me encantan las serpientes
/me enkantan las seɾpjentes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "i love snakes" is translated into Spanish as me encantan las serpientes.
This phrase is used to express a strong liking for snakes.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "snakes are enchanting to me." In this structure, las serpientes acts as the subject that performs the action of pleasing or enchanting the speaker, represented by me.
Which one should you use?
While you might encounter amo las serpientes, which is grammatically correct, me encantan las serpientes is the more natural way to express a strong liking for animals or objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are talking about one specific snake rather than snakes in general, the verb changes to the singular form: me encanta la serpiente.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb encantar comes from the word for 'spell' or 'incantation'. Saying me encantan las serpientes implies that the snakes have cast a spell of attraction on you.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a serpiente can be a serious insult implying they are untrustworthy or treacherous.
- If you said amo las serpientes, a native speaker might think you are expressing a profound, romantic, or even spiritual devotion rather than just a strong preference.
Examples in context
- Siento una gran admiración por las serpientes.I feel great admiration for snakes.
- Me chiflan las serpientes.I'm crazy about snakes.
- Adoro a las serpientes.I adore snakes.
- Me encantan las serpientes de colores.I love colorful snakes.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking at a nature documentary.
- Elena¿Te dan miedo esos animales?Do those animals scare you?
- AlejandroNo, al contrario, me encantan las serpientes.No, on the contrary, I love snakes.
- Elena¡Qué valiente eres, Alejandro!How brave you are, Alejandro!
- AlejandroSolo me parecen fascinantes.I just find them fascinating.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
