Breakdown of Queremos viajar a otra ciudad para celebrar el día en que mi hermana cumple quince años.
querer
to want
el día
the day
mi
my
para
to
nosotros
we
a
to
celebrar
to celebrate
cumplir
to turn
el año
the year
la hermana
the sister
viajar
to travel
otro
other
la ciudad
the city
en que
in which
quince
fifteen
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Questions & Answers about Queremos viajar a otra ciudad para celebrar el día en que mi hermana cumple quince años.
Why do we say 'viajar a otra ciudad' instead of 'viajar en otra ciudad'?
In Spanish, when talking about traveling to a destination, we use a to indicate movement or direction toward a place. Saying "viajar en otra ciudad" would sound like you are already inside that city traveling around it, rather than traveling to it from somewhere else. Using "a" correctly conveys your destination.
What's the role of 'en que' in 'el día en que mi hermana cumple quince años'?
The phrase "el día en que..." can be translated in English as "the day on which..." or "the day when...". In Spanish, "en que" is a common way to say "in which" or "on which," referring back to "el día". Although you might see "el día cuando...", "en que" is often preferred in more formal or standard Spanish to introduce a subordinate clause.
Why do we use 'para celebrar' here?
"Para" indicates purpose or intention. You are explaining the reason or goal of the trip—specifically, the purpose is to celebrate that special day. If you used "por celebrar", it would shift the meaning and wouldn’t fit as smoothly; "por" can often imply cause or motive, but for expressing intention or purpose (the reason why we're traveling), "para" is the correct preposition.
Why is it 'cumple quince años' instead of anything like 'tiene quince años'?
To talk about someone turning a certain age on their birthday, Spanish commonly uses the verb "cumplir" (meaning "to complete" or "to turn"). So "mi hermana cumple quince años" literally means "my sister completes 15 years (of age)" on her birthday. Saying "tiene quince años" means "she is 15 years old," but doesn’t indicate the birthday or the act of turning that age.
Is there a specific cultural significance to 'cumplir quince años' for a girl in Spain or Latin America?
Yes. In many Spanish-speaking cultures—especially in Latin America—"los quince años" or "la quinceañera" is a significant milestone for a girl turning 15. It is often celebrated with a special party or ceremony. While the traditions can vary, this birthday typically marks the transition from childhood to young adulthood. In Spain, this custom might be less formal than in some Latin American countries, but the 15th birthday can still be seen as an important milestone worthy of celebration.
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