Перевод: со всех языков на все языки

Со всех языков на:
Все языки
Со всех языков на:
Все языки
Английский
Испанский

there must have been at least three thousand people

1 almeno

"at least;

Mindestens;

pelo menos"

* * *

at least

* * *

almeno avv. at least: almeno telefonasse!, he could at least phone!

* * *
[al'meno]
1. avv

at least

potevi almeno telefonare, no? — you could at least have phoned, couldn't you?

dammene almeno uno! — at least give me one!

ci saranno state almeno tremila persone — there must have been at least three thousand people

2. cong

(se) almeno — if only

(se) almeno piovesse! — if only it would rain!

se almeno sapessi dov'è! — if only I knew where it was!

* * *
[al'meno]
avverbio at least

c'erano almeno cinquanta persone — there were at least fifty people

potresti almeno scusarti! — you could at least say sorry!

almeno ci ha provato! — at least o if nothing else he made an attempt!

almeno vent'anni fa — a good 20 years ago

se almeno mi telefonasse! — if only he would phone me!

* * *

almeno

/al'meno/

avverbio

at least; c'erano almeno cinquanta persone there were at least fifty people; potresti almeno scusarti! you could at least say sorry! almeno ci ha provato! at least o if nothing else he made an attempt! almeno vent'anni fa a good 20 years ago; se almeno mi telefonasse! if only he would phone me!

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese > almeno
2 almeno

[al'meno]
1. avv

at least

potevi almeno telefonare, no? — you could at least have phoned, couldn't you?

dammene almeno uno! — at least give me one!

ci saranno state almeno tremila persone — there must have been at least three thousand people

2. cong

(se) almeno — if only

(se) almeno piovesse! — if only it would rain!

se almeno sapessi dov'è! — if only I knew where it was!

Nuovo dizionario Italiano-Inglese > almeno
3 menos

adj.

1 less.

menos aire less air

menos manzanas fewer apples

menos… que… less/fewer… than…

tiene menos experiencia que tú she has less experience than you

hace menos calor que ayer it's not as hot as it was yesterday

hay dos libros de menos there are two books missing

me han dado 10 euros de menos they've given me 10 euros too little

2 the least.

el que compró menos acciones the one who bought the fewest shares

lo que menos tiempo llevó the thing that took the least time

la que menos nota sacó en el examen the girl who did (the) worst o got the worst marks in the exam

3 fewer.

adv.

1 less.

menos de/que less than

son menos de las diez it's not quite ten o'clock yet

2 minus (expresa resta).

tres menos dos igual a uno three minus two is one

3 to (con las horas). (peninsular Spanish, River Plate)

son las dos menos diez it's ten to two

son menos diez it's ten to

4 under.

prep.

1 except (for) (excepto).

todo menos eso anything but that

2 minus, less.

m. s.&pl.

minus (sign) (Mat).

* * *

menos

► adjetivo

1 (comparativo - en cantidad) less; (- en número) fewer

■ hoy hay menos gente there are fewer people today

■ viajar en tren cuesta menos dinero going by train costs less money

■ hay menos mesas que en el otro restaurante there are fewer tables than in the other restaurant

■ yo tengo menos años que tú I'm younger than you

2 (superlativo - de cantidad) least; (- de número) fewest

■ yo soy la que menos culpa tiene I'm the least guilty

► adverbio

1 (comparativo - de cantidad) less; (- de número) fewer

■ voy al gimnasio menos que antes I go to the gym less than before

■ vinieron menos de viente personas fewer than twenty people came

■ deberías ir menos deprisa you shouldn't go so fast

■ hay que conducir a menos de 100km/h one cannot drive over 100 km/h

2 (superlativo) least

■ es el menos guapo de toda la familia he's the least good-looking member of the family

3 (con horas) to

■ las tres menos cuarto a quarter to three

4 MATEMÁTICAS minus

■ cuatro menos dos, dos four minus two is two

► preposición

1 but, except

■ todo menos eso anything but that

■ todos fueron al cine menos Alberto everyone went to the cinema except Alberto

► pronombre

1 (cantidad) less; (número) fewer

■ me pagó menos he paid me less

■ esperaban a más de mil personas pero vinieron menos they were expecting over a thousand people but fewer came

► nombre masculino

1 MATEMÁTICAS minus sign

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

a menos que unless

al menos / a lo menos at least

aún menos much less

cada vez menos less and less

dar (dinero) de menos to short-change

en menos de nada in no time at all

eso es lo de menos that's the least of my worries

ir a menos to go down in the world

lo menos at least

■ lo menos que puedes hacer the least you can do

menos da una piedra something's better than nothing

¡menos mal! thank God!

¡ni mucho menos! far from it!

no ser para menos to be no wonder

para no ser menos so as not to be outdone

por lo menos at least

por menos de nada for no reason at all

qué menos que...... is the least somebody could do/could have done

si al menos... if only...

venirse a menos to come down in the world

¡ya será menos! come off it!

* * *
1. noun m.
minus sign
2. adj.
1) less, least

2) fewer, fewest
3. adv.
1) less

2) least

•

- a menos que
- por lo menos 4. prep.
1) except

2) minus
5. pron.
less, fewer

* * *

1. ADV

1) [comparativo] less

ahora salgo menos — I go out less these days

últimamente nos vemos menos — we've been seeing less of each other recently

me gusta cada vez menos — I like it less and less

una película menos conocida — a less well-known film

Juan está menos deprimido — Juan is less depressed

es menos difícil de lo que parece — it's less difficult than it seems

• menos aún — even less

este me gusta menos aún — I like this one even less

• menos de — [con sustantivos incontables, medidas, dinero, tiempo] less than; [con sustantivos contables] fewer than

está a menos de tres horas en tren — it's less than three hours away by train

llegamos en menos de diez minutos — we got there in less than o in under ten minutes

menos de lo que piensas — less than you think

tiene menos de dieciocho años — he's under eighteen

menos de 50 cajas — fewer than 50 boxes

• en menos de nada — in no time at all

por menos de nada — for no reason at all

• menos que — less than

me gusta menos que el otro — I like it less than the other one

trabaja menos que yo — he doesn't work as hard as I do

este es menos caro que aquel — this one is less expensive than that one

lo hizo menos cuidadosamente que ayer — he did it less carefully than yesterday

2) [superlativo] least

su película menos innovadora — his least innovative film

es el menos inteligente de los cuatro — he is the least intelligent of the four

el chico menos desobediente de la clase — the least disobedient boy in the class

es el que habla menos — he's the one who talks (the) least

fue el que trabajó menos — he was the one who did the least work

3)

• al menos — at least

hay al menos cien personas — there are at least a hundred people

si al menos lloviera — if only it would rain

• de menos, hay siete de menos — we're seven short, there are seven missing

me dieron un paquete con medio kilo de menos — they gave me a packet which was half a kilo short o under weight

me han pagado dos libras de menos — they have underpaid me by two pounds

darse de menos — to underestimate o.s.

hacer a algn de menos — to put sb down

• echar de menos a algn — to miss sb

• ir a menos — to come down in the world

• lo menos diez — at least ten

lo menos posible — as little as possible

es lo menos que se puede esperar — it's the least one can expect

• eso es lo de menos — that's the least of it

• ¡menos mal! — thank goodness!

¡menos mal que habéis venido! — thank goodness you've come!

• era nada menos que un rey — he was a king, no less

• no es para menos — quite right too

• por lo menos — at least

• ¡ qué menos!, -le di un euro de propina -¡qué menos! — "I tipped her a euro" - "that was the least you could do!"

¿qué menos que darle las gracias? — the least we can do is say thanks!

• quedarse en menos, no se quedó en menos — he was not to be outdone

• tener a menos hacer algo — to consider it beneath o.s. to do sth

• venir a menos — to come down in the world

• y menos, no quiero verle y menos visitarle — I don't want to see him, let alone visit him

• ¡ ya será menos! — come off it!
cuando 2., 2), poder
2. ADJ

1) [comparativo] [con sustantivos incontables, medidas, dinero, tiempo] less; [con sustantivos contables] fewer

menos harina — less flour

menos gatos — fewer cats

aquí hay menos gente — there are fewer people here

• menos... que, A tiene menos ventajas que B — A has fewer advantages than B

Ana tiene menos años que Carlos — Ana is younger than Carlos

no soy menos hombre que él — * I'm as much of a man as he is

este es menos coche que el anterior — * this is not as good a car as the last one

• ser menos que, ganaremos porque son menos que nosotros — we'll win because there are fewer of them than there are of us

para no ser menos que los vecinos — to keep up with the neighbours

2) [superlativo] [con sustantivos incontables, medidas, dinero, tiempo] least; [con sustantivos contables] fewest

el método que lleva menos tiempo — the method which takes (the) least time

es el que menos culpa tiene — he is the least to blame

el examen con menos errores — the exam paper with the fewest mistakes

3. PREP

1) (=excepto) except

todos menos él — everybody except him

¡todo menos eso! — anything but that!

2) (Mat) [para restar] minus, less

cinco menos dos — five minus o less two

siete menos dos (son) cinco — seven minus two is five

son las siete menos veinte — it's twenty to seven

4.

CONJ

• a menos que — unless

no iré a menos que me acompañes — I won't go unless you come with me

5. SM

1) (Mat) minus sign

2)

los menos — the minority

3)
más 1., 2)
* * *
I
adverbio

1) ( comparativo) less

cada vez estudia menos — she's studying less and less

ya me duele menos — it hurts less now

ahora lo vemos menos — we don't see him so often o we don't see so much of him now

no voy a ir, y menos aún con él — I'm not going, and certainly not with him

menos (...) que: un hallazgo no menos importante que éste a find which is no less important than this one; ella menos que nadie puede criticarte she of all people is in no position to criticize you; menos (...) de less than; pesa menos de 50 kilos it weighs less than o under 50 kilos; no lo haría por menos de cien mil I wouldn't do it for less than a hundred thousand; éramos menos de diez there were fewer than ten of us; los niños de menos de 7 años children under seven; es menos peligroso de lo que tú crees — it's not as dangerous as you think

2) ( superlativo) least

es la menos complicada — it is the least complicated one

éste es el menos pesado de los dos — this is the lighter of the two

es el que menos viene por aquí — he's the one who comes around least (often)

es el que menos me gusta — he's the one I like (the) least

se esfuerza lo menos posible — he makes as little effort as possible

es lo menos que podía hacer — it's the least I could do

cuando menos lo esperábamos — when we were least expecting it; para locs ver menos III 2)
II
adjetivo invariable

1) ( comparativo) ( en cantidad) less; ( en número) fewer

alimentos con menos fibra/calorías — food with less fiber/fewer calories

ya hace menos frío — it's not as o so cold now

recibimos cada vez menos pedidos — we are getting fewer and fewer orders

cuesta tres veces menos — it costs a third of the price

mide medio metro menos — it's half a meter shorter

menos (...) que: tengo menos tiempo que tú I haven't as o so much time as you; menos estudiantes que el año pasado fewer students than last year; yo no soy menos que él — he's no better than me

2) ( superlativo) ( en cantidad) least; ( en número) fewest

esos casos son los menos — cases like that are the exception
III
pronombre

1)

sírveme menos — don't give me so much, give me less

ya falta menos — it won't be long now

aprobaron menos que el año pasado — fewer passed than last year

2) (en locs)

al menos — at least

a menos que — unless

cuando menos — at least

de menos: me ha dado 100 pesos de menos you've given me 100 pesos too little; me has cobrado de menos you've undercharged me; lo menos (fam) at least; menos mal just as well, thank goodness; menos mal que no me oyó just as well o it's a good thing he didn't hear me; por lo menos at least; ir a menos to go downhill; ser lo de menos: eso es lo de menos, a mí lo que me preocupa es... that's the least of it, what worries me is...; la fecha es lo de menos the date is the least of our/their problems; tener a alguien en menos to feel somebody is beneath one; tener algo a menos to think something is beneath one o beneath one's dignity; venirse a menos — to come down in the world
IV
preposición

1) ( excepto)

firmaron todos menos Alonso — everybody but Alonso signed, everybody signed except o but Alonso

menos estos dos, todos están en venta — apart from o with the exception of these two, they are all for sale

tres latas de pintura, menos la que usé — three cans of paint, less what I used

2)

a) (Mat) (en restas, números negativos) minus

b) (Esp, RPl) ( en la hora)

son las cinco menos diez/cuarto — it's ten to five/(a) quarter to five

son menos veinte — it's twenty to
V
masculino minus sign

* * *

= least, less [lesser -comp., least -sup.], minus, but, less so.

Ex. Service to the whole community implies positive discrimination towards those who through social or educational deprivation are least adept at using information tools.

Ex. The role of analytical entries in an online catalogue is less clear.

Ex. Copies of records created by the libraries, minus local data, are added to the pool of cataloguing information available to users.

Ex. Rotundas were widely used for all but the most formal texts in the fifteenth century, but fell out of fashion during the sixteenth century, surviving longest in Spain.

Ex. Vellum remained popular on the continent, less so in England; while goatskin (morocco), although well established by this time for fine work, was seldom used in trade binding except for prayer books.

----

* al menos = at least, at the very least.

* a menos que = unless, short of.

* aproximadamente, más o menos = ballpark.

* area menos favorecida = less favoured area.

* cada vez menos = less and less.

* cuando menos te lo esperes = on any given Sunday.

* cuanto menos = at least, let alone, at best.

* dar menos de lo debido = shortchange.

* de menos del 10 por ciento = single digit, single figure.

* dentro de lo malo lo menos malo = the best of a bad lot.

* echar de menos = miss.

* echar muchísimo de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* el último pero no el menos importante = the last but by no means least.

* en todos menos en = in all but.

* en un futuro más o menos cercano = in the near future, in the near future.

* en un período más o menos lejano = in the near future, in the near future.

* estrella venida a menos = fallen star.

* figura venida a menos = fallen star.

* hacerlo todo menos = stop at + nothing short of.

* horas de menos aglomeración = off-peak times.

* lo menos posible = as little as possible.

* más o menos = more or less, of a sort, or so, of sorts, after a fashion, round about, roughly speaking, give or take.

* más o menos + Adverbio = relatively + Adverbio.

* más o menos cuadrado = squarish.

* menos aún = let alone.

* menos blandeces y más mano dura = less of the carrot, more of the stick, less of the carrot, more of the stick.

* menos conocido = lesser known.

* menos cultos, los = less literate, the.

* menos de + Cantidad = under + Cantidad, less than + Cantidad.

* menos de + Edad = on the right side of + Edad.

* menos desarrollado = less developed [less-developed].

* menos en = save in.

* menos en el caso de que = except when.

* menos favorecido = less-advantaged, less favoured [less favored].

* menos hecho = rarer.

* menos importante, el = least, the.

* menos probable = least likely, less likely.

* menos... que... = less... than....

* menos rápidos, los = less fleet of foot, the.

* menos sabido = lesser known.

* menos usado = less used.

* mucho menos = a great deal less, let alone, far less.

* nada más y nada menos = as much as + Expresión Numérica.

* nada más y nada menos que = in the order of + Cantidad, nothing less than.

* nada más y nada menos que de = to the tune of + Cantidad.

* nada más y nada menos que desde + Expresión Temporal = from as far back as + Expresión Temporal.

* nada más y nada menos que + Número = as many as + Número.

* nada menos que + Nombre + tan + Adjetivo + como = no less + Adjetivo + Nombre + than.

* ni más ni menos = nothing more, nothing less, no more, no less.

* ni mucho menos = by any stretch (of the imagination), by any means, not by a long shot.

* Nombre + más o menos = Nombre + of sorts.

* no ser menos que el vecino = keep up with + the Joneses.

* no ser menos que los demás = keep up with + the Joneses.

* pagar menos de lo que se debería = underpay.

* para no ser menos = not to be outdone.

* personaje venido a menos = fallen star.

* por último pero no menos importante = last but not least.

* región menos favorecida = less favoured region (LFR).

* salir de donde menos Uno se lo espera = come out of + the woodwork.

* ser menos + Adjetivo = be less of a(n) + Nombre.

* ser nada más y nada menos que = be nothing less than.

* signo menos (-) = minus sign (-), negative sign (-).

* todo menos = everything except (for).

* todos menos = everyone except, everybody except.

* todos menos + Número = all but + Número.

* último pero no el menos importante, el = final and not the least important, the.

* venir a menos = retrench.

* y cuanto mucho menos = much less.

* y mucho menos = much less, least of all.

* zona menos favorecida = less favoured area.

