haz esto
/aθ esto/from spelling rules
The English phrase "do this" is translated into Spanish as haz esto.
What does it mean word for word?
The word haz is the imperative (command) form of the irregular verb hacer (to do/make).
Which one should you use?
Haz esto is used for commands directed at someone you are on a first-name basis with (tú).
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on who you are addressing, the form changes: use haga esto when speaking to someone you address with the formal usted and use hagan esto when giving a command to a group of people. In Spain, use haced esto when giving a command to a group of people you address with vosotros.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθ esto/
Did you know?
- The word haz shares an unexpected history with the English word 'fagot', as both can trace back to the Latin word for a 'bundle'.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, the command haz esto might sound quite blunt or aggressive if you do not soften it with words like 'por favor'.
- The word esto is a neuter pronoun, which is a unique feature of Spanish used when the gender of the object being pointed to is unknown or general.
Examples in context
- Por favor, haz esto por mí.Please do this for me.This example shows how to use haz esto when making a request.Tatoeba #1869233 by Shishir, translation #1855119 by Spamster
- Please, haz esto antes de la reuniónPlease, do this before the meeting
- Por favor, realiza esto y envíamelo mañanaPlease, perform this and send it to me tomorrow
- Te agradecería que hicieras esto lo más pronto posibleI would appreciate if you could do this as soon as possible
- ¡Haz esto ahora mismo, por favor!Do this right now, please!
- Por favor, realiza esto y tráemelo despuésPlease, perform this and bring it to me later
- ¿Puedes hacer esto por mí?Can you do this for me?
- Por favor, haz esto antes de la reunión de mañanaPlease, do this before tomorrow's meeting
- Te agradecería que realizaras esta tarea lo más pronto posibleI would appreciate if you could do this task as soon as possible
- Completa esto y envíamelo por correo electrónicoComplete this and send it to me via email
- Haz esto ahora mismo, por favor. Es muy importanteDo this right now, please. It's very important
- Por favor, realiza esto y tráemelo cuando puedasPlease, perform this and bring it to me whenever you can
- Haz esto con cuidado.Do this carefully.
Example conversation
Alejandro is showing Elena a new task at work.
- AlejandroElena, mira, haz esto primero.Elena, look, do this first.
- Elena¿Es muy difícil?Is it very difficult?
- AlejandroNo, es muy fácil.No, it is very easy.
- ElenaEntendido, lo haré ahora.Understood, I will do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esto, haz, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
