often omits un/una before an unmodified profession after ser.
Core pattern
un / una / unos / unas + noun
Watch for this
With professions, Soy un médico can be correct when the noun is modified or emphasized, but simple identification usually omits the article.
Related reference lessons
Definite articles · Article use: Spanish vs English · Ser vs estar
What this grammar does
Spanish often uses articles for general nouns, languages as subjects, body parts, clothing and days of the week. It may omit them in some identification, quantity and fixed-expression contexts.
Core pattern
article choice follows Spanish meaning, not English surface form
Watch for this
Translate the idea, not the English article pattern.
Related reference lessons
Definite articles · Indefinite articles · Possessive adjectives
What this grammar does
Descriptive adjectives normally agree with the noun in gender and number when the adjective has variable forms. Many adjectives ending in -e or a consonant use the same singular form for masculine and feminine.
Core pattern
noun + agreeing adjective
Watch for this
Agreement belongs to the Spanish noun phrase; English adjectives do not show this change, so it must be consciously checked.
Related reference lessons
Noun gender · Plural formation · Adjective position & meaning
What this grammar does
Many descriptive adjectives normally follow the noun. Some frequently come before the noun, especially quantity, evaluation or shortened forms. Position can also change emphasis or meaning.
Core pattern
noun + descriptive adjective; selected adjective + noun
Watch for this
Do not treat adjective position as a rigid “always after” rule. Learn common pre-noun uses and meaning changes.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Several common adjectives shorten before certain singular nouns: bueno→buen, malo→mal, primero→primer, tercero→tercer, alguno→algún, ninguno→ningún and grande→gran before singular nouns.
Core pattern
short form + singular noun
Watch for this
The full form returns in other positions: El día es bueno; el paso primero is possible in specialized ordering.
Related reference lessons
Adjective position & meaning · Quantifiers & indefinite words · Quantifiers & indefinite words
What this grammar does
Short possessives go before the noun: mi(s), tu(s), su(s), nuestro/a/os/as. They agree with the thing possessed, not with the owner. Su can mean his, her, your formal or their, so de + person can clarify.
Core pattern
possessive + noun
Watch for this
Do not make mi or tu agree for gender; only number changes. Nuestro does show gender and number.
Related reference lessons
Possessive pronouns · Definite articles · Prepositional pronouns
What this grammar does
Long possessive forms mío/a, tuyo/a, suyo/a, nuestro/a and their plurals can stand after a noun or replace it, usually with an article when replacing a noun.
Core pattern
el/la/los/las + possessive pronoun
Watch for this
The form agrees with the possessed item: las llaves son mías, even if the owner is male.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Este/esta/estos/estas point to what is near the speaker; ese/esa… to something less near; aquel/aquella… to something farther away or more remote in time. Modern spelling normally omits accents on demonstrative pronouns.
Core pattern
este / ese / aquel + agreeing noun
Watch for this
Make the demonstrative agree with the noun in gender and number.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Use más…que and menos…que for “more/less…than,” and tan…como for equality. Better/worse and older/younger often use mejor, peor, mayor and menor.
Core pattern
más/menos + adjective/adverb + que
Watch for this
Do not add más before mejor or peor in standard comparison: *más mejor* is nonstandard.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The relative superlative uses a definite article plus más or menos: el más grande, la menos cara. Absolute emphasis can use muy or suffixes such as -ísimo/-ísima.
Core pattern
article + más/menos + adjective
Watch for this
Keep agreement in the article and adjective.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Tan modifies adjectives or adverbs and means “so/as.” Tanto modifies nouns or functions as a pronoun/adverb of quantity; before nouns it agrees: tanto, tanta, tantos, tantas.
Core pattern
tan + adjective/adverb; tanto/a/os/as + noun
Watch for this
Do not use tanto directly before an adjective: use tan.
Related reference lessons
Comparatives · Quantifiers & indefinite words · Adverbs & -mente
What this grammar does
Many adverbs describe how, when, where or to what degree something happens. A common formation adds -mente to the feminine singular adjective form; when two -mente adverbs are coordinated, Spanish may place -mente only on the last one.
Core pattern
feminine adjective + mente
Watch for this
Accent marks from the adjective are retained before -mente: fácil → fácilmente.
Related reference lessons
Adjective agreement · Basic word order & focus · Comparatives
What this grammar does
Words such as mucho, poco, bastante, demasiado, todo, cada, algún, ningún, alguien, nadie, algo and nada express amount or indefiniteness. Some agree with nouns; others are invariable pronouns.
