Put the things on the furniture

Question

I want to translate this sentence: pon las cosas encima del mueble.

Can I say "put the things on the furniture"?.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Pon las cosas encima del mueble..... Put the things on (or on top of) the piece of furniture.

If you use "furniture," you must use "a piece of" as well because "furniture" is a group of muebles. Hence, DR´s suggestion.

The more I am studying Spanish, the more ridiculous the English language sounds to me. Do you use "piece of furniture" in Spanish? - Nicole-B, Mar 22, 2011

Well, "mueble" is a "piece of furniture" and "furniture" is "mobiliario" (I mean, a group of them). Therefore, we can use "mueble" without problems if I don't want to specify what type of piece of furniture is. - nila45, Mar 22, 2011

We also use Muebles (plural) where in English we can't. But not to worry, Nicole. I say to you what a Russian teacher once told me: "You see, now you can live without your English" - 005faa61, Mar 22, 2011

Answer 2

Yes - except it would sound more "normal" to be specific about the piece of furniture. For example, "put the things on the table/sofa/chair."

Answer 3

Also adding to this conversation, (although I know it is not your exact question Nila), you can say something like:

"I don't want the dog on the furniture"

"Make sure you don't get any mud on my new furniture"

"We are covering the furniture at the beach house with sheets until next summer."

I think they are some general ways you can use "furniture" without being specific or using a particular piece of furniture.

Julian and DR gave excellent answers. I just thought I would clarify that there are certain times that you can use the word "furniture" in a more general sense.

estoy de acuerdo, Nicole - DR1960, Mar 22, 2011