Spanish word of the day
Quote: NareedDid you find a book entitled "The 10,000 most obscure and least used words in Spanish"? ;)
I just post 'em as I find 'em. For the last three months or so almost every word has come from the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series that you saw. In this case here is the sentence:
El caso es que Princess era extremadamente recatada en lo que respecta a hacer sus coasa delante de personas desconocidas.
Quote:El médico me dijo que desnudarse, pero yo era demasiado recatado. = The doctor told me to disrobe, but I was too shy to.
I've no idea if the sue is right or not. But in the first art you said "The doctor told me that get undressed..." The right way is "El doctor me dijo que ME desnudara...."
Here I wasn't sure if I should refer to myself, as you did, or assume that the doctor would have said se when referring to me. In other words, I didn't know whose shoes to put myself in as the speaker, mine or the doctor's.
In other business, I just ran across a translation of Anne of Green Gables as Ana la de Tejas Verdes. Ana of Green Texas? I know my Spanish sucks, but this doesn't seem kosher to me.
Quote: WizardIn other business, I just ran across a translation of Anne of Green Gables as Ana la de Tejas Verdes. Ana of Green Texas? I know my Spanish sucks, but this doesn't seem kosher to me.
Teja means "tile"
Quote: WizardIn other business, I just ran across a translation of Anne of Green Gables as Ana la de Tejas Verdes. Ana of Green Texas? I know my Spanish sucks, but this doesn't seem kosher to me.
I'm not familiar with the book, but go to the first page on this thread and look up "Tejas."
Quote: Nareed
El médico me dijo que desnudarse
But in the first art you said "The doctor told me that get undressed..."
The right way is "El doctor me dijo que ME desnudara...."
Google translate offers this translation for
"The doctor said to disrobe"
El médico dijo a desnudarse
"The doctor said to eat right"
El médico dijo que a comer bien
I am not sure why the word "que" is in the second translation and not the first.
Quote: WizardThanks for pinch hitting for me today. Actually, I wasn't planning to use Texas in my series of states with Spanish names. Here is what Wikipedia says about the name:
The name Texas derives from táyshaʔ, a word in the Caddoan language of the Hasinai, which means "friends" or "allies."
I had never heard of the "Caddoan" languages. Also from Wikipedia, here is the executive summary on that, "The Caddoan languages are a family of Native American languages. They are spoken by Native Americans in parts of the Great Plains of the central United States, from North Dakota south to Oklahoma." I wonder if it is even spoken in the Indian casinos.
Here is your earlier comment on this issue. So we assume that in one case it is a translation from Caddoan, and in another case the word simply means "tiles".
Quote: pacomartinGoogle translate offers this translation for
Google translate probably isn't worth the bits it's not even printed on :)
Quote:"The doctor said to disrobe"
El médico dijo a desnudarse
"El doctor me dijo que me desnudara."
Quote:"The doctor said to eat right"
El médico dijo que a comer bien
El doctor me dijo que coma bien.
As to the other:
tejas = tiles
Texas = Texas
Read the entry for "tejas" on the thread again. Everything's laid there, including the peculiarities of the Mexican "x." There's no need to bring in other languages.
First, for the benefit of everybody, here is a link to Nareed's post on Tejas.
Second, I would like the record to show that Nareed said this on June 12, 2011:
Quote: NareedCome to think of it, the correct spelling might be Tejas.
Third, I retract my position that tejas refers to Texas. I had to look up just what a "gable" is. I previously incorrectly assumed it was a place on Prince Edward Island, but it refers to the triangular portion of the wall of a house that supports both sides of the roof. If there is an attic room there might be a small window in the gable. Wikipedia entry.
So, how should "gable" be translated into Spanish? According to Reverso, it is aguilón, not to be confused with eagle. However, I must admit that tejas sounds better.
Quote: WizardSo, how should "gable" be translated into Spanish? According to Reverso, it is aguilón, not to be confused with eagle. However, I must admit that tejas sounds better.