Core pattern
quantifier + noun / indefinite pronoun
Watch for this
Negative words after the verb normally need no before the verb: No veo nada.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The neuter article lo does not refer to a masculine noun. It turns an adjective, participle or clause-like idea into an abstract concept: “the … thing,” “what is …,” or “the … part.”
Core pattern
lo + adjective/participle
Watch for this
Do not use lo as the article for a masculine noun; use el with actual masculine nouns.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Spanish subject pronouns include yo, tú, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, ustedes, ellos and ellas. In Mexican Spanish, ustedes is the normal plural “you” in both formal and informal contexts.
Core pattern
subject pronoun + conjugated verb (when needed)
Watch for this
Subject pronouns are often omitted when the verb or context makes the subject clear.
Related reference lessons
Statements & subject omission · Regular present tense · Tú, usted & ustedes
What this grammar does
Direct object pronouns replace the thing or person directly affected by the verb: me, te, lo, la, nos, los, las. They normally come before a conjugated verb.
Core pattern
direct-object pronoun + conjugated verb
Watch for this
For people, the noun may use personal a, but the pronoun itself does not: Veo a Ana → La veo.
Related reference lessons
The personal a · Indirect object pronouns · Pronoun placement
What this grammar does
Indirect object pronouns show to whom or for whom something is done: me, te, le, nos, les. A clarifying a + person phrase is common and often coexists with the pronoun.
Core pattern
indirect-object pronoun + verb (+ a + person)
Watch for this
Spanish often keeps the indirect pronoun even when the recipient is named.
Related reference lessons
Direct object pronouns · Double object pronouns · The personal a
What this grammar does
When an indirect and direct object pronoun appear together, the indirect comes first. Le and les change to se before lo, la, los or las.
Core pattern
me/te/se/nos + lo/la/los/las + verb
Watch for this
Never say *le lo* or *les la*. Use se lo, se la, se los or se las.
Related reference lessons
Indirect object pronouns · Direct object pronouns · Pronoun placement
What this grammar does
Object and reflexive pronouns normally go before a conjugated verb. They may attach to an infinitive or gerund, and must attach to affirmative commands. With a conjugated verb + infinitive/gerund, both placements are often possible.
Core pattern
before conjugated verb OR attached to infinitive/gerund
Watch for this
Attached gerunds and commands may need a written accent to preserve stress.
Related reference lessons
Double object pronouns · Affirmative commands · Negative commands
What this grammar does
Reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, se show that the subject acts on itself, or they form part of a pronominal verb. Many daily-routine verbs are commonly reflexive.
Core pattern
subject + reflexive pronoun + verb
Watch for this
Do not assume every English “myself/yourself” expression maps directly to a reflexive verb; learn verbs in their normal Spanish pattern.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
With gustar and similar verbs, the thing liked is grammatically the subject and the person experiencing the feeling is expressed with an indirect object pronoun. The verb agrees with the thing liked.
Core pattern
indirect pronoun + gusta/gustan + thing
Watch for this
Do not conjugate gustar to match the person who likes something. Match the verb to the thing or action that causes the reaction.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Se has several important jobs: reflexive/pronominal marker, replacement for le/les before a direct object pronoun, impersonal se, passive se and accidental-event constructions. Meaning comes from the whole structure.
Core pattern
se + verb (function depends on structure)
Watch for this
Do not try to translate every se with one English word. Identify the construction first.
Related reference lessons
Reflexive pronouns · Double object pronouns · Impersonal se & passive se
What this grammar does
After most prepositions, Spanish uses mí, ti, él, ella, usted, nosotros/as, ustedes, ellos and ellas. Con + mí/ti forms conmigo and contigo. Subject forms yo and tú normally do not follow ordinary prepositions.
Core pattern
preposition + mí/ti/él…; conmigo/contigo
Watch for this
Use entre tú y yo in the standard expression after entre; otherwise prepositions normally take mí/ti rather than yo/tú.
Related reference lessons
Contractions: al and del · Possessive adjectives · Relative pronouns
What this grammar does
Plural reflexive pronouns can express mutual action—“each other”—when two or more people act on one another. Context normally distinguishes reciprocal from reflexive meaning.
