Phrase · 🧩 Idioms for attitudes and reactions
Si quieres aprobar, vas a tener que ponerte las pilas.
If you want to pass, you're going to have to get your act together.
C1urging someone to make an effortcolloquiallearned as a wholeAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Siconjunctionif, whetherquieresverbyou wantquerer · present · 2nd sing.aprobar2verbto pass (an exam)infinitive,vasverbyou are goingir · present · 2nd sing.aprepositionto, attenerverbto haveinfinitivequeconjunctionthatponerteverbto put on yourselfponer · infinitivelasdeterminertheel · fem. · pl. · definitepilas1nounbatteriespila · fem. · pl..
- vas → tener: ir a + infinitive
- tener → ponerte: tener que + infinitive
- las → pilas: f. pl.
Word for word: “If you want to pass, you are going to have to put your batteries in.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1ponerse las pilas = to get your act together, get going (lit. put your batteries in).
- 2aprobar = to pass (an exam or course).