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I once wrote an original poem in Spanish that includes the following:

The question relates to the second sentence, which of two translations regarding "scare me" is "better" or correct? Or can they both be used.

Hay una cosa importante que debo decirte.
Aunque esta cosa siempre me da un poco miedo/me hace temor.
Pero si you no te digo todo sera peor,
Oye por favor, me grito del amor.

Translation:

There is something important that I must tell you.
Although it is something that scares me half to death.
But if I don't tell you it will all be for the worse.
Listen to me please, and hear my cry of love.

Tune: You Ren Xihuan Lan (Some People Like Blue), Chinese Karaoke.

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What about me espanta? – hippietrail Nov 18 '11 at 8:55
If your intent is to get across "scared half to death", that's really pretty scared, unless it is said jokingly. It seems like you might not want to say "un poco" in that case because that makes it seem like it's only a little scary. – aedia λ Nov 18 '11 at 20:22
@aediaλ: This is called "parallel composing," trying to write a poem half in English, half in spanish, then trying to reconcile them. And doing both to the tune of a Chinese karaoke song. – Tom Au Nov 18 '11 at 20:28

2 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

It would be me da un poco de miedo (de is needed) or me causa temor. Temor has better rhyme.

Other things:

Pero si yo no te digo => Pero si yo no te lo digo

Oye, por favor, me grito del amor => Escucha, por favor, mi grito de amor

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up vote 2 down vote

There is something important that I must tell you.
Although it is something that scares me half to death.
But if I don't tell you it will all be for the worse,
Listen to me please, and hear my cry of love.

Hay algo importante que debo decirte.
Aunque esto me provoca mucho miedo
/Pero si no te lo digo/ Pero si no lo hago, todo será peor.
Escúchame por favor, y escucha mi grito de amor.

Listen,hear = escuchar to fear=tener miedo

Yo tengo miedo

Tu tienes miedo

El/Ella tiene miedo

Nosotros tenemos miedo

Ustedes(Vosotros) tienen miedo

Ellos/Ellas tienen miedo

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