Core pattern
nos/se + plural verb
Watch for this
When meaning could be ambiguous, add el uno al otro / la una a la otra or entre sí for clarity.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Impersonal se presents an action without naming a specific doer and normally uses a third-person singular verb. Passive se presents a thing affected by the action; the verb agrees with that thing.
Core pattern
impersonal: se + 3rd singular; passive: se + agreeing verb + noun
Watch for this
With a specific person as direct object, personal a often signals an impersonal construction: Se busca a la doctora.
Related reference lessons
Uses of se · The personal a · Passive voice vs result states
What this grammar does
The infinitive is the unconjugated verb form. Spanish infinitives end in -ar, -er or -ir. The ending identifies the verb family and helps predict regular conjugation.
Core pattern
stem + -ar / -er / -ir
Watch for this
After another conjugated verb, Spanish often uses an infinitive where English also uses “to + verb”: Quiero comer.
Related reference lessons
Regular present tense · Modal & obligation expressions · Infinitives after prepositions
What this grammar does
Regular present forms remove the infinitive ending and add person/number endings. The present can express what happens now, habitually, generally, or in the near future with context.
Core pattern
-ar: o, as, a, amos, an; -er: o, es, e, emos, en; -ir: o, es, e, imos, en
Watch for this
In Mexican Spanish, ustedes uses the same verb form as ellos/ellas.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Many present-tense verbs change a stressed stem vowel in most forms but not in nosotros/as: e→ie, o→ue and e→i are common patterns.
Core pattern
stem change in stressed forms; nosotros keeps base stem
Watch for this
Do not apply the stem change mechanically to nosotros/as in the present indicative.
Related reference lessons
Regular present tense · Irregular yo forms · Present subjunctive formation
What this grammar does
A number of high-frequency verbs have a special first-person singular present form, often ending in -go, -zco or another irregular shape. The remaining forms may follow another pattern.
Core pattern
special yo form + regular/stem-changing remainder
Watch for this
The irregular yo form often helps build the present subjunctive.
Related reference lessons
Stem-changing verbs · Present subjunctive formation · Tener, hacer, poder & querer
What this grammar does
Ser, estar and ir are highly irregular and must be learned as complete systems. They also carry different core meanings: identity/classification, state/location, and movement.
Core pattern
soy/eres/es/somos/son; estoy/estás/está/estamos/están; voy/vas/va/vamos/van
Watch for this
Do not build these verbs from regular endings; treat them as high-frequency patterns.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
These high-frequency verbs combine irregular present forms with very common meanings: possession/age/obligation, doing/making/weather, ability/possibility and wanting.
Core pattern
conjugated high-frequency verb + complement
Watch for this
Do not translate English idioms word by word: age uses tener, and many weather expressions use hacer.
Related reference lessons
Modal & obligation expressions · Infinitives · Pronoun placement
What this grammar does
Spanish expresses ability, desire, obligation and advice with conjugated verbs or fixed expressions followed by an infinitive. Common patterns include poder, querer, deber, tener que and hay que.
Core pattern
modal/obligation expression + infinitive
Watch for this
Hay que is impersonal; tener que changes with the person who has the obligation.
Related reference lessons
Infinitives · Tener, hacer, poder & querer · Ir a + infinitive
What this grammar does
Estar + gerund focuses on an action in progress. Spanish uses the simple present more widely than English, so the progressive is not required for every English “-ing” form.
Core pattern
estar + gerund
Watch for this
Use the progressive for an unfolding action, not automatically for general habits or scheduled future events.
Related reference lessons
Adverbs & -mente · Pronoun placement · Aspectual verb phrases
What this grammar does
After a preposition, Spanish normally uses an infinitive when the verb itself is the object of that preposition. Common combinations include antes de, después de, para, sin and al + infinitive.
Core pattern
preposition + infinitive
Watch for this
Do not insert an English-style gerund simply because English says “before leaving” or “without asking.” Spanish uses the infinitive here.
Related reference lessons
Infinitives · Purpose clauses with para que · Contractions: al and del
What this grammar does
Common verb phrases show the beginning, continuation, repetition or end of an action. Learn them as meaning patterns followed by an infinitive or gerund.
Core pattern
acabar de / volver a / dejar de + infinitive; seguir + gerund
Watch for this
The verb before the infinitive/gerund carries the tense and person; the following verb stays non-finite.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The preterite presents a past event as completed or bounded. Regular -ar and -er/-ir verbs use distinct preterite endings.
