To haga or not to haga

[bigbird]

I have been using one of the online spanish programs for Spanish 101. When asking someone if they want to do something you would say.

Quiere usted comer (caminar, dormir, bailar, etc.)

Recently I also started using an online translator which gives this translation.

Haga usted quiere comer (caminar, dormir, bailar, etc.)

What is the difference? Which is more commonly used?

In real life I would replace the usted with tu as in most cases I would be conversing with someone I know.

Also, what is the difference between using tu or ti?

 

[mkohn]

I have been using one of the online spanish programs for Spanish 101. When asking someone if they want to do something you would say.

Quiere usted comer (caminar, dormir, bailar, etc.)

Recently I also started using an online translator which gives this translation.

Haga usted quiere comer (caminar, dormir, bailar, etc.)

What is the difference? Which is more commonly used?

In real life I would replace the usted with tu as in most cases I would be conversing with someone I know.

Also, what is the difference between using tu or ti?

Haga is from the verb hacer = to make. It really doesn't make any sense in the sentence.

Tu is used like "Me gusta tu corbata." I like your tie.
Ti is used like this: "A ti te gustan los platanos?" Do you like platanos? Or, "Estos mangos son para ti." These mangoes are for you.
Sometimes those auto-translators don't really get the meaning.
When replacing usted with tu, check the tu form of the verb, because it is different.
Like, "Me gusta su corbata." "A usted le gustan los platanos?" etc.
Hope this helps.
mkohn

 

[Chirimoya]

It's meaningless. It is proof that online translators are an abomination, unless you want to know the gist of a piece of text. They will never be grammatically accurate, the word order will be jumbled as they translate literally, and many words will be mis-translated.

Haga is the subjunctive of 'hacer' (to do). I'm guessing that the sentence you quote is the online translator's literal interpretation of "Do you want to eat?" which should be "?Quieres comer?" using the familiar form of address as opposed to the formal "Quiere (usted) comer?".

T?, tu and ti have been dealt with here before, I won't risk it myself because I'm likely to meter la pata. edited to add - Mary's already answered that bit.

 

[bigbird]

Thanks for the insight.

I am using the free online version of Visual Link Spanish. So far I enjoy the interactive course, as I am able to see and hear the Spanish words. More than likely I will purchase the full edition as I feel I have made some progress.

Recently I started with the online translators, IM Translator and Babel. This is when the confusion started. Babel translates do you want to eat as ?usted desea comer?. Now at this point I am starting to scratch my head.

I will do a search on the tu & ti.

 

[xamaicano]

I would suggest not using an online translator as learning tool.

 

[macocael]

get the right tools

Hate to say it, but to learn a language you need proper tools. A good dictionary and a good grammar to start. Lesley D recommended B?rbara Mujica's El Proximo Paso. Available at Amazon for 5 bucks (orignally an 80 dollar textbook). It is really quite good.

 

[bigbird]

Hate to say it, but to learn a language you need proper tools.

Thanks for the tip, constructive criticism is just what I am looking for.