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The word ÚnicoThis is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish. |
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#1
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The word Único
My spanish teacher was telling me that with some adjectives it makes a difference in the meaning if you place them before the noun or after it. She used the classic example of "viejo amigo" (a friend you've known a long time) versus "amigo viejo" (a friend who is old).
But she also said that único had a slightly different meaning depending on where it was placed. She said if it was placed after, it meant that something is the only one, but if it was placed before, it has a meaning more like unique or extraordinary. I trust my Spanish teacher but I'd like some confirmation because I'm thinking of using the subtle difference to illustrate something in a short story I'm writing. |
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#2
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Re: The word Único
Your teacher is correct.
example "Juan fue a la caja y cogió el único anillo de entre las joyas" Juan went to the vault and took the only ring among the jewelery. "Juan fue a la caja y cogió el anillo único de entre las joyas" Juan went to the vault and took the special ring among the jewelery But it's more easy to understand if you know "Lord of the rings" or "the Hobbit" by J. R.R Tolkien (a must-read) Introduction Not far away was his island, of which Bilbo knew nothing, and there in his hiding-place he kept a few wretched oddments, and one very beautiful thing, very beautiful, very wonderful. Gollum had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring. "My birthday-present!" he whispered to himself, as he had often done in the endless dark days. "That's what he wants now, yes; we wants it!" He wanted it because it was a ring of power, and if you slipped that ring on your finger, you were invisible; only in the full sunlight could you be seen, and then only by your shadow, and that would be shaky and faint. "My birthday-present! It came to me on my birthday, my precious." end of introduction So it was a vey special ring. But also was the only one ring there. He had a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring. Tenía un anillo, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso. Tenía un único anillo, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso. He had only a ring, a golden ring, a precious ring. It means that in the place was only a ring. This ring was golden. This ring was precious. It becomes more important with the reading. But its only a precious golden ring, wich is alone. Perhaps you can find it somewhere else. (worth 1000 $??) Tenía un anillo único, un anillo dorado, un anillo precioso. He had a unique ring, a golden ring, a precious ring. It was the ONE ring. It was golden. It was precious The ring is one in the world. It was golden. It was precious. You can't find one like it. It's also golden and precious (worth the Middle-earth ??) Hope it helps for "único" For differences in adjectives, ask Tomissimo --------------------- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_of_The_Rings This is the Master-Ring, the One Ring to rule them all. This is the One Ring lost many years ago, to the great weakening of its maker's power.
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History, contrary to popular theories, "is" kings and dates and battles. Small Gods Terry Pratchett |
#3
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Re: The word Único
Quote:
As sosia illustrates, it's actually the other way around. El único zapato - the only shoe (there's only one shoe) La única camisa - the only shirt (there's only one shirt) Mi único amigo - my only friend (I only have one friend) El zapato único - The unique/extraordinary/special shoe La camisa única - the special shirt Mi amigo único - My wonderful, one-of-a-kind friend. There is a short list of adjectives that behave this way including viejo, antiguo, etc. There are also some situations where almost any adjective would go before the noun. For example: Amo a mi novia maravillosa. (I love this one, as opposed to the other ones who aren´t maravillosa) Amo a mi maravillosa novia. (I love my girlfriend, and she´s maravillosa) Hope that helps
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If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
#4
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Re: The word Único
Yes, that does! Thanks so much!
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#5
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Re: The word Único
No problem
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If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
#6
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Re: The word Único
I would be interested in knowing some more words that behave like unico in the sense that they have different meanings when used before/after the noun.
Thanks, CH.
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Please feel free to correct my Spanish - Gracias! |
#7
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A veces la posicion no importa, ¿verdad? O sea que significa lo mismo si se pone el adjetivo enfrente o detras del verbo, no? Por ejemplo, ¿Ya tienen el nuevo libro?=Do you have the new book (yet)? es igual que ¿Ya tienen el libro nuevo? Pero dependiendo del contexto puede significar algo un poco diferente. Por ejemplo, un nuevo libro=a new book, another book (otro libro) preguntas diferentes= diferentes preguntas=different questions, many questions (muchas preguntas) Y se podria decir "Aprendio una nueva palabra" o "Aprendio una palabra nueva" ¿no?=She learned a new word Gracias de antemano
Last edited by gramatica; July 07, 2007 at 08:44 PM. |
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