Basic sentences in Spanish, including essential structures, common expressions, and examples to build foundational conversation skills.
This chapter introduces fundamental Spanish sentence structures and essential expressions needed for everyday communication. We’ll cover how to create simple sentences using common verbs, ask basic questions, and use key phrases for greetings, introductions, and daily interactions.
Common Sentence Structures
These are the building blocks for most simple Spanish sentences. We use a subject (who), a verb (action), and sometimes an object (what or whom).
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Subject + Verb | Yo estudio. | I study. |
| Subject + Verb + Object | Ella lee un libro. | She reads a book. |
| Subject + Verb + Adjective | Estamos cansados. | We are tired. |
What role does the subject play in a Spanish sentence?
It indicates who is performing the action.
The subject tells us who is doing the action in the sentence. For example, in 'Yo estudio,' 'Yo' is the subject performing the action of studying.
Key Verb Conjugations
We’ll look at three essential verbs — ser (to be), tener (to have), and estar (to be) — in the present tense using the subject pronouns.
| Pronoun | Ser (to be) | Tener (to have) | Estar (to be) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | soy | tengo | estoy |
| Tú | eres | tienes | estás |
| Él/Ella/Usted | es | tiene | está |
| Nosotros/as | somos | tenemos | estamos |
| Vosotros/as | sois | tenéis | estáis |
| Ellos/as/Ustedes | son | tienen | están |
What is the difference between 'ser' and 'estar'?
'Ser' is for permanent traits; 'estar' is for temporary states.
'Ser' describes permanent or essential qualities, origins, and times. 'Estar' describes temporary states, locations, and conditions.
Basic Sentences Using Ser
Use ser for identity, origin, and time.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Yo soy estudiante. | I am a student. |
| Tú eres de México. | You are from Mexico. |
| Él es profesor. | He is a teacher. |
| Somos amigos. | We are friends. |
| Son las dos. | It is two o’clock. |
Basic Sentences Using Tener
Use tener to talk about possession, age, and needs.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Tengo un libro. | I have a book. |
| ¿Tienes dinero? | Do you have money? |
| Ella tiene 20 años. | She is 20 years old. |
| Tenemos hambre. | We are hungry. |
| Tienen prisa. | They are in a hurry. |
Basic Sentences Using Estar
Use estar for locations, temporary states, and feelings.
| Spanish Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Estoy en casa. | I am at home. |
| ¿Estás cansado? | Are you tired? |
| Ella está feliz. | She is happy. |
| Estamos en la escuela. | We are at school. |
| Están ocupados. | They are busy. |
Common Questions
These question words help you gather information. Simply add a question mark at the beginning and end in Spanish.
| Spanish Question | English Translation |
|---|---|
| ¿Qué? | What? |
| ¿Quién? | Who? |
| ¿Dónde? | Where? |
| ¿Cuándo? | When? |
| ¿Por qué? | Why? |
| ¿Cómo? | How? |
Basic Question Structures
- ¿Qué + verb? – What ...?
- ¿Quién + verb? – Who ...?
- ¿Dónde + verb? – Where ...?
- ¿Cuándo + verb? – When ...?
- ¿Por qué + verb? – Why ...?
- ¿Cómo + verb? – How ...?
Simple Answer Structures
- Sí, ... – Yes, ...
- No, ... – No, ...
- (Yo) ... – I ...
- Él/Ella ... – He/She ...
Basic Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| hola | hello | Hola, ¿cómo estás? | Hello, how are you? |
| adiós | goodbye | Adiós, nos vemos. | Goodbye, see you. |
| por favor | please | Dame un agua, por favor. | Give me water, please. |
| gracias | thank you | Gracias por tu ayuda. | Thank you for your help. |
| sí | yes | Sí, quiero ir. | Yes, I want to go. |
| no | no | No, gracias. | No, thank you. |
How do you say 'hello' in Spanish?
hola
'Hola' means 'hello' and is used as a greeting.
Basic Conversations
Greetings
- Hola. ¿Cómo estás? — Hello. How are you?
- Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? — I’m fine, thank you. And you?
- Mucho gusto. — Nice to meet you.
- Igualmente. — Likewise.
Introducing Yourself
- Me llamo Juan. — My name is Juan.
- Soy de España. — I’m from Spain.
- Tengo 25 años. — I’m 25 years old.
Asking for Something
- ¿Puedes ayudarme? — Can you help me?
- Quiero un café, por favor. — I want a coffee, please.
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom?
Common Mistakes
- Omitting subject pronouns: It’s not wrong, but including them helps beginners.
- Using ser vs. estar: Use ser for permanent traits, estar for temporary states.
- Incorrect verb endings: Make sure the verb matches the subject (e.g., tengo vs. tiene).
Why is it helpful for beginners to include subject pronouns?
It clarifies who is performing the action.
Including subject pronouns like 'yo' or 'tú' helps clarify who is doing the action, which is especially useful for beginners.
Tips for Practice
- Speak out loud to build confidence.
- Use simple sentences even if you want to say more.
- Don’t worry about mistakes — they are part of learning!
Understanding these basic sentences is the first step to building meaningful conversations in Spanish. You’ll be able to introduce yourself, ask simple questions, and describe everyday situations with confidence.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- Structure: Subject + Verb
- Example: Yo estudio.
- English: I study.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