Core pattern
-ar: é, aste, ó, amos, aron; -er/-ir: í, iste, ió, imos, ieron
Watch for this
The nosotros form of regular -ar and -ir verbs can look like the present; context identifies the tense.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Many common verbs use special preterite stems and endings. Ser and ir share the same forms; context supplies the meaning.
Core pattern
irregular stem + e, iste, o, imos, ieron (with some special patterns)
Watch for this
Do not add written accents to the standard strong-preterite endings such as tuve or hicieron.
Related reference lessons
Regular preterite · Preterite spelling & stem changes · Past participles
What this grammar does
Some verbs change spelling to preserve sound, and -ir stem-changing verbs show a reduced stem change in third-person preterite forms.
Core pattern
orthographic change where pronunciation requires it
Watch for this
These changes are systematic sound/spelling adjustments, not random exceptions.
Related reference lessons
Regular preterite · Stem-changing verbs · Present subjunctive formation
What this grammar does
The imperfect describes past background, repeated/habitual actions, ongoing situations, age, time and states without presenting their endpoint. Only ser, ir and ver are irregular.
Core pattern
-ar: aba…; -er/-ir: ía…
Watch for this
Do not choose imperfect merely because an English verb says “was.” Choose it for how the past situation is being viewed.
Related reference lessons
Preterite vs imperfect · Regular preterite · Past time expressions
What this grammar does
The contrast is about viewpoint. Preterite advances completed events; imperfect supplies background, habits, descriptions and actions viewed from inside. The two commonly appear together.
Core pattern
background (imperfect) + event (preterite)
Watch for this
Do not use a one-word English translation to choose the tense. Ask whether you are framing an event or describing the scene/background.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Haber in the present + past participle connects a past event to the present. In contemporary Mexican Spanish, the simple preterite is often preferred for clearly completed past events, while the present perfect is natural for experiences or situations viewed as still relevant/open.
Core pattern
he/has/ha/hemos/han + participle
Watch for this
Do not force English present-perfect usage onto Mexican Spanish. A finished time expression such as ayer commonly favors the preterite.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The past perfect uses imperfect haber + past participle to place one completed event before another past reference point.
Core pattern
había/habías/había/habíamos/habían + participle
Watch for this
With haber, the participle does not agree with the subject or object: había escrito, habían escrito.
Related reference lessons
Present perfect in Mexican Spanish · Past participles · Reported speech
What this grammar does
Hace, desde, desde hace and llevar help locate duration and starting points. Spanish often uses the present for an action that began in the past and continues now.
Core pattern
hace + time; desde + point; desde hace + duration; llevar + duration + gerund
Watch for this
Do not automatically use a Spanish perfect tense just because English uses “have been.”
Related reference lessons
Present perfect in Mexican Spanish · Present progressive · Imperfect
What this grammar does
Regular past participles end in -ado for -ar verbs and -ido for -er/-ir verbs. Common irregular participles include hecho, dicho, visto, escrito, puesto, abierto, vuelto, roto and muerto.
Core pattern
-ar → -ado; -er/-ir → -ido
Watch for this
With haber, the participle is invariable: he escrito / hemos escrito. As an adjective or with ser/estar, it can agree: puertas cerradas.
Related reference lessons
Present perfect in Mexican Spanish · Past perfect · Passive voice vs result states
What this grammar does
The near/planned future uses present ir + a + infinitive. It is extremely common in conversation and can express intention or a likely upcoming event.
Core pattern
ir + a + infinitive
Watch for this
Keep the a between ir and the infinitive.
Related reference lessons
Simple future · Modal & obligation expressions · Ser, estar & ir in the present
What this grammar does
The simple future adds endings to the entire infinitive. It can express future events, predictions, promises and formal or neutral future statements. Several common verbs use irregular stems.
Core pattern
infinitive/irregular future stem + é, ás, á, emos, án
Watch for this
Do not remove the infinitive ending before adding regular future endings.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
The future tense can express a present guess or probability rather than literal future time. English often uses “must be,” “probably” or “I wonder.”
Core pattern
future form + present-time context
Watch for this
Use context to decide whether a future form refers to actual future time or a present conjecture.
Related reference lessons
Simple future · Conditional of probability · Information questions
What this grammar does
The conditional adds endings to the infinitive or irregular future stem. It expresses hypothetical results, future-in-the-past, softened statements and preferences.
