Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Care With Clear Boundaries in Spanish
This guide focuses on using the passive voice combined with modal verbs in Spanish. This structure is essential for explaining rules, safety protocols, and boundaries regarding baby care where the action is more important than the person performing it.
What you'll learn
- Master the construction of passive voice with modal verbs (deber, poder).
- Apply gender and number agreement in passive constructions.
- Use specific baby care vocabulary in a safety context.
- Express boundaries and permissions clearly.
Spanish phrases for care with clear boundaries
Tu biberón debe ser limpiado antes de la siguiente toma.
Your bottle must be cleaned before the next feed.
'Debe ser limpiado' matches the masculine 'biberón'.
Este babero puede ser lavado con tu otra ropa.
This bib can be washed with your other clothes.
'Puede ser lavado' is the passive form of permission.
El agua de tu baño debe ser comprobada antes de que entres.
Your bath water must be checked before you get in.
'Comprobada' is feminine to match 'el agua' (which is feminine despite the 'el').
Esta crema solo puede ser usada como explicó el médico.
This cream may only be used as the doctor explained.
'Usada' matches 'esta crema'.
Tu cochecito debe ser aparcado lejos de las escaleras.
Your pram must be parked away from the stairs.
'Aparcado' is the standard term for parking a vehicle/pram.
Esta foto tuya puede ser mostrada a la abuela.
This picture of you may be shown to Grandma.
Passive voice highlights the photo as the subject.
Tu foto del baño no debe ser compartida en línea.
Your bath photo must not be shared online.
'No debe ser' expresses a strong prohibition.
Tu ropa mojada debería ser cambiada antes de nuestro paseo.
Your wet clothes should be changed before our walk.
'Debería' is the conditional form, used here for a recommendation.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Biberón
Baby bottle
Commonly used in Spain; 'mamila' or 'tetero' are used in parts of Latin America.
Toma
Feed / Feeding
Refers to the act of the baby drinking or eating at a specific time.
Cochecito
Pram / Stroller
Diminutive of 'coche' (car), very common for baby items.
En línea
Online
Used for internet-related privacy contexts.
The Modal Passive Voice
To form the passive voice with a modal verb in Spanish, use the following structure: [Subject] + [Modal Verb] + [Ser] + [Past Participle]. Unlike English, the past participle in Spanish must agree in gender and number with the subject.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Must be (Singular) | Debe ser + Participio | El juguete debe ser lavado. |
| Can be (Plural) | Pueden ser + Participios | Las manos pueden ser lavadas. |
| Should be (Condition) | Debería ser + Participio | La cuna debería ser revisada. |
More examples
La puerta debe ser cerrada con llave.
The door must be locked.
Safety boundary example.
Los pañales pueden ser tirados aquí.
The diapers can be thrown away here.
Plural agreement: 'pueden' and 'tirados'.
La temperatura debe ser regulada.
The temperature must be regulated.
Feminine singular agreement.