Unos, unas

[zatarra86]

Hi everyone. My first question:

I understand that to translate 'some' unos and unas are used. This is straightfoward in cases like unos gatos negros (some black cats). But what happens with 'non-count nouns'? In English these are words such as 'weather,' 'garbage,' 'music' and so on. Is it correct to say 'unas musica' even though there is no agreement?

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Hello, welcome!

In that case, we'd use a singular:

Era una música insoportable. -> That was some unbearable music.
That's some nice hair you have. -> Tienes un cabello muy lindo.

[Luna Azul]

As Angelica says, we use the singular article.

"Tuvimos un tiempo agradable" = "We had (some) nice weather"

[zatarra86]

I see, thankyou. So: 'Hay una basura en la mesa'?

[Luna Azul]

Originally Posted by zatarra86

I see, thankyou. So: 'Hay una basura en la mesa'?

No. That one is different, you'd say "hay basura en la mesa" or "hay algo de basura en la mesa" or "hay mucha basura en la mesa".

Also with other uncountable nouns like "azúcar", "sal", and the like, you use "un poco de..", "algo de", etc.

[Nivar]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

That's some nice hair you have. -> Tienes un cabello muy lindo.

Just a small comment:

"Tienes un cabello muy lindo" is perfect Spanish and 100% comprehensible all over the Spanish speaking community, but it is not the way we would say it in Spain.

In Spain we would say: "Tienes un pelo muy bonito".

"Tienes un cabello muy lindo" sounds beautiful but, however, a bit "archaic".

[Luna Azul]

Originally Posted by Nivar

Just a small comment:

"Tienes un cabello muy lindo" is perfect Spanish and 100% comprehensible all over the Spanish speaking community, but it is not the way we would say it in Spain.

In Spain we would say: "Tienes un pelo muy bonito".

"Tienes un cabello muy lindo" sounds beautiful but, however, a bit "archaic".

Nivar, I don't agree. The word "cabello" is not "archaic". It's commonly used, especially in advertisments and also in literature. It may not be so commonly used in the spoken language, we also use "pelo" more, but that doesn't make it "archaic"

[Nivar]

Originally Posted by Luna Azul

Nivar, I don't agree. The word "cabello" is not "archaic". It's commonly used, especially in advertisment and also in literature. It may not be so commonly used in the spoken language, we also use "pelo" more, but that doesn't make it "archaic"

I agree with what you have said. However, the "archaic" element is joining "cabello", which is the formal/technical way to refer to "pelo" with "lindo". Lindo is the archaic word and makes the sum up of both, "archaic" for a European Spanish native.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

In Mexico, "pelo" feels more colloquial than "cabello", which sounds more educated.
As for "lindo"/"bonito", both are commonly used; none sounds better than the other.

[Luna Azul]

Originally Posted by Nivar

Lindo is the archaic word and makes the sum up of both, "archaic" for a European Spanish native.

I didn't know "lindo" was considered archaic in Spain. It's a word commonly used in Latin America. It's actually the word I normally use to translate "cute"..

[Nivar]

In colloquial Spanish we would use probably the word "mono" for cute refering to something small like a baby, for instance. ¡Qué mono es!

The word for cute refering to "clever" would be "listo" or "vivo" or "despierto" perhaps even "sagaz".

Lindo is a word that usualy causes a smile in Spain, because it is as I said before a bit old fashioned, and somehow related to TV Iberoamerican Serials or Mexican Rancheras "Cielito Lindo"

[SPX]

Originally Posted by Luna Azul

I didn't know "lindo" was considered archaic in Spain. It's a word commonly used in Latin America. It's actually the word I normally use to translate "cute"..

I can substantiate this. My Guatemala friend is fond of saying "Que lindo." In fact, I'm pretty sure I hear it from her about something at least once a day.