The Personal A in Spanish

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The Personal A in Spanish

Рет қаралды 144,977

Күн бұрын

The personal a has no English counterpart. It's just something you have to get use to. In this quick video, you'll not only see how to use the personal a. But when to use it. And when NOT to use it.
You can grab the Practice Worksheet and Answer Key I mention @ spanishdude.co...
Get the shirt I'm wearing in this video over @ spanishdudesto...
Find me on Facebook @ / spanishdude

Пікірлер: 279

@natebrubaker3269 5 жыл бұрын

This guy tought me more in 5 minutes than my 90 year old spanish teacher did in 3 quarters

@zest1627 3 жыл бұрын

hard facts

@brutalmadness9099 3 жыл бұрын

@@zest1627 I met someone in Italki and her mindset is that " You can only learn from professionals with academic degrees". I am like , so you are saying that you can't learn from native speakers who are not professionals but can understand English? She is really standing on a glass pedestal.

@jamesvaneaton206 2 жыл бұрын

I can't believe it's that easy. I've been struggling with this on Duolingo for MONTHS! Thank you for the concept of picturing faces. That will help so much.

@elspanishdude 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful!

@NipomoBeach Жыл бұрын

Me too. Drove me up the wall. Thanks Mr. Spanish Dude!

@ian_snyder 9 ай бұрын

I just came here from Duolingo because I had no idea where this was coming from. I love the idea of "if I am seeing a face", that helps me a lot :) Subbed!

@jae1757 8 ай бұрын

@@elspanishdudedo you use this with people only?

@callmecrimsonpls 6 ай бұрын

Duolingo teaches you this in section 2

@jayjasperjp 8 жыл бұрын

Wow I'm a native Spanish speaker and I never knew this "Personal A". It just comes naturally to me when speaking

@elspanishdude 8 жыл бұрын

+Jasper Paolo This surprises me! Good to know though. Thanks.

@jayjasperjp 8 жыл бұрын

+Gringo Español Hey Jordan I just noticed that you never made the video "How Prepositions Work" that you mentioned at 0:43. Or maybe you forgot to post it on the channel? Anyway, just thought I'd let you know.

@renoleevans 8 жыл бұрын

+Jasper Paolo Jasper Sí es lo que me han enseñado en clase de español. también es igual que aprender por escuchar. Se entiende porque es la manera en la que fue escuchado.

@catbus2760 8 жыл бұрын

I know right? I'm a native spanish speaker too, and I was blown away at how hard our language is! And how naturally it comes to us.

@shawdaniel3881 7 жыл бұрын

hey Jasper, I've came across a sentence with an "a" that I find hard to understand. Esta oración " A las vacas les gusta comer hierba." why there is an "a" at the beginning of a sentence?

@elisahalliday 7 жыл бұрын

This lesson TOTALLY helps me with my confusion over using 'a'. I even learned it in a class that a should be used in front of a person with the verb conoce but nothing more. My son asked me why it's "Dame a Cristo" and not "Dame Cristo" in a song and I showed him this video. He totally got it too. He's 10 years old. Thank you so much!

@elspanishdude 7 жыл бұрын

That's awesome!!! Thank you so much for this great message. I'm so glad to hear it helped you and it's wonderful to hear that your 10 year old son understood. Make me feel great!!!

@multitieredinvestor183 3 жыл бұрын

I knew one had to use the personal a at times. This clarified 51 years of trying to mejorar lo.

@hanusweihe5372 2 жыл бұрын

Your an awesome teacher keep up the good job

@elspanishdude 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@kacey_donner 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video available to Spanish learners. I am grateful to be able to educate myself despite not having the money to. Your effort is appreciated.

@nikimajsa9824 8 жыл бұрын

When I used to study Spanish through Hungarian (mother language), I never understood this completely and now you just explained it in 5 minutes in English. :"D Let me add, you are definitely better than my previous Spanish teachers.

@jessicavsbridget 9 жыл бұрын

thanks so much! I've got an exam tomorrow and this was the one thing I wish my professor would've explained one more time. Your "picturing a face" rule really helped me.

@EP-bx6xk Жыл бұрын

Where have you been my whole Spanish life?!? This helped so much thank you omg ❤

@lynnolsen1498 3 жыл бұрын

Veo a Manuel y a Susi! Gracias un monton!! For some reason I did not learn this lesson well in Spanish class... Its getting clearer now!

