If you’d like to say the word “start” in Spanish, you’d generally use a conjugation of the verb “comenzar.” That said, there are synonyms—such as
- empezar
- iniciar
- emprender
that may be more appropriate for what you’re trying to communicate.
As tricky as Spanish verbs may seem, getting a hold on Spanish can feel fairly natural for many new learners—especially if you already speak another “romance language” (such as French or Italian) or if you have had exposure to even the basics of Spanish. Plus, because Spanish, English, Italian, and French share such deep Latin roots, they have a ton of vocabulary in common. That’s why you can easily find English words like “music” that look almost identical and sound remarkably similar in French (musique), Italian (musica), and Spanish (música).
Aside from all the similarities in spelling and vocabulary, the Spanish language has a wonderfully clear and consistent system of pronunciation when compared to English. Unlike with English, there are only a few irregularities. But perhaps best of all is that the standard Spanish alphabet is a near-perfect match to English, with only three additional letters you’ll need to learn: ch (chay), ll (elle), and ñ (eñe).
Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion® methodology teaches you the language, not just the words. What makes it so effective is that we prepare you to use your new language in your everyday life. So, it’s not just about the features, but what you’re able to do because of them. That way, you’ll be ready to handle situations with ease and confidence.
Learn Spanish Words and Phrases
For many people, the reason to learn Spanish is that they frequently encounter the language in their everyday life. This makes sense, given that Spanish is commonly spoken throughout the U.S. It’s often heard in movies, on TV, in music, and in restaurants. For other people, the decision to learn Spanish is based on plans to do business, vacation, or volunteer in one of the 20 countries around the world where Spanish is the official language. So whatever your reasons, you can get off to a strong start by first learning basic Spanish words and their pronunciation. Starting here will help you learn to understand and be understood in everyday conversations with any of the 437 million Spanish speakers around the globe.
Unfortunately, some new learners get caught up in trying to memorize long lists of Spanish vocabulary words and phrases. These new learners soon become frustrated when they find themselves unable to participate in everyday Spanish conversations. That’s why it’s advisable to focus on the basic and commonly used Spanish words and pronunciation. This proven approach to language learning will help you develop the skills to comfortably engage in everyday, real-world conversations in Spanish.
Note: Spanish does have some characteristics that can make proper pronunciation of some words a bit challenging for new learners. As one example, the letter r is pronounced differently and takes some practice for most new learners. This distinct sound is formed by tapping the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth, about a third of the way back in the mouth. Some Spanish-language experts counsel new learners to practice making the “tt” sound, as it sounds in the English word butter.
Improving your Spanish pronunciation requires that you receive precise and immediate feedback on your efforts to speak Spanish. Rosetta Stone helps you dial-in your pronunciation with our TruAccent™ speech engine. TruAccent compares your voice to native and non-native speakers—in real-time—so you get the feedback you need for the most accurate pronunciation. It’s also adjustable, which allows you to tweak your accent as needed. TruAccent is a powerful tool for helping you learn and speak the Spanish language.
Once beginners have learned basic and frequently used Spanish words, short phrases, and their proper pronunciation, they will be able to move onto learning the longer phrases that make up much of everyday Spanish conversation. Every one of Rosetta Stone’s 10-minute lessons is designed to help you learn in just this way—first teaching basic words and short phrases, then teaching longer phrases, and always emphasizing proper pronunciation. Rosetta Stone language lessons can help you develop the skills to understand and be understood in Spanish with confidence.
Try Our Award-Winning App
Surround yourself with Spanish whenever, wherever with the Rosetta Stone app .
Download a unit and knock it out on the train or a flight. Select a 5-10 minute lesson and sneak it in while you wait in line or for your ride to show up. And explore dynamic features, like Seek and Speak, where you can point at an object in the real world and get a translation .
The best part? You don’t have to choose between app or desktop. Both come with your subscription and sync, so you can switch between devices seamlessly.
