A propósito

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 :thinking:

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.

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?


:thinking: 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/

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 :D

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. :D

Try it for a few days and see how you feel. ;)