I can't seem to write in Spanish!

Question

I took a Spanish test yesterday for my class, and the areas that killed me was when I had to write sentences in Spanish. So,how do I write in Spanish? I am so used to thinking in English, that I feel like I have to have every single word in Spanish, and have them in the order of how they would be in an English sentence. I know that at least most times adjectives are after the noun they modify right? Like Dos hermanos joven. I just can't seem to grasp it and I desperately need help.

Answer 1

I am so used to thinking in English, that I feel like I have to have every single word in Spanish, and have them in the order of how they would be in an English sentence.

Yes, it can be tricky at first.

That is the first thing you have to get over. It is anOTHER language. It has its own order. You simply have to accept, observe, and emulate. This is true of all foreign languages. There is no magic bullet. There are articles on this site on the adjective and noun word order that you should probably read. They´re very helpful to we beginners.

Look Here and then Here

Buena suerte.

Exactly. There isno help. It is another langauge. There is no magic pill. - annierats, Nov 12, 2013

Answer 2

I am so used to thinking in English, that I feel like I have to have every single word in Spanish

My Spanish teacher encourages us not to even think about what we're trying to say in English. If you do, then you will be left with words and phrases you don't know how to translate into Spanish. Instead, she tells us to just begin writing in Spanish and use what we do know. Good luck!

Good advice - 005faa61, Nov 12, 2013

I am sorry, I cannot accept that type of thinking. If you don;t know French, and you want to "learn" then start by thinking in French. That's the most idiotic way of thinking. It seems logical, but it isn't. Sorry if I am so direct with this. - chileno, Nov 12, 2013

Actually, chileno, I believe the complete opposite; unless I'm struggling with a phrase, I avoid English as much as possible. You don't need to think in the language; you just need to "react" in the language. Reaction is a much more manageable task - HackerKing, Nov 12, 2013

See my reply.... - chileno, Nov 14, 2013

Answer 3

Thinking in one language while doing an exam in another has to be extremely dificult, so much that I don´t understand how you are able to do it. Of course it´s "easier said than done", but if you force yourself to think in the language of the exam, the process will be much easier.

By your example of "Dos hermanos joven" you have shown that you understand a usual word order. Now all you have to do is stop thinking in English and write "Dos hermanos jovenes" because you also know that in Spanish the amount also affects formation of the adjective.

Answer 4

Please read my blog and if you want to talk about it, just add me on Skype (chileno74) and let me know your time availability.

Answer 5

HackerKing

Actually, chileno, I believe the complete opposite; unless I'm struggling with a phrase, I avoid English as much as possible. You don't need to think in the language; you just need to "react" in the language. Reaction is a much more manageable task.

Now that you know some Spanish you can "try" to do that, but in reality all you are doing is going against a more "natural" path.

Like I said. It seems logical, and it is logical if you were a little kid, but you are not anymore. You are an adult and have knowledge which you cannot hide "pretending" you don't know. See? It is a fallacy.