Spanish word of the day
May 7th, 2012 at 2:14:57 PM
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Quote: WizardYou can only know something or somebody once.
Checked out any biblical definitions lately?
Quote: WizardI was going to guess Molly Hatchet, but a fact check turned up that to be the name of a band, not a person.
Maybe "Lizzy Borden" was the name you were reaching for.
May 7th, 2012 at 9:50:30 PM
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Quote: DocChecked out any biblical definitions lately?
Maybe "Lizzy Borden" was the name you were reaching for.
The Latin word cognosco
Etymology: From con (“with”) + gnōscō (“know”).
I learn, I am acquainted (with), I recognize
(in perfect tense) I know
The Latin word gives us a bunch of English words like acquaintance, recognize, connoisseur (clearly a French loan word). It also is obviously the ancestor of the Spanish verb conocer.
But a perfectly legal verb in English is cognize which means "to know", or "to understand". But I am willing to bet no English speaker on this forum has ever used the word, nor heard it used.
My point is that often in English we use the variants of the Latin based words, like "recognize", but we never or rarely use the simple affirmative version.
I can give you dozens of examples. The word reprehensible is very common , but the word prehensile is a minor scientific word.
English words in common use are increase and increment which is from Latin in-crēscō. Spanish has the descendant of the root word as the verb crecer. But once again we frequently go to the Anglo Saxon for the simple root, "to grow".
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The biblical meaning of "to know" as in Adam knew Eve, was an attempt to translate the Hebrew word "yada", יָדַע . The word that Jerry Seinfeld made famous with his phrase yada, yada, yada which is used to describe something predictable (sort of like "you know" said several times quickly).
The Hebrew word was very complex it meant to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially. It certainly was used to imply intimate relationships, but the same Hebrew word was used with other meanings. For example:
And Adam knew Eve, his wife ; and she conceived , and bare Cain.
And the LORD said unto Cain , Where is Abel thy brother? And he said , I knownot: Am I my brother's keeper?
May 8th, 2012 at 12:21:24 PM
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New vocubulary words.
I thought I would share some new words I picked up from the Sands employee newsletter. These are not official SWDs.
I thought I would share some new words I picked up from the Sands employee newsletter. These are not official SWDs.
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| caritativo | foundation |
| transladar | relocate |
| desempeñar | play (as in play a part) |
| entregar | present |
| ubicación | location |
| subasta | auction |
| oferta | offer/bid |
| revisar | check |
| disponibilidad | availability |
| ingresar | lots of usages, including to "log into" an account |
| apoyo | support |
| mostrar | show |
| manijas | handles |
| huella | print (as in a finger print) |
| pago | payment |
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 8th, 2012 at 2:10:08 PM
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Las Vegas Sands Corp. : Madrid Frontrunner For Sands Corp's New Resort -Barcelona Mayor
It looks like it is going to be Madrid over Barcelona. You'll be better prepared as Madrid's Spanish is fairly pure, while most people in Barcelona speak the Catalan language.
Instead of Hasta luego or adios you say "Fins ara!"
Instead of "Dos cervezas, por favor" you say "Dues cerveses, si us plau"
It looks like it is going to be Madrid over Barcelona. You'll be better prepared as Madrid's Spanish is fairly pure, while most people in Barcelona speak the Catalan language.
Instead of Hasta luego or adios you say "Fins ara!"
Instead of "Dos cervezas, por favor" you say "Dues cerveses, si us plau"
May 8th, 2012 at 2:53:36 PM
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Quote: pacomartinYou'll be better prepared as Madrid's Spanish is fairly pure, while most people in Barcelona speak the Catalan language.
I did not know that. It seems the primary language of Andorra is also Catalan. I've never once met anybody who claimed to know the language, at least that I can recall.
Here is a prop bet:
Which will happen first
A) Sands to open first property in Spain.
B) Wizard to speak Spanish at a conversational level.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 8th, 2012 at 3:58:12 PM
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Quote: WizardQuote: pacomartinYou'll be better prepared as Madrid's Spanish is fairly pure, while most people in Barcelona speak the Catalan language.
I did not know that. It seems the primary language of Andorra is also Catalan. I've never once met anybody who claimed to know the language, at least that I can recall.
Here is a prop bet:
Which will happen first
A) Sands to open first property in Spain.
B) Wizard to speak Spanish at a conversational level.
There are about 11.5 million Catalan speakers. There are not that many Spanish or Portuguese immigrants that came to the USA, (at least not compared to Greece and Hungary). There were almost no Catalan immigrants, as Barcelona was a place that people went to for work, not away from.
But still Catalan is more widely used than Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Iceland, Finnish, Slovak and only slightly less than Czech or Hungarian. It sounds like a Spaniard speaking French.
