Por favor, quite las malas hierbas
In Spanish, "please pull weeds" is said as Por favor, quite las malas hierbas.
This phrase is used to request the removal of unwanted plants from a garden or yard. You can use the verb quitar to mean remove, or the more specific verb arrancar if you want to emphasize the physical action of pulling or tearing the plants out.
Which one should you use?
While quitar (remove) is common, you can also use the verb arrancar (to pull out/tear out) to be more specific about the physical action of pulling weeds.
Did you know?
- While hierbas means 'herbs' or 'grasses', it is also the common Spanish word for marijuana.
- The verb arrancar used for pulling weeds also means 'to start' when used with a car engine.
- The word malas means 'bad', so in Spanish, weeds are literally called 'bad herbs' or 'bad grasses'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, arranque las malas hierbas del jardín antes de que llegue el evento.Please pull the weeds from the garden before the event starts.
- Le ruego que retire las malezas del césped de manera cuidadosa, por favor.I beg you to carefully remove the weeds from the lawn, please.
- Por favor, arranca las malas hierbas del patio trasero antes de la fiesta.Please pull the weeds from the backyard before the party.
- Por favor, quita las malas hierbas de la maceta. Están opacando las flores.Please remove the weeds from the flower pot. They are overshadowing the flowers.
- Por favor, quite las malas hierbas del jardín.Please pull the weeds from the garden.
- El patio está sucio, por favor, quite las malas hierbas.The patio is dirty, please pull the weeds.
- Si tiene tiempo, por favor, quite las malas hierbas de las macetas.If you have time, please pull the weeds from the flowerpots.
Example conversation
Mateo is giving instructions to the gardener, Sofía, in the backyard.
- MateoSofía, el jardín se ve descuidado.Sofía, the garden looks neglected.
- SofíaLo siento, Mateo, ¿qué debo hacer?I'm sorry, Mateo, what should I do?
- MateoPor favor, quite las malas hierbas de los canteros.Please pull the weeds from the flowerbeds.
- SofíaEntendido, lo haré ahora mismo.Understood, I will do it right now.
