A veces es difícil rebanar queso blando sin arruinar su forma.

Sometimes it’s hard to slice soft cheese without ruining its shape.

Breakdown of A veces es difícil rebanar queso blando sin arruinar su forma.

• ser: to be
• a veces: sometimes
• sin: without
• su: its
• el queso: the cheese
• rebanar: to slice
• difícil: hard
• blando: soft
• arruinar: to ruin
• la forma: the shape

Questions & Answers about A veces es difícil rebanar queso blando sin arruinar su forma.

What does the verb rebanar mean in this sentence?

Rebanar means “to slice” or “cut into slices.” It’s used here to describe the act of slicing cheese gently, implying that one must be careful due to its soft texture.

Why is the adjective blando placed after queso, and what meaning does it add?

In Spanish, adjectives like blando often follow the noun to specify a characteristic. Blando means “soft,” which tells us that the cheese is delicate and may easily lose its shape when sliced. This detail is crucial to understanding why slicing it can be challenging.

What is the grammatical role of the phrase sin arruinar su forma?

The phrase sin arruinar su forma is a prepositional phrase that explains the condition or manner under which the action should be carried out. Sin means “without,” and it is followed by the infinitive arruinar (“to ruin”). Su forma (“its shape”) refers back to the cheese, indicating that the slicing should be done without damaging how the cheese holds together.

Why are the verbs rebanar and arruinar in the infinitive form rather than conjugated?

In Spanish, after expressions like es difícil (“it is difficult”) and prepositions such as sin (“without”), the verb is typically used in its infinitive form. This structure allows the speaker to talk about the general action (slicing or ruining) without assigning it to a specific subject or tense.

What does the phrase A veces add to the overall meaning of the sentence?

A veces translates to “sometimes” and sets the context for the statement. It indicates that the difficulty in slicing soft cheese without ruining its shape is not a constant problem—it happens occasionally, emphasizing variability in the challenge.

To what does the possessive pronoun su in su forma refer, and why is it used instead of repeating the noun?

The possessive pronoun su refers back to queso (cheese). It succinctly indicates that the “form” or “shape” belongs to the cheese itself. Using su avoids redundancy and makes the sentence smoother and more natural in Spanish.