Spanish language learning forums

Spanish language learning forums (http://forums.tomisimo.org/index.php)
-   Daily Spanish Word (http://forums.tomisimo.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31)
-   -   Tapar (http://forums.tomisimo.org/showthread.php?t=6850)

DailyWord January 18, 2010 07:13 AM

Tapar
 
This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for January 11, 2010

tapar (verb) — to cover, hide, veil, stop, block, cement. Look up tapar in the dictionary

Cuando llega el invierno, tapo mis plantas con una sábana, para que no se quemen con el frío.
When winter comes I cover my plants with a sheet so they won't get frostbitten.

El contador de la empresa tapa los robos del gerente, manipulando los números.
The firm's bookkeeper conceals the manager's theft by manipulating the numbers.

Las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan su rostro.
Women in the Middle East cover their faces.

Taparon el pozo la semana pasada.
The well was cemented over last week.

No vayas por la avenida, porque está tapada.
Don't use the main avenue because it's blocked.

Esta crema no tapa los poros.
This cream doesn't clog your pores.

Tápate bien, que hace mucho frío.
Wear warm clothes because it's really cold out.

laepelba January 18, 2010 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DailyWord (Post 68953)
Las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan su rostro.
Women in the Middle East cover their faces.

Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ??? :?:
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"? :?:

Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages? :?:

pjt33 January 18, 2010 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DailyWord (Post 68953)
No vayas por la avenida, porque está tapada.
Don't use the main avenue because it's blocked.

¿Éste es un regionalismo? Aquí oígo más "cortada" (o "tancat", pero eso es valencià ;)).

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68956)
Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages? :?:

I think of "tapar" primarily as "to cover", "to put a lid on", or "to plug".

CrOtALiTo January 18, 2010 09:54 AM

I didn't know that the word Cover means tapar.

Then can I say this.

I covered my car because was raining.

I cover my juice because there are a lot dust in the street.


I will appreciate the support gave here in the forums.

Please you correcting me if you have time.

laepelba January 18, 2010 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo (Post 68976)
I didn't know that the word Cover means tapar.

Then can I say this.

I covered my car because it was raining (out). (The "out" is optional, but is something you'd hear quite often.)

I cover my juice because there is a lot of dust in the street.


I will appreciate the support given here in the forums.

Please you correcting me if you have time.

Corrections in red.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjt33 (Post 68967)
I think of "tapar" primarily as "to cover", "to put a lid on", or "to plug".

And how about ocultar?

Perikles January 18, 2010 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo (Post 68976)
I covered my car because was raining.:good::good:

I cover my juice because there are a lot dust in the street.:good::good:


I will appreciate the support gave given here in the forums.

Please you correcting correct me if you have time.

:):):)

Edit: oops there is a lot of dust

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68981)
And how about ocultar?

I think there is an overlap between them, but ocultar can also mean to conceal:

tras esa sonrisa se oculta una mala intención

whereas tapar just means to cover up physically. :thinking::)

Edit: if you wanted to cover your car up to protect it from rain and dust, you would use tapar. If you wanted to hide it from thieves, you would use ocultar

laepelba January 18, 2010 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 68996)
I think there is an overlap between them, but ocultar can also mean to conceal:

tras esa sonrisa se oculta una mala intención

whereas tapar just means to cover up physically. :thinking::)

Edit: if you wanted to cover your car up to protect it from rain and dust, you would use tapar. If you wanted to hide it from thieves, you would use ocultar

That last part helped me with the subtle difference. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68956)
Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ??? :?:
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"? :?:

How about my other questions?

(By the way, I don't necessarily agree with your ":good::good:" for Crotalito's sentences... Sorry. :()

Perikles January 18, 2010 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69001)
(By the way, I don't necessarily agree with your ":good::good:" for Crotalito's sentences... Sorry. :()

I really don't mind - what's the problem?

As for your other questions, which I thought were very good ones, I'm waiting for a Spanish speaker to answer.:)

laepelba January 18, 2010 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69003)
I really don't mind - what's the problem?

See my corrections (two above yours)....

Perikles January 18, 2010 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69004)
See my corrections (two above yours)....

Hey you're right - I never noticed the missing it. But I've never heard that use of out. :)

laepelba January 18, 2010 12:08 PM

Yeah, we'd say "it's raining out" or "it's snowing out" or "it's sunny out" or "it's cloudy out". I think it's probably a useless phrase, given that it had better NOT be raining INSIDE my house (!!), but definitely something that is said frequently.

chileno January 18, 2010 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68956)
Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ??? :?:
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"? :?:

Another question about the word "tapar". Is it similar in meaning to "ocultar"? What are the subtleties in differences in their meanings and usages? :?:

Remember the table I did. There you'll find your asnwer.

laepelba January 18, 2010 12:41 PM

The table you did about "mi misma", etc.? Here: http://forums.tomisimo.org/showpost....63&postcount=8 ???

