Treegod

Thought I'd start a thread for Spanish expressions that don't translate well or have funny results when translated.

I came across this one: "No das ni con bola," which I translate roughly as "you don't give nor with ball." I have no idea what the real meaning of that one is and wasn't really explained.

Then there is "He chupado del bote." No idea what it means but Babelfish tells me it means "I have absorbed of the boat."

Please, educate me.

One thing I like is that in Spanish chicken "put eggs". Put eggs where, well, that's another story. In fact earlier today I found myself thinking that phrase in English.

While we're at it, how about the other way around, translating English expressions into Spanish? Any hilarious/embarrasing results?

agoreira

I think you'll find this is an abbreviated version of "no dar pie con bola" which means "not to be unable to do anything right"

Bet you get a few on pollo/polla!

megmet

And don't ever ask where your rabbit is in Spanish......I once did that in a bar full of Guardia.

Treegod

Or año and ano.

BTW, touching eggs around here doesn't seem such a good idea. I don't know how they make their tortillas without handling eggs.

jackytoo

A friend asked -Dondé está la caca instead of caja

A spanish friend asked for Kitchen and chips in London

Treegod

Ha ha! Yes, that was one of the earliest things my girlfriend pointed out to me. I might just not say that word at all and call it "el animal con orejas largas".

Which would be THE MILK! (That doesn't really work in English, does it?)

Treegod

I know some people that say "chicken" when they mean kitchen or "kitchen" when they mean chicken.

Dick Dasterdly

Anyone know a good site or booklet showing Spanish proverbs with their meanings in English ?

megmet

There are a couple of sites here for you...

http://www.brighthub.com/education/l...les/24152.aspx

http://www.languagerealm.com/spanish...shproverbs.php

lynnxa

what you really want is spanish idioms

this could also be useful spanish slang

rachelk

Cool. Karma.

I know this is not really what you meant, but today's forecast says "con brisa" and the latest report is 41Kmph. Having listened to the wind howling all night I feel brisa doesn't do it justice.

Treegod

Thanks Meg met and Lynnxa, those look good

lynnxa

from what I've heard of the current weather down there 'brisa' really doesn't do it justice!!

bil

Another food related fauxpas is to confuse cuttlefish with fanny.

Chocho as compared to choco.

Interestingly in Andalucia, it is apparantly common practice for males to call their significant other 'chocho' or 'chochito.'

Sometimes pronounced as 'shosho'

agoreira

I always smile at "marear la perdiz" and "estar más perdido/despistado que un pulpo en un garaje".