In Spanish Foundations, we learn chunks like tengo que estudiar and voy a comer. But behind those chunks are verb roots—the building blocks of meaning.
Understanding verb roots helps us:
Recognize patterns across verbs
Decode unfamiliar words
Build confidence in how Spanish works
🔹 What Is a Verb Root?
A verb root is the part of the verb that carries its core meaning. In tener (to have), the root is ten-. In mantener (to maintain), it’s still ten-, with a prefix added.
🔹 Why It Matters
Once you know that tener means “to have,” you can start to see connections:
mantener → to maintain (literally: to hold steady)
obtener → to obtain (to get or hold something)
sostener → to sustain (to hold up)
All these verbs share the -tener root. They’re like cousins—different roles, same family.
🔹 Try This
Look at these verbs and guess their meaning based on the root:
predecir
contradecir
They all share the root decir (to say). So predecir = to say before → to predict contradecir = to say against → to contradic
So ... Spanish isn’t just memorization -- it’s pattern-building. When you learn a verb root, you unlock a whole network of meaning.
This week, try noticing which verbs feel related. Ask yourself: “What’s the root here? What does it remind me of?”
~ Camellia