------------
I think you will be able to get by with your Spanish in Madrid by the time they open. As the casino will attract plenty of French, German, and British speakers, much of their business will be conducted in English anyway. It is still about 14 hours by train from Paris to Madrid, but in a few years it will be faster. Right now for about 150 euros each way you can sleep in a 4 man stateroom.
May 9th, 2012 at 3:38:02 PM
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Fecha: 9-5-12
Palabra: Sabasta Subasta
Today's SWD means auction. The verb subastar would obviously mean to auction.
Ejemplo time.
Encontré este placa de coche a una subasta de Ebay. = I found this license plate on an Ebay auction.
Palabra: Sabasta Subasta
Today's SWD means auction. The verb subastar would obviously mean to auction.
Ejemplo time.
Encontré este placa de coche a una subasta de Ebay. = I found this license plate on an Ebay auction.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 9th, 2012 at 3:41:32 PM
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i have usually seen this spelled SUBASTA.
is there a difference or shade of meaning between the two spellings?
is there a difference or shade of meaning between the two spellings?
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief.
- Proverb.
May 9th, 2012 at 4:09:03 PM
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Quote: WongBoi have usually seen this spelled SUBASTA.
You're absolutely right, it is subasta.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 9th, 2012 at 4:13:56 PM
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Quote: WizardYou're absolutely right, it is subasta.
The expression in English to put under the hammer is less than 200 years old, referring to the custom of using a hammer to announce the bids in auctions. Prior to that in English the expression was to pass under the spear. The English phrase referred to the old Roman custom of throwing a spear into the ground at an auction and declaring sub hasta vendere. The spear was a symbol of battle, since very often the goods being auctioned were secured as war booty.
Spanish has kept the older tradition, but has merged the words sub hasta into subasta.
May 9th, 2012 at 4:36:08 PM
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Qué interesante. However, in every auction I've been to that used a hammer it was used only to close the bidding for an item. Once the hammer hit the podium the item was sold. Yet in the cheap auctions I tend to attend the auctioneer is holding whatever is being bid on, so he doesn't have a spare hand for a hammer, in which case he just says "sold."
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 11th, 2012 at 6:22:58 AM
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Yesterday I had dinner at the Mexican restaurant at the Palms. They were running a happy your with $0.99 tacos and margaritas. The signage for this promotion said Me gusta tacos y margaritas. The hostess looked like she spoke Spanish, which she did. So I told her that it should be Me gustAN tacos y margaritas, because gustar is conjugated based on what is being liked, not who is liking it.
She disagreed, saying gusta is correct. After some debate I asked, "How would I say "I like tables" in Spanish? She said Me gustan las mesas. I said "I agree, so why it gusta if I like tacos?" She said "It just is."
Is she right? If so, can anyone explain the rule of grammar at play?
She disagreed, saying gusta is correct. After some debate I asked, "How would I say "I like tables" in Spanish? She said Me gustan las mesas. I said "I agree, so why it gusta if I like tacos?" She said "It just is."
Is she right? If so, can anyone explain the rule of grammar at play?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 11th, 2012 at 6:43:34 AM
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I must go with you on this one Mike. You are right, the verb gustar always is conjugated in accordance to the object. In this case, when there is more than one object, the verb changes to gustan.
In another example: Me gusta comer tacos y burritos. Now you have one object, comer.
Got it?
In another example: Me gusta comer tacos y burritos. Now you have one object, comer.
Got it?
No bounce, no play.
May 11th, 2012 at 8:18:45 AM
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Thanks, aluisio. I'll also ask Nareed about this on Saturday. I wonder if the hostess thinks that it is gusta because the comer is implied. Another possibility is that nobody ever buys/eats just one taco, and they always come in groups. For example, how would you say "I like beans."?
A) Me gusta los frijoles.
B) Me gustan los frijoles.
For what it is worth, translate.google.com went with A.
A) Me gusta los frijoles.
B) Me gustan los frijoles.
For what it is worth, translate.google.com went with A.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 11th, 2012 at 10:53:14 AM
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Quote: WizardThanks, aluisio. I'll also ask Nareed about this on Saturday. I wonder if the hostess thinks that it is gusta because the comer is implied.
It's a good question.
I received this opinion on the Spanish language forums.
- The ad is bilingual; the only thing in Spanish is the phrase "me gusta".
-
In this context, one can think of "the situation" (having inexpensive food and drink) as the subject, and "the situation" is naturally singular.
Another native speaker said that possibly in the context the advertisement should be read "I like that!". Then the rest is in English.
I don't know why this picture would be singular, unless it was not written by a native speaker.
