Determining the best possible word to express a concept among several choices.
2
votes
3answers
176 views
Translation of “ASAP”
What is the most common translation of ASAP (As Soon As Possible) in Spanish?
I have seen:
cuanto antes
cuanto antes posible
lo más pronto posible
cuanto antes, mejor
Are these all common and ...
2
votes
3answers
88 views
Translation of “desarrollo integral”
What is the best English translation for the Spanish phrase desarrollo integral (as applied to a person or country)? "Complete development" doesn't sound right, and I can't find the phrase in my ...
2
votes
1answer
813 views
Translation of “bed bug” (chinche?)
In English, bed bugs are parasitic insects that can infest beds and the areas where people sleep. Wikipedia shows that the Spanish term for bed bug is chinche. However, my understanding is that ...
2
votes
2answers
761 views
Ways to say “you're welcome”
The "textbook" way to say "you're welcome" in Spanish is de nada. English has many ways to express this:
You're welcome.
No problem.
Don't worry about it.
My pleasure.
What other ways are there in ...
2
votes
1answer
462 views
Describing the common cold or flu in Spanish
In English, when talking about common viruses people often get, there are generally two categories:
a cold is generally more mild and can come with runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, etc.
...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
cordura vs sensatez vs juicio vs sabiduría
Other than juicio, which has the additional meaning of a legal trial, these words all have to do with wisdom, judgement, and/or sense, as I understand it.
In what ways are they different?
2
votes
2answers
75 views
Why is “por” prefered to “para” in the example within?
From Shakira's Suerte:
Yo puedo escalar los Andes solo
Por ir a contar tus lunares
Why is por preferable to para in this case. If one translation of para is roughly "for the purpose of", ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
accommodating (as in “Thanks for being so accommodating”)
If someone has been very kind in adjusting their schedule and making sacrifices to help you, in English you might say, "Thanks for being so accommodating!"
What is the most natural translation of ...
2
votes
2answers
145 views
What is the difference between “por medio de” and “a través de”?
It seems like a través de and por medio de can often be used to mean the same thing. What is the difference between them, and in what contexts can you only use one or the other?
2
votes
3answers
111 views
What is the preferred word to use to know if the partner is grasping what you are explaining?
Suppose that you are explaining something to someone. Which of these is more appropriate to use?
¿Me entiendes?
¿Me explico?
If you use "me explico" it could be interpreted as if you are ...
2
votes
2answers
242 views
Translation of “It will be a while before/until…”
When explaining that something won't happen soon, English uses expressions like:
It will be a while until ...
It will be a while before ...
It will be a long time until ...
It will ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Translation of “contra viento y marea”
What is the most idiomatic English translation of the Spanish phrase contra viento y marea?
2
votes
1answer
367 views
reserva vs. reservación
What is the difference between reserva and reservación (as in a reservation that you would make at a restaurant)? Do the two words mean the same thing? Which is used in what parts of the ...
2
votes
2answers
318 views
Most common translation of “Happy New Year!”
Is "Happy New Year!" more commonly translated as "¡Feliz Año Nuevo!" or "¡Próspero Año Nuevo!"? Are the two basically synonyms, or is there a difference between the two?
2
votes
1answer
281 views
Translating “I don't trust you” (said casually)
I have heard that confiar is a strong word, implying trust and confidence in someone or something. What then is the right way to translate more casual uses of the word "trust"?
For example, let's say ...
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Different words for “sign”
Spanish has several words that could be translated "sign" in English:
letrero
rótulo
señal
indicio
cartel
pancarta
seña
What are the differences between these words? In what situations can each be ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Differences between “razón de,” “razón por la que,” and “razón para”
I think I've heard three ways of translating "the reason [something happened]" or "the reason [for something]":
la razón para
la razón de
la razón por la que
What is the difference between these ...
2
votes
1answer
183 views
Translation of cord, cable, string, line, thread, rope, etc
In English there are many words describing different kinds of long, skinny, flexible objects:
cord
line (as in fishing line, clothesline)
cable
strand
lace (as in shoe lace)
thread
rope
string
wire
...
2
votes
1answer
82 views
“Reclamo” vs. “Reclamación”
Whenever I go to a restaurant I see a Libro de Reclamaciones which I believe it's something like a Book of Complaints. I thought the direct translation of complaint was in fact reclamo or queja. In ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
justicia: justice and righteousness?
In the Spanish Bible, I believe the English "justice" and "righteousness" are both translated as justicia. Is justicia the only word that can translate both of these terms? Is there any way to know ...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Translating “wait until” or “wait for”
How do you translate phrases involving wait until or wait for:
Wait until I call you before you leave for the restaurant.
Wait for me to come home before you buy the tickets.
You should ...
2
votes
2answers
684 views
Equivalent of “To whom it may concern:”
When writing formal letters in English where there is no named recipient (for example, a job application sent to a Human Resources department, or a letter sent to an organization in general as opposed ...
2
votes
1answer
167 views
Different words for “servant”
According to Wiktionary, the English "servant" has two meanings:
One who serves another, providing help in some manner.
(e.g. She is quite the humble servant, the poor in this city owe much to her ...
2
votes
1answer
55 views
What is the difference between “por si” and “por si acaso”?
I learned that "just in case" should be translated por si acaso, but I have also heard por si used by itself without the acaso. I believe I've even heard si acaso without the por. What is the ...
