Learn Spanish (Spain): Siéntense cerca de la ventanilla.

Siéntense cerca de la ventanilla.

Sit down near the ticket window.

Breakdown of Siéntense cerca de la ventanilla.

Questions & Answers about Siéntense cerca de la ventanilla.

How do we form the formal plural command Siéntense?

Siéntense comes from the reflexive verb sentarse (to sit down). For formal plural commands (ustedes), we take the stem sient- (remember it has an e-to-ie stem change!) and add the ending -en. We use an -e ending because sentarse is an -ar verb. Finally, we attach the reflexive pronoun se to the end, making it siéntense.

Why is there a written accent on the é in Siéntense?

When we attach a pronoun like se to the end of a command, we add an extra syllable. To keep the spoken emphasis on the original part of the word (sien), we have to add a written accent. Without it, the rules of Spanish pronunciation would force us to stress the ten instead.

Why do we use cerca de instead of just cerca?

Cerca is an adverb meaning near or close. But whenever you say that something is near a specific object or place, you must link them with the preposition de (of) right after it. So, near the ticket window translates to cerca de la ventanilla.

Is ventanilla just a small window?

It comes from ventana (window) plus the diminutive ending -illa (small). However, ventanilla is used as a specific word for a ticket window, bank counter, or a passenger window in a plane, train, or car.