acostarse boca abajo
/akostaɾse boka abaxo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'lie face down' is translated into Spanish as acostarse boca abajo.
This phrase is used to describe being in a horizontal position with the front of the body touching the ground.
What does it mean word for word?
The component boca abajo literally means 'mouth down', where boca (mouth) is used to refer to the front of the face.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because acostarse is a reflexive verb, you must use the reflexive pronoun se when conjugating it in the third person, as seen in se acuesta boca abajo (he/she lies face down). When giving a command to someone you know informally, use the imperative form acuéstate boca abajo.
Did you know?
- The word boca in boca abajo originally meant 'cheek' in Latin, from the word bucca. It is a distant relative of the English word 'beak'.
- In many Spanish-speaking medical or fitness contexts, you might hear the more formal decúbito prono to describe the same position. While acostarse boca abajo is common for daily life, the former is the technical standard.
- In Spanish, the term boca is used in many idioms to describe the face or the opening of an object, such as the 'mouth' of a river or a bottle.
Examples in context
- Por favor, acuéstese boca abajo para el examen médico.Please lie face down for the medical examination.
- Vamos a la playa, acuéstate boca abajo bajo el sol.We're going to the beach, lie face down under the sun.
- El paciente debe acostarse boca abajo para la exploración.The patient must lie face down for the examination.
- Es mejor acostarse boca abajo para dormir.It is better to lie face down to sleep.
- Ella decidió acostarse boca abajo en la arena.She decided to lie face down on the sand.
Example conversation
Mateo is at a physical therapy appointment with Lucía.
- Mateo¿Qué debo hacer ahora, Lucía?What should I do now, Lucía?
- LucíaDebes acostarse boca abajo en la camilla, Mateo.You should lie face down on the table, Mateo.
- MateoEstá bien, ya estoy en posición.Okay, I am in position now.
- LucíaPerfecto, ahora voy a empezar.Perfect, now I am going to start.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abajo, boca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
