Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): Es bonito imaginar lugares relajantes.

In Spanish, we often use the infinitive to speak about actions in a general or conceptual way (especially after phrases like Es bonito, Es bueno, Es fácil, etc.). Using imaginar in its infinitive form conveys the idea of imagining as an abstract or general activity, rather than specifying when or how it’s happening.

Why is the adjective relajantes placed after lugares instead of before it?

In Spanish, most adjectives typically follow the noun they modify. That’s why we say lugares relajantes and not relajantes lugares. Some adjectives can precede the noun for stylistic or nuanced reasons, but the usual position is after the noun.

Could the sentence include an article before lugares (like los or unos), or does it sound more natural without it?

Spanish can drop articles when speaking about things in a general sense. Since Es bonito imaginar lugares relajantes talks about places in a broad, indefinite way, it’s natural to leave out an article. You could say Es bonito imaginar unos lugares relajantes, but that slightly changes the meaning to "some relaxing places" rather than just any relaxing places in general.

Is Es bonito a common structure in Spanish, and does it translate literally to "It is beautiful"?

Es bonito literally means "It is beautiful" or "It is nice," but Spanish often uses this structure to express that something is pleasant or pleasing in a general sense. It’s a concise and common way to say it feels good or enjoyable to do something.

Why do we say lugares relajantes (plural) instead of singular lugar relajante?

The speaker refers to multiple places or the idea of various possible relaxing scenarios. Using lugares relajantes emphasizes more than one relaxing place. If the speaker were talking about a single specific place, they would use un lugar relajante.