Internet (Leaving Cert Spanish): Revision Notes
Internet - El internet
This revision note covers essential vocabulary, grammar, and themes related to internet use in Spanish. The content focuses on online activities, technology, and internet safety - all key topics for your Leaving Cert Spanish exam.
This topic frequently appears in Leaving Cert Spanish exams, particularly in comprehension passages and oral discussions about technology and young people's daily lives.
Key vocabulary - Vocabulario clave
Internet actions - Acciones en internet
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| compartir | to share |
| chatear | to chat (online) |
| emitir | to stream (music, films, etc.) |
| descargar | to download |
| colgar | to post (online) |
| seguir | to follow |
| navegar por la red | to surf the net |
| conectarse a internet | to go online |
| escribir a máquina | to type |
Technology and devices - Tecnología y dispositivos
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| una aplicación | an app |
| una pantalla | a screen |
| un ordenador portátil | a laptop |
| un perfil | a profile |
| un correo electrónico | an email |
| las redes sociales | social media |
| los internautas | internet users |
| el wifi | wifi |
| la red | the net |
| en línea | online |
Internet safety - Seguridad en internet
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la privacidad | privacy |
| el fraude | fraud |
| contenido inapropiado | inappropriate content |
| el acoso | harassment |
| el ciberbullying | cyberbullying |
| el abuso | abuse |
Safety vocabulary is particularly important for oral discussions and written responses about the advantages and disadvantages of internet use.
Model sentences using the vocabulary
Worked Examples: Using Internet Vocabulary in Context
Compartir contenido: "Me gusta compartir fotos con mis amigos en las redes sociales." Sharing content: "I like sharing photos with my friends on social media."
Actividades online: "Paso mucho tiempo chateando y navegando por la red." Online activities: "I spend a lot of time chatting and surfing the net."
Tecnología: "Prefiero usar mi ordenador portátil porque la pantalla es más grande." Technology: "I prefer using my laptop because the screen is bigger."
Seguridad: "Es importante proteger la privacidad cuando estamos en línea." Safety: "It's important to protect privacy when we're online."
Grammar focus - Impersonal structures with "se"
The structure "se + third person verb" is used to express general statements without specifying who performs the action. In English, we often translate these as "you," "one," or "they" in a general sense.
Worked Examples: Impersonal "se" Structures
- "No se puede sabre con quién estamos hablando" = "You can't know who you're talking with"
- "Se debe tener cuidado en internet" = "One should be careful on the internet"
- "¿Cómo se dice 'download' en español?" = "How do you say 'download' in Spanish?"
Formation: se + third person singular verb (puede, debe, dice)
This structure is particularly useful when discussing internet safety and general rules. It's a sophisticated grammar point that will impress examiners when used correctly.
Useful expressions and phrases
The following expressions are essential for discussing internet topics and will enhance your written and oral responses:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| con un solo clic del ratón | with just a click of the mouse |
| estar en línea | to be online |
| pasar tiempo en el ordenador | to spend time on the computer |
| tener cuidado con | to be careful with |
| establecer límites | to set limits |
| proteger los datos personales | to protect personal data |
| es mala idea | it's a bad idea |
| pueden ser peligroso | it can be dangerous |
Prompt: ¿Crees que el uso de Internet tiene más ventajas que desventajas?
Desde mi punto de vista, el mayor peligro de Internet es que puede ser adictivo. Muchos jóvenes pasan horas navegando en las redes sociales en lugar de estudiar o hacer deporte. Es evidente que esto puede afectar a la salud mental y causar ansiedad. Además, hay riesgos como el ciberacoso y la desinformación, que pueden tener consecuencias muy graves. A fin de cuentas, aunque Internet tiene ventajas, creo que debemos usar la red con moderación para evitar estos problemas.
Prompt: Do you think that the use of the Internet has more advantages than disadvantages?
From my point of view, the biggest danger of the Internet is that it can be addictive. Many young people spend hours browsing social media instead of studying or doing sport. It is clear that this can affect mental health and cause anxiety. In addition, there are risks such as cyberbullying and misinformation, which can have very serious consequences. All in all, although the Internet has advantages, I believe we must use the web in moderation to avoid these problems.
Sample dialogue - Diálogo de muestra
Worked Example: Natural Conversation About Internet Safety
Carlos: "¿Cuáles son los peligros de internet?" "What are the dangers of the internet?"
María: "Pues chatear con gente que no conocemos puede ser peligroso. No se puede sabre con quién estamos hablando. Por eso es mala idea colgar datos personales en línea." "Well, chatting with people we don't know can be dangerous. You can't know who you're talking with. That's why it's a bad idea to post personal data online."
Grammar notes: The dialogue uses the impersonal "se puede" (you can/one can) and demonstrates natural conversation flow about internet safety.
Key structures highlighted:
- Pues (well) - useful conversation starter
- puede ser peligroso (can be dangerous) - expressing possibility
- Por eso (that's why) - showing cause and effect
Key Points to Remember:
- Use impersonal "se" structures to give general advice about internet safety: "No se debe..." (One shouldn't...)
- Internet dangers include acoso, ciberbullying, and abuso - know these terms for discussions about online safety
- Practice using phrases like "es mala idea" and "puede ser peligroso" when discussing internet risks
- Remember that Spanish distinguishes between "ordenador" (computer) and "ordenador portátil" (laptop)