Spanish Lanquage?

Question

I am learning spanish, could someone tell me why the transalation of ( I don't write Spanish well) Apenas escribo espanol and ( I speak only a little Spanish) Apenas hablo espanol, the only word that is different is (escribo) and (hablo)

write speak

this is very confusing because the English words are very different in each sentence.......appreciate your help

Answer 1

Literally "apenas" means hardly.

I speak only a little spanish = solo hablo un poco de español

I don't write spanish well= no escribo muy bien el español

"Apenas" can be used in both sentences as well

because "apenas" also means "a little" and "not well"

Apenas hablo español= I hardly speak spanish

Apenas escribo español= I hardly write spanish

Answer 2

No escribo en español muy bien = I don't write spanish very well

Hablo solamente un poquito español = I only speak a little Spanish

THe sentences are different.  Hablo coming from the verb hablar-to speak and escribo coming from the verb escribir- to write.

Answer 3

This is done because it is two different verbs. You are writting and then talking so they are going to be different words. Spanish becomes very easy when you get the hang of it.

Answer 4

Take into account that what you learn in your Spanish course is not always a literal translation, but an idiomatic approximation of the way to say or write something. You are being taught to use the language the way native speakers think the language. Have you ever heard how non-native English speakers use strange syntax or use words that just don't sound , or aren't, right in the context in which they are used? That is because they are not thinking in English.

The most literal translation of APENAS is BARELY.  There are other ways to say " I only speak a little" and  "I don't write well", but I don't want to confuse you. Try not to rationalize what you are learning. When I was teaching English to native Spanish speakers I used to tell my students that the way to learn a new language is to be like little children. Little children don't rationalize. They don't ask whay. The just accept what they are told and that is how they learn their native languages too.

I hope this is helpful.