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The invisible 'demasiado'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. |
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#1
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The invisible 'demasiado'
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)? |
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#2
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Quote:
Wouldn't it make the same sense if I said "Mom, I am already of age/old to be reporting to you"? |
#3
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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... "
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#4
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Now that you mention it you are right Pericles, but I think muy can be used to translate too in this case.
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Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. |
#5
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Good point - I hadn't thought of that.
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#6
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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.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias. |
#7
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Maybe "demasiado viejo" is better than just "viejo". I think I'd say "demasiado", but it's perfectly understood without it.
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#8
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Only if you are fluent in Spanish.
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#9
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#10
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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.
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Opposite of demasiado? | laepelba | Vocabulary | 14 | April 22, 2009 02:08 PM |