Breakdown of Cuando termines de aspirar, deja la aspiradora ahí mismo.
terminar
to finish / to end
la
the (feminine)
mismo
same / right (emphatic, e.g. ahora mismo)
dejar
to stop / to leave (something behind)
cuando
when (statement)
ahí
there (near you)
aspirar
to vacuum
la aspiradora
the vacuum cleaner
Questions & Answers about Cuando termines de aspirar, deja la aspiradora ahí mismo.
What does mismo mean here? Doesn't it usually mean 'same'?
While mismo often means 'same' (like in el mismo libro), when it is placed right after an adverb of place or time like ahí (there), it adds emphasis. Here, ahí mismo translates to 'right there' or 'in that exact spot'.
Why is it termines (subjunctive) instead of terminas (indicative)?
We use the subjunctive after cuando when talking about an event in the future that has not happened yet. Since the person has not finished vacuuming yet, cuando termines needs the subjunctive. If it were a regular habit (like 'Whenever you finish...'), you would use the indicative terminas.
Why do we need the de in termines de aspirar?
In Spanish, the verb terminar (to finish) requires the preposition de when it is followed by another action. The formula is always terminar de + infinitive verb to express 'to finish doing something'.
Is deja just the normal present tense here?
It is actually an informal command (the affirmative tú imperative) telling the person to 'leave' the vacuum. For regular -ar verbs like dejar, the affirmative tú command looks exactly like the normal él/ella/usted present tense form.
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