Breakdown of Siempre prefiero calcetines de algodón cuando camino muchos kilómetros.
yo
I
caminar
to walk
de
of
cuando
when
preferir
to prefer
siempre
always
el algodón
the cotton
muchos
many
el calcetín
the sock
el kilómetro
the kilometer
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Questions & Answers about Siempre prefiero calcetines de algodón cuando camino muchos kilómetros.
Why is the subject pronoun yo left out before prefiero?
In Spanish, subject pronouns (yo, tú, él, etc.) are optional because the verb ending already indicates the subject. Here, prefiero ends in -o, marking the first person singular (“I”). You can include yo for emphasis—Yo siempre prefiero…—but it’s perfectly natural to omit it.
What does prefiero mean, and why is it spelled that way?
Prefiero is the first-person singular present indicative of the verb preferir (to prefer). It’s a stem-changing verb: the e in the stem changes to ie in all forms except nosotros/as and vosotros/as. So you get prefi- + ero = prefiero.
Why is de used in calcetines de algodón instead of another preposition?
In Spanish, de + [material] indicates what something is made of. Calcetines de algodón literally means “socks made of cotton.” Using en (in) here would sound odd or imply something else (e.g., calcetines en algodón isn’t used to express material).
Why is algodón accented on the ó?
Spanish words ending in n, s, or a vowel are stressed on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable by default. Algodón is stressed on the last syllable (al-go-DÓN), so it needs a written accent to show this irregular stress.
Why is camino in the present tense (camino) when talking about walking many kilometers?
Here, camino is in the present indicative because Spanish often uses the present for habitual actions. “Siempre prefiero calcetines de algodón cuando camino muchos kilómetros” means “I always prefer cotton socks when I walk a lot” as a general truth or repeated habit.
What’s the difference between caminar and andar when saying “to walk”?
Both mean “to walk,” but:
• Caminar is more formal or neutral for “walk.”
• Andar is more colloquial and can also mean “to go around” or “to function.”
In many Latin American countries, andar is very common in everyday speech.
Why do we say muchos kilómetros and not mucho kilómetros?
Kilómetro is a countable noun, so you need a plural noun (kilómetros) and a plural adjective (muchos) to match. Mucho would pair with an uncountable noun (e.g., mucho tiempo).
Can I use medias instead of calcetines?
In Latin America, medias and calcetines can both mean “socks,” but:
• Medias often refers to thinner or dressier socks (and “pantyhose” in some places).
• Calcetines usually refers to thicker or athletic socks.
Choice depends on region and sock type.
Is it okay to put siempre somewhere else in the sentence?
Yes, Spanish adverbs like siempre are flexible. You can say:
• Siempre prefiero… (common)
• Yo siempre prefiero… (for emphasis on “I”)
• Prefiero siempre… (less common but possible)
Placement slightly affects emphasis but not the overall meaning.