Essential Spanish Grammar for Expats | To Be - To Go - To Eat

Table of Contents

Spanish Grammar for Expats: A Basic Guide

Welcome to our first lesson in Spanish Grammar for Expats! This beginner-friendly guide is designed for newcomers to Colombia or Latin America. While it’s not a substitute for hiring a local tutor, it will provide you with key insights and a solid foundation to help improve your Spanish skills. Use this guide to enhance your learning experience and start feeling more confident in your ability to communicate in Spanish.

My Spanish Learning Journey

I studied Spanish in high school for three years, and it remains one of the most valuable educational experiences of my life. However, college didn’t contribute much to my fluency. When I moved to Colombia in 2013, my writing career took off, and I was fully immersed in the language. Though I was a bit confused after spending six months in Brazil, I eventually adapted to Colombian Spanish, and my learning began to accelerate.

Now, with 11 years of Spanish experience—eight of those spent living in Colombia—I’ve gained invaluable immersion. Living in the culture has made a huge impact, but it hasn’t always been easy. I still encounter moments when regional dialects or background noise leave me puzzled, and I find myself pretending to understand when, in reality, my brain is overheating.

Keep in mind that basic phrases can vary by region and dialect. My Spanish began as textbook Castellano in high school, but over time, I’ve adopted the Colombian Paisa dialect for daily interactions. The phrases I share are based on what I’ve learned through experience and observation, though they might not always be 100% accurate. If you spot any glaring mistakes, feel free to leave a comment or email us at coffeeaxistravel@gmail.com.

Your journey to fluency depends on your ability to learn, internalize, listen, and repeat.

Spanish Grammar for Expats: Why It’s Essential in Colombia

In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for those living in Colombia to learn Spanish. With the world becoming increasingly unpredictable, especially after the pandemic, living in ignorance isn’t an option—regardless of how much money you have.

If you’re planning to live in Colombia, make sure to learn some Spanish! It’s crucial for navigating daily life, building relationships, and staying safe. Don’t hesitate—immerse yourself in the language or reconsider your stay. It’s as simple as that.

Effective Learning Techniques for Spanish

As adults, the hardest part of learning new habits or skills is making them stick. The things we learn when we’re young often stay with us throughout life. But when it comes to learning a language, you need to think more deeply, internalize concepts, and open both your mind and heart.

Remember, you can’t truly learn a language without also embracing the culture that comes with it.

Here are a few memorization tips I share with my English students during our first class:

Use conscious internalization techniques: Repeat the new language to yourself several times to reinforce it.
Visualize it: Create an association that helps you recall the language structure when needed.
Write it down: If you’re serious about learning Spanish, invest in a small notebook to jot down new words. I often write Spanish phrases and vocabulary in the margins of my regular notebooks.
Relax and smile: You can’t learn effectively under stress. Even if you have to fake it until you make it, find someone you enjoy learning with, or create a pleasant environment that makes studying feel good.

The foundation of learning Spanish for expats starts with understanding these core principles.

The Verb “To Be” in Spanish

In Spanish, “to be” is expressed in two different ways: “ser” and “estar.”

“Ser” is used for permanent or essential states. For example, when you say “Yo soy Erin” (I am Erin), “ser” is conjugated as “soy.”
“Estar” is used for temporary states or conditions. For instance, when answering “¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?), you would say “Yo estoy bien” (I am fine), where “estar” is conjugated as “estoy.”

Understanding the difference between these two verbs is key to mastering Spanish.

Now that you understand the difference between “ser,” and “estar,” let’s work on a few practical phrases so you can go out and use them.

Permanent vs. Temporary States in Spanish

Permanent States (Ser)

Yo soy – I am
Él/ella es – He/She is
Nosotros somos – We are
Ellos son – They are
Usted es – You are (formal)
Tú eres – You are (informal)

Temporary States (Estar)

Yo estoy – I am
Él/ella está – He/She is
Nosotros estamos – We are
Ellos están – They are
Usted está – You are (formal)

Practical Phrases

¿Quién es ella? – Who is she?
Ella es mi hermana. – She is my sister.
Ella está aliviada. – She is well.
¿Cómo estás? – How are you?
Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted? – I’m good, thanks. And you (formal)?
Estoy súper. ¿Dónde estás? – I’m super. Where are you?
Estoy haciendo compras. ¿Qué necesitas? – I’m shopping. What do you need?

For more details on “to be” in Spanish, check out The Spanish Experiment: To Be.

To Go in Spanish

“Ir” (to go) is an irregular verb in Spanish, meaning its conjugations can vary significantly. While there are up to 14 possible conjugations, in everyday conversation, you’ll typically use only half of them. It’s important to remember that Spanish sentence structure differs from English. Rather than trying to translate directly, focus on understanding the verb in its own context. This will help you grasp its nuances more naturally.

Here are some basic conjugations:

Yo voy – I go Usted va – you go Tu vas El/Ella va – he/she goes

Ellos van – They go Nosotros vamos – we go

Basic Phrases with “Ir” (To Go)

¡Vamos! – Let’s go!
¡Me tengo que ir! – I have to go!
¿Dónde vas? – Where are you going?
¡Vete! – Go! (Command)
Voy a trabajar como profesora de inglés. – I am going to work as an English teacher.

For more information, check out Conjugating the Irregular Spanish Verb “Ir” (To Go)

To Eat: Mastering Food-Related Phrases in Colombia

Colombia is an incredible gastronomic destination, making “to eat” one of the most important verbs to know before arriving—and essential throughout your travels or life here.

Being able to confidently order food is a crucial skill that takes time and patience to perfect. Even so, you might encounter servers who “pretend not to understand” your Spanish due to your foreign accent. To avoid confusion, always speak clearly and slowly, and don’t hesitate to ask for confirmation to ensure your order is understood.

Basic Conjugations of “To Eat”

Here are some essential conjugations of the verb “comer” (to eat) in Spanish:

Yo como – I eat
Tú comes – You eat (informal)
Él/ella come – He/She eats
Usted come – You eat (formal)
Ellos/Ellas comen – They eat
Nosotros/Nosotras comemos – We eat
Ustedes comen – You all eat (formal)

Basic Spanish Expressions for Eating

Here are some useful expressions related to food and eating in Spanish:

¡Vamos a comer! – Let’s eat!
Quiero comer algo. – I want to eat something.
¿Usted come arroz? – Do you eat rice?
Una buena cuchara – A Paisa expression meaning “A good appetite.” (Note: In Venezuela, this phrase has a completely different and inappropriate meaning, so use with caution.)
¡Buen provecho! – Enjoy your meal.
¡Salud! – Cheers!
A mí me gustaría comer… – I would like to eat… (For ordering)
A mí me gusta comer… – I like to eat… (Preference)

For further reference: Conjugating the Spanish Verb “Comer”

Conclusion

As the saying goes, “The best way to eat an elephant is bite by bite,” and learning Spanish is no different. This is the first installment of Spanish Grammar for Expats, where we aim to raise your awareness and understanding of key verbs and phrases that are simple yet essential.

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Essential Phrases in Spanish for Expats