Help with spanish! How do you translate this?

Question

¿qué le dijo el doctor al paciente que tiene un yeso en la pierna?
is there anything in this sentence which applies that the doctor is giving advices to Ud? or can I answer it with informal tu.
thanks!

Answer 1

Hi!
The sentence translates as:
"What did the doctor say to the patient with a cast on his leg?".

Actually, with that Spanish sentence, you don't have a way of saying HOW was the doctor reffering to the patient as far a if with "Ud." or "Tu". I could be either one because the question is very generic and does not reffer directly to the Doctor or the Patient.

I think there is a previous text with the description of the situation... there you will be able to see how did the Doctor reffer to the patient.
You can use either one of this guidelines to see:
1. The use of "Ud." in the text, lets you know directly if there is a formal use of the YOU.
2. The conjugation of the verbs. If the doctor speaks to the patient with "S" at the end of the verbs, is informal (EX: "tienes", "estas")
EX: "Tienes una fractura en la pierna" (you have a leg fracture)
"Estás enfermo" (you are sick)

If, on the contrary, you find no "S" at the end of the verbs used in the Doctor's dialogues, he's using a formal way of expression (EX: "tiene", "está")
EX: "Tiene una fractura en la pierna" (you have a leg fracture - FORMAL)
"Está enfermo" (you are sick - FORMAL).

The second conjugation is also used for the third person, so be aware!
"Tiene una fractura en la pierna" can also be traslated as "HE/SHE has a leg fracture". The text will specify which case is it.
This conjugation would be use if the doctor is speaking to someone other than the patient (for example, a nurse or a relative of the patient)

Goodluck!

Answer 2

what did the doctor tell the patient with the cast on the leg?
there is no specific reference to Usted or Tu since you are talking about a third person using -le- which is for third person figure, but if you are to answer quoting the doctor then the doctor would address that person as Usted or Tu depending on the kind of relationship between them ( if they know each other for some time )

Answer 3

Well, you can answer: "Usted debe cuidarse por unas seis semanas. Después de ese tiempo venga a verme."
The use of TU is considered not respectful in Spanish speaking countries, unless you have a very close relationship with the patient

Answer 4

the sentence means
what did the Doctor tell to the patient with a cast on his leg?

i don't understand what you to mean with the second part...

Answer 5

it means- what did the doctor tell the patient with a cast on her leg?

Answer 6

"What did the doctor say to the patient with a cast on his leg?".