Answers
Mar 20, 2014 - 11:04 AM
For your first question, at some point I think Sonia said that in Spanish the pronoun is often optional. So, in the workouts I assume for the first example, you were asked to translate "we want" but in the second it was "(we) don't want." the () indicates that you leave out the pronoun. For the second question, the second construction is more standard, but "cafe con leche" is treated as the name of a beverage, and thus is usually not separated.
Mar 20, 2014 - 12:55 PM
James is right. Pronouns are optionally used, and you'll sometimes hear it both ways, which is why Fluenz teaches you how to form the verbs both with and without the pronoun. You use the examples of NOSOTROS QUEREMOS and NO QUEREMOS. So, given what James and I just mentioned, it's correct to say NOSOTROS NO QUEREMOS or simply NO QUEREMOS.
As for the second part of your question, there's an analogy to English. As James said, the name of the drink is CAFE CON LECHE. So if I wanted a large coffee with milk, I'd say QUIERO UN CAFE CON LECHE GRANDE. Imagine you went to a Starbucks in your town and you wanted a caramel latte which, by the way, is the name of the drink. You would order a large caramel latte, but never a caramel large latte. The name of the drink stands on its own, as in CAFE CON LECHE. In this instance, LECHE isn't just another condiment like cream or sugar. Hope this helps.
As for the second part of your question, there's an analogy to English. As James said, the name of the drink is CAFE CON LECHE. So if I wanted a large coffee with milk, I'd say QUIERO UN CAFE CON LECHE GRANDE. Imagine you went to a Starbucks in your town and you wanted a caramel latte which, by the way, is the name of the drink. You would order a large caramel latte, but never a caramel large latte. The name of the drink stands on its own, as in CAFE CON LECHE. In this instance, LECHE isn't just another condiment like cream or sugar. Hope this helps.
Mar 20, 2014 - 09:30 PM
Hello, I'm from Mexico, and I understand that the grammar can be confused, actually I don't know to talk and write english all that well. But I'll try to explain your doubts, When we say "WE DON'T WANT IT" we usually say "NO QUEREMOS" because the verb "QUEREMOS" has implied the pronoun. But you can say "NOSOTROS NO QUEREMOS" and it will be correct. Don't worry for that. You can use the pronoun or to take it off and to conjugate the verb, and it will be right.
And in the second doubt, we usually change the order of the adjective in the formulation. So you can see the variations on the order, and it will be Ok, it just about practice and experience... Its important to hear conversations in natal spanish to take practice.
And in the second doubt, we usually change the order of the adjective in the formulation. So you can see the variations on the order, and it will be Ok, it just about practice and experience... Its important to hear conversations in natal spanish to take practice.
Mar 21, 2014 - 03:22 AM
Thank you all. I understand perfectly.