Spanish · B1 · Everyday language
People We Appreciate in Spanish
This guide focuses on identifying and appreciating the people in your child's life using relative clauses. In Spanish, when a verb acts on a person (like 'helping' or 'thanking'), we use specific relative pronouns like 'al que' or 'a quien'.
What you'll learn
- Identify people using relative pronouns (al que, a la que, a los que).
- Use verbs that require the preposition 'a' or 'en' when referring to people.
- Express gratitude and trust in everyday social contexts.
Spanish phrases for people we appreciate
¿Es ese el niño al que ayudaste con el proyecto?
Is that the boy whom you helped with the project?
Uses 'al que' because 'ayudar' requires the preposition 'a' for people.
La niña en la que confías es bienvenida a visitarnos.
The girl whom you trust is welcome to visit us.
Uses 'en la que' because the verb is 'confiar en' (to trust in).
¿Son esos los vecinos a los que ayudamos ayer?
Are those the neighbours whom we helped yesterday?
Plural masculine form 'a los que' matches 'los vecinos'.
El entrenador al que agradecimos dirige el club de baloncesto.
The coach whom we thanked runs the basketball club.
'Agradecer' involves giving thanks 'to' someone, hence 'al que'.
El profesor al que crees sabe mucho sobre el espacio.
The teacher whom you believe knows a lot about space.
'Crees' here implies believing what he says (creer a alguien).
Los amigos en los que confías deberían respetar tus decisiones.
The friends whom you trust should respect your choices.
Again, 'confiar en' requires the preposition 'en' in the relative clause.
La vecina a la que agradeciste nos prestó sus herramientas.
The neighbour whom you thanked lent us her tools.
'A la que' is the feminine singular relative pronoun.
El compañero al que ayudaste quiere unirse a tu grupo.
The classmate whom you helped wants to join your group.
'Compañero' is a common word for classmate or peer.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Agradecer
To thank / To be grateful
A slightly more formal but very common way to say 'dar las gracias'.
Confiar en
To trust (someone)
Always remember the 'en' after the verb.
Entrenador
Coach / Trainer
Used for sports or physical activities.
Vecino
Neighbour
Can refer to a person living next door or a fellow resident.
Relative Pronouns with Prepositions
In Spanish, if a verb requires a preposition (like 'a' or 'en'), that preposition must come before the relative pronoun (que/quien). For people, we commonly use 'el/la que' preceded by the preposition.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine Singular | al que / a quien | El hombre al que ayudé. |
| Feminine Singular | a la que / a quien | La mujer a la que llamé. |
| Verbs with 'en' | en el/la que | La persona en la que confío. |
More examples
Ella es la persona a la que más admiro.
She is the person whom I admire the most.
Parental context: showing admiration for mentors.
Los abuelos a los que visitamos están felices.
The grandparents whom we visited are happy.
Standard 'personal a' usage in a relative clause.