* * *
I
adverbio

1) ( comparativo) less

cada vez estudia menos — she's studying less and less

ya me duele menos — it hurts less now

ahora lo vemos menos — we don't see him so often o we don't see so much of him now

no voy a ir, y menos aún con él — I'm not going, and certainly not with him

menos (...) que: un hallazgo no menos importante que éste a find which is no less important than this one; ella menos que nadie puede criticarte she of all people is in no position to criticize you; menos (...) de less than; pesa menos de 50 kilos it weighs less than o under 50 kilos; no lo haría por menos de cien mil I wouldn't do it for less than a hundred thousand; éramos menos de diez there were fewer than ten of us; los niños de menos de 7 años children under seven; es menos peligroso de lo que tú crees — it's not as dangerous as you think

2) ( superlativo) least

es la menos complicada — it is the least complicated one

éste es el menos pesado de los dos — this is the lighter of the two

es el que menos viene por aquí — he's the one who comes around least (often)

es el que menos me gusta — he's the one I like (the) least

se esfuerza lo menos posible — he makes as little effort as possible

es lo menos que podía hacer — it's the least I could do

cuando menos lo esperábamos — when we were least expecting it; para locs ver menos III 2)
II
adjetivo invariable

1) ( comparativo) ( en cantidad) less; ( en número) fewer

alimentos con menos fibra/calorías — food with less fiber/fewer calories

ya hace menos frío — it's not as o so cold now

recibimos cada vez menos pedidos — we are getting fewer and fewer orders

cuesta tres veces menos — it costs a third of the price

mide medio metro menos — it's half a meter shorter

menos (...) que: tengo menos tiempo que tú I haven't as o so much time as you; menos estudiantes que el año pasado fewer students than last year; yo no soy menos que él — he's no better than me

2) ( superlativo) ( en cantidad) least; ( en número) fewest

esos casos son los menos — cases like that are the exception
III
pronombre

1)

sírveme menos — don't give me so much, give me less

ya falta menos — it won't be long now

aprobaron menos que el año pasado — fewer passed than last year

2) (en locs)

al menos — at least

a menos que — unless

cuando menos — at least

de menos: me ha dado 100 pesos de menos you've given me 100 pesos too little; me has cobrado de menos you've undercharged me; lo menos (fam) at least; menos mal just as well, thank goodness; menos mal que no me oyó just as well o it's a good thing he didn't hear me; por lo menos at least; ir a menos to go downhill; ser lo de menos: eso es lo de menos, a mí lo que me preocupa es... that's the least of it, what worries me is...; la fecha es lo de menos the date is the least of our/their problems; tener a alguien en menos to feel somebody is beneath one; tener algo a menos to think something is beneath one o beneath one's dignity; venirse a menos — to come down in the world
IV
preposición

1) ( excepto)

firmaron todos menos Alonso — everybody but Alonso signed, everybody signed except o but Alonso

menos estos dos, todos están en venta — apart from o with the exception of these two, they are all for sale

tres latas de pintura, menos la que usé — three cans of paint, less what I used

2)

a) (Mat) (en restas, números negativos) minus

b) (Esp, RPl) ( en la hora)

son las cinco menos diez/cuarto — it's ten to five/(a) quarter to five

son menos veinte — it's twenty to
V
masculino minus sign

* * *

= least, less [lesser -comp., least -sup.], minus, but, less so.

Ex: Service to the whole community implies positive discrimination towards those who through social or educational deprivation are least adept at using information tools.

Ex: The role of analytical entries in an online catalogue is less clear.

Ex: Copies of records created by the libraries, minus local data, are added to the pool of cataloguing information available to users.

Ex: Rotundas were widely used for all but the most formal texts in the fifteenth century, but fell out of fashion during the sixteenth century, surviving longest in Spain.

Ex: Vellum remained popular on the continent, less so in England; while goatskin (morocco), although well established by this time for fine work, was seldom used in trade binding except for prayer books.

* al menos = at least, at the very least.

* a menos que = unless, short of.

* aproximadamente, más o menos = ballpark.

* area menos favorecida = less favoured area.

* cada vez menos = less and less.

* cuando menos te lo esperes = on any given Sunday.

* cuanto menos = at least, let alone, at best.

* dar menos de lo debido = shortchange.

* de menos del 10 por ciento = single digit, single figure.

* dentro de lo malo lo menos malo = the best of a bad lot.

* echar de menos = miss.

* echar muchísimo de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* echar mucho de menos = be sorely missed, be sadly missed.

* el último pero no el menos importante = the last but by no means least.

* en todos menos en = in all but.

* en un futuro más o menos cercano = in the near future, in the near future.

* en un período más o menos lejano = in the near future, in the near future.

* estrella venida a menos = fallen star.

* figura venida a menos = fallen star.

* hacerlo todo menos = stop at + nothing short of.

* horas de menos aglomeración = off-peak times.

* lo menos posible = as little as possible.

* más o menos = more or less, of a sort, or so, of sorts, after a fashion, round about, roughly speaking, give or take.

* más o menos + Adverbio = relatively + Adverbio.

* más o menos cuadrado = squarish.

* menos aún = let alone.

* menos blandeces y más mano dura = less of the carrot, more of the stick, less of the carrot, more of the stick.

* menos conocido = lesser known.

* menos cultos, los = less literate, the.

* menos de + Cantidad = under + Cantidad, less than + Cantidad.

* menos de + Edad = on the right side of + Edad.

* menos desarrollado = less developed [less-developed].

* menos en = save in.

* menos en el caso de que = except when.

* menos favorecido = less-advantaged, less favoured [less favored].

* menos hecho = rarer.

* menos importante, el = least, the.

* menos probable = least likely, less likely.

* menos... que... = less... than....

* menos rápidos, los = less fleet of foot, the.

* menos sabido = lesser known.

* menos usado = less used.

* mucho menos = a great deal less, let alone, far less.

* nada más y nada menos = as much as + Expresión Numérica.

* nada más y nada menos que = in the order of + Cantidad, nothing less than.

* nada más y nada menos que de = to the tune of + Cantidad.

* nada más y nada menos que desde + Expresión Temporal = from as far back as + Expresión Temporal.

* nada más y nada menos que + Número = as many as + Número.

* nada menos que + Nombre + tan + Adjetivo + como = no less + Adjetivo + Nombre + than.

* ni más ni menos = nothing more, nothing less, no more, no less.

* ni mucho menos = by any stretch (of the imagination), by any means, not by a long shot.

* Nombre + más o menos = Nombre + of sorts.

* no ser menos que el vecino = keep up with + the Joneses.

* no ser menos que los demás = keep up with + the Joneses.

* pagar menos de lo que se debería = underpay.

* para no ser menos = not to be outdone.

* personaje venido a menos = fallen star.

* por último pero no menos importante = last but not least.

* región menos favorecida = less favoured region (LFR).

* salir de donde menos Uno se lo espera = come out of + the woodwork.

* ser menos + Adjetivo = be less of a(n) + Nombre.

* ser nada más y nada menos que = be nothing less than.

* signo menos (-) = minus sign (-), negative sign (-).

* todo menos = everything except (for).

* todos menos = everyone except, everybody except.

* todos menos + Número = all but + Número.

* último pero no el menos importante, el = final and not the least important, the.

* venir a menos = retrench.

* y cuanto mucho menos = much less.

* y mucho menos = much less, least of all.

* zona menos favorecida = less favoured area.

* * *

menos¹

adverb

A [ Grammar notes (Spanish) ]

(comparativo): cada vez estudia menos she's studying less and less

quiere trabajar menos y ganar más he wants to work less and earn more

ya me duele menos it doesn't hurt so much now

ahora que vive en Cádiz lo vemos menos now that he's living in Cadiz we don't see him so often o we don't see so much of him

eso es menos importante that's not so important

no voy a permitir que vaya, y menos aún con él I'm not going to let her go, much less with him

menos (…) QUE:

un hallazgo no menos importante que éste a find which is no less important than o just as important as this one

ella menos que nadie puede criticarte she of all people is in no position to criticize you

no pude menos que aceptar I had to accept, it was the least I could do

menos (…) DE:

los niños de menos de 7 años children under seven

pesa menos de 50 kilos it weighs less than o under 50 kilos

éramos menos de diez there were fewer than ten of us

lo compraron por menos de nada they bought it for next to nothing

no lo haría por menos de cien mil I wouldn't do it for less than a hundred thousand

está a menos de una hora de aquí it's less than an hour from here

es menos peligroso de lo que tú crees it's not as dangerous as you think

B [ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (superlativo) least

es la menos complicada que he visto it is the least complicated one I have seen

éste es el menos pesado de los dos this is the lighter of the two

es el que menos viene por aquí he's the one who comes around least (often)

soy el que ha bebido menos de todos I've had less to drink than anyone, I'm the one who's had least to drink

es el que menos me gusta he's the one I like (the) least

se esfuerza lo menos posible he makes as little effort as possible

es lo menos que podía hacer por él it's the least I could do for him

sucedió cuando menos lo esperábamos it happened when we were least expecting it

para locs ver menos³ pron B. (↑ menos (3))

menos²

adj inv

A [ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (comparativo) (en cantidad) less; (en número) fewer

alimentos con menos fibra/calorías food with less fiber/fewer calories

ya hace menos frío it's not as o so cold now

recibimos cada vez menos pedidos we are getting fewer and fewer orders

cuesta tres veces menos it costs a third of the price o a third as much

mide medio metro menos it's half a meter shorter

a éste ponle dos cucharadas menos add two tablespoonfuls less to this one

menos (…) QUE:

tengo menos tiempo que tú I haven't as o so much time as you

menos estudiantes que el año pasado fewer students than last year

somos menos que ellos there are fewer of us than them

no soy menos hombre que él I'm no less a man than him

yo no soy menos que él he's no better than me

B [ Grammar notes (Spanish) ] (superlativo) (en cantidad) least; (en número) fewest

el rincón donde hay menos luz the corner where there's least light

el partido que obtuvo menos votos the party that got (the) fewest votes

esos casos son los menos cases like that are the exception

menos³

pronoun

A

sírveme menos don't give me as o so much

ya falta menos it won't be long now

aprobaron menos que el año pasado not so o as many passed as last year, fewer passed than last year

B ( en locs):

al menos at least

a menos que unless

a menos que tú nos ayudes unless you help us

cuando menos at least

de menos: me ha dado 100 pesos de menos you've given me 100 pesos too little

siempre te da unos gramos de menos he always gives you a few grams under o too little

me has cobrado de menos you've undercharged me, you haven't charged me enough

echar

lo menos ( fam); at least

les pagaron lo menos un millón they paid them at least a million pesos

menos mal just as well

menos mal que no me oyó just as well o good thing o thank goodness he didn't hear me

nos van a dar una prórroga — ¡menos mal! they are going to give us extra time — just as well! o thank goodness for that!

por lo menos at least

si por lo menos me hubieras avisado … if you'd at least told me …

había por lo menos diez mil personas there were at least ten thousand people there

ir a menos to go downhill

ser lo de menos: eso es lo de menos, a mí lo que me preocupa es su falta de honradez that's the least of it, what worries me is his lack of integrity

la fecha es lo de menos the date is the least of our/their problems

tener a algn en menos to feel sb is beneath one

cuanto¹ (↑ cuanto (1)), más³ (↑ más (3)), mucho³ (↑ mucho (3)), nada¹ (↑ nada (1))

tener algo a menos to think sth is beneath one o beneath one's dignity

venirse a menos to come down in the world

un aristócrata venido a menos an aristocrat who has come down in the world o who has fallen on hard times

un hotel/barrio venido a menoss a rundown hotel/neighborhood*

menos⁴

prep

A

(excepto): firmaron todos menos Alonso everybody but Alonso signed, everybody signed except o but Alonso

menos estos dos, todos están en venta apart from o with the exception of these two, they are all for sale

tres latas de pintura, menos la que usé para la puerta three cans of paint, less what I used on the door

B

1 ( Mat) [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ] (en restas, números negativos) minus

8-15=-7 read as: ocho menos quince (es) igual (a) menos siete eight minus fifteen equals o is minus seven

2

(Esp, RPI) (en la hora) [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ] son las ocho menos diez/cuarto it's ten to eight/(a) quarter to eight

¿tienes hora? — menos veinte do you have the time? — it's twenty to

menos⁵

masculine

minus sign

* * *

menos adverbio
1 ( comparativo) less;
◊ cada vez estudia menos she's studying less and less;

ya me duele menos it hurts less now;
ahora lo vemos menos we don't see him so often now, we don't see so much of him now;
pesa menos de 50 kilos it weighs less than o under 50 kilos;
éramos menos de diez there were fewer than ten of us;
los niños de menos de 7 años children under seven
2 ( superlativo) least;
◊ es la menos complicada it is the least complicated one;

el que menos me gusta the one I like (the) least;
se esfuerza lo menos posible he makes as little effort as possible;
cuando menos lo esperaba when I was least expecting it
■ adjetivo invariable
1 ( comparativo) ( en cantidad) less;
( en número) fewer;
◊ alimentos con menos fibra/calorías food with less fiber/fewer calories;

hay menos errores there are fewer mistakes;
mide medio metro menos it's half a meter shorter;
menos estudiantes que el año pasado fewer students than last year;
tengo menos tiempo que tú I haven't as o so much time as you
2 ( superlativo) ( en cantidad) least;
( en número) fewest;
◊ donde hay menos luz where there's least light;

el que obtuvo menos votos the one who got (the) fewest votes
■ pronombre
1 ( en cantidad) less;
( en número) fewer;
◊ sírveme menos give me less;

ya falta menos it won't be long now
2 ( en locs)
◊ al menos at least;

a menos que unless;
cuando menos at least;
de menos: me dió 100 pesos de menos he gave me 100 pesos too little;
me cobró de menos he undercharged me;
lo menos the least;
menos mal just as well, thank goodness;
por lo menos at least;
eso es lo de menos that's the least of my (o our etc) problems
■ preposición
1 ( excepto):
◊ todos menos Alonso everybody except o but Alonso;

menos estos dos, … apart from o with the exception of these two, …;
tres latas de pintura, menos la que usé para la puerta three cans of paint, less what I used on the door
2
a) (Mat) (en restas, números negativos) minus

b) (Esp, RPl) ( en la hora):

◊ son las cinco menos diez/cuarto it's ten to five/(a) quarter to five;

son menos veinte it's twenty to
menos
I adverbio
1 (en menor cantidad, grado) (con no contable) less: ayer me dolía menos, it hurt less yesterday
había menos de treinta personas, there were less than thirty people
es menos importante de lo que crees, it's less important than you think
tengo menos fuerza que antes, I have less strength than before
(con contable) fewer: mi casa tiene menos habitaciones, my house has fewer rooms
2 (superlativo) least: es el menos indicado para opinar, he's the worst person to judge
3 (sobre todo) no pienso discutir, y menos contigo, I don't want to argue, especially with you
II preposición
1 but, except: vinieron todos menos uno, they all came but one
2 Mat minus: siete menos dos, seven minus two
♦ Locuciones: eso es lo de menos, that's the least of it
a menos que, unless
al o por lo menos, at least
cada vez menos, less and less
¡menos mal!, thank goodness!
nada menos que, no less o no fewer than
no ser para menos, to be the least one could do: me invitó a cenar, ¡y no era para menos!, he invited me to dinner, which was the least he could do!
venir a menos, to lose rank, fortune or position
' menos' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
aliviar
- añorar
- cachondeo
- cada
- cantar
- contratación
- cuando
- echar
- esquivar
- estar
- extrañar
- gallo
- hipar
- historiada
- historiado
- indicada
- indicado
- infarto
- los
- mal
- más
- mucha
- mucho
- pensar
- piedra
- programa
- recochineo
- salva
- salvo
- signo
- siquiera
- su
- tan
- todavía
- vez
- cinco
- costumbre
- cuanto
- cuarto
- de
- día
- enfado
- enojo
- entre
- esperar
- estofado
- mientras
- mirar
- momento
- nada
English:
about
- absent
- agree
- alone
- anything
- anywhere
- appreciate
- at
- averse
- barring
- besides
- billion
- blind
- blue
- border
- but
- cackle
- chalk
- circuitous
- conscious
- delay
- far
- ferment
- few
- god
- good
- if
- job
- just
- last
- least
- less
- let
- let up
- mind
- minus
- minus sign
- minute
- miss
- more
- nothing
- nowadays
- of
- opposed
- or
- pretty
- put down
- rate
- recollect
- remain

* * *

menos

♦ adj inv

1. [comparativo] [cantidad] less;
[número] fewer;
menos aire less air;

menos manzanas fewer apples;

menos… que… less/fewer… than…;

tiene menos experiencia que tú she has less experience than you;

vino menos gente que otras veces there were fewer people there than on other occasions;

hace menos calor que ayer it's not as hot as it was yesterday;

colócate a menos distancia stand closer;

eran menos pero mejor preparadas there were fewer of them, but they were better prepared

2. [superlativo] [cantidad] the least;
[número] the fewest;
el que compró menos libros the one who bought the fewest books;

lo que menos tiempo llevó the thing that took the least time;

la que menos nota sacó en el examen the girl who did (the) worst o got the worst Br marks o US grades in the exam

3. Fam [peor]
éste es menos coche que el mío this car isn't as good as mine;

es menos hombre que tú he's less of a man than you are

♦ adv

1. [comparativo] less;

a mí échame un poco menos give me a bit less;

ahora con el bebé salen menos they go out less now they've got the baby;

últimamente trabajo menos I haven't been working as o so much recently;

estás menos gordo you're not as o so fat;

¿a cien? no, íbamos menos rápido a hundred km/h? no, we weren't going as fast as that;

menos de/que less than;

Pepe es menos alto (que tú) Pepe isn't as tall (as you);

Pepe es menos ambicioso (que tú) Pepe isn't as ambitious (as you), Pepe is less ambitious (than you);

este vino me gusta menos (que el otro) I don't like this wine as much (as the other one), I like this wine less (than the other one);

son menos de las diez it's not quite ten o'clock yet;

es difícil encontrar alquileres de o [m5]por menos de 50.000 it's hard to find a place to rent for less than o under 50,000;

tardamos menos de lo esperado we took less time than expected, it didn't take us as long as we expected;

es menos complicado de lo que parece it's not as complicated as it seems, it's less complicated than it seems

2. [superlativo]
el/la/lo menos the least;

ella es la menos adecuada para el cargo she's the least suitable person for the job;

el menos preparado de todos/de la clase the least well trained of everyone/in the class;

el menos preparado de los dos the less well trained of the two;

la que menos trabaja the person o one who works (the) least;

aquí es donde menos me duele this is where it hurts (the) least;

él es el menos indicado para criticar he's the last person who should be criticizing;

es lo menos que puedo hacer it's the least I can do;

era lo menos que te podía pasar it was the least you could expect;

debió costar lo menos un millón it must have cost at least a million;

había algunas manzanas podridas, pero eran las menos some of the apples were rotten, but only a very few

