verbo en infinitivo
/beɾbo en infinitibo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "infinitive verb" is translated into Spanish as verbo en infinitivo.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of verbo (verb), en (in) and infinitivo (infinitive).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you can identify an infinitivo by its endings: -ar, -er or -ir.
Did you know?
- When Spanish speakers use the infinitivo to give a general instruction, such as on a sign that says No fumar, it carries a softer, more general tone than the direct command 'Do not smoke'.
- The term infinitivo comes from the Latin īnfīnītīvus, meaning 'unbounded'. This refers to the fact that the verb is not limited by a specific person, number or time.
- In Spanish, an infinitivo can function as a noun. This means you can say el comer es un placer to mean 'eating is a pleasure' without needing to change the verb into a gerund.
Examples in context
- Quiero comer.I want to eat.
- ¿Puedes ayudarme a limpiar?Can you help me to clean?
- Ella necesita estudiar.She needs to study.
- Tenemos que irnos ahora.We have to go now.
- comerto eat
- Un verbo en infinitivo termina en -ar, -er o -ir.An infinitive verb ends in -ar, -er, or -ir.
- No puedes usar un verbo en infinitivo aquí.You cannot use an infinitive verb here.
- Necesito aprender cada verbo en infinitivo.I need to learn every infinitive verb.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are studying Spanish grammar together.
- Elena¿Qué es un verbo en infinitivo?What is an infinitive verb?
- DanielEs la forma básica del verbo, Elena.It is the basic form of the verb, Elena.
- ElenaEntiendo, gracias por la explicación, Daniel.I understand, thanks for the explanation, Daniel.
- DanielDe nada, sigamos estudiando.You're welcome, let's keep studying.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries en, infinitivo, verbo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
