Speaking in correct sentences
I usually get most of my answers from this site so I figured I would sign up to ask for some help. I would really like someone to explain sentence structure to me. I know sometimes in English it sounds as though a sentence in Spanish is "backwards," but it's really not. I think I would have an easier time speaking if I could understand sentence structure better. Can someone please explain with some examples or when sentences are and aren't "backwards?" Any help would be appreciated!!
4 Answers
No te preocupes. El syntax en español no es muy exigente.
Don't worry, The syntax in spanish is very forgiving. The main thing that's reversed is the adjective after the noun. Like, la camisa verde, the shirt green instead of the green shirt. But in general you shouldn't worry that much about the arrangement of words. If you pattern your sentences after the english that you already know, it makes it easier, and you will be understood by a spanish speaker. As you communicate more, you will start to pick up on the nuances or slight differences that spanish speaker tends to use. Notice that I threw in an english word in the spanish sentence. I think that's ok too, I talk to spanish speakers every day and it's a common practice. So if you forget a word, don't sweat it, the key is to dive in and start talking. I assumed you're trying to learn spanish, not english.
Can someone please explain with some examples or when sentences are and aren't "backwards?"
Native Spanish speakers could easily make the same claim about English, that it's backwards. It all depends on which language you learned first as to which one is "backwards".
Spanish sounds backwards to you because you're comparing it to English instead of realizing that Spanish is it's own language, in no way related to English. They have similar grammatical structures because they both derive from Latin, but at the end of the day they are two different languages. Don't compare the languages, accept each language for what it is.
With that said, Spanish is much more liberal with word order and sentence structure. It's really not that bad. Once you start using the language you'll put things together pretty quickly.
Suerte!
Great answers you received above.
Besides the obvious one about the swap in noun-adjective order (or is that, adjective-noun order) one that I´ve noticed with with expression that mention an adverb of time. Spanish, though very liberal with word order, seems to have a tendency to lead off with the time at the start of a sentence, than English does (even though in many cases, either language could use either order)
We attend church on Sundays.
Los domingos asistimos la Iglesia.
Again, not a great example,since either one could be flipped. Just pointing out a common tendency that is a bit different between the language.
As you were already advised, don´t worry too much. Just keep speaking, and then along the way, slowly note, absorb, and begin to incorporate those things that feel reversed to you.
Buena suerte.
Rodney P:
Actually, that isn't quite right. Both English and Spanish are derived from Proto-indo-european, with Spanish coming through the Italic languages and English developing through the Germanic languages. Many Latin based words entered English after the Norman Invasion, through the King speaking French.
