Spanish · C2 · Family moment
As for Those Wriggly Toes in Spanish
This guide focuses on using sophisticated 'topic-framing' structures in Spanish to create a tender yet structured routine for your baby. By using formal framing like 'en cuanto a' or 'por lo que respecta a', you can playfully narrate care tasks, providing a sense of order and focus to individual parts of a routine.
What you'll learn
- Master explicit topic-framing clauses using 'en cuanto a' and 'por lo que respecta a'.
- Understand how to maintain natural word order following these introductory frames.
- Use slightly formal Spanish phrasing to add a playful, 'grand' tone to everyday parenting.
Spanish phrases for as for those wriggly toes
En cuanto a tu papilla, dejaré que se enfríe un poco más.
As far as your porridge is concerned, I'll let it cool a little longer.
Uses 'en cuanto a' for a direct, clear topic frame.
En cuanto a tu pañal, te lo cambiaré antes de que salgamos.
As for your nappy, I'll change it before we go out.
Note the use of 'te lo' as the object follows the frame.
Por lo que respecta a tu siesta, empezaremos con un abrazo tranquilo.
As far as your nap is concerned, we'll start with a quiet cuddle.
'Por lo que respecta a' is slightly more formal and rhythmic.
En cuanto a esos dedos juguetones, secaré cada uno con cuidado.
As for those wriggly toes, I'll dry each one gently.
'Juguetones' captures the 'wriggly/playful' spirit of the toes.
Por lo que respecta a nuestro paseo, tomaremos el camino sombreado.
As far as our walk is concerned, we'll take the shady path.
Framing the activity ('nuestro paseo') before describing the plan.
En cuanto a tu pequeño 'ba', te escucho, aunque no haya descifrado lo que quieres decir.
As for your little 'ba', I'm listening, even if I haven't worked out what you mean.
'Haya descifrado' uses the subjunctive after 'aunque' for an existing but unresolved state.
Por lo que respecta al agua del baño, la revisaré antes de que entres.
As far as the bathwater is concerned, I'll check it before you get in.
Common safety routine framed with a formal structure.
En cuanto a otro abrazo, mis brazos están listos siempre que quieras uno.
As for another cuddle, my arms are ready whenever you want one.
'Siempre que quieras' implies 'at any time you might want'.
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
en cuanto a
as for / regarding
The most common and versatile way to frame a topic in Spanish.
por lo que respecta a
as far as ... is concerned
A slightly more formal, elevated phrase that works well for 'grand' narration.
papilla
porridge / baby food mash
Specifically refers to the soft, pureed texture of baby meals.
dedos juguetones
wriggly toes/fingers
Literally 'playful fingers/toes', used to describe active baby movement.
Explicit Topic-Framing Clauses
To highlight a specific topic before making a statement about it, Spanish uses prepositional phrases like 'En cuanto a' or 'Por lo que respecta a'. Unlike simple left-dislocation (which just moves the object to the front), these frames explicitly signal the subject of the upcoming sentence.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Frame | En cuanto a + [Noun] | En cuanto a la cena... |
| Formal Frame | Por lo que respecta a + [Noun] | Por lo que respecta a tu salud... |
| Reframing focus | En lo que a [Noun] se refiere | En lo que a mí se refiere, está bien. |
More examples
En cuanto a los juguetes, los guardaremos más tarde.
As for the toys, we will put them away later.
Demonstrates the direct object pronoun 'los' referring back to 'los juguetes'.
Por lo que respecta al postre, ya casi está listo.
As far as dessert is concerned, it's almost ready.
Shows the formal frame in a domestic, playful context.