Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Se lava la cara vs Ella lava su cara

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old December 30, 2018, 08:02 AM
BobRitter's Avatar
BobRitter BobRitter is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL. USA
Posts: 352
Native Language: English
BobRitter is on a distinguished road
Se lava la cara vs Ella lava su cara

1. Se lava la cara dos veces al día.

2. Ella lava su cara dos veces al día.


Creo que entiendo la diferencia pero #1 parece que ser mas comun pero #2 parece mas claro.


To us gringos trying to learn #2 seems so much more reasonable.
__________________
Viejo y Gruñón, Pero Adorable.
Old and Grumpy, But Lovable
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old December 30, 2018, 03:39 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
The sentences don't mean the same thing.
The first has no subject. If we assume 'ella', since that is given in the second sentence, 'ella' washes her OWN face.
In the second sentence, 'ella' washes someone ELSE'S face.

The verb 'lavarse' is reflexive. The action reflects back on the subject. That explains why a native speaker uses the article 'la' instead of the possessive adjective 'su'. (There's no need to reiterate that the face being washed is one's own. The verb makes that distinction.)

The verb 'lavar' is not reflexive. The action is directed towards another person.
That's why the possessive adjective is necessary.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old December 30, 2018, 06:34 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is online now
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
In the second sentence she may be washing her own face, but it doesn't sound natural, because we prefer using the reflexive form.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old December 30, 2018, 09:28 PM
BobRitter's Avatar
BobRitter BobRitter is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL. USA
Posts: 352
Native Language: English
BobRitter is on a distinguished road
In #1 how do we know if "He", "She" or "It" washed their face?



Gracias como siempre.
__________________
Viejo y Gruñón, Pero Adorable.
Old and Grumpy, But Lovable
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old December 30, 2018, 11:14 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
We don't, unless the subject was already mentioned (in context). Add "You (formal)" to your list of subject pronouns. It also takes a third-person conjugation.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old December 31, 2018, 01:59 PM
BobRitter's Avatar
BobRitter BobRitter is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pensacola, FL. USA
Posts: 352
Native Language: English
BobRitter is on a distinguished road
Gracias. Despues de pensando mas entiendo.
__________________
Viejo y Gruñón, Pero Adorable.
Old and Grumpy, But Lovable
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old January 25, 2019, 05:53 PM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by BobRitter View Post
1. Se lava la cara dos veces al día.

2. Ella lava su cara dos veces al día.


Creo que entiendo la diferencia pero #1 parece que ser mas comun pero #2 parece mas claro.


To us gringos trying to learn #2 seems so much more reasonable.
Ella lava su cara dos veces al día is used in some Latin American countries I believe.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
reflexive

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
—Nos sonaba tu cara. Stu Vocabulary 3 September 03, 2017 07:19 AM
Plantar cara poli Idioms & Sayings 5 May 15, 2013 08:46 PM
Por la cara AngelicaDeAlquezar Idioms & Sayings 3 July 05, 2011 04:48 PM
Cara de perro poli Idioms & Sayings 9 July 01, 2011 04:39 AM
Qué cara poli Idioms & Sayings 12 June 15, 2010 02:07 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:36 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X