Cuando tengo prisa, prefiero caminar rápido y no entretenerme con el móvil.

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Breakdown of Cuando tengo prisa, prefiero caminar rápido y no entretenerme con el móvil.

• tener: to have
• caminar: to walk
• con: with
• cuando: when
• el: the
• y: and
• rápido: fast
• preferir: to prefer
• ,: comma
• el móvil: the phone
• no: not
• entretenerse: to entertain oneself

Questions & Answers about Cuando tengo prisa, prefiero caminar rápido y no entretenerme con el móvil.

What does the word prisa mean in this sentence?

Prisa means "hurry" or "rush." In this sentence, it indicates that the speaker is in a hurry.

Why is there no article before prisa in the phrase "tengo prisa"?

In Spanish, the expression "tengo prisa" is idiomatic and does not require an article. It’s equivalent to the English "I'm in a hurry," where no definite article is used.

What is the role of the adverb "rápido" in the phrase "caminar rápido"?

"Rápido" modifies the verb "caminar" to specify the manner of walking—namely, walking fast. It emphasizes that even though the speaker is walking, they do so quickly because they are pressed for time.

What does the reflexive verb "entretenerme" mean, and why is it used here?

The verb "entretenerse" means "to entertain oneself" or "to become distracted." The reflexive pronoun "me" indicates that the action is performed on the subject (the speaker). In this sentence, it means the speaker chooses not to get caught up with activities on their mobile phone when in a hurry.

What does "el móvil" refer to, and is this term typical for Spain?

"El móvil" refers to a mobile phone. In Spain, this is the standard term used. In other Spanish-speaking regions, people might use terms like "el celular" or "el teléfono móvil."

How is the sentence structured to express a condition and the speaker’s preference?

The sentence begins with the conditional clause "Cuando tengo prisa," meaning "when I am in a hurry." This condition sets the context for the main clause, where the speaker expresses their preference: they choose to "caminar rápido y no entretenerme con el móvil"—to walk fast and avoid getting distracted by their phone.

Why might the speaker choose to walk fast instead of running when in a hurry?

The choice of "caminar rápido" (walking fast) instead of running can reflect a personal preference or a specific context. It may imply that the speaker finds walking fast to be sufficient for their needs, more practical, or simply more comfortable given the situation.