Thread Rating:

Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 8:40:06 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Don't you enjoy picking up some non-Mexican Spanish?



It's so unlikely I'll need it that there's no point. And best to just leave it at that.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 27th, 2012 at 11:08:08 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

It's so unlikely I'll need it that there's no point. And best to just leave it at that.


You might go to Barcelona.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 11:10:11 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

You might go to Barcelona.



Why would I?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 11:14:43 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Why would I?



For the love of learning about a new place.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 27th, 2012 at 11:16:34 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

The question for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast rascar, rasguñar, y arañar. As a hint, the word for spider is araña, so perhaps arañar is the kind of scratching you would do if bitten by an insect or arachnid.



"rayar" is also listed as meaning "to scratch"
"rasgar" is also listed as meaning "to scratch"
"rasguñar" is also listed as meaning "to scratch"
"arañar" is also listed as meaning "to scratch"
"gratar" is Catalan for "to scratch with nails"

So that is four Spanish verbs, and one Catalan with variations of the same English meaning. Nareed will have to field this one.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 11:18:00 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

For the love of learning about a new place.



I don't find Europe very appealing. But if I did go there, I'd be interested to visit Greece and Italy.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 11:21:36 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

The question for the advanced readers is to compare and contrast rascar, rasguñar, y arañar. As a hint, the word for spider is araña, so perhaps arañar is the kind of scratching you would do if bitten by an insect or arachnid.



It's a bit subtle.

Rascar means to scratch an itch
Rasguñar means to scratch someone with the intent to cause injury
Arañar is used when a cat or dog attacks you using her claws

BTW "scrape" is best translated as "raspar." But that one goes into different meanings, too.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 27th, 2012 at 11:31:08 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Why would I?



Barcelona is a very romantic place.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 11:35:15 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

Barcelona is a very romantic place.



I have never been to Spain, so can't comment. It is common knowledge that the Sands is planning to build a casino district in either Barcelona or Madrid. I think a decision will be announced which one in September.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 27th, 2012 at 12:15:04 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I have never been to Spain, so can't comment. It is common knowledge that the Sands is planning to build a casino district in either Barcelona or Madrid. I think a decision will be announced which one in September.



Sheldon says decision in September, but it is being presented not just as an either/or, but as will he or won't he. Barcelona is much closer to beach, so there are many more people on vacation, and it is also 3 hours closer to Paris by train. The Brits and other Northern Europeans mostly vacation in Southern Spain.

You are going to love eating in Spain
[imghttp://www.nest-hostels.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/5-consejos-para-ahorrar-anticrisis-card.jpg]
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 1:29:41 PM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

Barcelona is a very romantic place.



Seriously? Did you see the unsightly growth in that guy's face?

Look, I had many opportunities to visit Spain in the 80s and 90s when my dad travelled there on business every year. I could have gone with him any time, not paying either airfare, hotel, nor many expenses; the business would have paid for it. I never went. That should give you a hint.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 27th, 2012 at 1:47:42 PM permalink
"They say Spain is pretty, though I've never been
In fact, Daniel says it's the best place he's ever seen" -- Daniel by Elton John
(lyrics may not be exact, I'm going from memory)
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 27th, 2012 at 3:50:18 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

"They say Spain is pretty, though I've never been
In fact, Daniel says it's the best place he's ever seen" -- Daniel by Elton John
(lyrics may not be exact, I'm going from memory)



Spain is growing in population at about the same rate as Mexico in the last decade. Both are growing faster than the USA. Spain has a very low fertility rate so all of the growth is based on immigration. It's very unusual for Europe; in contrast Germany has lost people in the last decade.

Spain was very important to the Roman empire, and to the Visigothic empire, and to the Moslem empire, before establishing the most powerful empire in the world which conquered much of the New world. So the country is full of amazing historic sites.

But in Mexico, many of the important historical sites are in the big cities, Downtown Mexico City, Guadalajara, or in smaller cities nearby (Queretero, Puebla, Merida, Oaxaca City, etc).

