Hacer mala cara

lblanco · #1 August 10, 2011, 11:17 AM

Is "giving the cold shoulder" the equivalent to "hacer mala cara"?

Gracias

**AngelicaDeAlquezar** · #2 August 10, 2011, 12:42 PM

I don't know if "giving the cold shoulder" can be more than just showing indifference, but for a Mexican, "hacer mala cara" implies an obvious frown.

ROBINDESBOIS · #3 August 17, 2011, 09:36 AM

Se dice poner mala cara, al menos en SPAIN, and it would be to make a face, to give a cold shoulder means to ignore sb. I think, at least that the way I undestand it.

poli · #4 August 17, 2011, 06:21 PM

Yes, you are right. To give the cold shoulder to means to ignore someone
who is seeking your attention.

Luna Azul · #5 August 17, 2011, 06:48 PM

Both "Hacer mala cara" y "poner mala cara" are used in Colombia.

It means "to frown at someone" or "to give someone a dirty look".

ROBINDESBOIS · #6 August 18, 2011, 02:04 AM

Thank you Blue moon and Poli

Luna Azul · #7 August 18, 2011, 11:42 AM

I should have said "to frown at someone or at something" because this reaction is not just limited to people..

On the other hand... how would you guys say "poner buena cara"??

I can think of a few ways to say something similar but they're not quite the same: "he/she was thrilled .."

poli · #8 August 18, 2011, 09:54 PM

You may say he/her face lit up.

Luna Azul · #9 August 19, 2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poli

You may say he/her face lit up.

Thanks Poli..

mrb · #10 August 22, 2011, 09:02 AM

Ann giving Betty the cold shoulder to me implies more than just ignoring Betty and not talking to her. It also implies a "cold attitude." Ann could also be rather huffy toward Betty, making it obvious that she is avoiding her. An ugly attitude is obvious, and tension can be evident in Ann's face. Ann could physically turn her back (or shoulder if not actually turning all the way around) to Betty. An outward show is not necessarily so but the attitude can certainly be perceived. (I used names to make it easier than saying "person" and "person.")

Is there an idiom in Spanish that reflects this?

**Rusty** · #11 August 22, 2011, 09:26 AM

The topic of this thread is about a mala cara, which isn't the same thing as giving someone the cold shoulder. Here is a link to the idiom you're wondering about.

mrb · #12 August 22, 2011, 10:21 AM

Thanks, Rusty. I was explaining the cold shoulder so that the askers and readers can see that it Really is not the same as mala cara.

Luna Azul · #13 August 22, 2011, 11:54 AM

It seems to me the topic is giving someone the cold shoulder. The person was asking if hacer mala cara could be the right translation..

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Hacer mala cara

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.