With regard to your question about google and the beans, I have no idea why that would be singular.
May 11th, 2012 at 8:45:02 PM
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Progress report on the taco question.
I went to Lowes today and the cashier spoke Spanish, so I asked her about it. She said Me gusta tacos. She may have included a los; I don't remember. So I proceeded to lecture her on gustar and why it should be gustan. She seemed easy to persuade because she easily agreed with me, and switch to gustan. I think she was just trying to get rid of me, and would have said anything. So I don't put a lot of stock in her opinion.
Later I went to the Red Rock buffet and my server also spoke Spanish. I asked the same question and he also said gusta. So we went back and forth for a while. To make a long story short, I think his position was that if you're not referring to specific tacos, but the idea of tacos in general, then people would tend to say gusta. I asked him for a rule of Spanish to justify that but basically said, "That is just how people talk." Of course, that answer is so unsatisfying.
I went to Lowes today and the cashier spoke Spanish, so I asked her about it. She said Me gusta tacos. She may have included a los; I don't remember. So I proceeded to lecture her on gustar and why it should be gustan. She seemed easy to persuade because she easily agreed with me, and switch to gustan. I think she was just trying to get rid of me, and would have said anything. So I don't put a lot of stock in her opinion.
Later I went to the Red Rock buffet and my server also spoke Spanish. I asked the same question and he also said gusta. So we went back and forth for a while. To make a long story short, I think his position was that if you're not referring to specific tacos, but the idea of tacos in general, then people would tend to say gusta. I asked him for a rule of Spanish to justify that but basically said, "That is just how people talk." Of course, that answer is so unsatisfying.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 12th, 2012 at 5:49:40 PM
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Yet another progress report. Both Nareed and my tutor say that gustan is correct.
Nareed suggested the Palms ad may have referred to the restaurant, and my tutor suggested it might have referred to the girl.
Nareed suggested the Palms ad may have referred to the restaurant, and my tutor suggested it might have referred to the girl.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 12th, 2012 at 5:58:08 PM
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How do you say marshmellows in spanish? Guys at work told me "pedos de monja" or "farts from a nun". Thought that one was funny.
May 12th, 2012 at 6:20:34 PM
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Quote: jmurillo74How do you say marshmellows in spanish? Guys at work told me "pedos de monja" or "farts from a nun". Thought that one was funny.
Malvavisco or bombón is also common. In English a bonbon is simply a way of saying "good good" in French. Usually it is associated with chocolate in English.
May 13th, 2012 at 7:15:48 AM
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Quote: WizardIs she right? If so, can anyone explain the rule of grammar at play?
I looked through some examples on the Spanish corpus, and it is my best guess that it is just sloppy grammar. The phrase me gusta is listed in the urban dictionary as a slang phrase, similar to me like in English. If it is vague about what you like, "the girl", "the situation", "to eat", etc. the singular is often used.
Since "Me gustan el café y la leche" and "Me gusta café con leche" are both proper Spanish, I think people just run them together.
The "me gusta" moon
May 14th, 2012 at 4:48:08 PM
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Fecha: 12 de Mayo, 2012
Palabra: azar
Today's SWD means "random." I discovered it when writing a new page on the game of Hazard. According to Wikipedia, Hazard likely got its name from the Spanish word azar. The french added the suffix "ard," which I understand they like to do for adjectives. I imagine the English then added the H, because it sounded better.
The question for the advanced readers is how does azar differ from aleatorio?
Ejemplo time.
Vamos lanzar una moneda para debemos decidir al azar. = Let's toss a coin to let chance decide.
Palabra: azar
Today's SWD means "random." I discovered it when writing a new page on the game of Hazard. According to Wikipedia, Hazard likely got its name from the Spanish word azar. The french added the suffix "ard," which I understand they like to do for adjectives. I imagine the English then added the H, because it sounded better.
The question for the advanced readers is how does azar differ from aleatorio?
Ejemplo time.
Vamos lanzar una moneda para debemos decidir al azar. = Let's toss a coin to let chance decide.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 14th, 2012 at 5:02:41 PM
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Quote: WizardFecha: 12 de Mayo, 2012
Palabra: azar
Today's SWD means "random." I discovered it when writing a new page on the game of Hazard. According to Wikipedia, Hazard likely got its name from the Spanish word azar. The french added the suffix "ard," which I understand they like to do for adjectives. I imagine the English then added the H, because it sounded better.
The question for the advanced readers is how does azar differ from aleatorio?
Ejemplo time.
Vamos lanzar una moneda para debemos decidir al azar. = Let's toss a coin to let chance decide.
aleatorio or aleatory in English is Latin based while "azar" is from Arabic.