Spain is dominated by the twin cities of Madrid and Barcelona (containing 10 million of the 47 million people). But the cities are not ancient and historic like Paris, Rome and Athens. Only 2 of the 44 World Heritage sites are in Barcelona, and urban Madrid has no sites. I say 2 because all the Gaudi buildings are counted as one World Heritage site. Madrid is not typical of European capitals because it is really not much older than a new world city. Madrid was not important before 1561, Mexico City was conquered in 1520, and NYC was founded as a trading post in 1624.

So to see the historical sites, you have to leave the major cities (except for Seville and Cordoba). You have to go into the mountains, or the smaller towns that have not been major cities for a long time. There you see the medieval or Roman towns of Toledo, Ronda, Avila, Leon, Ovieda, Segovia and Salamanca.

In that sense it is different than Italy. Much of the historic places in Italy, like Rome, Naples, Siena, Venice and Florence are still major cities, and are easy to get to. Also Italy has beautiful ancient cities on the waterfront. Spain has relatively modern development in most places along the Mediterranean or the Atlantic Ocean with a few old port towns. The beaches are not like the sand beaches we are used to in Caribbean, Florida or Hawaii.

Another mistake that Americans often make is to assume that Spanish food is spicy. Spicy food is relatively exotic for them, as it was imported only recently from Latin America.

Spain is trying to outdo France, the lead proponent of high speed rail in Europe. The goal of Spain is to almost eliminate domestic air travel (except for the islands), by having the most complete HSR system in Europe.

New Bridge in Ronda Spain
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 29th, 2012 at 5:18:47 PM permalink
Thanks Paco for the history and travel tips on Spain. They will come in handy one of these days.

Fecha: 07-29-12
Palabra: Fugar


Today's SWD means to escape. A pretty clean word with no synonyms or homonyms. The closest word is probably huir, which means to flee. I'm pretty sure that fugar would be used in situations like escaping from prison.

Ejemplo time.

!Gilligan, has estropeado todo las oportunidades para fugamos de la isla! = Gilligan, you have ruined every chance for us to escape from the island!
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 29th, 2012 at 5:31:22 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means to escape. A pretty clean word with no synonyms or homonyms.



It also means "fugue" both in music and psychology. Not to mention "to leak," but only in some circumstances.

Quote:

The closest word is probably huir, which means to flee. I'm pretty sure that fugar would be used in situations like escaping from prison.



Yes. It would mean escaping from a place where you shouldn't leave, not one where you can't leave. For example:

Quote:

!Gilligan, has estropeado todo las oportunidades para fugamos de la isla! = Gilligan, you have ruined every change for us to escape from the island!



"Change"? Never mind. The verb to use here is "escapar." It's not that the castaways shouldn't leave the island, it's that they can't; they lack the means to do so.

So it should read "...para escapaRNOS de la isla."

Now to use "fugar":

"Le tomó más de 20 años, pero Andy logró fugarse de prisión."

Bonus points for translating it and knowing what movie it refers to.

Double bonus points if you can identify what movie was released with the Spanish title "Fuga en el Siglo XXIII."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 29th, 2012 at 7:24:11 PM permalink
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 29th, 2012 at 10:06:53 PM permalink
Quote: Nareed

"Change"?



Typo. Should have been chance.

Quote:

It's not that the castaways shouldn't leave the island, it's that they can't; they lack the means to do so.



No. They had lots of chances. It is that they ruined all of them, usually by Gilligan. Half the episodes were about some opportunity to get off the island that Gilligan screwed up.


Quote:

Le tomó más de 20 años, pero Andy logró fugarse de prisión."



Shawshank Rememption. 100%.

Quote:

Bonus points for translating it and knowing what movie it refers to.



I already said the move. I think you misquoted the movie a bit. What you wrote was "It took him more than 20 years, but Andy achieved escape from prison." The actual quote was "Andy did it (escaped) in 20."

Quote:

Double bonus points if you can identify what movie was released with the Spanish title "Fuga en el Siglo XXIII."



It looks like Paco got it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 6:40:31 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

No. They had lots of chances.



Don't quibble. The point is that escaping the island is not the same thing as escaping prison, or custody.

Quote:

I already said the move. I think you misquoted the movie a bit.



It was an example, not a quote from the movie.

