Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
A Yawn and Another Look in Spanish
Helping your child navigate competing feelings and needs is a key part of gentle parenting. This guide focuses on using 'por un lado' and 'por otro lado' (on the one hand / on the other hand) to validate their experiences without forcing a choice.
What you'll learn
- Express dual perspectives using 'por un lado' and 'por otro lado'.
- Describe baby behaviors and physiological cues (yawning, crawling, uncertainty).
- Balance conflicting needs like curiosity versus the need for rest.
Spanish phrases for a yawn and another look
Por un lado, estás bostezando; por otro lado, todavía quieres mirar las hojas.
On the one hand, you're yawning; on the other hand, you still want to watch the leaves.
Uses 'bostezar' for yawning.
Por un lado, te gusta sostener la cuchara; por otro lado, todavía necesitas ayuda con cada bocado.
On the one hand, you like holding the spoon; on the other hand, you still need help with each bite.
'Bocado' is the standard word for a bite of food.
Por un lado, el baño es agradable; por otro lado, estás listo para salir.
On the one hand, the bath is lovely; on the other hand, you're ready to come out.
'Agradable' captures the 'lovely/pleasant' feeling of the water.
Por un lado, quieres gatear más lejos; por otro lado, sigues buscándome.
On the one hand, you want to crawl further; on the other hand, you keep reaching back for me.
'Gatear' means to crawl (specifically for babies).
Por un lado, hace sol afuera; por otro lado, el viento se siente frío.
On the one hand, it's sunny outside; on the other hand, the wind feels chilly.
'Hace sol' is the idiomatic way to say it is sunny.
Por un lado, necesito cambiarte el pañal; por otro lado, estás disfrutando este abrazo.
On the one hand, I need to change your nappy; on the other hand, you're enjoying this cuddle.
'Cambiar el pañal' is the standard term for changing a diaper/nappy.
Por un lado, tienes curiosidad por ese perro; por otro lado, pareces un poco inseguro.
On the one hand, you're curious about that dog; on the other hand, you look a little unsure.
'Inseguro' works well for 'unsure' or 'uncertain'.
Por un lado, disfrutas de todas estas visitas; por otro lado, necesitas algo de tranquilidad ahora.
On the one hand, you enjoy all these visitors; on the other hand, you need some quiet now.
'Tranquilidad' conveys the sense of peace or quietude needed.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Bostezar
To yawn
A common physical cue for tiredness in babies.
Gatear
To crawl
Used specifically for the four-legged movement of infants.
Pañal
Diaper / Nappy
A fundamental word for parents.
Por un lado / Por otro lado
On one hand / On the other hand
The standard pairing for contrasting two ideas.
Paired Connectors: Por un lado... Por otro lado
In Spanish, these connectors are used to present two facets of a situation. Unlike German (which changes word order), Spanish maintains the standard Subject-Verb order after these phrases, making them very easy to integrate into natural speech.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Por un lado + Clause; por otro lado + Clause | Por un lado tienes sueño; por otro lado quieres jugar. |
| Contrast | Pero / Sin embargo | Tienes sueño, pero quieres jugar. |
More examples
Por un lado, el puré está rico; por otro lado, estás cansado de estar en la trona.
On the one hand, the puree is tasty; on the other hand, you are tired of being in the high chair.
'Trona' is the Spanish word for high chair.
Por un lado, quieres el juguete; por otro lado, te da miedo el ruido que hace.
On the one hand, you want the toy; on the other hand, the noise it makes scares you.
Uses 'dar miedo' to express being scared.