3. [indica resta] minus;

tres menos dos igual a uno three minus two is one

4. Esp, RP [con las horas] to;

son las dos menos diez it's ten to two;

son menos diez it's ten to

5. Comp

ir a menos [fiebre, lluvia] to die down;
[delincuencia] to drop;
¡menos mal! just as well!, thank God!;

menos mal que llevo rueda de repuesto/que no te pasó nada thank God I've got a spare wheel/(that) nothing happened to you;

nada menos (que) no less (than);

le recibió nada menos que el Papa he was received by none other than the Pope;

no es para menos not without (good) reason;

no pude por menos que reírme I had to laugh;

venir a menos [negocio] to go downhill;
[persona] to go down in the world;
no pienso montar y menos si conduces o Am [m5] manejas tú I've no intention of getting in, much less so if you're driving;

Comp

hacer de menos a alguien to snub sb

♦ pron

había menos que el año pasado there were fewer than the previous year;

ya queda menos it's not so far to go now

♦ nm inv
Mat minus (sign)
♦ prep
[excepto] except (for);
todo menos eso anything but that;

vinieron todos menos él everyone came except (for) o but him;

menos el café, todo está incluido en el precio everything except the coffee is included in the price

♦ al menos loc conj

at least;

costará al menos tres millones it will cost at least three million;

dame al menos una hora para prepararme give me at least an hour to get ready

♦ a menos que loc conj

unless;

no iré a menos que me acompañes I won't go unless you come with me

♦ de menos loc adv

hay dos libros de menos there are two books missing;

me han dado 80 céntimos de menos they've given me 80 cents too little, they've short-changed me by 80 cents;

eso es lo de menos that's the least of it

♦ por lo menos loc adv

at least;

por lo menos pide perdón you at least ought to apologize

* * *

menos

I adj

1 en cantidad less;

cien dólares de menos 100 dollars short, 100 dollars too little;

hay cinco calcetines de menos we are five socks short

2 en número fewer

II adv

1 comp: en cantidad less;

es menos guapa que Ana she is not as pretty as Ana

2 sup: en cantidad least;

al menos, por lo menos at least

3 MAT minus;

tres menos dos three minus two

III m MAT minus (sign)

IV

:

a menos que unless;

todos menos yo everyone but o except me;

echar de menos miss;

tener a alguien en menos look down on s.o.;

eso es lo de menos that’s the least of it;

ir a menos come down in the world;

ni mucho menos far from it;

no es para menos quite right too;

son las dos menos diez it’s ten of two, Br it’s ten to two

* * *

menos adv

1) : less

llueve menos en agosto: it rains less in August

2) : least

el coche menos caro: the least expensive car

3)

menos de : less than, fewer than

menos adj

1) : less, fewer

tengo más trabajo y menos tiempo: I have more work and less time

2) : least, fewest

la clase que tiene menos estudiantes: the class that has the fewest students

menos prep

1) salvo, excepto: except

2) : minus

quince menos cuatro son once: fifteen minus four is eleven

menos pron

1) : less, fewer

no deberías aceptar menos: you shouldn't accept less

2)

al menos or

por lo menos : at least

3)

a menos que : unless

* * *

menos¹ adv

1. (comparativo) less

deberías ponerte menos azúcar you should take less sugar

2. (con nombres contables) fewer

había menos gente there were fewer people

3. (superlativo) least

es el menos caro it's the least expensive

4. (excepto) except

puedo hacer de todo menos cocinar I can do everything except cook

fueron todos al parque menos ella they all went to the park except her

5. (con la hora) to

son las ocho menos diez it's ten to eight

6. (en matemáticas) minus

ocho menos dos son seis eight minus two is six

al menos at least

a menos que unless

menos mal thank goodness

menos mal que has venido it's a good job you've come

por lo menos at least

menos² n minus sign

Spanish-English dictionary > menos
4 ser

m.

1 being (ente).

ser humano human being

los seres vivos living things

2 ens.

v.

1 to be (to be in some place or situation, to originate in, to belong to, to pertain, to exist really).

fue aquí it was here

lo importante es decidirse the important thing is to reach a decision

ser de to be made of; (estar hecho de) to be from; (provenir de) to belong to; (ser propiedad de) to be a member of (formar parte de)

¿de dónde eres? where are you from?

los juguetes son de mi hijo the toys are my son's

es alto/gracioso he is tall/funny

es azul/difícil it's blue/difficult

es un amigo/el dueño he is a friend/the owner

Yo soy buena I am good.

2 to be (to be worth, quantity).

¿cuánto es? how much is it?

son 300 pesos that'll be 300 pesos

¿qué (día) es hoy? what day is it today?, what's today?

mañana será 15 de julio tomorrow (it) will be 15 July

¿qué hora es? what time is it?, what's the time?

son las tres (de la tarde) it's three o'clock (in the afternoon), it's three (pm)

3 to be (joined to nouns which signify employment or occupation).

soy abogado/actriz I'm a lawyer/an actress

son estudiantes they're students

4 to be (to happen, to occur, to fall out).

es muy tarde it's rather late

era de noche/de día it was night/day

5 to be (auxiliary verb, by which the passive is formed).

fue visto por un testigo he was seen by a witness

6 to exist, to live.

7 to be for.

Me es muy fácil aprender español It is very easy for me to learn Spanish.

* * *

SER

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

soy, eres, es, somos, sois, son.

Imperfect Subjunctive

era, eras, era, éramos, erais, eran.

Past Indicative

fui, fuiste, fue, fuimos, fuisteis, fueron.

Future Indicative

seré, serás, será, seremos, seréis, serán.

Conditional

sería, serías, sería, seríamos, seríais, serían.

Present Subjunctive

sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean.

Imperfect Subjunctive

fuera, fueras, fuera, fuéramos, fuerais, fueran;

fuese, fueses, fuese, fuésemos, fueseis, fuesen.

Future Subjunctive

fuere, fueres, fuere, fuéremos, fuereis, fueren.

Imperative

sé (tú), sea (él/Vd.), seamos (nos.), sed (vos.), sean (ellos/Vds.).

Past Participle

sido.

\

\

————————

SER

► abreviatura

1 RADIO ( Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión) Spanish private broadcasting company

* * *
1. verb
to be

- ser de
2. noun m.
being

* * *

SF ABR Esp
= Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión radio network
* * *
I 1.
cópula

1) ( seguido de adjetivos) to be

[ ser expresses identity or nature as opposed to condition or state, which is normally conveyed by estar. The examples given below should be contrasted with those to be found in estar 1 cópula 1]

es bajo — he's short

es muy callada — she's very quiet

mi padre es calvo — my father's bald

es sorda de nacimiento — she was born deaf

es inglés/rubio/católico — he's English/fair/(a) Catholic

era cierto/posible — it was true/possible

sé bueno, estáte quieto — be a good boy and keep still

que seas muy feliz — I hope you'll be very happy; (+ me/te/le etc)

para serte sincero — to be honest with you, to tell you the truth

siempre le he sido fiel — I've always been faithful to her; ver tb verbo intransitivo I 5

¿éste es o se hace?/¿tú eres o te haces? — (AmL fam) is he/are you stupid or something? (colloq)

2) ( hablando de estado civil) to be

el mayor es casado/divorciado — the oldest is married/divorced

es viuda — she's a widow; ver tb estar I 3)

3) (seguido de nombre, pronombre, sintagma nominal) to be

soy peluquera/abogada — I'm a hairdresser/a lawyer

es madre de dos niños — she's a mother of two

ábreme, soy Mariano/yo — open the door, it's Mariano/it's me

el que fuera presidente — the former president

años más tarde sería mi asistente — years later she would become my assistant

por ser usted, haremos una excepción — for you o since it's you, we'll make an exception

dame cualquiera que no sea ése — give me any one except o but that one

ya no soy lo que era — I'm not what I used to be

4) (con predicado introducido por `de')

esos zapatos son de plástico — those shoes are (made of) plastic

soy de Córdoba — I'm from Cordoba

es de los vecinos — it belongs to the neighbors, it's the neighbors'

este libro no es de aquí — this book doesn't go o belong here

ésa es de las que... — she's one of those people who..., she's the sort of person who...

ser de lo que no hay — (fam) to be incredible (colloq)

5) (hipótesis, futuro)

será un error — it must be a mistake

¿será cierto? — can it be true?

pero será animal! — he must be a complete idiot
2.
ser vi

Sentido I

1)

a) ( existir) to be

b) (liter) ( en cuentos)

érase una vez... — once upon a time there was...

2)

a) (tener lugar, ocurrir)

la fiesta va a ser en su casa — the party is going to be (held) at her house

¿dónde fue el accidente? — where did the accident happen?

el asunto fue así... — it happened like this...

b) ( en preguntas)

ser de algo/alguien: ¿qué habrá sido de él? I wonder what happened to o what became of him; ¿qué es de Marisa? (fam) what's Marisa up to (these days)? (colloq); ¿qué va a ser de nosotros? — what will become of us?

3) ( sumar)

¿cuánto es (todo)? — how much is that (altogether)?

son 3.000 pesos — that'll be o that's 3,000 pesos

cuatro y cuatro son ocho — four and four are o make eight

somos diez en total — there are ten of us altogether

4) (causar, significar) to be

aquello fue su ruina — that was his downfall

5) ( resultar)

me va a ser imposible venir — I'm not going to be able to come

me fue muy difícil entenderlo — I found it very difficult to understand

6) ( consistir en) to be

lo importante es participar — the important o main thing is to take part

7) (indicando finalidad, adecuación)

ser para algo — to be for something

este agua es para beber — this water is for drinking

este traje no es para usarlo mucho — this suit is not for frequent wear

Sentido II

8) ( usado para enfatizar)

así es como queda mejor — like that it looks best

fue aquí donde lo vi — this is where I saw him, it was here that I saw him

era él el que quería — he was the one who wanted to

fueron los bancos los que se beneficiaron — it was the banks that benefited

fui yo quien or la que lo dije fui yo quien or la que lo dijo — I was the one who said it, it was me that said it

9)

es que...: ¿es que no lo saben? do you mean to say they don't know?; es que no sé nadar the thing is I can't swim; díselo, si es que te atreves — tell him, if you dare

10)

lo que es... — (fam)

lo que es yo, no pienso hablarle más — I certainly have no intention of speaking to him again

lo que es saber idiomas! — it sure is something to be able to speak languages! (AmE), what it is to be able to speak languages! (BrE)

11) (en locs)

a no ser que — (+ subj) unless

como debe ser: ¿ves como me acordé? - como debe ser! see, I did remember- I should think so too!; los presentó uno por uno, como debe ser she introduced them one by one, as you should; ¿cómo es eso? why is that?, how come? (colloq); como/cuando/donde sea: tengo que conseguir ese trabajo como sea I have to get that job no matter what; hazlo como sea, pero hazlo do it any way o however you want but get it done; puedo dormir en el sillón o donde sea I can sleep in the armchair or wherever you like o anywhere you like; como ser (CS) such as; de no ser así (frml) should this not be the case (frml); de ser así (frml) should this be so o the case (frml); de no ser por...: de no ser por él,... if it hadn't been o if it weren't for him,...; eso es! that's it!, that's right!; lo que sea: cómete una manzana, o lo que sea have an apple or something; tú pagas tus mil pesos o lo que sea... you pay your thousand pesos or whatever...; estoy dispuesta a hacer lo que sea I'm prepared to do whatever it takes o anything; no sea que or no vaya a ser que (+ subj) in case; cierra la ventana, no sea or no vaya a ser que llueva close the window in case it rains; ten cuidado, no sea or no vaya a ser que lo eches todo a perder be careful or you'll ruin everything; o sea: los empleados de más antigüedad, o sea los que llevan aquí más de... longer serving employees, that is to say those who have been here more than...; o sea que no te interesa in other words, you're not interested; o sea que nunca lo descubriste so you never found out; (ya) sea..., (ya) sea... either..., or...; (ya) sea por caridad, (ya) sea por otra razón,... whether he did it out of charity or for some other reason,...; sea como sea: hay que impedirlo, sea como sea it must be prevented now matter how o at all costs; sea cuando sea whenever it is; sea quien sea le dices que no estoy whoever it is, tell them I'm not in; si no fuera/hubiera sido por... — if it wasn't o weren't/hadn't been for...

Sentido III

12) ( en el tiempo) to be

¿qué fecha es hoy? — what's the date today?, what's today's date

¿qué día es hoy? — what day is it today?

es miércoles — it's Wednesday

serían las cuatro cuando llegó — it must have been (about) four (o'clock) when she arrived; ver tb verbo impersonal
3.
ser v impers to be

era primavera — it was spring(time)

es demasiado tarde para llamar — it's too late to phone
4.
ser v aux ( en la voz pasiva)

ser + pp — to be + pp

fue construido en 1900 — it was built in 1900
II
masculino

1)

a) ( ente) being

seres sobrenaturales — supernatural beings

b) (individuo, persona)

un ser querido — a loved one

un ser muy especial — a very special person

- ser humano/vivo

2)

a) ( naturaleza)

desde lo más profundo de mi ser — from the bottom of my heart

b) ( carácter esencial) essence

3) (Fil) being

la mujer que te dio el ser — the woman who brought you into this world

* * *
I 1.
cópula

1) ( seguido de adjetivos) to be

[ ser expresses identity or nature as opposed to condition or state, which is normally conveyed by estar. The examples given below should be contrasted with those to be found in estar 1 cópula 1]

es bajo — he's short

es muy callada — she's very quiet

mi padre es calvo — my father's bald

es sorda de nacimiento — she was born deaf

es inglés/rubio/católico — he's English/fair/(a) Catholic

era cierto/posible — it was true/possible

sé bueno, estáte quieto — be a good boy and keep still

que seas muy feliz — I hope you'll be very happy; (+ me/te/le etc)

para serte sincero — to be honest with you, to tell you the truth

siempre le he sido fiel — I've always been faithful to her; ver tb verbo intransitivo I 5

¿éste es o se hace?/¿tú eres o te haces? — (AmL fam) is he/are you stupid or something? (colloq)

2) ( hablando de estado civil) to be

el mayor es casado/divorciado — the oldest is married/divorced

es viuda — she's a widow; ver tb estar I 3)

3) (seguido de nombre, pronombre, sintagma nominal) to be

soy peluquera/abogada — I'm a hairdresser/a lawyer

es madre de dos niños — she's a mother of two

ábreme, soy Mariano/yo — open the door, it's Mariano/it's me

el que fuera presidente — the former president

años más tarde sería mi asistente — years later she would become my assistant

por ser usted, haremos una excepción — for you o since it's you, we'll make an exception

dame cualquiera que no sea ése — give me any one except o but that one

ya no soy lo que era — I'm not what I used to be

4) (con predicado introducido por `de')

esos zapatos son de plástico — those shoes are (made of) plastic

soy de Córdoba — I'm from Cordoba

es de los vecinos — it belongs to the neighbors, it's the neighbors'

este libro no es de aquí — this book doesn't go o belong here

ésa es de las que... — she's one of those people who..., she's the sort of person who...

ser de lo que no hay — (fam) to be incredible (colloq)

5) (hipótesis, futuro)

será un error — it must be a mistake

¿será cierto? — can it be true?

pero será animal! — he must be a complete idiot
2.
ser vi

Sentido I

1)

a) ( existir) to be

b) (liter) ( en cuentos)

érase una vez... — once upon a time there was...

2)

a) (tener lugar, ocurrir)

la fiesta va a ser en su casa — the party is going to be (held) at her house

¿dónde fue el accidente? — where did the accident happen?

el asunto fue así... — it happened like this...

b) ( en preguntas)

ser de algo/alguien: ¿qué habrá sido de él? I wonder what happened to o what became of him; ¿qué es de Marisa? (fam) what's Marisa up to (these days)? (colloq); ¿qué va a ser de nosotros? — what will become of us?

3) ( sumar)

¿cuánto es (todo)? — how much is that (altogether)?

son 3.000 pesos — that'll be o that's 3,000 pesos

cuatro y cuatro son ocho — four and four are o make eight

somos diez en total — there are ten of us altogether

4) (causar, significar) to be

aquello fue su ruina — that was his downfall

5) ( resultar)

me va a ser imposible venir — I'm not going to be able to come

me fue muy difícil entenderlo — I found it very difficult to understand

6) ( consistir en) to be

lo importante es participar — the important o main thing is to take part

7) (indicando finalidad, adecuación)

ser para algo — to be for something

este agua es para beber — this water is for drinking

este traje no es para usarlo mucho — this suit is not for frequent wear

Sentido II

8) ( usado para enfatizar)

así es como queda mejor — like that it looks best

fue aquí donde lo vi — this is where I saw him, it was here that I saw him

era él el que quería — he was the one who wanted to

fueron los bancos los que se beneficiaron — it was the banks that benefited

fui yo quien or la que lo dije fui yo quien or la que lo dijo — I was the one who said it, it was me that said it

9)

es que...: ¿es que no lo saben? do you mean to say they don't know?; es que no sé nadar the thing is I can't swim; díselo, si es que te atreves — tell him, if you dare

10)

lo que es... — (fam)

lo que es yo, no pienso hablarle más — I certainly have no intention of speaking to him again

lo que es saber idiomas! — it sure is something to be able to speak languages! (AmE), what it is to be able to speak languages! (BrE)

11) (en locs)

a no ser que — (+ subj) unless

como debe ser: ¿ves como me acordé? - como debe ser! see, I did remember- I should think so too!; los presentó uno por uno, como debe ser she introduced them one by one, as you should; ¿cómo es eso? why is that?, how come? (colloq); como/cuando/donde sea: tengo que conseguir ese trabajo como sea I have to get that job no matter what; hazlo como sea, pero hazlo do it any way o however you want but get it done; puedo dormir en el sillón o donde sea I can sleep in the armchair or wherever you like o anywhere you like; como ser (CS) such as; de no ser así (frml) should this not be the case (frml); de ser así (frml) should this be so o the case (frml); de no ser por...: de no ser por él,... if it hadn't been o if it weren't for him,...; eso es! that's it!, that's right!; lo que sea: cómete una manzana, o lo que sea have an apple or something; tú pagas tus mil pesos o lo que sea... you pay your thousand pesos or whatever...; estoy dispuesta a hacer lo que sea I'm prepared to do whatever it takes o anything; no sea que or no vaya a ser que (+ subj) in case; cierra la ventana, no sea or no vaya a ser que llueva close the window in case it rains; ten cuidado, no sea or no vaya a ser que lo eches todo a perder be careful or you'll ruin everything; o sea: los empleados de más antigüedad, o sea los que llevan aquí más de... longer serving employees, that is to say those who have been here more than...; o sea que no te interesa in other words, you're not interested; o sea que nunca lo descubriste so you never found out; (ya) sea..., (ya) sea... either..., or...; (ya) sea por caridad, (ya) sea por otra razón,... whether he did it out of charity or for some other reason,...; sea como sea: hay que impedirlo, sea como sea it must be prevented now matter how o at all costs; sea cuando sea whenever it is; sea quien sea le dices que no estoy whoever it is, tell them I'm not in; si no fuera/hubiera sido por... — if it wasn't o weren't/hadn't been for...