Quote:

What you wrote was "It took him more than 20 years, but Andy achieved escape from prison."



Close. "It took him over 20 years, but Andy managed to esacpe from prison." If you want to use "achieve," then go with "...but Andy achieved his escape from prison."

Quote:

It looks like Paco got it.



I don't see a title, just one photo. It's the right movie, though I can't recall that scene, but what was it called?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 30th, 2012 at 7:00:17 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Double bonus points if you can identify what movie was released with the Spanish title "Fuga en el Siglo XXIII."





The 1976 movie was called Logan's Run in English, with subtext Welcome to the 23rd Century.
There was a short lived TV series of the same name, that was the first starring role for Gregory Harrison, who has been on television for 40 years.

They must have translated it to "Escape in the 23rd Century" in some instances in Spanish.


Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 7:10:05 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

The 1976 movie was called Logan's Run in English,



That's the one.

Quote:

There was a short lived TV series of the same name,



I watched it, but I don't recall much of it. They got the formuls wrong: it's TV series that can be turned into movies, not the other way around (of course it worked splendidly with Stargate SG-1...) Besides, they had to overlook the movie's climax and the entire ending.

I think the movie's based on a book. I'd like to read it. The movie hinted at details it didn't quite show. Like what does a Sandman do when he's not chasing Runners, or who or what runs the City?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 7:24:25 AM permalink
Logan's Run was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I have seen it at least 20 times. Haven't there been rumblings about remaking it?

An underrated movie is Free Enterprise which was in part about Logan's Run. It dealt with a science fiction buff turning 30 and he was anxious that he hasn't accomplished much with his life by that point.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 7:34:46 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Logan's Run was one of my favorite movies as a kid. I have seen it at least 20 times. Haven't there been rumblings about remaking it?



It's the first SF movie I recall seeing. On seeing it again many years later, it struck me that it was really good.

Although for a better treatment of one isolated, closed-off city without much productive work going on and pleasures galore engaging 99.9999% of the population's time, you may want to read Clarke's "The City and the Stars." And the people in Diaspar actually get "renewed" (such nice euphemisms for "murdered").

Anyway, I should get "Logan's Run" on DVD, and find the book it's based on.

BTW a few movies are so good on their own I feel no need to look at the original book or story they're adapted from. Case in point "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Soylent Green."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 7:52:54 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Case in point "The Shawshank Redemption"



I read it before the movie. One of the best adaptations of a Stephen King book, although that isn't saying much. As I recall, it was one of four stories in Different Seasons, titled "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption." A rare case where the movie was true to the book. As usual with movies made from books, there were some details left out. For example, once when Andy got the warden angry he made him bunk with another inmate for about six months. The book did not detail Red actually making it to Mexico.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 8:10:00 AM permalink
Fecha: 30-07-12
Palabra: Muescar


Today's SWD means to make a nick. Naturally, muesca would be a nick.

Ejemplo time.

Intenté a fugar de carcel por cavando un hoyo, pero ni hice una muesca en el suelo con mi cuchara. = I tried to escape from prison by digging a hole, but didn't even make a nick in the floor with my spoon.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 8:21:05 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means to make a nick. Naturally, muesca would be a nick.



If you say so. It's a word I know exists, but it's used so rearely it might as well not.

Quote:

Intenté a fugar de carcel por cavando un hoyo, pero ni hice una muesca en el suelo con mi cuchara. = I tried to escape from prison by digging a hole, but didn't even make a nick in the floor with my spoon.



"Intenté FUGARME de LA carcel cavando...."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 30th, 2012 at 9:25:59 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means to make a nick. Naturally, muesca would be a nick.



If you say so. It's a word I know exists, but it's used so rearely it might as well not.



The DRAE says that the word is unique to Salamanca region of Spain. Salamanca is the name of both a city and a province (population 1/3 million) in Castile and León region of Spain (population 2.5 million) where the language originated in the reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors.


Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 9:48:25 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

where the language originated in the reconquest of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors.



