Breakdown of Hay que dividir el alquiler para mejorar la convivencia.
para
for
mejorar
to improve
hay que
(with que) one has to / must
la convivencia
the cohabitation / living together
dividir
to divide
el alquiler
the rent
Questions & Answers about Hay que dividir el alquiler para mejorar la convivencia.
Since this lesson is about the subjunctive, why are we using the infinitive dividir here instead of a subjunctive form?
The phrase hay que means 'one must' or 'it is necessary to.' It is an impersonal expression that is always followed by an infinitive, like dividir, because it doesn't point to a specific person doing the action. To use the subjunctive, you would need a specific subject, like Es necesario que nosotros dividamos el alquiler (It is necessary that we split the rent).
Why do we use the infinitive mejorar after para? Couldn't we use the subjunctive here too?
You use the infinitive (mejorar) directly after the preposition para when there is no change of subject in the sentence. Since the same unnamed people splitting the rent are the ones whose living situation is improving, the infinitive is perfect. You only use the subjunctive if you add que (para que) to introduce a new person experiencing the action.
What exactly does the word convivencia mean?
Convivencia comes from combining con (with) and vivir (to live). It refers to the experience of living together or coexisting. Spanish uses this single word to talk about the harmony, rules, or general atmosphere of sharing a space with roommates, family, or a partner, which we often translate as 'living arrangement' or 'cohabitation' in English.
I've heard the word renta before. Is alquiler different?
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