How do you say "He is cooking potatoes"?

Question

According to the computer translator- "she is cooking potatoes" is ella es cocinar las papas, why wouldn't "he is cooking potatoes" be el es cocinar las papas?

Answer 1

The translator is not very accurate at times.

1) Ella está cocinando papas (she is cooking potatoes)

1) Él está cocindando papas (he is cooking potatoes)

"Patatas" is the word for potatoes in Spain. "Papas" is generally used in Latin America. - --Mariana--, Sep 15, 2009

I'm just curious, how did you get a capital e with an accent? I couldn't figure out how to get it... - hlsbookworm, Sep 15, 2009

Marianne: don't you need a accent on "está"? I also believe it needs to be "las papas". What do you think? - Daniel, Sep 15, 2009

Thanks, Daniel, I was editing as you were writing the comment! However, I didn't add "las" to the sentence because the question was "cooking potatoes" and not "cooking THE potatoes." - --Mariana--, Sep 15, 2009

If you're using US Intl. it is Rt. ALT+shift+e=É - 0074b507, Sep 16, 2009

no need for "the", good job marianne! - 00494d19, Sep 17, 2009

Answer 2

(Él/Ella) está cocinando las papas/patatas(He is cooking potatoes right now/at this moment)

I always use and read "right now = ahora mismo"

Answer 3

(Él/Ella) está cocinando las papas/patatas(He is cooking potatoes right now/at this moment)

(Él/Ella) cocina las papas/patatas(He is cooking potatoes now or will be in the forseeable future).

NO need for "the" - 00494d19, Sep 17, 2009

Answer 4

I agree with Marianne

Answer 5

Thanks, I have a long way to go!!!

Answer 6

"él está cocinando las papas" I am not sure if the "está" is correct here, but it sounds better than "es". Also you need a accent over the "e" in "él".