no podar
/no podaɾ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "do not trim" is translated into Spanish as no podar.
This phrase is an instruction used to avoid cutting away overgrown branches or stems from a plant.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter No cortes, which is an informal way to say 'do not trim'. Additionally, the phrase Déjalo largo can be used to mean "leave it long" or "keep it long."
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form no podar is commonly used on signs or written instructions to mean 'do not trim'.
How do you pronounce it?
/no podaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word podar is closely related to the English word 'compute', as both derive from the Latin putāre, meaning to settle an account or prune a list.
- While no podar is the written instruction, a gardener might use the phrase no le metas tijera to tell someone not to trim a plant.
- The word podar can also be used metaphorically in Spanish to describe 'trimming' or reducing a budget or a list of people. You might hear that a company needs to podar los gastos to mean they need to cut down on expenses.
Examples in context
- No recorte los setos, por favor.Do not trim the hedges, please.
- No cortes demasiado mi cabello, por favor.Do not cut my hair too much, please.
- Déjalo largo, no lo cortes.Leave it long, do not cut it.
- Por favor, no recorte mi barba demasiado corta, déjela con un aspecto natural.Please, do not trim my beard too short, leave it with a natural look.
- No corte esa rama, por favor. Es importante para la salud del árbol.Do not cut that branch, please. It is important for the health of the tree.
- No podar las rosas esta semana.Do not trim the roses this week.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are gardening together in the backyard.
- SofíaAlejandro, es mejor no podar el jazmín hoy.Alejandro, it is better not to trim the jasmine today.
- Alejandro¿Por qué no podar la planta ahora?Why not trim the plant now?
- SofíaPorque florece en esta temporada.Because it blooms during this season.
- AlejandroEntiendo, entonces dejaré el jazmín tranquilo.I understand, then I will leave the jasmine alone.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
