School rules (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
School rules
Understanding how to talk about school rules is essential for your GCSE Spanish exam. You'll need to know vocabulary for different rules and regulations, plus how to express what's forbidden and what's required at school.
Essential vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la norma | rule |
| la regla | rule, regulation |
| el instituto | school, institute |
| el edificio | building |
| los recursos | resources |
| el uniforme | uniform |
| los deberes | homework |
| el equipo | equipment |
| el móvil | mobile phone |
| la basura | litter, rubbish |
These vocabulary items frequently appear in GCSE Spanish exams, particularly in the education and school life topic area. Practice using them in different contexts to build confidence.
Example sentences:
- Las normas del instituto son importantes. (The school rules are important.)
- Todos los estudiantes deben respetar las reglas. (All students must respect the rules.)
- El uniforme es obligatorio en mi colegio. (The uniform is compulsory at my school.)
What's forbidden at school
When talking about things that are not allowed, Spanish uses two main structures. Está prohibido means "it is forbidden" and no se puede means "you cannot" or "you may not."
Common prohibitions
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| usar el móvil en clase | use your phone in class |
| mandar mensajes | send messages |
| llegar tarde | arrive late |
| correr en el edificio | run in the building |
| hablar cuando habla el profesor | talk when the teacher is talking |
| tirar basura | drop litter |
Worked Example: Expressing Prohibitions
To say something is forbidden, you can use either structure:
Structure 1: Está prohibido + infinitive
- Está prohibido usar el móvil durante las clases. (Using mobile phones during lessons is forbidden.)
Structure 2: No se puede + infinitive
- No se puede correr en los pasillos del colegio. (You cannot run in the school corridors.)
Alternative: No está permitido + infinitive
- No está permitido llegar tarde sin excusa. (Arriving late without an excuse is not allowed.)
What students must do
The phrase hay que means "you must" or "it's necessary to" and is used to express obligations and requirements at school.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| traer el equipo necesario | bring the necessary equipment |
| hacer los deberes | do homework |
| respetar a los profesores | respect teachers |
| llevar el uniforme correcto | wear the correct uniform |
| cuidar el edificio | look after the building |
Remember that hay que is always followed by an infinitive verb. It's an impersonal expression, meaning it doesn't change based on who is doing the action.
Example sentences:
- Hay que hacer los deberes todas las noches. (You must do homework every night.)
- Los estudiantes tienen que respetar a sus profesores. (Students have to respect their teachers.)
- Es necesario llevar el uniforme completo. (It's necessary to wear the complete uniform.)
Using negatives in Spanish
To make any verb negative in Spanish, simply place no directly before the verb. This is the most basic way to create negative sentences.
Key Grammar Rule: To make a verb negative, put no before it. This is the fundamental rule for creating negative sentences in Spanish.
Key negative words
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| no | not, no |
| nadie | nobody, no one |
| nunca | never |
| nada | nothing, anything |
| ninguno/ninguna | none, not any |
| sin | without |
| jamás | never (stronger than nunca) |
Important grammar rules
The negative words nadie (nobody) and nunca (never) can appear either before or after the verb. When they come after the verb, you must also include no before the verb.
Double Negative Rule: When negative words like nadie and nunca come after the verb, you MUST use no before the verb as well. Spanish allows (and requires) double negatives in this construction.
Example sentences:
- Nadie quiere trabajar OR No vi a nadie allí. (Nobody wants to work / I didn't see anyone there.)
- Nunca rompo las reglas OR No rompo las reglas nunca. (I never break the rules.)
- No he hecho nada mal. (I haven't done anything wrong.)
Translation practice
Translation Practice: School Rules
Spanish to English:
- No está permitido usar el móvil en el aula.
- Hay que respetar las normas del instituto.
English to Spanish:
- Students must not arrive late to school.
- It is forbidden to run in the corridors.
Answers:
- Using mobile phones in the classroom is not allowed. / Los estudiantes no deben llegar tarde al colegio.
- You must respect the school rules. / Está prohibido correr en los pasillos.
Speaking exam tips
You may be asked to discuss school rules during the general conversation part of your speaking exam. When giving your opinion about school rules, try to show a balanced viewpoint.
Speaking Strategy: Examiners appreciate when students can discuss both positive and negative aspects of school rules. This demonstrates higher-level thinking and vocabulary range.
Useful phrases for opinions:
- Creo que algunas reglas son demasiado estrictas (I think some rules are too strict)
- En mi opinión, las normas son justas (In my opinion, the rules are fair)
- Pienso que es importante tener reglas (I think it's important to have rules)
Sample question: ¿Qué piensas de las normas en tu instituto? (What do you think about the rules at your school?)
Key Points to Remember:
- Use está prohibido + infinitive or no se puede + infinitive for things that are forbidden
- Use hay que + infinitive for obligations and things students must do
- Place no directly before verbs to make them negative
- Nadie and nunca can go before or after the verb, but need no when they come after
- Show balanced opinions in speaking exams by mentioning both strict and fair rules