Decode Spanish: the STRONG System to Decode Spanish Words with Less Obvious Connections to English

THE STRONG SYSTEM FOR DECODING LESS OBVIOUS SPANISH WORDS

The concepts from Lessons 5-17 of the book can be summarized into the STRONG System, a simple way to decode and remember less obvious Spanish words.

S — Sound change

Apply the top sound change patterns if applicable.

Can you decode these?

• prensa → ?

• fuente → ?

• agudo → ? (hint: BoDeGa Rule, L5)

Answers:

• pre(n)sa → press

  (Drop Middle N)

• f(ue)nte → f(ou)nte (fountain)

  (Double vowel: ue → o → ou)

• a(g)u(d)o → a(c)u(t)o (acute, i.e. sharp)

  (BoDeGa Rule: g → c, d → t)

For more examples, see Lessons 5-7.

T — word Type

The related English word may belong to a different word type.

Can you decode these?

• voluntad → ?

• útil → ?

• nariz → ?

Answers:

• voluntad → voluntary (noun → adjective)

Voluntary means done by free will, so voluntad means will.

• útil → utilize (adjective → verb)

Utilize means to make use of something, so útil means useful.

• nariz → nasal (noun → adjective)

Nasal means relating to the nose, so nariz means nose.

For more examples, see Lessons 8-9.

RO — word ROot

The connection may be through a shared word root.

Can you decode these?

• brazo → ? (hint: z → ce)

• socio → ?

• cómodo → ? (general hint: a- is a frequent prefix, try adding it)

Answers:

• brazo → embrace

(brazo means arm; embrace literally means into arms; the root brace means arms)

• socio → associate

(socio means partner; the root socia in associate means partner)

• cómodo → accommodate

(cómodo means comfortable; accommodate literally means to make comfortable; the root commod means comfort)

For more examples, see Lessons 10-12.

N — Notion

The Spanish and English words may be related in notion or concept only.

Can you decode these?

• discutir → ?

• atardecer → ?

• trampa → ?

Answers:

• discutir → discuss

(discutir means to argue, i.e. to discuss in a heated manner)

• atardecer → a + tarde (tardy) + -cer

(atardecer means dusk, sunset; it literally means "becoming late")

• trampa → trap

(trampa means trap, cheating; both involve something that deceives)

For more examples, see Lessons 13, 15-17.

G — General meaning (Spanish word)

The Spanish word may have a broader, more general meaning than its related English word.

Can you decode these?

• muro → ?

• reunión → ?

• fábrica → ?

Answers:

• muro → mural

(a mural is a wall painting; muro means a general wall)

• reunión → reunion

(a reunion is a special gathering, while reunión means a general meeting)

• fábrica → fabrication

(fabrication is the process of making something, especially in a technical context, while fábrica means a general factory)

For more examples, see Lesson 14.

STRONG SUMMARY

S — Sound change

Apply common sound change patterns.

T — word Type

The related English word may belong to a different word type: noun ↔ verb ↔ adjective.

RO — word ROot

The related English word may be a word root.

N — Notion

The English word may be related by notion or concept rather than direct meaning.

G — General meaning (Spanish)

The Spanish word has a more general meaning than its related English word.

By tying new Spanish words (cognates) to English words you already know, you make them more memorable and easier to recall over time.