Ask a Question

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


Campanas al vuelo

 

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 November 29, 2017, 11:31 PM
Stu Stu is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 144
Native Language: English (Australian)
Stu is on a distinguished road
Campanas al vuelo

Line from a popular song

Yo soy una mujer de campanas al vuelo
translated as "I'm a woman of flying bells"

I would expect "bells of flight" to be
campanas de vuelo
That would be a non-specific flight, so why the definite article?
Why "al" and not "del"

More generally when would you use "al" in such a context?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old November 30, 2017, 02:27 PM
wrholt's Avatar
wrholt wrholt is offline
Sapphire
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Posts: 1,401
Native Language: US English
wrholt is on a distinguished road
"(las) campanas al vuelo" appears to be a set expression in Spanish, related to "echar/lanzar las campanas al vuelo" = "to celebrate". A better translation for this line might be "I'm a woman (who is) celebrating (something".
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old December 04, 2017, 08:20 AM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
If we go with the figurative meaning, I would suggest:

"Yo soy una mujer de campanas al vuelo"
"I'm a woman who loves celebrating"
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old December 06, 2017, 02:30 AM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomisimo View Post
If we go with the figurative meaning, I would suggest:

"Yo soy una mujer de campanas al vuelo"
"I'm a woman who loves celebrating"
This expression is usually used in a specific context trying to ask the person to be prudent because you celebate sth beforehand.
No lances campanas al vuelo tan pronto.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old December 07, 2017, 10:51 AM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
If that's the case, then it might be similar to "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old December 07, 2017, 01:01 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
@David: That's right, when it's a warning. It may also be similar to "del plato a la boca se cae la sopa".

@Stu: The expression "lanzar/echar campanas al vuelo", as Wrholt correctly said, it's a set expression.
When the church bells were the most important form of communicating events to the community, the way they were played sent a message for the people --alarm sound, death announcement, regional celebration, religious service call, etc. Their balancing in the air as they were played is what is called "vuelo".
"Campanas del vuelo" makes no sense, because the activity of flying can't be related as being owner or to be made of bells, which is what I'd think of when using the preposition "de". In any case, it would be the other way round: "vuelo de campanas", which would refer to their being played.

As for the song, the expression wouldn't make much sense to me; but in context, "soy una mujer de campanas al vuelo" means that she is a strong, determined woman who will not accept to be mistreated.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; December 16, 2017 at 01:09 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old December 16, 2017, 12:03 PM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomisimo View Post
If that's the case, then it might be similar to "don't count your chickens before they hatch."
exactly
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old January 10, 2018, 09:17 PM
Stu Stu is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 144
Native Language: English (Australian)
Stu is on a distinguished road
Thank you that is clear
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old January 10, 2018, 09:28 PM
Stu Stu is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 144
Native Language: English (Australian)
Stu is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post

As for the song, the expression wouldn't make much sense to me; but in context, "soy una mujer de campanas al vuelo" means that she is a strong, determined woman who will not accept to be mistreated.
Thank you that fits well with the song, but it takes a leap to get there.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
campanas al vuelo

 

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
Levantar el vuelo ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 8 November 16, 2009 09:57 PM
No habia que echar campanas al vuelo poli Idioms & Sayings 5 September 25, 2009 09:37 AM
Coger algo al vuelo ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 3 July 01, 2009 09:57 AM
De vuelo en torno cmon Vocabulary 10 March 02, 2009 07:02 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:31 AM.

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

X