The Personal A in Spanish

The personal a has no English counterpart. It's just something you have to get use to. In this quick video, you'll not only see how to use the personal a. But when to use it. And when NOT to use it.
You can grab the Practice Worksheet and Answer Key I mention @ spanishdude.com/quickies/a/
Get the shirt I'm wearing in this video over @ spanishdudestore.com
Find me on Facebook @ / spanishdude

[@natebrubaker3269]

This guy tought me more in 5 minutes than my 90 year old spanish teacher did in 3 quarters

[@zest1627]

hard facts

[@brutalmadness9099]

@@zest1627 I met someone in Italki and her mindset is that " You can only learn from professionals with academic degrees". I am like , so you are saying that you can't learn from native speakers who are not professionals but can understand English? She is really standing on a glass pedestal.

[@ejartz8193]

OMG SAME

[@jamesvaneaton206]

I can't believe it's that easy. I've been struggling with this on Duolingo for MONTHS! Thank you for the concept of picturing faces. That will help so much.

[@elspanishdude]

You're welcome. Glad it was helpful!

[@NipomoBeach]

Me too. Drove me up the wall. Thanks Mr. Spanish Dude!

[@ian_snyder]

I just came here from Duolingo because I had no idea where this was coming from. I love the idea of "if I am seeing a face", that helps me a lot :) Subbed!

[@jae1757]

@@elspanishdudedo you use this with people only?

[@callmecrimsonpls]

Duolingo teaches you this in section 2

[@jayjasperjp]

Wow I'm a native Spanish speaker and I never knew this "Personal A". It just comes naturally to me when speaking

[@elspanishdude]

+Jasper Paolo This surprises me! Good to know though. Thanks.

[@jayjasperjp]

+Gringo Español Hey Jordan I just noticed that you never made the video "How Prepositions Work" that you mentioned at 0:43. Or maybe you forgot to post it on the channel? Anyway, just thought I'd let you know.

[@renoleevans]

+Jasper Paolo Jasper Sí es lo que me han enseñado en clase de español. también es igual que aprender por escuchar. Se entiende porque es la manera en la que fue escuchado.

[@catbus2760]

I know right? I'm a native spanish speaker too, and I was blown away at how hard our language is! And how naturally it comes to us.

[@shawdaniel3881]

hey Jasper, I've came across a sentence with an "a" that I find hard to understand. Esta oración " A las vacas les gusta comer hierba." why there is an "a" at the beginning of a sentence?

[@elisahalliday]

This lesson TOTALLY helps me with my confusion over using 'a'. I even learned it in a class that a should be used in front of a person with the verb conoce but nothing more. My son asked me why it's "Dame a Cristo" and not "Dame Cristo" in a song and I showed him this video. He totally got it too. He's 10 years old. Thank you so much!

[@elspanishdude]

That's awesome!!! Thank you so much for this great message. I'm so glad to hear it helped you and it's wonderful to hear that your 10 year old son understood. Make me feel great!!!

[@multitieredinvestor183]

I knew one had to use the personal a at times. This clarified 51 years of trying to mejorar lo.

[@jessicavsbridget]

thanks so much! I've got an exam tomorrow and this was the one thing I wish my professor would've explained one more time. Your "picturing a face" rule really helped me.

[@kacey_donner]

Thank you for making this video available to Spanish learners. I am grateful to be able to educate myself despite not having the money to. Your effort is appreciated.

[@nikimajsa9824]

When I used to study Spanish through Hungarian (mother language), I never understood this completely and now you just explained it in 5 minutes in English. :"D Let me add, you are definitely better than my previous Spanish teachers.

[@hanusweihe5372]

Your an awesome teacher keep up the good job

[@elspanishdude]

Thank you!

[@EP-bx6xk]

Where have you been my whole Spanish life?!? This helped so much thank you omg ❤

[@TheBreadPirate]

Super handy!! Thanks for explaining it so clearly.

[@tanyarenaissance8829]

This is the first I heard of the personal 'A'. I will definitely use it in my sentences when speaking Spanish!

[@non-applicable.]

Thank you! that was tripping me up for sure! I kept wondering why with the same verb you would use "a" and in other cases you wouldn't. Now I know! Yay

[@lynnolsen1498]

Veo a Manuel y a Susi! Gracias un monton!! For some reason I did not learn this lesson well in Spanish class... Its getting clearer now!

[@crippsy15]

Just wanted to say that you are a brilliant teacher. Cheers for the content!

[@lorifoley1855]

Thank you so much for making this so clear! I get it now! Also, I love how all your videos have a different color background and different color shirts so it’s real easy to find what you’re looking for! Brilliant idea!

