Verbs with Fixed Prepositions
Many verbs are tied to one preposition: pensar a, parlar de, respondre a.
How It Works
| Verb | Preposition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| pensar | a | Pensam a las vacanças. |
| respondre | a | Marta respond a la letra. |
| parlar | de | Parlam de la mar. |
| aver paur | de | Ai paur dels cans. |
| cercar | none | Cerqui las claus. |
| escotar | none | Escotam la musica. |
| esperar | none | Esperam lo tren. |
The Occitan verbs for looking for, listening to and waiting for take their object directly, with no preposition.
A different preposition can change the meaning. Parlar a Joan means to speak to Joan, and parlar de Joan means to speak about him.
In a question, the preposition stays first: A qué pensas? De qué parlas?
Examples (5)
- Pensam a las vacanças.
We think about the holidays.
Pensar takes a.
- Parlam de la mar.
We talk about the sea.
Parlar de names the topic.
- Marta respond a la letra.
Marta answers the letter.
Respondre takes a before what you answer.
- Cerqui las claus.
I am looking for the keys.
Cercar takes its object directly.
- Ai paur dels cans.
I am afraid of dogs.
Paur takes de, and de plus los gives dels.
Common Mistakes
Using a to say about.
Parlam a Joan.Parlam de Joan.Parlam a Joan means we speak to Joan. To say about, use de.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Verbs that take a fixed preposition are a larger version of començar a and de, so those come first.
Related Patterns
- aThe Preposition a
The preposition a after verbs such as pensar and respondre.
Level 1 - deThe Preposition De
The preposition de after verbs such as parlar.
Level 1 - aver besonh deNeeding Something
Another fixed expression with de.
Level 3 - Questions with a Preposition
The preposition comes first in questions: De qué parlas?
Level 3 - aver fam, set, fred, caud, paurFeelings with Aver
Aver paur is one of the feelings said with aver.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
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