"MOOPS!" George Costanza

I recognized the word, menaing I've heard it before. But I can't tell if it means what the Wizard says or not. In addition it's used so seldom, it might as well not exist. although the word for "nutmeg" is "nuez moscada," which just may be related.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 30th, 2012 at 11:00:52 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

"MOOPS!" George Costanza

I recognized the word, menaing I've heard it before. But I can't tell if it means what the Wizard says or not. In addition it's used so seldom, it might as well not exist. although the word for "nutmeg" is "nuez moscada," which just may be related.



I forgot that episode of Seinfeld.



The word μυριστική is Greek for nutmeg, which seems to have been transliterated directly into Spanish mirística.

DRAE: nuez moscada == Fruto de la mirística, de forma ovoide, cubierto por la macis, y con una almendra pardusca por fuera y blanquecina por dentro. Se emplea como condimento y para sacar el aceite que contiene en abundancia.

I don't know why the word is transformed from mirística to moscada.

I don't think the words are related. One word comes from a Latin word for moss, and the other from a Latin word that means either "to bite" or to press your lips together.


===================
Here is an interesting article: From baffies to tranklements: The meaning of Britain's most obscure words

Of course, one of the most famous lines in English language is: O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?. Interestingly every word except Romeo is now archaic.
'O' is now commonly spelled 'Oh'
'wherefore' means "why" and not "where"
'art' is an archaic second person form of "to be", completely replaced with "are"
'thou' is an archaic second person pronoun, originally similar to the Spanish "tu", but now replaced with "you"
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 11:22:40 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

I forgot that episode of Seinfeld.



It's a clssic. Far from being the best, but the "bubble boy" scenes are priceless.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 30th, 2012 at 12:08:11 PM permalink
Quote: Nareed

It's a clssic. Far from being the best, but the "bubble boy" scenes are priceless.



The episode made it to #6 in one internet survey. It is pretty impressive that the writing is so good on Seinfeld, that you can re

10. "The Outing"
9. "The Parking Garage"
8. "The Marine Biologist"
7. "The Opposite"
6. "The Bubble Boy"
5. "The Hamptons"
4. "The Pick"
3. "The Junior Mint"
2. "The Soup Nazi"
1. "The Contest"

The subtitles on this video are strange. Instead of "Moops" it is translated a "Louros" . I am not sure of the language, but I think it is Portuguese.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 30th, 2012 at 1:06:37 PM permalink
"Seinfeld," without resorting to puns or word-play, nevertheless played a lot with language. Here it was shown with Spanish subtitles, and sometimes the translations were 100% nonsense or actual gibberish. Many were not funny if you relied only on the subtitles.

And no, I don't recall what the subtitles were for "Moops." I'd guess the inevitable, and very understandable "Mopos," as opposed to "Moros." But most of the time I don't even see the subtitles.

In the video above, I'm guessing the subtitles are Portuguese.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 31st, 2012 at 3:34:50 AM permalink
I can see how much of the humor in Seinfeld would not translate well. My favorite episode is the one where George gets Elaine to take his IQ test for him. My favorite character on the show is easily George.

I can't speak for anybody else, but I'm not able to view the YouTube videos you link to. I always get a message that YouTube doesn't support it.

Fecha: 31-07-12
Palabra: leña


Today's SWD means wood. You may be wondering how it differs from madera. I think madera is the usual term, like something is made from wood. Leña, I think, applies more to firewood or in a "lumber" kind of sense. For example, a leñador is a lumberjack.

Ejemplo time.

¿Tienes suficiente leña para durar todo el invierno? = Do you have enough firewood to last through the winter?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 31st, 2012 at 6:40:59 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I can see how much of the humor in Seinfeld would not translate well. My favorite episode is the one where George gets Elaine to take his IQ test for him. My favorite character on the show is easily George.

Today's SWD means wood. You may be wondering how it differs from madera. I think madera is the usual term, like something is made from wood. Leña, I think, applies more to firewood or in a "lumber" kind of sense.



It can be firewood for a stove, a fireplace, or an open hearth kitchen. There was a popular steak place in Tijuana with that name.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 31st, 2012 at 6:50:59 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

¿Tienes suficiente leña para durar todo el invierno? = Do you have enough firewood to last through the winter?