In Japanese the book title is Akage No Anne or Anne of the Red Hair
In Polish the book title is Ania z Wyspy Księcia Edwarda or Anne of Prince Edward Island
In Finnish the book title is Annan nuoruusvuodet or Anne's Juvenile Years
So it is not a big surprise that they chose the word "tiles" in Spanish instead of "gable". They simply relied on a common noun.
The word tegula is Latin for roof tile. Among the descendant words are:
Spanish: teja
English: tegular
French: tuile
Portuguese: telha
Italian: tegola
Palabra: Foso
Today's word means pit or moat. Interestingly, fosa means a grave.
The question for the advanced readers is what root do foso y fosa come from, and what other words might we get from this root?
Se cayó el anillo de oro en el foso de condenar. = I dropped the gold ring in the pit of doom.
p.s. To all the readers in Mexico -- No olvide a votar. (note the conjugation in the imperative, which I'm sure I got wrong somehow.)
Quote: WizardSe cayó el anillo de oro en el foso de condenar. = I dropped the gold ring in the pit of doom.
"Se ME cayó el anillo..." Otherwise you're saying "the ring fell down..." And if the action was on purpose then it's "Tiré el anillo en..."
The rest is harder. I don't think there's a good translation for "pit of doom."
Quote:p.s. To all the readers in Mexico -- No olvide a votar. (note the conjugation in the imperative, which I'm sure I got wrong somehow.)
Drop the "A" Otherwise it means "Don't forget to a vote."
I didn't forget. I just have no reason to.
Besides, driving about 20 miles and paying about $20 in tolls is too high a price for a "protest" vote.
Quote: Wizardp.s. To all the readers in Mexico -- No olvide a votar. (note the conjugation in the imperative, which I'm sure I got wrong somehow.)
Judging by the dozens of postings on the web, people are just as likely to use the familiar.
No olvides votar
It seems like a certain level of post election protests are inevitable, but I hope it doesn't bring the country to a stranglehold.
Quote: WizardThe question for the advanced readers is what root do foso y fosa come from, and what other words might we get from this root?
Latin: fossa is a trench or moat.
English fossa Anatomy : a pit, cavity, or depression, as in a bone.
Palabra: cortacésped
Today's SWD means lawnmower. It is pretty obvious if you know that cortar means cut, and césped means lawn.
Other words for lawnmower are cortadora y podadora. Do we need more than one?
Ejemplo time.
Gané en el lugar último in la carrera de cortacéspedes. = I came in last in the lawnmower race.
Quote: WizardOther words for lawnmower are cortadora y podadora. Do we need more than one?
Ask a Spaniard. They're to blame for the language anyway....
But, what's the difference between cutting the grass and mowing the lawn?
Quote:Gané en el lugar último in la carrera de cortacéspedes. = I came in last in the lawnmower race.
<shakes head>
"I won in the place last en the...."
Try: "Quedé en último lugar EN la carrera..."
Quote: NareedIn fact I've been trying to translate antepenúltima for the past few minutes without success. Merriam Webster says it means "third from last."
Nareed
Is penúltima a word in common usage in Mexico? The word penultimate is a valid English word, but it is not normally used in casual conversation. Many people don't know what it means.
Mowing and cutting were at one point two different things. Mowing meant using a scythe. With the advent of powered tools, the two concepts merged.
Quote: pacomartinIs penúltima a word in common usage in Mexico?
Very common.
The new one: Derecho. How do you pronounce that?
and of course I am thinking of El Nino and La Nina. I have always assumed both words were Spanish even though for some reason one is an 'El' and the other a 'La'.
Quote: odiousgambitWhy is Meteorology now hearing so many Spanish words? The new one: Derecho. How do you pronounce that? and of course I am thinking of El Nino and La Nina. I have always assumed both words were Spanish even though for some reason one is an 'El' and the other a 'La'.
"El Niño" as a meteorological name was first recorded in 1893. But it seems to have arisen naturally in the language since conditions were often observed around Christmas, so the reference is to the coming of the Christ child.
"La Niña" as the opposite of "El Niño" was originally called "El Viejo" or (the old one) as the opposite of the young boy. The term for little girl has now become the standard.
"Derecho" also goes back to the late 19th century, but it was deliberately chosen by an American metereologist. It's not new, you just haven't heard it before because it is relatively rare.