Sentido III

12) ( en el tiempo) to be

¿qué fecha es hoy? — what's the date today?, what's today's date

¿qué día es hoy? — what day is it today?

es miércoles — it's Wednesday

serían las cuatro cuando llegó — it must have been (about) four (o'clock) when she arrived; ver tb verbo impersonal
3.
ser v impers to be

era primavera — it was spring(time)

es demasiado tarde para llamar — it's too late to phone
4.
ser v aux ( en la voz pasiva)

ser + pp — to be + pp

fue construido en 1900 — it was built in 1900
II
masculino

1)

a) ( ente) being

seres sobrenaturales — supernatural beings

b) (individuo, persona)

un ser querido — a loved one

un ser muy especial — a very special person

- ser humano/vivo

2)

a) ( naturaleza)

desde lo más profundo de mi ser — from the bottom of my heart

b) ( carácter esencial) essence

3) (Fil) being

la mujer que te dio el ser — the woman who brought you into this world

* * *

ser¹

¹ = being, creature.

Ex: A feeling of unshielded relief filled Pope's whole being.

Ex: Stories that lead to doing things are all the more attractive to children, who are active rather than passive creatures.

* abducción por seres extraterrestres = alien abduction.

* alimentación del ser humano = human nutrition.

* llegada de seres extraterrestres = alien visitation.

* nutrición del ser humano = human nutrition.

* ser consecuente con Uno mismo = be true to + Reflexivo.

* ser extraterrestre = alien creature.

* ser fiel con Uno mismo = be true to + Reflexivo.

* ser humano = human being, human, human person.

* ser inteligente = intelligent being.

* ser pensante = sentient being.

* ser superior = supreme being, higher being, superior being.

* ser supremo = supreme being.

* ser todo un éxito = hit + a home run, knock it out of + the park.

* ser vivo = living being, sentient being.

* todo ser humano = every living soul.

* tráfico de seres humanos = trafficking in human beings.

* trata de seres humanos = trafficking in human beings.

ser²

² = be, take + the form of, stand as.

Ex: Systems such as Dialog, IRS, ORBIT and BLAISE may be accessed by libraries and information units.

Ex: Hierarchical relationships may also take the form of co-ordinate relationships, in which case they may be represented by 'RT' or related term, in a similar manner to affinitive relationships below.

Ex: Meantime, our new library stand as as a confident symbol of the importance of ALL librarires to the nation's cultural, educational and economic success.

* anhelar ser = ache to be.

* a no ser que = unless.

* así es = that's how it is.

* así sea = amen.

* así son las cosas = that's they way things are.

* centrado en el ser humano = anthropocentric.

* clonación del ser humano = human cloning.

* como es el caso de = as it is with.

* cómo + ser = what + be like.

* conseguir ser el centro de atención = capture + spotlight.

* continuar siendo importante = remain + big.

* crearse el prestigio de ser = establish + a record as.

* cualquiera que fuere = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que fuese = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que sea + Nombre = whichever + Nombre.

* debilidad del ser humano = mankind's frailty.

* dejar de ser útil = outlive + Posesivo + usefulness.

* demostrar ser = prove + to be.

* de tal forma que + ser/estar = in such form as to + be.

* dicho sea de paso = by the by(e).

* dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres = you are known by the company you keep.

* dinero + ser para = money + go towards.

* el + Nombre + es inestimable = the + Nombre + cannot be overestimated.

* el ser barato = cheapness.

* el sueño de todo ser viviente = the stuff dreams are made of.

* entrar sin ser visto = sneak into.

* es = it's [it is].

* esa es la cuestión = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* esa es la dificultad = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* es decir = i.e. (latín - id est), in other words, that is, that is to say, which is to say.

* es de deducir que = it follows that.

* es de destacar que = significantly.

* es de esperar = hopefully.

* es de esperar que = all being well.

* es de resaltar que = significantly.

* es de suponer que = presumably.

* ese es el asunto = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* ese es el problema = herein lies the rub, there's the rub.

* es el momento adecuado = the moment is ripe, the time is ripe.

* es el momento oportuno = the moment is ripe, the time is ripe.

* es evidente = clearly.

* es importante destacar = importantly.

* es inevitable que = inevitably.

* es interesante que = interestingly.

* es lo que a mí me parece = my two cents' worth.

* es lo que yo pienso = my two cents' worth.

* es más = more important, moreover.

* es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo = easier said than done.

* es mi opinión = my two cents' worth.

* es mi parecer = my two cents' worth.

* es por lo tanto deducible que = it therefore follows that.

* es por lo tanto de esperar que = it therefore follows that.

* es por lo tanto lógico que = it therefore follows that.

* ¡esta es tu oportunidad! = here's your chance!.

* estar siendo + Participio = be in process of + Nombre.

* evitar ser afectado = escape + unaffected.

* fue durante mucho tiempo = long remained.

* haber sido aceptado = be here to stay, have come + to stay.

* haber sido comprobado exhaustivamente = be thoroughly tested.

* la razón de ser = the reason for being.

* la verdad sea dicha = to tell the truth.

* llegar a ser = become, develop into.

* llegar a ser conocido como = become + known as.

* lo que es aun peor = worse still.

* lo que es peor = what's worse.

* lo que haya que de ser, será = que sera sera, what's meant to be, will be, whatever will be, will be.

* lo que + ser = what + be like.

* lo que tenga que ser, será = que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, what's meant to be, will be.

* merecer ser mencionado = deserve + mention.

* no ser aconsejable = be undesirable.

* no ser + Adjetivo + Infinitivo = be less than + Adjetivo + Infinitivo.

* no ser así ya = be no longer the case.

* no ser bien visto = be in the doghouse.

* no ser cobarde = be no chicken.

* no ser consciente de = remain + unaware of.

* no ser deseable = be undesirable.

* no + ser + de sorprender que = it + be + not surprising that.

* no ser fácil = be no picnic, not be easy.

* no ser gran cosa = not add up to much, add up to + nothing.

* no ser lo suficientemente bueno = not be good enough.

* no ser más que = be nothing more than, be nothing but.

* no ser nada = add up to + nothing.

* no ser nada fácil = be hard-pushed to.

* no ser ningún jovencito = be no chicken.

* no ser ni una cosa ni otra = fall between + two stools.

* no ser sino = be nothing but.

* no ser una gran pérdida = be no great loss.

* no ser un lecho de rosas = be not all roses.

* no ser verdad = be untrue.

* no somos todos iguales = one size doesn't fit all.

* no tener razón de ser + Infinitivo = there + be + no sense in + Gerundio.

* para ser específico = to be specific.

* para ser franco = in all honesty.

* para ser sincero = to be honest, in all honesty.

* pasar a ser = become, develop into.

* por ser + Adjetivo = as being + Adjetivo.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* posible de ser consultado por máquina = machine-viewable.

* posible de ser visto en pantalla = displayable.

* primer puesto + ser para = pride of place + go to.

* puede muy bien ser = could well be.

* puede muy bien ser que = it may well be that.

* que fue = one-time.

* que fue común antes = once-common.

* que ha sido abordado con preguntas = accost.

* que puede ser apilado = stacking.

* razón de ser = point, raison d'etre, rationale, sense of purpose.

* ser reconocido = gain + recognition.

* resultar ser = prove + to be, turn out to be, happen + to be.

* sea como sea = be that as it may, at all costs, at any cost, at any price, come hell or high water.

* sea cual fuere = any... whatsoever, any... whatsoever.

* sea cual fuese = any... whatsoever, any... whatsoever.

* sea cual sea el criterio utilizado = by any standard(s).

* sea lo que sea = whatever it is, be that as it may, call it what you want.

* seamos realistas = face it, let's face it.

* sean cuales sean = whatever they may be.

* sentido del ser humano = human sense.

* ser accesible a través de = be available through.

* ser aceptado = take + hold, gain + acceptance, take off.

* ser acertado = be spot on.

* ser aconsejable = be welcome, be better served by, be in order.

* ser acorde con = be commensurate with.

* ser acuciante = be acute.

* ser acusado de delito criminal = face + criminal charge.

* ser adecuado = be right, stand up, fit + the bill.

* ser + Adjetivo = get + Adjetivo.

* ser + Adjetivo + para = have + a + Adjetivo + effect on.

* ser afectado por = have + a high stake in.

* ser aficionado a = be fond of.

* ser afortunado = be lucky, strike + lucky.

* ser agradable de oír = be good to hear.

* ser agradable + Verbo = be neat to + Verbo.

* ser algo bien conocido que = it + be + a (well)-known fact that.

* ser algo bueno = be a good thing.

* ser algo completamente distinto = be nothing of the sort.

* ser algo común = be a fact of life, dominate + the scene, be a common occurrence, become + a common feature, be a part of life.

* ser Algo demasiado difícil para = be in over + Posesivo + head, be out of + Posesivo + depth.

* ser algo excepcional = be the exception rather than the rule, be in a league of its own.

* ser algo fácil = be a cinch, be a doddle, be a breeze, be a picnic, be duck soup.

* ser algo facilísimo = be a cinch, be a doddle, be a breeze, be a picnic, be duck soup.

* ser algo habitual = become + a common feature, be a fact of life.

* ser Algo imponente = loom + large.

* ser algo inevitable = the (hand)writing + be + on the wall, see it + coming.

* ser algo más profundo que = go + deeper than.

* ser algo más serio que = go + deeper than.

* ser algo (muy) bien sabido que = it + be + a (well)-known fact that.

* ser algo muy claro = be a dead giveaway.

* ser algo muy fácil de conseguir = be there for the taking.

* ser Algo muy importante = loom + large.

* ser algo muy obvio = be a dead giveaway.

* ser algo muy poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy raro = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy revelador = be a giveaway.

* ser algo natural para = be second nature to + Pronombre, come + naturally to.

* ser algo normal = be a fact of life, become + a common feature, be a part of life.

* ser algo permanente = be here to stay.

* ser algo poco común = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser algo poco conocido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo poco sabido que = it + be + a little known fact that.

* ser algo por lo que = be a matter for/of.

* ser algo por ver = be an open question.

* ser algo que no ocurre con frecuencia = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo seguro = be a cinch, be a doddle, be a breeze, be a picnic, be duck soup.

* ser algo útil para = be something in the hand for.

* ser amado = loved-one.

* ser amigo de = be buddies with.

* ser analizado como una frase = be phrase parsed.

* ser apreciado = receive + appreciation.

* ser apropiado = be right.

* ser aproximadamente + Número = be around + Número, be about + Número.

* ser arrestado = be under arrest.

* ser asequible = be available, become + available.

* ser asequible a = be amenable to.

* ser así = be the case (with), be just like that.

* ser atacado = be under attack, come under + fire, be under assault.

* ser atractivo = look + attractive, be popular in appeal.

* ser atrevido = make + a bold statement.

* ser atribuible a = be attributable to.

* ser aun más = be all the more.

* ser autosuficiente = stand on + Posesivo + own, self-serve.

* ser autosuficiente económicamente = pay + Posesivo + own way.

* ser avaricioso = have + Posesivo + cake and eat it.

* ser bienvenido = be most welcome, make + welcome, be welcome.

* ser bonito + Verbo = be neat to + Verbo.

* ser buenísimo + Gerundio = be terrific at + Gerundio.

* ser bueno = make + good + Nombre.

* ser bueno en = be good at.

* ser bueno para Alguien = be to + Posesivo + advantage.

* ser cada vez más importante = increase in + importance.

* ser capaz de = be capable of.

* ser capaz de hacer cualquier cosa por = go to + any lengths to, go to + great lengths to.

* ser característico de = be emblematic of.

* ser carísimo = cost + be prohibitive.

* ser caro = be steep.

* ser casi seguro = be a good bet.

* ser chiquito pero matón = punch above + Posesivo + weight.

* ser chulo = be cool.

* ser clavado a = be a dead ringer for.

* ser cliente de una tienda = patronise + shop.

* ser coherente = cohere.

* ser como el día y la noche = different as night and day.

* ser como hablar con la pared = be like talking to a brick wall.

* ser como mínimo = be no less than.

* ser como una esfera = wrap around.

* ser como un círculo = wrap around.

* ser como un libro abierto = be an open book.

* ser complementario el uno del otro = be integral one to another.

* ser complementarios = be integral one to another.

* ser completamente diferente = be in a different league.

* ser completo = be all inclusive.

* ser común = be the case (with).

* ser condenado a prisión = receive + prison sentence.

* ser confuso = be deceiving.

* ser conocido por = famously, have + a track record of.

* ser conocido por todos = be out in the open.

* ser consciente = sentient being.

* ser consciente de = be alive to, be aware of, be cognisant of, be mindful of/that, become + cognisant of, be aware of, realise [realize, -USA].

* ser consciente de + Posesivo + valía = be alive to + Posesivo + worth.

* ser consciente + desafortunadamente = be painfully aware of.

* ser contradictorio de = run + contrary to.

* ser contraproducente = defeat + Posesivo + purpose, blowback.

* ser contrario a = be contrary to, be hostile to.

* ser conveniente + Infinitivo = be as well + Infinitivo, be well + Infinitivo.

* ser correcto = be all right, be correct, be right.

* ser cortés con = be civil towards.

* ser costumbre = be customary.

* ser creativo = be inventive.

* ser creíble = invoke + belief.

* ser criticado = be subjected to + criticism, be (the) subject of/to criticism, take + heat, come under + fire.

* ser crucial (para) = be central (to).

* ser cuestión de = come down to.

* ser culpable = be to blame.

* ser culpable (por/de) = be at fault (for/to).

* ser dado a = be amenable to, be apt to, be given to.

* ser de = be a native of.

* ser de alto nivel = be at a high level.

* ser de armas tomar = be a (real) handful.

* ser de ayuda = be of assistance.

* ser debatible = be a moot point, be open to question, be open to debate, be at issue.

* ser de calidad = be up to snuff, be up to scratch.

* ser decisión de + Nombre = be down to + Nombre.

* ser de contenido + Adjetivo = be + Adjetivo + in content.

* ser de crecimiento rápido = be a quick grower.

* ser de difícil acceso = tuck away.

* ser de dominio público = be public domain.

* ser deficiente = be wanting.

* ser definitivo = be final.

* ser de gran ayuda para = be a boon to.

* ser de gran beneficio para = be of great benefit to.

* ser de importancia primordial = be of key importance.

* ser de importancia vital = lie at + the heart of.

* ser de interés para = be of interest (to/for).

* ser dejado en la obligación de Uno = be derelict in + duty.

* ser de la izquierda = be of the left.

* ser de la noche = night creature.

* ser de la opinión de que = be of the opinion that, be of the view that.

* ser del gusto de Uno = be to + Posesivo + taste.

* ser del orden de + Número = be of the order of + Número.

* ser de los que piensan que = subscribe to + view.

* ser demasiado = be over-provided, be a mouthful.

* ser demasiado + Adjetivo = be too + Adjetivo + by half.

* ser demasiado complaciente = lean over + too far backwards.

* ser demasiado común = be all too common.

* ser demasiado para = be too much for, be too much for.

* ser demasiado precavido = err + on the side of caution.

* ser demasiado preciso = put + too fine a point on, split + hairs.

* ser demasiado quisquilloso = put + too fine a point on, split + hairs.

* ser demasiado tarde para echar atrás = reach + the point of no return.

* ser de mucho uso = take + Nombre + a long way.

* ser de número limitado = be limited in number.

* ser de origen + Adjetivo = be + Adjetivo + in origin.

* ser de poco valor = be of little use, be of little value.

* ser de primera categoría = be top notch.

* ser de raza negra o de piel morena = be coloured.

* ser de sabios = be a point of wisdom.

* ser desacertado = miss + the mark, miss + the point.

* ser desastroso = spell + bad news, be a shambles, be (in) a mess.

* ser desconocido para = be alien to.

* ser descorazonador = be dispiriting.

* ser desoído = be unheeded.

* ser despiadado = play + hardball.

* ser detenido = be under arrest.

* ser de un solo uso = be a one-trip pony.

