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21 votes
3 answers
22k 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?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
20 votes
7 answers
5k views

Translation of "bug" to Spanish

What is the best way to translate "bug", as in a misfeature of a computer program or device? Google translate offers a few options, none of which quite seem to fit, except the term itself: bug &...
Flimzy's user avatar
  • 13k
19 votes
9 answers
98k views

How do you differentiate between walnuts and pecans in Spanish?

It recently occurred to me that the Spanish nuez can be translated to English as both "walnut" and "pecan." Is the same word really used for both types of nuts? How would you specify which nut you're ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
18 votes
11 answers
65k views

How might you say a child is "cute" in Spanish?

Suppose you see a mother with a laughing little 2-year-old. In English, we might exclaim, "how cute!" I've had trouble saying this in Spanish. The word "cute" means something like "beautiful", but it ...
Nathan Long's user avatar
16 votes
5 answers
3k views

How to translate 'to become?' (hacerse, ponerse, convertirse en, etc.)

I've heard several different words used for 'to become' in Spanish. Obviously sometimes there are specific verbs to use, like 'enfadarse' means to become angry, but often you need to use a verb that ...
Gordon Gustafson's user avatar
15 votes
9 answers
165k views

Congratulations: should I use "felicidades" or "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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
15 votes
6 answers
1k views

Best way to translate 'uneducated', meaning lacking formal schooling

Generally the Spanish word maleducado more often means rude, rather than unschooled. In light of this, how would one describe someone who is polite and intelligent, but has never been formally ...
Gordon Gustafson's user avatar
14 votes
4 answers
3k views

Is there more concise way to say "tomorrow morning" than "mañana por la mañana"?

I am a designer, working on a weather forecast layout which will support Spanish translations. Is there a shorter way to say "Tomorrow Morning" than "mañana por la mañana"? I have many different ...
jessegavin's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
4k views

What is the spanish translation for "Account" when referring to a user account on a website?

The English > Spanish translation of account on Google Translate comes up with various forms of the word cuenta. However, the Spanish > English translation of cuenta returns words relating to ...
Jason's user avatar
  • 233
12 votes
2 answers
19k views

Armpit: sobaco vs. axila

"Armpit" in English can be translated as either sobaco or axila in Spanish. Is each term used in different regions, or are they both used across the Spanish-speaking world? What is the difference, or ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
12 votes
5 answers
34k views

¿Cuál es la palabra para algo que no se sabe cómo decir?

En inglés para referirse a algo que no tiene nombre o que no se sabe cómo decirlo, tenemos varias palabras: thing --> What is that thing on the wall? thingy --> How does this thingy work? thingamajig ...
gnarlybracket's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
38k views

What is the difference between "por siempre" and "para siempre" to say "forever"?

I have seen "forever" translated as both por siempre and para siempre. What is the difference? Are there contexts where you must use one or the other?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
11 votes
6 answers
28k views

Translation of "bowl"

I have heard many different translations for bowl (the dish) in different Spanish-speaking countries. What words are normally used to translate "bowl"? Which is most universally understood? What ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
10 votes
3 answers
7k views

Various translations of "ticket"

The English word ticket (that is, a slip of paper used to grant access to something) can be translated several different ways in Spanish: boleto pasaje billete ticket entrada resguardo What are the ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
10 votes
6 answers
12k views

How to say something is "annoying" in Spanish?

I have been wondering how to say annoying, adjective and verb, in Spanish (ES). I come from the Northwest of the US and we use this word very often. I have seen examples using molestar but none of ...
mraaroncruz's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
11k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
10 votes
5 answers
2k views

How to say 'Does it come with...?' like at a restaurant

Today I was ordering at the local taqueria and I wanted to ask whether my meal came with chips. The verbatim translation would use the verb 'venir', something like "viene con chips", but this seems ...
ChocolateAndCheese's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
9k views

Waterfall: cascada vs. catarata

What is the difference between cascada and catarata as translations for the English "waterfall"? Are they synonyms, or is there a difference?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
9 votes
7 answers
2k views

What would be a good translation of "loophole"?

Loophole is "an ambiguity or inadequacy in a system, such as a law or security, which can be used to circumvent or otherwise avoid the intent, implied or explicitly stated, of the system." None of ...
user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
8k views

¿Cómo expresar "sympathy" o "condolence" en español?

Ya sé que esta pregunta es un poco general, así que voy a tratar de especificar: Digamos que un pariente de un amigo murió. ¿Cuáles son algunas palabras/frases que yo podría usar? ¿O que escribiría en ...
gnarlybracket's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
2k views

What is the meaning of the English word “ravished” in this sentence, violated or transfixed?

I’m trying to figure out the best word in Spanish to translate the English word ravished as it’s used in the following context: There, before my ravished eye, a Cube, moving in some altogether new ...
José Marín's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
32k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
8 votes
2 answers
299 views

What is the difference between "matanza" and "masacre"?

I'm interested in translating the English word "massacre." I had always thought that the best translation was "matanza" - learned mainly from growing up in Florida and visiting Fort Matanzas National ...
Jordan's user avatar
  • 83
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to choose between "cantidad" and "importe" for an amount of money/ currency?

