The Internet (Junior Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
The internet
Key vocabulary
Understanding how to talk about the internet in Spanish is essential for modern communication. The internet vocabulary forms the foundation for discussing technology, online activities, and digital communication in Spanish-speaking contexts.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| el artículo | the article |
| el correo electrónico | the e-mail |
| falso/a | false |
| gratis | free |
| la imagen | the image |
| la información | the information |
| la página web | the web page |
| el periódico | the newspaper |
| el sitio web | the website |
| el/la seguidor/a | the follower |
| el uso | the use |
| el/la usuario/a | the user |
Pay careful attention to the gender of internet-related nouns. Notice that most technology terms ending in -a are feminine (la página web, la información), while those ending in -o or other letters are typically masculine (el sitio web, el correo electrónico).
Important verbs for internet activities
These action verbs are essential for describing what you do online:
| 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 |
Practical Usage Examples
Spanish:
- Envío correos electrónicos todos los días.
- La información en esta página web es muy útil.
- Mi hermana hace las compras por internet.
- Necesito reservar un hotel usando el sitio web.
English:
- I send e-mails every day.
- The information on this web page is very useful.
- My sister does the shopping online.
- I need to book a hotel using the website.
Grammar note: Notice that "correos electrónicos" is plural (e-mails), and por internet means "online" or "via the internet".
Expressing how you use the internet
When talking about internet usage, you can vary your language to sound more natural and sophisticated. Instead of always saying es bueno (it's good), try these alternatives:
| Spanish phrase | English translation |
|---|---|
| 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... |
Using varied expressions makes your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated, showing advanced language skills rather than repetitive basic structures.
Context-Based Usage Examples
Spanish:
- Es ideal cuando quieres buscar información.
- Es útil cuando tienes que enviar un correo electrónico.
- Es muy práctico cuando necesitas ver un plano.
English:
- It's ideal when you want to look for information.
- It's useful when you have to send an e-mail.
- It's very practical when you need to look at a map.
Expressing family opinions about the internet
When talking about what family members think, you can use various reporting verbs to avoid repetition and create more engaging conversations:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| 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 varied structures help you express different family perspectives while demonstrating sophisticated use of reporting speech in Spanish.
Family Opinion Examples
Spanish:
- Mi madre dice que es importante trabajar en casa.
- Según mi padre, es ideal cuando quieres organizar las vacaciones.
- Mi hermana cree que es útil para hacer proyectos.
English:
- My mother says that it's important to work from home.
- According to my father, it's ideal when you want to organise holidays.
- My sister thinks that it's useful for doing projects.
Translation exercises
Practice using the vocabulary and structures you've learned with these translation challenges:
Translation Practice
Spanish to English:
- Mi familia usa internet todos los días para enviar correos electrónicos.
- Es perfecto para buscar información sobre los hoteles.
English to Spanish: 3. It's excellent for doing the shopping online. 4. According to my brother, the website is very useful.
Common errors and fixes
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Error: "Es bueno por..." Fix: Es bueno para... Reason: Use para (for) when expressing purpose, not "por"
Error: "Mi madre dice es útil" Fix: Mi madre dice que es útil Reason: You must use que (that) after verbs like "dice", "piensa", "cree"
Error: "Hago las compras en internet" Fix: Hago las compras por internet Reason: Use por internet to mean "online" or "via the internet"
Answers to translation exercises
- My family uses the internet every day to send e-mails.
- It's perfect for looking for information about hotels.
- Es excelente para hacer las compras por internet.
- Según mi hermano, el sitio web es muy útil.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use the correct articles with internet vocabulary - el sitio web, la información
- Vary your expressions: es bueno/excelente/perfecto/ideal para...
- Always use que after opinion verbs: "dice que", "piensa que", "cree que"
- Use por internet to mean "online"
- Internet shopping is hacer las compras por internet