átate los zapatos
/atate los θapatos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'tie your shoes' is translated into Spanish as átate los zapatos.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to fasten their shoelaces with a knot. You can be more specific by saying átate los cordones to refer specifically to the laces.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase átate los zapatos literally translates to 'tie yourself the shoes'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form átate los zapatos is the imperative command used for the informal 'tú' second person. In Spanish, when referring to clothing or body parts, you use the definite article 'los' rather than a possessive adjective.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying átate tus zapatos. While English speakers use the possessive 'your', Spanish speakers use the definite article 'los' when referring to clothing items like shoes.
Did you know?
- While átate los zapatos is common, in many Spanish-speaking countries, people use the verb amarrar instead of atar.
- The verb atarse is a reflexive verb, meaning the action is being performed on oneself. If you were helping someone else, you would change the structure to atarle los zapatos instead of using the reflexive command.
- While 'shoes' is zapatos, the specific word for the laces, cordones, shares a root with the English 'cord'. This makes it a useful cognate to remember when being precise.
Examples in context
- Por favor, amarre sus zapatos antes de salir.Please tie your shoes before you go outside.
- ¿Puedes atarte los zapatos tú solo, Tommy?Can you tie your shoes by yourself, Tommy?
- ¡Átate los zapatos antes de salir!Tie your shoes before leaving!
- Date prisa y átate los zapatos.Hurry up and tie your shoes.
- Ten cuidado, primero átate los zapatos.Be careful, tie your shoes first.
Example conversation
Lucía is helping Mateo get ready to go to the park.
- LucíaMateo, ¡átate los zapatos!Mateo, tie your shoes!
- MateoYa voy, Lucía.I'm coming, Lucía.
- LucíaNo quiero que te caigas.I don't want you to fall.
- MateoEstá bien, ya están listos.Okay, they are ready now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