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68956)
Two questions about this particular example:
1) Why "su" and not "el"? I thought that the indefinite article is to be used for body parts, and not the personal possessive. "The face..." instead of "her/their face..." ??? :?:
2) Why singular? Why not "las mujeres del Medio Oriente tapan sus/los rostros"? :?:

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69030)
Remember the table I did. There you'll find your asnwer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69038)
The table you did about "mi misma", etc.? Here: http://forums.tomisimo.org/showpost....63&postcount=8 ???

Huh? I don't see what any of the possessive articles have to do with the fact that I thought that body parts were not supposed to use possessive articles, but definite articles. :?::?::?::?::?::?::?:

Isn't it supposed to be: Me duele la boca. (In English, we say "MY mouth hurts") I thought that it was always impersonal when talking about parts of the body. Where is the answer to that in your chart?

And the same with the question about singular vs. plural. I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking at in your chart to find the answer to that.

Now I'm even more confused. :thinking::thinking::thinking:

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 18, 2010 02:56 PM

@Lou Ann:

Maybe someone can give a good grammar explanation for this, but this is how we say the same thing:

Las mujeres en Medio Oriente se tapan el rostro.

Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan su rostro. = Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan sus rostros.
(You don't have to refer to each one of their faces, but it's the same meaning if you do.)

chileno January 18, 2010 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69038)
Now I'm even more confused. :thinking::thinking::thinking:

Sorry. I did not read thoroughly. Angelica answered this already.

CrOtALiTo January 18, 2010 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 68980)
Corrections in red.



And how about ocultar?

Thank you for the support.

I covered my car because it was raining out.

I will cover my computer because there is a lot dust in the street.


I appreciate your support.

bobjenkins January 19, 2010 12:02 PM

Hola,

No tapes la salida porque la gente tiene que escapar en caso de un fuego inicia

Tapáis la fuga ahora , ¡vamos a naufragar!

Tapa la comida , se pondrá podrida

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 19, 2010 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobjenkins (Post 69165)
Hola,

No tapes la salida porque la gente tiene que poder escapar en caso de un fuego inicia incendio. (Or "...en caso de que se inicie un incendio.")

Tapáis Tapad la fuga ahora , ¡vamos a naufragar!

Tapa la comida , se pondrá podrida va a pudrir (Or "se va a echar a perder)



Good work, Bob. :)

Corrections above.

bobjenkins January 19, 2010 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69190)
Good work, Bob. :)

Corrections above.

Muchas gracias!:)

laepelba January 19, 2010 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo (Post 69087)
Thank you for the support.

I covered my car because it was raining out.

I will cover my computer because there is a lot of dust in the street.

I appreciate your support.

No problem, Crotalito. Don't forget the "of" after "a lot" (see above).

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69064)
@Lou Ann:

Maybe someone can give a good grammar explanation for this, but this is how we say the same thing:

Las mujeres en Medio Oriente se tapan el rostro.

Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan su rostro. = Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan sus rostros.
(You don't have to refer to each one of their faces, but it's the same meaning if you do.)

Thanks, Malila. So is it the sense of the passive voice vs. the active voice? Así:

"Las mujeres en Medio Oriente se tapan el rostro" is roughly like saying "The faces of [...] are covered." (More passive...)

"Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan su rostro. = Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan sus rostros" is roughly like saying "[...] cover their faces."

??

CrOtALiTo January 19, 2010 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69214)
No problem, Crotalito. Don't forget the "of" after "a lot" (see above).



Thanks, Malila. So is it the sense of the passive voice vs. the active voice? Así:

"Las mujeres en Medio Oriente se tapan el rostro" is roughly like saying "The faces of [...] are covered." (More passive...)

"Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan su rostro. = Las mujeres en Medio Oriente tapan sus rostros" is roughly like saying "[...] cover their faces."

??

Thank you for your support.

And well also thank you for the endurance.

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 19, 2010 05:05 PM

@Lou Ann: No, both sentences are active voice.

Passive voice: Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente son tapados. (Which sounds horrible and not clear btw.) ;)

The difference is the pronominal form of the verb: taparse vs. tapar.
(Not all the verbs can be like this though.)

