And now…lets’ say it in Spanish!
Let’s have fun learning expressions in Spanish, but Watch out! An expression translated word by word from English to Spanish may not be the way native Spanish speakers say it in Spanish!
For the best practice, try to find out the way you can say it in Spanish from a real native raised in a Spanish speaking country or from a trustworthy source.
Sometimes students feel that expressions need to be translated the same way they say it in their native language otherwise they will not be conveying the exact meaning and/or feeling. But if native people were in the same situation, and you were around, you would be surprised to hear how exactly they say it in Spanish!
In fact, even when some Spanish language learners may say “that sounds weird to me” “I would never say something like this in English”, if you say it your way, translated directly from your language to Spanish, Spanish native speakers will say “that sounds weird to me”, “I would never say something like this in Spanish”, you know why? Because that’s not how you say it in Spanish!
So, the key to say things properly, and express them correctly in the right situation, requires a simple attitude, being receptive and start thinking in Spanish. Because even when your expression is not translated word by word or in the same order, what it really matters is the emotional charge, the feeling of the expression and how they are nailed by natives in the exact same situation, in your target language.
Being bilingual has helped me understand some expressions from both points of view, from my native language, Spanish, and from the English language perspective and that’s why I love these two languages.
So, that’s what say it in Spanish is all about. Helping you connect with the real way to say things in Spanish!
1. ¡No hay problema! = No problem!
This is one of the most confused expressions that I have heard in America. When translating directly from English, the real essence of the expression is missing. In Spanish we would say “there is no problem”. So, let’s say it in Spanish!
No problem! : Expression in English.
No problema : Literal translation from English to Spanish.
¡No hay problema! : Real Spanish translation.
There is no problem! : Literal translation from Spanish to English.
2. No es = It is not
In Spanish, we place the negative word “no” in front of the verb.
So, while in English you say “it is not”, in Spanish we say “not is” considering that we don’t have “it” for this case. So, let’s say it in Spanish!
It is not! : Expression in English.
Es no: Literal translation from English to Spanish.
¡No es! : Real Spanish translation.
No is! : Literal translation from Spanish to English.
3. ! No lo puedo evitar! or !No puedo controlarme! = I can’t help myself!
The literal translation of this expression from Spanish to English would be a total nonsense in Spanish language. Let’s check how native Spanish speakers say it in Spanish!
I can’t help myself! : Expression in English.
Yo no puedo ayudarme a mi mismo: Literal translation from English to Spanish.
1. ¡No lo puedo evitar! : Real Spanish translation
¡I can’t avoid it! : Literal translation from Spanish to English.
2. ¡No puedo controlarme! : Real Spanish translation.
¡I can’t control myself! : Literal translation from Spanish to English.
Hope you enjoyed it!
Dalila.
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