Breakdown of Ustedes tardan poco tiempo en aprender el dialecto.
en
in / on / at
ustedes
you (plural)
el tiempo
the time
aprender
to learn
poco
little / a little
tardar
to take time
el dialecto
the dialect
Questions & Answers about Ustedes tardan poco tiempo en aprender el dialecto.
Why do we need the word en before aprender?
This is the standard Spanish formula for expressing how long it takes to do something: tardar + [amount of time] + en + [infinitive verb]. In this sentence, poco tiempo is the amount of time, and en is required to connect it to the action being done (aprender). You can't skip en or translate the English "to" as a here!
Could I just say Ustedes tardan poco en aprender... and leave out the word tiempo?
Why is the verb tardan conjugated with the "they" ending if the subject is ustedes (you all)?
As a quick refresher, in Latin American Spanish, the plural "you" (ustedes) always uses the exact same third-person verb conjugations as "they" (ellos/ellas). So, just like you would say ellos tardan (they take), you must say ustedes tardan (you all take).
Could I use the verb tomar (to take) instead of tardar in this sentence?
You can, but it completely changes the grammar of the sentence! To use tomar, you have to use an indirect object pronoun (like with the verb gustar): A ustedes les toma poco tiempo aprender el dialecto. Notice that tomar doesn't use en before the infinitive verb. Tardar is usually easier for English speakers because the person taking the time is the main subject, just like in English.
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