🇪🇸 Spanish
Español • Latin
Word order: what’s normal (and how to sound natural)
Understand the default word order and a simple strategy to avoid ‘translation‑English’.
The key idea
Spanish is generally SVO, but subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending shows the subject.
- Memorize patterns (whole sentences), not just single words.
- When you change the meaning, keep the grammar skeleton the same.
- If word order is flexible, use ‘neutral’ order first — emphasis comes later.
Estoy aquí.
I am here.
Quiero agua.
I want water.
No entiendo.
I don't understand.
¿Hablas inglés?
Do you speak English? (informal)
¿Dónde está el baño?
Where is the bathroom?
Este es mi amigo.
This is my friend.
Tiny practice routine
Pick one sentence and create 5 variations. Example: ‘I want water’ → water/coffee/tea/ticket/help.
- Speak each variation out loud.
- Record yourself and compare rhythm.
Mini‑quiz
Mini-quiz
1/9 • Score: 0
Typical word order for this language is closest to…