We all have studied something, which usually means that we have gone to classes (hemos ido a clases), or, a bit more formal, we have attended classes (asistido a clases). If, on the other hand, one has skipped class (ha faltado a clase), missed a class (se ha perdido una clase) or failed to show up (no se ha presentado), it could be due to being sick or for any other reason. In this case, a justification (un justificante) must be provided. If there is no justification, we say that one has skipped the class (se ha saltado la clase or ha hecho pellas).
– ¿Has ido a la clase de inglés? – Have you assisted the English class?
– No, he hecho pellas = No, me he saltado esta clase – No, I've skipped it.– ¿Por qué has faltado tanto a clase? = ¿Por qué has perdido tantas clases? – Why have you skipped so many classes?
– He asistido a todas las clases menos cuando he estado enfermo = He ido a todas las clases mientras no estaba enfermo – I assisted all the classes while I wasn't ill– ¿Cómo ha hecho el examen Javier? – How did Javier take the exam?
– No se ha presentado = No ha ido al examen – He has not appeared
In class we usually see (vemos) new things:
Hoy hemos visto un tema nuevo en clase – Today we have seen a new topic in class
Y esto, ¿ya lo habéis visto con Ana? – And this, have you already seen it with Ana?
We also revise (repasamos) what we have already seen before:
Hoy vamos a repasar el Subjuntivo = Hoy volvemos a ver el Subjuntivo – Today we're going to revise the Subjunctive mood
Revisar in Spanish means to correct something again. The verb repetir means two things: say something again or... study the same course again. People who repeat the course are called repetidores. The opposite of repeating a course (repetir curso) is passing a course (pasar de curso or promocionar).
Other important verbs are aprobar (pass = get a 5 or higher) and suspender (fail = get lower than 5). Students who fail must take the exam (examinarse) again. Attention! In Spain we do not say"*pasar un examen":
He suspendido Química = I failed Chemistry (I got a bad grade and I will have to re-examine)
He aprobado Sociales = I passed Social Studies (I got a 5 or higher)
He suspendido tres asignaturas y tendré que repetir año = I have failed three subjects and I will have to repeat the year
It is common knowledge that estudiar refers to the study process, while aprender, to the result:
He estudiado inglés = I've taken classes of English
He aprendido inglés = I've learned (and so I know) English
Few people know that these verbs can be used as pronominals when we have to study or learn something specific and very well:
Tengo que estudiarme los pasados = I have to study hard and have a good command of the past tenses
Aprenderse de memoria (learn by heart) is synonymous with memorizar:
Para mañana necesito memorizar /aprenderme un poema – I need to learn a poem by heart for tomorrow