Spanish Phrase
Dales espacio para que se ejerciten.
Meaning
The sentence is a suggestion or instruction: ‘Give them space so that they can exercise.’ It can refer to children, pets, or anyone who needs room to move and stay active.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to advise someone to provide physical room for others to be active – for example, in a playground, a gym, or a classroom setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Dalesespacioparaqueseejerciten
Imperative + indirect object pronoun
‘Dales’ combines the affirmative command of ‘dar’ (da) with the indirect object pronoun ‘les’, meaning ‘give them’.
Purpose clause ‘para que’
‘Para que’ introduces a clause that expresses purpose; it is followed by the subjunctive mood.
Reflexive verb in subjunctive
‘Ejercitarse’ is a reflexive verb; in the purpose clause it appears in the present subjunctive ‘se ejerciten’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo podemos ayudar a los niños en el parque?
How can we help the kids in the park?
Dales espacio para que se ejerciten.
Give them space so they can exercise.
✕Common Mistakes
Da les espacio para que se ejerciten.
In the affirmative command you must attach the pronoun to the verb: ‘Dales’, not ‘Da les’.
Dales espacio para que se ejercen.
The purpose clause requires the subjunctive, so ‘se ejerciten’, not the indicative ‘se ejercen’.
Darles espacio para que se ejerciten.
While grammatically correct, it loses the direct command tone that ‘Dales’ conveys in spoken advice.
↔Alternatives
Permíteles moverse libremente.
Allow them to move freely.
Déjales espacio para que hagan ejercicio.
Leave them space so they can work out.
Bríndales espacio para que se mantengan activos.
Provide them space so they stay active.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, encouraging physical activity for children is seen as a communal responsibility. Phrases like ‘dar espacio’ or ‘permitirles moverse’ are common in schools, parks, and family settings, and they carry a friendly, supportive tone rather than a strict command.