All Questions
2
votes
1answer
87 views
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre “se me olvidó” y “olvidé”?
¿Cuales son las diferencias semánticas entre "se me olvidó" y "olvidé"?
Ejemplo:
Se me olvido mi teléfono.
Olvidé mi teléfono.
Creo que cuando se usa el reflexivo indica menos ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
“Decoded” Fashion ?
There is a computer programming event next week, "Decoded Fashion". I had write (in Spanish) that I was going to this event.
I found two translations on Google translate: descodificar descifrar.
...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
¿Qué significa abatizar (visto en Nicaragua)?
He visto la palabra abatizar en periódicos de Nicaragua, pero no puedo encontrar la palabra ni en el diccionario de la RAE ni en WordReference.com. ¿Exactamente qué significa abatizar y en cuales ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
How to express the concept “for each disctinct grouping of column value combinations” in spanish
ENGLISH
I am translating a line of text
"for each disctinct grouping of column value combinations"
I came with
"para cada grupo distinto de combinaciones de valores por columna"
but I ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
re-optimizar o volver a optimizar o reoptimizar
Cual es el mejor uso de "re-optimizar o volver a optimizar o reoptimizar"
si tengo que poner en un texto cientifico
"Esto evita desarrollar y re-optimizar ..."
¿cual de las 3 opciones queda mejor?
...
2
votes
2answers
169 views
Regional pronunciations of “LL” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to pronounce the consonants y and ll?
I had one teacher that taught me to pronounce "LL" harshly, something like the English "J". Another teacher I learned from told ...
2
votes
2answers
225 views
Reflexivo: Se dativo
Could you please explain the below:
Se dativo o intensificador del verbo.
Con el mismo valor: me, te, nos, os.
A veces, el pronombre reflexivo sirve únicamente para intensificar el significado ...
2
votes
1answer
48 views
Gramática: reflexivo
Dice que
El reflexivo tiene un valor factitivo: No es el que hace directamente la acción, sino quien la ordena hacer.
· Nos hicimos una casa en el pueblo.
· Ayer me corté el pelo.
I do not ...
2
votes
1answer
560 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:
...
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
1answer
169 views
How does portuñol work and how effective is it? [closed]
I've briefly read about Portuñol, which is supposedly a code switching method for Spanish and Portuguese. How does it function, and what sounds are switched? Also, is it an effective method of ...
2
votes
3answers
116 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
1answer
25 views
Sentence structure: el que, lo que
I've got three different writings for the meaning of "Only the present moment is what you can control.", could you please advise which one is more appropriate?
Solo el presente es lo que se ...
2
votes
0answers
316 views
Suffixes used to transform an adjective into a noun [closed]
Spanish has, to my knowledge, more possible suffixes than for example English or German. Many adjectives can be transformed into nouns by adding -ness, -ism, -ity in English, or -keit, -heit, -ismus ...
2
votes
2answers
149 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
121 views
Origin of 'r' in 'rencontrar'
The Spanish equivalent of the English word "encounter" is "rencontrar." Why does the Spanish version have the beginning "r" when the English one doesn't?
The source is the Spanish version of "Tea ...
1
vote
2answers
114 views
Translating “wise” (not referring to a person, e.g. “wise decision”)
As I understand it, wise is normally translated as sabio when referring to a person. What about when not referring to a person? For example:
I don't think that would be a very wise decision.
...
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
2answers
749 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
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
4answers
127 views
nuevos zapatos por/para España?
I am learning Spanish and want to post a picture of my new running shoes that I will be using in the Madrid marathon. Which is correct?
nuevos zapatos por España
or
nuevos zapatos para ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Happy Birthday songs in Spanish [closed]
The most recognized song in the English language is "Happy Birthday to You" (the common song sung on someone's birthday). What songs in Spanish are traditionally sung on birthdays (and what are the ...
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?
1
vote
1answer
313 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
871 views
Spanish abbreviations of days of the week
In English, the days of the week have single-letter abbreviations (M, T, W, etc.) and three-letter abbreviations (Mon., Tue., Wed.). What are the standard ways to abbreviate the days of the week in ...
1
vote
1answer
127 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
3answers
373 views
Singular and plural of pants, shorts, jeans, etc
In English, words like pants, shorts, and jeans appear to be in the plural but really refer to one item of clothing (I don't know what the technical term for it is). To be more specific, you can say ...
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
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 ...
1
vote
3answers
78 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
475 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
2answers
426 views
What Spanish dialect is used for dubbing international films/shows?
When dubbing foreign movies or TV shows in Spanish for an international audience, what dialect or variety of Spanish is typically used? Does it vary, or is there a particular variant that's considered ...
1
vote
1answer
379 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
2answers
92 views
Could General Pablo Morrillo have been misunderstood as saying “Spain does not need wise people.”?
According to wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Morillo
"When Morillo ordered the execution of the Colombian scientist Francisco José de Caldas (known as El Sabio Caldas, "Wise Caldas") ...
1
vote
3answers
66 views
How can I translate/describe a “rough idle” to the mechanic?
I need to take my vehicle to a mechanic to diagnose a problem with a rough idle. How do I translate this term, "rough idle" to Spanish?
1
vote
1answer
119 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
1answer
135 views
¿Doble complemento directo?
¿Cuál es la resolución o las resoluciones al análisis de la siguiente oración?
Consideramos a Pedro un buen maestro.
Claramente no hay Complemento u Objeto Indirecto porque los dos aceptan ...
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
1answer
73 views
Translation of “garden shears”
Garden shears (pruning shears) are specialized scissors used in gardening. Loppers are a bigger, two-handed version used to cut larger branches. Are there specific terms in Spanish to refer to these ...
1
vote
2answers
134 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
516 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
1answer
71 views
How to use “A golpe de silbato”?
A golpe de silbato.
literally means
blow a whistle.
However, it is used to describe fast actions and/or decisions.
Could someone explain more about it and when/how to use it correctly?
...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Recurso literario para convertir “Me explico” en “Mesplico”
Me sale naturalmente juntar ambas palabras.
¿Existe algun recurso literario que valide esta forma de expresion?
"Me explico" -> "Mesplico"
1
vote
1answer
22 views
Coming “down” or “up” (traveling from one place to another)
In English (at least US English), it is common to use "up" and "down" when giving directions. For example:
When are you coming down to visit us?
I went up to see him for the weekend.
The "up" and ...
1
vote
2answers
96 views
Melómano y cinéfilo ¿Por qué se forman con sufijos diferentes?
Melómano y cinéfilo ¿Por qué se forman con sufijos diferentes? ¿De dónde proviene el sufijo -filo? El Diccionario de la Real Academia Española, en cuanto a los que les gusta la música les llama ...
1
vote
2answers
817 views
“Major” and “minor” (emphasis of study in college)
In many universities in the US, students choose a primary specialty to study (called their "major") and optionally a secondary emphasis (called a "minor"). How would these terms be expressed in ...
1
vote
3answers
349 views
How do you describe a slight right/left turn (bearing left or right)?
When giving directions in English, we typically say "turn" to mean a full 90 degree (more or less) turn, but a shallow turn can be a "slight left/right" and we might say something like "bear right at ...
