¿Lavas tú los platos?

[Jessica]

¿Lavas tú los platos? This is from one of my homework problems.
How would you translate this? Would you say "Wash your plates?" It doesn't make sense as a question.

[Rusty]

'Wash the (your) plates' is an imperative, or a command. That's why it doesn't make sense as a question.

Lavar = to wash
yo lavo = I wash, or I am washing
tú lavas = you wash, or you are washing
etc.

When a question isn't being asked, (tú) lavas (or lavas (tú)) los platos means you are washing the plates.
When used in a question, however, the English translation of (tú) lavas, or lavas (tú), becomes are you washing. (Note that the subject pronoun isn't necessary.)

Does this help?

[Jessica]

'Wash the (your) plates' is an imperative, or a command. That's why it doesn't make sense as a question.

Lavar = to wash
yo lavo = I wash, or I am washing
tú lavas = you wash, or you are washing
etc.

When a question isn't being asked, (tú) lavas (or lavas (tú)) los platos means you are washing the plates.
When used in a question, however, the English translation of (tú) lavas, or lavas (tú), becomes are you washing. (Note that the subject pronoun isn't necessary.)

Does this help?

Yes, it does. Gracias

[Elaina]

So Jchen, is this what your translation looks like?

Do you wash the plates?

:confused:

[Planet hopper]

I would translate:

Would you do the dishes?

Or, more imprecative, more pushy

Are you doing the dishes?

[Elaina]

I agree with you but jchen was just looking for a translation.

[Jessica]

I got the answer, everyone. It is "Are you washing your plates?"

[Rusty]

The definite article los can be translated as yours, but usually only when the object is a personal item. I would translate the phrase as:
Are you washing the dishes?

Platos, especially in the plural, can mean dishes. There are other words used for dishes, too, but in Central America they say lavar los platos or fregar los platos for 'to wash the dishes'.

[Elaina]

I got the answer, everyone. It is "Are you washing your plates?"

Well, I'm glad you got your answer but that is not the translation....

Are you washing your plates? = ¿Estas lavando tus platos?

or

¿Estas fregando tus platos?

:cool:

[Jessica]

Well, that's what it is.

[Tomisimo]

I got the answer, everyone. It is "Are you washing your plates?"
I don't agree with the platos = plates translation. While plato can mean plate, it also means dish, bowl and a few other variations. In the context- "lavando platos", platos probably means dishes as in all the utensils, dishes, plates, cups and everything. :)

[Jessica]

well I put that as the English translation on my homework. I got a 10/10 on it.

[Rusty]

That's great, Jessica. :thumbsup:

Platos means both plates and dishes. Both meanings should be learned.

[Tomisimo]

Good point Rusty, and good job Jessica!

[Jessica]

*blushes* thanks :) :)
oh, and I took an additional vocab quiz last week, and I got a 15/15 on it :) it was muy facil anyways :)

[sosia]

estás mejorando Jessica :D
!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!! :D :D

[Rusty]

!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!! :D :D
¡Qué las disfrutes, sosia! Seguro son muy merecidas.

[Elaina]

estás mejorando Jessica :D
!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!! :D :D

¿OTRA VEZ??

PUES CUÁNTAS VACACIONES TOMAS EN EL AÑO? 10??

Must be nice. Maybe I should move to Spain so I can enjoy as many vacations as you. (I am turning green with envy):eek:

Have fun!:dancingman::dancingman:

[Jessica]

Have fun on your vacation, sosia :) Hope you come back soon

[sosia]

I'm back!! :D
And I must read 5 pages full of threads!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek:
Nice picture Elaina. but I little agresive, I'm scared :o