Phrase · 🎙️ Managing the conversation
Lo que quiero decir es que no hace falta que te disculpes.
What I mean is that there's no need for you to apologise.
B2managing conversationAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Lo1determinerwhat (the thing)el · masc. · sing. · definiteque1pronounthatquiero1verbI wantquerer · present · 1st sing.decir1verbto sayinfinitiveesverbisser · present · 3rd sing.queconjunctionthatnoadverbnothace2verbmakes (hacer falta = be needed)hacer · present · 3rd sing.falta2nounneed (lit. lack)fem. · sing.queconjunctionthatteobject pronoun(yourself)tú · 2nd sing. · direct objectdisculpes2verbyou apologisedisculpar · subjunctive · present · 2nd sing..
- falta → disculpes: mood
- disculpes → te: agree
- quiero → decir: obj
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Lo que quiero decir es que… = what I mean is…: it reframes your point when you’ve been misunderstood. Relative clauses I: que, quien, donde, lo que →
- 2no hace falta que + subjunctive = there’s no need for (you) to… Portuguese prefers an infinitive here. Subjunctive: value judgements and impersonal expressions →