Question 1

Why is la attached to the end of doblar and guardar?

Accepted Answer

When you use an infinitive (a basic, unconjugated verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir), you can attach object pronouns like la directly to the end of it. That is why doblar (to fold) becomes doblarla (to fold it).

Question 2

Could I move the la to the front of the sentence instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When a conjugated verb like necesito is followed by an infinitive, you have two choices for where the pronoun goes. You can attach it to the end of the infinitive (necesito doblarla), or you can place it right before the conjugated verb (la necesito doblar). Both are common and perfectly correct.

Question 3

Because there are two verbs linked by y (and), do I have to use la twice?

Accepted Answer

If you attach the pronoun to the end of the verbs, doing it to both (doblarla y guardarla) sounds very natural and clear. However, if you choose the other option and move the pronoun to the front of the sentence, you only need to say it once for both actions: La necesito doblar y guardar.

Question 4

Why is "it" translated as la here instead of lo?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, the word for "it" must match the gender of the noun it replaces. We use la here because the item being folded is a feminine noun, like la ropa (the clothes), una camisa (a shirt), or una toalla (a towel). If the object were masculine, like un suéter (a sweater), you would use lo.

Question 5

Doesn't guardar usually mean "to save"?

Accepted Answer

Guardar is a very versatile verb! While it is used for "to save" (like saving a document on a computer or keeping a secret), it is also the standard, everyday word for "to put away" or "to store" something, like putting clean clothes into a closet or drawer.

Necesito doblarla y guardarla.

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