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In vain

 

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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  #1  
Old July 06, 2010, 06:04 AM
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In vain

It means without success or with no good result. (Sisyfus kept rolling the rock up the hill sucessfully but in vain) Is para menos an acceptable translation?
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  #2  
Old July 06, 2010, 06:07 AM
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Mmmh...
Doesn't look so to me.
You could go with "en vano".
in vain = en vano, vanamente, inútilmente; it was all in vain todo fue en vano; thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain no tomarás el nombre de Dios en vano; who’s taking my name in vain? (hum) ¿quién está hablando de mí?
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Old July 06, 2010, 06:26 AM
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OK. So in vain translates as en vano.

Does no es para menos mean with good reason? In context it seemed to mean not in vain .

Thank you Juan Pablo.
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Old July 06, 2010, 06:38 AM
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Yes, it seems like you say, 'and with good reason'.
For example,
His dad got really angry, and with good reason.
Su padre se puso muy furioso, y no es para menos.

His brother was really hungry, and with good reason... after 12 hours without eating.
Su hermano estaba muy hambriento, y no es para menos... después de 12 horas sin comer.
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Old July 06, 2010, 07:41 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JPablo View Post
no es para menos.
Not a bad example of litotes.
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Old July 06, 2010, 07:53 AM
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I agree with JPablo.

"No es para menos" is to say that something (someone's reaction, for example) is the least that was expected.
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Old July 06, 2010, 05:07 PM
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En balde is another valid translation for in vain.
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