Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Catalan grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ajusta el fre.
What does ajusta mean grammatically in this sentence?
Ajusta is the informal singular imperative of the verb ajustar, meaning to adjust.
So Ajusta el fre. is a command addressed to one person you speak to as tu:
- (Tu) ajusta el fre. = Adjust the brake.
Why is it ajusta and not ajustar?
Because ajustar is the infinitive: to adjust.
In this sentence, you are giving an order, so Catalan uses the imperative form:
- ajustar = to adjust
- ajusta = adjust! (said to one person informally)
English often uses the same basic verb form for commands, but Catalan changes the form.
Who is this command addressed to?
It is addressed to one person in an informal way.
Catalan distinguishes between:
- tu forms = informal singular
- vostè forms = formal singular
- vosaltres forms = informal plural
- vostès forms = formal plural
So:
- Ajusta el fre. = adjust the brake! (to one person, informal)
Some related forms:
- Ajusti el fre. = formal singular
- Ajusteu el fre. = informal plural
- Ajustin el fre. = formal plural