How best to render a tricky Spanish word or expression in English or one from some language in Spanish.
4
votes
1answer
164 views
Any rhyme or reason to the names of playing cards?
Playing cards A-10 are named expectedingly, As, followed by dos through diez. But the Jack, Queen and King are called (at least in my experience):
Jota
Qüina
Rey
I can understand calling a card ...
5
votes
1answer
227 views
A good word for “quest” in Spanish
The translation for Quest is "búsqueda" but it just does not work properly. In English we say "I'm on a quest for the holy grail" this is not quite the same as "I'm searching for the holy grail." So ...
8
votes
1answer
381 views
¿Cómo se dice “cheers” en español?
¿Qué dicen los españoles cuando juntos levantan la copa de vino solemnemente? ¿Cómo se dice "cheers" en español?
6
votes
3answers
629 views
Regional usage and literal meaning of “¡No manches!”
The phrase ¡No manches! is quite common here in Mexico, and it's easy to tell from context when it ought to be used (similar to "No way!" in English), but what does it literally mean? And where is ...
0
votes
3answers
388 views
Interpretation of quotes or famous sayings [closed]
I know you can't translate everything directly, sometimes it doesn't make sense, specially when it comes from quotes.
What would be the best intepretation of the following quotes?:
What goes ...
2
votes
3answers
253 views
Difference between usage of “por favor” and “please”
I heard that Spanish puts much less value on "por favor" than English does on "please". If this is true, could someone elaborate? Are there any situations where in English 'please' is expected, but in ...
3
votes
2answers
94 views
Are nonsensical lyrics common in Spanish lyrics?
Based on the answer given to my other question, I'd like to know if it's common to have completely nonsensical lyrics in Spanish music. I know English music has some ridiculous lyrics, but generally ...
2
votes
2answers
78 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
1answer
68 views
Difference between some verbs and pronomial forms of the verb with the same translation
SpanishDict translates some verbs and their pronomial forms (+de, +a, etc.) as the same thing. Off the top of my head:
Escapar - to escape
Escaparse de - to escape
Olvidar - to forget
...
4
votes
1answer
251 views
Names of mythical beings/creatures
Another question I asked made me realize that English has many names for mythical beings. Many of these can refer to both a historical myth or superstition as well as a more modern definition (in ...
2
votes
3answers
82 views
video vs. grabación
What is the difference between video and grabación? In other words, what types of "videos" does each describe? Which of the two would best describe a video recorded using a home video recorder or ...
1
vote
2answers
70 views
Translating “peripheral” (computer device)
In English, "peripheral" or "peripheral device" refers to most devices that can be connected to a computer: keyboards, mice, digital cameras, external hard drives, webcams, etc.
Is there an ...
2
votes
1answer
94 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
1answer
258 views
Literal and metaphorical translation of “duende”
I have read that duende can mean both a mythical creature or, metaphorically, a kind of magical sensation to something. What exactly does duende refer to in both senses? How would both of these senses ...
4
votes
2answers
503 views
“Vegetable”: verdura vs. vegetal
What is the difference between verduras and vegetales? In what situations can one be used as a translation for "vegetables" and the other cannot?
2
votes
2answers
4k views
Translating “I'm sorry for your loss”
What is the most natural way in Spanish to say "I'm sorry for your loss," as in what you would say to someone grieving over a departed relative or friend (or even the loss of a job)?
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Best English translation of “conmoción”
I was told the Spanish word conmoción refers to a strong feeling of shock or emotion shared by a group of people rather than an individual. It seems like English doesn't have a single word or phrase ...
0
votes
1answer
458 views
Translating “for the rest of the day”
What is the best way to translate the phrase "for the rest of the day" into Spanish, as in the following examples:
I'm tired, I think I want to stay home for the rest of the day.
Do you think it ...
2
votes
1answer
412 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
1answer
609 views
Translating “a sí mismo, por sí mismo”
The phrase is:
un escritor hecho a sí mismo, por sí mismo
Searching around, both a sí mismo and por sí mismo were translated as "for himself, by himself".
I figure in this context it means:
...
0
votes
1answer
116 views
caja vs. cajón vs. estuche
"Box" in English can be translated into Spanish as caja, cajón, or estuche. What exactly is the difference between these three words? What types of boxes are translated as each? Which would best ...
4
votes
1answer
135 views
Airport baggage vocabulary
On a recent trip to a Spanish-speaking country, I realized I don't know most of the terms involved in the process of retrieving luggage at a destination airport. I thought it would make sense to ...
2
votes
2answers
323 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
2answers
824 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
3answers
219 views
Translating “Thanks in advance”
In letters or emails, I often end by saying "Thanks in advance," thanking the recipient in advance for whatever I am requesting. Is there an equivalent phrase in Spanish that is used in the same way?
1
vote
3answers
79 views
Ordinary, regular, run-of-the-mill, average, etc
In English, there are a lot of ways to express that someone or something is standard and not particularly special or extraordinary. For example:
Ordinary people like you and me can sometimes ...