[@beadrury3988]

Super helpful, thank you so much!! Great explanation, and love your delivery!

[@prokofievchambers8603]

I am in love with this guy's approach. I am having such a great time with your approach. You are great!

[@coltrowell956]

dude you dont blink.

[@elspanishdude]

I do not.

[@headshotnation921]

haha

[@IcouldBNE1]

I think he must edit out the blinks which is why there are a lot of edit breaks in his videos.

[@elisahalliday]

LOL! He's intense that's why! Intense about Spanish that is.

[@benjaminisation]

I think Jordan blink in between those quick and small pauses in his videos. LOL

[@cactuscactus6069]

It is much clearer right now as you explained it! Muchas gracias! 😊

[@tabithafroehlich]

mille mille gracias !! your explanations are just perfect !! 5 stars to your videos- to all of them !

[@ironictea]

Thanks! Everything's so clear now! ♥

[@raymondravinsky6478]

Gracias. Spanishdude, you're the best👍😊❗

[@tonyhinkley255]

Brilliant Jordan. So clear. So concise. Estaba estupendo.

[@alieidi5148]

Thanks, still using your videos 6 years after they are posted =) (Corona Virus period :( )

[@rhllnm]

Was wondering about this mystery today and stumbled on your channel. Awesome, just subscribed for more.

[@user-zm9ct4vg3u]

Awesome as always. You are really good at this. Thank you, Jordan.

[@nathandmello2646]

This is great mate!!! keep up the tips and im looking forward to working though your programs

[@drsamuel]

Thank you. Helped me immensely. It's pretty clear now.

[@barryjude451]

Thank you so much, for explaining the persona "A".

[@polymathematics5837]

I was really struggling with how to use the personal "a". This video really cleared up for me! Muchas gracias!

[@user-ns5ce9vb8k]

Dude, you're awesome. Thank you for great job!

[@ffionjones6166]

This is so helpful as a beginner, thank you!

[@ivankaangelovskakutner7485]

Love this guy. He is great tutor ❤

[@qusaimurad2152]

Dude .... this is amazing. Thank you so much

[@KC-mj6eu]

Brilliant. Spanish Dude, you rule!

[@twanger6857]

I imagine it as "I look at Manuel", means the same as "I see manuel"

[@mickuljatheseagull]

You explained that really great.

[@josephincorvaja4336]

Very interesting and informative!

[@valeriet5581]

¡Finalmente lo entiendo! Muchas gracias Jordan!

[@psmithphil]

Wow! This helps a lot. Now it makes sense and I just need to practice to internalize it.

[@pmaz-11]

Thank you sir. Perfect info!!!

[@kylekuhling7793]

Super good video. Thank you!

[@G8torBrent]

Gracias, Gracias, GRACIAS. I have been so confused about this. One Spanish course taught me to use "a" with verbs of movement (pasar, venir, ir, etc.). Another mentioned the personal "a" but never taught it.

[@lyzabethlopez]

Thank you... okay now a vid on when to use Nos vs Nosotros ... ;-)

[@ronaldsitopro3938]

"A nosotros nos gustaría comer pizza”
In spanish u can omit “nosotros" cause the words “nos” would already be involving you with other people
“Nos gustaría comer pizza”
NOS = US
NOSOTROS = WE

[@dimwitsadvocate6264]

Great video! Subscribed.

[@naughtynanuk]

Dualingo brought me here. Subscribed!

[@pydiboy]

I'm an upper intermediate Spanish speaker and I forget this rule all the time. This is a great refresher! Gracias

[@e.j.f8349]

GREAT lesson. I always wondered why the "A" came before a person who is the direct object. Thanks!

[@MissFlint4U]

Great lesson!

[@arnabkumarghosh4279]

just mindblowing stuff..gracious

[@rachel-iu4dc]

thanks for another great video

[@Carelessnoot]

Yo this was such a fun way to learn! I kept being like "ooh! Interesting!" out loud. To myself. But also to you? Idk. It was fun. I wish more teachers were this useful lol

[@paulgordon1553]

Thank you, very helpful

[@AustinAdams]

Thanks Jordan for your experience and expertise awesomeness. Even the little things like this "A" video is helping me understand and cleared a lot of confusion. You made Spanish learning my bitch. Gringo forever!
Señor Austin A.

[@adventureawaits3918]

So helpful!!!! Thanks 😊

[@SquishyBob]

Thank you so much Gringo Person. This is so going to help me with my Quiz :)

[@eternalsunshine9726]

Great video!

[@OldConorWasGreat]

Thank you, that help a lot!

[@tylerstoddard5076]

Great video and you sound like Schmidt from New Girl.

[@jakejohnson5909]

This was actually very helpful! Thanyou

[@elspanishdude]

I'm glad! My pleasure.

[@johannerichard3746]

I FINALLY got it!! Great job on that explanation! i was stuck and extremely frustrated with thi, and never found anything that helped! Extremely well done …À MI amigo 😁

[@elspanishdude]

Glad it helped!

[@tristanrujano]

They weren’t clickable lol, I love this video

[@doginboat]

thank you, this really helped

[@raelynn75]

I should just drop my college Spanish class because your videos are easier to understand and you are much more likable.

[@quintinastalllings783]

You explain this well

[@jasminealvarez5243]

omfg finally understand this one thank youuuuu!!

[@susieq984]

I was finished studying my Spanish and tried to think of another thing I could look over just so I could watch more of you 😂😂

[@Kenikex]

As a native speaker, I had NEVER paused to think about this, the personal A. It just comes natural, and had never thought about it.

[@ByDortexDesign]

Yo en verdad soy español y hablo perfectamente español, y me meto a tus vídeos para aprender ingles :)
Like :D

[@ezioblazesit9017]

Yo no hablo espanol. Tu hablas espanol muy bien.

[@cpcoach]

I laughed out loud when you said "if you'd let it in your house use the personal "a". If you wouldn't let it in your house don't use the personal "a". I'll remember that for both people AND pets. 🤣😂

[@mel150]

Brilliant! Thanks!

[@cwtckness]

Thank you Jordan

[@parkerlaube616]

you are so helpful

[@anasmm9190]

thank you so much , you made it so easy

[@elspanishdude]

Glad it helped! My pleasure. Thanks!

[@antoinelavosier9620]

Thank you! The "a" has been driving me crazy. Now I understand. Jack

[@opfer1555]

yeah you understand how to use the a right? Pause, don't watch this video again and try to explain how to use it. Let's see if you'd be able to explain it, without looking it up again.

[@antoinelavosier9620]

@@opfer1555 Are you an asshole looking for a fight?

[@ingenide]

@@opfer1555 damn, who shit in your cereal?

[@jpod4237]

%

[@malikashafa3590]

Instant subscribe!

[@jackfitton336]

This "a" has been confusing me for weeks! 😁 gracias!

[@anthonyshropshire7279]

A Super easy one to get under the belt. I was already saying things like Busco mi hijo. Now that I have an A super easy to slide in. Thinking of it like ... A person? .. Personal A; ...When someones talking to you ... Person A? ... A person. Super easy, who would have known that an A makes all the difference ... Now: Busco a mi hijo.... or in progressive; Estoy buscando a mi hijo ... Thanks Gringo ....

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

whoa that voy thing is mind blowing... the little personal thing was awesome.. . :)

[@WilliamAshleyOnline]

+William Ashley Gringo is awsome.

[@jpod4237]

DiD respond to self???

[@LegrochaTV]

Muchas gracias.

[@sarah18497]

Oh my goodness! THANK YOU!!!!

[@dissapointeddave8842]

Thank You!

[@steveporter5610]

¡ Muy bien! Gracias.

[@bubblegumisevil9007]

Gracias Señor Renner 😊

[@joanripley]

Helpful!

[@kathysmith4320]

Thank you so much

[@shannonwilmore4631]

Thank you so much for EVERYTHING!! Question: I read the personal A is not used with the verb tener. Por ejemplo: Tengo que invitar Ashley a la fiesta. What do you think about this?

[@erinslack5405]

thank you, I have been struggling for a month with this personal "A"

[@nukumtilltheyglow]

So have I

[@jamesmitchell3422]

Gracias,I like your graphic thoughts.(see Manuel etc.)

[@drmmr561]

Thanks!

[@giovanniwu7935]

impressive bravo

[@Maxwellthemaltese]

The fact that you got an F in Spanish but you teach Spanish so well is unbelievable P.S. I have a B in Spanish. BTW those graphics are unclickable.

[@lucypeddie8543]

so helpful

[@gilliand7903]

you're a godsend

[@ninathevalkyrie]

Thanks wonderful video again :D

[@elspanishdude]

ninathevalkyrie You're welcome! Thanks for watching. I'm glad you liked it. I'll be back tomorrow with Indirect Object Pronouns.

[@themasked_senshi4521]

Thank you, I finally understand because of this video. Now I just gotta get better at indirect object pronouns. 😅

[@m.mohsenkhodaei3950]

Gracias

[@commanderaugustus7882]

Great explanation, this has been annoying me on duo lingo for some time.

[@Tia_Tonae]

Someone added this link on Duo lingo and I'm so glad they did! Hopefully now I can start getting answers right.... without just guessing.

[@sarahicarlee625]

Thank you for saving my grade:)