He comprado una cortina bonita para la sala.

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Breakdown of He comprado una cortina bonita para la sala.

• una: a
• bonito: pretty
• para: for
• la cortina: the curtain
• la sala: the living room

Questions & Answers about He comprado una cortina bonita para la sala.

Why is He comprado used instead of Compré or Compro?

In Spanish, He comprado (present perfect) emphasizes that the action has a present relevance or connection to now: “I have bought [just now or at some recent point]…” Compré (preterite) would describe a completed action in the past with less connection to the present, and Compro (simple present) would be unusual in this context because it suggests a habitual action or something you do regularly (“I buy curtains regularly”).

Why does the adjective bonita come after cortina?

Most adjectives in Spanish follow the noun. By default, describing words like bonita (“pretty”) go after the noun cortina. Adjectives can come before the noun in Spanish, but that usually conveys a special emphasis, tone, or meaning. Here, una cortina bonita is the normal, neutral way to say “a pretty curtain.”

What is the difference between para la sala and en la sala?

Para la sala focuses on the purpose or destination (“for the living room”), suggesting the curtain is specifically intended for use in that room. En la sala would just say “in the living room,” describing a location without emphasizing the purpose.

Does using una instead of la change something important?

Yes. Una indicates “a” or “one” curtain, rather than la, which would mean “the” curtain (a specific curtain you both know about). Using una suggests it’s a new, unspecified curtain being bought.

Is it okay to say cortinas instead of cortina?

Yes, if you bought more than one. He comprado unas cortinas bonitas para la sala would mean multiple curtains. If you refer to just a single curtain (perhaps a large one), cortina is correct. The choice depends on how many pieces you’ve bought.