@crippsy15 3 жыл бұрын

Just wanted to say that you are a brilliant teacher. Cheers for the content!

@tanyarenaissance8829 7 жыл бұрын

This is the first I heard of the personal 'A'. I will definitely use it in my sentences when speaking Spanish!

@TheBreadPirate 4 ай бұрын

Super handy!! Thanks for explaining it so clearly.

@non-applicable. 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! that was tripping me up for sure! I kept wondering why with the same verb you would use "a" and in other cases you wouldn't. Now I know! Yay

@prokofievchambers8603 Жыл бұрын

I am in love with this guy's approach. I am having such a great time with your approach. You are great!

@alieidi5148 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, still using your videos 6 years after they are posted =) (Corona Virus period :( )

@coltrowell956 8 жыл бұрын

dude you dont blink.

@elspanishdude 8 жыл бұрын

I do not.

@headshotnation921 8 жыл бұрын

haha

@IcouldBNE1 8 жыл бұрын

I think he must edit out the blinks which is why there are a lot of edit breaks in his videos.

@elisahalliday 7 жыл бұрын

LOL! He's intense that's why! Intense about Spanish that is.

@benjaminisation 4 жыл бұрын

I think Jordan blink in between those quick and small pauses in his videos. LOL

@pydiboy 7 жыл бұрын

I'm an upper intermediate Spanish speaker and I forget this rule all the time. This is a great refresher! Gracias

@polymathematics5837 Жыл бұрын

I was really struggling with how to use the personal "a". This video really cleared up for me! Muchas gracias!

@cactuscactus6069 4 жыл бұрын

It is much clearer right now as you explained it! Muchas gracias! 😊

@lorifoley1855 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for making this so clear! I get it now! Also, I love how all your videos have a different color background and different color shirts so it’s real easy to find what you’re looking for! Brilliant idea!

@naughtynanuk 5 жыл бұрын

Dualingo brought me here. Subscribed!

@G8torBrent 9 жыл бұрын

Gracias, Gracias, GRACIAS. I have been so confused about this. One Spanish course taught me to use "a" with verbs of movement (pasar, venir, ir, etc.). Another mentioned the personal "a" but never taught it.

@barryjude451 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, for explaining the persona "A".

@Kenikex 7 жыл бұрын

As a native speaker, I had NEVER paused to think about this, the personal A. It just comes natural, and had never thought about it.

@susieq984 4 жыл бұрын

I was finished studying my Spanish and tried to think of another thing I could look over just so I could watch more of you 😂😂

@tristanrujano Жыл бұрын

They weren’t clickable lol, I love this video

@e.j.f8349 3 жыл бұрын

GREAT lesson. I always wondered why the "A" came before a person who is the direct object. Thanks!

@EmpoweredADHD 2 жыл бұрын

Yo this was such a fun way to learn! I kept being like "ooh! Interesting!" out loud. To myself. But also to you? Idk. It was fun. I wish more teachers were this useful lol

@KC-mj6eu 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Spanish Dude, you rule!

@user-zm9ct4vg3u Жыл бұрын

Awesome as always. You are really good at this. Thank you, Jordan.

@psmithphil 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! This helps a lot. Now it makes sense and I just need to practice to internalize it.

@mickuljatheseagull 4 жыл бұрын

You explained that really great.

@raelynn75 6 жыл бұрын

I should just drop my college Spanish class because your videos are easier to understand and you are much more likable.

@johannerichard3746 2 жыл бұрын

I FINALLY got it!! Great job on that explanation! i was stuck and extremely frustrated with thi, and never found anything that helped! Extremely well done …À MI amigo 😁

@elspanishdude 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@twanger6857 7 жыл бұрын

I imagine it as "I look at Manuel", means the same as "I see manuel"

@ByDortexDesign 9 жыл бұрын

Yo en verdad soy español y hablo perfectamente español, y me meto a tus vídeos para aprender ingles :) Like :D

@ezioblazesit9017 6 жыл бұрын

Yo no hablo espanol. Tu hablas espanol muy bien.

@tonyhinkley255 6 жыл бұрын

Brilliant Jordan. So clear. So concise. Estaba estupendo.

