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#1
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A propósito
Hi,
I've seen it only as on purpose. ReversoContext argees. The dictionary says it's by the way. I suppose all of this is true. What should I say meaning by the way, and by no means on purpose? The same problem with asentir. According to the dictionary it's agree. In real life it's nod, and nothing else |
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#2
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Context is key. Whichever meaning you intend to convey will be clear in context.
Instead of a propósito, you can say por cierto to mean 'by the way'. However, por cierto can also mean 'indeed', depending on context. Instead of a propósito, you can say adrede to mean 'on purpose'. You can add 'con la cabeza' after asentir to indicate that the assent was a nod instead of a vocalization. |
#3
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I agree with Rusty.
· A propósito -> When something is appropriate or suitable for something. (Not widely used, but often found in litterature.) - Este escritorio está hecho a propósito para trabajar cómodamente. This desk is really made to work comfortably. - Necesito una computadora a propósito para el tipo de cálculos avanzados de mi investigación. I need a computer capable of processing the kind of advanced math involved in my research. · A propósito -> When an action had an intention. - ¡Me golpeaste a propósito, no fue un accidente! You hit me on purpose, it was not an accident! - Perdóname; no lo hice a propósito. I'm sorry, I didn't do that on purpose. · A propósito -> When the subject relates to a topic - Estuvieron discutiendo a propósito de las vacunas. They were discussing on the subject of vaccines. - A propósito de viajes, tuve que cancelar mis vacaciones. Now that we're talking about travelling, I had to cancel my holidays. - A propósito, ¿ya viste la película que te recomendé? By the way, have you seen the movie I recommended you? I don't understand what the problem with "asentir" may be. The verb means to show you agree (and/or accept) with something or someone, which is implied in nodding. - El abogado asintió cuando dije que mi detención era ilegal. The lawyer nodded/agreed when I said that my detention was illegal. - Cuando se decretó el confinamiento, todos asentimos y respetamos las medidas sanitarias. When the confinement was decreed, we all agreed/accepted and respected the sanitary policies. - Le pedí que saliera, asintió con la cabeza y se fue. I asked him/her to leave, he/she nodded his/her head and left. As for dictionaries, a good online bilingual dictionary is hard to find, and a very good printed one may be too expensive; but since you already know quite a lot, using bilingual dictionaries may drag you down. I think you may be ready to use (only) Spanish-Spanish ones. This is the one most of us use: https://dle.rae.es/
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#4
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Thanks! I found this dictionary on my own. Unfortunately, it's a Nine Pound Hammer for me so far. A bit too soon.
As to the printed ones: I'm already spoiled beyond hope. I can hardly believe I managed to learn English using printed dictionaries |
#5
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I was forced to learn French without a bilingual dictionary from day one (I was explicitly forbidden to use them). It was hard, but after the first months I got used to focus and learn at least the gist of the words. Every time I didn't understand one important word in the definition, I'd keep track by writing it and checking word after word. It took a lot of time and effort (I usually ended up exhausted), but that's how some words and expressions come to me automatically, even now that I haven't actually spoken the language for years.
I avow it's been harder to do the same when I'm studying German, and I do cheat after a chain of two or three words that I don't understand, but it still works. Try it for a few days and see how you feel.
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