Breakdown of Como no empieces a descargármelo rápido, vamos a retrasarnos.
no
no, not
rápido
fast
ir
to go
a
to
empezar
to start / to begin
me
to me / me (direct object)
lo
it / him (direct object)
retrasarse
to be delayed
como
if (as a warning/threat)
descargar
to unload
Questions & Answers about Como no empieces a descargármelo rápido, vamos a retrasarnos.
Why is there a written accent on descargármelo?
When we attach pronouns to an infinitive, the natural spoken stress of the verb stays in the same place. The verb descargar is stressed on its final syllable (-gar). By adding the double clitic -melo, that stressed -gar becomes the third-to-last syllable. Spanish spelling rules require a written accent on any word stressed on the third-to-last syllable, so it becomes descargármelo.
Can I put the pronouns before the verb instead of attaching them to the end of descargármelo?
Yes! Because descargar is part of a verb phrase connected to the conjugated verb empieces, you can pull the pronouns to the very front. You could say Como no me lo empieces a descargar... Just remember that the indirect object (me) must always come before the direct object (lo).
Why does this sentence use Como no empieces to say 'If you don't start'? Wouldn't we use si for 'if'?
You could say Si no empiezas using the present indicative. However, using como followed by the present subjunctive (like empieces) is a very common way to express a condition that carries a warning or a threat. It translates naturally to 'If you don't start...' but with an added tone of 'you had better do it, or else.'
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