El and La are both the words "the" in English, just one is masculine, and the other is feminine. English used to have grammatical gender, but it was lost about a thousand years ago. Spanish retained grammatical gender from Latin.
Spanish words are usually pronounced exactly as written. If the word ends in a vowel, then accent the second to last syllable.
Palabra: Halagar
Today's SWD means primarily to flatter.
The assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast halagar y adular.
Ejemplo time.
Traté de halagar a Ginger, pero todavia ella no me muestra ningún interés. = I tried to flatter Ginger, but she still shows no interest in me.
By the way, how would you say "Flattery will get you nowhere" in Spanish. I wanted to do that as the ejemplo but wasn't sure what word to use for "get" and nothing I tried felt right.
Quote: WizardThe assignment for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast halagar y adular.
Oh, I know this one.
Halagar = To flatter
Adualr = To kiss someone's a**
Clear? ;)
Quote:Traté de halagar a Ginger, pero todavia ella no me muestra ningún interés. = I tried to flatter Ginger, but she still shows no interest in me.
"..Pero aún así no me muestra ingún interés."
Quote:By the way, how would you say "Flattery will get you nowhere" in Spanish. I wanted to do that as the ejemplo but wasn't sure what word to use for "get" and nothing I tried felt right.
I don't think there's an equivalent expression, not that I'm familiar with. A straight translation doesn't make much sense.
Quote: WizardBy the way, how would you say "Flattery will get you nowhere" in Spanish. I wanted to do that as the ejemplo but wasn't sure what word to use for "get" and nothing I tried felt right.
Halagar is Arabic, and Adular is Latin.
Another forum suggests:
Halagar no te llevará a ningún lugar,
pero no dejes que eso te pare.
Quote: pacomartinHalagar no te llevará a ningún lugar,
pero no dejes que eso te pare.
As I said, you can translate it, but it doesn't make sense. At least not without an explanation.
Take the following:
"A thief who steals from another thief enjoys 100 years of forgiveness."
Now, does that make sense to you? It's a pretty common saying in mexico, but said like that it neither rhymes nor amkes sense. The origional is "Ladrón que roba a ladrón tiene cien años de perdón."
It means
So that movie title was actually the first part of an old saying. The English title is given as To Rob a Thief, but it makes more sense if you know it is part of the proverb.
Quote: pacomartinSo that movie title was actually the first part of an old saying. The English title is given as To Rob a Thief, but it makes more sense if you know it is part of the proverb.
I woudln't know. the last Mexican movie I saw was "Macario" with Ignacio Lopez Tarso.
Demian Bichir got nominated for an Oscar this year. I like Damián Alcázar, myself.
Okay, the part about the affirmative command I've seen before. However, what does it mean by "an infinitive"? In the example va is not in the infinitive (ir) form.
One thing this book did clear up is the difference between lo and le as direct objects. It said le is used only in Spain.
Quote: WizardWe've touched on this before, but I have never understood when to put the direct object pronoun before the verb and when to tack it onto the end.
Whenever I read such posts, i amrvel that I apssed Spanish in high school at all :)
Quote:One thing this book did clear up is the difference between lo and le as direct objects. It said le is used only in Spain.
As far as I know "lo" is third person and "le" (and "te") is second person. First person, not that you asked is "me." IN plural, in order it would be "nos" for first and "los" for the other two.
Assuming we're talking about the same thing at all.
And people ask me why, when I speak and understand it so well, I don't offer English lessons...
Quote: WizardWe've touched on this before, but I have never understood when to put the direct object pronoun before the verb and when to tack it onto the end. I'm going through a basic Spanish book and here it what it says, "When the pronoun is the object of an infinitive or of an affirmative command, it follows the verb and is attached to it." It then gives as an example, "
El Sr. Adams va a saludarlo."
Okay, the part about the affirmative command I've seen before. However, what does it mean by "an infinitive"? In the example va is not in the infinitive (ir) form.
The verb 'va' is a conjugated form, but 'saludar' is an infinitive.
There is third case where you tack the direct pronoun at the end, in the case of a gerundio or a '-ndo' version of a verb. This case does not come up as often as the first two, but it is still valid.
