Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Better Everyday Swaps in Spanish
This guide helps parents teach their children how to make more thoughtful daily choices by using alternative-action structures in Spanish. The focus is on replacing common habits with more caring or responsible actions.
What you'll learn
- Learn to express alternatives using 'en vez de' and 'en lugar de'.
- Expand vocabulary related to daily tasks and environmental care.
- Form complex sentences using infinitive clauses to suggest better choices.
Spanish phrases for better everyday swaps
Puedes pedir prestado un libro en vez de comprar uno nuevo.
You can borrow a book instead of buying a new one.
Pedir prestado is the standard way to say 'to borrow' in Spanish.
Podemos reparar tu mochila en lugar de tirarla.
We can repair your backpack instead of throwing it away.
Tirarla uses the direct object pronoun 'la' attached to the end of the infinitive 'tirar'.
Intenta preguntar a tu amigo directamente en vez de adivinar cómo se siente.
Try asking your friend directly instead of guessing how they feel.
Adivinar means to guess; 'cómo se siente' uses the reflexive verb sentirse.
Puedes tomarte un descanso corto en lugar de rendirte con el proyecto.
You can take a short break instead of giving up on the project.
Rendirse is a reflexive verb meaning 'to give up' or 'to surrender'.
Podemos llevar botellas reutilizables en vez de comprar bebidas en botellas de plástico.
We can pack reusable bottles instead of buying drinks in plastic bottles.
Llevar is used here for 'to pack' or 'to take along'.
Por favor, guarda tu ropa en lugar de dejarla en el suelo.
Please put your clothes away instead of leaving them on the floor.
Guardar is commonly used for 'to put away' or 'to store'.
Podrías invitar a tu amigo a caminar en vez de chatear por internet toda la tarde.
You could invite your friend for a walk instead of chatting online all afternoon.
Chatear is the common Spanish verb for chatting online.
Podemos planear las tareas de mañana esta noche en lugar de andar con prisas por la mañana.
We can plan tomorrow's tasks tonight instead of rushing in the morning.
Andar con prisas is a natural idiom for 'to be in a rush'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
en vez de / en lugar de
instead of
These two phrases are interchangeable and are followed by an infinitive.
pedir prestado
to borrow
Literally 'to ask for lent'.
reutilizable
reusable
A useful adjective for environmental discussions.
rendirse
to give up
Reflexive verb: yo me rindo, tú te rindes.
Alternative-Action Infinitive Clauses
To express 'instead of [doing something]', Spanish uses 'en vez de' or 'en lugar de' followed directly by the infinitive form of the verb. This construction is used when the subject of both actions is the same.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Structure | [Main Verb] + en vez de + [Infinitive] | Lee un libro en vez de ver la tele. |
| With Pronouns | [Infinitive] + [Pronoun] | Recíclalo en lugar de tirarlo. |
More examples
Usa una bicicleta en vez de ir en coche.
Use a bike instead of going by car.
Simple command form followed by the alternative.
Escucha música en lugar de jugar videojuegos.
Listen to music instead of playing video games.
A common suggestion for a hobby swap.