The internet (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
The internet
Essential vocabulary
Understanding internet-related vocabulary is crucial for discussing digital technology in Spanish. These terms will help you express how you and others use the internet in daily life.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el artículo | article |
| el correo electrónico | |
| falso/a | false |
| gratis | free |
| la imagen | image |
| la información | information |
| la página web | web page |
| el periódico | newspaper |
| el sitio web | website |
| el/la seguidor/a | follower |
| el uso | use |
| el/la usuario/a | user |
These vocabulary terms form the foundation for internet discussions in Spanish. Focus particularly on el correo electrónico, la página web, and el/la usuario/a as these are frequently used in everyday conversations about technology.
Internet actions and verbs
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| afectar | to affect |
| apagar | to turn off |
| enviar | to send |
| hacer las compras | to do the shopping |
| reservar | to reserve, book |
| reconocer | to recognise |
Expressing opinions about internet usage
When discussing how the internet is useful, you can vary your vocabulary to make your Spanish more sophisticated. These phrases help you explain the benefits of different online activities.
Opinion phrases + infinitive
Key function: These expressions are always followed by an infinitive verb and help you sound more natural when discussing internet benefits.
These expressions are always followed by an infinitive verb:
- es bueno para... (it's good for...)
- es excelente para... (it's excellent for...)
- es perfecto para... (it's perfect for...)
- es ideal para... (it's ideal for...)
- es útil para... (it's useful for...)
Example applications
Worked Examples: Opinion Phrases in Context
- Es ideal cuando quieres buscar información. (It's ideal when you want to look for information.)
- Es útil cuando tienes que enviar un correo electrónico. (It's useful when you have to send an email.)
- Es muy práctico cuando necesitas ver un plano. (It's very practical when you need to look at a map.)
Notice how each opinion phrase is followed by cuando + conjugated verb, showing different sentence patterns you can use.
Introducing other people's opinions
To make your writing more interesting, include what family members and others think about the internet. This shows you can use different grammatical structures and perspectives.
Useful phrases for reporting opinions
- Mi madre dice que... (My mother says that...)
- Mi padrastro piensa que... (My stepfather thinks that...)
- Según mi abuelo... (According to my grandfather...)
- Mi hermano cree que... (My brother thinks that...)
These phrases allow you to introduce different viewpoints and demonstrate more complex sentence structures in your writing. Using multiple perspectives shows advanced language skills and makes your responses more engaging.
Grammar tips
Remember the infinitive rule: After opinion phrases like "es bueno para", "es ideal para", always use the infinitive form of the verb (the form ending in -ar, -er, or -ir).
Common mistake to avoid: Never use conjugated verbs after these opinion phrases.
- ✅ Correct: "Es útil para enviar correos"
- ❌ Incorrect: "Es útil para envío correos"
Pronunciation tip: The word "internet" is pronounced similarly to English, but with Spanish vowel sounds. Remember that double 'r' in "correo" should be rolled.
Translation practice
Translation Practice: Spanish to English
- Mi madre dice que es importante cuando está trabajando en casa, para mandar correos electrónicos.
- Es muy útil cuando tiene que hacer proyectos para el instituto.
Translation Practice: English to Spanish
- It's ideal when you want to book flights and hotels.
- According to my father, it's perfect for organising holidays.
Answers:
- My mother says that it's important when she's working at home, to send emails.
- It's very useful when she has to do projects for school.
- Es ideal cuando quieres reservar vuelos y hoteles.
- Según mi padre, es perfecto para organizar las vacaciones.
Sample answer structure
When writing about internet usage, structure your response to cover different aspects and time periods. A good approach includes discussing current family usage, past experiences (particularly school-related), and future plans.
Essential for exam success: A strong answer demonstrates variety in both vocabulary and time references. This shows you can manipulate the language effectively across different contexts.
A strong answer might cover:
- How family members currently use the internet at home
- Specific examples of school internet usage from last week
- Plans for internet use over the weekend
- Different family members' opinions about internet benefits
Key Points to Remember:
- Use a variety of opinion phrases (es bueno para, es ideal para, es útil para) followed by infinitive verbs
- Include different people's viewpoints using dice que, piensa que, cree que
- Master essential internet vocabulary for discussing digital activities
- Structure longer responses to cover past, present, and future internet usage
- Always follow opinion expressions with infinitive verbs, not conjugated forms