Spanish grammar
Word formation: in-, re-, des-, sobre- + -ción, -ble
Work out and build new words from prefixes and suffixes.
From the scene Turistificación (Touristification)
In short
Build words with prefixes in-, re-, des-, sobre- and suffixes -ble and -ción.
Your turn
Which one goes with that cannot be sustained?
Options: turista → turistificación · re + alquilar → realquilar · in + sosten + ible → insostenible
Show answer
that cannot be sustained → in + sosten + ible → insostenible
How it works
Spanish builds long words from short ones.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
¿Y "(blank)"? Lo ha dicho usted tres veces.
Options: insostenible · desostenible · sobresostenible
Show answer
¿Y "insostenible"? Lo ha dicho usted tres veces.
And "unsustainable"? You said it three times.
Good to know
Prefixes: in- = not (insostenible), re- = again (realquilar), des- = the opposite, or taking away (hacer → deshacer, alojar → desalojar), sobre- = too much (sobrecargar).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Como los alquileres. Son (blank).
Options: insostenible · desostenibles · insostenibles
Show answer
Como los alquileres. Son insostenibles.
Like the rents. They are unsustainable.
Good to know
Suffixes: -ble = can be done (sostenible), -ción turns a verb into a noun (turistificar → turistificación).
turning an area into a tourist zone turista → turistificación
that cannot be sustained in + sosten + ible → insostenible
Your turn
What goes with in + sosten + ible → insostenible?
Options: to rent out again (sublet) · that cannot be sustained · turning an area into a tourist zone
Show answer
in + sosten + ible → insostenible → that cannot be sustained
to rent out again (sublet) re + alquilar → realquilar
Nuria
¿Y "realquilar"? "Re" es "otra vez": alquilar lo ya alquilado.
And "realquilar"? "Re" means "again": renting out what is already rented.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Y "realquilar"? "(blank)" es "otra vez": alquilar lo ya alquilado.
Options: Turista → turistificación · Sosten · Re
Show answer
Nuria
¿Y "realquilar"? "Re" es "otra vez": alquilar lo ya alquilado.
And "realquilar"? "Re" means "again": renting out what is already rented.
to undo · to evict deshacer · desalojar (un desahucio)
Your turn
What goes with deshacer · desalojar (un desahucio)?
Options: to undo · to evict · turning an area into a tourist zone · that cannot be sustained
Show answer
deshacer · desalojar (un desahucio) → to undo · to evict
to overload sobre + cargar → sobrecargar
Common mistake
Not inhacer or sobrehacer here. The opposite of hacer.
Ya entiendo. Hacer, deshacer. Cargar, sobrecargar.
I get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| turning an area into a tourist zone | turista → turistificación |
|---|---|
| that cannot be sustained | in + sosten + ible → insostenible |
| to rent out again (sublet) | re + alquilar → realquilar |
| to undo · to evict | deshacer · desalojar (un desahucio) |
| to overload | sobre + cargar → sobrecargar |
More lines from the story
- Ramón¿Y "insostenible"? Lo ha dicho usted tres veces.And "unsustainable"? You said it three times.
- ElenaComo los alquileres. Son insostenibles.Like the rents. They are unsustainable.
- RamónYa entiendo. Hacer, deshacer. Cargar, sobrecargar.I get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.
- ElenaEs cuando un barrio se llena de turistas y se vacía de vecinos.It's when an area fills up with tourists and empties of residents.
- RamónEh, yo solo he subido el alquiler un poquito.Hey, I've only put the rent up a tiny bit.