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Phrases/idioms with the word "rato"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. |
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Phrases/idioms with the word "rato"
What are some of them? I know the textbook definition of "rato" is time, but when is it appropriate to be used over "tiempo" or "una vez"? A cada rato would mean each time? Hace muchos ratos -- many time ago? Is that the idea with it or do I have it wrong?
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I always think of "rato" as being equivalent to "while." I may have been taught it that way, I don't remember.
un rato- awhile a cada rato- all the while/ all the time un buen rato: a good while, quite some time hace (mucho) rato- (quite) awhile ago etc. Edit: Just looked it up in a bilingual dictionary: rato 1. short time, while. Last edited by Gala; June 22, 2012 at 12:57 AM. Reason: Add info |
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Rato = time/each time/momento. No, you can not say "hace muchos ratos", although you can say "hace mucho rato atrás..." or "a ratos pasaba por acá" "a ratos" = many times |
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I agree with Gala and Chileno.
"A ratos" can also mean every now and then. · Estuvo aquí un rato y luego se fue. He was here for a moment and then left. · Hace ya mucho rato que llegué. I have been here for a long while. · Espérame un rato más, ya casi llego. Wait for me a little longer, I'm almost there. · ¡Ese perro ladra a cada rato! That dog barks every other time! · Juan no sabía cómo hacer la carta y a cada rato preguntaba qué escribirle. Juan didn't know how to do the letter, and he was asking continuously what to write on it. · Va a pasar un largo rato antes de que sepas los resultados del examen, así que ten paciencia. It's going to be a long while before you know the test results, so be patient. · Llegamos hace rato pero no te habíamos visto. We arrived a while ago, but we hadn't seen you. · Sólo trabajas a ratos, así nunca vas a terminar el informe. You only work now and again, you'll never finish that report like that. · Ya me voy, pero al rato regreso. I'm leaving now, but I'll come back later. · Aproveché que tuve un rato libre para hornear un pastel. I used the spare time I had to bake a cake. · El accidente no fue grave, pero sí pasamos un mal rato. The accident wasn't serious, but we did have a bad time. · No me esperes, tengo para rato con este trabajo. Don't wait for me, I'll spend a long while doing this job. · Mi abuelo ya se recuperó de la neumonía, así que tenemos abuelo para rato. My grandfather has already recovered from pneumonia, so we'll have him around for a long time. · ¡Mamá, déjame jugar otro ratito! Mom, let me play a little longer! · Se suponía que mi amiga y yo nos vimos para platicar, pero ella se pasó todo el rato hablando por teléfono. My friend and I were supposed to meet for chatting, but she spent the whole time talking on the phone. · Me voy a tomar un rato para descansar. I'm taking a little time off to rest.
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#6
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En algunos casos , se usa también para indicar "muy" o "mucho".
-" Este hombre es un rato desabradable" |
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