doblar vs doblarse vs inclinar vs inclinarse

Question

I'm trying to say "When my back hurts, I can't bend over to pick things up off of the floor". Is it correct to say "Cuando me duele la espalda, no puedo doblar recoger cosas sobre el suelo."?

The more I look, the more confused I get and the translator is just confusing me more (as is the dictionary at this point).

Also, I'm used to using the word "piso" for floor. What should be a pretty simple sentence has me completely confused at this point. Am I supposed to use a reflexive form of doblar or inclinar? Sorry this is so long, but as I said, I'm completely turned around on this.

Answer 1

Cuando me duele la espalda no puedo agacharme para recoger cosas del suelo/piso..

Thanks! I see where I got lost. I love the language even though I don't know it well. I just don't want to end up like the person who loves to sing, but can't carry a tune. - island_fever, Sep 5, 2012

Answer 2

Your attempt: Cuando me duele la espalda, no puedo doblar recoger cosas sobre el suelo.

My attempt: Cuando me duele la espalda, no puedo agacharme para recoger cosas lejos del piso.

Bend over is a verbal phrase and one of our dictionary's uses is "agacharse".

I'm using "lejos del suelo" in the sense of "away from the floor".

Also remember that in Spanish, two infinitives can not be side by side, "Aldoblar recoger".

I loved your effort! Don't get frustrated when you find one word in English has several ways to say it in Spanish!

Por favor, corrija mi español.

Thank you. I got the word "piso" from the signs that say "piso mojado" Then, there was "lean over" vs "bend over", etc. - island_fever, Sep 5, 2012

I think there are some exceptions to the "side by side" rule. I'm not sure how many, but one is: Rosa puede intentar hablar con él. - Goldie_Miel, Sep 5, 2012

Thank you for your help. - island_fever, Sep 5, 2012

Answer 3

Doblar- to bend. Doblarse- To bend itself,himself,herself,themselves (reflexive meaning) For example: él va a doblarse,ella va a doblarse,ello va a doblarse,usted va a doblarse,,ellos/ellas//ustedes van a doblarse.... Doblarme- Yo voy a doblarme,tu vas a doblarte

Answer 4

Agacharse is the correct verb for bend over and is commonly used here in Mexico.

Thank you for your help. - island_fever, Sep 5, 2012

Answer 5

"Piso" according to the dictionary means "floor" in the sense of "story" (e.g., I'm on the fifth floor), while "suelo" is the floor of a room (though, it does say that piso can be floor too...maybe regional?)

The dictionary says that "bend down"/"bend over" is "agacharse"

Also, I believe that "para" is necessary before "recoger", as in this sense, "to pick up" is also able to be said "in order to pick up", in which "para" would be used.

So, based on the things I've stated above, after looking them up in the dictionary, my best guess is going to be this:

Cuando me duele la espalda, no puedo agacharme para recoger cosas en el suelo

I'm still learning though, just as a disclaimer

Thank you for your help. - island_fever, Sep 5, 2012