Nada

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by Depilego

I'm never going to learn Spanish. Those don't make sense.

They will make sense, eventually. English also has its own share of homographs and homonyms.

Consider some examples of the many sets of English words that have the same spelling, same pronunciation, or both:

- read (present tense), read (past tense, past participle), red
- lead (present tense), lead (past tense, past participle), led
- fast (quick, rapid), fast (completely still)
- sanction (encourage, allow), sanction (condemn)
- write, right, rite
- sight, site
- to, two, too
- their, there, they're
- least, leased
- slay, sleigh
- slight, sleight
- record (notation, recording), record (verb)
- produce (vegetables), produce (make)
- made, maid
- male, mail

We generally have no trouble understanding any of these words in context, because most of the time only one of them makes sense within the context.

The same thing is true with the word pairs in Spanish: nada = "nothing" generally cannot appear in the same places in a sentence where nada = "he/she/you/it swims" can appear. This is also true of the words traje = "I brought" and traje = "suit (clothing)".

[Depilego]

It makes more sense that way. It's easier to understand it in English.

I am starting the next lesson right now, so I will post back later.

Thanks.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I love Wrholt's examples. :thumbup:


Now, how about some words that English students have trouble with?

- The coach where the coach was riding is late so I coach today.

- Can you open this can please?

- This kind of people is kind.

- I drew a pen for chickens with my new pen.

- I can't bear to watch a bear in my yard.

- Would you mind telling me what's in your mind?

- Finally, I'm unable to make a sentence with all the meanings of "mean(s)". (I very recently learnt that "skillful" is among them, and I was quite baffled by the context where no definition I knew of the word matched the sentence.)

So don't worry, we are always learning something, but with dedication and patience you will manage to understand and make yourself be understood.

[pinosilano]

Originally Posted by Depilego

I'm never going to learn Spanish. Those don't make sense.

Si no nada, no hay nada que hacer.
Si no nada, no se puede hacer nada

[Depilego]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

- Finally, I'm unable to make a sentence with all the meanings of "mean(s)". (I very recently learnt that "skillful" is among them, and I was quite baffled by the context where no definition I knew of the word matched the sentence.)

The math teacher didn't mean to be mean, but your explanation of mean, median, and mode, using his means of income, was meaningless. If you didn't have the means to explain it meaningfully, you should have passed. (skillful)

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Awesome, thanks.

[Depilego]

It's kind of long. I can't think of how to use them in a smaller sentence.

But you could say something like: "She doesn't have the means to be a good singer."

[Aprendo]

Originally Posted by Depilego

I'm never going to learn Spanish. Those don't make sense.

You'll learn if you want to.

It takes time.

As members here know, I've been on and off studying Spanish for years and it's finally moving into a better phase b/c I'm spending more time on it.

I like the jokes. I'm googling for more.