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kgs

Sep 26, 2002, 7:56 PM

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favors, requests and ORDERS

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Hi All! I have a question about requests. I'd like to be polite, but with my limited vocabulary, I worry that I sound abrubt. It seems to me in english we have several levels of politness when making requests - and they have a lot to do with tone of voice and number of words used. Is is the same in Spanish? In English, if I needed a large-ish favor from a friend, I'd say, "I wonder if you might be able to look after my kids all day next Saturday?" From an almost-peer at work, I'd say, "We need to get that door fixed. Will you ask maintenence about it today?" When my help arrives to clean the house, I'd say, "Today, I need you to clean the refrigerator and wash the laundry." With children, on the third request, I'd say, "You guys! I ASKED you to pick up this room! Now do it!" When do you use the imperative and when the "subjuntivo"? Are there more options than those two? "Limpie los platos, por favor." "Es necesario que limpia los platos." If possible, I'd like to see some examples for a variety of situations. Thanks!

Georgia

Sep 27, 2002, 5:44 AM

Post #2 of 3 (726 views)

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favors, requests and ORDERS

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Here are some alternatives:When you don't want to order someone to do something, but you do want to ask a favor: Me hace el favor de _______________?When you don't want to give a direct order: (This approach is very common in cultures where being indirect about things is the linguistic norm.) Se necesita ___________(hacer algo). Or: Hace falta __________. (hacer algo) Or, if you're really timid: Seria posible ______________? (hacer algo)But, a simple, "Por favor, plancha esta ropa hoy" is clear and courteous, too. Children always seem to need direct orders, as far as I can figure out. If not, they seem to think that your "suggestions" are optional. My (now 33 years old) daughter (who lived in Ecuador for the early part of her life) explained to me after going through a stop sign in front of the police station: "But, that is only a suggestion!" (Pero, si es solo una sugerencia, mama!)My children seem to need direct orders more than my dog. (He's a golden retriever and very eager to please us.)

rom

Sep 27, 2002, 1:54 PM

Post #3 of 3 (743 views)

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Tone is everything

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: Hi All! I have a question about requests. I'd like to be polite, but with my limited vocabulary, I worry that I sound abrubt. It seems to me in english we have several levels of politness when making requests - and they have a lot to do with tone of voice and number of words used. Is is the same in Spanish? : In English, if I needed a large-ish favor from a friend, I'd say, "I wonder if you might be able to look after my kids all day next Saturday?" From an almost-peer at work, I'd say, "We need to get that door fixed. Will you ask maintenence about it today?" When my help arrives to clean the house, I'd say, "Today, I need you to clean the refrigerator and wash the laundry." With children, on the third request, I'd say, "You guys! I ASKED you to pick up this room! Now do it!" : When do you use the imperative and when the "subjuntivo"? Are there more options than those two? "Limpie los platos, por favor." "Es necesario que limpia los platos." If possible, I'd like to see some examples for a variety of situations. Thanks!I personally like the indirect tone of "Vamos a lavar los platos." (Let's wash the dishes.) and "Hay que lavar los platos, eh?" where a clear reply is elicited. OR the deliberate sound of "Le encargo que lave los platos por favor." When you speak to a servant in Mexico you are expected to sound bossy but never discourteous or impolite. Another I like to use is: "Hay que lavar los platos antes de irse." You're telling the person what you expect to be done before leaving for the day.