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Nuestro objetivo es terminar a tiempo; descansemos cinco minutos y sigamos.

Nuestro objetivo es terminar a tiempo; descansemos cinco minutos y sigamos.
Our objective is to finish on time; let’s rest five minutes and keep going.
FromLesson 41inHardcore Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about Nuestro objetivo es terminar a tiempo; descansemos cinco minutos y sigamos.

Why are descansemos and sigamos in that form—are they commands?

Yes. They’re the first-person plural imperative (the nosotros command), which in Spanish uses the present subjunctive forms. So:

  • descansar → present subjunctive descansemos (Let’s rest)
  • seguir → present subjunctive sigamos (Let’s keep going)
How do you form nosotros “let’s” commands in Spanish?

General rule:

  • Start with the present-tense yo form, drop the -o, add endings:
    • -ar verbs → -emos (e.g., hablemos)
    • -er/-ir verbs → -amos (e.g., comamos, vivamos)
  • Spelling changes carry over (e.g., paguemos, busquemos, almorcemos).
  • Irregular yo forms carry over (e.g., tengamos, conozcamos).
  • Exception: ir is irregular in the affirmative (vamos) but regular in the negative (no vayamos).
  • Negative “let’s” is formed the same way as affirmative (except for ir): No descansemos, No sigamos.
Why is it sigamos and not seguimos?

Because we need the subjunctive for the nosotros command. With seguir, the stem changes (e→i) in the present subjunctive, even in nosotros: siga, sigas, siga, sigamos, sigan.
Seguimos is the present indicative (we follow/we are following), not a suggestion/command.

Can I use vamos a + infinitive instead of the nosotros command?

Yes. Very common and natural in Latin America:

  • Vamos a descansar cinco minutos y luego vamos a seguir.
  • You can also mix naturally with a present: Vamos a descansar cinco minutos y luego seguimos.
    All sound like suggestions/plans similar to “Let’s …”
Do I need to say nosotros explicitly?
No. Spanish usually drops the subject pronoun because the verb ending shows who it is. Saying Nosotros descansemos is odd. If you want emphasis, use the periphrastic form: Nosotros vamos a descansar…, but keep the bare command as Descansemos…
Why is there a semicolon (;) here?

In Spanish, a semicolon links two closely related independent clauses more tightly than a period. It’s appropriate between the statement of the goal and the plan of action. You could replace it with a period. A comma would be incorrect (comma splice).
Formatting: no space before the semicolon; one space after it.

Should it be descansar cinco minutos or descansar por cinco minutos?

The most natural is without a preposition: descansar cinco minutos.
You can also say descansar durante cinco minutos.
Using por is not wrong and is heard in some regions, but many speakers prefer to omit it for plain durations.

Is descansar reflexive? Should it be descansémonos?

Normally it’s not reflexive: descansemos is standard.
Some dialects do use descansarse, but in general it sounds unnecessary here.
Reminder about reflexive nosotros commands: with a reflexive nos, drop the final -s of the verb: sentémonos, vámonos (but no nos sentemos, no nos vayamos in the negative).

Is a tiempo the right expression for “on time”?

Yes. A tiempo means “on time” (not late).
Alternatives depending on context:

  • puntual (adjective: punctual)
  • a la hora (at the scheduled time) Avoid en tiempo for this meaning; it’s uncommon outside specific contexts.
Why terminar a tiempo and not llegar a tiempo?

Different verbs pair with a tiempo for different actions:

  • terminar a tiempo = finish on time
  • llegar a tiempo = arrive on time
  • entregar a tiempo = turn in/submit on time
What’s the nuance difference between objetivo and meta?

Both mean “goal,” but:

  • objetivo often feels more specific/measurable (business/project contexts).
  • meta can feel broader or aspirational.
    You could say Nuestra meta es terminar a tiempo with essentially the same idea.
Does nuestro agree with the people (we) or with the noun?

With the noun possessed. Nuestro objetivo uses masculine singular because objetivo is masculine singular.
If you switch the noun to a feminine one, it changes: nuestra meta.
Even if the group is all women, it’s still nuestro objetivo (because objetivo is masculine).

Can I say Nuestro objetivo es que terminemos a tiempo?

Yes. That version uses que + subjunctive to make the subject explicit (terminemos = we).
Subtle nuance:

  • Nuestro objetivo es terminar a tiempo is more general/compact (an infinitive phrase).
  • Nuestro objetivo es que terminemos a tiempo highlights who must do it and can sound a bit more formal or emphatic.
Any quick pronunciation tips?
  • nuestro: stress on the first syllable: NUE-stro.
  • objetivo: the j sounds like English h: ob-heh-TEE-vo (stress on ti).
  • descansemos: des-can-SE-mos (stress on se).
  • sigamos: see-GA-mos (stress on ga); the g before a is a hard g as in “go.”
  • tiempo: TYE-mpo (diphthong ie).
Is the time phrase modifying the right verb? Could I say Descansemos y sigamos cinco minutos?

The cinco minutos clearly modifies descansar, not seguir, so keep it next to descansemos:

  • Correct: Descansemos cinco minutos y sigamos.
  • If you want to time the continuing part, say it explicitly: Sigamos por cinco minutos más.
How do pronouns attach to nosotros commands like sigamos?
  • Affirmative: attach to the end; add an accent if needed to keep the original stress.
    • Sigámoslo (Let’s keep doing/following it)
    • Démosle (Let’s give him/her)
  • Negative: pronouns go before the verb.
    • No lo sigamos For reflexive nos, drop the final -s in the verb: sentémonos, vámonos.
Are there natural synonyms for sigamos here?

Yes:

  • continuemos (Let’s continue)
  • prosigamos (more formal/elevated: Let’s proceed) All can replace sigamos with minimal change in meaning.
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