Breakdown of Mi hermano necesita permiso para entrar en casa.
en
in
mi
my
el hermano
the brother
para
for
la casa
the house
necesitar
to need
entrar
to enter
el permiso
the permission
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Questions & Answers about Mi hermano necesita permiso para entrar en casa.
Why is the noun permiso used without any article in this sentence?
In Spanish, when referring to abstract ideas or general requirements, the noun often appears without an article. Necesitar permiso is a fixed expression meaning “to need permission,” much like the abstract noun “permission” in English, where no article is necessary.
What role does the preposition para play in para entrar en casa?
The preposition para expresses purpose. In this sentence, it indicates that the permission is needed in order to perform the action of entering the house.
Why is casa used without a definite article, and when might one include one?
En casa is an idiomatic expression used to mean “at home” or “inside the house” without emphasizing a specific building. If you were referring to a particular house (for example, “la casa de mi abuelo”), you would include the article. Here, the omission makes the expression more general and natural.
How does the verb necesita agree with the subject mi hermano?
Necesita is the third-person singular conjugation of the verb necesitar. It agrees with the singular subject mi hermano, correctly meaning “my brother needs.”
Would it be acceptable to say "Mi hermano necesita el permiso para entrar a la casa" instead? What differences might that introduce?
Yes, that variation is grammatically correct. Adding the article el before permiso and using a la casa emphasizes a specific permission and a particular house. In contrast, the original sentence is more idiomatic for conveying a general need for permission to enter one’s home in everyday Latin American Spanish.