Añadir la fibra al rodillo.

Breakdown of Añadir la fibra al rodillo.

al
to the
añadir
to add
el rodillo
the roller
la fibra
the fiber

Questions & Answers about Añadir la fibra al rodillo.

Why is the infinitive añadir used here instead of a command like añade or añada?
In Spanish, written instructions (like manuals, recipes, or signs) frequently use the infinitive instead of a conjugated command. This creates an impersonal instruction because it doesn't address a specific person (a specific "you"), but rather just states the step that needs to be done.
If I wanted to say this directly to a coworker, how would the verb change?
If you are speaking directly to a specific person, you should drop the impersonal infinitive and use a regular imperative command. If you address your coworker informally, you would say Añade la fibra al rodillo. If you address them formally, you would use Añada.
Could I use agregar instead of añadir in this instruction?
Yes, absolutely! Agregar is a very common synonym for añadir across Latin America. In a technical manual or recipe, you might easily see Agregar la fibra al rodillo instead. It works exactly the same way.
Why is it al rodillo instead of en el rodillo if the fiber is physically going on the roller?
The verb añadir (to add) strictly pairs with the preposition a to indicate what something is being added to. Even though in English you might think of putting the fiber on the roller, the Spanish phrasing for adding X to Y requires a, which merges with the article el to form the contraction al.

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