Core pattern
infinitive/irregular stem + ía, ías, ía, íamos, ían
Watch for this
The conditional endings are the same across -ar, -er and -ir verbs.
Related reference lessons
Imperfect subjunctive & hypothetical si · Reported speech · Polite conditional
What this grammar does
Conditional forms soften requests, suggestions and preferences. Common polite forms include podría, quisiera and me gustaría.
Core pattern
conditional/polite form + infinitive or noun
Watch for this
Quisiera is historically imperfect subjunctive but functions as a conventional polite form; learn it as a useful expression.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Affirmative commands tell someone to do something. Tú has its own affirmative form; usted, ustedes and nosotros commands use present-subjunctive forms.
Core pattern
affirmative command + attached pronouns if needed
Watch for this
High-frequency tú commands include di, haz, ve, pon, sal, sé, ten and ven.
Related reference lessons
Negative commands · Pronoun placement · Present subjunctive formation
What this grammar does
Negative commands use present-subjunctive forms for tú, usted, ustedes and nosotros. Pronouns go before the verb.
Core pattern
no + pronoun(s) + subjunctive command
Watch for this
Do not attach pronouns to a negative command; place them before the verb.
Related reference lessons
Affirmative commands · Present subjunctive formation · Pronoun placement
What this grammar does
Pronouns attach to affirmative commands and precede negative commands. Multiple pronouns keep their normal order, and written accents are often added to preserve the original stress.
Core pattern
affirmative: command+pronoun; negative: no + pronoun + command
Watch for this
Accent placement in forms such as dímelo and siéntate protects the spoken stress.
Related reference lessons
Pronoun placement · Double object pronouns · Affirmative commands
What this grammar does
The conditional can express conjecture or reported probability about a past situation. English often uses “must have been,” “probably,” or “I wonder.”
Core pattern
conditional form + past-time context
Watch for this
Do not confuse this inferential use with a hypothetical result; context supplies the time and meaning.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
For most verbs, start from the present yo form, remove -o and add the opposite-vowel endings: -ar verbs take e endings; -er/-ir verbs take a endings. Irregular yo forms therefore feed into many subjunctive forms.
Core pattern
yo stem + opposite-vowel endings
Watch for this
Some verbs are fully irregular: ser→sea, ir→vaya, saber→sepa, haber→haya, estar→esté, dar→dé.
Related reference lessons
Irregular yo forms · Subjunctive after influence & desire · Negative commands
What this grammar does
When one subject wants, requests, recommends, permits, requires or influences another subject’s action, que commonly introduces a subjunctive clause.
Core pattern
subject 1 + influence/desire + que + subject 2 + subjunctive
Watch for this
If the subject stays the same, Spanish often uses an infinitive instead: Quiero ir, not *Quiero que voy*.
Related reference lessons
Present subjunctive formation · Subjunctive after emotion & judgment · Infinitives
What this grammar does
Reactions, emotions and value judgments about another subject’s action commonly trigger subjunctive after que.
Core pattern
reaction/judgment + que + subjunctive
Watch for this
Statements of certainty or simple fact normally use indicative; the subjunctive reflects the speaker’s stance toward the proposition.
Related reference lessons
Subjunctive after influence & desire · Subjunctive after doubt & denial · Present subjunctive formation
What this grammar does
Doubt, denial, uncertainty and some negative opinions commonly lead to subjunctive. Affirmed certainty normally takes indicative.
Core pattern
doubt/denial + que + subjunctive
Watch for this
The negative form can change the mood because it changes the speaker’s commitment to the statement.
Related reference lessons
Subjunctive after emotion & judgment · Present subjunctive formation · Indicative vs subjunctive in clauses
What this grammar does
Para que introduces a purpose when the purpose has its own explicit subject and normally takes subjunctive. If the subject is the same, para + infinitive is usually more natural.
Core pattern
para que + subjunctive; para + infinitive
Watch for this
Choose between para que + subjunctive and para + infinitive by checking whether the purpose clause has a different subject.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
After conjunctions such as cuando, en cuanto, hasta que and después de que, Spanish uses subjunctive when the event is still pending/future and indicative when it is habitual or already factual.
Core pattern
future/pending time clause + subjunctive
Watch for this
English uses present tense in many future time clauses; Spanish chooses mood according to whether the event is pending or established.
