Breakdown of Cuestionamos la existencia, pero, en definitiva, no hay respuestas.
pero
but
no
no, not
haber
to be (there is / there are)
la respuesta
the answer
la
the (feminine)
cuestionar
to question
la existencia
existence
en definitiva
ultimately / in short
Questions & Answers about Cuestionamos la existencia, pero, en definitiva, no hay respuestas.
How does en definitiva change the tone of this sentence compared to saying finalmente?
En definitiva is a conclusive discourse marker that means "ultimately," "in short," or "when all is said and done." It is used to offer a final summary or conclusion after weighing a topic—like questioning existence. If you used finalmente, it would sound like "finally" in a chronological sequence (e.g., first we did X, then Y, and finally Z), which doesn't fit the philosophical tone here.
Could we use the other discourse marker from this lesson, al fin y al cabo, in this sentence?
Yes, you could say pero, al fin y al cabo, no hay respuestas. However, there is a slight nuance in tone. Al fin y al cabo translates closer to "after all," and is often used to justify, resign to, or excuse a situation. En definitiva feels a bit more analytical, direct, and conclusive, which perfectly matches the heavy context of questioning existence.
Why do we need the article la before existencia when the English translation is just "existence"?
In Spanish, when you are talking about an abstract concept in a broad, general sense (like life, love, time, or existence), you almost always need to use the definite article (el or la). Therefore, "existence" translates to la existencia.
Cuestionamos can be both present and past tense for "we". How do we know which one it is here?
Context gives it away! The second clause uses no hay (there are no), which is in the present tense. Since the conclusion being drawn is happening right now, it makes the most sense that the ongoing action of questioning, cuestionamos, is also happening in the present tense.
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