Alisamos el borde con la rasqueta.

Alisamos comes from the verb alisar, which means to smooth, to flatten, or to make something even.

In this sentence, alisamos is the nosotros form, so it means we smooth or we are smoothing, depending on context.

• alisar = to smooth
• alisamos = we smooth / we are smoothing

It is a regular -ar verb:

• yo aliso
• tú alisas
• él/ella alisa
• nosotros alisamos

In Spanish, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

Here, alisamos clearly tells you the subject is we, so nosotros is not necessary.

• Alisamos el borde... = We smooth the edge...
• Nosotros alisamos el borde... is also correct, but it sounds more explicit or emphatic.

Spanish usually prefers to leave out the subject pronoun unless there is a reason to stress it or contrast it with someone else.

It can be either, depending on context.

For regular -ar verbs, the nosotros form is the same in:

• the present tense: we smooth
• the preterite: we smoothed

So alisamos could mean either:

• we smooth / we are smoothing
• we smoothed

Usually, the surrounding context makes it clear. On its own, many learners first interpret it as present tense, but both are grammatically possible.

El means the, while un means a or an.

Spanish often uses the definite article when talking about a specific object that is already known from the situation, instructions, or context.

So:

• el borde = the edge
• un borde = an edge

In practical instructions, Spanish often assumes the listener knows which object is meant, so el borde sounds very natural.

Yes, borde is masculine in this sentence: el borde.

You often learn a noun’s gender by learning it together with its article:

• el borde = masculine
• la mesa = feminine

Because borde ends in -e, its gender is not obvious just from the ending. Many Spanish nouns ending in -e can be masculine or feminine, so the article is especially important.

Con means with.

It introduces the tool used to do the action:

• Alisamos el borde con la rasqueta.
• We smooth the edge with the scraper.

This is one of the most common uses of con in Spanish: showing the instrument or means used to do something.

More examples:

• Corto el pan con un cuchillo. = I cut the bread with a knife.
• Escribo con un bolígrafo. = I write with a pen.

Rasqueta is a tool name. In many contexts, it means scraper.

Depending on the exact situation, it could refer to a tool used for:

• scraping
• smoothing
• removing material
• spreading or evening out a surface

In Spain, tool vocabulary can vary by trade and region, so in some contexts people might use other words such as espátula or other more specific terms. But in this sentence, rasqueta is simply the tool being used.

Also, it is feminine:

• la rasqueta

Spanish usually uses an article with nouns more often than English does.

So where English might say:

• with scraper in note-like or technical shorthand,

normal Spanish usually says:

• con la rasqueta
• con una rasqueta

Here, la rasqueta means the scraper, probably referring to a specific scraper already known in the context.

Compare:

• con la rasqueta = with the scraper
• con una rasqueta = with a scraper

Yes, Spanish word order is somewhat flexible, although this sentence has the most neutral order.

The standard version is:

• Alisamos el borde con la rasqueta.

You could also hear:

• Con la rasqueta alisamos el borde.

That version puts more focus on con la rasqueta.

In general:

• Verb + object + tool is the most straightforward order here.
• Changing the order usually changes emphasis, not the basic meaning.

It could be. Both are correct, but they are used a little differently.

• Alisamos el borde con la rasqueta = We smooth / are smoothing the edge with the scraper
• Estamos alisando el borde con la rasqueta = We are smoothing the edge with the scraper

In Spanish, the simple present often covers actions happening right now, especially in instructions, demonstrations, or descriptions of a process. English uses be + -ing more often than Spanish does.

So Spanish often prefers the simpler form where English might naturally choose the progressive.

It depends on the context, but it sounds very natural in a procedural or instructional context.

For example, in a demonstration, tutorial, or set of work steps, Alisamos el borde con la rasqueta could mean something like:

• We smooth the edge with the scraper
• Next, we smooth the edge with the scraper

Spanish often uses nosotros in explanations and demonstrations to mean something like we in English teaching language, even if only one person is speaking. It can sound inclusive, like guiding the listener through the process.

Sometimes, but not always.

Alisar specifically suggests making a surface smooth or flat. It is a very good choice for physical surfaces, edges, materials, and finishes.

Other verbs may overlap, but they are not always identical:

• alisar = to smooth / flatten
• suavizar = to soften / make less harsh or less rough
• allanar = to level / flatten, often in more specific contexts

So alisar is probably the best direct choice here if the idea is physically smoothing the edge.