súbete los pantalones
/subete los pantalones/from spelling rules
To pull up your pants in Spanish, you say súbete los pantalones.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to lift their trousers higher so they stay on the waist.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb subir (to go up or raise), the pronoun te (yourself) and los pantalones (the pants).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, it is standard to use the reflexive pronoun te to indicate the action is being performed on oneself. This is the standard way to express 'your' when referring to clothing or body parts. To use the polite usted form, you change súbete to súbase.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say súbete tus pantalones. Instead of using the possessive adjective tus (your), you should use the definite article los (the) when referring to clothing.
Did you know?
- The verb subir used in this phrase is the same word used for 'uploading' a file to the internet in modern Spanish.
- While subir means 'to go up', the same root is used in the word suburbio, referring to the areas that grew 'up' or 'out' from the city center.
- The verb subir is so versatile that it is used for raising the volume on a radio, climbing a mountain and increasing the price of a product.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, señor. ¿Podría ajustar sus pantalones, por favor? Parece que se le están cayendo.Excuse me, sir. Could you please adjust your pants? It seems they are falling down.
- Pareces un niño, ¡súbete los pantalones!You look like a child, pull up your pants!
- Súbete los pantalones antes de salir de casa.Pull up your pants before leaving the house.
Example conversation
Elena is helping Mateo get ready at home.
- ElenaMateo, no te ves muy elegante así.Mateo, you don't look very elegant like that.
- Mateo¿Por qué lo dices, Elena?Why do you say that, Elena?
- ElenaSúbete los pantalones, que se te caen.Pull up your pants, they are falling down.
- MateoTienes razón, gracias por avisarme.You're right, thanks for telling me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
