Pintar verb confusion!

[cwhybrow1]

Hi, how would I say "little painted butterfly" in Spanish? I'm confused if it would be mariposita pintada or mariposa pintadita? Or neither! I'm never sure where to put the 'ita' - on the noun or the verb with things like this. Thanks!

[Rusty]

The diminutive goes on the noun in this case.
Diminutives can be tacked onto nouns, adjectives, adverbs and proper names, but not verbs.

[poli]

Rusty is right, and it should be noted that the verb pintar and nouns related to it has more meaning to it than its English equivalent. Not being a native speaker, I hesitate before using pinta/pintar to mean to have the image of or the appearance of something that may not be. Perhaps someone more fluent than I can embellish this.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Rusty. If you use the diminutive on the past participle, then you're emphasizing the action. In this case, the painting would have to be very good and detailed.

@Poli: "Painted" here is exactly the same in Spanish, I think.

[poli]

Angelica, I have heard, and I can't quote it directly, something like, "tiene una pinta honesta en realidad no es así. Did I hear this correctly?

[Tomisimo]

@poli, I've heard "pinta" used that way. I'd translate it as "He/she seems honest..."

[pinosilano]

Originally Posted by cwhybrow1

Hi, how would I say "little painted butterfly" in Spanish? I'm confused if it would be mariposita pintada or mariposa pintadita? Or neither! I'm never sure where to put the 'ita' - on the noun or the verb with things like this. Thanks!

No sé, pero yo leo "mariposita pintada"

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

@Poli: Yes, the verb pintar may have other meanings, like "aparentar", "parecer" and others not so clear sometimes; but when it talks about the representation of something/someone and/or its coloring with paint (or any pigment), then it works the same as in English, as it's the case here. The butterfly has paint ("pintura") on it, so in Spanish we say "pintada".

@David: Indeed, the word "pinta" often refers to an appearance.
- Tu amigo tiene pinta de ladrón. -> He looks like a thief.
- Te reconocí por la pinta. -> I recognized your body shape.
- Los postres tienen buena pinta. -> They look good.
- El profesor tiene buena pinta. -> He seems to be a good teacher.

- Este asunto no pinta bien. -> All this smells fishy.


@Pino: Cierto.