Application of the Spanish "a" to Direct Objects.

Question

Hello, everyone! This is a revision of my previous post pertaining to this subject. I have re-written the questions that need people or animals as direct objects. So, here goes:

The cashier check outs the woman. My sister plays with her dog. The man has three sisters and four brothers. Sometimes, I hate visiting my in-laws. What time are you going to lunch with your boss?

A la cajera le comprueba a la mujer. A mi hermana le juega con su perro. A el hombre le tiene a tres hermanas y cuatro hermanos. A veces, a yo me odio visitar mis suegros. ¿Te a qué hora vas a comer con tu jefe?

I know that I have made some blunders so, please correct as needed. Thanks!

Good on you for having a go :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

Answer 1

You have put a to the subjects, which is not necessary and also some personal pronouns that are not required. Your sentences should read like this:

La cajera le cobra a la mujer. Mi hermana juega con su perro. El hombre tiene tres hermanas y cuatro hermanos. A veces, odio visitar a mis suegros. ¿A qué hora vas a comer con tu jefe?

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

I learn a lot from the different translations here, so you translated 'checked out' as 'charged' right? Nice :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

MC, I think "check out" is really an idiom, but to say "registrar" is like saying "matricular" which is something a "cajera" doesn´t do, she just collects your money "te cobra." - 005faa61, Oct 20, 2012

oh ok but if it was say a receptionist you could say registrar for both check in and out? - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

MC, in this case it´s common to say "inscribir en el registro / la matrícula" since you are just signing your name with date and time, nothing more. If you are declaring assets, legal stuff, earnings, etc, you would use "Matricularse" or "Registrarse" - 005faa61, Oct 20, 2012

ok gracias JC :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

Answer 2

La cajera le cobra a la mujer

Mi hermana juega con su perro

El hombre tiene tres hermanas y cuatro hermanos

A veces detesto visitar a mis suegros

¿A qué hora vas a almorzar con tu jefe?

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

That's interesting so registrar can be used for check in and out? thanx - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 20, 2012

Actually, that was a mistake done in haste. The right word should be cobrar. I've fixed it. - francobollo, Oct 20, 2012

Answer 3

A la cajera le comprueba a la mujer

I don't think you would have the "a" before "la cajara" because it's the subject, not the object.

A mi hermana le juega con su perro.

No "a" before "mi hermana" because she is the subject. In addition, I do not believe there is a "le" for "su perro"

A el hombre le tiene a tres hermanas y cuatro hermanos.

No "a" before "el hombre" because he's the subject. And the personal a does not appear after tener

A veces, a yo me odio visitar mis suegros

No "a" before yo because you're the subject. There is no "me" before "odiar" unless you are using it reflexly (to mean you hate yourself). And, as Julian pointed out, you need the personal "a" before people when they are objects.

¿Te a qué hora vas a comer con tu jefe?

The "te" doesn't belong there, but I think the rest is good.

---

Based on those sentences, I think your biggest problem is understanding what is and what isn't an object. You do not the "a" before the subject.