Podcast Summary: Learn Spanish a lo Boricua
Episode: Ep 53 - PR Spanish Short Convos: How was your morning?
Host: Kerry Brennan
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Introduction
In Episode 53 of Learn Spanish a lo Boricua, host Kerry Brennan delves into the intricacies of reflexive verbs in Puerto Rican Spanish. Aimed at both newcomers and long-term listeners, Brennan emphasizes the essential role reflexive verbs play in daily conversations and personal interactions. The episode kicks off with a conversational snippet where Brennan asks a guest, Afrayo, about his morning routine, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of reflexive verbs.
Understanding Reflexive Verbs
Brennan begins by addressing both new and returning listeners:
“If you're new to this podcast, then thank you lucky stars, because you have not heard me talk about reflexive verbs 8,000 times already. For those who are long-term listeners, thank you for your support and I'm sorry that I'm bringing them up again.”
— Kerry Brennan [00:00]
He acknowledges the repetitive nature of the topic for long-term listeners but underscores its importance for mastering Puerto Rican Spanish.
Categories of Reflexive Verbs
Brennan categorizes reflexive verbs into five distinct groups to simplify learning and application:
1. Reflexive Verbs Similar to English Pronouns
These verbs align closely with their English counterparts, making them easier for English speakers to grasp. They involve actions directed back at the subject, akin to adding "myself," "yourself," etc., in English.
Examples:
- Miro – I look at
- Me miro – I look at myself
- Grabo – I record
- Me grabo – I record myself
“Category one, ones that make sense to our English speaking brain because it's like adding myself, yourself, his self, herself to the action.”
— Kerry Brennan [00:04]
2. Daily Routine
A significant portion of reflexive verbs fall into this category, relating to daily activities such as waking up, getting up, getting ready, and getting dressed.
“Category number two, daily routine. That's why you're going to be hearing a lot of these verbs in today's episode.”
— Kerry Brennan [00:33]
3. Personal Hygiene
This category includes actions related to personal cleanliness and grooming, where the action inherently reflects back onto the subject.
Examples:
- Lavarse el cabello – To wash your hair
- Lavarse la cara – To wash your face
- Lavarse las manos – To wash your hands
- Cepillarse los dientes – To brush your teeth
- Afeitarse – To shave
“Category number three, personal hygiene. Washing your hair, Washing your face, Washing your hands. Lavarce. All reflexive.”
— Kerry Brennan [01:00]
4. Emotional and Physical States
Reflexive verbs in this category express changes in emotional or physical conditions, such as becoming tired or excited.
Examples:
- Cansarse – To get tired
- Emocionarse – To get excited or emotional
- Frustrarse – To get frustrated
“Category number four is a huge one. Reflexive verbs are used to express to get within emotional or physical state.”
— Kerry Brennan [01:39]
5. Miscellaneous Reflexive Verbs
This category encompasses reflexive verbs that do not follow a logical pattern and must be memorized individually without attempting to find a consistent rationale behind their reflexive form.
“If you look for logic, you'll be frustrated because there is none. It's just frickin reflexive. Learn it that way and make your life easier.”
— Kerry Brennan [02:30]
Teaching Strategies and Resources
Brennan shares her approach to teaching reflexive verbs, emphasizing the importance of understanding their application across different contexts. She highlights the availability of various resources and live classes designed to help learners master this aspect of Spanish grammar.
“I have lots of resources and live classes on reflexive verbs. If you need to sort out this part of grammar for yourself.”
— Kerry Brennan [02:10]
Listeners are encouraged to join the Spanish with Kerry community for further practice and support, with links provided in the podcast description and on YouTube.
Conclusion
Throughout Episode 53, Kerry Brennan offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing reflexive verbs in Puerto Rican Spanish. By breaking down the verbs into manageable categories and providing clear examples, she equips learners with the tools necessary to enhance their conversational skills. The episode serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to add depth and authenticity to their Spanish language proficiency, particularly within the Puerto Rican context.
Note: Non-content segments towards the end of the transcript, including casual mentions of "buffalo dip" and "Canadian bacon," were omitted to maintain focus on the educational material.