Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary > Idioms & Sayings
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


a no ser que

 

An idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old August 04, 2008, 05:36 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,837
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfonso View Post
What about what do I know? Does it imply the same as yo qué sé?
What do I know ?is (as far as I know) is ¿Qué sé yo? which I suppose
means ¿yo qué sé?
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #12  
Old August 04, 2008, 07:00 AM
María José's Avatar
María José María José is offline
The Rebel Fairy
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 1,765
Native Language: Spanish
María José is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
What do I know ?is (as far as I know) is ¿Qué sé yo? which I suppose
means ¿yo qué sé?
I think Alfonso is asking a question about register not about meaning. In a certain way,when you say What do I know? you are metaphorically trying to get rid of the person who asked you or to elude responsibility and depending on context and intonation it might not be too polite.
__________________
"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies."
from Peter Pan by J.M.Barrie
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old August 04, 2008, 08:41 AM
Elaina's Avatar
Elaina Elaina is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,565
Native Language: English
Elaina will become famous soon enough
I agree.......it's as if saying "what do I know" followed by "I'm only the......."

Sometimes when students argue with their teacher the teacher may respond....

"What do I know, I'm only the teacher."

Of course, the comment is usually made with sarcasm.
__________________
Elaina
All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old August 04, 2008, 02:06 PM
Alfonso Alfonso is offline
Filósofo y Poeta
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239
Alfonso will become famous soon enough
Thanks a lot you all. It's clear now. I guess what do I know is a common expression as it is qué sé yo, meaning the same, as much semantically as pragmatically (effect on the interlocutor).
__________________
I welcome all corrections to my English.
Salu2 desde Madrid,
Alfonso
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
a no ser que

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ser un cero a la izquierda Tomisimo Idioms & Sayings 11 October 30, 2012 12:49 AM
Ser azotado Tomisimo Vocabulary 2 July 17, 2008 02:34 PM
ser una loba. Jane Idioms & Sayings 17 July 07, 2008 08:07 PM
Ser bruto, burro... Jane Vocabulary 9 June 03, 2008 04:10 PM
Ser pescamos Suggestions & Feedback 1 August 17, 2006 08:21 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:38 PM.

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

X