Spanish Speaking Practice #1: Transition Words
In this 60-second Spanish speaking practice, you’ll talk about what you did last weekend while trying to use five common connectors: primero, además, sin embargo, por eso and al final.
What are Spanish transition words?
Spanish transition words, also called connectors, help you connect ideas and show the relationship between them. They can help you add information, contrast ideas, explain a result, organize events, or wrap up what you’re saying.
Learning a few common connectors can make your Spanish easier to follow and help you rely less on basic words like y and pero.
Instructions
Talk for 60 seconds about what you did last weekend. For this challenge, you should record yourself speaking, trying your best to use the 5 Spanish transition words on this page.
Spanish Transition Words Challenge
Try to use: primero, además, sin embargo, por eso and al final.
Need Help Using These Spanish transition words?
Use the following drop down menus to review definitions for the Spanish transition words in this challenge.
Además adds another idea or piece of information. Depending on the sentence, it can be similar to “also,” “besides,” or “in addition.”
Al final describes what eventually happened or what happened at the end. It can mean “in the end” or “eventually” depending on the context.
Por eso introduces a consequence or result. Depending on the context, it can mean “that’s why,” “so,” or “because of that.”
Primero is used to introduce the first action or idea in a sequence. It is similar to “first” or “first of all” in English.
Sin embargo introduces an idea that contrasts with what came before. It is often similar to “however,” although it can sound more formal than simply using pero in everyday conversation.
See Examples of Spanish Transition Words
- El sábado fui al cine. Además, cené en un restaurante nuevo.
- El fin de semana descansé bastante y, además, terminé un libro que estaba leyendo.
- Al final, fuimos a cenar después de pasar toda la tarde en el parque.
- Pensaba quedarme en casa, pero al final salí con unos amigos.
- Dormí muy poco el sábado, por eso me levanté tarde el domingo.
- Hizo muy buen tiempo el fin de semana. Por eso, pasamos casi todo el día afuera.
- Primero, fui al supermercado y después preparé la cena.
- Primero limpié mi apartamento y después salí con mis amigos.
- Quería ir a la playa. Sin embargo, empezó a llover.
- El domingo estaba muy cansado. Sin embargo, salí a caminar con mis amigos.
Finished with the Spanish Transition Word Challenge?
Once you have finished your 60 seconds, listen back and answer these questions:
- Did I use all five connectors?
- Did I pause for a long time before using any of them?
- Did any connector feel unnatural or forced?
- Did I fall back on y or pero repeatedly?
Try it once more. You don’t need to tell the same story word for word. Your goal is simply to use the connectors a little more naturally the second time.
What to Do Next
Want more practice? Review the full Spanish transition words guide.