Breakdown of El peluquero necesita las tijeras. Búscalas, pero ¡no las uses!
no
no / not
pero
but
buscar
to look for
necesitar
to need
las
them (f)
usar
to use
el peluquero
the hairdresser
las tijeras
the scissors
Questions & Answers about El peluquero necesita las tijeras. Búscalas, pero ¡no las uses!
Why is las attached to the end of búscalas but comes before the verb in no las uses?
This is the exact rule for pronoun placement with commands! In affirmative commands (when telling someone to do something), the pronoun attaches to the end of the verb (búscalas). In negative commands (when telling someone not to do something), the pronoun must go between the no and the verb (no las uses).
What does las refer to in this sentence?
It means "them" and replaces las tijeras (the scissors). Because tijeras is a feminine plural noun, we use the feminine plural direct object pronoun las in both commands.
Why is the negative command no las uses instead of no las usas?
To tell someone not to do something (a negative command for tú), Spanish verbs swap their normal endings. For an "-ar" verb like usar, the typical "-as" ending changes to "-es", making it no uses.
Why does búscalas have a written accent mark?
The normal affirmative command is busca, with the natural spoken stress on the first syllable. When you attach the pronoun las to the end, you add an extra syllable. To force the spoken stress to stay on the original syllable, you must add a written accent mark.
Learn El peluquero necesita las tijeras. Búscalas, pero ¡no las uses and more in Spanish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free