Agita la sartén suavemente para mezclar los ingredientes.

to

Breakdown of Agita la sartén suavemente para mezclar los ingredientes.

• el ingrediente: the ingredient
• mezclar: to mix
• agitar: to shake

Questions & Answers about Agita la sartén suavemente para mezclar los ingredientes.

Why does agita end in -a here?

Because this is the tú affirmative imperative of agitar (to shake).

• Infinitive: agitar
• tú command: agita

Spanish often uses this form for direct instructions, recipes, and cooking steps. In English we just use the base verb (Shake the pan), but in Spanish the command form changes depending on who you are speaking to.

For comparison:

• (tú) agita = shake
• (usted) agite = shake (formal)
• (vosotros) agitad = shake (plural, informal, common in Spain)
• (ustedes) agiten = shake (plural)

Why is the subject not stated? Why not say tú agita?

In Spanish, subject pronouns are often left out because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

So agita already tells you this is a command directed at tú. Saying tú agita would usually sound unnecessary, and in many cases unnatural, unless you want special emphasis.

This omission of subject pronouns is very common in Spanish:

• Mezcla bien.
• Corta la cebolla.
• Añade sal.

Why is it la sartén? Why does it have the article?