* ser de un tipo diferente = be different in kind, differ in + kind (from).

* ser de un valor especial = be of particular value.

* ser de uso general = be in general use, be generally available.

* ser de utilidad = be of use.

* ser de utilidad a = be of service to.

* ser diestro en = be skilled at.

* ser difícil = be a stretch.

* ser difícil de bregar = be a (real) handful.

* ser difícil de conseguir = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de creer = beggar + belief.

* ser difícil de encontrar = be hard to find.

* ser difícil de lograr = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de superar = take + some beating.

* ser digno de = merit.

* ser digno de admiración = deserve + admiration.

* ser digno de crítica = merit + a critical eye.

* ser digno de + Infinitivo = be worth + Gerundio.

* ser diplomático = say + the right thing.

* ser discutible = be open to question, be open to debate, be at issue.

* ser dogmático = be dogmatic.

* ser dos mundos completamente distintos = be poles apart.

* ser dudoso = be doubtful.

* ser duro = play + hardball.

* ser eficaz para + Infinitivo = be efficient at + Gerundio.

* ser el acabóse = take + the biscuit, take + the cake, be the limit.

* ser el alma de = be the life of, be the life and soul of.

* ser el asunto = be the point.

* ser el beneficiario de = be on the receiving end of.

* ser el blanco de = be a pushover for.

* ser el blanco de las críticas = come under + fire.

* ser el canalizador de = be the conduit for.

* ser el capitán = skipper, captain.

* ser el caso (de) = be the case (with).

* ser el centro de atención = steal + the limelight, steal + the show, cut + a dash.

* ser el centro de todas las miradas = cut + a dash.

* ser el colmo = be the last straw, bring + the situation to a head, take + the biscuit, take + the cake, be the limit.

* ser el contrincante más débil = punch above + Posesivo + weight.

* ser el culo del mundo = be the pits.

* ser elegido = get in.

* ser elevado = be steep.

* ser el éxito de la fiesta = steal + the limelight, steal + the show.

* ser el fin de = sign + a death warrant (for).

* ser el jefe = be in charge, call + the shots, be the boss, call + the tune, rule + the roost.

* ser el límite = be the limit.

* ser el mandamás = call + the shots, be the boss, call + the tune, rule + the roost.

* ser el más afectado por = bear + the brunt of.

* ser el máximo = be the limit.

* ser el momento clave = mark + the watershed.

* ser el momento (de) = be the time to.

* ser el momento decisivo = mark + the watershed.

* ser el momento de/para = it + be + time to/for.

* ser el objetivo de Uno = be in business for.

* ser el orgullo de = be the pride and joy of.

* ser el origen de = provide + the material for.

* ser el paraje natural de = be home to.

* ser el preludio = usher in.

* ser el primero = be second to none, come out on + top.

* ser el primero en = lead + the way in.

* ser el primero en + Infinitivo = take + the lead in + Gerundio.

* ser el punto de partida de = form + the basis of.

* ser el punto más débil de Alguien = be at + Posesivo + weakest.

* ser el punto más flaco de Alguien = be at + Posesivo + weakest.

* ser el que con mayor frecuencia = be (the) most likely to.

* ser el que con menor frecuencia = be (the) least likely to.

* ser el resultado de = follow from, result from.

* ser el segundo de a bordo = play + second fiddle.

* ser el último grito = be all the rage.

* ser el último mono ser el último mono = feel + pulled and tugged.

* ser emblemático de = be emblematic of.

* ser en balde = be of no avail, be to no avail.

* ser en cierto modo un + Nombre = be something of a + Nombre.

* ser en vano = be of no avail, be to no avail.

* ser enviado a = have + the lead to.

* ser equiparable a = be commensurate with.

* ser erróneo = be wide of the mark, be wrong.

* ser escaso = be few and far between, be in short supply.

* ser esclavo de = be slave to.

* ser estupendo = sound + great, be fine and dandy.

* ser estúpido = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* ser exigente al elegir = pick and choose.

* ser exigente al escoger = pick and choose.

* ser experto en = be skilled at.

* ser expulsado de = be dropped from.

* ser extraño para = be alien to.

* ser extremadamente + Adjetivo = be too + Adjetivo + by half.

* ser fácil = be easy.

* ser fácil de conseguir = be readily available.

* ser facilísimo = be a snap, be a piece of cake.

* ser factible de = be amenable to.

* ser familiar = strike + familiar chords, ring + a bell.

* ser famoso = gain + recognition, be popular.

* ser famoso por = famously, have + a track record of.

* ser favorable = be a plus.

* ser ficticio = be fiction.

* ser fiel a = cleave to.

* ser fructífero = come to + fruition.

* ser goloso = have + a sweet tooth.

* ser grosero con = be abusive of.

* ser hábil para = be adroit at.

* ser habitual = be customary.

* ser harina de otro costal = be a different kettle of fish.

* ser hipertenso = be hyper.

* ser hora de = it + be + time to/for.

* ser hora de definirse = time to climb off the fence.

* ser hora de irse = be time to go.

* ser hora de marcharse = be time to go.

* ser hora ya de que = be about time (that), be high time (that/to/for).

* ser humilde = hide + Posesivo + light under a bushel.

* sería mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

* ser ideal = suit + best, be just the thing, be just the ticket, be just the job.

* ser ideal para Uno = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley, be + Posesivo + cup of tea.

* ser idóneo para = be suited to.

* ser ignorado = be unheeded.

* ser igual a = be equivalent to, equal.

* ser igual que = amount to + the same thing as.

* ser ilegal = be against the law.

* ser ilimitado = be boundless.

* ser implacable = play + hardball.

* ser imponente = be awe-inspiring.

* ser importante = be of importance, make + a difference, be of consequence.

* ser importantísimo = make + all the difference in the world, make + difference in the world.

* ser importantísimo (para) = be central (to).

* ser imposible = be dead meat.

* ser imprescindible = be a must.

* ser improcedente = be out of order.

* ser imprudente = be reckless.

* ser inalterable = set in + stone, set in + tablets of stone.

* ser incapaz de = be unable to.

* ser incoherente = Negativo + hold + water.

* ser incompatible (con) = be irreconcilable (with).

* ser inconsistente = Negativo + hold + water.

* ser increíble = beggar + belief.

* ser independiente = go + Posesivo + own way, stew in + Posesivo + own juice, stand on + Posesivo + own (two) feet.

* ser indescriptible = beggar + description.

* ser indispensable = be a must.

* ser ineficaz = fire + blanks.

* ser infundado = be unfounded.

* ser inherente a = inhere in.

* ser inimaginable = beggar + imagination.

* ser inminente = be on the cards.

* ser inmune a = be immune from, be immune against.

* ser innovador = break + new ground, break + ground.

* ser innumerable = be without number, be legion.

* ser innumerables = run into + the thousands.

* ser insignificante = pale into + insignificance, stick + Algo + on a pin-point, be of no consequence.

* ser insignificante de = be slight in.

* ser inteligente = be talented.

* ser interesante = be of interest (to/for).

* ser interesante + Infinitivo = be as well + Infinitivo, be well + Infinitivo.

* ser interesante + Verbo = be neat to + Verbo.

* ser interminable = there + be + no end to.

* ser intransigente = play + hardball.

* ser inútil = fire + blanks.

* ser irrespetuoso con = disrespect, diss.

* ser justo = play + fair.

* ser justo con todos = give the devil his due.

* ser justo hasta con el diablo = give the devil his due.

* ser justo lo que se necesita = be just the thing, be just the ticket, be just the job.

* ser justo lo que Uno necesita = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley.

* ser justo que = there + be + justice in.

* ser juzgado = stand + trial, stand for + trial.

* ser la abreviatura de = be short for.

* ser la base de = be at the core of, form + the basis of, be at the heart of.

* ser la ciudad de = be home to.

* ser la clave de = hold + the key to.

* ser la comidilla del barrio = be the talk of the town.

* ser la comidilla del pueblo = be the talk of the town.

* ser la consecuencia de = follow from, result from.

* ser la costumbre = be customary.

* ser la cuestión = be the point.

* ser la culminación de Algo = represent + the culmination of, mark + the culmination of.

* ser la culpa de = be the fault of.

* ser la debilidad de Alguien = be a sucker for.

* ser la elección lógica = be a/the natural choice.

* ser la elección natural = be a/the natural choice.

* ser la excepción = be the exception.

* ser la excepción a la regla = constitute + the exception to the rule.

* ser la excepción que confirma la regla = be the exception rather than the rule.

* ser la forma abreviada de = be short for.

* ser la forma de = be a recipe for.

* ser la fórmula para = be a recipe for.

* ser la gota que colma el vaso = bring + the situation to a head.

* ser la idea central de = be at the core of, be at the heart of.

* ser la imagen de = be a picture of.

* ser la intención = be the intention.

* ser la intención de uno = be + Posesivo + intention.

* ser la manera de = be a recipe for.

* ser la materia prima de = be grist to + Posesivo + mill.

* ser la mayoría = be in the majority.

* ser la mejor alternativa = be the best bet.

* ser la mejor manera de = be the conduit for.

* ser lamentable = be a pity.

* ser la minoría = be in the minority.

* ser la norma = be the norm, be the rule, become + the norm.

* ser la novedad = be on the scene.

* ser la obra de = be the work of.

* ser la persona ideal para = be the best placed to.

* ser la persona más indicada para = be in a position to.

* ser la propia responsabilidad de Alguien = be of + Posesivo + own making.

* ser la prueba de fuego de Algo = test + Nombre + to the limit.

* ser la punta de lanza de = spearhead.

* ser la razón de = lie at + the root of.

* ser la representación misma de = be a picture of.

* ser la responsabilidad de = be the responsibility of.

* ser la responsabilidad de Alguien + Infinitivo = it + lie with + Nombre/Pronombre + to + Infinitivo.

* ser la última palabra = be all the rage.

* ser la última persona del mundo que + Infinitivo = be one of the last people in the world to + Infinitivo.

* ser lector de una biblioteca = library membership.

* ser lento = be slow off the mark, be slow off the blocks.

* ser líder en = take + the lead in + Gerundio.

* ser lo de Uno = be cut out for, be (right) up + Posesivo + alley.

* ser lo más parecido a = be as close as we come to.

* ser lo mismo = be one and the same.

* ser lo normal = be the order of the day.

* ser lo principal de = be at the core of, be at the heart of.

* ser lo que a Uno le encanta = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley.

* ser lo que a Uno le gusta = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley, be + Posesivo + cup of tea.

* ser lo que a Uno le interesa = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley, be + Posesivo + cup of tea.

* ser lo que a Uno le va = be (right) up + Posesivo + alley.

* ser lo que a Uno más le gusta = be + Posesivo + big scene.

* ser lo que nos espera = be the shape of things to come.

* ser lo suficientemente + Adjetivo + como para = be + Adjetivo + enough to.

* ser lo suficientemente comprensivo = go + far enough.

* ser lo suficientemente conocido como para que = be sufficiently well known for.

* serlo todo para todos = be all things to all men, be all things to all people.

* ser lo último = be all the rage, be the pits.

* ser lo último en = become + the next stop in.

* ser lo último en lo que + pensar = be the last thing of + Posesivo + mind.

* ser lo último que + ocurrir + a Alguien = be the last thing of + Posesivo + mind.

* ser magnífico + Gerundio = be terrific at + Gerundio.

* ser malo = be a joke, spell + bad news, make + poor + Nombre.

* ser maravilloso = sound + great.

* ser más astuto que = outfox, outwit, outsmart.

* ser más interno = inner being.

* ser más un + Nombre = be more of a + Nombre.

* ser mayor = be older.

* ser mejor en = be better at.

* ser mejor que = be superior to, compare + favourably.

* ser mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

* ser menor = be less.

* ser menos + Adjetivo = be less of a(n) + Nombre.

* ser mínimo = be at a minimum.

* ser mirado de forma extraña = get + some funny looks.

* ser modesto = hide + Posesivo + light under a bushel.

* ser molesto = be disturbing.

* ser moroso = be in default.

* ser motivador = be motivating.

* ser motivo de preocupación = loom + large.

* ser mucho = be a mouthful.

* ser mucho más = be all the more.

* ser mucho más que = be far more than.

* ser muy aconsejable que = be well advised to.

* ser muy alto = be metres high.

* ser muy amigo de = be pally with.

* ser muy antiguo = go ba

* * *

SER

/ser/

feminine

= Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión

* * *

ser ( conjugate ser) cópula
1 ( seguido de adjetivos) to be
◊ ser expresses identity or nature as opposed to condition or state, which is normally conveyed by estar. The examples given below should be contrasted with those to be found in estar 1 cópula 1 es bajo/muy callado he's short/very quiet;

es sorda de nacimiento she was born deaf;
es inglés/católico he's English/(a) Catholic;
era cierto it was true;
sé bueno, estate quieto be a good boy and keep still;
que seas muy feliz I hope you'll be very happy;

(+ me/te/le etc)
◊ siempre le he sido fiel I've always been faithful to her;

ver tb imposible, difícil etc
2 ( hablando de estado civil) to be;
◊ el mayor es casado the oldest is married;

es viuda she's a widow;
ver tb estar 1 cópula 2
3 (seguido de nombre, pronombre) to be;
◊ soy abogada I'm a lawyer;

ábreme, soy yo open the door, it's me
4 (con predicado introducido por `de'):
◊ esos zapatos son de plástico those shoes are (made of) plastic;

soy de Córdoba I'm from Cordoba;
es de los vecinos it belongs to the neighbors, it's the neighbors';
no soy de aquí I'm not from around here
5 (hipótesis, futuro):
◊ será un error it must be a mistake;

¿será cierto? can it be true?
verbo intransitivo
1
a) ( existir) to be

b) (liter) ( en cuentos):

◊ érase una vez … once upon a time there was …

2
a) (tener lugar, ocurrir):

◊ la fiesta va a ser en su casa the party is going to be (held) at her house;

¿dónde fue el accidente? where did the accident happen?
b) ( en preguntas):

◊ ¿qué habrá sido de él? I wonder what happened to o what became of him;

¿qué es de Marisa? (fam) what's Marisa up to (these days)? (colloq);
¿qué va a ser de nosotros? what will become of us?
3 ( sumar):
◊ ¿cuánto es (todo)? how much is that (altogether)?;

son 3.000 pesos that'll be o that's 3,000 pesos;
somos diez en total there are ten of us altogether
4 (indicando finalidad, adecuación) ser para algo to be for sth;
◊ este agua es para beber this water is for drinking

( en locs)
◊ a no ser que (+ subj) unless;

¿cómo es eso? why is that?, how come? (colloq);
como/cuando/donde sea: tengo que conseguir ese trabajo como sea I have to get that job no matter what;
hazlo como sea, pero hazlo do it any way o however you want but get it done;
el lunes o cuando sea next Monday or whenever;
puedo dormir en el sillón o donde sea I can sleep in the armchair or wherever you like o anywhere you like;
de ser así (frml) should this be so o the case (frml);
¡eso es! that's it!, that's right!;
es que …: ¿es que no lo saben? do you mean to say they don't know?;
es que no sé nadar the thing is I can't swim;
lo que sea: cómete una manzana, o lo que sea have an apple or something;
estoy dispuesta a hacer lo que sea I'm prepared to do whatever it takes;
o sea: en febrero, o sea hace un mes in February, that is to say a month ago;
o sea que no te interesa in other words, you're not interested;
o sea que nunca lo descubriste so you never found out;
(ya) sea …, (ya) sea … either …, or …;
sea como sea at all costs;
sea cuando sea whenever it is;
sea donde sea no matter where;
sea quien sea whoever it is;
si no fuera/hubiera sido por … if it wasn't o weren't/hadn't been for …
( en el tiempo) to be;
◊ ¿qué fecha es hoy? what's the date today?, what's today's date;

serían las cuatro cuando llegó it must have been (about) four (o'clock) when she arrived;
ver tb v impers
ser v impers to be;
◊ era primavera it was spring(time)

ser v aux ( en la voz pasiva) to be;
fue construido en 1900 it was built in 1900
■ sustantivo masculino
1
a) ( ente) being;

◊ ser humano/vivo human/living being

b) (individuo, persona):

◊ un ser querido a loved one

2 ( naturaleza):
◊ desde lo más profundo de mi ser from the bottom of my heart

ser
I sustantivo masculino
1 being: es un ser despreciable, he's despicable
ser humano, human being
ser vivo, living being
2 (esencia) essence: eso forma parte de su ser, that is part of him
II verbo intransitivo
1 (cualidad) to be: eres muy modesto, you are very modest
2 (fecha) to be: hoy es lunes, today is Monday
ya es la una, it's one o'clock
3 (cantidad) eran unos cincuenta, there were about fifty people
(al pagar) ¿cuánto es?, how much is it?
son doscientas, it is two hundred pesetas
Mat dos y tres son cinco, two and three make five
4 (causa) aquella mujer fue su ruina, that woman was his ruin
5 (oficio) to be a(n): Elvira es enfermera, Elvira is a nurse
6 (pertenencia) esto es mío, that's mine
es de Pedro, it is Pedro's
7 (afiliación) to belong: es del partido, he's a member of the party
es un chico del curso superior, he is a boy from the higher year
8 (origen) es de Málaga, she is from Málaga
¿de dónde es esta fruta? where does this fruit come from?
9 (composición, material) to be made of: este jersey no es de lana, this sweater is not (made of) wool
10 ser de, (afinidad, comparación) lo que hizo fue de tontos, what she did was a foolish thing
11 (existir) Madrid ya no es lo que era, Madrid isn't what it used to be
12 (suceder) ¿qué fue de ella?, what became of her?
13 (tener lugar) to be: esta tarde es el entierro, the funeral is this evening 14 ser para, (finalidad) to be for: es para pelar patatas, it's for peeling potatoes
(adecuación, aptitud) no es una película para niños, the film is not suitable for children
esta vida no es para ti, this kind of life is not for you
15 (efecto) era para llorar, it was painful
es (como) para darle una bofetada, it makes me want to slap his face
no es para tomárselo a broma, it is no joke
16 (auxiliar en pasiva) to be: fuimos rescatados por la patrulla de la Cruz Roja, we were rescued by the Red Cross patrol
17 ser de (+ infinitivo) era de esperar que se marchase, it was to be expected that she would leave
♦ Locuciones: a no ser que, unless
como sea, anyhow
de no ser por..., had it not been for
es más, furthermore
es que..., it's just that...
lo que sea, whatever
o sea, that is (to say)
sea como sea, in any case o be that as it may
ser de lo que no hay, to be the limit
' ser' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- acceder
- además
- aficionada
- aficionado
- alardear
- alcanzar
- alimentar
- alta
- alto
- ambicionar
- antigüedad
- aparición
- arma
- atinar
- atorarse
- aúpa
- babear
- básica
- básico
- bendición
- caber
- cacho
- cada
- cafetera
- cafetero
- calco
- callo
- canela
- cansada
- cansado
- cantar
- capaz
- capirote
- carácter
- cardo
- carne
- carné
- caso
- cero
- colarse
- comida
- comidilla
- comido
- conmigo
- conquistador
- conquistadora
- contagiarse
- contemplar
- contienda
English:
accountable
- addicted
- adjust
- allow
- allowance
- ambition
- amount to
- anathema
- anomaly
- arduous
- around
- aspire
- aware
- bad
- be
- beating
- being
- belong
- betray
- big
- bill
- bind over
- bird
- booby trap
- boring
- bounce
- can
- carry
- catch up
- cerebral
- ceremonial
- ceremony
- charm
- chip
- claim
- come into
- come under
- connoisseur
- court
- degree
- deserve
- destroy
- differ
- do
- dodger
- doubly
- due
- ear
- easy
- edit

* * *

ser The auxiliary verb ser is used with the past participle of a verb to form the passive (e.g. la película fue criticada the movie was criticized).

