We are going to + stay

Question

Hi, last question of the day...
When you say 'We are going to stay', I have apparently found out in a text that it is written as 'Vamos a alojarnos' ... now, why is it not 'Vamos a alojar' due to the 'voy + a + infinitive rule ending in -ar, -er or -ir', or if that is correct, then why is the first sentence acceptable?
Just curious... thanks!

Good question and good answers! Keep on studying! - Jubilado, Jan 4, 2015

Answer 1

The ending of the infinitive has nothing to do with the reflexive suffix, in this case nos (if this is what you are asking).

In this case nos is used because alojar is a transitive verb and must act upon something / someone, so we know that who is staying is we (nos). We can also say: Nos vamos a alojar, so it´s not a matter of creating a suffix but of inserting a personal pronoun in the sentence.

If you say just "Vamos a alojar", without the personal prounoun, the listener will not know if you are doing the staying or if someone else is staying - with you providing the place to stay for them.

:) - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 4, 2015

I didn't s3e your answer, but mine complements yours and kiwi's. - chileno, Jan 4, 2015

Answer 2

It's because you're using alojarse, the pronominal form of the verb that shows you 'yourself' are staying. Although you use the infinitive alojar you still need the appropriate reflexive pronoun (in this case nos) which just tucks on to the end of the infinitive.

¡Qué milagro verte después de tanto! - 005faa61, Jan 4, 2015

Jaja sí tanto tiempo ?qué tal amiguito? - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 4, 2015

kiwi... vamos a alojar**nos) también. - chileno, Jan 4, 2015