A verb of wanting, obligation or ability + an infinitive — one frame, dozens of sentences.
Two verbs for „to be” — „ser” for identity, „estar” for state and location.
Ready frames for describing people, things, looks and clothes.
Three rules for forming the plural, plus the exceptions that ignore them.
One unchanging word for „there is / are” — always „hay”, singular or plural.
„Gustar” works backwards from „to like” — the thing is pleasing to you, not the other way round.
Fear, hunger, cold, age — in Spanish you „have” them (tener), you don't „be” them.
Four ready-made comparison frames — you slot words in, you don't build from scratch.
Four simple ways to say „no” — you drop in a ready word, not build from scratch.
How much of something — „a lot”, „a little”, „too much” — and when „very” is „muy” vs „mucho”.
Instead of repeating a noun, you swap it for a short pronoun: „¿Compras el pan?” — „Sí, lo compro”.
Two past tenses — the choice isn't about „when” but „how” you frame it: a closed event (indefinido) or background/state (imperfecto).