"A él no se le dan"

[El Teboso]

Por favor, what does "A él no se le dan" mean in english? I'm not sure if this is an idiom or not. One of my main weaknesses in spanish is when I encounter a long string of small words like this. My eyes tend to gloss over, and I just stop processing the spanish.

If I try to figure it out myself, maybe... "To Him I don't want to do"?

So... I don't want him to do (something) ? It's really confusing. A little help here? Thanks guys.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by El Teboso

Por favor, what does "A él no se le dan" mean in english? I'm not sure if this is an idiom or not. One of my main weaknesses in spanish is when I encounter a long string of small words like this. My eyes tend to gloss over, and I just stop processing the spanish.

If I try to figure it out myself, maybe... "To Him I don't want to do"?

So... I don't want him to do (something) ? It's really confusing. A little help here? Thanks guys.

(they) are not given to him.

[ookami]

Example:
"A él no se le dan los deportes" (= "Él no es bueno en los deportes" - "He is not good at sports") I don't know if a literal translation exist, but that's the meaning.

[Elaina]

He is not good at........
-sports
-cooking
-working
-swimming

etc etc etc

Hey Teboso......

[JPablo]

Yes, Chileno gave you the most literal translation, but Ookami and Elaina gave you the sense of this idiomatic expression.

A mí no se me da el fútbol americano (I am not good at American Football)
A mí se me da más el baloncesto (I am better at basketball) (Or, I am more skilled at basketball).

A mí se me daba el ajedrez, pero hace mucho que no practico. (I used to be good at chess, but there has been a long time I have not practiced.)

[chileno]

Hmmm.

I took it as something no to be given to the person.

Candies are not given to him/her, they are sold/he she buys them.

There also: My neighbor is given to lavish spending.

Se me escapó esa de no ser bueno para algo, como yo....

[brute]

Originally Posted by ookami

Example:
"A él no se le dan los deportes" (= "Él no es bueno en los deportes" - "He is not good at sports") I don't know if a literal translation exist, but that's the meaning.

we could say that he is not gifted at sports

( = he has not been given the ability)

[JPablo]

@ Chileno. I see, you're right, that is the literal usage of it, which is as correct as the idiomatic expression.
@ Brute. Yeah, I like this expression, "he is not gifted at sports" but as long as he practices and keeps his body in shape he can have fun with them... (I always like to end sentences on a positive note... I am not gifted at negative things...)

[ookami]

Thanks Brute, I like it.