Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary > Idioms & Sayings
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


Ser papel mojado

 

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.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 14, 2009, 05:13 PM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Ser papel mojado

Ser papel mojado = no tiene efecto, no se aplica. Dicése de una ley or orden que no se aplica.
English?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 14, 2009, 09:45 PM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,814
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
a paper tiger
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 15, 2009, 05:37 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
Ser papel mojado = no tiene efecto, no se aplica. Dicése de una ley or orden que no se aplica.
English?
papel mojado = waste paper.

el contrato es papel mojado - the contract isn't worth the paper it is written on.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old October 15, 2009, 06:37 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,814
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
papel mojado = waste paper.

el contrato es papel mojado - the contract isn't worth the paper it is written on.
Yes, that seems right. Then, is there an equivalent in Spanish to paper
tiger? (someone who is all words but no action)
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old October 15, 2009, 09:16 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,047
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
@Poli: "Perro que ladra, no muerde"
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old October 15, 2009, 09:23 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
@Poli: "Perro que ladra, no muerde"
In English, somebody who is a paper tiger is somebody who is "all mouth and trousers".
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old October 15, 2009, 09:47 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,047
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I'd say that's the same idea of "perro que ladra no muerde". It's all barks and no action.

There is also a similar saying in the form of warning "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" (it's easier to catch someone who talks rubbish than watch a crippled person stumble and fall).
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old October 15, 2009, 09:59 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,814
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
I'd say that's the same idea of "perro que ladra no muerde". It's all barks and no action.

There is also a similar saying in the form of warning "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" (it's easier to catch someone who talks rubbish than watch a crippled person stumble and fall).
Gracias.
Lástima que "cae más pronto un hablador que un cojo" no siempre sea la verdad.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old October 16, 2009, 12:27 AM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
El Ayuntamiento califica de «papel mojado» el acuerdo para la Cañada
How can we tranlate this then?

The agreement made on the CAÑADA is waste paper for the city hall?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old October 16, 2009, 03:44 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
El Ayuntamiento califica de «papel mojado» el acuerdo para la Cañada
How can we tranlate this then?

The agreement made on the CAÑADA is waste paper for the city hall?
The city hall says the agreement about the Cañada is not worth the paper it is written on.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

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
Ana Belén bordó el papel de " X" en la pasión turca. ROBINDESBOIS Translations 4 July 06, 2009 06:53 AM
Ser / creer Fazor Grammar 24 May 11, 2009 02:46 PM
a no ser que poli Idioms & Sayings 13 August 04, 2008 02:06 PM
Papel de baño DailyWord Daily Spanish Word 14 May 30, 2008 07:39 PM
Ser pescamos Suggestions & Feedback 1 August 17, 2006 08:21 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:53 AM.

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

X