Track 38

1. se is the "self" word Rule

To get himself, herself, themselves, the l-words all become se. Easy to remember, since it is the start of self.

And once again me, te and nos do not change: they already include myself, yourself, ourselves and each other.

Él se habla · Ella se habla · Les hablan (a different group, not themselves)

With nos hablamos, the more natural reading is we speak to each other.

2. Now you can complete the reflexive verbs Grammar

Se is what was missing. Until now you could not say he stays, because that needs he remains himself.

¿Te quedas? · ¿No te quedas? · ¿Por qué no te quedas? · Yo me quedo · Nosotros nos quedamos · Tú te quedas

After a "to" form the little word attaches to the end and must still match the person.

Quiero quedarme · Quiere quedarse · Quieren quedarse · Ellos quieren quedarse · Ustedes quieren quedarse

3. Why the dictionary says quedarse Practical

Useful to know when you look a verb up. The dictionary lists quedar with its meanings (to remain, and others), and then a separate entry for quedarse, to stay.

Another meaning of quedar: me queda bien, it fits me well, it suits me.

4. Little words on the end are written as one word Rule

Whenever se, lo, me, te or nos goes on the end of a "to" form, it is written joined on.

5. darse cuenta across all the people Grammar

With se available, the whole set opens up. Look at darse cuenta as a unit to see how to manipulate it.

Me doy cuenta · No me doy cuenta · Nos damos cuenta · No nos damos cuenta · Se da cuenta · Ella se da cuenta · Se dan cuenta · No se dan cuenta

6. Watch the accent, and the verb type Heads-up

Two slips the teacher catches in this track, both familiar.

• The accent on hablan is on the first syllable: HA-blan.
• Asked for we stay, the student produces "nos quedemos". It is an -ar verb, so nos quedamos. Go back to the "to" form first.

Querer splits under stress: quiero, quiere, quieren.