♦ v aux
[para formar la voz pasiva] to be;
fue visto por un testigo he was seen by a witness;

la propuesta es debatida o [m5] está siendo debatida en el parlamento the proposal is being debated in parliament

♦ v copulativo

1. [con adjetivos, sustantivos, pronombres] [indica cualidad, identidad, condición] to be;

es alto/gracioso he's tall/funny;

soy chileno/chiapaneco I'm Chilean/from Chiapas;

es azul/difícil it's blue/difficult;

sé discreta/paciente be discreet/patient;

es un amigo/el dueño he's a friend/the owner;

son unos amigos míos they're friends of mine;

es el cartero/tu madre it's the postman o US mailman/your mother;

soy yo, ábreme open up, it's me;

soy Víctor [al teléfono] it's Víctor;

la casa es aquella de ahí the house is that one over there;

es un tipo muy simpático he's a very nice guy;

¿es eso verdad? is that true?;

eso no es cierto that isn't true;

es obvio que le gustas it's obvious that he likes you;

no es necesario ir it isn't necessary to go;

es posible que llueva it may rain;

no está mal para ser de segunda mano it's not bad considering it's second-hand;

no pierde sus derechos por ser inmigrante just because he's an immigrant doesn't mean he doesn't have any rights;

te lo dejo en la mitad por ser tú seeing as o because it's you, I'll let you have it half-price;

por ser usted, señora, 15 euros to you, madam, 15 euros;

que seas muy feliz I wish you every happiness, I hope you'll be very happy;

¡será imbécil el tipo! the guy must be stupid!;

este restaurante ya no es lo que era this restaurant isn't as good as it used to be o isn't what it used to be;
RP Fam
ser loco por algo to be wild about sth

2. [con sustantivos, adjetivos] [indica empleo, dedicación, estado civil, religión] to be;

soy abogado/actriz I'm a lawyer/an actress;

son estudiantes they're students;

para ser juez hay que trabajar mucho you have to work very hard to be o become a judge;

es padre de tres hijos he's a father of three;

es soltero/casado/divorciado he's single/married/divorced;

era viuda she was a widow;

son budistas/protestantes they are Buddhists/Protestants;

el que fuera gobernador del estado the former governor of the state;

Comp
Am Fam
¿tú eres o te haces? are you stupid or what?;

Comp
RP Fam
¿vos sos o te hacés? are you stupid or what?

3. [con "de"] [indica material, origen, propiedad]
ser de [estar hecho de] to be made of;
[provenir de] to be from; [pertenecer a] to belong to;
un juguete que es todo de madera a completely wooden toy, a toy made completely of wood;

¿de dónde eres? where are you from?;

estas pilas son de una linterna these batteries are from a torch;

¿es de usted este abrigo? is this coat yours?, does this coat belong to you?;

los juguetes son de mi hijo the toys are my son's;

portarse así es de cobardes only cowards behave like that, it's cowardly to behave like that

4. [con "de"] [indica pertenencia a grupo]
ser de [club, asociación, partido] to be a member of;

¿de qué equipo eres? [aficionado] which team o who do you support?;

soy del Barcelona I support Barcelona;

ser de los que… to be one of those people who…;

ése es de los que están en huelga he is one of those on strike;

no es de las que se asustan por cualquier cosa she's not one to get scared easily

♦ vi

1. [ocurrir, tener lugar] to be;

fue aquí it was here;

¿cuándo es la boda? when's the wedding?;

la final era ayer the final was yesterday;

¿cómo fue lo de tu accidente? how did your accident happen?;

¿qué fue de aquel amigo tuyo? what happened to that friend of yours?;

¿qué es de Pablo? how's Pablo (getting on)?

2. [constituir, consistir en] to be;

fue un acierto que nos quedáramos en casa we were right to stay at home;

lo importante es decidirse the important thing is to reach a decision;

su ambición era dar la vuelta al mundo her ambition was to travel round the world;

tratar así de mal a la gente es buscarse problemas treating people so badly is asking for trouble

3. [con fechas, horas] to be;

¿qué (día) es hoy? what day is it today?, what's today?;

hoy es jueves today's Thursday, it's Thursday today;

¿qué (fecha) es hoy? what's the date today?, what date is it today?;

mañana será 15 de julio tomorrow (it) will be 15 July;

¿qué hora es? what time is it?, what's the time?;

son las tres (de la tarde) it's three o'clock (in the afternoon), it's three (pm);

serán o [m5] deben de ser las tres it must be three (o'clock)

4. [con precios] to be;

¿cuánto es? how much is it?;

son 300 pesos that'll be 300 pesos;

¿a cómo son esos tomates? how much are those tomatoes?

5. [con cifras, en operaciones] to be;

ellos eran unos 500 there were about 500 of them;

11 por 100 son 1.100 11 times 100 is 1,100

6. [servir, ser adecuado]
ser para to be for;

este trapo es para (limpiar) las ventanas this cloth is for (cleaning) the windows;

este libro es para niños this book is for children;

la ciudad no es para mí the city isn't for me

7. [con "de" más infinitivo] [indica necesidad, posibilidad]
es de desear que… it is to be hoped that…;

era de esperar que pasara algo así it was to be expected that something like that would happen;

es de suponer que aparecerá presumably, he'll turn up;

es de temer cuando se enoja she's really scary when she gets angry

8. [para recalcar, poner énfasis]
ése es el que me lo contó he's the one who told me;

lo que es a mí, no me llamaron they certainly didn't call me, they didn't call me, anyway;

¿es que ya no te acuerdas? don't you remember any more, then?, you mean you don't remember any more?

9. [indica excusa, motivo]
es que no me hacen caso but o the thing is they don't listen to me;

es que no vine porque estaba enfermo the reason I didn't come is that I was ill, I didn't come because I was ill, you see;

¿cómo es que no te han avisado? how come they didn't tell you?

10. Literario [existir]
Platón, uno de los grandes sabios que en el mundo han sido Plato, one of the wisest men ever to walk this earth

11. [en frases]
a no ser que venga unless she comes;

tengo que conseguirlo (sea) como sea I have to get it one way or another;

hay que evitar (sea) como sea que se entere we have to prevent her from finding out at all costs o no matter what;

hazlo cuando sea do it whenever;

de no ser/haber sido por… if it weren't/hadn't been for…;

de no ser por él no estaríamos vivos if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be alive;

de no ser así otherwise;

de ser así if that should happen;

déjalo donde sea leave it anywhere o wherever;

érase una vez, érase que se era once upon a time;

dile lo que sea, da igual tell her anything o whatever, it doesn't make any difference;

haré lo que sea para recuperar mi dinero I will do whatever it takes o anything to get my money back;

se enfadó, y no era para menos she got angry, and not without reason;

no sea que…, no vaya a ser que… in case…;

la llamaré ahora no sea que luego me olvide I'll call her now in case I forget later;

Estados Unidos y Japón, o sea, las dos economías mundiales más importantes the United States and Japan, that is to say o in other words, the two most important economies in the world;

50 euros, o sea unas 8.300 pesetas 50 euros, that's about 8,300 pesetas;

o sea que no quieres venir so you don't want to come then?;

por si fuera poco as if that wasn't enough;

habla con quien sea talk to anyone;

sea quien sea no abras la puerta don't open the door, whoever it is;

si no fuera/hubiera sido por… if it weren't/hadn't been for…;
Am
siendo que… seeing that o as…, given that…;
Am
siendo que tienes la plata, cómprate el vestido más caro seeing as o since you've got the money, buy yourself the more expensive dress

♦ v impersonal
[indica tiempo] to be;
es muy tarde it's rather late;

era de noche/de día it was night/day

♦ nm

1. [ente] being;

seres de otro planeta beings from another planet

Comp
ser humano human being;
Ser Supremo Supreme Being;

los seres vivos living things

2. [persona] person;

sus seres queridos his loved ones

3. [existencia]
mis padres me dieron el ser my parents gave me my life

4. [esencia, naturaleza] being;

la quiero con todo mi ser I love her with all my being o soul

* * *

SER

f abr (= Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión) network of independent Spanish radio stations

* * *

ser {77} vi

1) : to be

él es mi hermano: he is my brother

Camila es linda: Camila is pretty

2) : to exist, to live

ser, o no ser: to be or not to be

3) : to take place, to occur

el concierto es el domingo: the concert is on Sunday

4) (used with expressions of time, date, season)

son las diez: it's ten o'clock

hoy es el 9: today's the 9th

5) : to cost, to come to

¿cuánto es?: how much is it?

6) (with the future tense) : to be able to be

¿será posible?: can it be possible?

7)

ser de : to come from

somos de Managua: we're from Managua

8)

ser de : to belong to

ese lápiz es de Juan: that's Juan's pencil

9)

es que : the thing is that

es que no lo conozco: it's just that I don't know him

10)

¡sea! : agreed!, all right!

11)

sea... sea : either... or

ser v aux (used in passive constructions) : to be

la cuenta ha sido pagada: the bill has been paid

él fue asesinado: he was murdered

ser nm

: being

ser humano: human being

* * *

ser¹ n (ente) being

ser humano human being

ser vivo living creature

ser² vb

1. (en general) to be

mi amigo es alemán my friend is German

es médico he's a doctor

el cuadro es de Picasso the painting is by Picasso

cinco más cinco son diez five plus five are ten

serán quince euros that'll be fifteen euros

somos cinco there are five of us

la fiesta es el sábado the party is on Saturday

el presidente fue asesinado the president was murdered

2. (estar hecho) to be made

la mesa es de madera the table is made of wood

3. (pertenecer) to belong

este libro es de María this book belongs to María / this book is María's

a no ser que unless

a no ser que llueva unless it rains

érase una vez once upon a time

Spanish-English dictionary > ser
5 por

prep.

1 because of (causa).

por mí no te preocupes don't worry about me

¿por qué? why?

¿por qué lo dijo? why did she say it?

¿por qué no vienes? why don't you come?

¿por? (informal) why?

se enfadó por tu comportamiento she got angry because of your behavior

lo hizo por amor he did it out of o for love

2 (in order) to.

lo hizo por complacerte he did it to please you

lo hice por ella I did it for her

3 by (medio, modo, agente).

por mensajero/fax/teléfono by courier/fax/telephone

estuvimos hablando por teléfono we were talking on the phone

por escrito in writing

lo cogieron por el brazo they took him by the arm

el récord fue batido por el atleta the record was broken by the athlete

4 through.

vamos por aquí/allí let's go this/that way

iba paseando por el bosque/la calle she was walking through the forest/along the street

pasar por la aduana to go through customs

5 for (a cambio de, en lugar de).

lo ha comprado por poco dinero she bought it for very little

cambió el coche por la moto he exchanged his car for a motorbike

él lo hará por mí he'll do it for me

6 per.

80 céntimos por unidad 80 cents each

mil unidades por semana a thousand units a o per week

uno por uno one by one

20 kms por hora 20 km an o per hour

7 for.

baja por tabaco go down to the shops for some cigarettes, go down to get some cigarettes

a por for

vino a por las entradas she came for the tickets

8 times, multiplied by.

* * *

por

► preposición

1 (gen) for

■ lo hice por ti I did it for you

■ lo compré por dos euros I bought it for two euros

2 (a través de) through, by

■ entra por la puerta trasera come in by the back door

■ pasamos por Valladolid we went through Valladolid

■ iremos por la autopista we'll go on the motorway

3 (calle, carretera) along, down, up

■ íbamos por la calle cuando... we were walking along the street when...

■ subí por la Calle Jovellanos I went up Jovellanos Street

4 (lugar aproximado) in, near, round

■ anda por el edificio he's somewhere in the building

■ está por la Plaza Mayor it's somewhere near the Plaza Mayor

■ está por aquí it's somewhere round here

5 (causa) because of

■ las plantas han muerto por el frío the plants have died because of the cold

■ suspendieron el concierto por la lluvia they cancelled the concert because of the rain

6 (tiempo) at, for

■ nos veremos por vacaciones I'll see you during the holidays

7 (medio) by

■ lo enviaré por avión I'll send it by air

■ está hablando por teléfono he's on the phone

■ llegó por correo it arrived by post

8 (autoría) by

■ fue escrito por Azorín it was written by Azorín

9 (distribución) per

■ cinco por ciento five per cent

■ tocamos a dieciocho euros por persona it works out at eighteen euros per person

■ iba a veinte kilómetros por hora it was going at twenty kilometres an hour

10 (tras) by

■ registraron la cárcel celda por celda they searched the prison cell by cell

■ les interrogó uno por uno he interrogated each one in turn

11 (con pasiva) by

■ fue comprado por la reina it was bought by the queen

12 (a favor de) for, in favour of, US in favor of

■ estoy por una amnistía general I'm in favour of a general amnesty

13 (en calidad de) as

■ la tomó por esposa he took her as his wife

14 (en lugar de) instead of, in the place of

■ ve tú por mi you go in my place

15 (multiplicado por) times, multiplied by

■ tres por cuatro, doce three fours are twelve, three times four is twelve

16 por adjective que no matter how adjective

■ por caro que sea, lo voy a comprar no matter how expensive it is I'm going to buy it

■ por viejo que parezca funciona even though it looks old, it still works

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

estar por + inf (a punto de) to be on the point of + - ing

estar por hacer to remain to be done, not to have been done yet

por aquí around here

por lo tanto therefore

por lo visto apparently

por más que + subjuntivo however much, no matter how much

por mucho que + subjuntivo however much, no matter how much

por mí as far as I am concerned

¿por qué? why?

por supuesto of course

por tanto therefore, so

* * *

prep.

1) for

2) during

3) by

4) through

5) along

6) around

7) per

8) from

9) because of

10) instead of

•

- ¿por qué?

