Question 1

Why is this sentence using the indicative verbs arman and desempacan instead of the subjunctive, since a lo mejor expresses doubt?

Accepted Answer

Even though it expresses probability just like quizá or tal vez, the phrase a lo mejor is a strict exception to the rule: it always triggers the indicative mood, never the subjunctive. Because of this, we use the standard present tense forms arman and desempacan.

Question 2

What does the verb armar usually mean, and why is it used for 'pitching' a tent here?

Accepted Answer

Armar generally means 'to assemble' or 'to put together'. In Spanish, you don't 'pitch' a tent; you assemble it. Because of this, armar una carpa is the standard everyday phrase for 'putting up' or 'pitching' a tent.

Question 3

I've learned tienda de campaña for 'tent' before. Is carpa exactly the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While tienda de campaña is a universally understood term, in much of Latin America people simply say carpa when referring to a camping tent.

Question 4

The English translation says 'are pitching' and 'unpacking', so why doesn't the Spanish use están armando and están desempacando?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, the simple present tense (arman, desempacan) frequently translates to the English present continuous ('are pitching', 'are unpacking'), especially when talking about things happening right now with a time marker like ahora (now). You could absolutely use the progressive forms here, but the simple present is perfectly natural and very common.

A lo mejor ellos arman la carpa ahora y desempacan las mochilas.

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