Breakdown of Mi primo trajo una cubeta llena de agua para limpiar el patio antes de poner el tapete nuevo.
mi
my
de
of
nuevo
new
para
for
antes de
before
el primo
the cousin
traer
to bring
limpiar
to clean
el agua
the water
una
a
la cubeta
the bucket
lleno
full
el patio
the patio
poner
to place
el tapete
the rug
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Questions & Answers about Mi primo trajo una cubeta llena de agua para limpiar el patio antes de poner el tapete nuevo.
What does the verb “trajo” mean and how is it conjugated in this sentence?
“Trajo” is the preterite (simple past) form of the verb “traer” for the third person singular. In this sentence, it translates to “brought” and agrees with “mi primo” (my cousin).
What does the word “cubeta” mean, and is it similar to the English word "bucket"?
Yes, “cubeta” typically means “bucket” or “pail”—a container used for carrying liquids. In many Latin American countries, it’s the common term for a bucket.
Why does the descriptive phrase “llena de agua” follow “cubeta”, and what does it indicate?
In Spanish, adjectives or descriptive phrases usually come after the noun they modify. “Llena de agua” means “full of water” and describes the state of the cubeta, adding important context to why it was brought.
What is the role of the phrase “para limpiar el patio” in the sentence?
The phrase “para limpiar el patio” indicates the purpose of the action. The preposition “para” introduces a purpose clause, and “limpiar” (in the infinitive form) means “to clean,” while “el patio” refers to the yard. Together, it tells us that the bucket was brought to clean the patio.
Why is the verb “poner” in its infinitive form after “antes de”?
In Spanish, after the prepositional phrase “antes de” (meaning “before”), the following verb must be in the infinitive form. Here, “poner” stays in its basic form to denote the action of putting or laying out the new rug after cleaning.
What does “tapete” mean in this context, and how common is its usage in Latin America?
“Tapete” refers to a “rug” or “carpet,” a floor covering. In this sentence, it’s described as new and is set to be placed after cleaning the patio. While some regions might use different words (like “alfombra” for carpet), “tapete” is commonly used in several Latin American countries.
Why is the adjective “nuevo” placed after “tapete” instead of before it?
In Spanish, adjectives typically follow the noun rather than preceding it (as is common in English). Therefore, the correct form is “tapete nuevo,” with “nuevo” coming after “tapete” to describe the rug as being new.