Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s great to hear that you’ve found another helpful resource to complement the Fluenz audio. The ability to control the speed of dialogue is definitely a great feature, and the quizzes sound like a fantastic way to reinforce learning. Appreciate you taking the time to share—happy learning!
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German Level 4 - Lesson 18 - Question on DIR OBJ and TIME PositionHi @allen10086
Great question! You're absolutely right that eins functions as a direct object pronoun here, and German word order rules can be tricky.
In general, German follows the TeKaMoLo (Temporal - Kausal - Modal - Lokal) structure for adverbial phrases, but pronouns tend to take precedence. When you have a direct object pronoun (eins), it typically comes before time expressions like morgen. This is why "Du musst morgen eins kaufen" is correct rather than "Du musst eins morgen kaufen".This is a special case where the presence of a pronoun slightly overrides the usual time-first rule. Keep up the great work, and let us know if you have any other questions!
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Missing tenses?Hi @vssierpi Great question! The course is designed to prioritize the most commonly used structures in everyday Spanish, which is why you've seen ir a + infinitive for the future—this is actually the most common way people express the future in spoken Spanish. While the simple future tense (futuro simple) does exist, it's often used more in formal writing or for emphasis.
The subjunctive and imperative moods are definitely important, but they tend to be introduced later because they can be complex and are used in specific contexts. Many language programs take this approach to ensure learners build confidence with foundational structures before diving into more advanced grammar.
It's great to hear that you and your wife are progressing so well! Let us know if you have any other questions.
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JantarHi @tomasese Good question!
In Portuguese, jantar can be both a noun (meaning "dinner") and a verb (meaning "to have dinner"). While comer is the general verb for "to eat," jantar specifically refers to eating dinner. So in this case, it's not a mistake—it’s just a more specific way to say "to eat" in the context of dinner. Hope that helps! -
Once Again--Flashcards Not Working on IMacWe’ve received reports of technical problems with Flashcards. Please contact us directly at usersupport@fluenz.com so we can review your specific case and assist you further.
Thank you for your patience!
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Object positionThank you for your question!
The difference here lies in the correct structure for expressing this idea in French, as well as how certain verbs (like demander) interact with objects. Let me explain:
Why "J'ai demandé mes parents pour un livre" is Incorrect
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Verb Usage with Direct and Indirect Objects:
In French, the verb demander (to ask) requires a direct object (the thing being asked for) and an indirect object (the person being asked). The correct structure is:demander [something] à [someone]
- Example:
- J'ai demandé un livre à mes parents. = "I asked my parents for a book."
In your first attempt, "mes parents" was treated as the direct object, but this isn’t how demander works. Instead, the thing you are asking for (e.g., "un livre") should be the direct object, and the person you are asking (e.g., "mes parents") is the indirect object introduced by à.
- Example:
Why "à" and Not "pour"?
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"À" is used because the French construction "demander à quelqu'un" directly means "to ask someone." It introduces the person receiving the request.
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"Pour" would mean "for," which suggests you're asking on behalf of someone or for their benefit—not directly addressing them with the request.
- Example:
- Je demande un livre pour toi. = "I am asking for a book for you."
- Example:
Correct Sentence:
J'ai demandé un livre à mes parents.
- un livre = direct object (the thing you asked for)
- à mes parents = indirect object (the people you asked)
I hope this clears things up! Let me know if you have more questions.
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Entonces versus asíThank you for your question!
While both "entonces" and "así" can sometimes be translated as "so" or "then," they have distinct uses depending on the context. Here's how to distinguish between them:
"Entonces"
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Temporal Meaning (Then):
- Refers to a point in time, either in the past or future.
- Example:
- Fui al cine y entonces cené. = "I went to the movies and then I had dinner."
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Logical Connector (So/Therefore):
- Used to connect ideas, indicating a conclusion or result.
- Example:
- No había entradas, entonces no pudimos entrar. = "There were no tickets, so we couldn’t go in."
"Así"
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Manner (Like This/That):
- Describes the way something is done or happens.
- Example:
- Hazlo así. = "Do it like this."
- Así es como se hace. = "That’s how it’s done."
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Result or Confirmation (So):
- Sometimes used to indicate a result, especially in combination with other words (e.g., "así que" = "so").
- Example:
- Estaba cansado, así que me fui a dormir. = "I was tired, so I went to sleep."
Quick Tip to Differentiate:
- Use "entonces" when referring to time or drawing a conclusion.
- Use "así" when describing how something happens or is done.
I hope this helps clarify the difference! Let me know if you have more questions.
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Spanish Upgrade@Linda-Lemkes said in Spanish Upgrade:
Thank you but I'll stick with the Castilian. Are there any plans to upgrade Castillian?
Thank you for your message!
We’re glad to hear you’re enjoying the Castilian course. At the moment, there are no immediate plans to upgrade Castilian, but we’re always working on ways to improve and expand our offerings. If there are specific areas you’d like to see enhanced or added, we’d love to hear your feedback!
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Past versus imperfectThank you for your question!
This is a great observation, and the choice of "me encantó" (preterite) instead of the imperfect "me encantaba" does hinge on nuance. Let me clarify:
Why the Preterite Is Used Here:
A Completed Experience:
The preterite "me encantó" suggests that your love for Argentina is tied to a specific experience or period of time that has a clear beginning and end. For example, if you're referring to a particular trip to Argentina, the preterite emphasizes the entirety of that event as a finished, singular experience.Example:
Me encantó Argentina. = "I loved Argentina (during my trip or visit)."
Emphasis on the Overall Impression:
The preterite is often used when describing an emotional reaction or impression as a whole. It reflects how you felt about Argentina during a particular instance, rather than describing an ongoing state of loving it.When to Use the Imperfect:
The imperfect "me encantaba" would instead emphasize an ongoing emotional state or repeated actions over time, such as a habitual love for Argentina in a broader sense.Example:
Me encantaba Argentina cuando vivía allí. = "I loved Argentina when I lived there."
Siempre me encantaba su cultura. = "I always loved its culture."
Emotional States and Time in Spanish
You’re absolutely correct that emotional states often use the imperfect, but the choice between preterite and imperfect depends on whether the speaker frames the emotion as ongoing or tied to a specific event or moment.I hope this clears things up! Feel free to ask if you have more questions.
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aquí and allá vs de aquí and de alláHi @Keats and @irahandler
The use of "de" in front of "aquí" and "allá" can indeed be tricky, as it depends on the context in which you're describing movement, origin, or a relationship to a location. Here's a breakdown:
When to Use "de" with "aquí" and "allá"
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Indicating Origin or Departure:
Use "de" when referring to something coming from or originating from here/there.- Example with aquí:
- Salió de aquí. = "He/She left from here."
- Example with allá:
- Viene de allá. = "He/She is coming from over there."
- Example with aquí:
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Describing Possession or Reference to a Place:
"De" can also indicate something belonging to or associated with a place.- Example with aquí:
- La gente de aquí es muy amable. = "The people from here are very kind."
- Example with allá:
- Los paisajes de allá son hermosos. = "The landscapes over there are beautiful."
- Example with aquí:
When "de" Is Not Used
- If you're simply stating a location or direction without referencing movement, origin, or possession, "de" isn’t necessary.
- Estoy aquí. = "I am here."
- Voy allá. = "I’m going over there."
Why "over here" and "over there" Don't Always Work
While "over here" and "over there" can sometimes align with "de aquí" or "de allá," they don’t always capture the same nuance of origin or association that "de" provides in Spanish.
I hope this helps clarify the usage! Let me know if you have further questions—I’d be happy to help.
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