Why am I asking During the review of the translation of a software, in the context on an invoice, from English into Spanish I was puzzled by the translation of amount by the use of cantidad from the ...
Pierre Chevallier's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
10k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
7 votes
1 answer
165 views

What's the correct Spanish term for Banking?

In English, banking refers to activities such as: Paying in money Paying bills Transferring money between accounts Saving money in an account What's the correct Spanish term for banking as an ...
big_smile's user avatar
  • 1,649
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

"Shovel" and "spade", are both translated as "pala"?

I have translated both "shovel" and "spade" into Spanish and I got the same result: "pala". Is my translation wrong? How do Spanish people differentiate between them (one word for two different things)...
cornejo's user avatar
  • 849
6 votes
7 answers
11k views

What does "se trata de" mean?

In my reading, I've run across several forms of "se trata de", and dictionaries haven't been much help. For example: eran todos hombres libres y se trataba de un feudo feliz y prospero si ...
Tony's user avatar
  • 233
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Describing stress in Spanish

In Spanish class, I remember learning that "stress" (as in what someone who is coming up on a deadline feels) isn't commonly spoken of in Spanish-speaking countries for cultural reasons, but it can be ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
6 votes
3 answers
14k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
6 votes
1 answer
315 views

Polite terms for excrement

There are many vulgar terms for excrement, but what are the non-vulgar, polite ones (used in medical settings, or with children, or among adults in polite conversation)?
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
6 votes
3 answers
292 views

¿Cómo se dice "giftee" en español?

Yo estoy intentando usar BING TRANSLATE sin éxito. Ejemplo: Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto es de lo alto, que desciende del Padre de las luces, en el cual no hay mudanza, ni sombra de ...
Jck Gutknecht's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
303 views

Why is "Dawn" translated "Mediodía"?

Me parece que "mediodía" significa "noon" y "dawn" debe ser "amanecer," pero: In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat / Los Desterrados de Poker Flat" (por Bret Harte) the original English has this: "......
B. Clay Shannon-B. Crow Raven's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
268 views

Traducción de "assumption" diferente a "supuestos"

Estoy trabajando en un proyecto y no me termina de gustar la traducción de "assumptions" por "supuestos". La frase que quiero traducir es: The following are a list of assumptions. ...
jalazbe's user avatar
  • 1,104
6 votes
2 answers
195 views

What's Spanish for "Singalong"?

Como padre de un crío de dos años y medio, he ido ya a bastantes singalongs. En estas actividades los niños cantan lo que saben o lo que pueden (dependiendo de la edad) diferentes canciones. Nunca ...
Diego's user avatar
  • 48.2k
6 votes
2 answers
182 views

"Heel click" in Spanish

I'm pretty sure that there's a fancy word for heel click in Spanish that I can't remember. (I'm referring to the gesture of joy that's done by performing an aerial click of both heels, just in case ...
jpz's user avatar
  • 410
6 votes
2 answers
197 views

Analog to "sustainability"

I asked a question on english synonyms of "sustainability" alrady on ELU. In Spanish, dictionaries and ngrams give out several options: Comparing with the english ngrams chart I conclude la ...
Hauser's user avatar
  • 903
5 votes
7 answers
36k views

Most accurate translation of "possum"

What is the most universal Spanish word to describe a possum? What regional variations exist? Does the translation refer specifically to the same animal as the English word, or does it cover a larger ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
3 answers
308 views

Translation for the adjective "haunting" (as in "a haunting melody")

What is the best Spanish translation for the English adjective "haunting" (as in "a haunting melody")? WordReference gives three options: evocador, inquietante and inolvidable. Do any of these really ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
1 answer
3k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
4 answers
5k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
4 answers
22k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
1 answer
9k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
1 answer
3k views

Translating medicine names to Spanish

I have sometimes run into cases where I want to translate the name of a medication into Spanish, but can't find the specific medicine name in a dictionary (e.g. amoxicillin, acetaminophen). This is ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Spanish word for "baking soda" (regional)

I was talking with a friend who lives in the Carribbean and I remember getting stuck on the word "baking soda" as in "Baking soda is a useful thing to have in the house." Google translate has given ...
john mangual's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
2k views

How do you say "senior agent" in spanish?

As in more "experienced" customer service agent
madeline stark's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
142 views

En el prefacio del libro Don Quixote, hay un frase: Donde eres señor della--¿qué significa?

En el prefacio--el prólogo--del libro Don Quixote, hay una frase: Donde eres señor della--¿qué significa? No puedo encontrar esta palabra (della) en ningún traductor.
RolloMartins's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
218 views

¿Cómo traducir al español la palabra inglesa "cantankerous"?

Hoy en un blog sobre tecnología me topé con la palabra cantankerous, con la cual se adjetiva a alguien como malhumorado, discutidor y poco cooperativo. Según el Diccionario Oxford cantankerous ...
ipp's user avatar
  • 5,409
4 votes
5 answers
26k 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 ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Translating "Help!" (interjection)

In English, if there is any kind of emergency or urgent assistance needed, we use the interjection, "Help!" In Spanish I've seen several: ¡Socorro! ¡Auxilio! ¡Ayuda! or ¡Ayúdame! Which of these is ...
jrdioko's user avatar
  • 17.8k