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"La" is a definite article which is often translated as "the", and "acostarse" is a reflexive verb which is often translated as "to go to bed". Learn more about the difference between "la" and "acostarse" below.
la(
lah
)A definite article is a word that identifies a noun as specific or known to the speaker (e.g., the girl).
a. the
La pelota está en el tejado.The ball is on the roof.
La leche está en el refrigerador.The milk is in the refrigerator.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
acostarse(
ah
-
kohs
-
tahr
-
seh
)A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
2. (to recline)
a. to lie down
Se acostó en la arena y se puso la camisa en la cabeza.She lay down in the sand and put her shirt over her head.
acostar
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to put to bed
Acosté a los niños, y luego me acosté yo.I put the children to bed and then went to bed myself.
a. to lay down
Acuesta a la paciente y levántale las piernas.Lay the patient down and raise her legs.