"juego de azar" == "game of chance"
I think in your sentence you would be more likely to use "la suerte" first and "aleatorio" second, but a native speaker will have to confirm.
But, judging from the DRAE definitions, "azar" is more specifically concerned with "bad luck", or the mechanics of the games of chance.
aleatorio
1. adj. Perteneciente o relativo al juego de azar
2. adj. Dependiente de algún suceso fortuito
azar
1. m. Casualidad, caso fortuito.
2. m. Desgracia imprevista.
3. m. En los juegos de naipes o dados, carta o dado que tiene el punto con que se pierde.
4. m. En el juego de trucos o billar, cualquiera de los dos lados de la tronera que miran a la mesa.
5. m. En el juego de pelota, esquina, puerta, ventana u otro estorbo.
May 17th, 2012 at 2:32:34 PM
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I saw my tutor today. First of all, Gavin McLoud is still there. Second, I noticed my tutor often pronounced the "v" the same way in Spanish and English. For example, I specifically wrote down that she said ve, vainilla, and vinagre using the English "v" sound, as opposed to the "b" sound.
I told her that I always thought that the "v" is Spanish is pronounced with what sounds like a "b" in English. My tutor said that for some words it is optional, and you can safely and correctly use either pronunciation. I've never heard this before. One good thing about Spanish is the rules of pronunciation are pretty firm, so this threw me for a loop. Watching Spanish movies I've never specifically looked for this, but it seems I never hear the English "v" sound.
What do the advanced readers say?
I told her that I always thought that the "v" is Spanish is pronounced with what sounds like a "b" in English. My tutor said that for some words it is optional, and you can safely and correctly use either pronunciation. I've never heard this before. One good thing about Spanish is the rules of pronunciation are pretty firm, so this threw me for a loop. Watching Spanish movies I've never specifically looked for this, but it seems I never hear the English "v" sound.
What do the advanced readers say?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 17th, 2012 at 3:18:08 PM
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Quote: WizardI told her that I always thought that the "v" is Spanish is pronounced with what sounds like a "b" in English. My tutor said that for some words it is optional, and you can safely and correctly use either pronunciation.
I've seen this over and over. In Spanish there is no difference between the pronunciation of the letters "b" and "v". HOWEVER, there are two possible pronunciations of the consonants. One of them sounds closer to the English 'b'. However, the choice of letter in the spelling is not an indicator of which pronunciation to use.
- At the beginning of a word and after "m" or "n", the hard Spanish "b/v" closely resembles the "b" in the word "boy," except that the lips are held tense.
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In other situations, the "b/v" is pronounced like an English "b" in which the lips are not allowed to touch. (This is a sound that does not exist in English.)
Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
letter b = 'β' between vowels, 'b' elsewhere
letter v = 'β' between vowels, 'b' elsewhere
b bestia; embuste; vaca; envidia - English approximation:best
β bebé; obtuso; vivir; curva - English approximation: between baby and bevy
If you look at the chart for IPA for English you see that 'β' is not there.
I think your tutor was trying to describe the second pronunciation , but she was not very accurate in how she described it.
May 19th, 2012 at 8:43:41 AM
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Quote: WizardI told her that I always thought that the "v" is Spanish is pronounced with what sounds like a "b" in English. My tutor said that for some words it is optional, and you can safely and correctly use either pronunciation. I've never heard this before. One good thing about Spanish is the rules of pronunciation are pretty firm, so this threw me for a loop.
Some of it is regional, In Mexico people pronounce "v" and "b" in exactly the same way. I think "v" is supposed to be pronounced with a sound that's between a "b" and an "f," but none of my many Spanish teachers ever gave a straight answer on that one. A literature teacher claimed the proper pronunciation for "v" was equivalent to the English "th," but this is manifestly not so.
In elementary school, the "b" was often called "be labial" and the "v" "ve labio-dental." Meaning the first is pronounced with the lips, and the second with the lips and teeth, whatever that means.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 19th, 2012 at 8:57:41 AM
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Quote: WizardThe question for the advanced readers is how does azar differ from aleatorio?
Subtly.
"Azar" used by itself means "at random." While "aleatorio" means "random."
Of course it's not that simple. You can use "aleatorio" to mean "at ranom." For example "Los números son escogidos aleatoriamente" = "The numbers are picked at random," though the more correct translation would be "the numbers are picked randomly."
You can also say "los números son elegidos al azar" = "the numberrs are picked at random."
BTW all gambling games are known as "juegos de azar," this includes lotteries as well. But the description is not limited to gambling. Backgammon or Monopoly, or example, can be classified as "juegos de azar," as there is an important random element in each.
Quote:Vamos lanzar una moneda para debemos decidir al azar. = Let's toss a coin to let chance decide.