Ellas se tapan el rostro = ellas tapan su rostro.

chileno January 19, 2010 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69239)
@Lou Ann: No, both sentences are active voice.

Passive voice: Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente son tapados. (Which sounds horrible and not clear btw.) ;)

The difference is the pronominal form of the verb: taparse vs. tapar.
(Not all the verbs can be like this though.)

Ellas se tapan el rostro = ellas tapan su rostro.


Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente están siempre tapados.

Es eso también Passive voice?

de ser así, está más claro?

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 19, 2010 07:10 PM

Irma sabrá mejor, pero según yo, la voz pasiva se forma sólo con el verbo "ser", no "estar", pero hay otra forma de voz pasiva, que es la forma impersonal y que en este caso, suena mucho mejor: :)

En Medio Oriente se tapa el rostro de las mujeres.

laepelba January 19, 2010 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69239)
@Lou Ann: No, both sentences are active voice.

Passive voice: Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente son tapados. (Which sounds horrible and not clear btw.) ;)

The difference is the pronominal form of the verb: taparse vs. tapar.
(Not all the verbs can be like this though.)

Ellas se tapan el rostro = ellas tapan su rostro.

Okay, so if it's not a verb that can be used in a "-se" form, how would I know when to use "el/la" or "mi/ti/su", etc.?

laepelba January 22, 2010 09:02 PM

Okay, so there was that previous question that I asked. (I really do wonder about that....)

Secondly, I already asked about "tapar" vs. "ocultar". Now I wonder how "cubrir" fits into the mix? Are all three somewhat synonymous?

chileno January 23, 2010 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69261)
Okay, so if it's not a verb that can be used in a "-se" form, how would I know when to use "el/la" or "mi/ti/su", etc.?

Quote:

Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente son tapados.
[/QUOTE]

Because the subject is los rostros and not las mujeres.

Does that answer your question?

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69647)
Secondly, I already asked about "tapar" vs. "ocultar". Now I wonder how "cubrir" fits into the mix? Are all three somewhat synonymous?

I guess it's the same difference as in conceal, hide and cover. No?

laepelba January 23, 2010 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69239)
@Lou Ann: No, both sentences are active voice.

Passive voice: Los rostros de las mujeres en Medio Oriente son tapados. (Which sounds horrible and not clear btw.) ;)

The difference is the pronominal form of the verb: taparse vs. tapar.
(Not all the verbs can be like this though.)

Ellas se tapan el rostro = ellas tapan su rostro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69261)
Okay, so if it's not a verb that can be used in a "-se" form, how would I know when to use "el/la" or "mi/ti/su", etc.?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69690)

Because the subject is los rostros and not las mujeres.

Does that answer your question?

Not really. Look at Malila's two examples, "ellas se tapan el rostro" and "ellas tapan su rostro". The subject of both is "ellas", right? :thinking:

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69690)
I guess it's the same difference as in conceal, hide and cover. No?

So, "tapar" means to cover something up physically ... "ocultar" means to conceal ... "cubrir" means to ... ??? Is "cubrir" exactly the same as "tapar"?

chileno January 23, 2010 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69693)
Not really. Look at Malila's two examples, "ellas se tapan el rostro" and "ellas tapan su rostro". The subject of both is "ellas", right? :thinking:

Right. however your question was about "mi, tu, su" right? and not "se"

ellas = them = their = su :D Correcto?

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69693)
So, "tapar" means to cover something up physically ... "ocultar" means to conceal ... "cubrir" means to ... ??? Is "cubrir" exactly the same as "tapar"?

Tapar means to cover something physically or not

and it can mean or these are all related to

Cover - conceal - hide

I cover my face

I conceal my face

I hide my face

Yes, they are all different but somewhat synonyms, right?

I think you are stuck somewhere and cannot get ouuuut! :D

One more, tapar = to put a lid.

laepelba January 23, 2010 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69694)
Right. however your question was about "mi, tu, su" right? and not "se"

ellas = them = their = su :D Correcto?

Nope ... I still don't get it. If I want to say "raise your hand" to a student, I say "levanta la mano", right? There's no "se" in it, yet I'm still using "la" and not "tu". I still don't know when to use the possessive and when to use the definite article............. :banghead:

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69694)
Tapar means to cover something physically or not

and it can mean or these are all related to

Cover - conceal - hide

I cover my face

I conceal my face

I hide my face

Yes, they are all different but somewhat synonyms, right?

I think you are stuck somewhere and cannot get ouuuut! :D

One more, tapar = to put a lid.

