Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Better Little Habits in Spanish
Helping children build better habits often involves suggesting a positive alternative. In Spanish, the structure 'en vez de' (instead of) followed by an infinitive verb is the most common way to compare two actions when the subject of the sentence remains the same.
What you'll learn
- Express alternatives using the prepositional phrase 'en vez de'.
- Use infinitives correctly following a preposition.
- Practice vocabulary related to school, sustainability, and social interaction.
Spanish phrases for better little habits
Puedes rellenar tu botella en vez de comprar otra bebida.
You can refill your bottle instead of buying another drink.
'Rellenar' is a common verb for refilling containers.
Podemos usar una fiambrera en vez de envolver cada sándwich en plástico.
We can use a lunchbox instead of wrapping every sandwich in plastic.
'Fiambrera' is the standard word for a lunchbox in Spain; 'lonchera' is common in Latin America.
Puedes revisar tu mochila en vez de buscar por toda la casa.
You can check your school bag instead of searching the whole house.
'Revisar' means to check or inspect.
Intenta leer la frase otra vez en vez de adivinar la respuesta.
Try reading the sentence again instead of guessing the answer.
'Adivinar' is used both for 'to guess' and 'to predict'.
Podemos ir al colegio a pie en vez de conducir una distancia tan corta.
We can walk to school instead of driving such a short distance.
'A pie' is the natural way to say 'walking' as a mode of transport.
Puedes ahorrar tus monedas en vez de gastarlas todas hoy.
You can save your coins instead of spending them all today.
Note how the object pronoun 'las' (them) is attached to the end of the infinitive 'gastar'.
Puedes pedirle el turno a tu amigo en vez de quitarle la pelota.
You can ask your friend for a turn instead of grabbing the ball.
'Quitarle' literally means 'to take it away from him/her'.
Puedes dejarte el diente suelto tranquilo en vez de tirarte de él.
You can leave your loose tooth alone instead of pulling it.
'Tirar de' is the standard construction for 'to pull on something'.
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 vez de
Instead of
Can be used interchangeably with 'en lugar de'.
Rellenar
To refill / To fill in
Also used for filling in forms.
Ahorrar
To save
Used specifically for money, time, or energy.
Gastar
To spend / To wear out
Refers to spending money; 'pasar' is used for spending time.
Using 'En Vez De' + Infinitive
In Spanish, when you want to say 'instead of [doing something]', you use 'en vez de' followed by the infinitive form of the verb. Unlike English, which uses the -ing form (gerund), Spanish always uses the infinitive after a preposition.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | [Main Clause] + en vez de + [Infinitive] | Come fruta en vez de comer caramelos. |
| Pronoun Placement | Attached to the end of the infinitive | En vez de comprarlas (Instead of buying them). |
More examples
En vez de gritar, intenta hablar con calma.
Instead of shouting, try to speak calmly.
Shows the structure starting the sentence for emphasis.
Elige la manzana en vez de la galleta.
Choose the apple instead of the cookie.
'En vez de' can also be followed directly by a noun.