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Questions & Answers about Mi hermana compra un sombrero azul para las vacaciones.
Why is mi used before hermana? Do I always need a possessive adjective when talking about family members in Spanish?
In Spanish, singular, unmodified family terms (like hermana, madre, padre) almost always require a possessive adjective (mi, tu, su, etc.) to clarify whose relative you mean. So you say mi hermana (“my sister”) rather than just hermana. If you drop the possessive, it sounds like you’re referring to “a sister” in an abstract way. In contexts where you already clearly established whose sister you’re talking about, you might occasionally omit it, but in everyday speech it’s standard to include it.
What tense and person is compra, and how is it used in this sentence?
Compra is the third person singular of the simple present tense of comprar (ella compra). Spanish uses this simple present both for habitual actions (“she buys hats regularly”) and for actions happening right now (“she is buying a hat”). In context, Mi hermana compra un sombrero can mean “My sister is buying a hat” or “My sister buys a hat.” If you want to stress that it’s in progress, you could use the present progressive: Mi hermana está comprando un sombrero.
Why is the adjective azul placed after the noun sombrero?
Spanish generally places descriptive adjectives after the noun: sombrero azul literally “hat blue.” Putting azul before (azul sombrero) is unusual in a neutral description—it sounds poetic or emphatic. The default order is noun + adjective for clear, standard descriptions.
Why is it un sombrero and not uno sombrero?
The indefinite article must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For masculine singular nouns, Spanish uses un. Uno is a standalone pronoun meaning “one” or “one of them.” So you say un sombrero (“a hat”), not uno sombrero.
Why is vacaciones plural, and why does it take the definite article las?
In Spanish, vacaciones (“vacation” or “holidays”) is always plural because it refers to a span of days. When you speak of general or habitual concepts, Spanish often uses the definite article: las vacaciones = “the vacations/holiday period.” In English we might say “on vacation” without an article, but Spanish keeps las in front of vacaciones.
Why is para used instead of por in para las vacaciones? What’s the difference?
Para expresses purpose or intended use: “for the vacation” (i.e. to wear it during vacation). Por would imply cause, reason, or duration (e.g. “because of the vacation” or “for two weeks”). Since here the hat is being bought with the purpose of using it on vacation, para las vacaciones is correct.