Spanish Lessons in Buenos Aires - Che Vos Spanish

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What does "KEEP" mean in Spanish???

The verb KEEP has dozens of meanings and multiple uses in English, but its main counterparts in Spanish are the following four verbs: Mantener(se) - Quedarse – guardarse – guardar

-If you keep something (when you don't lend, give, return or pass something) ---► Te quedas (con) algo
“keep the change” “quédese (con) el cambio”

-If you keep something secret ---► guardas algo (Also ocultar, if you keep it hidden)
“He keeps an ace under his sleeve” “guarda un as bajo la manga”

-If you keep a certain condition or quality, or remain in a certain state ---►(te) mantienes en un estado
“Keep calm” “mantén la calma” “Keep yourself calmed” “Mantente calmo”
“Keep your head up” “mantén tu cabeza en alto”

-If you keep/store something in a place or put it away or back to its place ---► guardas algo (en su lugar)
“Can you put your books away please?” “Por favor guardas tus libros?”

-BONUS TRACK: SAVE
-If you save a digital file or document ---► lo guardas
“I forgot to save the file” “Olvidé guardar el archivo”

-If you save money or time ---► ahorras dinero o tiempo
“Five great tips for saving money” “Cinco grandes consejos para ahorrar plata”

Now try and practice with these sentences:

-You keep yourself in good shape
-Don't keep those tips for you
-How do you keep informed?
-Save that document, just in case
-Keep your ugly face away from here
-I don't want your help. You can keep it
-Where do you keep the blankets?
-I couldn't save enough for the trip
-Keep the door open as she leaves

ASÍ & ASÍ QUE (PART 2)

Apart from expressing consequence and purpose, “Así” is a very common word, frequently used in everyday expressions in Spanish. Let's take a look at just a few of them:

Asi que...: to express surprise, disbelief or upset (often implying some kind of bad karma, negative effect or punishment may follow); to mock or laugh at someone
“¿Así que te has comido toda la torta...?!”
“Así que vas a salir a la calle con ese sombrero...?”

Así: like this, in this way
“Así se hace”
“Tenemos que decorar la sala así. Así como en esta foto”

Así se habla: Well said, Now you're talking!
“-Esta vez voy a ganar la carrera” “-Muy bien, así se habla!”

Así está bien: I'm fine/ It's ok like this (that)
“-¿Más vino?” “-No, gracias, así está bien”

Así como así: when something is done easily or even in a careless manner
“¿Entonces vas a dejar el trabajo así como así?

Así es: That's right, that is correct
“-¿Entonces vas a dejar el trabajo así como así?” “-Así es”

ASÍ vs. ASÍ QUE (PARTE 1)

When it comes to comparing English and Spanish grammar, a baffling pair of expressions is "ASÍ" and "ASÍ QUE": así que... 😉 let's take a closer look at it:

While ASI is often confused with "So" and ASÍ QUE with "So that", it's actually the other way around: ASÍ introduces a purpose whereas ASÍ QUE expresses a direct consequence or conclusion.

A few examples:

"Te hago un descuento ASÍ podés (puedes) comprarlo" = "Te hago un descuento para que puedas comprarlo" = "I'll give you a discount SO (THAT) you can buy it" (Purpose, goal)

"Te hago un descuento, ASÍ QUE no te vayas" = "I'll give you a discount, SO don't go" (direct consequence)

Now try to fill out these sentences:

-Tenemos que salir para la fiesta……………..……vestite pronto.
-Andrés pagó las entradas…………………..tenemos que darle la plata a él.
-Me prestó el libro………….………podía estudiar.
-Hoy va a llover……………………no te recomiendo lavar el auto.
-Toma este comprimido………………….te sentís mejor pronto.
-Compré un libro de español……………….. puedo practicar.

ANTES Y DESPUÉS
Check how to use these troublesome "time expressions" in Spanish

-ANTES

1 Yo viajaba mucho
2 Me quedé sin empleo

“Yo viajaba mucho antes de quedarme sin empleo” (Same person referred to: "yo", use Infinitive)

1 Mi esposa y yo viajábamos mucho
2 Ella se quedó sin empleo

“Mi esposa y yo viajábamos mucho antes de que ella se QUEDARA sin empleo” (different people referred to, always use QUE and Subjuntive)

-DESPUÉS

1 Llegué
2 Almorcé

“Después de llegar, almorcé” (Same person referred to, use Infinitive)

1 Llegaste
2 Almorzamos

“Después de que llegaste, almorzamos” (different people: “tú/vos” y “nosotros”, use QUE and past tense for past situation)

1 Llegas
2 Siempre almorzamos

"Después de que llegas, siempre almorzamos" (different people: use QUE and present tense for typical situation)

1 Vas a llegar
2 Vamos a almorzar

"Después de que LLEGUES, vamos a almorzar" (different people: use QUE and present SUBJUNCTIVE for future situation)

CHALLENGE: Consider the following situations. Can you make phrases such as the examples above?

1 Visitamos el museo
2 Comimos unas tapas

1 terminé el trabajo
2 Mi jefe me asignó más tareas

1 mi mujer pidió pizzas
2 yo volví del trabajo

1 Quiero revisar estos documentos
2 Te vas

1 Haces ejercicio/gimnasia
2 Necesitas comer algo

Whether you want to keep your Spanish skills or you want to learn Spanish from scratch, ONLINE LESSONS are a great option because:
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from your home or office,
whenever it's convenient for you,
at a really affordable price.

Write to set up a free interview via Skype, fix a day and time, start lessons and pay online only after taking the first classes.

Feliz Navidad para todxs lxs amigxs de Che Vos!!!
Merry Christmas to all our Che Vos friends!!!
Keep drinking!

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