2
votes
2answers
172 views
Translating “to wind up (doing something)”
In informal English, we use the phrase "to wind up" to describe the final state of a situation, after all is said and done. For example:
How did you wind up moving to Kansas after growing up in ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Translation of “in a pickle” and related phrases
In English there are several idioms or phrases that describe being in the midst of a very difficult situation:
in a pickle
in a quandary
in a predicament
in between a rock and a hard place
How ...
2
votes
1answer
71 views
Translation of “range” (as in age range)
Is there a simple translation of the English "range" as in the phrase "age range"? If not, how would "age range" best be translated?
2
votes
1answer
165 views
Words for “to encourage”: alentar, animar, fomentar
In English, "to encourage" seems to have at least two uses:
to suggest that someone should do something (e.g. "He encouraged me to find a new guitar teacher.")
to give confidence or hope to someone ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Translating “paying one's (final) respects”
In English, if someone visits a grave or goes to a funeral of someone who has died, we can say he is going "to pay his respects" or "to pay his last respects." While it's hard to explain what this ...
2
votes
3answers
115 views
How to say “later”
I know there are different ways to translate "later," depending on context.
más tarde
después
luego
entonces
en otra ocasión
And perhaps others?
How can I decide which translation of "later" to ...
2
votes
2answers
143 views
What is the rule for cualquier, cualquiera, and cualesquiera?
I remember learning the rule for when to use cualquier, cualquiera, and cualesquiera, but was always confused about the exact differences. When should each be used, and what role do number, gender, ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
“It was great to see you”
What is the most natural translation of the English phrase "It was great to see you" (as in what you would say after seeing a friend you hadn't seen for a long time)?
1
vote
2answers
463 views
wallet: cartera vs. billetera
The English word "wallet" (as in something you carry in your pocket to hold money, credit cards, etc.) can be translated into Spanish as cartera or billetera. Are the words synonyms that can be used ...
1
vote
2answers
743 views
Translation of “Are you ok?” or “Are you alright?”
What is the best Spanish translation of the English phrase "Are you ok?" or "Are you alright?" (said out of concern for someone who has just gotten hurt, for example after tripping and falling or ...
1
vote
2answers
337 views
Translating “They don't call me … for nothing.”
In English, there is a phrase "They don't call me ... for nothing." (showing that some nickname someone has has been confirmed by something they just did or are about to do). Is there any equivalent ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
plan: plano vs. plan
The English "plan" can be translated into Spanish as plan or plano. What is the difference between plan and plano, and when would each one be used?
1
vote
1answer
309 views
Translation of “too good to be true”
In English, we say something is "too good to be true" to express that apparently amazing deals or benefits generally aren't real. Is there an equivalent phrase in Spanish?
1
vote
1answer
126 views
Efficient: eficiente vs. eficaz
The English "efficient" can be translated as either eficiente or eficaz in Spanish. What is the difference between these two translations? In what situations can each be used?
1
vote
2answers
126 views
Spanish words for cap, cover, lid, etc
What Spanish words can be used to describe a cap, cover, lid, or top (in other words, something placed on top of something, usually to close an opening)? What is the difference between tapa and tapón? ...
1
vote
1answer
468 views
How should “have been” be translated?
I often use the phrase "have been" (or "has been") in English in sentences like:
It has been raining a lot recently.
I have been thinking about the exam all week.
It's been a long time since I've ...
1
vote
2answers
72 views
Translation of “en cierta medida”
What is the best translation of en cierta medida to English? It seems like there are several phrases in English that would work, but I'm not sure which best reflects the sense of the Spanish phrase.
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Insect bites vs. stings
In English, some insects bite you (like mosquitos), while other insects sting you (like bees). A bite generally involves an animal's mouth, while a sting involves another part of the animal (a bee's ...
1
vote
1answer
377 views
Translating “how is …?” and “how was …?”
What are the options for translating the phrase "how is" or "how was," as in:
How's the steak?
How is your day so far?
How is the traffic today?
and
How was your vacation?
How was the meeting?
...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
Synonyms for big (grande), as in volume?
I'm trying to find a proper synonym for "grande", as in the quality of three dimensional objects of occupying space, to use with a regular object, such as a "big dog". I'll explain my specific ...
1
vote
3answers
164 views
Break: romper vs. quebrar vs. quebrantar vs. partir
Off the top of my head, I can think of four Spanish translations for the English verb "to break":
romper
quebrar
quebrantar
partir
In what cases can each be used, and what are the differences ...
1
vote
2answers
131 views
“although” vs. “even though” vs. “though”
In English, there are three conjunctions that are very similar:
although
even though
though
Is aunque the only possible translation of these to Spanish, or are there similar synonyms in Spanish as ...
1
vote
1answer
506 views
Translation of “What's wrong?”
What is the most natural translation of the English phrase, "What's wrong?" (i.e. what you would ask a person who appears sad or hurt or withdrawn)? ¿Qué te pasó? would be one option, but that seems ...
1
vote
2answers
188 views
Words for mountain/hill [closed]
English describes landforms that rise above the surrounding land as "mountains" or "hills." What words in Spanish describe a mountain or a hill? What are the differences between them (i.e. what size ...
1
vote
1answer
3k views
Translating “kind words” (as in “Thank you for your kind words.”)
In English if someone complements you or expresses their gratitude for something you've done, you can respond with something like, "Thank you for your kind words."
What Spanish phrase would best ...
1
vote
1answer
450 views
Translation of “llevar a cabo”
What does the Spanish phrase llevar a cabo mean in English? What are the most common translations of the phrase into English?