To modify the rule a little, you tack the pronoun on the end when the pronoun is the object of an inifintive (when there is only one verb). For instance 'Favor de darme el libro'.
When there are two verbs, one conjugated and one infinitive, you actually have a choice. Either way is correct grammar, but I believe tacking it on the end is most commonly used.
Voy a verlo.
OR:
Lo voy a ver.
So the example given in that text is not the best example since it uses two verbs.
Quote: WizardOne thing this book did clear up is the difference between lo and le as direct objects. It said le is used only in Spain.
While this statement is correct, emphasis is needed. The pronoun le is used as a direct object only in Spain. It is used as an indirect object everywhere.
I am sorry if I am stating the obvious.
Quote: NareedI've mentioned an Argentine commedy music troupe called Les Luthiers. They do use the word "coraje" for courage often, when called for. But they affect a pompous and quaint style on purpose, it's part of their act. In a scene from "El Adelantado Don Rodrigo Díaz de Carreras, etc, etc...." The narrator says something like:
¡Firme! ¡Firme ante el enemigo!
¡Con coraje, Don Rodrigo!
Y Don Rodrigo firmó la rendición.
That's a pun that can't be easily translated into English.
Looking at a dictionary
Firme - (meaning 1) stand firm (meaning 2) sign something
Coraje - (meaning 1) courage (meaning 2) extreme anger in the sense of a tantrum
Rendición - (meaning business) profit (meaning military) surrender
So the pun is a double entendre on the three words. Read one way the phrase is:
Stand! Stand against the enemy! With courage, Don Rodrige! And Don Rodrgo stood firm and profited.
Sign! Sign with the enemy! With a fit, Don Rodrigo! And Don Rodrgo signed and surrendered.
Quote: pacomartinRendición - (meaning business) profit (meaning military) surrender
You need someone with a bigger taste for obscurity to use that as profit. The common word is "ganancia." The uncommon word, but far more used than "rendición" is "redito."
Quote:So the pun is a double entendre on the three words. Read one way the phrase is:
Not quite.
The pun is part of a longer joke. You're led to believe the narrator is urging Rodrigo to stand fast against the enemy, only to learn he was urging him to sign a surrender.
No one would think to even think (yes, you read that right), that Rodrigo stood firm and made a profit.
¡Feliz cuatro de Julio, todos!
Fecha: 04-07-12
Palabra: pañuelo
Today's SWD means bandanna/handkerchief. The dictionary says it can also mean scarf, but I thought the word for that was bufanda.
The question for the advanced readers is what is the root meaning of pan. In English "pan" means all, for example pandemic (all people), panacea (all cure), pantheism (all gods). This would seem like a Greek root, and Spanish is more based on Latin. Speaking of pan, how did that come to mean bread in Spanish?
Ejemplo time.
Me gusta mucho este pañuelo, porque Ginger estornudó sobre ella. = I treasure this bandanna because Ginger sneezed on it.
Quote: Wizard¡Feliz cuatro de Julio, todos!
"...A todos!" And lose the comma.
Quote:Today's SWD means bandanna/handkerchief. The dictionary says it can also mean scarf, but I thought the word for that was bufanda.
It means handkerchief. It can be used as a bandana.
Quote:The question for the advanced readers is what is the root meaning of pan. In English "pan" means all, for example pandemic (all people), panacea (all cure), pantheism (all gods). This would seem like a Greek root, and Spanish is more based on Latin. Speaking of pan, how did that come to mean bread in Spanish?
Trace down "Pandora."
The examples you used translate to Spanish as Pandemia, Panacea and Panteismo. So it's still current.
I don't know why "pan" is bread, but it's common in Romance languages. In French it's "pain," pronounced "pan." I thik in italian it's "pane." A type of Italian sandwich is called "pannini," too.
Quote:Me gusta mucho este pañuelo, porque Ginger estornudó sobre ella. = I treasure this bandanna because Ginger sneezed on it.
Gross.
And it's "...sobre EL."