"Vamos A lanzar una moneda para decidir al azar."
This actually means "We'll toss a coin to choose at random." If you want to say "to let chance decide," well, I'm still tired fromt he trip and have to give it some thought. Sorry.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 19th, 2012 at 9:04:32 AM
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Quote: WizardEncontré este placa de coche a una subasta de Ebay. = I found this license plate on an Ebay auction.
"Encontré estA placa EN una subasta de eBay."
I'm omitting specifying "de coche" because in most situations "placa" means "license plate." In your case, it can't possibly mean anything else :)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 19th, 2012 at 9:08:59 AM
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Nice to see Nareed back on the thread. I hope you enjoyed your Vegas vacation and are safely back in the Estados Unidos de México. I'd be interested in anything you learned on the language front, either English or Spanish, while you were here.
Thanks for the comments on the b and v. My tutor admitted that she has been in the U.S. for a long time and that maybe her English and Spanish are influencing each other.
So, I think we're ready to get back into the swing of things with the SWD.
Fecha: 19-05-12
Palabra: Apoderar
Today's SWD means authorize or empower. We see a poder in the middle of it, which means to be able. So, perhaps we can think of apoderar means to make someone able to do things. I empower the advanced readers to confirm or deny that.
In the reflexive, apoderarse means to take possession of. Maybe we can think of that as empowering somebody to take something that may not belong to him/her.
Ejemplo time.
Me voy apoderé a tomar esto foto de Gavin MacLeod. = I'm going to empower myself to take that picture of Gavin McLoud.
Thanks for the comments on the b and v. My tutor admitted that she has been in the U.S. for a long time and that maybe her English and Spanish are influencing each other.
So, I think we're ready to get back into the swing of things with the SWD.
Fecha: 19-05-12
Palabra: Apoderar
Today's SWD means authorize or empower. We see a poder in the middle of it, which means to be able. So, perhaps we can think of apoderar means to make someone able to do things. I empower the advanced readers to confirm or deny that.
In the reflexive, apoderarse means to take possession of. Maybe we can think of that as empowering somebody to take something that may not belong to him/her.
Ejemplo time.
Me voy apoderé a tomar esto foto de Gavin MacLeod. = I'm going to empower myself to take that picture of Gavin McLoud.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 19th, 2012 at 7:28:58 PM
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Quote: WizardMy tutor admitted that she has been in the U.S. for a long time and that maybe her English and Spanish are influencing each other.
The language to describe a sound is very technical. But the two different sounds are not associated with one letter or the other, and there is nothing optional. Most people simply resort to describing a sound in one language by trying to relate it to the sound in another.
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bebé; obtuso; vivir; curva
-
Its manner of articulation is fricative, which means it is produced by constricting air flow through a narrow channel at the place of articulation, causing turbulence.
bestia; embuste; vaca; envidia
The "voiced bilabial plosive" is commonly described as being like the English "b" -
Its manner of articulation is stop, or plosive, which means it is produced by obstructing airflow in the vocal tract.
(The term plosive contrasts with nasal stops, where the blocked airflow is redirected through the nose.)
The following items apply to both sounds: - Its place of articulation is bilabial, which means it is articulated with both lips.
- Its phonation is voiced, which means the vocal cords vibrate during the articulation.
- It is an oral consonant, which means air is allowed to escape through the mouth only.
- The sound is not produced with airflow over the tongue
- The airstream mechanism is pulmonic, which means it is articulated by pushing air solely with the lungs and diaphragm, as in most sounds.
The "voiced bilabial fricative" is described as follows
May 19th, 2012 at 7:53:22 PM
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Quote: WizardNice to see Nareed back on the thread.
Thank you.
Quote:I hope you enjoyed your Vegas vacation and are safely back in the Estados Unidos de México.
It was the best time of my life, literally (no apologies to Ms Gale). But it's "Estados Unidos Mexicanos." Not that anyone bothers with the term. It's the official name, yes, but even some official documents say México.
Quote:I'd be interested in anything you learned on the language front, either English or Spanish, while you were here.
Nothing, really. My English is as good as it's going to be, though I sometimes still stumble when articulating words (which you got to see). I don't know if this counts, but Vegas seems on the way to becoming a bilingual town. all the signs on every bus I rode was in English and Spanish, and many of the recorded announcements were as well; though not those saying "Approaching Bonneville Transit Center. Transfer point for several routes."
Anyway:
Quote:Palabra: Apoderar
Today's SWD means authorize or empower. We see a poder in the middle of it, which means to be able. So, perhaps we can think of apoderar means to make someone able to do things. I empower the advanced readers to confirm or deny that.
