Spanish language Q&A Forum

Hi, 

HINT: serio = serious

Why does serio become seriecillo when it doesn't end with an e or a constant? 

Is it common in Spanish to have two words seriecilla / seriecillo that are almost similar yet so different in meaning? 

Thank you! 

The confusing part is not se vs le for me but "to" vs "for." Your explanation was that an indirect object means to him/it, etc., but the example is "for him", which is very different in English. I think this needs to be explained. When I speak I usually try to clarify with "para mi" for "for me", but it may not be right.

Tom

Can you wait at the door?

Ustedes pueden .....etc 

Why ustedes, ustedes = they 

What's the difference between:

Hace ocho semanas que estudié.

y

Hace ocho semanas estudié.

I understand the first sentence from this lesson, but is the second one just incorrect or does it mean something else?

I am confused by this list of words like tener.  Is it correct that DETENER means both to stop and arrest?  This seems logical.  MANTENER seems to mean both maintain and to keep, but what is the distinction between MANTENER and MATENER?  Does SOSTENER mean both to support and to maintain?  Does it also mean to sustain?

In the 1st person and 3rd person singular in the given examples I notice that the words from the verb 'to be able to', i.e 'could' and 'couldn't' are used. In sentences like these would we just have to be aware that these words are implied? 

Thank you 

Clari.

I was wondering what this sentence would be in LatAm:

Why is it "Yo fui el primero DE mi clase" and not "Yo fui el primero EN mi clase" for "I was first in my class?" Is there any difference or is DE also acceptable?