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Questions & Answers about La lámpara es nueva.
Why is the definite article la used in the sentence?
La is the feminine singular definite article in Spanish. It is used here because lámpara is a feminine noun. The article signals that the speaker is referring to a specific lamp (or speaking in a general, common sense), and it also makes sure the noun and its modifiers agree in gender.
Why is the verb es used instead of está?
Es comes from the verb ser, which is used to describe inherent, long-lasting characteristics. Since nueva (new) is describing an essential quality of the lamp rather than a temporary state, ser is appropriate. Estar would typically describe temporary conditions or locations.
How does the adjective nueva agree with the noun lámpara?
In Spanish, adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. Here, lámpara is feminine and singular, so the adjective takes its feminine singular form—nueva. The matching endings indicate correct agreement.
Why is the adjective nueva placed after the noun instead of before it?
In Spanish, adjectives that describe qualities like color, shape, or condition usually follow the noun. Although adjectives can sometimes appear before the noun for emphasis or stylistic reasons, the standard placement is after the noun, which is why we see La lámpara es nueva rather than something like La nueva lámpara in this instance.
What is the purpose of the accent mark in lámpara?
The accent mark in lámpara indicates that the stress falls on the first syllable (lá). Spanish accent rules require a written accent mark when the natural stress deviates from the standard patterns. In this case, the accent ensures the word is pronounced correctly.
Does the structure of La lámpara es nueva directly translate to The lamp is new in English?
Yes, the Spanish sentence follows a structure that directly maps to the English sentence The lamp is new. La translates to the, lámpara to lamp, es means is, and nueva is new. However, while word order in this simple descriptive sentence is similar in both languages, it’s important to note that adjective placement in Spanish is generally after the noun, contrary to English where adjectives typically come before the noun.
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