The former...the latter... en español

Originally Posted by lagrulladelvalle (Post 36233)

I didn't seem to find a search for my question in mind. I cleared the question by looking in the back of some other text book. For this, for anyone else who may have this question, I'll proceed:

The former...the latter.
Aquél...éste.
Of course, aquél and éste may change endings according to gender and number.

Lagrulladelvalle

Originally Posted by Tomisimo (Post 36259)

Chileno, how would you translate this sentence: ("former" refers to the Mustang and "latter" to the pickup)

I have a 1968 Mustang and a Toyota pickup truck. The former is in mint condition and the latter I use for work.

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 36284)

Tengo un Mustang de 1968 y una camioneta pickup Toyota. El anterior está como nuevo, y la última la uso para el trabajo.

Even in English is a bit confusing if you are not reading correctly. :)

Originally Posted by Rusty (Post 36405)

I've always used éste/a and aquél/aquella. That's what I believe I heard in Central America. I would certainly understand the 'segundo/primero' sentences, though.

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 36324)

Let's see if these examples are useful, David...


Some people prefer dogs to cats because the former are more faithful.
Algunas personas prefieren los perros a los gatos, porque aquéllos/los primeros son más fieles.

...los anteriores/primeros son mas fieles

I've been offered coffee or tea. I chose the former.
Me ofrecieron café o té. Elegí aquél/el primero.

Elegí lo primero

During the holidays I visited Paris and Berlin. The latter is a magnificent city.
En las vacaciones visité París y Berlín. Ésta/la segunda es una ciudad magnífica.

...esta última es una ciudad magnífica

Spiders are not insects. The latter have six feet, the former have eight.
Las arañas no son insectos. Éstos/los primeros tienen seis patas; aquéllas/las otras/las segundas tienen ocho.

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 36435)

[...]

Con tantas patas te equivocate... :)

[...]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar (Post 36471)

:eek: ¡Cierto!

Correction to my own sentence:

Spiders are not insects. The latter have six feet, the former have eight.
Las arañas no son insectos. Éstos/los últimos/estos últimos tienen seis patas; aquéllas/las otras/las primeras tienen ocho.


Gracias, Hernán. :rose:

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 37159)

A related question, then, would be about the English word "respectively". Does it work the same way in Spanish with the word "respectivamente"?

For example:
In France, Denmark and Russia, they speak French, Danish and Russian, respectively.
En Francia, Dinamarca y Rusia, se habla Francés, Danés y Ruso, respectivamente.

¿Es correcto?

Originally Posted by chileno (Post 37160)

Yes Ma'am! :)

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo (Post 37204)

What do you want to mean with Ma'am?

I didn't understand your commentary:)

Originally Posted by laepelba (Post 37205)

"Yes, Ma'am" is a more polite way of saying "yes". It would be like saying "Yes, señorita/señora".

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo (Post 37213)

I got it.:D