estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta
/estoi apɾendjendo espaɲol poɾ mi kwenta/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am teaching myself spanish" is expressed in Spanish as estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta.
This phrase is used when someone is learning a new language on their own without a teacher.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta literally translates to "I am learning Spanish by my account" or "on my own account".
Which one should you use?
In English, you might say you are "teaching" yourself, but in Spanish, it is more natural to use the verb aprender (to learn) rather than enseñar (to teach). An alternative way to express this using the verb for "to teach" is me estoy enseñando español por mi cuenta.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous tense estoy aprendiendo to indicate an ongoing process or current state of learning.
Did you know?
- The root of español is believed to come from a Punic word meaning 'coast of hyraxes'.
Examples in context
- Me encuentro estudiando español de forma autodidactaI am studying Spanish in a self-taught manner.
- Estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta con una app.I am teaching myself Spanish with an app.
- No voy a la escuela, estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta.I don't go to school, I am teaching myself Spanish.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their new hobbies at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Tomas clases de idiomas, Lucía?Are you taking language classes, Lucía?
- LucíaNo, estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta.No, I am teaching myself Spanish.
- Alejandro¡Qué bien! Yo también estoy aprendiendo español por mi cuenta.That's great! I am also teaching myself Spanish.
- Lucía¡Entonces podemos practicar juntos, Alejandro!Then we can practice together, Alejandro!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuenta, español, mi, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
