Spanish Phrases Help

Let's face it: not every phrase used in Spanish directly translates to the same phrase in English. In this section, we have included some lessons here on tricky topics in Spanish like when to use por and para, and when a word needs an accent mark. We'll also give you examples of cognates, and warn you about some false cognates so you don't get confused!


Accent marks are used in Spanish for two main reasons. First, they can show which syllable is stressed when pronouncing the word aloud. Second, they can differentiate two words that have the exact same spelling. Read this lesson for more useful tips on how to use accent marks in Spanish!


Learn how to say things like "I run more than she does" or "She eats less than I do" in Spanish! In this lesson, you'll find the run down on how to use más/menos que, igual, tanto como, and more!

"Se" Pasivo and "Se" Impersonal

This lesson reviews how passive and impersonal sentences are constructed in Spanish. Each uses "se;" for example, "Aquí se habla Español" means "Here, Spanish is spoken." This is how "se" is used in a passive sentence, and takes an object (Spanish). In a sentence like "En Columbia se baila mucho," no object is needed, because the sentence is simply impersonal. Translated, it means "In Columbia, they dance a lot." Read this lesson for more help making the distinction between se pasivo y se impersonal!

Por y Para

Por and para can be difficult for native English speakers learning Spanish because we only have one word (for) to do what both por and para do in Spanish. Both por and para mean "for," but they are used in different ways. For a complete explanation on when to use por and when to use para, read this lesson!

Still need help?

If you didn't find what you were looking for in this section, you can also ask a Spanish question to get free help from a  Spanish tutor! If you're looking for more thorough help learning Spanish, contact a Spanish tutor today!

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