recuerdas lavar tus manos

Question

I had to translate a sign at work that read "Remember to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds." I gave it a shot with this... Recuerdas lavar tus manos por lo menos viente secundas. Close???

Segundos - Eddy, Aug 31, 2010

Answer 1

Or:

¨Recuerde lavar sus manos durante al menos 20 segundos¨

¿Lavar sus manos? Surely you mean "Recuerde lavarse las manos". - lazarus1907, Aug 31, 2010

I meant lavar sus manos. but if you want to say lavarse las manos is ok. - mediterrunio, Sep 1, 2010

Answer 2

Close. Literally it would be:

Recuerda de lavarte las manos por al menos veinte segundos

On a sign I'd be more likely to just say:

Lávese las manos por 20 segundos - Wash your hands for 20 seconds.

Answer 3

Could you simply say

Lavarse las manos al menos 20 segundos.

You now have a few variations.

"Al final, todo se arreglará"

Answer 4

I don't think that's wrong, per se, but most signs in general areas like that aren't translated into the second person informal like that. They usually use the third person, which conveys a more general, formal tone. Also, you would say, "las" manos, not "your" hands. Spanish is just different in that way...

"Recuerda lavar las manos por 20 segundos."

I was wondering about informal or formal . Thanks!! - kenmasters, Aug 31, 2010