Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): Quiero regalar un libro interesante a mi amiga. - I want to give an interesting book to my friend.

In Spanish, regalar specifically means "to give something as a gift," while dar is a more general verb meaning "to give." Using regalar makes it clear that the action is a present or gift for someone.

Why is the adjective interesante placed after libro?

In Spanish, most descriptive adjectives usually come after the noun they modify. Saying un libro interesante is the typical word order when describing the book. Placing adjectives before nouns can be done for emphasis, but it is less common in everyday speech.

Could we also say Le quiero regalar un libro interesante a mi amiga?

Yes. In Spanish, object pronouns can be placed before a conjugated verb, so Le quiero regalar un libro interesante a mi amiga is correct. It literally means "I want to gift her an interesting book to my friend."

Is it possible to say Quiero regalarle un libro interesante a mi amiga?

Yes, that is also grammatically correct. In Spanish, pronouns can be attached to the end of an infinitive. Quiero regalarle... means "I want to gift her..." and again it's the indirect object pronoun le that refers back to mi amiga.

Why do we write a mi amiga at the end of the sentence instead of before un libro interesante?

In Spanish, the indirect object (the person receiving something) can appear at different points, but it’s common and stylistically natural to put a mi amiga toward the end. Spanish word order is more flexible than English, so Quiero regalar un libro interesante a mi amiga is perfectly acceptable.

Does mi amiga specifically mean that it is a female friend?

Yes. Amiga is the feminine form of "friend" in Spanish. If you wanted to refer to a male friend, you would use amigo instead.

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