@lyzabethlopez 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you... okay now a vid on when to use Nos vs Nosotros ... ;-)

@ronaldsitopro3938 5 жыл бұрын

"A nosotros nos gustaría comer pizza” In spanish u can omit “nosotros" cause the words “nos” would already be involving you with other people “Nos gustaría comer pizza” NOS = US NOSOTROS = WE

@Undisclosed86467 Жыл бұрын

¡Finalmente lo entiendo! Muchas gracias Jordan!

@josephincorvaja4336 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting and informative!

@antoinelavosier9620 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! The "a" has been driving me crazy. Now I understand. Jack

@opfer1555 3 жыл бұрын

yeah you understand how to use the a right? Pause, don't watch this video again and try to explain how to use it. Let's see if you'd be able to explain it, without looking it up again.

@antoinelavosier9620 3 жыл бұрын

@@opfer1555 Are you an asshole looking for a fight?

@ingenide 3 жыл бұрын

@@opfer1555 damn, who shit in your cereal?

@jpod4237 3 жыл бұрын

@ironictea 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Everything's so clear now! ♥

@AustinAdams 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jordan for your experience and expertise awesomeness. Even the little things like this "A" video is helping me understand and cleared a lot of confusion. You made Spanish learning my bitch. Gringo forever! Señor Austin A.

@cpcoach 3 жыл бұрын

I laughed out loud when you said "if you'd let it in your house use the personal "a". If you wouldn't let it in your house don't use the personal "a". I'll remember that for both people AND pets. 🤣😂

@pmaz-11 Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir. Perfect info!!!

@ffionjones6166 3 жыл бұрын

This is so helpful as a beginner, thank you!

@rhllnm 5 жыл бұрын

Was wondering about this mystery today and stumbled on your channel. Awesome, just subscribed for more.

@tylerstoddard5076 8 жыл бұрын

Great video and you sound like Schmidt from New Girl.

@MissFlint4U Жыл бұрын

Great lesson!

@tabithafroehlich 7 жыл бұрын

mille mille gracias !! your explanations are just perfect !! 5 stars to your videos- to all of them !

@beadrury3988 5 жыл бұрын

Super helpful, thank you so much!! Great explanation, and love your delivery!

@ivankaangelovskakutner7485 2 жыл бұрын

Love this guy. He is great tutor ❤

@kylekuhling7793 3 жыл бұрын

Super good video. Thank you!

@nathandmello2646 2 жыл бұрын

This is great mate!!! keep up the tips and im looking forward to working though your programs

@jackfitton336 3 жыл бұрын

This "a" has been confusing me for weeks! 😁 gracias!

@jakejohnson5909 4 жыл бұрын

This was actually very helpful! Thanyou

@elspanishdude 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad! My pleasure.

@cwtckness 11 ай бұрын

Thank you Jordan

@commanderaugustus7882 5 жыл бұрын

Great explanation, this has been annoying me on duo lingo for some time.

@Tia_Tonae 4 жыл бұрын

Someone added this link on Duo lingo and I'm so glad they did! Hopefully now I can start getting answers right.... without just guessing.

@raymondravinsky6478 6 жыл бұрын

Gracias. Spanishdude, you're the best👍😊❗

@doginboat 2 жыл бұрын

thank you, this really helped

@drsamuel 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Helped me immensely. It's pretty clear now.

@WilliamAshleyOnline 9 жыл бұрын

whoa that voy thing is mind blowing... the little personal thing was awesome.. . :)

@WilliamAshleyOnline 9 жыл бұрын

+William Ashley Gringo is awsome.

@jpod4237 3 жыл бұрын

DiD respond to self???

@anthonyshropshire7279 8 жыл бұрын

A Super easy one to get under the belt. I was already saying things like Busco mi hijo. Now that I have an A super easy to slide in. Thinking of it like ... A person? .. Personal A; ...When someones talking to you ... Person A? ... A person. Super easy, who would have known that an A makes all the difference ... Now: Busco a mi hijo.... or in progressive; Estoy buscando a mi hijo ... Thanks Gringo ....

@Maxwellthemaltese 7 ай бұрын

The fact that you got an F in Spanish but you teach Spanish so well is unbelievable P.S. I have a B in Spanish. BTW those graphics are unclickable.

@dimwitsadvocate6264 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Subscribed.

@alicenjanesings4131 6 жыл бұрын

Hola Thank you for the great video! Question: in your quiz, question 8 seems to be about an unspecific person - a nice friend (any nice friend). Why then would I need the “a”? Thanks

@HelenBradley 4 жыл бұрын

AlicenJaneSings I had that question too. To me it didn’t seem that a specific enough person was being referred to. But maybe it was the fact that they were a nice person that tipped it over into needing the “a“.

