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Lavarmos - proofreading please

Lavarmos - proofreading please

2
votes

Lavarmos nuestro las manos antes de comer.

We wash our hands before we eat.

Thank you

1620 views
updated Jun 12, 2012
posted by Polyglot1day
Great shot =] - DJ_Huero, Jun 12, 2012

2 Answers

1
vote

Lavamos nuestros manos antes de comer.

Scratch that, it seems the more common (/correct) used phrase would be Pumpkin's "Nos lavamos las manos antes de comer."

As a bonus, "Lávate las manos" (informal), "Lávese las manos" (formal), would be the way to tell someone to wash their hands. I figured that would soon come up in the situation. wink

updated Jun 12, 2012
edited by DJ_Huero
posted by DJ_Huero
dj thanks - Polyglot1day, Jun 12, 2012
De nada amigo - DJ_Huero, Jun 12, 2012
I'm glad you added those commands DJ. It was a good reminder. - 0095ca4c, Jun 12, 2012
1
vote

I would say:

Nos lavamos las manos antes de comer.

Reasons: Lavarse is what's called a reflexive verb. This means that is addition to conjugating the "Lavar" part (think of "lavarse" as "lava + se") into the correct form (in this case "nosotros"-- "lavamos"), you have to find the right reflexive pronoun, in this case "nos"; "us". In most cases, we put the reflexive pronouns before the verb when the verb is conjugated, except when the verb is an affirmative command (telling someone what to do: "di", "diga", "hagan", "sea", "haz") or a gerund (like in English "-ing" ex: "comiendo", "caminando", "siendo", "viviendo", etc.) or an infinitive (such as "lavar", "bañar", "comer", "ir", "ser", etc.).

You also do not need the word "nuestro", because in Spanish you generally use the definite articles ("el", "la", "los" and, as in this case "las"--they all mean "the"), when referring to body parts (such as hands in this case).

These are some helpful links to help you figure out reflexive verbs like "lavarse". They can be a bit tricky, but once you get used to them they get much easier, like everything.

SpanishDict Video Lesson 2.5 Reflexive Verbs

SpanishDict Grammar Reflexive Verbs and Pronouns

Study Spanish Reflexive Verbs 1

Study Spanish Reflexive Verbs 2

About.Com Reflexive Verbs for Beginners

updated Jun 12, 2012
posted by PumpkinCalabaza
pumpkin thank you - Polyglot1day, Jun 12, 2012
You're welcome! ¡De nada! - PumpkinCalabaza, Jun 12, 2012
Great answer Pumpkin...your explanation helps a lot. - 0095ca4c, Jun 12, 2012