A Fundamental Pillar of the Language

By: Lucía Rodríguez.

Leer en español.

Learning and effectively using Spanish depends not only on knowing vocabulary and grammar but also on understanding collocations, which are combinations of words that naturally go together. Collocations are fixed or semi-fixed expressions that, when combined, have a specific meaning and are commonly used in everyday communication. This article explores what collocations are, their importance in learning Spanish, and some practical examples.

What Are Collocations?

Collocations are combinations of words that frequently appear together more often than expected by chance. These combinations can be of various types, such as:

1. Verb + Noun: “Tomar una decisión” (make a decision), “hacer una llamada” (make a call).
2. Adjective + Noun: “Gran oportunidad” (great opportunity), “fuerte viento” (strong wind).
3. Verb + Adverb: “Correr rápidamente” (run quickly), “hablar suavemente” (speak softly).
4. Adverb + Adjective: “Completamente seguro” (completely sure), “extremadamente feliz” (extremely happy).

Importance of Collocations

Collocations are crucial for achieving an advanced level of proficiency in Spanish for several reasons:

1. Fluency and Naturalness: Proper use of collocations allows speech and writing to sound more natural and fluent. Native speakers use these combinations instinctively, and learning them helps students integrate better into natural speaking contexts.
2. Precision in Communication: Collocations allow for more precise expression of ideas. For example, saying “tomar una foto” (take a photo) is more precise than simply “hacer una foto” (make a photo), as the latter is not the most natural collocation in Spanish.
3. Cultural Understanding: Many collocations reflect cultural and contextual aspects of the language. For example, understanding collocations like “dar el pésame” (offer condolences) or “tener en cuenta” (take into account) provides deeper insights into cultural customs and traditions.
4. Improvement in Listening and Reading Comprehension: Recognizing collocations facilitates the comprehension of written and spoken texts, as students can identify and understand whole phrases rather than processing word by word.

Examples of Common Collocations

Here are some examples of collocations in Spanish that are useful in daily communication:

1. Verb + Noun:

• Tomar una decisión: “Necesito tomar una decisión importante.” (I need to make an important decision.)
• Hacer una pregunta: “Voy a hacer una pregunta al profesor.” (I am going to ask the teacher a question.)
• Dar una respuesta: “Es importante dar una respuesta clara.” (It’s important to give a clear answer.)

1. Adjective + Noun:

• Gran oportunidad: “Esta es una gran oportunidad para todos.” (This is a great opportunity for everyone.)
• Fuerte lluvia: “La fuerte lluvia causó inundaciones.” (The heavy rain caused floods.)

1. Verb + Adverb:

• Trabajar duro: “Él trabaja duro para mantener a su familia.” (He works hard to support his family.)
• Correr rápidamente: “El atleta corrió rápidamente hacia la meta.” (The athlete ran quickly towards the finish line.)

1. Adverb + Adjective:

• Completamente seguro: “Estoy completamente seguro de mi decisión.” (I am completely sure of my decision.)
• Extremadamente feliz: “Ella estaba extremadamente feliz con la noticia.” (She was extremely happy with the news.)

How to Learn and Practice Collocations

1. Reading and Listening: Constant exposure to authentic Spanish materials, such as books, articles, movies, and podcasts, helps familiarize with collocations in context.
2. Active Practice: Integrate new collocations into daily writing and speaking. Writing essays, diaries, or participating in conversations using newly learned collocations.
3. Using Resources: Consulting collocation dictionaries and specific educational materials can be very helpful. Some online dictionaries and mobile apps are designed specifically to teach collocations.
4. Studying Lists: Memorizing lists of common collocations can be a good strategy for intermediate and advanced students. These lists are often available in textbooks and educational websites.

Collocations are an essential part of mastering Spanish that goes beyond basic grammar and vocabulary. Understanding and correctly using collocations not only improves fluency and precision but also enriches cultural comprehension and effective communication skills. Through constant practice and exposure to authentic materials, Spanish learners can significantly enhance their linguistic competence and achieve more natural and effective communication.

.