Reviewing the Personal A
As you already know, a may be translated as “to” and is sometimes used as a preposition of direction. For example:
| ¿Adónde van? | Where are you all going? |
| Vamos a la playa. | We are going to the beach. |
However, when discussing it with respect to persons as direct objects, a doesn't really have a translation. It is used for nothing more than to indicate which person is the direct object. Take a look at how this plays out with the verb mirar (to look, look at):
| Miro a mi esposa, a mi hija, y a mi hijo. | I look at my wife, daughter, and son. |
| Miro la cartelera encima del edificio. | I look at the billboard on top of the building. |
See? No personal a is needed for an inanimate object, la cartelera. Here are a few more examples:
| Esperaba el bus. | I was waiting for the bus. |
| Esperaba a Beti. | I was waiting for Betty. |
| Visité el museo. | I visited the museum. |
| Visité a mi mamá. | I visited my mom. |
| Escucho la música. | I listen to the music. |
| Escucho al sacerdote. | I listen to the priest. |
There are some exceptions to keep in mind for the use of the personal a. Keep the following points in mind:
Animals may take a personal a if they have some emotional tie or relationship to the speaker. For example: Amo a mi perrito. (I love my dear/little dog.) but, Ví un perro. (I saw a dog.)
Direct objects used with ser, tener, and hay (there is/are) are not preceded by a. For example: Soy Rodolfo (I am Rodolfo). Tengo tres primas. (I have three cousins.)
Only “concrete” personal direct objects are preceded by a; object abstracts of persons are not. For example: Busco un hombre inteligente, fiel, y muy divertido. (I am looking for an intelligent, faithful, and very funny man.)
Using the Personal A
Translate the following sentences, and remember to add a personal a where it is appropriate. Use your English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English dictionary to look up words you don't already know. Then, check your answers.
1. I see Ignacio, Amanda, and Pedro.
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2. Who(m) do you (informal, singular) love?
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3. They have a daughter.
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4. I am a citizen of the United States.
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5. I love my cat.
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