Si trabajas duro, mereces un descanso largo en primavera.

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Breakdown of Si trabajas duro, mereces un descanso largo en primavera.

• tú: you
• largo: long
• trabajar: to work
• si: if
• un: a
• la primavera: the spring
• merecer: to deserve
• duro: hard

Questions & Answers about Si trabajas duro, mereces un descanso largo en primavera.

Why is duro used here instead of an adverb like duramente?

In Spanish, trabajar duro is a fixed, common expression meaning to work hard. The adjective duro functions a bit like an adverb here to emphasize intensity. While duramente does exist, it’s rarely used in everyday conversation, so duro sounds more natural.

Why do we say mereces and not mereces que or something similar?

In Spanish, the verb merecer is often used directly with a direct object (for example, merecer algo, meaning to deserve something). You don’t need a connector like que here. If you wanted to use que, it would typically be followed by a clause, such as mereces que te ayuden ("you deserve that they help you"), which is a different structure.

How do I know to use the informal tú form trabajas instead of the formal usted form?

In Spanish, you use trabajas for the informal singular “you” (tú) and trabaja for the formal singular “you” (usted). Here, it sounds like you’re addressing someone you’re familiar with (a friend or colleague). If you wanted to be formal, you could say Si (usted) trabaja duro, merece un descanso largo en primavera, changing both the verb form and the possessive adjectives if needed.

Why do we say un descanso largo instead of un largo descanso?

Spanish usually places adjectives after the noun, so un descanso largo is the most standard word order (literally a break long). However, some adjectives can come before the noun, but it often changes the nuance. Saying un largo descanso might sound more literary or place emphasis on the long aspect in a different way.

Is en primavera the only way to say "in spring"?

Yes, en primavera is the common way to talk about events in a particular season (in spring, summer, etc.). You can also say durante la primavera if you want to emphasize during the spring. Using en is concise and standard.