You're right - I'm still stuck on this and can't get out...... Again: :banghead:

Perikles January 23, 2010 11:29 AM

On the same subject, of which I too despair, can anyone explain why my dictionary gives these two different examples of lack of possessive adjective?

Levantó los ojos del libro he raised his eyes from his book.
Se levantó el sombrero he raised his hat.

:thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:

irmamar January 23, 2010 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69698)
On the same subject, of which I too despair, can anyone explain why my dictionary gives these two different examples of lack of possessive adjective?

Levantó los ojos del libro he raised his eyes from his book.
Se levantó el sombrero he raised his hat.

:thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:

Difficult question :thinking: , since you could say:

Levanta el sombrero de la silla.

I don't know a good explanation to that question. Thinking a bit I've realised that usually you use pronominal verbs when you are talking about dressing or undressing (vestirse, desvestirse, ponerse o quitarse los zapatos, la camisa, etc.), I guess with a reflexive meaning, although it's used in reciprocal meanings, too.

Maybe this could be an explanation of "levantarse el sombrero" or "quitarse el sombrero", though I can't be sure at all.

:)

chileno January 23, 2010 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69695)
Nope ... I still don't get it. If I want to say "raise your hand" to a student, I say "levanta la mano", right? There's no "se" in it, yet I'm still using "la" and not "tu". I still don't know when to use the possessive and when to use the definite article............. :banghead:

Ok, now I see better your problem....

Please think about what I am going to say whether is correct or not in English.

Raise your hand. = Levanta tu mano

Raise the (left) hand = Levanta la mano (izquierda)

I could've also used ...tu mano izquierda etc...

On the reflexive is different

La mano se levanta, y cae la guillotina.

The hand raises (itself), and the guillotine falls.

better? :)


Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69695)
You're right - I'm still stuck on this and can't get out...... Again: :banghead:

Patience, that it is normal, but once you get out of it you'll be in for treat, and what's better, you'll get a way to "unstuck" yourself. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69698)
On the same subject, of which I too despair, can anyone explain why my dictionary gives these two different examples of lack of possessive adjective?

Levantó los ojos del libro he raised his eyes from his book.
Se levantó el sombrero he raised his hat.

:thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:

Same thing that I mentioned to laepleba.

Does it work for you, if not let me know.

laepelba January 23, 2010 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69714)
Ok, now I see better your problem....

Please think about what I am going to say whether is correct or not in English.

Raise your hand. = Levanta tu mano

Raise the (left) hand = Levanta la mano (izquierda)

I could've also used ...tu mano izquierda etc...

On the reflexive is different

La mano se levanta, y cae la guillotina.

The hand raises (itself), and the guillotine falls.

better? :)

I would actually never say "raise the hand". Ever. Unless I were giving a general imperative to raise the hand of someone else. "Raise the left hand of the person sitting to your right." But when would I ever say that??? I'm still stuck........ (sigh.....)


Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69715)
Patience, that it is normal, but once you get out of it you'll be in for treat, and what's better, you'll get a way to "unstuck" yourself. :D

As far as the tapar/ocultar/cubrir thing ... I'll study it in RAE a bit and come back if I am still .......... stuck.........

Quote:

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 69715)
Same thing that I mentioned to laepleba.

Does it work for you, if not let me know.

If you're not going to call me Lou Ann, at least spell "laepelba" correctly! :whistling:

chileno January 23, 2010 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69726)
I would actually never say "raise the hand". Ever. Unless I were giving a general imperative to raise the hand of someone else. "Raise the left hand of the person sitting to your right." But when would I ever say that??? I'm still stuck........ (sigh.....)

hmmm. I forewarned about being correct or not. Although I think what I said is correct, but you actually do not use it like that. Let's put you in a tribunal, in front of the judge....:)

When you are sworn, do they say: Raise your left hand... or do they say Raise the left hand?

Because after all you might get confused and take my left hand! uh! :D

In any event, do not worry about if you would ever use it. I think it is grammatically correct to say "Raise the left hand..."



Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69726)
As far as the tapar/ocultar/cubrir thing ... I'll study it in RAE a bit and come back if I am still .......... stuck.........

No, please go to Merriam-Webster to straighten yourself in your language, utilize what you already know.

I have the feeling once you find out, you are going to feel bad. It has happened to me.


Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69726)
If you're not going to call me Lou Ann, at least spell "laepelba" correctly! :whistling:

OK Diane. :rolleyes:

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 23, 2010 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69698)
On the same subject, of which I too despair, can anyone explain why my dictionary gives these two different examples of lack of possessive adjective?

