What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of the reflexive verb sonarse (to blow oneself) and la nariz (the nose).
Which one should you use?
In many contexts, the phrase is shortened to just the reflexive verb sonarse when it is understood that the nose is the object of the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you use the reflexive pronoun and the definite article la instead of a possessive adjective like tu or su to indicate whose nose is being blown. For example, when conjugated in the first person past tense, the reflexive pronoun me is used to indicate the action is performed on oneself: me soné la nariz (I blew my nose).
How do you pronounce it?
/sonaɾse la naɾiθ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the possessive adjective tu (your) instead of the definite article la (the) when using the reflexive verb. Avoid saying sonarse tu nariz and use sonarse la nariz instead.
Did you know?
- While you blow your nose with air, the Spanish verb sonarse actually comes from a root related to making a sound or noise. This connects the physical act of clearing your nose to the auditory result of the action.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, blowing your nose loudly at the dinner table is considered much more socially acceptable than it is in the UK or US.
- The word nariz is a feminine noun in Spanish, but it is masculine in closely related languages like Portuguese and Galician.
Examples in context
- Por favor, necesito un pañuelo desechable para sonarme la nariz.Please, I need a tissue to blow my nose.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, nariz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