Not exactly. In business it is common to grant people permission to carry out certain transactions or deals on behalf of a third party. In Mexico this can be accomplished, officially and legally, in a variety of ways. For simple things, like say collecting a package from a UPS office, this is done by writing out a letter called "carta poder," specifying that Juan Perez can receive a package addressed to Jose Lopez, for example.
For more complicated things, like setting up bank accounts, entering into contracts, presenting proposals to the government and so on, you need to get a notary public to write out what's called a "poder notarial." The person who receives such powers is known as "apoderado legal," but also as "representante legal."
In that sense, it may mean "to empower." But not in the sense the word "empower" is used in English these days.
So, yes, when you grant someone a legal power to represent you, or your company, in an official capacity, you you make her able to do certain things.
Quote:In the reflexive, apoderarse means to take possession of. Maybe we can think of that as empowering somebody to take something that may not belong to him/her.
This is the more common usage. When a country takes land from another through war, the expression may be "Francia se apoderó de Austria," for example.
Quote:Me voy apoderé a tomar esto foto de Gavin MacLeod. = I'm going to empower myself to take that picture of Gavin McLoud.
"Me voy A apoderar de estA foto de Gavin MacLeod"
"Me voy" means "I'm going to," so it's already future tense and there's no need to use the future tense of the verb "apoderar." But the meaning of the phrase I used above was "I'm going to take possesion of that picture of Gavin MacLeod."
BTW, is it MacLeod or McLoud?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 19th, 2012 at 8:06:50 PM
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Quote: NareedIn elementary school, the "b" was often called "be labial" and the "v" "ve labio-dental." Meaning the first is pronounced with the lips, and the second with the lips and teeth, whatever that means.
Labiodentals are consonants articulated with the lower lip and the upper teeth.
Dentolabial consonants are consonants articulated with the lower teeth against the upper lip, the reverse of labiodental consonants.
labial means with lips, but "plosive" means that the sound is also made with a blast of air.
May 21st, 2012 at 7:49:06 AM
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Quote: NareedIt was the best time of my life, literally (no apologies to Ms Gale). But it's "Estados Unidos Mexicanos." Not that anyone bothers with the term. It's the official name, yes, but even some official documents say México.
You're right! I never knew that. That will make for a good trivia question.
I'm glad you had a good time.
Thanks for all the help with apoderar. No follow up questions from me, which means everyone did a good job with the follow up, not that I don't appreciate the help. This bears repeating once in a while.
Quote:BTW, is it MacLeod or McLoud?
It is MacLeod.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 21st, 2012 at 8:01:39 AM
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Quote: WizardYou're right! I never knew that. That will make for a good trivia question.
Evidently you didn't take a good look at my passport. It has the country's official name on the cover, and then again on the photo and info page.
But if you want more obscure information on Mexico, I can provide plenty. Like how many administrative subdivisions there are in el Distrito Federal.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 21st, 2012 at 8:46:00 AM
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Quote: NareedEvidently you didn't take a good look at my passport. It has the country's official name on the cover, and then again on the photo and info page.
But if you want more obscure information on Mexico, I can provide plenty. Like how many administrative subdivisions there are in el Distrito Federal.
You're right, I just assumed it said Estados Unidos de México. I'll respectfully decline on the Mexican bureaucracy lesson.
Fecha: 28-05-12
Palabra: bala
Today's SWD means bullet. A couple related words are cartucho (cartridge) (note: corrected) and disparar (shoot/fire).
Ejemplo time.
No te preocupes por los agujeros de bala en la pared; por lo general soy una buena disparista. = Don't worry about the bullet holes in the wall; I'm usually a good shot.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 21st, 2012 at 9:15:30 AM
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Quote: WizardToday's SWD means bullet. A couple related words are carcucho (cartridge) and disparar (shoot/fire).
That's "carTucho." Another associated word, thought archaic by now and not often seen, is "parque," which is mistakenly used to mean "ammunition." It actually means the place where ammunition is kept. It also means "park" as in an open space with trees and grass, or an amusement or theme park.
Oh, the word for "ammunition" is "municiones." Although the word is often used to mean "pellets" as in the round pellets shot from an air gun. IN fact, air guns are often called "pistolas/rifles de municiones."
Quote:No te preocupes por los agujeros de bala en la pared; por lo general soy una buena disparista. = Don't worry about the bullet holes in the wall; I'm usually a good shot.
"Shot" is a word without a good translation. I'd go with "... por lo general tengo buena puntería," or "por lo general tengo buen tino." This means "I usually hit what I aim at," more or less. The probllem is that, conversely, there are no good translations for "punteria" or "tino."
BTW, you used the female form when saying "...soy una buena..." I wonder if that was what you meant to say.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 21st, 2012 at 9:26:22 AM
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Thanks. That is funny that the same word would be a place where kids play, and where ammunition is stored.
