I have a question concerning the example given on page 139 of the Beginner's Book, specifically example 1 "(upside down question, Sabes tu (accent on u) leer mu(accent on u)sica?". Why can't one say instead, "Tu sabes leer musica?. I note that in many instances when one uses the conjugated form on the verb at the beginning of the sentence, the pronoun is put before the conjugated verb.
Thank you,
Henk
Question on Beginner's Book, page 139 on Saber

haroelant
April 28, 2008

nohablo
April 28, 2008
Hola Henk. Spanish in this respect is rather similar to English. In English, I can ask "You are happy?" but I'm more likely to put the verb first: "Are you happy?" That's what's happening in the sentence you cited. You _can_ say ¿Tú sabes leer música? (You know how to read music?) but it's more common in both Spanish and English to put the verb first: ¿Sabes tú leer música? (Do you know how to read music?).

haroelant
April 30, 2008
Thank you!
Henk