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¿Lavas tú los platos?

 

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  #1
Old October 19, 2008, 02:30 PM
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Question ¿Lavas tú los platos?
¿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.
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  #2
Old October 19, 2008, 03:07 PM
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'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?
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  #3
Old October 19, 2008, 03:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
'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
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  #4
Old October 20, 2008, 08:03 AM
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So Jchen, is this what your translation looks like?

Do you wash the plates?

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  #5
Old October 20, 2008, 09:00 AM
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I would translate:

Would you do the dishes?

Or, more imprecative, more pushy

Are you doing the dishes?
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  #6
Old October 20, 2008, 09:38 AM
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I agree with you but jchen was just looking for a translation.
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  #7
Old October 20, 2008, 01:30 PM
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I got the answer, everyone. It is "Are you washing your plates?"
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  #8
Old October 20, 2008, 01:39 PM
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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'.
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  #9
Old October 20, 2008, 03:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jchen View Post
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?

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  #10
Old October 20, 2008, 07:12 PM
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Well, that's what it is.
Last edited by Rusty; October 20, 2008 at 07:43 PM.
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  #11
Old October 21, 2008, 08:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jchen View Post
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.
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  #12
Old October 21, 2008, 01:30 PM
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well I put that as the English translation on my homework. I got a 10/10 on it.
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  #13
Old October 21, 2008, 01:41 PM
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That's great, Jessica.

Platos means both plates and dishes. Both meanings should be learned.
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  #14
Old October 21, 2008, 02:38 PM
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Good point Rusty, and good job Jessica!
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  #15
Old October 21, 2008, 02:44 PM
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*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
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  #16
Old October 22, 2008, 05:15 AM
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estás mejorando Jessica
!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!!
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  #17
Old October 22, 2008, 05:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sosia View Post
!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!!
¡Qué las disfrutes, sosia! Seguro son muy merecidas.
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  #18
Old October 22, 2008, 08:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sosia View Post
estás mejorando Jessica
!!Mañana me voy de vacaciones!!!
¿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)

Have fun!
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  #19
Old October 22, 2008, 07:37 PM
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Have fun on your vacation, sosia Hope you come back soon
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  #20
Old November 03, 2008, 02:37 AM
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I'm back!!
And I must read 5 pages full of threads!!!!!!!!
Nice picture Elaina. but I little agresive, I'm scared
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