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Questions & Answers about El perro juega fuera.
Why is the definite article El used in this sentence?
In Spanish, nouns have a gender, and the definite article must agree with that gender. Perro is a masculine noun, so we use El. Using the definite article often implies a specific dog that is known from context.
How is the verb juega formed and why is it used here?
Juega is the third-person singular form of the verb jugar in the present indicative tense. It is used because the subject, El perro, is singular. This form indicates that the dog is currently playing.
What does the word fuera mean in this sentence?
Fuera functions as an adverb in this sentence and means outside. It indicates the location where the action (the playing) occurs.
Can afuera be used instead of fuera, and if so, is there any difference?
Yes, afuera is also commonly used to mean outside, especially in Latin American Spanish. Both El perro juega fuera and El perro juega afuera are correct and convey the same basic meaning, although regional preferences may exist.
Why isn’t a preposition needed before fuera?
In Spanish, many adverbs of place like fuera (or afuera) do not require a preposition to link them to the verb. They directly modify the verb juega by describing where the action takes place.
Is the word order in El perro juega fuera similar to English?
Yes, the word order follows a pattern similar to English: subject (El perro), verb (juega), and adverb of place (fuera). This makes it relatively easy for English speakers to understand. However, keep in mind that Spanish word order can be flexible, allowing for variations that emphasize different parts of the sentence.