¡Hola! Welcome back.
In our last lesson, we focused on sharing opinions at the dinner table by learning how to use me gusta (I like) and no me gusta (I don't like). Being able to ask your son ¿Te gusta la comida? is a fantastic way to start a conversation.
Today, we'll continue with our mealtime theme but shift our focus to giving simple, gentle instructions. Your goal for this lesson is to learn how to use two very common commands: siéntate (sit down) and come despacio (eat slowly). These are practical phrases that will help you guide your son during meals, making your daily routines in Spanish even richer.
1. "Sit down, please" - Siéntate, por favor
One of the first things you might need to say when it's time to eat is "sit down." The command in Spanish is siéntate.
This instruction is built from two parts:
sienta- the command form of the verbsentar(to sit).te- which means "yourself." You might recognizetefrom when we learned to ask¿Te gusta?(Do you like it?). Here, it attaches directly to the verb.
So, siéntate literally means "sit yourself down."
Let's look at a great resource for parents that lists common phrases. It will help you see siéntate in context.
A printable list of common Spanish phrases to use with kids.
The article 'A printable list of common Spanish phrases to use with kids' on the Spanish Playground blog is a goldmine of practical phrases. We'll look at two small sections.
First, find the heading 'Stay Safe' and locate the phrase 'Siéntate'. Then, look at the list under the 'Mealtime' heading. Notice how these are all short, actionable commands perfect for use with a child.
As you saw, siéntate is a fundamental instruction. To make it more polite and complete, you can add where you want your son to sit and, of course, add por favor (please).
For pronunciation and a slightly more detailed example, check out this next resource.
10 Spanish Phrases to Use at the Dinner Table with Kids ...
The article '10 Spanish Phrases to Use at the Dinner Table with Kids' from Bridge the Gap Spanish includes audio clips, which are perfect for practicing pronunciation.
Scroll down to the list of phrases. Find the one that starts with 'Siéntate...'. It says, 'Siéntate bien en la silla, por favor.' (Sit properly in the chair, please). Click the audio link right above it to hear how it's pronounced.
So, you have a few options, from simplest to most specific:
Siéntate.(Sit down.)Siéntate, por favor.(Sit down, please.)Siéntate en la silla, por favor.(Sit in the chair, please.)
Test your understanding!
It's time for dinner. Your son is playing nearby, and you want to call him to the table. From previous lessons, you know la mesa is "the table" and ¡a comer! is "time to eat!". How would you tell him to sit down at the table?
Show answer
You could say: Siéntate en la mesa, por favor. (Sit at the table, please.)
Note: While in English we say "sit at the table," in Spanish, it's common to say "sit in the table" (en la mesa) in this context. You could also use a la mesa. Both are perfectly understood. The key part is using siéntate correctly!
2. "Eat slowly" - Come despacio
Another useful instruction at mealtime, especially with young children, is to encourage them to eat at a good pace.
The basic command for "eat" is come. You saw this in the Spanish Playground article under the "Mealtime" section.
To say "slowly," we use the word despacio.
Putting them together, you get: Come despacio. (Eat slowly.)
This image is a wonderful visual aid that reinforces the phrase. It's designed for children and perfectly illustrates the idea.
You'll notice the image says COMER DESPACIO. Comer is the infinitive form of the verb, meaning "to eat." When you give a direct command to one person (like your son), you use the form come. It's a small but important difference between describing an action and ordering it.
Just like with siéntate, you can make it more polite:
Come despacio, por favor.
Putting It All Together: A Mealtime Scenario
Let's imagine a typical mealtime and see how you can combine what you've learned today with phrases from previous lessons.
- You call your son to eat:
¡A comer! - He comes to the table but is still standing:
Siéntate en la silla, por favor. - He starts eating very fast:
Come despacio. - You want to know if he likes the food:
¿Te gusta el pollo?
See how you're already building a short conversation and managing the situation entirely in Spanish? This is exactly the practical skill you're aiming for.
Conclusion
¡Buen trabajo! Today you've added two essential instructions to your parenting toolkit in Spanish.
Key Takeaways:
- To tell your son to sit down, you say:
Siéntate. - To tell him to eat, you say:
Come. - You can add details like
despacio(slowly) to make your instruction more specific:Come despacio. - Always remember to add
por favorto keep your instructions polite and gentle.
Start practicing these phrases during your next meal. Using them in their natural context is the most effective way to make them a part of your active vocabulary.
Next Steps
We've spent a lot of time at the dinner table! In our next lesson, we will move from the kitchen to the playroom. You'll start learning the names of common toys like la pelota (the ball) and el coche (the car), opening up a whole new world of conversation and play with your son.
¡Hasta la próxima