Phrased like that, you're asking if the person will last the winter.

Try: "¿Te va a durar la leña todo el invierno?"
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
July 31st, 2012 at 8:03:56 AM permalink
Nareed,
Can you hold off on blasting google translate for a second, and look at the translations below.
It looks to me like Google got the first two phrases correct. Do you agree?


1) va a durar
2) te va a durar
3) ¿Te va a durar la leña todo el invierno?
4) ¿Tienes suficiente leña para durar todo el invierno?

1) will last
2) going to last
3) Are you the wood will last all winter?
4) Do you have enough wood to last all winter?
Translations from Google Translate

I would guess the best translation of your sentence is:
Is the wood going to last all winter?
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
July 31st, 2012 at 9:05:10 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Phrased like that, you're asking if the person will last the winter.



Maybe if the person runs out of firewood he will freeze to death, and thus not last the winter. This is legitimately a concern for people that live in remote places in northern latitudes.

Quote: pacomartin

Is the wood going to last all winter?



This might lead to the follow-up question, what wood?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
July 31st, 2012 at 9:08:31 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

1) va a durar



It will last.

Quote:

2) te va a durar



It will last you.

Quote:

3) ¿Te va a durar la leña todo el invierno?



Will the lumber last you all winter?

Quote:

4) ¿Tienes suficiente leña para durar todo el invierno?



Do you have enough wood for the whole winter?
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
August 1st, 2012 at 7:59:01 AM permalink
Fecha: 1-8-12
Palabra: Restregar


Today's SWD means to rub/scrub. How this differs from fregar; I have no idea. In the context I found the word it was used to rub something in somebody's face (out of spite).

Ejemplo time.

Necesita mucho tiempo para restregar el suelo de la cocina con un cepillo de dientes. = It takes a long time to scrub the kitchen floor using a toothbrush.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 1st, 2012 at 8:39:01 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Necesita mucho tiempo para restregar el suelo de la cocina con un cepillo de dientes. = It takes a long time to scrub the kitchen floor using a toothbrush.



"SE necesita...."

The difference is that "Necesita mucho tiempo..." means someone needs a long time to do something. Whereas "SE necesita mucho tiempo...2 means "it takes a long time...."

In this example the difference it's not worth making, as obviously it will be a person undertaking the demaning task. But if you were to talk of, say, geological processes, you wouldn't say "Necesita mucho tiempo para convertir el carbón en diamante."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
August 1st, 2012 at 9:16:11 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

How this differs from fregar; I have no idea.



  • fregar means to rub two things together. It can be used in the context of scrubbing the floor with a sponge. It also has the same colloquial meaning as the English phrase "He rubs me the wrong way". It can imply that someone is irritating. The verb 'fregar' is distantly related to words like "friction" in English, and "frito" in Spanish (fried).

    these three other synonyms are a confusing to me:
  • restregar
  • estregar
  • frotar

    They are variously translated as rub, scrape, wipe, rubbing, scraping, and scouring.

Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
August 1st, 2012 at 8:49:04 PM permalink
Fecha: 2-8-12
Palabra: despistar


According to the dictionary, today's SWD has various usages, but they all more or less mean to get confused. How does it differs from confudir? I think despistar means to get confused yourself, and confudir means to confuse somebody else.

Ejemplo time.

El Mago me despistó cuando trató explicar cómo jugar craps. = The Wizard confused me when he tried to explain how to play craps.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 2nd, 2012 at 6:58:56 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

According to the dictionary, today's SWD has various usages, but they all more or less mean to get confused.



It means something more like "to be thrown off the track", or "to lose track." It can mean "clueless," too.

As used, it tends to describe a state rather than an action, so:

Quote:

El Mago me despistó cuando trató explicar cómo jugar craps. = The Wizard confused me when he tried to explain how to play craps.



"Sigo despistado en craps por más que el Mago me explique como jugar." = "I'm still clueless about craps despite the Wizard's explanations on how to play."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
August 2nd, 2012 at 8:26:49 PM permalink
Thanks for the above. In case anyone is wondering, sigo is the first person present tense of seguir.

