Ask a Question

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


Menudo desperdicio para la literatura

 

Ask about definitions or translations for Spanish or English words.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 10, 2024, 08:25 PM
Michael30000 Michael30000 is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 235
Native Language: Russian
Michael30000 is on a distinguished road
Menudo desperdicio para la literatura

Hola a todos,

La frase en cuestión es del libro Tinta invisible de Javier Peña.

It's about Kurt Vonnegut.

Entendió que no era suficiente con llamar la atención, debía hacer sus historias más interesantes, más graciosas, enganchar a los oyentes y no soltarlos. No lo aprendió de golpe, sino poco a poco, con la práctica, cena tras cena. ¿Qué tipo de historias hacían reír a sus hermanos?, ¿cuáles recibían con desinterés?

Si Kurt hubiese sido el mayor y le hiciesen caso por una mera cuestión de edad y jerarquía, tal vez nunca habría sido escritor; tal vez habría sido solo un científico como su hermano Bernard, que dedicó buena parte de su vida a investigar la producción de lluvia artificial. Menudo desperdicio para la literatura.

Does "Menudo desperdicio para la literatura" mean "What a loss for literature", i.e. Bernard could have been a writer, but became a scientist?

Thank you.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 11, 2024, 12:50 AM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
Posts: 3,229
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
It's talking about Kurt.

Menudo desperdicio = (it would have been) Such a squandering/waste.

As with many other cases, Spanish colloquially uses opposites to emphasize a meaning. Menudo Is similar to pequeño.

In my country we say

Pavadita de casa se construyó = He/she built a palace for himself/herself.

Pavadita means trifle.
__________________
Sorry, no English spell-checker

Last edited by aleCcowaN; October 11, 2024 at 12:54 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 11, 2024, 12:55 AM
Michael30000 Michael30000 is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Mar 2024
Posts: 235
Native Language: Russian
Michael30000 is on a distinguished road
Muchas gracias, aleCcowaN.
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
Literatura katerina General Chat 4 April 25, 2011 06:15 AM
No tiene desperdicio ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 13 September 05, 2009 11:58 AM
¡Menudo chorrada! Jane Idioms & Sayings 18 May 14, 2009 11:22 AM
Menudo logro poli Idioms & Sayings 4 January 21, 2009 11:50 PM
al menudo y menudo. Jane Vocabulary 7 April 17, 2008 04:06 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:20 PM.

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

X