@parkerlaube616 3 жыл бұрын

you are so helpful

@qusaimurad2152 4 жыл бұрын

Dude .... this is amazing. Thank you so much

@erinslack5405 5 жыл бұрын

thank you, I have been struggling for a month with this personal "A"

@nukumtilltheyglow 4 жыл бұрын

So have I

@pandrewp419 3 жыл бұрын

"If you let it in your house..." 😂

@mel150 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Thanks!

@SquishyBob 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Gringo Person. This is so going to help me with my Quiz :)

@quintinastalllings783 4 жыл бұрын

You explain this well

@AeliosArt 4 жыл бұрын

4:11 So what if I wanted to say “I need MY friend”? Would I say “Necesito *a* mi amigo”?

@selectat2751 3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@firstlast9731 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks bro. I was trippin over this A thing

@rachel-iu4dc 4 жыл бұрын

thanks for another great video

@paulgordon1553 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very helpful

@shannonwilmore4631 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for EVERYTHING!! Question: I read the personal A is not used with the verb tener. Por ejemplo: Tengo que invitar Ashley a la fiesta. What do you think about this?

@beckyharding1309 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent and so helpful! Picturing a face (even one with fur! lol) is so clear and understandable. But I confess, I'm still stuck on many phrases when the A comes at the beginning of a sentence. *SIGH*

@beckyharding1309 2 жыл бұрын

I just had Duolingo tell me I need the personal A in this sentence that is marked wrong: Yo conozco muchas personas famosas. Is it because I know or am familiar with them? I wasn't picturing a specific face, lol!

@arnabkumarghosh4279 4 жыл бұрын

just mindblowing stuff..gracious

@kathysmith4320 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much

@sarahicarlee625 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saving my grade:)

@bubblegumisevil9007 4 жыл бұрын

Gracias Señor Renner 😊

@robertpreston7272 2 жыл бұрын

This is wonderfully explained... however. The first thing I try in Google Translate is "yo quierro a Maria", which turned out to be incorrect because of the 'personal a'. Is there a rule for exceptions such as 'wanting' someone?

@anasmm9190 4 жыл бұрын

thank you so much , you made it so easy

@elspanishdude 4 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! My pleasure. Thanks!

@aroucaman100 9 жыл бұрын

Captain my captain!!!!

@user-ns5ce9vb8k 8 жыл бұрын

Dude, you're awesome. Thank you for great job!

@joanripley Жыл бұрын

Helpful!

@zaidshaikh1064 2 жыл бұрын

4:06 Busco or Buscando a mi amigo? Which one is correct? You said Busco but according to the grammar it says buscando? Please clarify...

@eternalsunshine9726 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@jamesmitchell3422 6 жыл бұрын

Gracias,I like your graphic thoughts.(see Manuel etc.)

@gilliand7903 4 жыл бұрын

you're a godsend

@adventureawaits3918 4 жыл бұрын

So helpful!!!! Thanks 😊

@diane3868 5 ай бұрын

Excellent

@urarevolution 4 жыл бұрын

This is very helpful. So if I were to translate “My mother sings very well” should I give the personal A because this person has a relationship with me? “A mi madre canta muy bien” or no because she is not the object? So confusing but I think to your point, it’s just getting the hang of it. 🤨

@Nandinandito 10 жыл бұрын

Huh. Never thought about this. Using "a" like that sounds like a new concept to me. I think I tend to switch, between using it and not using it, at random. I can't even recreate the sentences in my head. I think it's because the "a" is kind of hidden behind the word before it, that I don't really notice it.

@elspanishdude 10 жыл бұрын

Fernando Carbajal I agree Fernando. Also sometimes we learn something, then go use it a lot, or don't learn it and naturally use it a lot and don't even know what the rule is. But we still use it right. Just like with our native languages. Or maybe you're just using it wrong =) Either way, I get your sentiment and I feel the same sometimes. But in this case, it will never stop you from being understood.

@Nandinandito 10 жыл бұрын

Gringo Español I was born with the language and never took any languages. Adding to that, I only spoke it with my mom. I'm fairly sure I'm using it completely wrong. 😅

@elspanishdude 10 жыл бұрын

Fernando Carbajal LOL. Well, hopefully not anymore!