Mateo enters his karate class
Mateo wants to bow properly and practise one clean punch. In many styles, tsuki is a straight punch and geri is a kick.
Practicar karate
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About this article
What you'll learn
Spanish present tense, the verb querer, and basic karate words: dojo, tatami, bow, tsuki and geri.
Mateo wants to enter the dojo, bow, and throw one clear punch. He sits with the others on the tatami and copies the bow. In many karate styles a straight punch is called tsuki and a kick is called geri. There is no grading and no new belt today.
After reading
Article learning block
Phrases, words, grammar, and quick practice from this text.
Phrases for training
Add useful phrases to SRS or mark them as already known.
dos veces por semana
newtwice a week
Dos veces por semana states how often Mateo goes to the dojo.
Describes the regular training schedule.
empezó karate hace tres meses
newstarted karate three months ago
Empezó + hace + time marks when the action began.
Key detail about how long Mateo has trained.
gritan osu con energía
newshout osu with energy
Gritar con energía describes the loud greeting at class start.
Typical phrase from the formal opening ritual.
estiran los músculos
newstretch their muscles
Estirar los músculos is part of the warm-up routine.
Useful vocabulary for describing training.
aprende a bloquear
newlearns to block
Aprender a + infinitive shows learning a new skill.
Describes Mateo's basic technique practice.
hará su primer examen
newwill take his first exam
Hará is future tense for an event next month.
Central upcoming event in the story.
practica en casa
newpractices at home
Practica en casa shows daily training outside the dojo.
Shows Mateo's dedication beyond class.
Key words
Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.
Dojo
dojo
martial arts training hall
Dojo is the hall where karate classes take place.
Main setting of the entire story.
Tatami
tatami
tatami mat
Tatami azul is the soft blue floor covering in the dojo.
Describes the training space in the opening.
Belt
cinturón
belt
Cinturón amarillo is the first rank Mateo can earn.
Key word for Mateo's progress goal.
Kata
kata
kata form
Kata is a sequence of movements practiced like a slow dance.
Central technique at the end of class.
Discipline
disciplina
discipline
Disciplina is self-control and order that karate teaches.
One of two values named in the ending.
Respect
respeto
respect
Respeto is the attitude toward Sensei, peers, and tradition.
Pairs with disciplina in the conclusion.
Training
entrenamiento
training / workout
Entrenamiento is a practice session; compañero de entrenamiento is a partner.
Father helps Mateo train at home.
Grammar in context
Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.
Present: practicar
Practica en casa todos los días
he practices at home every day
Practica is present tense: él + practica + complement for a habit.
Basic pattern for Mateo's daily routine.
Estar: emotions
Está nervioso pero también emocionado
he is nervous but also excited
Está + adjective describes a temporary feeling before the exam.
Estar for feelings, not ser.
Direct object lo
Su madre lo lleva al dojo
his mother takes him to the dojo
Lo replaces Mateo as direct object: llevar a alguien → lo lleva.
Typical pattern for a parent taking a child to class.
Preterite: empezar
empezó karate hace tres meses
he started karate three months ago
Empezó is preterite of irregular empezar + hace for time ago.
Explains when Mateo began training.
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