How best to render a tricky Spanish word or expression in English or one from some language in Spanish.
1
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3answers
92 views
Translation of “desafuero” to English
WordReference says that the Spanish word desafuero can be used to refer to the "withdrawal of parliamentary/ministerial privileges." I recently saw this word used in this sense in a newspaper article. ...
2
votes
1answer
167 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
3answers
110 views
Translation of “twang”
In English (at least American English), "twang" is an onomatopoeia describing the sound of a plucked or vibrating string. It also describes a characteristic of that sound (more common in, say, country ...
4
votes
1answer
95 views
“Mariscal de campo” for “quarterback”
The American football position of quarterback is sometimes translated to Spanish as mariscal de campo (literally field marshal) It does not seem like this is the official translation since RAE limits ...
2
votes
3answers
420 views
Translation of “real estate”
I have read that "real estate" can be translated as:
bienes raíces
bienes inmuebles
inmuebles
What is the difference between these terms, and which is the most generic translation of "real ...
3
votes
4answers
13k views
congratulations: felicidades vs. felicitaciones
English
I have heard both ¡Felicidades! and ¡Felicitaciones! as translations of the interjection, "Congratulations!"
What is the difference between the two, and when is each used?
Español
He ...
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
3answers
452 views
Translation of “I rest my case”
In English, the phrase "I rest my case" can be used in a conversation by one person whose point has just been proven by the other person. In a legal sense, it would mean that a lawyer has concluded ...
4
votes
4answers
794 views
Translation of mild, medium, and hot (food spiciness)
In English, salsa, hot sauce, or other spicy foods are often classified as either mild (not very spicy), medium (moderately spicy), or hot (very spicy). Does Spanish have similar adjectives to ...
2
votes
1answer
185 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
...
0
votes
1answer
145 views
Translation of “to wind (a rope, hose, string, cord, etc.)”
The other questions about "wind" got me thinking about it's normal verb use. To "wind" something is to wrap it in circles, either around an object or simply making a coil. For this use, it looks like ...
2
votes
1answer
184 views
Translation of the idiom: “To wind (somebody) up”
My question is similar to that of jrdioko's "to wind up (doing something)"
However the expression I'm looking for is: "To wind (somebody) up"
I know this is an idiomatic expression so there may or ...
2
votes
2answers
173 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
2answers
168 views
When it is okay to translate food dishes names?
There are some dishes that don't have a direct translation (i.e. Peruvian ceviche). There are other like Arroz con Pato than can be translated to something like Rice with Duck. Here's a list from ...
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
184 views
Translation of “to be fluent (in a language)”
The literal translation of "to speak a language fluently" would be hablar un idioma con fluidez, but I have heard that means that you speak the language fluidly and smoothly rather than that you have ...
1
vote
2answers
469 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
1answer
63 views
holy: santo vs. sagrado
What is the difference between santo and sagrado in translating the English religious word "holy." How are the two words used in religious contexts in Spanish-speaking countries?
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 ...
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.
3
votes
5answers
117 views
Translation of 'verbose'
I'm a software developer and I've seen thousands of times the word "verbose" in different tutorials, frameworks, etc. I wonder, which would be the correct translation of the word "verbose" in ...
4
votes
3answers
320 views
Translation of “Take ___ for granted”
I have heard this phrase a lot of times before in forms like:
Take (anything) for granted.
Don't take (anything) for granted.
I'm not sure about how to translate it:
Dar (algo) por ...
5
votes
4answers
835 views
to drink: beber vs. tomar
I have heard beber and tomar used interchangeably as translations for the English "to drink." Is there any difference between the two, or are they exact synonyms when describing drinking a liquid? Are ...
1
vote
2answers
97 views
waste: desperdiciar vs. malgastar
I learned that "waste" in English can be translated as desperdiciar or malgastar in Spanish. What is the difference between these two words? Are there any cases where one is correct and the other is ...
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
117 views
Translation of “What was your name again?”
In English, if someone has already met someone else but later forgets their name, they might ask them something like, "I'm sorry, what was your name again?" (which is less forceful than a blunt "What ...
1
vote
2answers
338 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
670 views
Translation of “take your time”
In English, when making a polite request, it's common to say "take your time" (to tell the other person there's no need to rush). What is the most natural translation of this into Spanish? Is this ...
5
votes
2answers
355 views
Translation of “how often” questions
What is the most idiomatic translation of "how often" into Spanish in questions like:
How often do the buses stop here?
How often does it rain in November?
How often do you get headaches?
How often ...
1
vote
2answers
191 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
182 views
What is the difference between parece and pareciera?
What is the difference between parece que and pareciera que? How are both normally translated? What tenses can be used after pareciera que, and in general how is pareciera used?
3
votes
2answers
171 views
Translation of “thank goodness” or “whew!”
In English, if a bad situation seems imminent but is finally avoided, we might reply with an interjection like "Thank goodness!" or "Whew!". I know "Thank goodness!" has several possible translations ...
3
votes
3answers
144 views
Translation of “settling in”
In English, "to settle in" describes what someone does after moving in to a new place or returning from a long vacation:
I just got back, I'm still settling in.
We moved last week! It will be ...
2
votes
2answers
243 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
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
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?
5
votes
1answer
325 views
“Echar” vs “tirar” vs “lanzar” vs “arrojar” vs “disparar” (to throw)
The basic meaning of them all as I understand it is:
To throw
Disparar seems to pertain exclusively to shooting or throwing something for the sole purpose of harming (maybe to shoot is the best ...
2
votes
3answers
980 views
Ways to express “to get ready” or “to get dressed”
What verbs in Spanish are used to express the concept of "getting ready" or "getting dressed" (for example, before leaving the house to go out to dinner)? I've seen alistarse, arreglarse, prepararse, ...
6
votes
3answers
254 views
Translation of “bloody” etc. for frustration (colloquialisms)
A random question,
In English I use words like 'bloody', 'damn', 'darn', 'blimmin', 'bleedin', 'freaking', to express frustration without using harsh swear words. (Ok maybe 'freaking' is just a spin ...
3
votes
2answers
237 views
esperar: wait vs. hope vs. expect
The verb esperar (e.g. Estoy esperándolo.) can be used in at least three senses:
to wait for
to hope
to expect
In English, these all mean very different things:
I'm waiting for you to ...
2
votes
3answers
487 views
challenge: desafío vs. reto
The English word "challenge" can be translated to Spanish as desafío (desafiar) or reto (retar). Is there any difference between these words, or are they exact synonyms? If there is a difference, when ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
819 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
3answers
431 views
Are there any words in Spanish that are very difficult to translate to English? [closed]
There seem to be many words (especially technical ones) in English that don't directly translate to a single word in Spanish. What about in the other direction: are there any words in Spanish that are ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Translation of “let me know”
I use the phrase "let me know" all the time in English. For example:
Just let me know when you're free.
Could you let me know whether you can come tomorrow?
If you have any questions, just let me ...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
How to form statements like “It was during that time that…”
"It was" is translated as era or estaba. I know for statements like "It was happy with you" (contigo estaba feliz) that works.
But what about constructions where the "it" is nothing in specific? ...
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 ...
1
vote
1answer
99 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?
2
votes
1answer
190 views
Software environments (development, testing, staging, production)
In software engineering, there are often multiple "environments" the codebase exists in:
development
testing or qa
staging
production
What is the Spanish term used for "environment," and how are ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
Translation of “Great!”
In English, the interjection "Great!" can be used to respond to almost any statement. In Spanish, I've heard a few similar interjections:
¡Qué bien!
¡Qué bueno!
¡Está bien!
¡Está bueno!
I've ...
