Whats the story? (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
What's the story? - Describing narratives and films
When discussing books, films, TV shows, or any form of storytelling in Spanish, you'll need specific vocabulary and grammar structures to express what's happening and describe the plot effectively.
Essential vocabulary for stories and narratives
These essential terms will form the foundation of your storytelling vocabulary in Spanish. Focus on memorising the most commonly used words like "la historia," "el personaje principal," and "tratar(se) de."
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la historia | story |
| la novela | novel |
| el papel | role |
| el personaje principal | main character |
| el final | ending |
| el principio | beginning |
| la serie | series |
| seguir | to follow |
| el evento | event |
| la obra | play |
| tratar(se) de | to be about |
| verdadero/a | true |
| el título | title |
| contar | to tell |
| ocurrir | to happen, occur |
The present continuous tense
The present continuous is essential when describing what's currently happening in a story, film, or any ongoing action. This tense helps you paint a vivid picture of scenes and situations.
Formation: Present tense of ESTAR + present participle
This is the key formula you must remember for forming the present continuous in Spanish.
Present tense of estar
ESTAR conjugations:
- I am = estoy
- you are = estás
- he/she/it is = está
- we are = estamos
- you (plural) are = estáis
- they are = están
Remember that ESTAR (not SER) is always used with the present continuous.
Creating present participles
The rules for forming present participles are straightforward but must be memorised:
- For -ar verbs: remove -ar and add -ando
- hablar → hablando (speaking)
- For -er and -ir verbs: remove the ending and add -iendo
- comer → comiendo (eating)
- vivir → viviendo (living)
Worked Example: Present Continuous Formation
Let's form "She is working" step by step:
Step 1: Choose the correct form of ESTAR "She" = ella → está
Step 2: Create the present participle trabajar → remove -ar → trabaj → add -ando → trabajando
Step 3: Combine them Está trabajando = She is working
Example sentences
- Está trabajando = She is working
- Están viendo = They are watching
- Estoy leyendo = I am reading (irregular: leer → leyendo)
Common phrases for describing stories
These expressions will help you discuss plots and narratives more naturally. Master these key phrases for fluent storytelling:
- La historia empieza cuando... = The story begins when...
- Tiene un final feliz/triste = It has a happy/sad ending
- La película/novela trata de... = The film/novel is about...
- Se trata de... = It's about...
Example in Context:
"Tiene un final muy triste" = It has a really sad ending
This phrase structure "Tiene un final + adjective" is very useful for describing any story's conclusion.
Describing film and book plots
When explaining what a story is about, you can use several approaches depending on what aspect you want to emphasise:
For setting the scene:
- The story takes place in... = La historia tiene lugar en...
- The main character is... = El personaje principal es...
For describing action:
- What's happening right now = Lo que está pasando ahora
- The character is doing... = El personaje está haciendo...
These phrase patterns are extremely versatile and can be adapted for any story, film, or narrative you want to describe in Spanish.
Translation practice
Translation Practice: Spanish to English
-
La película trata de un joven español que está trabajando en Buenos Aires. Answer: The film is about a young Spanish man who is working in Buenos Aires.
-
El personaje principal está hablando con una actriz famosa. Answer: The main character is talking to a famous actress.
Translation Practice: English to Spanish
-
The story has a happy ending. Answer: La historia tiene un final feliz.
-
They are watching a love story. Answer: Están viendo una historia de amor.
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Present Continuous Usage
Remember that the present continuous in Spanish is used more specifically than in English - it describes what's happening right now, not general ongoing states.
Pronunciation Guide
The stress in present participles falls on the syllable before the ending: hab-LAN-do, com-IEN-do. This consistent stress pattern will help you sound more natural.
Common Mistake to Avoid
When describing films or books, always use the third person (está, están) as these are ongoing narratives. Don't confuse this with personal experiences where you might use first or second person.
Additional tips to keep in mind:
- Se trata de is a useful phrase that literally means "it deals with" but translates as "it's about"
- This phrase is your go-to expression for explaining storylines and plots
Key Points to Remember:
- Use ESTAR + present participle to describe ongoing actions in stories and films
- Add -ando for -ar verbs and -iendo for -er/-ir verbs to create present participles
- Se trata de... is your go-to phrase for explaining what a story is about
- The present continuous describes what's happening right now in the narrative
- Learn story vocabulary to discuss characters, plots, and endings effectively