Understanding New Words in Spanish? Use Context Clues!

Learning new words in Spanish can be much easier when you use context clues.

What are Context Clues?
Context clues are hints found in a sentence or nearby text. They help you guess what unfamiliar words mean. Here are some simple tips to use context clues:

1. Look for Definitions

Sometimes, the text will explain a word right after it’s used.

For example:

• "El gato, un animal doméstico, es muy ágil."
  In this sentence, "gato" is defined as "un animal doméstico," which means "cat."

2. Find Synonyms

Writers often use words that mean the same thing to make it clearer.

For example:

• "La casa es grande, es decir, tiene mucho espacio."
  Here, "grande" can be understood as "mucho espacio," which tells you it means "big."

3. Look for Antonyms

Words that mean the opposite can also give you big clues.

For example:

• "El día estaba nublado, no era soleado."
  Knowing that "nublado" (cloudy) is the opposite of "soleado" (sunny) helps you understand "soleado."

4. Think About Examples

Examples in the text can make things clearer too.

For example:

• "Los frutos, como las manzanas y los plátanos, son saludables."
  The word "como" tells you that "frutos" means "fruits."

Practice Activity:

Read these sentences and see how context clues help you understand better:

1. "El perro es leal; siempre está a tu lado."
2. "Las flores son hermosas, como las rosas y los girasoles."

By using these tips, you can boost your Spanish vocabulary and understanding! Happy learning!