Nooooooooooooooooo, it wasn't. You know I have a bad habit of not matching my adjectives to the gender of the object they describe. What probably went through my head was the "a" at the end of disparista, so I instinctively matched it with an adjective ending in a.
Quote:BTW, you used the female form when saying "...soy una buena..." I wonder if that was what you meant to say.
Nooooooooooooooooo, it wasn't. You know I have a bad habit of not matching my adjectives to the gender of the object they describe. What probably went through my head was the "a" at the end of disparista, so I instinctively matched it with an adjective ending in a.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 21st, 2012 at 9:48:20 AM
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Quote: WizardNooooooooooooooooo, it wasn't.
You could have said it was Annie Oakley speaking, silly ;)
Quote:You know I have a bad habit of not matching my adjectives to the gender of the object they describe. What probably went through my head was the "a" at the end of disparista, so I instinctively matched it with an adjective ending in a.
That one can trip up even native speakers, though rarely. The suffixes for occupations usually carry a gender connotation, but not always. For example, "maestro" is male while "maestra" is female. One that's come into use recently, but not widely, is "barista," which means the same thing as in English. The "a" ending carries a strong female connotation, but it's really neutral. That's why I think it hasn't caught on, and people will more often say "la persona que hace el café."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 21st, 2012 at 9:56:42 AM
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On a related note, it is my understanding that gata is a female cat, and perra is a female dog. However, most animals don't have similar gender pairs. For example, a female horse is still a caballo. At least I think it is. What other animals can have both the a and o endings to differentiate the gender?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 21st, 2012 at 10:10:20 AM
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Quote: WizardOn a related note, it is my understanding that gata is a female cat, and perra is a female dog. However, most animals don't have similar gender pairs. For example, a female horse is still a caballo. At least I think it is. What other animals can have both the a and o endings to differentiate the gender?
Well, the naming of animals was more important in the past. These days I'd say domestic pets are the focus of most people when ti comes to animals, and in particular it's important to know the sex of cats and dogs.
Anyway, "caballo" is the generic name for hosre. But a female one is called "yegua" and a male is called "potro." I think these correspond in English to "mare" and "colt." When it come to chickens, the general term is "pollo," but male is "gallo" and female is "gallina," which in English would be "rooster" and "hen." For bovines, "vaca" means cow and "toro" means bull. There's no generic, neutral term, but when speaking of beef, the word used is "vaca."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 21st, 2012 at 9:38:17 PM
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Quote: WizardOn a related note, it is my understanding that gata is a female cat, and perra is a female dog. However, most animals don't have similar gender pairs. For example, a female horse is still a caballo. At least I think it is. What other animals can have both the a and o endings to differentiate the gender?
Some colorful expressions.
ahorró unas perras
no tener una perra
el niño cogió una perra
está con la perra de comprárselo
le cogió la perra de ir a México
¡ qué perra vida !
! ¡qué perro más feo!
May 22nd, 2012 at 6:20:59 AM
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Fecha: 22-05-12
Palabra: Carretera
Today's SWD means road/highway. A related word is carrile, which means lane.
The question for the advanced readers is what is the difference between a carretera y autopista. I tend to think autopista implies even greater size and speed, like a highway vs. freeway, but I'm not sure.
Ejemplo time.
En una oscura autopista del desierto, el viento frío en mi cabello = On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair.
Palabra: Carretera
Today's SWD means road/highway. A related word is carrile, which means lane.
The question for the advanced readers is what is the difference between a carretera y autopista. I tend to think autopista implies even greater size and speed, like a highway vs. freeway, but I'm not sure.
Ejemplo time.
En una oscura autopista del desierto, el viento frío en mi cabello = On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 22nd, 2012 at 6:53:11 AM
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Quote: WizardThe question for the advanced readers is what is the difference between a carretera y autopista. I tend to think autopista implies even greater size and speed, like a highway vs. freeway, but I'm not sure.
Autopista is a divided highway with a minimum of four lanes, limited access and no grade crossings (no traffic lights). Unlike the USA, in Mexico outside of the very largest cities there is no bypass. In a midsized city, the limited access highway will end at the suburbs.
OUtside of Mexico City and Puebla the network of autopistas was not begun until Carlos Salinas de Gortari became president on 1 December 1988 after one of the more controversial elections in Mexican history. The large number of highways built during his 6 year term were part of the spending spree that ended in the December 1994 economic crisis in Mexico. Salinas is still alive and very wealthy. and the tolls on the autopistas are staggeringly high.
Driving from Tijuana to Cancun a distance of 4378 3 km (1334 miles) costs 3869 pesos in tolls ($310).