- por si acaso

* * *

PREPOSICIÓN

1) [causa]

a) + sustantivo because of

tuvo que suspenderse por el mal tiempo — it had to be cancelled because of the weather

no se realizó por escasez de fondos — it didn't go ahead because of a shortage of funding

• nos encontramos por casualidad — we met by chance

• lo hago por gusto — I do it because I like to

• fue por necesidad — it was out of necessity

• por temor a — for fear of

no se lo dijo por temor a ofenderla — he didn't tell her for fear of offending her

b) + infin

no aprobó por no haber estudiado — he didn't pass because he hadn't studied

por venir tarde se perdió la mitad — because he arrived late he missed half of it

me castigaron por mentir — I was punished for lying

c) + adj

le expulsaron por revoltoso — they expelled him for being a troublemaker

lo dejó por imposible — he gave it up as (being) impossible

esto te pasa por tonto — this is what you get for being stupid

2) [objetivo]

a) + sustantivo for

trabajar por dinero — to work for money

daría lo que fuera por un poco de tranquilidad — I'd give anything for a bit of peace and quiet

brindemos por nuestro futuro — let's drink to our future

b) + infin

lo hizo por complacerle — he did it to please her

por no llegar tarde — so as not to arrive late, in order not to be late

hablar por hablar — to talk for the sake of talking

3) (=en favor, defensa de) for

lo hice por mis padres — I did it for my parents

hazlo por mí — do it for me, do it for my sake

luchar por la patria — to fight for one's country

4) [elección]

su amor por la pintura — his love of painting

está loca por ti — she's crazy about you

no sabía por cuál decidirme — I couldn't decide which to choose

5) [evidencia] judging by, judging from

por lo que dicen — judging by o from what they say

por la cara que pone no debe de gustarle — judging by o from his face I don't think he likes it

por las señas no piensa hacerlo — apparently he's not intending to do it, it doesn't seem like he's intending to do it

6) [medio]

por su propia mano — by his own hand

lo obtuve por un amigo — I got it through a friend

la conozco por mi hermano — I know her through my brother

• por correo — by post

• por mar — by sea

• hablar por señas — to use sign language

7) [agente] by

hecho por él — done by him

"dirigido por" — "directed by"

fueron apresados por la policía — they were captured by the police

8) [modo] by

me agarró por el brazo — he grabbed me by the arm

punto por punto — point by point

buscaron casa por casa — they searched house by house

están dispuestos por tamaños — they are arranged according to size o by size

• por orden alfabético — in alphabetical order

9) [lugar]

se va por ahí — it's that way

¿por dónde? — which way?

ir a Bilbao por Santander — to go to Bilbao via Santander

cruzar la frontera por Canfranc — to cross the border at Canfranc

pasar por Madrid — to go through Madrid

se asomaron por la ventana — they leaned out of the window

iban cantando por la calle — they were walking along the street singing

paseábamos por la playa — we were walking along the beach

por todas partes — everywhere

por todo el país — throughout the country

viajar por el mundo — to travel (around) the world

10) [aproximación]

busca por ahí — look over there

viven por esta zona — they live around here

por aquí cerca — near o around here

aquello ocurrió por abril — it happened around April

por la feria — round about o around carnival time

está por el norte — it's somewhere up north

11) [tiempo]

se levanta por la mañana temprano — she gets up early in the morning

por la mañana siempre tengo mucho trabajo — I always have a lot of work in o during the morning

no sale por la noche — he doesn't go out at night

12) [duración] for

será por poco tiempo — it won't be for long

se quedarán por 15 días — they will stay for a fortnight

13) [sustitución, intercambio] (=a cambio de) for; (=en lugar de) instead of

te doy este por aquel — I'll swap you this one for that one

le dieron uno nuevo por el viejo — they gave him a new one (in exchange) for the old one

lo vendí por 15 dólares — I sold it for 15 dollars

me dieron 13 francos por una libra — I got 13 francs to the pound

hoy doy yo la clase por él — today I'm giving the class for him o in his place

ha puesto B por V — he has put B instead of V

14) [representación]

hablo por todos — I speak on behalf of o for everyone

interceder por algn — to intercede on sb's behalf, intercede for sb

diputado por Madrid — a member of parliament for Madrid

vino por su jefe — he came instead of o in place of his boss

15) [distribución]

10 dólares por hora — 10 dollars an hour

80km por hora — 80km per o an hour

revoluciones por minuto — revolutions per minute

tres dólares por persona — three dollars each, three dollars per person

16) [en multiplicaciones]

cinco por tres, quince — five times three is fifteen, five threes are fifteen

mide 6 metros de alto por 4 de ancho — it is 6 metres high by 4 wide

17) (=en cuanto a)

por mí no hay inconveniente — that's fine as o so far as I'm concerned

por mí, que se vaya — as o so far as I'm concerned he can go, for all I care he can go

por mí, como si quieres pasar una semana sin comer — I don't care if you want to go for a week without eating

si por mi fuera, tú estarías trabajando — if it were o was down to me, you'd be working

18) (=como)

• tomar a algn por esposo/esposa — to take sb to be one's husband/wife

• le dan por muerto — they have given him up for dead

• le tienen por tonto — they think he's stupid

19) [concesión]
+ subjun
por (muy) difícil que sea — however hard it is o may be

por mucho que lo quisieran — however much they would like to, much as they would like to

por más que lo intente — no matter how o however hard I try, try as I might

20) [acción inacabada]
+ infin
quedan platos por lavar — there are still some dishes to do

aún me quedan tres páginas por traducir — I still have three pages left to translate

21) ir (a) por algo/algn (=en busca de) to go and get sth/sb

ha ido (a) por vino — she's gone to get some wine

voy por el médico — I'll go and fetch o get the doctor

voy a por él — [a buscarle] I'll go and get him; [a atacarle] I'm going to get him

solo van a por las pelas — * they're only in it for the money

¡a por ellos! — get them!

- ir a por todas

22) [en preguntas]
por qué why
¿por qué no vienes conmigo? — why don't you come with me?

no tengo por qué ir — there's no reason why I should go
¿por? * why (do you ask)?
* * *

preposición

Sentido I

1) ( en relaciones causales) because of

lo he puesto aquí por el gato — I've put it here because of the cat

por falta de dinero — because of o owing to lack of money

eso te pasa por crédulo — that's what you get for being (so) gullible

por naturaleza — by nature

por necesidad — out of necessity

tanto por su precio como por su calidad — both for its price and its quality

fue por eso que vine — that was why I came

si no fuera por mi hijo... — if it wasn't for my son...

fue elogiado por su actuación — he was praised for his performance

por + inf — for -ing

me pidió perdón por haberme mentido — he apologized for lying o for having lied to me

2) ( según)

por lo que he oído — from what I've heard

por lo que parece... — it seems o it would seem...

3) (en locs)

por qué — why

¿por qué no vienes conmigo? — why don't you come with me?

por si — in case; acaso, mosca II

4) ( en expresiones concesivas)

por más que me esfuerzo — however hard o no matter how hard I try

por (muy) fácil que sea — however easy o no matter how easy it is

5)

a) ( en expresiones de modo)

colócalos por orden de tamaño/altura — put them in order of size/height

por orden de altura — in order of height

por adelantado — in advance

por escrito — in writing

b) ( indicando el medio)

se lo comunicaron por teléfono — they told him over the phone

lo dijeron por la radio — they said it on the radio

por avión/barco/carretera — by air/sea/road

la conocí por la voz — I recognized her by her voice

me enteré por un amigo — I heard from o through a friend

lo intenté por todos los medios — I tried everything possible o every possible way

c) (Educ) from

es doctor honoris causa por Oxford — he has an honorary doctorate from Oxford

6)

a) ( en relaciones de proporción)

cobra $30 por clase — he charges $30 a o per class

120 kilómetros por hora — 120 kilometers an o per hour

lo venden por metro — they sell it by the meter

tú comes por tres — you eat enough for three people

había un hombre por cada dos mujeres — there was one man to every two women

tiene tres metros de largo por uno de ancho — it's three meters long by one meter wide

es bastante por hoy — it's enough for today

uno por uno — one by one; ciento II

b) ( en multiplicaciones)

tres por cuatro (son) doce — three times four is twelve, three fours are twelve

7)

a) (en relaciones de sustitución, intercambio, representación) for

su secretaria firmó por él — his secretary signed for him o on his behalf

yo puedo ir por ti — I can go for you o in your place

podrías pasar por inglesa — you could pass as English o for an Englishwoman

es senador por Sevilla — he's a senator for Seville

b) ( como)

por ejemplo — for example

¿acepta usted por esposa a Carmen? — do you take Carmen to be your (lawful wedded) wife?

8) ( introduciendo el agente) by

compuesto por Mozart — composed by Mozart

se vieron sorprendidos por una tormenta — they were caught in a sudden storm

Sentido II

9) (expresando finalidad, objetivo)

pelearse por algo — to fight over something

lo hace por el dinero — he does it for the money

te lo digo por tu bien — I'm telling you for your own good

no tengo por qué ir — there's no reason why I should go

por + inf: daría cualquier cosa por verla — I'd give anything to see her

no entré por no molestar — I didn't go in because I didn't want to disturb him

eso es hablar por hablar — that's talking for the sake of talking o for the sake of it

por que + subj ( here por que can also be written porque): estaba ansioso por que lo escucharan — he was eager for them to listen to him

lucharon por que se hiciera justicia — they fought for justice to be done

10) (indicando consideración, favor) for

por mí no lo hagas — don't do it just for me o for my sake

11) (indicando inclinación, elección)

su amor por la música — her love of music

demostró interés por el cuadro — he showed interest in the painting

no siento nada por él — I don't feel anything for him

opté por no ir — I chose not to go

votó por ella — he voted for her

12) ( en busca de)

salió/fue por or (Esp) a por pan — he went (out) for some bread, he went (out) to get some bread

13) ( en lo que respecta a)

por mí no hay inconveniente — I don't mind

por mí que haga lo que quiera — as far as I'm concerned, he can do what he likes

14) ( indicando una situación pendiente)

por + inf: tengo la casa por limpiar — I've got the house to clean

estos cambios aún están por hacer — these changes are yet to be made

eso está por ver! — we'll see about that!

15) (esp AmL)

estar por + inf — ( estar a punto de)

deben (de) estar por llegar — they should be arriving any minute

la leche está por hervir — the milk's about to boil

Sentido III

16) (indicando lugar de acceso, salida, trayectoria)

entró por la ventana — he came in through the window

no va a pasar por la puerta — it won't go through the door

sal por aquí — go out this way

se cayó por la escalera — he fell down the stairs

subieron por la ladera este — they went up by the east face

¿el 121 va por (la) Avenida Rosas? — does the 121 go along Rosas Avenue?

fuimos por el camino más largo — we took the longer route

¿por dónde has venido? — which way did you come?

¿puedes pasar por la tintorería? — could you call in at o drop by the drycleaner's?

17)

a) ( expresando lugar indeterminado)

está por ahí — he's over there somewhere

¿por dónde está or queda el hotel? — whereabouts is the hotel?

viven por mi barrio — they live around my area

¿qué tal te fue por Londres? — how did you get on in London?

por todos lados or por todas partes — everywhere

b) ( expresando lugar determinado)

corta por aquí — cut here

voy por la página 15 — I'm up to o I'm on page 15

empieza por el principio — start at the beginning

agárralo por el mango — hold it by the handle

c) ( indicando extensión)

por todo el país — throughout the (whole) country

viajamos por el norte de Francia — we travelled around o in the North of France

pasa un trapo por el piso — give the floor a quick wipe; ver tb afuera, adentro, dentro, fuera, encima, etc

Sentido IV

18) ( expresando tiempo aproximado)

por aquella época or por aquel entonces — at that time

sucedió allá por 1960 — it happened some time back around 1960

19) (Esp) ( indicando una ocasión) for

me lo regaló por mi cumpleaños — she gave it to me for my birthday

20) ( durante) for

por los siglos de los siglos — for ever and ever

por el momento or por ahora — for the time being o for now; ver tb mañana III, tarde II, noche

* * *

= across, along, around, because of, by, by, down, for the sake of, in connection with, in the gift of, on account of, on the grounds that/of, per, through, times, under, x, as a matter of, out of, through the agency of.

Ex. This arrangement may facilitate browsing across different kinds of materials.

Ex. This means that a large number of messages can be combined together along the same line, giving economies of scales.

Ex. I wouldn't expect you to be detailed in your report in terms of where the bookmible would stop around town and where you'd park it.

Ex. This makes him feel somehow defficient and all because of his difficulty in making sense out of words in print with which his troubles began.

Ex. A set of government publications could be filed alphabetically by the issuing bureau, and then by title of the particular series in numerical order.

Ex. Micrographic and computer technologies and their integration will become increasingly efficacious as agents for change with respect to the continued existence of the traditional 75 by 125 millimeter card.

Ex. Some users find the format of KWIC indexes unacceptable, they find alphabetical arrangement by keywords down the centre of a page, and wrapped-round titles awkward.

Ex. The advocates of ISBD originally argued that it was for the sake of the computer.

Ex. There is an index to the schedules, but this has been criticised in connection with the size of the entry vocabulary.

Ex. Its notability is seen to lie in the fact that it has significantly broken the stranglehold upon postgraduate studentships in the gift of the Science and Engineering Research Council.

Ex. Partly on account of the variety of bases for coverage there is significant overlap between the assortment of abstracting and indexing services.

Ex. AACR2 has been criticised on the grounds that it does not identify the cataloguing unit to which the rules refer.

Ex. Indexing can thus be achieved at a detailed level, with often many terms per document, with almost no indexing effort.

Ex. The contributions are input to the data base, then referred and any suggestion made by the referee are communicated through the data base to the editor.

Ex. 4 days times 30 cents per day = 120 cents.

Ex. One of the outcomes of entry under title has been the proliferation of serials titles.

Ex. Card catalogues or indexes comprise a set of cards often 5x3 inches (122x72 mm), with each entry on a separate card.

Ex. Most drivers stop at stop signs: Some do under duress -- there may be a policeman concealed in nearby bushes, others as a matter of prudence -- a fast car with the right of way can be injurious.

Ex. But these and other interested people collected this type of books out of a mixture of curiosity and sentiment.

Ex. This article argues that critical thinking, a long sought after goal in the US educational system, may be taught efficiently through the agency of library use instructions within the college environment.

----

* actuar por impulso = act on + impulse.

* aprendizaje por medio del ordenador = computer-based learning (CBL).

* aunque por otro lado = but otherwise.

* búsqueda por medio de menús = menu-assisted searching.

* coger por sorpresa = catch out.

* Día + por la tarde = late + Día.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say.

* dominar por completo = sweep + the board.

* encontrar por casualidad = come across.

* encuadernación por encargo = bespoke binding.

* error por omisión = omission failure.

* estar por delante de = be ahead of.

* hecho por encargo = bespoke.

* introducir por primera vez = pioneer.

* leer por encima = browse.

* llamar por teléfono = call up.

* muy por encima de todo = over and above all.

* Nombre + por primera vez = Nombre + ever.

* ordenado por fecha = in date order.

* pasar por alto = bypass [by-pass], skip over, pass + Nombre/Pronombre + by.

* pongamos por ejemplo = let us say.

* por accidente = accidentally.

* por adelantado = advance, in advance (of), up-front [up front].

* por ahí = out there.

* por ahora = as of right now, as yet, at present, at the moment, at this point, for the present, for the time being, just yet, for now, at this time, as of now, at the present, by now, for the nonce.

* por ahora todo va bien = so far, so good.

* por alguna razón = for some reason, for whatever reason.

* por algún motivo = for whatever reason.

* por algún tiempo = for sometime.

* por allí = nearby [near-by].

* por amor al arte = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por analogía = by analogy.

* por anticipado = in advance (of).

* por antonomasia = quintessential, unique.

* por añadidura = in addition (to), on top of everything else.

* por aquel entonces = at the time, about that time, by this time.

* por aquí = around here, nearby [near-by], round here.

* por aquí y por allí = hanging about.

* por así decir = as it were.

* por boca de = by word of mouth.

* por bondad = out of the goodness of + Posesivo + heart.

* por buena dirección = a step in the right direction.

* por buen camino = a step in the right direction.

* por cabeza = per person.

* por cable = wireline, corded.

* por caminos apartados = off-road.

* por capas = multilayered [multi-layered/multi layered], layered, tiered.

* por casualidad = by chance, coincidentally, fortuitously, by accident, by happenstance, happen to + Infinitivo, chance to + Infinitivo, accidentally, by a fluke, by luck, by a stroke of (good) luck.

* por chiripa = by chance, by a fluke, by luck, by a stroke of (good) luck.

* por ciento = per cent [percent] (%).

* por cierto = coincidentally, incidentally, by the way, anecdotally, by the by(e), speaking of which.

* por coincidencia = by coincidence.

* por comodidad = for convenience, for the sake of + convenience.

* por completo = fully.

* por confirmar = to be announced, to be confirmed.

* por consideración a = out of respect for.

* por consideración a = out of consideration for.

* por consiguiente = consequently, then, thence, by implication, therefore.

* por contra = in contrast.

* por conveniencia = for convenience, for the sake of + convenience.

* por correo = by post, mailed.

* por cortesía de = courtesy of.

* por cualquier motivo = for whatever reason.

* por cualquier razón = for whatever reason.

* por cuanto que = because.

* por cuenta ajena = vicariously.

* por cuenta de uno = privately.

* por cuenta propia = freelance, self-employed, at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por cuenta y riesgo de Uno = at + Posesivo + peril.

* por curiosidad = out of curiosity.

* por debajo de = below, beneath, underneath.

* por debajo de + Cantidad = under + Cantidad.

* por debajo de cero = sub-zero, below-freezing.

* por debajo del 10 por ciento = single digit, single figure.

* por debajo de la media = sub-par, below-average.

* por debajo de las posibilidades = below + Posesivo + capabilities.

* por debajo de lo normal = below-normal.

* por debajo de lo óptimo = sub-optimal [suboptimal].

* por debajo del peso nomral = underweight.

* por décadas = ten-yearly.

* por decidir = to be decided.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por decisión propia = by choice.

* por defecto = by default, default.

* por deferencia a = in deference to.

* por definición = by definition.

* por delante = ahead.

* por delante de = ahead of.

* por delante de la competencia = ahead of the game.

* por delante y por detrás = front and back.

* por dentro = inwardly.

* por desgracia = unfortunately, sadly, unhappily, disappointingly.

* por despecho = spitefully, out of spite.

* ¡por dios! = in heaven's name, for God's sake, gosh.

* ¡por Dios! = for crying out loud!.

* por diversión = for sport, for fun, (just) for the hell of (doing) it, for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it.

* por divertirse = for kicks.

* por doquier = all around.

* por dos años = two-year.

* por ejemplo = e.g. (latín - exempli gratia), for example, for instance, say, to illustrate, for the sake of + argument.

* por (el) amor a = for the love of.

* ¡por el amor de Dios! = for crying out loud!.

* por el bien del saber = for knowledge's sake.

* por el contrario = by contrast, conversely, however, in contrast, instead, on the contrary, by way of contrast, to the contrary, quite the opposite, by comparison, contrariwise, quite the contrary, quite the reverse.

* por el cual = whereby, whereupon.

* por el detalle = for detail.

* por el día = by day, daytime [day-time], during the daytime, in the daytime, during daytime.

* por el día o por la noche = day or night.

* por el día y por la noche = day and night, night and day.