Quote: WizardThe question for the advanced readers is what is the root meaning of pan. In English "pan" means all, for example pandemic (all people), panacea (all cure), pantheism (all gods). This would seem like a Greek root, and Spanish is more based on Latin. Speaking of pan, how did that come to mean bread in Spanish?
The Greek word pantos led to the use of pan- as a Greek prefix meaning all inclusive. Starting in 1846 English copied that usage in political terms. The first one was panslavism. It was followed by panislamic (1881), pan-American (1889), pan-German (1892), pan-African (1900), pan-European (1901), pan-Arabism (1930).
The Latin word is panis which means bread or loaf.
Descendants include:
Aromanian: pãne
Armenian: պան (pan)
Campidanese Sardinian: pani
Catalan: pa
Dalmatian: pun, pen
Esperanto: pano
French: pain
Istriot: pan
Italian: pane
Logudorese Sardinian: pane
Occitan: pan
Papiamentu: pan
Portuguese: pão
Romanian: pâine
Romansch: paun
Sardinian: pani
Sicilian: pani
Spanish: pan
While Spanish is based primarily on Latin, it obviously had other influences as well. Well educated Romans often spoke or read in Greek. Spanish also picked up words from Arabic and other Romance languages (mostly French and Italian ). Clearly Latin American Spanish picked up a lot of vocabulary from native languages (though little or no grammar). Also Latin and Greek are both Indo European, so a lot of their vocabulary came from the same place.
Quote: Nareedbesides, no one in Mexico says "perro caliente," unless they are trying to make fun of the expression. We say <drumroll> "hot dogs."
On Levantate this morning they were covering the annual Coney Island hot dog eating contest. They translated hot dog as perro caliente.
¿Crees que Casper Smart, el novio de Jennifer López es verdaderamente gay y está buscando fama y dinero junto a la Diva del Bronx?
A) Es gay y quiere fama
B) Es herterosexual y la quiere de verdad
Quote: pacomartin¿Crees que Casper Smart, el novio de Jennifer López es verdaderamente gay y está buscando fama y dinero junto a la Diva del Bronx?
You should make that a poll. Between two questions with two possibilites each, shouldn't there be four choices?
It is my understanding that Levantate is based out of the U.S., but wouldn't they favor Mexican Spanish?
Quote: WizardYou should make that a poll. Between two questions with two possibilites each, shouldn't there be four choices?
Five. In this kind of news item, there should always be a "who cares" option :)
Palabra: Escama
Today's SWD means flake. However, not all flakes. A flake of snow is a copo. Corn Flakes are Copos de Maíz. A flake of paint is a desconchón. Escama is used for a flake of skin or soap.
The question for the advanced readers is to provide a rule of thumb for which term applies to other kinds of flakes. Another question is whether the cama in escama refers to a bed.
Ejemplo time.
Me deslicé en una escama de jabón. = I slipped on a flake of soap.
p.s. Spanish does not make it easy conjugating deslizar. Sometimes the z turns into a c, and sometimes not.
Quote: WizardToday's SWD means flake.
Not really. And this time the dictionary does back me up.
It means "scale" as in the things that reptiles and fish have instead of skin.
It can mean something shaped like a scale, but that is a secondary definition and it's definitely not commonly used.
Quote:A flake of snow is a copo.
Yes.
Quote:Corn Flakes are Copos de Maíz.
No. Corn Flakes are actually sold as "Corn Flakes" here :) But the "proper" term is "Hojuelas de maíz."
Quote:A flake of paint is a desconchón.
I'd no idea. Come to think of it, I've never heard paint chip called a flake. Nor have I heard it called anything at all in Spanish.
Quote:Escama is used for a flake of skin or soap.
It means that. It's not used.
Quote:The question for the advanced readers is to provide a rule of thumb for which term applies to other kinds of flakes.
See above.
Quote:Another question is whether the cama in escama refers to a bed.
Not to my knowledge.
Quote:Me deslicé en una escama de jabón. = I slipped on a flake of soap.
Even if it meant a flake of soap, can you slip on one? BTW:
To Slip = Resbalar
To Slide = Deslizar.
Quote:p.s. Spanish does not make it easy conjugating deslizar. Sometimes the z turns into a c, and sometimes not.
