Todos compartimos la responsabilidad de cuidar la selva.

we

Breakdown of Todos compartimos la responsabilidad de cuidar la selva.

• de: of
• compartir: to share
• todos: all
• cuidar: to take care of
• la selva: the jungle
• la responsabilidad: the responsibility

Questions & Answers about Todos compartimos la responsabilidad de cuidar la selva.

Why is the word todos in masculine plural and not todas?

The word todos is the masculine plural form of “all.” In Spanish, when referring to a mixed-gender or general group, the masculine plural is used as the default. If you were referring only to a group of women, you could say todas.

Why is the verb compartimos used here? What does it signify?

Compartimos is the first-person plural (nosotros) form of compartir in the present tense. It means “we share.” Since todos (we all) is the subject, you need the nosotros form. It tells us that everyone together is sharing the responsibility.

Why do we say la responsabilidad with the definite article la?

In Spanish, abstract nouns like responsabilidad (responsibility), when used generally, almost always take the definite article. Saying la responsabilidad means “the responsibility” as a concept that everyone shares, not just any responsibility.

Why is it de cuidar instead of para cuidar or que cuidar?

After nouns indicating obligation or duty (responsabilidad, obligación, deber), Spanish uses the structure de + infinitive. So responsabilidad de cuidar = “responsibility of taking care of…” Para would indicate purpose (“in order to”), and que cuidar is ungrammatical here.

Can we use por instead of de: responsabilidad por cuidar?

You might hear responsabilidad por in everyday speech, but the more standard and idiomatic preposition after responsabilidad is de when followed by an infinitive. Por would be used in different contexts, like responsabilidad por los daños (“responsibility for the damages”).

What is the difference between selva and bosque?

Both mean “forest,” but selva usually refers to a tropical rainforest (dense, humid, diverse) found in Latin America. Bosque is more general and can refer to temperate woodlands or any forested area.

Could we omit the article and say Todos compartimos responsabilidad de cuidar selva?

No, it would sound unnatural. Spanish typically uses the definite article (la responsabilidad, la selva) when speaking in general or about a whole category. Omitting la makes the phrase ungrammatical or at least very awkward.

How do you pronounce responsabilidad and where is the stress?

The word re·spon·si·bi·li·dad has five syllables. The stress is on the last syllable dad because it ends in -d (a consonant other than n or s) and follows Spanish stress rules. Approximate pronunciation: reh-spohn-see-bee-lee-DAD. Similarly, compartimos is com-par-TEE-mos.