Spanish For Dummies

ISBN-13: 9780470688151 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 400 str.

Susana Wald

Opis

Whether you want to take up Spanish from scratch or brush up on your existing skills, this practical guide offers helpful lessons, cultural facts, handy references and much more. Included is a Spanish-English mini-dictionary and common verb lists.

Spis treści

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: Realising that You Know a Little Spanish Already 9

Chapter 2: Getting Down to the Nitty–Gritty: Basic Spanish Grammar 25

Part II: Spanish in Action 41

Chapter 3: ¡Hola! Hello! Greetings and Introductions 43

Chapter 4: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 63

Chapter 5: Dining Out and Going to Market 77

Chapter 6: Shopping Made Easy 101

Chapter 7: Organising a Night on the Town 121

Chapter 8: Enjoying Yourself: Recreation 141

Chapter 9: Talking on the Telephone 163

Chapter 10: Looking Around the Home and Office 175

Part III: Spanish on the Go 199

Chapter 11: Money, Money, Money 201

Chapter 12: Asking Directions: ¿Dónde Está? (Where Is It?) 213

Chapter 13: Checking into a Hotel 229

Chapter 14: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, Taxis and More 245

Chapter 15: Planning a Trip 267

Chapter 16: Handling Emergencies 283

Part IV: The Part of Tens 305

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Speak Spanish Quickly 307

Chapter 18: Ten (Plus Two) Favourite Spanish Expressions 311

Chapter 19: Ten Holidays to Remember 315

Chapter 20: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Fluent in Spanish 321

Part V: Appendixes 325

Appendix A: Mini Dictionary 327

Appendix B: Spanish Verbs 343

Appendix C: About the CD 353

Appendix D: Spanish Facts 355

Index 359

O autorze

Pedro Vázquez Bermejo is a Spanish teacher living in London. He tutors privately as well as being the BBC′s in–house Spanish teacher. He is a proofreader, editor and adviser on Sega Multilingual role games at Soho Voice Over studios.

Susana Wald is a language instructor, translator and publisher.

Blurb

Learn to:

• Speak Spanish on the go in a variety of everyday situations
• Communicate confidently in spoken or written Spanish
• Get to grips with basic grammar and vocabulary

Perfect your pronunciation with the audio CD

Say ¡hola! to instant Spanish

Whether you′re travelling for a week′s getaway or setting up a new life in Spain, this book is the perfect tool to get you up and running. From help with the basics to techniques for honing your conversation skills, this easy–to–use book and audio CD will help you understand and be understood in European Spanish. Taking you step–by–step through the pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar, you′ll be speaking Spanish with confidence in no time.

• Grasp the basics learn some simple Spanish, discover how words are pronounced and become familiar with key grammar rules
• Hit the town order food and drink when you′re out and about and get to know the locals
• Make the call communicate with people over the phone, in both business and social contexts
• Spend your money work your way around the shops with ease and master currency lingo
• Find your way navigate your way around Spain′s key attractions and learn how to ask for and understand directions

Open the book and find:

• Handy greetings and introductions
• How to speak like a local
• Examples of typical Spanish conversations
• Essential grammar rules
• Pronunciation tips
• Etiquette for written Spanish
• Techniques for successful telephone conversations
• Advice on navigating public transport systems
• How to call for help in an emergency