Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Translations


Translation for a tattoo

 

If you need help translating a sentence or longer piece of text, use this forum. For translations or definitions of a single word or idiom, use the vocabulary forum.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 08, 2011, 02:53 PM
kirsty1922 kirsty1922 is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
kirsty1922 is on a distinguished road
Translation for a tattoo

Hi,
I was hoping someone would be able to help me with a translation. Im looking to get a tattoo that says 'death is a debt i must repay' but in spanish. I have tried translating this and was hoping someone could confirm if i have done it right or if not help me translate the sentence correctly.

i have translated the above phrase into spanish as:-

La muerte es una deuda que debo saldar

is this correct??
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old March 08, 2011, 03:35 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by kirsty1922 View Post
Im looking to get a tattoo that says 'death is a debt i must repay' but in spanish.

La muerte es una deuda que debo pagar.
Just one thing needs changed.

Welcome to the forums, by the way.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old March 08, 2011, 03:41 PM
kirsty1922 kirsty1922 is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2
kirsty1922 is on a distinguished road
thanks for the response, nice to know my spanish isnt as bad as i thought...... could you use saldar if you were to say it was a debt i must settle rather than pay??
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old March 08, 2011, 03:47 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
You may, yes. Both terms are used. I think pagar would be the more frequently used of the two, though.

pagar = pay and repay
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old March 08, 2011, 10:19 PM
conejodescarado's Avatar
conejodescarado conejodescarado is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 133
Native Language: Inglés – Gran Bretaña.
conejodescarado is on a distinguished road
Just out of curiosity, what does the expression actually mean in English?

Ah, I think I get it as meaning it's something you can't avoid. My first thoughts were, "huh, murder?" :P
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old March 09, 2011, 07:29 AM
sosia's Avatar
sosia sosia is offline
Ankh-Morpork's citizen
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: a 55 cm del monitor
Posts: 2,984
Native Language: Spanish (Spain)
sosia has a spectacular aura aboutsosia has a spectacular aura about
"La muerte es una deuda que debo saldar" is OK. I would choose this option.
"La muerte es una deuda que debo pagar" is also OK, with more used words, but sounds less poetic....
literally:
"La muerte es una deuda que debo saldar" ('death is a debt i must settle/repay/pay up)
"La muerte es una deuda que debo pagar" ('death is a debt i must pay)

For a common usage Rusty's option "pagar" is much better ("saldar " is less used today, only for debts/mortgage) but for a tatto is more powerful "saldar"

saludos
__________________
History, contrary to popular theories, "is" kings and dates and battles.
Small Gods Terry Pratchett

Last edited by sosia; March 09, 2011 at 07:32 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

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
Translation for a tattoo, needs to be perfecto! kirabojangles Translations 6 January 21, 2011 11:33 PM
Tattoo bobjenkins Vocabulary 19 May 11, 2009 02:50 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:40 AM.

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

X