Pronunciation Extra - Been to (BINTA)

Yet another look at the way we slide one word into another creating “new words” which sound unintelligible to a Spaniard. For example, when we say “itsa” we are actually using three words you know perfectly well - it + is + a. It is essential to learn these “new words” as it will help your understanding of the spoken language enormously. Recognizing these contractions is the key to reaching a better understanding of English as spoken by native speakers.

We’re going to look at the way we tend to pronounce “been + to” (estado / ido a) when we speak at a normal speed. Remember that the more you can assimilate these verbal short cuts (atajos) into your spoken English, the more natural sounding you’ll become. To get a better idea of how we say this new word, listen carefully to the video.

Have you ever BINTA New York?

¿Has estado alguna vez en Nueva York?

Have you ever been to New York?

No, I’ve never BINTA New York.

No, nunca he estado en Nueva York.

No, I’ve never been to New York.

I haven’t BINTA the dentist this year.

No he ido al dentista este año.

I haven’t been to the dentist this year.

We’ve BINTA lots of parties this year.

Hemos ido a muchas fiestas este año.

We’ve been to lots of parties this year.

Have you BINTA the new exhibition?

¿Has ido a la exposición nueva?

Have you been to the new exhibition?

They haven’t BINTA the supermarket yet.

No han ido al supermercado todavía.

They haven’t been to the supermarket yet.

He’s already BINTA my house.

Él ya ha estado en mi casa.

He’s already been to my house.

She’s BINTA quite a few football matches.

Ella ha asistido a bastantes partidos de fútbol.

She’s been to quite a few football matches.


More "Pronunciation" articles here.