Related reference lessons
Present subjunctive formation · Indicative vs subjunctive in clauses · Simple future
What this grammar does
Relative clauses often take subjunctive when the speaker is looking for, imagining, denying or not identifying a specific existing person or thing. Known, identified referents normally take indicative.
Core pattern
indefinite/unknown referent + que + subjunctive
Watch for this
Mood signals whether the referent is asserted as known/real in the conversation, not whether it exists in the universe.
Related reference lessons
Relative pronouns · Subjunctive after doubt & denial · Indicative vs subjunctive in clauses
What this grammar does
The imperfect subjunctive commonly appears after past triggers and in unreal or unlikely present/future conditions. The -ra forms are the most common conversational forms. With si, use imperfect subjunctive in the condition and conditional in the result.
Core pattern
si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional
Watch for this
Do not use the conditional directly after hypothetical si: *si tendría* is not the standard pattern.
Related reference lessons
Conditional · Past contrary-to-fact conditions · Sequence of tenses
What this grammar does
Haya + past participle expresses a completed action that is viewed through a present subjunctive trigger.
Core pattern
haya/hayas/haya/hayamos/hayan + participle
Watch for this
The participle remains invariable with haber.
Related reference lessons
Present subjunctive formation · Present perfect in Mexican Spanish · Past participles
What this grammar does
For an unreal condition in the past, use pluperfect subjunctive in the si clause and conditional perfect in the result.
Core pattern
si + hubiera + participle, habría + participle
Watch for this
The two clauses can reverse order without changing the grammar.
Related reference lessons
Imperfect subjunctive & hypothetical si · Conditional · Past perfect
What this grammar does
The tense of the main clause helps set the time frame for a dependent subjunctive clause. Present/future triggers usually pair with present or perfect subjunctive; past/conditional triggers often pair with imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.
Core pattern
main-clause time frame → compatible subjunctive time frame
Watch for this
Choose tense for time relationship first; choose mood for the speaker’s stance/trigger.
Related reference lessons
Present subjunctive formation · Imperfect subjunctive & hypothetical si · Present perfect subjunctive
What this grammar does
Que is the most common relative pronoun and can refer to people or things. Quien(es), el/la/los/las que, el cual and related forms appear after prepositions or when clarity/formality requires them.
Core pattern
noun + relative pronoun + clause
Watch for this
Do not add an unnecessary English-style subject pronoun inside the relative clause: la casa que compré, not *la casa que yo la compré*.
Related reference lessons
Unknown or nonexistent referents · Lo que, lo cual & cuyo · Prepositional pronouns
What this grammar does
Lo que means “what/the thing that” without a stated noun. Lo cual refers back to a whole preceding idea. Cuyo/a/os/as expresses “whose” and agrees with the thing possessed, not the owner.
Core pattern
lo que + clause; statement, lo cual...; noun + cuyo + possessed noun
Watch for this
Cuyo is not followed by an article: cuyo hijo, not *cuyo el hijo*.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Reported speech retells what someone said. Verb tense may shift when the reporting frame is past, especially future→conditional and present→imperfect where the time relationship calls for it. Commands are commonly reported with que + subjunctive.
Core pattern
reporting verb + que + reported clause
Watch for this
Spanish tense shift is guided by time relationship and viewpoint, not by a mechanical one-step-back rule in every sentence.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Ser + past participle forms an event passive and the participle agrees with the subject. Estar + participle describes a resulting state. Spanish often prefers active sentences or passive se when the agent is unimportant.
Core pattern
ser + participle = event; estar + participle = state
Watch for this
With haber perfect tenses, participles do not agree; with ser/estar adjectival uses, they do.
Related reference lessons
What this grammar does
Por commonly expresses cause, exchange, movement through, means, duration and agent; para commonly expresses purpose, destination, recipient, deadline and viewpoint. Some expressions must be learned as fixed patterns.
Core pattern
por = cause/path/means; para = purpose/destination/goal
Watch for this
Do not translate every English “for” with the same Spanish preposition.
Related reference lessons
Purpose clauses with para que · Contractions: al and del · Reported speech
What this grammar does
Many conjunctions can take indicative when they present information as factual/established and subjunctive when they present it as pending, hypothetical, uncertain or conceded without commitment. Meaning, not the conjunction alone, selects the mood.
Core pattern
factual/established → indicative; pending/uncertain → subjunctive
Watch for this
Learn the meaning contrast in pairs rather than memorizing a single “trigger list.”
