El gato sube la escalera.

The cat climbs the stairs.

Breakdown of El gato sube la escalera.

• el gato: the cat
• subir: to climb
• la escalera: the staircase

Questions & Answers about El gato sube la escalera.

What does "El gato sube la escalera" mean in English?

It translates to "The cat climbs the ladder." In this sentence, "sube" is the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb "subir," meaning "to climb" or "to go up," while "el gato" and "la escalera" mean "the cat" and "the ladder," respectively.

Why are the articles "el" and "la" used before "gato" and "escalera"?

In Spanish, every noun has a gender. "Gato" is a masculine noun, so it pairs with "el" (meaning "the" in the masculine form). Conversely, "escalera" is a feminine noun, which is why it is preceded by "la." This agreement between the article and noun is a key part of Spanish grammar.

Why is the verb in the simple present form "sube" rather than using a continuous form like "está subiendo"?

The simple present "sube" is used here to describe a routine or general action, similar to saying "The cat climbs the ladder" as a fact. While "está subiendo" (present continuous) would emphasize that the action is currently happening, the simple present is more concise and common for stating habitual actions or general truths.

How is the verb "subir" conjugated, and why is "sube" the correct form in this sentence?

"Sube" is the third-person singular form of "subir" in the present tense. The full present tense conjugation of "subir" is:
• yo subo
• tú subes
• él/ella sube
• nosotros subimos
• vosotros subís
• ellos suben
Since "el gato" (the cat) is a third-person singular subject, "sube" is used.

Is the word order in the sentence similar to English?

Yes, Spanish generally follows a Subject-Verb-Object order, much like English. In "El gato sube la escalera," "el gato" is the subject, "sube" is the verb, and "la escalera" is the object. This order makes the sentence structure straightforward for English speakers learning Spanish.

Do we need an extra preposition in Spanish to indicate “up” when saying "climbs the ladder"?

No, Spanish does not require an additional preposition here. The verb "subir" inherently includes the notion of moving upward. Thus, "El gato sube la escalera" conveys the full idea without needing a word equivalent to "up" in English.

Are there any dialectical nuances in Spain that affect how this sentence is used?

Generally, "El gato sube la escalera" is universally understood across Spanish-speaking regions, including Spain. In Spain, as elsewhere, the simple present is commonly used for general actions. Some regions might use the present continuous for actions in progress (e.g., "está subiendo"), but the sentence as given is perfectly standard and clear in Spain.