Spanish · B1 · Family moment
Gentle Little Efforts in Spanish
This guide focuses on describing gentle, patient moments with your child, specifically using the structure 'sin' + infinitive to describe doing one thing without doing another.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of 'sin' followed by an infinitive to express 'without -ing'.
- Learn how to attach pronouns to the end of infinitives in these structures.
- Expand vocabulary related to quiet moments and baby care.
Spanish phrases for gentle little efforts
Sigues intentando alcanzar tu peluche sin rendirte.
You keep reaching for your teddy without giving up.
'Sin rendirte' uses the reflexive infinitive 'rendirse' with the 'te' pronoun attached.
Te echo un vistazo sin encender la luz fuerte.
I check on you without switching on the bright light.
'Echar un vistazo' is a common idiomatic way to say 'to take a look' or 'check on'.
Me siento al lado de tu cuna sin hacer ruido.
I sit beside your cot without making a noise.
'Sin hacer ruido' is the standard way to say 'quietly' or 'without making noise'.
Miras el agua del baño sin salpicar por un momento.
You watch the bath water without splashing for a moment.
'Salpicar' is the specific verb for splashing liquid.
Preparo tu biberón sin dejarte solo en el cambiador.
I prepare your bottle without leaving you alone on the changing mat.
Note how 'te' (you) is attached to the end of 'dejar'.
Disfrutamos nuestro paseo en carrito sin apresurarnos.
We enjoy our pram walk without hurrying.
'Apresurarse' is the reflexive verb for 'to hurry'.
Sostienes tu vasito sin soltarlo.
You hold your little cup without dropping it.
'Soltar' means to let go or release; 'lo' refers to the cup.
Te limpio las mejillas suavemente sin frotar tu piel irritada.
I gently wipe your cheeks without rubbing your sore skin.
'Piel irritada' is a natural way to translate 'sore skin' in a medical or care context.
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
Peluche
Stuffed animal / Teddy
Comes from the word for 'plush'.
Cambiador
Changing mat / table
Derived from the verb 'cambiar' (to change).
Biberón
Baby bottle
Commonly used in Spain; 'mamila' or 'tetero' may be used in Latin America.
Carrito
Pram / Stroller
Diminutive of 'carro'.
Using 'Sin' + Infinitive
In Spanish, the preposition 'sin' (without) is followed directly by the infinitive form of the verb to describe an action that does not happen. Unlike English, which uses the '-ing' form, Spanish keeps the verb in its base form.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Form | sin + [infinitive] | Sin hablar (Without speaking) |
| Reflexive | sin + [infinitive] + pronoun | Sin caerte (Without you falling) |
| With Object | sin + [infinitive] + lo/la | Sin romperlo (Without breaking it) |
More examples
Duermes profundamente sin despertarte.
You sleep deeply without waking up.
Uses the reflexive 'despertarse'.
Caminas con cuidado sin zapatos.
You walk carefully without shoes.
'Sin' can also be used with nouns, just like in English.
Comes tu papilla sin ensuciar la ropa.
You eat your baby food without dirtying your clothes.
'Ensuciar' is the opposite of 'limpiar'.