Peter J.
Do Spanish people "give" in the same way English people do? In English we can say I washed the car or I gave the car a wash. I kissed her or I gave her a kiss. Would you use "to give" in this way in Spanish? Di un lavado al coche, Le di un beso. Does this sound right? Is there a rule for changing a verb to a noun? Besar >> beso, lavar>> lavado.
Feb 4, 2017 12:10 PM
Answers · 5
"Le di un beso" is correct; "le di un lavado" sounds very odd. I cannot come up with a rule on this one: I think the expression simply does not exist. Unfortunately there is also no standard rule for changing verbs into nouns, just a long list of patterns. Most of this comes from Latin, which was highly irregular itself in the formation of nouns...
February 4, 2017
We can understand both sentence, and they are really good, but at least in Colombia we usually say: "Le di una lavada al carro". The female article (una) and to get the concordance between article and verb we change "lavado" for "lavada". "I kissed her or I gave her a kiss". In this case, your sentence is completly correct and in spanish we use the same structure: "La besé". "Le di un beso (a ella)". [no es necesario usar el pronombre si en el contexto se sabe a quién se refiere].
February 4, 2017
"Di un lavado al coche" is grammatically correct. The verb "dar" requiers a complement, so it is right to use "un lavado " (which is the complement) I think the rule you refer is the one about transitive or intransitive verb
February 4, 2017
In Spanish, we say it as well . But, "Dar un lavado" I suppose it is said to emphasize the car was quite dirty and after being washed is clean. "Lavado" is the result of "lavar" Dar un beso o besar: means the same Hope it makes sense
February 4, 2017
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