Spanish · A2 · Family moment
Safe Little Choices in Spanish
This guide helps parents establish safe boundaries and offer choices to their children by distinguishing between firm prohibitions for safety and gentle reassurance when an action is optional.
What you'll learn
- Learn to express prohibition using 'No debes' for safety rules.
- Understand how to express a lack of obligation using 'No tienes que'.
- Acquire vocabulary related to common toddler safety scenarios and mealtime routines.
Spanish phrases for safe little choices
No debes tocar la taza caliente.
You must not touch the hot cup.
'No debes' indicates a rule for safety.
No debes ponerte esa piedra en la boca.
You must not put that stone in your mouth.
A firm instruction to prevent choking.
No debes tirarle de la cola al gato.
You must not pull the cat's tail.
Used here to teach gentle behavior with pets.
No debes subirte a esta silla.
You must not climb onto this chair.
Setting a physical boundary for safety.
No tienes que terminar la leche.
You do not have to finish your milk.
'No tienes que' removes pressure from the child.
No tienes que comer otra cucharada.
You do not have to eat another spoonful.
Reassuring the child they can stop when full.
No tienes que dormir todavía.
You do not have to sleep yet.
Softening the transition to bedtime.
No tienes que sentarte en el regazo de la abuela.
You do not have to sit on Granny's lap.
Respecting the child's physical comfort and boundaries.
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
Caliente
Hot
Used for temperature; different from 'picante' (spicy).
Piedra
Stone
A common object toddlers might pick up outside.
Cola
Tail
Refers to animal tails.
Regazo
Lap
Useful for family interactions and cuddling.
Prohibition vs. Lack of Necessity
In Spanish, the difference between 'must not' and 'don't have to' is expressed by using 'deber' (obligation/rule) versus 'tener que' (necessity), both in their negative forms.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibition (Must not) | No + deber + infinitive | No debes tocar el horno (You must not touch the oven). |
| No Necessity (Don't have to) | No + tener que + infinitive | No tienes que correr (You don't have to run). |
More examples
No debes correr cerca de las escaleras.
You must not run near the stairs.
A safety-focused prohibition.
No tienes que llevar los zapatos en la casa.
You do not have to wear shoes in the house.
An optional choice for comfort.