Levantó los ojos del libro he raised his eyes from his book.
Se levantó el sombrero he raised his hat.

:thinking::thinking::thinking::thinking:

The reason why they are included, I guess, is because one does not expect a possessive adjective in any of those sentences in Spanish, but they are actually expected in their English equivalents.

As for the reason why there are no possessive adjectives in those sentences, the first one is more or less easy: his eyes, as a part of his body, are obviously his, so in this case, it is redundant to use possessive adjectives, unless one is making an emphasis.

I think "del libro" instead of "su libro" is because the sentence "levantó los ojos de su libro" is ambiguous: his book's eyes? :eek:
Standard Spanish correctness is supposed to avoid amphibological sentences.

"Se levantó el sombrero" necessarily means he's wearing it, so one assumes it's his.
If one says "levantó su sombrero", he's either wearing it or he's lifting it from the floor, a table or somewhere else.


I hope I didn't make it more confusing.

Perikles January 24, 2010 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69753)
Standard Spanish correctness is supposed to avoid amphibological sentences..

You have made my day. I love it when I come across English words I've never heard before, especially in a sentence relating to clarity. Amphibological is perfectly correct, but is not found at all in the BNC, whereas ambiguous occurs 800 times. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 69753)
I think "del libro" instead of "su libro" is because the sentence "levantó los ojos de su libro" is ambiguous: his book's eyes? :eek: understood:good:

"Se levantó el sombrero" necessarily means he's wearing it, so one assumes it's his. understood:good:
If one says "levantó su sombrero", he's either wearing it or he's lifting it from the floor, a table or somewhere else. understood:good:
.

Thanks - OK, so what would Levantó el sombrero mean? Simply that he lifted a hat, not necessarily his? :thinking::)

Quote:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 69726)
I would actually never say "raise the hand". Ever.

I think it's fair to say the English is out of step here, not Spanish, because at least both French and German as well as Spanish assume a default option for possession when it comes to parts of the body. It may sound odd in English, but that's what it's like elsewhere.

By the way, some comedian on stage once said: Will all those who believe in telekinesis please raise my right hand. :D

laepelba January 24, 2010 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69769)
You have made my day. I love it when I come across English words I've never heard before, especially in a sentence relating to clarity. Amphibological is perfectly correct, but is not found at all in the BNC, whereas ambiguous occurs 800 times. :)

That is EXACTLY what I said to her about that word. Well, almost. I had to look it up, too. Never heard of it. So, if you (who are infinitely smarter than I) have never heard of it, then I feel better. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69770)
I think it's fair to say the English is out of step here, not Spanish, because at least both French and German as well as Spanish assume a default option for possession when it comes to parts of the body. It may sound odd in English, but that's what it's like elsewhere.

By the way, some comedian on stage once said: Will all those who believe in telekinesis please raise my right hand. :D

I've heard that one before. :lol: And I'm sure that the English is out of step. The more Spanish I learn, the more I'm convinced that there are ideas that can be expressed in other languages that English will never be able to express. Spanish allows so many nuances of meaning that English simply can't come close!

I'll keep working on the pronominal vs. definite article stuff.... I'll get there eventually....

irmamar January 24, 2010 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69769)

Thanks - OK, so what would Levantó el sombrero mean? Simply that he lifted a hat, not necessarily his? :thinking::)

Necessarily from somewhere. :)

If you're wearing your brother's hat, for instance, you "te levantas el sombrero". But if you see a hat on the floor, you "levantas el sombrero del suelo".

:)

AngelicaDeAlquezar January 24, 2010 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69769)
You have made my day. I love it when I come across English words I've never heard before, especially in a sentence relating to clarity. Amphibological is perfectly correct, but is not found at all in the BNC, whereas ambiguous occurs 800 times. :)

I learnt it in Spanish in the context of ambiguous sense of sentences, so that's how I applied it in English.
You obviously wouldn't find it in everyday speech in Spanish either, but that's where the richness of languages is. :)


Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69769)
Thanks - OK, so what would Levantó el sombrero mean? Simply that he lifted a hat, not necessarily his? :thinking::)

Right. Irma has replied nicely to that one. :)


Quote:

Originally Posted by Perikles (Post 69769)
By the way, some comedian on stage once said: Will all those who believe in telekinesis please raise my right hand.

:lol:

Perikles January 24, 2010 11:12 AM

Thanks everyone, I think I actually learned something today. :thumbsup::thumbsup::) Remembering it is a different issue. :whistling:


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:30 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.