Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Necesito leer el documento antes de la reunión. - I need to read the document before the meeting.

In Spanish, subject pronouns are often dropped because the verb ending itself indicates who the subject is. Necesito ends in -o, which tells you the subject is I. You could say Yo necesito leer el documento, but it’s redundant unless you want to emphasize I specifically.

Why is the verb leer in its infinitive form rather than conjugated?

After verbs that express need, desire, permission, etc. (like necesito), you follow with another verb in the infinitive. This structure works like English “I need to read.” Conjugating the second verb (e.g. necesito leo) would be ungrammatical.

What does antes de mean, and how is it used?

Antes de means before when referring to time. You can use it in two main ways:
• antes de + noun: antes de la reunión (“before the meeting”)
• antes de + infinitive: antes de leer (“before reading”)

When do I use antes de que + subjunctive instead of antes de + infinitive?

• Use antes de + infinitive when the subject of both verbs is the same: Necesito leer… antes de almorzar.
• Use antes de que + subjunctive when the subjects differ: Necesito leer el documento antes de que empiece la reunión (“before the meeting starts”), because the meeting (it) is a different subject.

Why do we use el documento and la reunión instead of omitting the article or using un?

Spanish generally requires an article before singular countable nouns.
• El documento refers to a specific document known to both speaker and listener.
• Un documento would mean “some/a document,” non-specific.
Leaving out the article (Necesito leer documento) is incorrect.

How do you pronounce reunión, and why does it have an accent on ó?

Break it into syllables: re-u-nión. The stress falls on the last syllable (-nión). In Spanish, words ending in a vowel, n, or s are normally stressed on the second-to-last syllable. To indicate an exception (stress on the last), you place a written accent on that vowel—in this case, the ó.

What’s the difference between necesito and tengo que when expressing obligation?

Both mean “I have to” or “I need to,” but there’s a subtle nuance:
• Tengo que often implies an external obligation (rules, boss, schedule).
• Necesito can feel more personal or internal (your own need).
In many contexts they’re interchangeable, though the shade of meaning may differ.

How can I specify which document I need to read?

Add a demonstrative adjective or other qualifier before documento:
• este documento (“this document”)
• ese documento (“that document [near you]”)
• nuestro documento (“our document”)
For example: Necesito leer este documento antes de la reunión.

Are there other common words for “meeting” besides reunión in Latin America?

Yes. Depending on region and formality, you might hear:
• junta (especially in business contexts)
• sesión (formal session)
• encuentro (informal encounter/gathering)
• cita (appointment)
But reunión is the most general term for a meeting.