Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish (4 page)
Read Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish Online
Authors: Margarita Madrigal
Tags: #Reference, #Language Arts & Disciplines
N
OTE
: The letter “j” is always pronounced “h” in Spanish.
E
XAMPLE
: “jovial” is pronounced “hovial.”
Some words that end in “cal” in English end in “co” in Spanish.
CAL = CO
logical
= lógico
| clásico | físico | mecánico | político |
| cómico | ( physical ) | ( mechanical ) | práctico |
| economico | histérico | médico | técnico |
| ético | ( hysterical ) | metódico | ( technical ) |
| ( ethical ) | idéntico | ( methodical ) | típico |
| | | | ( typical ) |
Words that end in “ble” are often identical in Spanish and English.
the cable
= el cable
| abominable | adorable |
| aceptable | afable |
| ( acceptable ) | cable |
| adaptable | comparable |
| admirable | curable |
| deplorable | formidable |
| detestable | honorable |
| durable | ilimitable |
| explicable | imaginable |
| favorable | impenetrable |
| impregna ble | intolerable |
| improbable | irreparable |
| inalterable | irreprochable |
| incalculable | irrevocable |
| incomparable | irritable |
| incurable | lamentable |
| inefable | laudable |
| inestimable | miserable |
| inevitable | navegable |
| inexpl icable | noble |
| inflamable | notable |
| inimitable | presentable |
| insaciable | probable |
| inseparable | respetable |
| interminable | ( respectable ) |
| responsable | imperceptible |
| ( responsible ) | imposible |
| sociable | incompatible |
| tolerable | infalible |
| variable | intangible |
| venerable | invisible |
| vulnerable | irresistible |
| accesible | plausible |
| admisible | posible |
| compatible | preferible |
| digestible | susceptible |
| dirigible | tangible |
| flexible | terrible |
| horrible | visible |
Add the letter “o” to words that end in “ic” in English.
| académico | cromático |
| acrobático | democrático |
| acuático | diabético |
| aeronáutico | diagnóstico |
| agnóstico | dinámico |
| alegórico | diplomático |
| anémico | dogmático |
| antiséptico | drámatico |
| aristocrático | drástico |
| aromático | económico |
| arsénico | elástico |
| Atlántico | eléctrico |
| atómico | enciclopédico |
| auténtico | enigmático |
| ( authentic ) | erótico |
| autocrático | evangélico |
| Báltico | excéntrico |
| británico | exótico |
| burocrático | fanático |
| cáustico | fantástico |
| científico | filantrópico |
| ( scientific ) | filarmónico |
| cosmético | fonético |
| fotográfico | pacífico |
| gálico | paralítico |
| geográfico | patriótico |
| hipnótico | plástico |
| histórico | platónico |
| idiomático | plutocrático |
| irónico | prehistórico |
| litográfico | profético |
| mágico | prolífico |
| magnético | prosaico |
| mecánico | público |
| melodramático | romántico |
| metálico | rústico |
| metalúrgico | sarcástico |
| microscópico | sardónico |
| monástico | sinfónico |
| mosaico | teutónico |
| narcótico | tónico |
| neurótico | tópico |
| nostálgico | trágico |
| óptico | transatlántico |
| orgánico | trópico |
| ortopédico | volcánico |
Add the letter “e” to words that end in “ent” or “ant” in English.
ENT = ENTE
the agent
= el agente
| accidente | eminente |
| adolescente | equivalente |
| agente | evidente |
| astringente | excelente |
| cliente | frecuente |
| competente | ( frequent ) |
| continente | impaciente |
| contingente | ( impatient ) |
| conveniente | imprudente |
| decadente | incidente |
| decente | incompetente |
| deficiente | inconsistente |
| diferente | inconveniente |
| diligente | indecente |
| eficiente | independiente |
| elocuente | ( independent ) |
| ( eloquent ) | |
| indiferente | permanente |
| indolente | potente |
| indulgente | precedente |
| inherente | presente |
| insistente | presidente |
| insolente | proficiente |
| insuficiente | prominente |
| inteligente | prudente |
| intermitente | reciente |
| irreverente | ( recent ) |
| negligente | suficiente |
| occidente | superintendente |
| Oriente | tangente |
| paciente | transparente |
| ( patient ) | urgente |
| patente | vehemente |
N
OTE
: Words that end in “ment” are changed into Spanish by adding the letter “o.”
MENT = MENTO
the instrument
= el instrumento
| el implemento | el linimento | el temperamento |
| el monumento | el fragmento | el suplemento |
| el armamento | el testamento | el sacramento |
ANT = ANTE
the restaurant
= el restaurante
| abundante | consultante | importante | lubricante |
| consonante | elefante | incesante | radiante |
| constante | elegante | instante | restaurante |
| dominante | ignorante | intolerante | significante |
Get some 3″ by 5″ cards at your stationer’s and copy the material that is shown on the sample below on one of them. Carry the
card with you, in your pocket or purse, and glance at it during your spare moments (on the bus, while you are waiting for people, etc.). Each time you look at it try to make up several words in each category aside from those that are listed on the card.
I. OR (identical)
el doctor
el actor
II. AL (identical)
el animal
personal
III. BLE (identical)
el cable
probable
IV. IC = ICO
el Atlántico
eléctrico
V. ENT = ENTE
ANT = ANTE
el presidente
excelente
el restaurante
importante
Throughout your study of Spanish carry cards as reminders. Glance at them once in a while and you will progress twice as fast as you would without them.
el doctor
ou can convert many English words that end in “ist” into Spanish words by adding the letter “a” to them.
IST = ISTA
the pianist
= el pianista
| el pianista | el oculista | un artista |
| el violinista | el capitalista | un novelista |
| el dentista | el comunista | un optimista |
You can convert many English words that end in “ous” into Spanish words by changing the “ous” to “oso.”
OUS = OSO
famous
= famoso
| curioso | generoso | melodioso |
| delicioso | glorioso | religioso |
| famoso | ambicioso | pomposo |
If a word ends in “tion” in English you can convert it into Spanish simply by changing the “t” to “c.”
TION = CIÓN
the action
= la acción
| la descripción | la civilización | la cooperación |
| la admiración | la circulación | la distribución |
| la anticipación | la constitución | una invitación |
| la exageración | la generación | la institución |
| el programa, the program | paciente, patient |
| el rosbif, the roast beef | interesante, interesting |
| el biftec, the beefsteak | muy, very |
| en, in; mi, my | en mi opinión, in my opinion |
¿Es popular el pianista?
Sí, el pianista es popular.
¿Es inteligente el pianista?
Sí, el pianista es inteligente.
¿Es inteligente el novelista?
Sí, el novelista es inteligente.
¿Es curioso el novelista?
Sí, el novelista es muy curioso.
¿Es curioso el dentista?
Sí, el dentista es muy curioso.
¿Es exceptional el artista?
Sí, el artista es exceptional.