Acorta tu vida fumando
6
votes
This is written as a warning on cigarette boxes here: Acorta tu vida fumando.
I thought the wording a little odd. I would say: Fumar acorta tu vida.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
1547 views
updated May 21, 2015
posted by gringojrf
The difference between "You (usted) shorten your life by smoking" and "smoking shortens your life". :) - bosquederoble, May 20, 2015
Bosque then why the "tu vida" instead of "su vida"? - gringojrf, May 20, 2015
They are using "tu" instead of "usted" - LuisCache, May 20, 2015
Oh, I missed that, Luis is correct, sorry. - bosquederoble, May 20, 2015
2 Answers
8
votes
This is an imperative sentence:
(Tú) Acorta (imperative) tu vida.
The imperative form is widely used in advertising:
Enjoy Coke!
Just do it!
updated May 21, 2015
posted by LuisCache
3
votes
I wouldn't think it's imperative. They are not commanding people to shorten their lives. I would think they are saying "Smoking shortens your life." So "fumando" or "fumar" would be the subject of "acorta."
This is my 11p.m. edit: Looking at this more, maybe it's a misprint.
updated May 21, 2015
edited by Winkfish
posted by Winkfish
I think I agree with you although LuisCache is fluent in Spanish, but your logic makes better sense to me. - Jubilado, May 21, 2015
Fumando cannot be a subject, the gerundio never serves as a noun, only as an adverb. - bosquederoble, May 21, 2015
Yes this seems more logical to me. - gringojrf, May 21, 2015
To me this actually looks like a good, witty phrase to discourage smoking and the imperative fits in just fine. "Sure, go ahead, shorten your life smoking, the choice is yours." - Manity, May 21, 2015
I agree with Manity. :) - bosquederoble, May 21, 2015
You know, Manity, I was thinking of that possibility. - Winkfish, May 21, 2015
I also agree with Manity: "Go ahed, die if you want!". - LuisCache, May 21, 2015