May 22nd, 2012 at 6:59:31 AM
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Quote: pacomartin... and the tolls on the autopistas are staggeringly high.
This is getting off topic, but in the movie Y tu mamá tambien there was a scene where a family was standing in the middle of the road, including a girl in a nice dress. When the car stopped for them the father asked for money for the girl's birthday or something, which the drivers paid, and they moved aside to let them go on. My question is whether this is common in rural Mexico, and why?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 22nd, 2012 at 7:12:52 AM
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Quote: WizardMy question is whether this is common in rural Mexico, and why?
It is very common to solicit money for charities at the speedbumps in small towns. It is also very common to use children as a prop when begging for money. Stopping traffic is not unusual. An estimated 44% of Mexicans live below the poverty line with 10% living in extreme poverty. The movie was taking place in one of the poorer regions of Mexico, so it would not be unexpected for a man to use his daughter to beg for money.
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:18:33 AM
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Quote: WizardToday's SWD means road/highway. A related word is carrile, which means lane.
"Carril," no "e" at the end.
Quote:The question for the advanced readers is what is the difference between a carretera y autopista.
None, really. Some people refer to toll highways as "autopista," but as far as I know they mean the same thing. Except, perhaps, "autopista" can also mean a specific track where cars race.
Quote:En una oscura autopista del desierto, el viento frÃo en mi cabello = On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair.
I see nothing wrong, but both are sentence fragments :)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:22:45 AM
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Quote: pacomartinIt is very common to solicit money for charities at the speedbumps in small towns.
Small towns? It's common in the big cities. Just about every intersection with a traffic light is a mini-mall of street peddlers, squeegee guys and beggars. If anything, few charities solicit money in the streets.
Quote:Stopping traffic is not unusual.
Actually people who work the streets are very careful about not stopping traffic. You should see how well they time the duration of a red light.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 22nd, 2012 at 8:58:44 AM
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Quote: NareedI see nothing wrong, but both are sentence fragments :)
Tell that to the Eagles.
Quote:Actually people who work the streets are very careful about not stopping traffic. You should see how well they time the duration of a red light.
There is certainly a lot of that in Tijuana. However, I didn't see much of it in Mexico City nor Cabo San Lucas.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
May 22nd, 2012 at 9:27:59 AM
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Quote: WizardTell that to the Eagles.
Yes, I did recognize the opening lines of "Hotel California."
On the other hand, I don't know any other songs by The Eagles :)
Quote:There is certainly a lot of that in Tijuana. However, I didn't see much of it in Mexico City nor Cabo San Lucas.
You stuck more to Reforma, as I recall. That's relatively clean. But try the streets and avenues leading there, and to Insurgentes and Chapultepec avenues, and it's a different story.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
May 22nd, 2012 at 9:35:22 AM
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Quote: WizardThere is certainly a lot of that in Tijuana. However, I didn't see much of it in Mexico City nor Cabo San Lucas.
Cabo and Cancun are cash cows for Mexico. Tourism is possibly more important to the economy than oil. They don't want street people threatening cars.
Mexico City did a huge effort to make the tourist sections less threatening because of the reputation the city and country was getting.
May 22nd, 2012 at 9:21:02 PM
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Fecha 23-05-12
Palabra: Apaciguar
Today's SWD means to clam down. Here are some related words:
Apacibilidad = calmness,
Apaciblemente = means gently,
Apacible = mild.
The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast apacible and tranquilo.
Ejemplo time.
Cosas son differente hoy = Things are different today
Oigo todas las madres dice = I hear every mother say
Madre necesita algo hoy para apaciguarla = Mother needs something to calm her down
y aunque ella no está enfermo de verdad = And thought she's not really ill
Hay una poca píldora amarilla = There's a little yellow pill
Se va corriendo para el refugio de la ayudante pequeño de su madre. = She goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper.
Today is my birthday so I get to torture all of you with my horrible Spanish a little extra.
Palabra: Apaciguar
Today's SWD means to clam down. Here are some related words:
Apacibilidad = calmness,
Apaciblemente = means gently,
Apacible = mild.
The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast apacible and tranquilo.
Ejemplo time.
Cosas son differente hoy = Things are different today
Oigo todas las madres dice = I hear every mother say
Madre necesita algo hoy para apaciguarla = Mother needs something to calm her down
y aunque ella no está enfermo de verdad = And thought she's not really ill
Hay una poca píldora amarilla = There's a little yellow pill
Se va corriendo para el refugio de la ayudante pequeño de su madre. = She goes running for the shelter of her mother's little helper.
Today is my birthday so I get to torture all of you with my horrible Spanish a little extra.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
