If you’d like to say “you all” in Spanish, you would typically use “Todos ustedes…” coupled with a verb. Since “you all” implies multiple people, it is plural. Here are some examples:
• Todos ustedes son… = You all are…
• Todos ustedes tienen que… = You all have to…
• Todos ustedes deben… = You all should…
Although Spanish might seem confusing to some new learners, always remember that you don’t have to tackle it all at once. Even with a common phrase like “you all…,” getting comfortable with one option will likely work well in most circumstances. After you’re acclimated, you can slowly incorporate other phrases with more nuanced meanings.
Here’s the good news; if you already speak another major European language, learning Spanish is most likely attainable. Because English, just as Italian and French, has deep roots in Latin, these languages all share thousands of words with contemporary Spanish. These shared words are called cognates and have significant similarities in spelling and/or pronunciation. That’s why you’ll find English words like “future” that sound remarkably similar in French (futur), Italian (futuro), and Spanish (futuro).
You’ll also find that Spanish has a very simple system of pronunciation. Unlike English, with all of its special rules, there are only a few irregularities. The standard Spanish alphabet is also a near-exact match to English. It just has 29 letters instead of the 26 you’re used to. The extra three are: ch (chay), ll (elle), and ñ (eñe).
Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion® methodology teaches you the language , not just the words. What makes it 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. It helps you get ready to handle situations with confidence.
Learn Spanish Words and Phrases
Many people want to learn Spanish because they encounter the language in their everyday lives. After all, Spanish is frequently heard in our popular music, TV shows, and movies. Other people make the personal decision to learn Spanish due to plans to vacation, work, or volunteer in one of the 20 countries around the globe where Spanish is the official language.
No matter what your reason, you can get off to a strong start by focusing first on the pronunciation of some very basic words and phrases. Focusing on this foundational step will help you communicate with any of the estimated 437 million people around the globe who speak Spanish.
Some beginning Spanish learners get bogged down trying to memorize lengthy lists of Spanish vocabulary words and phrases. This time-consuming and boring approach can lead to the unfortunate outcome of having little ability to understand or be understood in everyday Spanish conversations. That’s why it’s so important that new Spanish language learners develop the skill to understand and accurately pronounce basic words and phrases. This practical approach to learning the language will help you to become confident and comfortable conversing in Spanish with the locals.
It’s important to note that Spanish does have some pronunciation distinctions that can make it a bit of a challenge 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.
Developing accurate pronunciation requires that you get immediate feedback on your efforts. Feedback will help you make needed corrections to your Spanish pronunciation . Then you can practice until your mouth is able to readily shape the sounds that make up the language. Rosetta Stone helps you get it right in a snap with our patented TruAccent™ speech engine. It instantly compares your voice to native and non-native speakers and provides real-time feedback. It’s also adjustable, which allows you to fine-tune your accent. TruAccent is among the most powerful tools for helping you learn and speak the Spanish language.
As soon as you have learned to pronounce basic words and short phrases, it’s a natural transition to learn the longer phrases that make up so much of everyday conversation. Rosetta Stone’s brief, 10-minute lessons are built in just this way—guiding you along your journey and building on what you’ve learned in the previous lessons. This approach helps you acquire 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.
