Answers
Jun 30, 2017 - 10:31 AM
Q1: By "generic" you mean the un-conjugated or "infinitive" form. The sentences you are looking at must translate as "to eat" and "to drink". Very soon you will see them conjugated as "I eat, you eat, we eat, etc". You need to learn the infinitive or root form first to better understand the conjugations.
Q2: Both are acceptable and both are used depending on the region. I live in Cozumel Mexico and they use mostly tomar (Although I have heard a few waiters say beber). But if a customer says beber they certainly understand it. So when you get to a Spanish speaking country, on your first day go to a restaurant and wait for the waiter to ask the question; "Quiere tomar" or Quiere beber" then you will know.
Fluenz is a great course and this forum has been very helpful to me. I am midway through level 5 now. It's a challenging course, but worth sticking with it. But I recommend also supplementing it with other sources like free video's on YouTube. I like Butterfly Spanish. Each Butterfly video is 10 to 20 minutes and handles a specific subject. For me it is great reinforcement to the Fluenz concepts.
Q2: Both are acceptable and both are used depending on the region. I live in Cozumel Mexico and they use mostly tomar (Although I have heard a few waiters say beber). But if a customer says beber they certainly understand it. So when you get to a Spanish speaking country, on your first day go to a restaurant and wait for the waiter to ask the question; "Quiere tomar" or Quiere beber" then you will know.
Fluenz is a great course and this forum has been very helpful to me. I am midway through level 5 now. It's a challenging course, but worth sticking with it. But I recommend also supplementing it with other sources like free video's on YouTube. I like Butterfly Spanish. Each Butterfly video is 10 to 20 minutes and handles a specific subject. For me it is great reinforcement to the Fluenz concepts.
Jun 30, 2017 - 11:24 AM
@ScubaCPA. Thank you for the clarifications. And for the term, "infinitive" to mean un-conjugated. Sometimes I find myself wanting to move too fast, so your response also reminded me that I must be patient. Great tip on Butterfly Spanish too. I began watching Mi Vida Loca, put out by BBC but decided I might be better off getting farther into the Fluenz program first. ¡Muchos gracias!
Jun 30, 2017 - 04:07 PM
Yes. Don't try to go too fast. I do each lesson twice. I have been at it for over two years.
