Breakdown of Limpio la estufa en la cocina.
la cocina
the kitchen
yo
I
en
in
limpiar
to clean
la estufa
the stove
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Questions & Answers about Limpio la estufa en la cocina.
Why is the subject pronoun yo missing in this sentence?
In Spanish, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already indicates who is doing the action. In this case, limpio ends with -o, which clearly shows that the subject is first-person singular (I), making the explicit pronoun yo unnecessary.
How is the verb limpio conjugated, and what does it mean?
The verb limpio comes from the infinitive limpiar, which means "to clean." Here, limpio is conjugated in the present tense for the first-person singular, so it translates as "I clean."
What does la estufa refer to, and why is the definite article used?
La estufa means "the stove." The definite article la is used to indicate a specific, identifiable stove—in this case, the one being cleaned. In Spanish, nouns generally require an article to specify what is being talked about.
What role does the phrase en la cocina play in the sentence?
En la cocina is a prepositional phrase that tells you where the action takes place—it specifies that the cleaning occurs in the kitchen.
Can the order of the object and the location be changed without altering the meaning?
Yes, you can rearrange the sentence for emphasis. For example, you might say Limpio en la cocina la estufa. However, the typical word order is verb + direct object + place (limpio la estufa en la cocina) to keep the sentence clear and natural.
When would I need to use a reflexive verb for cleaning in Spanish?
You would use a reflexive form when the subject is cleaning itself. For example, me limpio means "I clean myself." Since in this sentence you are cleaning an object (the stove) rather than yourself, the standard (non-reflexive) verb form limpio is used.