Fecha: 3-8-12
Palabra: Furgon


Today's SWD means pick up truck, van or station wagon. I think in the south-west US you would more likely to hear troca, but my former tutor, who couldn't stand Spanglish, said that word made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

If you want to say a small truck you can go with furgoneta.

Ejemplo time.

Mi furgoneta se quedó sin gasolina. = My pick-up truck is out of gas.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 3rd, 2012 at 6:57:57 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Today's SWD means pick up truck, van or station wagon.



I think we've been through this, but maybe not with this particular word.

In Mexico the word used is "camioneta." BTW if you ever see a station wagon outside of a museum let me know ;)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
August 3rd, 2012 at 7:37:54 AM permalink
Quote: Nareed

BTW if you ever see a station wagon outside of a museum let me know ;)



It's possible that in Mexico city all public transportation is done via buses. You've made your opinion of buses fairly clear, so I imagine you mostly drive or take the subway.

In small cities they have a crossbreed between bus and taxi called "taxi de la ruta". It resembles a bus in that it follow a specific route, but it resembles a taxi ( or a 2nd class bus) in that they will stop and pick up anyone on the route, not just people at bus stops. Fare is slightly higher than bus fare (in Tijuana it was usually close to a dollar).

The vehicle of choice in TJ was the old fashioned station wagon (color coded). Finally the city decided to retire these taxis in favor of a all buses (and possibly a rail system for the main routes). There were huge protests as some of the drivers had never had another job.

Also in Oaxaca a private system of vans was widely used. They tended to go on the routes where 2nd class buses go, but were considerably faster (usually not making the intermediate stops). A popular route was to the beach which was over the mountain. The first class buses took the main route and took 7 hours. The 2nd class buses would go over the mountain, a much shorter distance, but would also take 7 hours. The Vans would careen over the mountain and do the trip in 4 hours. BTW it was 80 miles "flying distance" from the city to the beach.
Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 3rd, 2012 at 9:31:45 AM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

It's possible that in Mexico city all public transportation is done via buses.



Don't I wish!

Quote:

You've made your opinion of buses fairly clear, so I imagine you mostly drive or take the subway.



Lately I drive or take cabs. The subway's fine, more or less, but not convenient wher I'm located.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
August 3rd, 2012 at 12:15:08 PM permalink
Quote: Nareed

Lately I drive or take cabs. The subway's fine, more or less, but not convenient wher I'm located.



I kind of figured the "taxis de la ruta" was more a small town small city transportation.

Do you live in or near Tlalnepantla de Baz or Naucalpan? I think those are the only municipios Northwest of DF.


Nareed
Nareed
  • Threads: 373
  • Posts: 11413
Joined: Nov 11, 2009
August 3rd, 2012 at 2:51:48 PM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

I kind of figured the "taxis de la ruta" was more a small town small city transportation.



I've never heard of them.

Quote:

Do you live in or near Tlalnepantla de Baz or Naucalpan? I think those are the only municipios Northwest of DF.



I've lived in Naucalpan. But I work in the "city" proper, too, and have no convenient subway stations near the office. There are stations nearby, they're just not conenient.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
August 3rd, 2012 at 5:07:41 PM permalink
Quote: Nareed

I've never heard of them.



Here is a picture. It is color coded to a route. It's a very inefficient transport system, which TJ may have abandoned by now.
Wizard
Administrator
Wizard
  • Threads: 1519
  • Posts: 27065
Joined: Oct 14, 2009
August 3rd, 2012 at 6:40:39 PM permalink
Quote: pacomartin

Finally the city decided to retire these taxis in favor of a all buses (and possibly a rail system for the main routes).



Where does this TJ rail system stand now? I find getting around Tijuana very confusing, and pretty much learned to park on the US side and rely on taxis.

Quote:

There were huge protests as some of the drivers had never had another job.



Tough! I admit I don't know much about Mexican politics but since when is employment guaranteed for life in a capitalist economy? I have a feeling if talks ever got close to extending the LV monorail to the airport there would be a lot of hand wringing about the taxi drivers that would lose jobs. Find other job, for crying out loud! Are we supposed to hold up progress because somebody might be out of job?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
  • Jump to: