Word
El termómetro marca 38 grados, así que tomaré el jarabe.
Meaning
The thermometer reads 38 degrees, so I’ll take the syrup.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of El termómetro marca 38 grados, así que tomaré el jarabe.
yo
I
tomar
to take
así que
so
.
period (punctuation mark)
Questions & Answers about El termómetro marca 38 grados, así que tomaré el jarabe.
Why does the sentence start with el termómetro and not un termómetro or mi termómetro?
El termómetro means the thermometer: a specific, identifiable thermometer.
In this context, the speaker is referring to the thermometer they just used, so Spanish naturally uses the definite article el.
- el termómetro = the thermometer / the thermometer in question
- un termómetro = a thermometer, any thermometer
- mi termómetro = my thermometer
Spanish often uses the where English might sometimes use my, especially when the object is obvious from the situation.
Why is marca used here? Does it literally mean marks?
Yes, marcar literally means to mark, but with instruments it often means to show, to indicate, or to read.
So:
- El termómetro marca 38 grados = The thermometer reads 38 degrees
This is a very natural verb in Spanish for meters, clocks, thermometers, speedometers, scales, and similar devices.
Other possible verbs exist, but marcar is especially common for readings shown by an instrument.
Why is it 38 grados with no de or article?