A Striped Pyjama in the Savannah
Read an A1 Spanish article about zebras in Africa. Learn about their unique stripes, family life, and why their black and white colours are so useful.
Un pijama de rayas en la sabana
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About this article
What you'll learn
Basic vocabulary about animals, nature, and present tense verbs.
This Spanish A1 reading text describes the zebra, a famous African animal. It explains that each zebra has a unique pattern of stripes, similar to a fingerprint. The text also mentions that zebras live in large family groups, eat grass, and use their stripes to confuse lions and insects. It concludes by asking the reader two questions about African animals and stripes.
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.
Tengo un pijama azul
newI have a blue pajamas that I really like.
Practice possession with "Tener": Tengo = I have.
Tener for possession is essential at A1 level.
Me pongo el pijama limpio
newI put on clean pajamas. This way I go to bed fresh and smelling good.
Reflexive verb "ponerse" = to put on (oneself).
Essential reflexive construction for daily routines.
Lo uso todas las noches
newI wear it every night to sleep.
todas las noches = every night. Frequency adverb.
Key frequency expression for habits.
Estoy acostado en la cama
newI am lying in bed. Mom gives me a kiss and turns off the light.
estar + past participle for temporary state.
Describing bedtime position.
Me duermo soñando
newI fall asleep dreaming about the rockets on my pajamas.
Reflexive dormirse + sonar con.
Combines two key verbs in context.
Mamá me lo compró
newMom bought me this pajamas at a big store. It was my birthday present.
comprar + indirect object = to buy for someone.
Key语法：indirect object pronouns.
Key words
Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.
pajamas
pijama
pajamas
Pijama is feminine in Spanish (la pijama).
Key clothing vocabulary for A1.
soft
suave
soft
Suave describes texture — soft to the touch.
Perfect for describing fabrics at A1.
comfortable
cómodo
comfortable
Cómodo/a agrees with noun gender.
Ser + adjective for permanent qualities.
long sleeve
manga larga
long sleeve
Manga = sleeve. Larga = long. Opposite: manga corta.
Essential clothing vocabulary.
cotton
algodón
cotton
Natural fabric that lets skin breathe.
Basic material vocabulary.
to dream
soñar
to dream
Soñar requires "con" when stating what you dream about.
Stem-changing verb: ue in root.
Grammar in context
Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.
Verb Tener
Tengo, uso, me pongo
I have, I use, I put on
Tener expresses possession, not "to be". Used for having things, not states.
Critical A1 grammar: "I have" instead of "to be".
Reflexive Verbs
me baño, me seco, me pongo
I bathe, I dry myself, I put on
Reflexive pronouns (me, te, se) indicate action returns to subject. me baño = I bathe myself.
Essential A1 grammar for daily routines.
Debo + infinitive
Debo dormir ocho horas
I must sleep eight hours
Debo + infinitive expresses obligation. Deber is a modal verb.
Modal verb for obligation at A1 level.
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