Question 1

Why does this sentence use vive diciendo instead of siempre dice or está diciendo?

Accepted Answer

Using the verb vivir followed by a gerund like diciendo creates a habitual periphrasis. It expresses that an action is repeated so constantly it feels like a permanent state. While siempre dice just means "always says", vive diciendo adds a dramatic flair, implying he spends his whole life saying it. It often carries a hint of annoyance, making it perfect for "is constantly saying".

Question 2

Could we use other verbs like andar or pasar to mean he is constantly saying this?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can use anda diciendo (goes around saying) or se la pasa diciendo (spends his time saying) to express very similar ideas. However, vive diciendo is the strongest way to exaggerate that the action completely dominates the person's life.

Question 3

What is the exact difference between padece and sufre here?

Accepted Answer

Both padecer and sufrir translate to "to suffer". However, padecer is specifically and most commonly used when talking about suffering from a physical illness, medical condition, or bodily ailment like una picazón. Sufrir is broader and can be used for emotional pain, hardships, or general suffering.

Question 4

Why is it una picazón? Doesn't the ending look masculine?

Accepted Answer

Nouns ending in -zón can be tricky for learners, but most of them, including picazón (itch) and razón (reason), are actually feminine. That is why it takes the feminine article una. The adjective terrible is used for both masculine and feminine nouns, so its ending doesn't need to change to match.

Ahora vive diciendo que padece una picazón terrible.

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