Mi hermano usa su portátil para jugar y ver películas con el cargador siempre conectado.

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Questions & Answers about Mi hermano usa su portátil para jugar y ver películas con el cargador siempre conectado.

What does the word portátil mean in this sentence?
In Spain, portátil means a laptop—a portable computer. It’s the standard term used in Spanish (Spain) for what English speakers would call a laptop.
Why is the preposition para used before jugar and ver películas?
The preposition para is used to express purpose. In this sentence, it indicates that the laptop is used to play games and to watch movies. Spanish grammar requires the use of the infinitive verbs jugar and ver after para to indicate intended actions.
How should I understand the phrase con el cargador siempre conectado?
The phrase means with the charger always connected. It explains that the laptop is typically used while it remains plugged into its charger. This detail can suggest that the laptop might be used intensively or that its battery may not hold a charge well.
Who does the possessive adjective su refer to in su portátil?
In this context, su translates to his. It shows that the laptop belongs to mi hermano (my brother). Even though the owner is already mentioned, the possessive adjective clarifies ownership.
Why are the verbs jugar and ver películas in the infinitive form?
After the preposition para, Spanish grammar requires the following verbs to be in their infinitive form. This construction is a common way to express the purpose for which something is used—in this case, to play and watch movies.
Are there regional vocabulary differences reflected in this sentence?
Yes. The word portátil is widely used in Spain to mean laptop. In some Latin American regions, speakers might use alternatives like ordenador portátil or even adopt the anglicism laptop. The sentence uses vocabulary typical for Spanish spoken in Spain.
How is the verb usa conjugated, and why is it in this form?
The verb usa is the third person singular form of usar (to use) in the present tense. It agrees with the subject mi hermano (my brother), indicating that he habitually or generally uses his laptop.
How does the word order in this Spanish sentence compare to its English translation?
The structure is quite similar to English: there is a subject (mi hermano), a verb (usa), and objects or complements (the purpose phrases and additional details). One notable difference is that in Spanish adjectives or descriptive phrases like siempre conectado typically follow the noun they modify (here, el cargador), whereas in English adjectives usually come before the noun. This is a common trait in Spanish syntax.

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