Word Usage

platano says on May 18, 2005, 08:19:

N2Aquatix, I think your translation is correct.

Plátano, el banano verde
Oxigeno Verde ¡Libertad por Ingrid y los demás!

plátano

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sandramoreno80 says on May 18, 2005, 08:29:

Claro que me puedes ayudar: Of course you can help me

Su actitud no podria ser mas claro: His attitude couldn't be more clearer

So it's an affirmation (of course, yes, certainly) or an adjective; clear

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N2Aquatix says on May 18, 2005, 08:29:

Thanx amigo. :)

Jay

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N2Aquatix says on May 18, 2005, 08:32:

Thank you as well, Sandra. :)

Jay

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Miguel says on May 18, 2005, 09:04:

Careful... Attempts at "literal" translation sometimes just won't work, although my Spanish dictionary defined it exactly as did Sandra. Remember, it is not out of context to her ear, and that "claro" is widely used by other Spanish speakers, not just Colombians. A Brazilian friend of mine commented, that she was very confused when she came to the States when everyone greeted her with the "what's up?" phrase. Likewise, when I got my nose out of the textbooks and started actually speaking the language, I got confused initially when greeted with "que haces? or "Como andas?" Your ear will get trained.

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dwmte says on May 18, 2005, 12:32:

aquatix...el repuesto... claro...

dw

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utopiacowboy says on May 18, 2005, 21:54:

Yes, the good old "claro" is indispensable. One of her other favorites is "es cierto" or just "cierto". One word she uses that Spanish-speakers here find a little odd is her use of the word "bravo" to mean angry or upset. Sometimes she'll get this concerned look on her face and ask "Estas bravo conmigo?". The first time I heard it I was confused - am I brave with you?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Copete says on May 18, 2005, 22:38:

bravo That's another example of a literal translation that doesn't work. So, what do you prefer, the Mexican "tengo coraje" = "I've got courage"?

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N2Aquatix says on May 19, 2005, 12:00:

Que Mas? Yeah, my baby uses the "cierto" thing quite a bit too. I was the first one to use "que haces?" but she seemed to know what I meant. The first time I used "que pasa?" she thought I was giving her the third degree! Hahaha!!! By the way, is "que mas?" supposed to mean "what's new?"? I'm still trying to put an exact handle on that one. I get the general "what's up, what's happening" type of connotation, but I was just wondering what the specifics were....

Jay

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sandramoreno80 says on May 19, 2005, 12:22:

I always thought Que mas? was a short version of Que mas hay de nuevo?, which literally means: What else is new?

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quindioman says on May 19, 2005, 12:32:

oiga, mire, vea claro que si...es cierto que la mayoria de colombianos hablan asi

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utopiacowboy says on May 19, 2005, 15:01:

Reminds me of another one she uses, "tengo rabia" when she's pissed with the kids. I can't help thinking about a rabid dog every time she says it.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Miguel says on May 19, 2005, 22:42:

UC Funny stuff amigo!

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Lionheart says on May 19, 2005, 23:45:

Rabies? Rabid Dog? I am getting worried now about some things I am being called ...

gato rabioso
chino cochino
oso peludo
perrito cochinin
guacala
guatón
guatoncito
chanchin
monito chuchu
bigotin
pedoncin
bebé chascón
bebé cochinin
cachorro peludo
bandido pillo
bebé pillin
tetillitas lindas
potito rico
glotoncito

Some words I understand ... I am not sure about their implied meaning, and others I can't find in dictionary, she claims she invents them, but I have my doubts ...

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