New here? This is lesson 162 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.
Free Spanish CourseLesson 162 of 238
First of all in Spanish
Justin is settling into life in El Laurel, and today he has some explaining to do: why he moved, and what he was really looking for.
You'll learn to open an explanation with first of all, and to mark what you actually mean with actually and in fact.
By the end, you'll be able to start a point and sharpen it, the way Spanish speakers do every day.
By the end of this lesson
Open a point with first of all, and mark what you really mean.
- Primero que nada, ___First of all, ___
- En realidad, ___Actually, ___
- De hecho, ___In fact, ___
Scene — why he moved
Café Laurel, late morning. Michael is wiping down the counter while Justin finishes his coffee, and Yako is holding down his two chairs as usual.
Michael is curious about something: he knows Justin is new to the colonia, but not why he chose it.
Learn — open and sharpen
Three small markers do big work here: one opens your first reason, and two more say what you really mean.
Each one sits at the start of the sentence, so learn them as opening moves.
Primero que nada, ___
First of all, ___
When to use it: Open an explanation with this when you're giving your first, most important reason.
It works like primero, but with a little more weight.
Say it: Nada here is NAH-dah, soft and quick.
En realidad, ___
Actually, ___
When to use it: Use it to correct an idea and say what's really true.
Realidad means reality; en realidad marks the real story.
Say it: reh-ah-lee-DAHD, with a soft d at the end.
De hecho, ___
In fact, ___
When to use it: Add a fact that supports or extends what was just said.
De hecho reinforces; en realidad corrects.
Say it: The ch in hecho sounds like the ch in chair.
Story — the real reasons
Michael asks Justin a simple question, and Justin opens his answer the way you just learned.
Yako steers it back to money, as usual. Turn on Show English if a turn gets away from you.
- Late morning at Café Laurel. Michael leans on the counter.
MichaelJustin, ¿por qué te mudaste a El Laurel?Justin, why did you move to El Laurel?
JustinPrimero que nada, la colonia es tranquila.First of all, the neighborhood is quiet.
Yako¿Y qué más?And what else?- JustinEn realidad, buscaba una renta más barata que en Chicago.Actually, I was looking for a cheaper rent than in Chicago.
- MichaelDe hecho, te está yendo muy bien aquí.In fact, things are going really well for you here.
- JustinDe hecho, practico español todos los días.In fact, I practice Spanish every day.
- Yako lifts his head from his second chair.
- YakoVolviendo a la renta, ¿es cara aquí?Going back to the rent, is it expensive here?
- JustinMenos que en Chicago, eso sí.Less than in Chicago, that's for sure.
- MichaelPor cierto, ¿ya conociste el parque nuevo?By the way, have you been to the new park yet?
- JustinTodavía no. Voy el sábado.Not yet. I'm going on Saturday.
- YakoYo solo pasaba, pero el parque suena interesante.I was just passing through, but the park sounds interesting.
- JustinVen conmigo, Yako.Come with me, Yako.
- YakoSale, pero al rato.Deal, but later.
- MichaelPrimero que nada, termina tu café.First of all, finish your coffee.
Practice — pick the marker
Eight exercises are waiting: listening, matching, filling a gap, sorting, and replying.
Watch for the difference between correcting an idea and adding a fact, because that's where these markers live.
0 of 8 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
Spanish
Primero que nada, ___Drop the English hereEn realidad, ___Drop the English hereDe hecho, ___Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
Michael assumes you moved here for the cheap rent. Correct him: you really moved to learn Spanish.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Actually, ___
En ____, ___
True or false?
True or false?
De hecho introduces a fact that backs up what was just said.
Sort them
You open, return to, or shift a point
You sharpen what you really mean
What do you say?
What do you say?
Yako asks why you moved to the colonia. Open your answer with your first reason: it's quiet.
Pick the reply
Michael says:
Pick the reply
Vas muy bien con el español, Justin.
You're doing really well with Spanish, Justin.
And you reply with:
Say it — explain yourself
Now you're Justin, and Michael wants the whole story. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and open your point.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- MichaelJustin, cuéntame. ¿Por qué te mudaste a El Laurel?Justin, tell me. Why did you move to El Laurel?
- Justin (you)Open with your first reason: the neighborhood is quiet.
Open with your first reason: the neighborhood is quiet.
Primero que nada, ___
First of all, ___
0 of 3 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Spanish | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Primero que nada, ___ | First of all, ___ | |
| En realidad, ___ | Actually, ___ | |
| De hecho, ___ | In fact, ___ |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these openers handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your primero and your de hecho in the right slots.
Open Yak Cards