Reflexive verb maquillarse

Erika K.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Reflexive verb maquillarse

I was taught to use the phrase, "maquillarse la cara".  Is "maquillar su cara" natural to say in Spanish?  

I wrote "voy a maquillarle la cara", and I think this is also correct.

Asked 3 years ago
InmaKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hola Shafagh

The definite articles el/la are also used to refer to someone else's body part. 

To make it obvious you'd need to include an indirect object pronoun:

Voy a maquillarle la cara.

Le voy a maquillar la cara. 

Literally meaning  I'm going to make up her face to her.

This "le" means "to her", so this makes is clear.

Saludos

Inma

InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Erika

Yes, that would be absolutely correct: voy a maquillarle la cara

This is a more advanced alternative. We used the more literal and basic option which is also correct as it is a A1 exercise. But I added this one to the possible alternative correct answers. 

Gracias y saludos

Inma

Shafagh K.A2Kwiziq community member

If you use “la” cara how can the listener know if she is painting her own face or her daughter’s face? 

I thought “la/el” is used for body parts only when it’s obvious it’s the subject’s body part

Reflexive verb maquillarse

I was taught to use the phrase, "maquillarse la cara".  Is "maquillar su cara" natural to say in Spanish?  

I wrote "voy a maquillarle la cara", and I think this is also correct.

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