Related reference lessons
Future time clauses · Subjunctive after doubt & denial · Sequence of tenses
Type a Spanish infinitive such as hablar (to speak), comer (to eat), vivir (to live), ser/estar (to be), ir (to go), tener (to have), hacer (to do/make), decir (to say/tell), or poder (can/to be able to). Every conjugated Spanish form is shown beside a practical English equivalent. The chart uses the Mexican-Spanish pronoun system: ustedes, not vosotros.
Spanish pronouns are shown with their English meanings and with complete Spanish verb examples. In contemporary Mexican Spanish, ustedes is the normal plural “you.”
First person singular.
Informal singular.
All use third-person singular verb forms.
First person plural.
Normal Mexican-Spanish plural “you”; uses third-person plural forms.
Third person plural.
Using hablar — to speak so the ending and English meaning can be seen together.
| Pronoun | Present | English | Preterite | English | Imperfect | English | Future | English | Conditional | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo — I | hablo | I speak | hablé | I spoke | hablaba | I used to speak / was speaking | hablaré | I will speak | hablaría | I would speak |
| tú — you | hablas | you speak | hablaste | you spoke | hablabas | you used to speak / were speaking | hablarás | you will speak | hablarías | you would speak |
| él / ella / usted — he / she / you (formal) | habla | he/she speaks · you speak | habló | he/she spoke · you spoke | hablaba | he/she used to speak · you used to speak | hablará | he/she will speak · you will speak | hablaría | he/she would speak · you would speak |
| nosotros/as — we | hablamos | we speak | hablamos | we spoke | hablábamos | we used to speak / were speaking | hablaremos | we will speak | hablaríamos | we would speak |
| ustedes — you all | hablan | you all speak | hablaron | you all spoke | hablaban | you all used to speak / were speaking | hablarán | you all will speak | hablarían | you all would speak |
| ellos / ellas — they | hablan | they speak | hablaron | they spoke | hablaban | they used to speak / were speaking | hablarán | they will speak | hablarían | they would speak |
| Spanish | English meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me | me | Me ve. — He/She sees me. |
| te | you | Te veo. — I see you. |
| lo / la | him / her / it / you (formal) | La conozco. — I know her. |
| nos | us | Nos ayudan. — They help us. |
| los / las | them / you all | Los veo. — I see them. |
| Spanish | English meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me | to/for me | Me da el libro. — He/She gives me the book. |
| te | to/for you | Te explico. — I explain it to you. |
| le | to/for him, her, you (formal) | Le escribo. — I write to him/her/you. |
| nos | to/for us | Nos dice la verdad. — He/She tells us the truth. |
| les | to/for them, you all | Les mando un mensaje. — I send them/you all a message. |
| Spanish | English guide | Example |
|---|---|---|
| me | myself | Me levanto. — I get up. |
| te | yourself | Te llamas Ana. — Your name is Ana. (literally: you call yourself Ana.) |
| se | himself / herself / yourself | Se prepara. — He/She gets ready. |
| nos | ourselves | Nos vemos. — We see each other / See you. |
| se | themselves / yourselves | Se levantan. — They/You all get up. |
Pronoun placement
Before a conjugated verb: Lo veo. — I see him/it. Attached to an infinitive: Quiero verlo. — I want to see him/it. Attached to a gerund: Estoy viéndolo. — I am seeing him/it. Attached to an affirmative command: Míralo. — Look at it/him. Before a negative command: No lo mires. — Don’t look at it/him.
A Mexican-Spanish sound reference for English speakers. The English sound descriptions are approximations—the goal is to hear and reproduce the Spanish sound rather than replace it with an English one.
