Phrase · ⚠️ Instructions and warnings
No dejes la puerta abierta, que se sale el gato.
Don’t leave the door open, or the cat will get out.
B1giving warningsinformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
No1adverbdon’tdejes1verbleavedejar · subjunctive · present · 2nd sing.ladeterminertheel · fem. · sing. · definitepuertanoundoorfem. · sing.abierta2adjectiveopenabierto · fem. · sing.,que3conjunctionbecause, or elsese4pronoun(out)3rdsale4verbgets outsalir · present · 3rd sing.eldeterminerthemasc. · sing. · definitegatonouncatmasc. · sing..
- No → dejes: no + subjunctive
- la → puerta: f. sg.
- puerta → abierta: puerta → abierta
- se → sale: salirse
- gato → sale: el gato → sale (3rd sg.)
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1Negative command: no + present subjunctive: no dejes, never no dejas. Negative imperative and imperative with pronouns →
- 2abierta agrees with la puerta: dejar + noun + adjective. Describing nouns: adjective agreement and modifiers →
- 3que = because: it gives the reason for a command, very common in speech.
- 4salirse = to get out, escape; the present se sale says what will happen. Reflexive verbs and daily routine →
Variations
- No deje la puerta abierta, que se sale el gato.
- Cierra la puerta, que se sale el gato.