Uso mi suéter nuevo cuando hace frío.

I use my new sweater when it is cold.

Breakdown of Uso mi suéter nuevo cuando hace frío.

• yo: I
• usar: to use
• mi: my
• nuevo: new

Questions & Answers about Uso mi suéter nuevo cuando hace frío.

What does uso mean in this sentence?

Uso is the first person singular form of the verb usar, which generally means “to use.” In the context of clothing, however, it implies “I wear.” So, Uso mi suéter nuevo cuando hace frío conveys “I wear my new sweater when it’s cold.”

Why is the adjective nuevo placed after suéter instead of before it, as in English?

In Spanish, adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. Although some adjectives can come before the noun to add emphasis or convey a subjective quality, the standard order is noun followed by adjective. Hence, suéter nuevo is the natural word order, while in English we say “new sweater.”

Is it common to use usar to talk about wearing clothing in Latin American Spanish?

While usar literally means “to use,” it can be used to refer to wearing items like clothing in some contexts, particularly in Latin America. However, many speakers also use llevar to mean “to wear.” Both forms are understood, though the choice may vary by region or personal preference.

What is the function of cuando hace frío in this sentence?

The phrase cuando hace frío means “when it’s cold.” It uses an impersonal construction with hace (from the verb hacer) to describe weather conditions. In Spanish, it’s common to say hace frío rather than using a direct equivalent of “is cold.”