| Letter | Spanish name | English-speaker sound guide | Spanish example | English meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | a | ah, like a in father | amigo | friend |
| B | be | b/v sound; see B/V note | bueno | good |
| C | ce | k before a/o/u; s before e/i in Mexico | casa | house |
| D | de | d; softer between vowels | día | day |
| E | e | eh, like e in bet but pure | elefante | elephant |
| F | efe | f | familia | family |
| G | ge | g before a/o/u; strong h-like sound before e/i | gato | cat |
| H | hache | silent | hola | hello |
| I | i | ee, like i in machine | isla | island |
| J | jota | strong h-like sound | joven | young |
| K | ka | k; mainly loanwords/names | kilo | kilogram |
| L | ele | clear l | libro | book |
| M | eme | m | mano | hand |
| N | ene | n | noche | night |
| Ñ | eñe | ny, like canyon | niño | child |
| O | o | oh, pure vowel | ojo | eye |
| P | pe | p, with less puff of air than English | perro | dog |
| Q | cu | k; normally qu before e/i with silent u | queso | cheese |
| R | erre | single tap or trill depending position | rojo | red |
| S | ese | s, normally not English z | sol | sun |
| T | te | clean dental t, less puff than English | taco | taco |
| U | u | oo, like food | uva | grape |
| V | uve | normally the same sound system as b | vaso | glass |
| W | doble u | w in many loanwords; pronunciation follows the borrowed word | wifi | Wi-Fi |
| X | equis | often ks; special words vary | examen | exam |
| Y | ye (i griega) | consonant y/ll sound; vowel ee in y = and | yo | I |
| Z | zeta | s sound in Mexican Spanish | zapato | shoe |
Spanish vowels stay relatively pure and stable. a ≈ ah, e ≈ eh, i ≈ ee, o ≈ oh, u ≈ oo.
casa — house · mesa — table · vino — wine · como — I eat / like · luna — moon.
In most of Mexico, consonantal ll and y are pronounced the same or nearly the same. A good English-speaker starting point is the y in “yes,” although many speakers use a slightly stronger sound, especially after a pause or nasal consonant.
llave — key · calle — street · yo — I · ya — already/now. The conjunction y — and — is pronounced like Spanish i (“ee”).
In standard Mexican Spanish, b and v belong to the same sound system. After a pause or nasal they can sound more like a firm English b; between vowels they are usually softer, with the lips approaching but not fully closing.
vino — wine · bebé — baby · vivir — to live.
Before e/i, c is normally an s sound in Mexico. z is also normally pronounced like s. Before a/o/u, c is a k sound.
cena — dinner · cinco — five · zapato — shoe · casa — house.
g before a/o/u is a g sound as in “go.” Before e/i it becomes the strong Spanish h-like sound. j uses that h-like sound before all vowels.
gato — cat · gente — people · joven — young · México — Mexico.
Spanish h normally has no sound.
hola — hello · hotel — hotel · hacer — to do/make.
A single r between vowels is usually a quick tap. rr is a trill. A single written r at the beginning of a word is also pronounced with the strong trill.
pero — but · perro — dog · caro — expensive · carro — car · rojo — red.
ñ is similar to the “ny” sound in “canyon.” It is a separate letter of the Spanish alphabet.
niño — child · año — year · mañana — tomorrow/morning.
q is normally written as qu before e/i. The u is silent in que and qui, so the sound is k.
queso — cheese · quiero — I want.
In gue/gui, the u is normally silent: guerra — war, guitarra — guitar. The diaeresis ü tells you to pronounce the u: pingüino — penguin.
x is often pronounced ks, as in examen — exam. Some names and words have traditional pronunciations: México uses the strong h-like sound. Other borrowed or Indigenous-origin words can vary.
ch is a two-letter spelling for a sound similar to English “ch” in “chair.” It is no longer a separate alphabet letter.
chico — boy/small · mucho — much/a lot.
Spanish d and t are made with the tongue closer to the upper teeth than in most English accents. Intervocalic d can become softer.
todo — everything/all · cada — each · tarde — afternoon/late.
English often releases p, t and k with a noticeable puff of air. Spanish normally uses much less aspiration.
papá — dad · taco — taco · casa — house.
If a word ends in a vowel, n or s, stress normally falls on the next-to-last syllable. Otherwise it normally falls on the last syllable. A written accent marks stress that does not follow the default—or distinguishes words such as sí — yes and si — if.
hablo — I speak · hotel — hotel · canción — song · teléfono — telephone.
Spanish often combines a strong vowel (a/e/o) with an unstressed weak vowel (i/u) in one syllable. Accent marks can separate vowels into different syllables.
bueno — good · tierra — earth/land · día — day (the accent separates í-a).
Spanish words often flow together in continuous speech. A final vowel can connect smoothly to the next word’s initial vowel, while the individual vowel qualities remain Spanish.
Voy a ir. — I’m going to go. · Ella está aquí. — She is here.
Each family shows when the pattern enters the course, the approximate useful family size from the curriculum, and every word form contained in the course’s cognate inventory. Only the letters that form the transformation pattern are red.