ráscame la espalda
/raskame la espalda/from spelling rules
The English phrase "scratch my back" is translated into Spanish as ráscame la espalda.
This phrase is used to request that someone use their nails to rub the skin on your back.
What does it mean word for word?
The word rasca is the imperative form of the verb rascar, meaning "scratch". The suffix -me is an enclitic pronoun meaning "me", which indicates the action is being performed on the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, it is more natural to use the definite article la instead of the possessive adjective "mi" (my) when referring to body parts, which is why the phrase uses la espalda.
Did you know?
- Because of its connection to the Latin word for a 'flat piece', the Spanish word for back, espalda, is also a distant relative of the English word 'spatula'.
- If you ask someone to rascar a specific spot, you are signaling a level of intimacy or trust that is usually reserved for close friends or family rather than strangers.
- While rascar means 'to scratch', in some Spanish-speaking regions, it is also used colloquially to mean 'to scrape' or 'to scavenge' for something small.
Examples in context
- No llego, ráscame la espalda.I can't reach, scratch my back.
- Si puedes, ráscame la espalda un poco.If you can, scratch my back a little.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are sitting on the sofa.
- MaríaAlejandro, ráscame la espalda, por favor.Alejandro, scratch my back, please.
- AlejandroClaro, ¿en qué parte te pica?Sure, where does it itch?
- MaríaJusto aquí, en el centro.Right here, in the center.
- AlejandroListo, ¿ya está mejor?Done, is it better now?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries espalda, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
