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Sin embargo, necesitamos binoculares para ver los patos.

Sin embargo, necesitamos binoculares para ver los patos.
However, we need binoculars to see the ducks.
From Lesson 280:Clausal comparatives with nouns (del que, de la que)·Spanish (Latin America)

Questions & Answers about Sin embargo, necesitamos binoculares para ver los patos.

Why do we use para instead of por before ver?
We use para here because it expresses a purpose or a goal. We need the binoculars in order to see the ducks. When followed by an unconjugated verb like ver, para usually translates exactly to "in order to".
Why isn't there a personal a before los patos?
The personal a is required when the direct object is a specific person or a beloved pet. Since los patos (the ducks) are just wild animals or general birds in this context, they are treated as standard objects, so the personal a is not needed.
Why is there no article like unos or los before binoculares?
Just like in English, when you talk about an unspecified quantity of a thing in a general way, you can leave out the article. Saying necesitamos binoculares simply means "we need binoculars" (any binoculars, rather than a specific pair).
What is the literal translation of Sin embargo?
Sin embargo is a set phrase that means "however" or "nevertheless". Literally, sin means "without" and embargo means "hindrance" or "seizure" (originally a legal term). It evolved to mean "without hindrance to what was just said", giving us the modern meaning of "however".

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