Spanish language Q&A Forum

When translating an account the past in Spanish would the english translation be in the present or past tense? Like “apagan los fuegos” is they extinguish the fires but in english we would say they extinguished the fires, right?

16 July 2023

Dear Kwiziq Lesson Writing Team:

I am uncertain as to when I must (or should) use the definite articles "el/la" or "los/las" when translating from English to Spanish. See following examples from the "Fire Heroes/Héroes del fuego" exercise:

Example 1:

"...protect buildings and save lives in danger"

I wrote: "...proteger los edificios y salvar las vidas en peligro."

The Kwiziq answer was: "...proteger edificios y salvar vidas en peligro."

Example 2:

"These professionals protect forests and natural areas..."

I wrote: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."

The Kwiziq answer was: "Estos profesionales protegen los bosques y las áreas naturales..."

As you can see, in neither of the English translations is a definite article included.

In Example 1, my use of "los" was accepted, but my use of "las" was not. Upon studying the final Kwiziq translation, I noticed that neither "los" nor "las" had been used in the translation of that phrase. Then in Example 2, I used "los" and "las". To my delight (and surprise) I saw that in the Kwiziq translation "los" and "las" were used as well. 

So --- I am confused and uncertain as to WHEN  (under what specific circumstances?) is it necessary, appropriate, or customary to use el/la and los/las. I know they must be used at the start of a sentence and (I believe) after some uses of gustar, but what about other circumstances?

Please upload lessons that offer specific examples (and explanations) about when to use these definite articles.  

Your attention to this request would be very greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Pati Ecuamiga

Wouldn't it be easier to translate "No tenía más que unas monedas en el bolsillo." to "He didn't have more than a few coins in his pocket." rather than "He only had a few coins in his pocket."? This type of translation would work for the "más que +noun" instances.

Can "No tienes más que decirlo y yo estaré allí para ayudarte." be translated to "You don't have to say anything more than it/that and I will be there to help you." rather than "You just have to say it and I will be there to help you."?

I should’ve said  “Podía ver.. vs veía, do they mean the same thing. Gracias, Shirley. 

So, I am working my way through Kwiziq. My question is that I am also thinking of having an online Spanish class, possibly twice a week...how do I go about finding someone? I will say that I would much prefer a group class of around three of four people - do they exist. Is anyone interested in getting together a small group of people?

In this sentence:  "Les lazo la pelota y deben apagarla con las dos manos."  

I throw you the ball, and you must stop it with two hands.

I don't understand the use of 'Les" is it referring to 'you"?

there is another chapter where "Having done something" with the action as subject or direct object of a sentence using El Infinitivo Compuesto (= haber + participle)

How does it differ from using infinitive?

Fumar es malo para la salud

Haber fumado es malo para la salud

if I were to guess, I am guessing that using el infinitive compuesto is that, the action was indeed being carried out where as using infinitive is just a general statement. the person we are warning regarding smoking is bad, did not smoke.

Whereas if the person indeed smoke, we will say haber fumado es malo para la salud

One of the options for a mini kwiz question, ""Suspendió el examen, no porque ________ sino porque ese día no se sentía bien." As I understood it, no porque could be used with either subjunctive or indicative and not change the meaning. Why isn't "no porque no iba a estudiar" an option along with the other two examples (which were subjunctive).

In this quiz question - you cannot hear the "el" being pronounced. But the answer is correct with "el"

Voy a visitar a mi amiga el lunas.