Breakdown of No interrumpas al profesor cuando explica; es una falta de respeto.
ser
to be
de
of
cuando
when
a
to
explicar
to explain
el profesor
the teacher
no
no
el respeto
the respect
interrumpir
to interrupt
la falta
the lack
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Questions & Answers about No interrumpas al profesor cuando explica; es una falta de respeto.
Why is no interrumpas used instead of interrumpe?
In Spanish, affirmative tú commands use the imperative form (interrumpe), but negative tú commands use the present-subjunctive form. For the verb interrumpir, the present-subjunctive second person singular is interrumpas. Hence:
- Affirmative: (tú) interrumpe
- Negative: (tú) no interrumpas
Why is there an a before el profesor, and why do they contract to al?
The verb interrumpir requires the "personal a" when its direct object is a person: interrumpir a alguien. Since “a” plus “el” contracts in Spanish, you get al. So: interrumpir a el profesor → interrumpir al profesor
Why doesn’t the sentence say cuando él explica?
Spanish often omits subject pronouns because the verb ending already tells you who’s acting. Explica is clearly third-person singular, so él is redundant. You could add él for emphasis (cuando él explica), but it’s not required.
Why is explica in the indicative mood rather than the subjunctive?
Temporal clauses introduced by cuando take the indicative when they describe habitual or factual actions (“whenever he explains”). You’d use the subjunctive (cuando explique) only if you were talking about a future or hypothetical event.
Could I say No interrumpas al profesor mientras explica? What’s the nuance?
Yes. Both cuando and mientras can introduce time clauses:
- cuando explica → “when/whenever he explains” (focus on the moment or habit)
- mientras explica → “while he’s explaining” (emphasizes simultaneous action)
What does una falta de respeto mean, literally and idiomatically?
Literally, falta = “lack” and de respeto = “of respect,” so “a lack of respect.” Idiomatically it means “an act of disrespect” or “rudeness.”
Why is there a semicolon (;) between the two clauses instead of a comma or a period?
The semicolon links two closely related independent clauses without making a full stop. A comma would create a comma splice in Spanish, and a period would be correct but would separate them more strongly. The semicolon here highlights that the second clause is a direct consequence of the first.
Why does it say es una falta de respeto instead of es falta de respeto?
Spanish usually requires an article before singular countable nouns. Una falta means “one instance” or “an act” of disrespect. Omitting una (es falta de respeto) sounds less natural because you’d be treating falta as an uncountable concept.