En esta familia, se respeta la costumbre de comer juntos el domingo.

the family

Breakdown of En esta familia, se respeta la costumbre de comer juntos el domingo.

• comer: to eat
• en: in
• de: of
• esta: this
• ,: comma
• la costumbre: the custom
• respetar: to respect
• junto: together

Questions & Answers about En esta familia, se respeta la costumbre de comer juntos el domingo.

What is the function of “se respeta” in this sentence?

“Se respeta” is an impersonal or passive construction. It means “is respected” or “is observed” without specifying who is doing the respecting. Instead of directly stating “the family respects the custom,” the sentence focuses on the fact that the custom is generally followed within the family.

How is “la costumbre de comer juntos” structured, and what does it mean?

“La costumbre” means “the custom” or “habit,” and it is complemented by the prepositional phrase “de comer juntos.” Here, “comer” is the infinitive form of “to eat,” and “juntos” is an adverb meaning “together.” Together, the phrase describes the family’s tradition of sharing a meal together.

Why is the adverb “juntos” placed immediately after “comer,” and what does it modify?

“Juntos” is placed right after “comer” to specify how the action of eating is performed—it indicates that the family eats together. In Spanish, adverbs of manner commonly follow the verb they modify, which enhances the clarity of the custom being described.

Why does the sentence use “el domingo” instead of “los domingos” to indicate when the family eats together?

In Spanish, especially in Spain, it is common to use the singular “el domingo” to refer to a habitual or recurring event that happens every Sunday. Although “los domingos” (plural) can also denote repetition, using “el domingo” emphasizes that Sunday is the designated day when this custom is observed.

What role does the introductory phrase “En esta familia” play in the sentence?

“En esta familia” is a locative phrase that sets the context by indicating that the custom being described is specific to this family. It tells the reader or listener that the practice of eating together on Sundays is a cherished tradition within that family, distinguishing it from other general or cultural customs.