Spanish · C2 · Family moment
That Blanket, It's Your Favourite in Spanish
This guide focuses on conversational left dislocation in Spanish, a technique where a topic is established first, followed by a slight pause and a resumptive pronoun or demonstrative. This is especially useful for parents to gently highlight objects and feelings, creating a shared focus with their child.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of left dislocation to emphasize familiar objects.
- Understand how to use resumptive pronouns (esa, ese, lo, los) to refer back to a topic.
- Practice using natural intonation to distinguish the topic from the rest of the sentence.
Spanish phrases for that blanket, it's your favourite
Tu mantita suave—esa viene con nosotros.
Your soft blanket—that's coming with us.
Uses 'esa' to refer back to the feminine noun 'mantita'.
Esa cucharita—esa es la que te gusta.
That little spoon—that's the one you like.
The repetition of 'esa' reinforces the object's importance.
Esos ojitos de sueño—esos me están diciendo algo.
Those sleepy eyes—they're telling me something.
'Ojitos' is a common diminutive for eyes in a parenting context.
Tu peluche—a él no podemos dejarlo atrás.
Your teddy—him we mustn't leave behind.
Uses 'a él' and 'lo' for double emphasis on the direct object.
Esos deditos pequeñitos—esos también hay que secarlos.
Those tiny toes—those need drying too.
'Deditos' refers to both fingers and toes in Spanish; context clarifies.
Tu pañal limpio—ese está aquí mismo a mi lado.
Your clean nappy—that's right here beside me.
Maintains focus on the 'pañal' before stating its location.
Ese balbuceo tan lindo—eso es lo que he estado escuchando.
That lovely babble—that's what I've been listening to.
Uses the neuter 'eso' to refer to the abstract concept of the sound.
Este rincón tranquilo—aquí es donde nos daremos un arrumaco.
This quiet corner—this is where we'll have our cuddle.
'Arrumaco' is a sweet, colloquial word for a cuddle or snuggle.
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
Mantita
Little blanket
Diminutive of 'manta', commonly used for baby items.
Peluche
Stuffed animal / Teddy
General term for any plush toy.
Balbuceo
Babbling
Refers to the sounds babies make before they speak.
Arrumaco
Cuddle / Snuggle
Expresses a physical demonstration of affection.
Conversational Left Dislocation
In Spanish, to emphasize a topic, we place it at the start of the sentence, followed by a pause (comma or dash) and then a resumptive pronoun or demonstrative that matches in gender and number.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Feminine Singular | [Noun], esa... | La leche, esa está fría. |
| Masculine Singular | [Noun], ese / lo... | El libro, ese lo quiero yo. |
| Plural Resumption | [Nouns], esos / los... | Los zapatos, esos hay que guardarlos. |
More examples
El chupete, ese no lo pierdas.
The dummy, don't lose that one.
Dislocation used for a cautionary instruction.
Tus manos, esas están muy frías.
Your hands, those are very cold.
Focusing on a physical sensation.