Escribo la carta a mano.

I write the letter by hand.

Breakdown of Escribo la carta a mano.

• yo: I
• escribir: to write
• la carta: the letter
• a mano: by hand

Questions & Answers about Escribo la carta a mano.

Why is there no "yo" in the sentence?

Spanish usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the subject. Escribo clearly means “I write.” You would include yo (Yo escribo la carta a mano) only for emphasis or contrast, like “I (as opposed to someone else) am writing it by hand.”

When should I use the simple present (escribo) vs. the present progressive (estoy escribiendo)?

• Escribo la carta a mano can mean a current action (“I’m writing the letter by hand”) or a habit (“I write letters by hand”); context decides.
• Estoy escribiendo la carta a mano emphasizes that the action is in progress right now. Use the progressive when you want to stress the ongoing nature of the action, especially with time markers like ahora mismo (right now).

Why is it la carta and not una carta?

• La carta = “the letter,” referring to a specific letter known from context.
• Una carta = “a letter,” introducing it as non-specific or new information. Choose based on whether the letter is already identified in the conversation.

Why is the article feminine (la)—is carta feminine?

Yes. Carta is a feminine noun, so it takes la in the singular and las in the plural. Many nouns ending in -a are feminine (with exceptions like el día, el problema).

What exactly does a mano mean?

It’s an idiomatic adverbial phrase meaning “by hand,” i.e., handwritten, not typed or printed. You’ll also see it in phrases like escrito a mano (“handwritten”) and hecho a mano (“handmade”).

Why not a la mano?

Because a la mano typically means “within reach/handy” in much of Latin America (e.g., Tengo el pasaporte a la mano = “I have the passport handy”). For “by hand,” the set phrase is a mano: escribir a mano.

Can I say con la mano or manualmente instead of a mano?

• Con la mano literally means “with the hand” and sounds odd for writing; it describes physical use of the hand rather than “handwriting.”
• Manualmente is grammatical but stylistically stiff here. The natural, idiomatic choice for “handwritten” is a mano.
• Related options: escrita a mano, manuscrita (handwritten), or emphatic de mi puño y letra (“in my own handwriting”).

Can the position of a mano change?

Yes. Word order is flexible for adverbial phrases:

• Escribo la carta a mano (neutral).
• Escribo a mano la carta (slight emphasis on “by hand”).
• La escribo a mano (using a pronoun).
• For strong emphasis: A mano, escribo la carta (marked/rare; used for focus).

How do I replace la carta with a pronoun?

Use the direct object pronoun la:

• La escribo a mano.
• With the progressive: La estoy escribiendo a mano / Estoy escribiéndola a mano.
• Commands: Escríbela a mano (affirmative), No la escribas a mano (negative).

Is the a in a mano the same as the “personal a in Escribo a Ana?

No. In a mano, a is part of a fixed idiom meaning “by.” The “personal a” is used before a direct object that’s a person (or pet): Escribo a Ana (“I write to Ana”). You can combine them: Escribo la carta a Ana a mano (“I write the letter to Ana by hand”).

Does carta always mean “letter”?

Mostly, yes—carta is “letter.” Other uses:

• Restaurant carta (menu with full offerings) vs. menú (set menu); in Latin America, menú is very common.
• Cartas/naipes = playing cards.
• A greeting/credit card is tarjeta; a postcard is postal or tarjeta postal.

Is escribir a regular verb? How do you conjugate escribo?

Yes, escribir is a regular -ir verb. Present tense:

• escribo, escribes, escribe, escribimos, escriben. Preterite (past): escribí, escribiste, escribió, escribimos, escribieron.

Any spelling tips for escribo?

Spell it with b, not v: escribo (never “escrivo”). In Spanish, b and v sound the same; rely on memorization and patterns (e.g., most words from Latin “scrib-” use b: escribir, escriba).

Does the simple present here imply habit or a one-time action?

It can be either. Without context, Escribo la carta a mano could mean a habitual choice (I usually write letters by hand) or that you’re doing it now. Add time phrases to clarify: Siempre escribo cartas a mano (habit), Ahora escribo la carta a mano (now).

How would I say “I’m writing the letter by hand right now”?

Estoy escribiendo la carta a mano (ahora mismo).

How do I say the opposite—typing or using a computer?

• La escribo en la computadora. (Latin America; Spain: en el ordenador)
• La tecleo. (less common, but used)
• Older expression: La escribo a máquina (on a typewriter).

Can I front the object for emphasis?

Yes, with clitic doubling:

• La carta, la escribo a mano. (emphasis on “the letter”) You need the pronoun la even though you also say la carta at the front.

How do I make it negative?

Place no before the verb:

• No escribo la carta a mano.
• With a pronoun: No la escribo a mano.