enviar regalo
/embjaɾ ɾeɡalo/from spelling rules
To send gift in Spanish is enviar regalo.
The phrase is used when you cause a present to be delivered to someone. While the English phrase 'send gift' often omits articles, in natural Spanish you should include an article such as un (a) or el (the) between the verb and the noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the verb enviar or mandar followed by un detalle to refer to sending a gift, where un detalle translates to a 'token' or 'gesture'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express sending more than one gift, add the plural suffix -s to the noun to get regalos, resulting in the phrase enviar regalos.
How do you pronounce it?
/embjaɾ ɾeɡalo/
Did you know?
- The word regalo shares an ancestor with the English word 'gala', as both stem from an Old French root meaning 'to enjoy oneself'.
- While enviar and mandar both mean 'to send', mandar can also mean 'to order' or 'to command' depending on the context.
- In some contexts, referring to a gift as un detalle is a way to downplay the expense of the present to avoid making the recipient feel obligated to return an equally expensive gift.
Examples in context
- Por favor, le agradecería si pudiera enviar un regalo al Sr. López por su cumpleaños.Please, I would appreciate it if you could send a gift to Mr. Lopez for his birthday.
- Le solicito hacer llegar un regalo a la Sra. García en nombre de nuestra empresa.I request that you make a gift arrive to Mrs. Garcia on behalf of our company.
- ¿Podrías mandarle un regalo a Ana para su cumpleaños? Será una sorpresa genialCould you send a gift to Ana for her birthday? It will be a great surprise.
- ¡Hola! ¿Puedes enviarle un obsequio a mi hermana para celebrar su nuevo trabajo?Hi! Can you send a gift to my sister to celebrate her new job?
- Quería mandarte un detalle por tu graduación. ¡Felicidades!I wanted to send you a token for your graduation. Congratulations!
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a birthday surprise.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿vas a enviar regalo a tu hermano?Daniel, are you going to send a gift to your brother?
- DanielSí, quiero enviar regalo hoy mismo.Yes, I want to send a gift today.
- LucíaEso es una idea muy buena.That is a very good idea.
- DanielGracias, Lucía. Lo haré ahora.Thanks, Lucía. I will do it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries enviar, regalo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
