The invisible 'demasiado'

[Perikles]

I know that demasiado is not used in Spanish nearly as much as too is used in English, and it seems to be avoided everywhere. I have just read the following:

(Mother) - No me has contado todo lo que pasó ayer. Irene y tú habéis hecho el amor, ¿no?

(Son, 30 years old) - Ya estoy viejo para rendirte cuentas.

The sense is quite clear, but the Ya estoy viejo would seem to me to demand a demasiado in it. Is this perfectly normal Spanish, or some obscure Chilean dialect (Isabel Allende)?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I know that demasiado is not used in Spanish nearly as much as too is used in English, and it seems to be avoided everywhere. I have just read the following:

(Mother) - No me has contado todo lo que pasó ayer. Irene y tú habéis hecho el amor, ¿no?

(Son, 30 years old) - Ya estoy viejo para rendirte cuentas.

The sense is quite clear, but the Ya estoy viejo would seem to me to demand a demasiado in it. Is this perfectly normal Spanish, or some obscure Chilean dialect (Isabel Allende)?

Se puede usar de las dos formas.

Wouldn't it make the same sense if I said "Mom, I am already of age/old to be reporting to you"?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

Wouldn't it make the same sense if I said "Mom, I am already of age/old to be reporting to you"?

No - that is just not English. The only translations which makes sense in context are "I'm too old..." or "I am old enough not to... "

[poli]

Now that you mention it you are right Pericles, but I think muy can be used to translate too in this case.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

Now that you mention it you are right Pericles, but I think muy can be used to translate too in this case.

Good point - I hadn't thought of that.

[poli]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Good point - I hadn't thought of that.

In fact I have noticed that some Spanish speakers confuse too with very.--using too which often has a negative implicatation with very which often doesn't. Example: I like you too much instead of I like you very much.

[irmamar]

Maybe "demasiado viejo" is better than just "viejo". I think I'd say "demasiado", but it's perfectly understood without it.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I think I'd say "demasiado", but it's perfectly understood without it.

Only if you are fluent in Spanish.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Only if you are fluent in Spanish.

Maybe I am.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

In fact I have noticed that some Spanish speakers confuse too with very.--using too which often has a negative implicatation with very which often doesn't. Example: I like you too much instead of I like you very much.

That I find is an interesting observation. Everyone says Spanish is an easy language to learn, but I'm beginning to find it a bottomless pit of subtle and indefinable differences.