2
votes
3answers
99 views
Translating “preferences” and “settings”
What is the standard way in Spanish to translate "preferences" (a menu option in computer programs where you can adjust program settings)?
What is the standard way to translate "settings" (an ...
2
votes
1answer
288 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
140 views
Packing material vocabulary
In English, there are quite a few words to describe materials used to pad and insulate packages that are being shipped from one place to another:
packing peanuts or foam peanuts are individual ...
0
votes
2answers
441 views
Translating “Me la paso pensándote”
In Wisin y Yandel's "Estoy Enamorado," the chorus contains the following line:
Me la paso pensándote, nunca voy a soltarte
What does "Me la paso pensándote" mean? Is "me" a reflexive or indirect ...
0
votes
2answers
106 views
Words for “grave”: tumba vs. sepultura
English has several words for burial places, many of which have specific, distinct meanings:
grave
tomb
vault
crypt
mausoleum
sepulcher
As far as I know, Spanish has at least two words for ...
2
votes
1answer
62 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
284 views
Different words for “stop”
In English, we have a fairly generic verb "to stop" that can be used in many different contexts. For example:
Stop talking to me!
The driver saw the red light and stopped his car.
You really need to ...
2
votes
3answers
107 views
Translating “aquaponics”
In English, aquaponics describes a system combining aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic relationship. I haven't been able to find this word in any Spanish-English dictionary, and the Wikipedia ...
4
votes
3answers
238 views
How can I translate the expression “sour grapes” to Spanish?
From the Oxford dictionary:
sour grapes
used to refer to an attitude in which someone adopts a negative attitude to something because they cannot have it themselves:
government officials ...
4
votes
1answer
117 views
Translating “break” (during work)
In the US, it is common for workers to take a half-hour or hour lunch break in the middle of the day, plus two ten or fifteen minute breaks in the morning and afternoon. Spanish has many words that ...
3
votes
3answers
351 views
bastante: enough or too much?
I have seen bastante translated as enough, plenty, or even too much. What range of meanings does bastante have? How can you determine whether it means just enough or too much?
4
votes
2answers
580 views
Translating “How long does it take to get from <here> to <there>?”
What is the most natural and common way to ask how much time it takes to get from one location to another? For example:
How long does it take to get from Guadalajara to Mexico City?
How long does it ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
Use of AM/PM in time
Aside from using 'military time' (19:00 for 7:00 PM), is there another approach to delineate between AM/PM time in Spanish?
11
votes
1answer
142 views
Translation of the C++ “move constructor” language element
The C++ programming language has several types of constructors (functions invoked when an object is being created):
Default constructor: constructor por defecto.
Copy constructor: constructor de ...
5
votes
5answers
209 views
Computer science, software engineer/developer, and programmer
When visiting Spanish-speaking countries, I've been told various ways to translate these terms:
Computer Science (as in a university degree program)
Software Engineer
Software Developer
Programmer
...
13
votes
4answers
792 views
I forgot how to say “I forgot”
Okay, so I didn't really forget how to say it... I just wanted a clever question title.
In my Spanish class I was taught that olvidarse is reflexive:
Me olvidé (de la cita).
Me olvidé (las ...
4
votes
2answers
166 views
Translation of “Under Pressure” — Queen song title
Today I heard Under Pressure by Queen on the radio. After the song, the DJ announced the song as Alta Presión. That sounds more to me like "High Pressure" than "Under Pressure." I would have ...
5
votes
1answer
93 views
Tanto X como Y - ¿importa el orden?
Estoy traduciendo una frase de inglés:
Instructions are available in both English and Spanish.
La estructura que me parece más natural para este uso de both es tanto ... como ...:
Las ...
3
votes
4answers
773 views
Translating “young man” and “young woman”
In English, we use the phrases "young man" and "young woman" to refer to a person (usually an adolescent) who is older than a "boy" or "girl" but younger than an "adult." It generally indicates ...
10
votes
3answers
177 views
Is there a Spanish equivalent for “OP”?
The English abbreviation OP for the term Original Poster is widely used over the internet. Do the abbreviation and/or the term have widely used equivalents in Spanish?
1
vote
1answer
386 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?
...
4
votes
1answer
516 views
What's the best way to say “perífrasis verbal” in English?
"Perífrasis verbal" seems to be used pretty consistently at least in some references to refer to grammatical constructions like ir a.
But I'm not sure if it's a set grammatical or linguistic term, ...
12
votes
1answer
267 views
How to avoid the lexical redundancy in the literal Spanish translation of “to ask a question”?
In English we have different words for the verb to ask and the noun question.
But in Spanish to ask is preguntar and question is pregunta.
This always causes me to stumble when speaking Spanish and ...
3
votes
5answers
133 views
Translation of 'I was the one who did it'
What's the correct way to translate 'I was the one who did it'? By a literal translation it would be:
Yo fui el que lo hizo.
However, I know in Spanish the verb is often made to agree with the ...
