Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Here to Help in Spanish
In Spanish, verbs like 'gustar' (to like), 'faltar' (to miss/lack), and 'pertenecer' (to belong) use a different structure than English. Instead of saying 'I like the bag,' we say 'To me the bag is pleasing.' This guide helps you support your child by identifying who is receiving the action or who owns the object.
What you'll learn
- Use 'ayudar' to offer or request support.
- Express likes and favorites using the 'gustar' structure.
- Indicate ownership with 'pertenecer'.
- Describe missing items or needs using 'faltar'.
Spanish phrases for here to help
Te ayudaré con tus deberes.
I will help you with your homework.
'Te' means 'you' (the one being helped).
¿Me puedes ayudar con estas bolsas?
Can you help me with these bags?
'Me' is the person receiving the help.
¿Te gusta tu mochila nueva?
Do you like your new school bag?
Literally: 'Is the new backpack pleasing to you?'
A tu amigo le gusta este juego de mesa.
Your friend likes this board game.
'Le' refers to the friend.
¿Este lápiz te pertenece?
Does this pencil belong to you?
'Pertenecer' often uses 'a' before the person.
El balón azul le pertenece a tu hermano.
The blue football belongs to your brother.
The 'le' and 'a tu hermano' both point to the brother for clarity.
Te falta un lápiz.
You are missing a pencil.
Literally: 'A pencil is lacking to you.'
A tu hermana le falta un diente.
Your sister is missing a tooth.
Commonly used when kids lose baby teeth!
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
deberes / tarea
homework
'Deberes' is common in Spain; 'tarea' is common in Latin America.
mochila
school bag / backpack
Essential school vocabulary.
juego de mesa
board game
Literally 'game of table'.
balón / pelota
ball
'Balón' is usually a large sports ball; 'pelota' is often smaller.
Verbs with Indirect Objects
Verbs like gustar, faltar, and pertenecer focus on the 'receiver'. The person is represented by an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, les).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Me | (A mí) me... | Me gusta (I like it) |
| You | (A ti) te... | Te falta (You are missing) |
| Him/Her/It | (A él/ella) le... | Le pertenece (It belongs to him/her) |
More examples
¿Qué te falta?
What are you missing?
A quick way to check if they have all their school supplies.
Nos gusta mucho este parque.
We like this park a lot.
'Nos' means 'to us'.
Ese juguete le pertenece a ella.
That toy belongs to her.
Using 'a ella' clarifies who 'le' is.