Grammar · Sentences
The personal a
A word that appears in front of people and does not translate.
When the direct object of a verb is a specific person, Spanish puts a in front of it. It carries no meaning of its own and there is nothing like it in English, which is why it is one of the last things learners start doing without thinking.
Examples
veo a Ana
I see Ana
a specific person, so the a appears
veo la casa
I see the house
not a person, so no a
conozco a tu hermano
I know your brother
busco un doctor
I am looking for a doctor
any doctor, not a specific one, so no a
Watch out
Translating it as to. It translates as nothing at all.
Grammar sticks when you use it
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