acostarse boca arriba
/akostaɾse boka ariba/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'lie flat' is translated into Spanish as acostarse boca arriba.
This phrase is used to describe placing one's body horizontally on a surface so that the back is touching it.
Which one should you use?
If you want to say 'lie flat' on your stomach instead of your back, use acostarse boca abajo, which literally means 'mouth down'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because acostarse is a reflexive verb, you must use reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nos, os, se) to indicate that you are lying yourself down, such as in the phrase me acuesto boca arriba.
Did you know?
- The word arriba is derived from the Latin words 'ad' and 'rīpam', which referred to the 'coast' or 'bank' of a river.
- While acostarse means to lie down, it is also the standard verb used for 'going to bed' regardless of the physical position of the body.
- The reflexive nature of acostarse means that if you lie someone else down, such as a child, you drop the reflexive pronoun and use the verb acostar.
Examples in context
- El paciente debe acostarse completamente para el examen médico.The patient must lie flat for the medical examination.
- ¿Por qué no se pone boca arriba y se relaja?Why don't you lie on your back and relax?
- Después de tanto trabajo, necesito tumbarme y descansar.After so much work, I need to lie down and rest.
- Es mejor acostarse boca arriba para dormir.It is better to lie flat on your back to sleep.
- El paciente debe acostarse boca arriba en la camilla.The patient must lie flat on his back on the stretcher.
Example conversation
Daniel is at a physiotherapy clinic.
- DanielSofía, ¿qué debo hacer ahora?Sofía, what should I do now?
- SofíaDaniel, debes acostarse boca arriba en la camilla.Daniel, you must lie flat on your back on the table.
- DanielEstá bien, ya estoy listo.Okay, I am ready now.
- SofíaPerfecto, 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 arriba, boca, CC BY-SA 4.0.
