Verb confusion
I find it hard enough to memorize the multitude of ways to conjugate each verb, but when I look up a verb, and it has over 20 different uses, it becomes very frustrating.
Example..............today's word
Word of the Day andar ahn-dar' (intransitive verb)
to walk, to ride, to go; to work; to be; to carry, to wear; to go out with
How can one verb mean so many different things, and how can we remember what each verb means?
Mostly, it confuses me because other verbs mean the same thing. There are many verbs that mean "to be" and "to go" So how are we suppose to know which one to use when???
This is extremely frustrating for me. I am having a hard time remembering the many many ways to conjugate, so this just adds to the frustration...any advice or suggestions???
4 Answers
I would suggest that probably the worst way to learn the meaning of a word would be to look it up in the dictionary and then to try to memorize each possible meaning of the word. You didn't do this when learning your native language (which I assume is English), and you shouldn't do it for Spanish either.
For example, Webster's lists over 50 different meanings just for the word "get" in English, and this includes over 30 phrasal expression with multiple meanings in themselves. Taking this into account, a person trying to understand the simple word "get" would be faced with around a hundred or so different meanings to try to memorize, a daunting if not seemingly insurmountable task no doubt, yet you as a native speaker probably are familiar with at least the majority of these usages. Moreover, you accomplished this feat without ever having memorized lists of definitions for the word.
Instead, you became familiar with each of these usages, one-by-one, as you heard or read them in context, and this, I would suggest, is the best way to learn a language in terms of gaining a better vocabulary. Listen to Spanish as it is spoken and become a voracious reader of Spanish texts. Most importantly, take notes, and each time that you come across an unfamiliar word, note it and then research it. Before you consult a dictionary, try a google search (it often helps to do a google book or news search to get a better quality of answer) using a bit of the context that the word appears in to see how other authors might have used the word in order to get a better understanding of how the word fits into a typical sentence in Spanish. Try to guess, if you can, what you think the word might mean based on the various contexts that you find it used in. Once you have made a guess (or if you are just completely stumped), only then should you consult your dictionary or thesaurus to discover the appropriate meaning of the word.
By fleshing out the words, bit-by-bit and in context, you will begin to develop your vocabulary in a more lasting and meaningful way, as well as in a way that is far less tedious than trying to memorize each and every meaning of a word based on its dictionary entry.
All good advice. I had a Russian friend at work who had a good proverb for this. When we were asked to do some huge task and someone would complain, he'd say, "In Russia we have a saying, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
Don't try to memorize all the possible meanings of all the possible words. That's a lifetime's work. Learn one meaning for one word at a time. For today, andar means to walk.
All languages are like this, with many words having many meanings and different synonyms for each. When you are reading or listening, you will have to use context to determine the meaning, but when you are writing or talking you can use simpler words (ie. those with fewer meanings) until you are comfortable with them, then add more words for variety or as you learn the subtle differences between them. It is fairly easy to avoid using andar at all in the beginning
Hola, Pepsi, this previous posts are all excellent. I am merely adding a word of encouragement. All language learners experience some degree of this frustration, and you just need to take it one day at a time. The ultimate goal is to try to think in concepts, not in specific words. If you enjoy reading, try to read as much as possible in Spanish. If you enjoy learning by hearing, try to expose yourself to as much spoken Spanish (TV, radio) as possible.
Being aware that verbs such as "andar", "salir", "ser", estar", "ir" have many different meanings is an essential first step; your next step is to keep your eyes and ears peeled. When you see or hear one of your target verbs, pay attention to how it was used.
At first it may seem like a very slow road, but as you gain more ease you will move at a progressively faster rate.
Learning a language well is like growing a garden. You cannot rush it, but the rewards are wonderful!
