Ask a Question

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


Where/How to Convey "For Me" in the Sentence

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 08, 2017, 10:46 PM
Bobbert's Avatar
Bobbert Bobbert is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Southwestern USA
Posts: 281
Native Language: American English
Bobbert is on a distinguished road
Where/How to Convey "For Me" in the Sentence

Using the verb “agradecer,” what is the correct way to say: “I would appreciate it a lot if you ran the errands for me.” I'm not sure where or how to use "for me" in the sentence.

My attempts:

Te agradecería mucho si hicieras los mandados por mi.
Te agradecería mucho si me hicieras las mandados.


Are either of my translations correct? Is one better than the other?

Thank you for any help you can give me.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old March 09, 2017, 04:05 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,810
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
They both are good, but use para instead of por in this case.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old March 09, 2017, 04:06 AM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 3,127
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
Both are right, but they may have different meanings.

With "por mí ", it suggests those errands are your obligation and you are asking for a substitute.

With "me (hicieras)", it suggests those errands are for your own benefit.
__________________
[gone]
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old March 09, 2017, 11:23 AM
Bobbert's Avatar
Bobbert Bobbert is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Southwestern USA
Posts: 281
Native Language: American English
Bobbert is on a distinguished road
aleCcowaN,

Yes, my intent was to say that those errands are my obligation and I’m asking for a substitute, so I’ll use “por mí” at the end of the sentence.

It makes sense to me now that if I use “me hicieras,” I’m actually implying “for my benefit” and not “as a substitute on my behalf.”

Thanks. That's helpful.

Poli,

I should have added more explanation as to what I was trying to say instead of just underlining “for me.” I understand what “para mí” implies, and I appreciate your input.

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; March 09, 2017 at 12:37 PM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old March 09, 2017, 01:51 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is online now
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Just for the sake of regional particularities: be careful when using "hacerle a alguien los mandados" in Mexico.
Saying that someone/something "te hace los mandados" is an expression of high-handedness where you think so highly of yourself, that the other person is inferior to you and does what you want them to do.
-- Ricardo, el jefe te va a regañar por no haber terminado el trabajo.
-- A mí, el jefe me hace los mandados. (I don't care about the boss, he can't do anything to me.)

Since we tend to be more specific about "errands", here are some ways we ask for those favors:
- Rosi, ¿me harías favor de pagar mi luz?
(Would you please go and pay the power bill for me?) -> Although there is a little room for the sentence being interpreted as if I were asking for a payment made to me, the context and the emphasis on "mi luz" will be clear enough.
- Ana, si vas al banco, ¿me haces mis pagos, por favor?
- Oye, cuando vayas al mandado, ¿me haces el mío?
- Beto, si te doy la lista, ¿me haces el súper? ¿Por favor? ¿Por favorcito, porfa? Y te invito un café.
(This is my friend asking her brother, while he jokingly replies "no" to every question until she offers him a little "bribe".)
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old March 09, 2017, 02:17 PM
Bobbert's Avatar
Bobbert Bobbert is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Southwestern USA
Posts: 281
Native Language: American English
Bobbert is on a distinguished road
Thank you, Angelica, for the detailed explanation. Most of the people I have an opportunity to speak Spanish to are from Mexico, so those are valuable tips.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old March 09, 2017, 02:35 PM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 3,127
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
To add more about vocabulary, in Argentina errands aren't mandados but trámites. Mandados is currently used to describe home shopping, like going to the grocer's.

There was a time mandados was used in the context of business, when a 12 or 13 old kid who ended elementary school would be taken to perform the simplest tasks, like moving things and messages between offices, bringing the mail to the mailbox next corner, or going to the grocer's to buy yerba mate and sugar. He would be known as "el pibe de los mandados" or "el che-pibe" (litterally: "hey, kid!"). These phrases remain today in a derogative way meaning the lowest position in ranks: "¿¡Quién te creés que soy yo!?¿!El pibe de los mandados!?". Now, there are not many 16 to 18 y.o. kids working as 14 years of education are mandatory, and young people with high school diplomas doing errands for corporations are known as cadetes.
__________________
[gone]
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
Una pregunta fácil sobre "es", "está","Qué", "A qué" BobRitter Grammar 1 November 14, 2016 08:22 AM
Is "saber" or "conocer" the correct verb in this sentence? Yoodle15 Grammar 3 January 27, 2012 11:57 AM
Should I use "conocer" or "saber" in this sentence? Yoodle15 Grammar 1 January 25, 2012 06:20 AM
Is "viva" a verb or an adjective in this sentence? Yoodle15 Grammar 5 December 28, 2011 05:22 AM
Homework help regarding the words "tener", "venir", "preferir", and "querer" cwlcwlspanish Practice & Homework 8 October 08, 2011 06:20 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:33 PM.

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

X