Translation please of:

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Sep 29th 2008 | 5:22 am

#16

me me

Banned

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,081

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

OK, that's an interesting one.

Do you mean as in soulmate? Only that's all I can think of. I like the Spanish equivalent of 'Mi media naranja.'

Yes that is along the right lines, but Media naranja is more a good match, this on is sort of, he is as bad as she is sort of thing, not really like a soul mate.
Come on bil get your thinking cap on.........

Sep 29th 2008 | 5:38 am

#17

bil

Banned

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 7,653

From: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz

Re: Translation please of:

Ah, you mean like 'they are as bad as each other'. A negative match rather than a positive?

Sep 29th 2008 | 5:45 am

#18

me me

Banned

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,081

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Ah, you mean like 'they are as bad as each other'. A negative match rather than a positive?

Yes, that is the meaning, but there is a better one...... I just cant think of it.

Sep 29th 2008 | 6:34 pm

#19

mikelincs

Concierge

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 29,811

From: ex ex-pat, in Taunton

mikelincs has a reputation beyond repute

Re: Translation please of:

la gota que colma el vaso.

Means 'the last straw'

Sep 29th 2008 | 8:37 pm

#20

Carol&John

Thread Starter

BE Forum Addict

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,377

Carol&John has a reputation beyond repute

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna at Vicenza

something like ..............
for every foot God made a shoe ????

or have i just made a crappy homemade English idiom from an Italian saying ?

Perhaps, Lorna, it implies keeping someone under control?(negative)

Here's another one:
Encontrarse con la horma de su zapato. To meet one's match.

I'm enjoying reading these phrases. Thanks & keep on posting.

Carol

Sep 30th 2008 | 4:25 am

#21

toyboy23

Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 284

From: West Surrey now, Almeria soon.

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Nearly forgot, someone asked about pesado. As posted above it can be for a heavy weight, a heavy going person or a real bore.

You will often come across it as 'pesao', as they often drop the 'd' . This applies to other adjectives too.

Thanks bil. Iâ€™m pleased to hear that the boxes Iâ€™ve packed are just heavy and not depressed or boring.

Mind you, shifting them around is definitely a PITA!

Sep 30th 2008 | 5:32 am

#22

bil

Banned

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 7,653

From: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz

Re: Translation please of:

Here's an interesting point I was told. The difference between Estar and Ser is that Esar is for tempory things (and death) and Ser is for the permanent.

Soy aburrido I am boring
Estoy aburrido I am bored.

Estas guapa. You are pretty today
Eres guapa You are always pretty.

Sep 30th 2008 | 5:54 am

#23

me me

Banned

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 3,081

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Here's an interesting point I was told. The difference between Estar and Ser is that Esar is for tempory things (and death) and Ser is for the permanent.

.

Daft, but true, because there is nothing more permanent than DEATH.

Sep 30th 2008 | 7:11 pm

#24

mikelincs

Concierge

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 29,811

From: ex ex-pat, in Taunton

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Here's an interesting point I was told. The difference between Estar and Ser is that Esar is for tempory things (and death) and Ser is for the permanent.

.

Yes, Estar is for one off things, with the meaning of at a specific time, death cold be classed as a 'one off' as you only die the once....

Sep 30th 2008 | 7:41 pm

#25

marisol

BE Enthusiast

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 711

From: spain

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carol&John

"vestir un santo que desvestir otro"

Nothing to do with "quedar para vestir santos" (to remain a spinster)?

Is it "To rob Peter, in order to pay Paul"?

Any other traditional phrases?

Hello Carol,
Is "desvestir a un santo para vestir a otro" and yes, the translation is as you said "To rob Peter, in order to pay Paul".

Sep 30th 2008 | 8:13 pm

#26

Huevos

Banned

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 110

Re: Translation please of:

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

You will often come across it as 'pesao', as they often drop the 'd' . This applies to other adjectives too.

What makes me laugh is the uneducated or illiterate Spanish trying to be posh. They put the missing "d" into nouns where it is completely wrong, creating barbarisms such as "bacalado" or "Cola-cado".

Another ser/estar pair is: