muéstralo
/mwestɾalo/from spelling rules
To say "show it" in Spanish, use muéstralo.
This phrase is a command used to instruct someone to let another person see a specific object.
What does it mean word for word?
The word muéstralo is composed of the imperative verb muestra (show) and the direct object pronoun lo (it).
Which one should you use?
While muéstralo is a direct command to display something, the synonym enséñalo is very common when the context involves teaching or demonstrating how something works.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal phrase Enséñamelo is used to mean "show it to me."
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender of the object and the recipient. If the object being shown is a feminine noun, the suffix changes from -lo to -la, resulting in muéstrala. Additionally, adding the indirect object pronoun me creates the form muéstramelo, which means "show it to me".
How do you pronounce it?
/mwestɾalo/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers may avoid saying muéstralo when referring to showing a movie or a play. Instead, they use the verb estrenar to describe the act of showing a piece of art or media to the public for the first time.
- The word muestra is also the Spanish word for 'sample'. Because of this, the verb and the noun are identical in the singular form, meaning the command to 'show it' looks exactly like the word for a 'specimen' or 'sample'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, using the imperative muéstralo can sound overly aggressive or demanding. To soften the request, speakers often use the conditional podrías mostrarlo to avoid sounding like they are giving a military order.
Examples in context
- Prometí que lo enseñaría a mi jefeI promised I would show it to my boss.
- Muéstrenoslo antes de la reuniónShow it to us before the meeting.
- Muéstralo a tu profesor.Show it to your teacher.
- Es un dibujo bonito, muéstralo.It is a pretty drawing, show it.
- Si tienes el mapa, muéstralo.If you have the map, show it.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at a new souvenir.
- Lucía¿Qué compraste en el viaje?What did you buy on the trip?
- AlejandroCompré un collar de madera.I bought a wooden necklace.
- Lucía¡Qué interesante! Muéstralo, por favor.How interesting! Show it, please.
- AlejandroClaro, aquí lo tienes.Sure, here it is.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