It's a z when followed by an a, o or u. It changes to a c when followed by an e or an i.
Quote: NareedNot really. And this time the dictionary does back me up.
It means "scale" as in the things that reptiles and fish have instead of skin.
Here is the passage from the book where I picked it up.
Tue que recurrir a toda mi fuerza de voluntad para comerme sólo algunas bolitas de chicle y escamas sueltas de chocolate cada noche.
So in other words, a flake of chocolate.
Quote:Even if it meant a flake of soap, can you slip on one?
Sure. In Mexico, did they show commercials for Irish Spring soap through the seventies of some guy cutting off slices of soap all over Ireland. I've been afraid to go to Ireland ever since for fear of slipping on one. Granted, these chunks were probably too big to be called a "flake."
Quote:It's a z when followed by an a, o or u. It changes to a c when followed by an e or an i.
Thanks. Is that a general rule for "zar" verbs?
Quote: WizardYou should make that a poll. Between two questions with two possibilites each, shouldn't there be four choices?
It is my understanding that Levantate is based out of the U.S., but wouldn't they favor Mexican Spanish?
I don't know what kind of style manuals they use. If you look at census data for the State of NY, nearly twice as many people identify specifically with Puerto Rican as Mexican. Most people do not specify.
| New York State | 3,416,922 |
| Mexican | 457,288 |
|---|---|
| Puerto Rican | 1,070,558 |
| Cuban | 70,803 |
| Other Hispanic or Latino | 1,818,273 |
| Nevada State | 673,897 |
| Mexican | 524,959 |
|---|---|
| Puerto Rican | 20,926 |
| Cuban | 19,232 |
| Other Hispanic or Latino | 108,780 |
The tweet from his friend was "Casper is Gay, Only with JLo for Fame and Fortune". So I guess there are four choices, gay or straight, using or not using her.
Isn't she sort of using him? She is 17 years older and just got out of another marriage.
Quote: WizardHere is the passage from the book where I picked it up.
Tue que recurrir a toda mi fuerza de voluntad para comerme sólo algunas bolitas de chicle y escamas sueltas de chocolate cada noche.
So in other words, a flake of chocolate.
What can I tell you? It doesn't mean that according to the dictionary, and it's not used that way. I've no idea what possessed the translator to use it like that.
I'd have gone with "hojuela de chocolate." There's a cooking term for such things when used for cooking, but that wouldn't apply here.
Quote:Sure. In Mexico, did they show commercials for Irish Spring soap through the seventies of some guy cutting off slices of soap all over Ireland.
No idea. but I wouldn't call a slice of soap a flake. Flakes are small, like the size of a corn flake.
Quote:Thanks. Is that a general rule for "zar" verbs?
It's a general rule for all words containing the letter Z. For example, the plural of lápiZ is lápiCes
Quote: NareedNo idea.
Please watch this commercial 10,000 times.
Quote: WizardTue que recurrir a toda mi fuerza de voluntad para comerme sólo algunas bolitas de chicle y escamas sueltas de chocolate cada noche.
Google translate does use the word "flake", but I can't find one single reference on the internet where this word is used for something like "flakes of chocolate". The word may be related to English squalid, and almost all references are to skin disease, chips of paint, fish, or lizards. For some reason it is also the name of a line of bags.
My guess is that your translator is British, and they are used to the word flake associated with "crumbly chocolate". They thought that escamas was the appropriate Spanish word.
But I would trust Nareed's judgement, and not use the word unless you want to gross someone out.
Reverso
1 (Bot, Zool) scale
2 [+de jabón, pintura] flake jabón en escamas soapflakes
3 (=resentimiento) resentment (=sospecha) suspicion
4 (Méx) * cocaine, coke *
SpanishDict
feminine noun
1. scale (de peces, reptiles)
2. flake (de jabón, piel)
Quote: WizardThe online dictionaries back me up that escama can be used as a flake of soap.
I guess I've lost the bubble. It doesn't seem like a big stretch to go from flakes of paint or skin to flakes of soap. I thought the question was would a normal Spanish speaker use this word to describe chocolate flakes (which seems to more common in Britain).
The word Zucaritas means "sugaries".
