What does it mean word for word?
The word ponte is a combination of the imperative pon (put) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself/to yourself).
Which one should you use?
While ponte los zapatos is the informal singular command, you can use póngase los zapatos to address one person formally or pónganse los zapatos when addressing multiple people in a formal setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, you use the definite article los (the) instead of the possessive adjective tus (your) when referring to body parts or items worn on the body in this context. If the shoes have already been mentioned, you can use the contraction póntelos to mean "put them on". To tell a group of people to put on their shoes, use the plural form pónganse los zapatos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ponte los θapatos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is customary to leave shoes at the door when entering a home, making ponte los zapatos a phrase you will most likely hear only when it is time to leave.
- The verb poner is a linguistic 'Swiss Army knife' for the body, used for everything from putting on shoes to applying makeup.
- The word los in this phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin word illōs, which served as the masculine plural accusative for 'that'.
Examples in context
- Ponte los zapatos, por favor.Please put on your shoes.This sentence is useful for adding politeness to the command with ponte los zapatos.Tatoeba #1005610 by Munia, translation #18092 by CK
- Ponte los zapatos.Put on your shoes.This sentence is a direct command using ponte los zapatos.Tatoeba #12008532 by JSKabylie15, translation #18093 by CK
- Póngase los zapatos antes de salir, por favor.Put on your shoes before leaving, please.
- Pónganse los zapatos y acompañen a la dirección al auditorio.Put on your shoes and join the principal in the auditorium.
- ¡Ponte los zapatos y vámonos a jugar!Put on your shoes and let's go play!
- Chicos, pónganse los zapatos y estaremos listos para ir al parque.Guys, put on your shoes, and we'll be ready to go to the park.
- ¡No olvides ponerte los zapatos!Don't forget to put on your shoes!
- Por favor, ponte tus zapatos antes de entrar.Please put on your shoes before entering.
- ¡Chicos, pónganse los zapatos y estaremos listos para la aventura!Guys, put on your shoes, and we'll be ready for the adventure!
- Ponte los zapatos antes de salir.Put on your shoes before going out.
Example conversation
María is helping her son Javier get ready to go to the park.
- MaríaJavier, ponte los zapatos ahora.Javier, put on your shoes now.
- JavierYa voy, mamá.I'm coming, mom.
- MaríaDate prisa, que llegaremos tarde.Hurry up, or we will be late.
- JavierYa estoy listo.I am ready now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries los, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
