Breakdown of Ahora anhelo tener una casa en la montaña, pero sé que debo ser paciente y trabajar duro.
ser
to be
yo
I
en
in
ahora
now
tener
to have
trabajar
to work
y
and
que
that
la casa
the house
la montaña
the mountain
saber
to know
pero
but
duro
hard
,
comma
anhelar
to long
paciente
patient
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Questions & Answers about Ahora anhelo tener una casa en la montaña, pero sé que debo ser paciente y trabajar duro.
What does the word anhelo mean, and how does it differ from a more common verb like quiero?
Anhelo means “I long for” or “I yearn for.” It expresses a deeper, more heartfelt desire than quiero (“I want”), adding a sense of intensity or aspiration to the wish of having a house in the mountain.
Why is tener in its infinitive form after anhelo?
In Spanish, when a verb of desire or emotion like anhelar is used, it is typically followed by another verb in the infinitive. So anhelo tener translates to “I long to have,” where tener is kept in its unrestricted (infinitive) form because it is the specific action that is being desired.
What does sé mean in this context, and why is it conjugated as it is?
Sé is the first-person singular form of the irregular verb saber, meaning “I know.” It is used in the present tense to indicate that the speaker is aware of the need to be patient and work hard. The irregular conjugation is simply part of its standard usage in Spanish.
What role does debo play in this sentence, and how does it relate to the verbs ser and trabajar?
Debo means “I must” or “I have to” and is used to express obligation. In Spanish, modal verbs like deber are followed by another verb in its infinitive form. That’s why both ser paciente (“be patient”) and trabajar duro (“work hard”) appear in the infinitive after debo.
Why is ser used in ser paciente instead of estar?
In Spanish, ser is used for characteristics that are considered intrinsic or long-lasting, such as personality traits. Patience is seen as a stable quality rather than a temporary state, which is why ser is chosen over estar in this context.
How does the phrase en la montaña function in the sentence, and how does its literal translation compare to natural English usage?
The phrase en la montaña literally translates as “in the mountain.” However, in context it conveys the idea of being in a mountainous area. While English speakers typically say “in the mountains,” the Spanish expression effectively communicates the same notion of residing in a scenic, elevated setting.