sépares

Sépares is the second-person singular present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb separar, meaning to separate. It is used in subordinate clauses introduced by que to express wish, doubt, possibility, necessity, or suggestion. In everyday speech and writing, it appears in contexts where the speaker wants to convey that the action of separating is desirable, uncertain, or provisional, for example: Es importante que tú separes las piezas por tipo.

Etymology and grammar: The form derives from the Latin separare, with the standard Spanish subjunctive endings applied to the verb stem separ-. As a subjunctive, separes is part of a larger system that governs mood rather than tense alone, contrasting with the indicative form separas in statements of fact.

Usage notes: Separes is commonly found in formal or careful speech, in instructions, recommendations, and expressions of obligation or doubt. The pronoun tú is often optional in Spanish, since the ending -es marks the second person singular; however, including tú can emphasize the subject for contrast or emphasis.

Orthography and related forms: In correct Spanish spelling, the form is separes (no accent). The accent version sépares does not reflect standard orthography and may indicate an error or misplacement of stress. The word is not to be confused with the French past participle séparés, which has a different meaning and gender/number agreement.

See also: Spanish grammar, subjunctive mood, separar, linguistic mood systems.