* por elección propia = by choice.

* por el gobierno = governmentally + Adjetivo.

* por el gobierno federal = federally.

* por el hecho de que = because of the fact that.

* por el hombre = humanly.

* por ello = on this basis, on that basis, accordingly.

* por el mero hecho de saber = for knowledge's sake.

* por el método de ensayo y error = by trial and error, trial and error.

* por el modo = by the way.

* por el momento = for the time being, momentarily, at the moment, for the nonce, for the present.

* por el placer de hacerlo = (just) for the fun of (doing) it.

* por el que se puede cobrar = chargeable.

* por el receptor = at the receiving end.

* por el sexo = gendered.

* por encargo = custom, bespoke.

* por encima = overhead, cursorily.

* por encima de = across, beyond, beyond all, over, over and above, beyond the range of, well over + Expresión Numérica, overarching, above.

* por encima de + Cantidad = in excess of + Cantidad.

* por encima de eso = beyond that.

* por encima del 10 por ciento = double digit, double figure.

* por encima de la media = above average.

* por encima de la tierra = aboveground.

* por encima de toda crítica = beyond reproach, above reproach.

* por encima de toda duda = beyond reproach, above reproach.

* por encima de toda razón = beyond reason.

* por encima de toda sospecha = above suspicion.

* por encima de todo = at all costs, at any cost, at any price.

* por ende = thereby, accordingly, therefore.

* por enfado = out of anger.

* por enojo = out of anger.

* por error = by mistake.

* por esa razón = thereby, for that reason.

* por escrito = in writing, in print, written.

* por eso = on that score, therefore.

* por eso que = hence.

* por esta razón = for this reason.

* por esta única razón = for this reason alone.

* por este motivo = for this reason.

* por esto = thus, accordingly, therefore.

* por etapas = staged.

* por excelencia = par excellence, quintessential, unique.

* por exceso = excessively, to excess.

* por explotar = untapped.

* por + Expresión Temporal = by the + Expresión Temporal.

* por extensión = by extension.

* por extenso = in full, at length.

* por falta de = for want of, for lack of.

* por fases = staged.

* por favor = please.

* por favor, responda = RSVP [R.S.V.P.].

* por fin = at length, at last, finally, at long last.

* por fin llegó la hora (de) = it's about time (that).

* por frustración = out of frustration.

* por fuera = outwardly, outwardly.

* por grupos = in batches.

* por gusto = for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por hora = hourly.

* por horas = on an hourly basis.

* por igual = alike, on an equitable basis, equally, in equal measure(s).

* por imitación = copycat.

* por incremento gradual = incremental.

* por incrementos graduales = incrementally.

* por individuo = per capita, per person.

* por iniciativa de = at the instigation of, under the auspices of.

* por instinto = instinctively.

* por interés = out of interest.

* por interés personal = self-interested.

* por investigar = unresearched.

* por invitación = invitational.

* por invitación de = at the invitation of.

* por la borda = overboard.

* por la cantidad de + Número = amounting to + Cantidad.

* por la forma = by the way.

* por la friolera de + Cantidad = to the tune of + Cantidad.

* por la fuerza = forcibly.

* por la mala fortuna = by ill fate.

* por la mala suerte = by ill luck, by bad luck, by ill fate.

* por la manera = by the way.

* por la mañana = in the morning.

* por la mañana y por la noche = morning and night.

* por la noche = overnight, at night, night-time, after dark, by night.

* por la posibilidad de = at the prospect of.

* por la presente = hereby.

* por las buenas o por las malas = by hook or by crook.

* por la sencilla razón = for no other reason.

* por las nubes = soaring.

* por la tarde = in the evening.

* por ley = mandated.

* por libre = freelance.

* por línea telefónica = over the telephone line.

* por lo general = on the whole, all in all, in general, generally, generally speaking, in the normal run of events, in the normal run of things.

* por lo pronto = for the time being.

* por lo que = so.

* por lo que concierne a = as far as + Nombre + be + concerned, so far as + Nombre + be concerned.

* por lo que concierne a Uno = on + Posesivo + side.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por lo que es = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por lo que incumbe a Uno = on + Posesivo + side.

* ¡Por lo que más quieras! = for God's sake.

* por lo que se refiere a = moving on to.

* por lo que son = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por lo que yo sé = to the best of my knowledge.

* por los pelos = by the skin of + Posesivo + teeth, close call, close shave.

* por los siguientes motivos = on the following counts.

* por los suelos = in tatters.

* por lo tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

* por lo visto = apparently, apparently.

* por mala fortuna = unfortunately, unhappily, sadly.

* por mala suerte = by ill luck, by bad luck, by a stroke of bad luck, by ill fate.

* por mal camino = astray.

* por más que lo intento = for the life of me.

* por materias = subject-based, topically.

* por mecionar sólo unos cuantos = to mention only a few.

* por medio = out of.

* por medio de = by means of, by way of, in the form of, through, via, via the medium of, by dint of, through the agency of.

* por medio de isótopos = isotopically.

* por medio de otro(s) = by proxy.

* por medio de una agencia = on a bureau basis.

* por mencionar sólo algunos = to mention but a few of, to mention only a few.

* por mencionar sólo unos cuantos = to mention but a few of, to name only some.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar unos pocos = just to name a few.

* por menús = menu-driven.

* por méritos = meritorious.

* por mes = per month.

* por miedo de = for fear of/that.

* por millones = in the millions, by the millions.

* por mor de = because of, out of consideration for, out of respect for.

* por motivo de = in the interest(s) of.

* por motivos de = for the sake of, on grounds.

* por motivos de + Nombre = for + Nombre's sake.

* por muchas razones = in many ways.

* por mucho que lo intento = for the life of me.

* por mucho tiempo = for long, for long periods of time.

* por muy + Adjetivo/Adverbio + Nombre + que + Subjuntivo = however + Adjetivo/Adverbio + Nombre + Verbo.

* por muy + Adjetivo/Adverbio + que sea = however + Adjetivo/Adverbio.

* por muy + Adjetivo + be = Adjetivo + though + Nombre + be.

* por muy difícil que parezca = difficult though it may seem, difficult as it may seem.

* por muy extraño que parezca = oddly enough, strangely enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, funnily enough, funnily.

* por muy increíble que parezca = incredible though it may seem, incredibly, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy mentira que parezca = incredibly, incredible though it may seem, strangely enough, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy raro que parezca = strangely enough, oddly enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange.

* por nada = for nothing.

* por nada del mundo = for the life of me.

* por nada or casi nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por naturaleza = by nature, by definition, characteristically, natural-born, naturally, inherently.

* por necesidad = of necessity, out of necessity.

* por niveles = multilayered [multi-layered/multi layered], multilayer, layered, tiered.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* por nombrar (sólo) + Número = to name (only) + Número.

* por nombrar sólo unos cuantos = to name only some.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por + Nombre = on a + Adjetivo + basis.

* por no mencionar = not to mention.

* por norma = as a rule.

* por + Número + cosas = on + Número + counts.

* por orden de = mandated.

* por orden del congreso = congressionally mandated.

* por orden de llegada = on a first come first served basis.

* por orden numérico = in numerical order.

* por otra parte = on the other hand, on the other side, on the flip side.

* por otro lado = alternatively, however, on the other hand, on the other side, for another thing, on the flip side, on another topic, on another matter, on another note, on other matters.

* por parejas = in pairs.

* por parte de = on the part of.

* por parte de uno = on + Posesivo + part.

* por pasar el rato = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por pereza = lazily.

* por + Período de Tiempo = for + Expresión Temporal.

* por persona = per person.

* por placer = for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por poderes = by proxy.

* por poner un ejemplo + Adjetivo = to take a + Adjetivo + example.

* por poner un ejemplo sobre + Nombre = to take + Nombre.

* por + Posesivo + cuenta = at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por + Posesivo + parte = for + Posesivo + part.

* por + Posesivo + propia cuenta = at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por + Posesivo + (propia) naturaleza = in + Posesivo + nature.

* por primera vez = first + Verbo, for the first time, for once.

* por principio = on principle.

* por principios = as a matter of principle.

* por probar nada se pierde = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* por + Pronombre + mismo = all by + Reflexivo, by + Reflexivo.

* por propia iniciativa = self-directed.

* por pura curiosidad = just out of interest, (just) as a mater of interest.

* por pura diversión = for kicks.

* por puro entretenimiento = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por puro placer = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por qué = why.

* por razones + Adjetivo = for + Nombre + purposes.

* por razones de = for the sake of.

* por razones de seguridad = for security reasons, for safety reasons.

* por razones éticas = on moral grounds.

* por razones morales = on moral grounds.

* por razones personales = for personal reasons.

* por + Reflexivo + cuenta = for + Reflexivo.

* por rencor = out of spite.

* por respeto a = out of respect for, out of consideration for.

* por rumores = grapevine.

* por rutina = routinely.

* por sacos = by the sackful.

* por satélite = satellite-based.

* por segunda vez = a second time, the second time around, a second time around.

* por seguridad = for safety reasons.

* por semana = per week.

* por separado = at different times, in isolation, separately, singly.

* por ser + Adjetivo = as being + Adjetivo.

* por sexo = along gender lines.

* por si = in the chance that.

* por si acaso = in case of, on the off chance, just in case, on spec, for good measure.

* por si casualidad = in the chance that.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* por si hace falta consultarlo en el futuro = for future reference.

* por si las moscas = just in case, on spec.

* por sí mismo = for its/their own sake, in itself, in + Posesivo + own right, itself, unto + Reflexivo, in and of + Reflexivo.

* por sí mismos = in themselves.

* por simple curiosidad = (just) as a mater of interest, just out of interest.

* por si sirve de algo = for what it's worth [FWIW].

* por sí solo = by itself, for its/their own sake, on its own, in and of + Reflexivo, in itself.

* por sí solos = by themselves, in themselves.

* por si + tener + suerte = on spec.

* por sorpresa = unawares.

* por su cuenta y riesgo = at + Posesivo + own risk.

* por suerte = luckily, fortunately, happily.

* por suerte o por desgracia = for better or (for) worse, by luck or misfortune.

* por su naturaleza = by + Posesivo + nature.

* por su papel = in its role.

* por su parte = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por su propia voluntad = of its own accord.

* por su propio derecho = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por supuesto = of course, surely, to be sure, certainly.

* ¡por supuesto que no! = heaven forbid, heaven forbid.

* por suscripción = subscriber + Nombre.

* por su volatilidad = mercurially.

* por su volubilidad = mercurially.

* por tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

* por teléfono = on the telephone, by tele(phone), over the phone, over the telephone.

* por temas = topically.

* por temor a = for fear of/that.

* por temor a represalias = under duress.

* por término medio = on average.

* por toda la ciudad = citywide [city-wide].

* por toda la Internet = Internet-wide.

* por toda la nación = nationwide [nation-wide].

* por toda la provincia = province-wide.

* por toda la vida = lifetime [life-time].

* por todas las instituciones oficiales = government-wide.

* por todas partes = all over the place, everywhere, widely, all around, far and wide.

* por toda una vida = lifetime [life-time].

* por todo = all over, throughout, all the way through.

* por todo el campus universitario = campus-wide [campuswide].

* por todo el continente = continent-wide.

* por todo el distrito = district-wide [districtwide].

* por todo el gobierno = government-wide.

* por todo el mundo = worldwide [world-wide], around the world, across the globe, around the globe, across the world, around the planet, the world over.

* por todo el planeta = across the planet, planet-wide.

* por todo el servicio = service-wide.

* por todo lo alto = grandly, on a grand scale.

* por todo + Lugar = up and down + Lugar.

* por todo + Nombre de Lugar = across + Nombre de Lugar.

* por todos conocido = well-known.

* por todos lados = left, right and centre, far and wide.

* por todos los medios = by all means.

* por todos sitios = everywhere.

* por triplicado = in triplicate.

* por trueque = in kind.

* por turnos = on a rotating basis, on a rota basis, on a rota system, on a rota.

* por última vez = for the last time, one last time.

* por último = finally, last, lastly, ultimately.

* por último pero no menos importante = last but not least.

* por una lado... por otro = at one end... at the other.

* por unanimidad = unanimously.

* por una parte = on the one hand, on the one side.

* por un gran margen = by a huge margin.

* por un gustazo, un trancazo = a kingdom for a kiss.

* por unidad = per unit.

* por un lado = for one, on the one hand, on the one side.

* por un lado entra + Nombre + y por otro sale + Nombre = in go + Nombre + at one end, and out come + Nombre + at the other.

* por un momento = for a moment.

* por uno mismo = on + Posesivo + own, for + Reflexivo.

* por unos momentos = for a few moments, for a short time.

* por uno solo = solo.

* por un período de tiempo limitado = on a short-term basis.

* por un tiempo = for a time.

* por un tiempo indefinido = for an indefinite time to come, for indefinite time.

* por valor de + Cantidad = amounting to + Cantidad.

* por varias razones = for a variety of reasons, for a number of reasons.

* por varios motivos = for a number of reasons.

* por venganza = out of spite.

* por voluntad propia = voluntarily.

* quedar por ver = remain + to be seen.

* tirar dinero y esfuerzo por la borda = be money and effort down the drain.

* transporte por tierra = land transport.

* utilizar por primera vez = pioneer.

* venta al por mayor = wholesaling.

* * *

preposición

Sentido I

1) ( en relaciones causales) because of

lo he puesto aquí por el gato — I've put it here because of the cat

por falta de dinero — because of o owing to lack of money

eso te pasa por crédulo — that's what you get for being (so) gullible

por naturaleza — by nature

por necesidad — out of necessity

tanto por su precio como por su calidad — both for its price and its quality

fue por eso que vine — that was why I came

si no fuera por mi hijo... — if it wasn't for my son...

fue elogiado por su actuación — he was praised for his performance

por + inf — for -ing

me pidió perdón por haberme mentido — he apologized for lying o for having lied to me

2) ( según)

por lo que he oído — from what I've heard

por lo que parece... — it seems o it would seem...

3) (en locs)

por qué — why

¿por qué no vienes conmigo? — why don't you come with me?

por si — in case; acaso, mosca II

4) ( en expresiones concesivas)

por más que me esfuerzo — however hard o no matter how hard I try

por (muy) fácil que sea — however easy o no matter how easy it is

5)

a) ( en expresiones de modo)

colócalos por orden de tamaño/altura — put them in order of size/height

por orden de altura — in order of height

por adelantado — in advance

por escrito — in writing

b) ( indicando el medio)

se lo comunicaron por teléfono — they told him over the phone

lo dijeron por la radio — they said it on the radio

por avión/barco/carretera — by air/sea/road

la conocí por la voz — I recognized her by her voice

me enteré por un amigo — I heard from o through a friend

lo intenté por todos los medios — I tried everything possible o every possible way

c) (Educ) from

es doctor honoris causa por Oxford — he has an honorary doctorate from Oxford

6)

a) ( en relaciones de proporción)

cobra $30 por clase — he charges $30 a o per class

120 kilómetros por hora — 120 kilometers an o per hour

lo venden por metro — they sell it by the meter

tú comes por tres — you eat enough for three people

había un hombre por cada dos mujeres — there was one man to every two women

tiene tres metros de largo por uno de ancho — it's three meters long by one meter wide

es bastante por hoy — it's enough for today

uno por uno — one by one; ciento II

b) ( en multiplicaciones)

tres por cuatro (son) doce — three times four is twelve, three fours are twelve

7)

a) (en relaciones de sustitución, intercambio, representación) for

su secretaria firmó por él — his secretary signed for him o on his behalf

yo puedo ir por ti — I can go for you o in your place

podrías pasar por inglesa — you could pass as English o for an Englishwoman

es senador por Sevilla — he's a senator for Seville

b) ( como)

por ejemplo — for example

¿acepta usted por esposa a Carmen? — do you take Carmen to be your (lawful wedded) wife?

8) ( introduciendo el agente) by

compuesto por Mozart — composed by Mozart

se vieron sorprendidos por una tormenta — they were caught in a sudden storm

Sentido II

9) (expresando finalidad, objetivo)

pelearse por algo — to fight over something

lo hace por el dinero — he does it for the money

te lo digo por tu bien — I'm telling you for your own good

no tengo por qué ir — there's no reason why I should go

por + inf: daría cualquier cosa por verla — I'd give anything to see her

no entré por no molestar — I didn't go in because I didn't want to disturb him

eso es hablar por hablar — that's talking for the sake of talking o for the sake of it

por que + subj ( here por que can also be written porque): estaba ansioso por que lo escucharan — he was eager for them to listen to him

lucharon por que se hiciera justicia — they fought for justice to be done

10) (indicando consideración, favor) for

por mí no lo hagas — don't do it just for me o for my sake

11) (indicando inclinación, elección)

su amor por la música — her love of music

demostró interés por el cuadro — he showed interest in the painting

no siento nada por él — I don't feel anything for him

opté por no ir — I chose not to go

votó por ella — he voted for her

12) ( en busca de)

salió/fue por or (Esp) a por pan — he went (out) for some bread, he went (out) to get some bread

13) ( en lo que respecta a)

por mí no hay inconveniente — I don't mind

por mí que haga lo que quiera — as far as I'm concerned, he can do what he likes

14) ( indicando una situación pendiente)

por + inf: tengo la casa por limpiar — I've got the house to clean

estos cambios aún están por hacer — these changes are yet to be made

eso está por ver! — we'll see about that!

15) (esp AmL)

estar por + inf — ( estar a punto de)

deben (de) estar por llegar — they should be arriving any minute

la leche está por hervir — the milk's about to boil

Sentido III

16) (indicando lugar de acceso, salida, trayectoria)

entró por la ventana — he came in through the window

no va a pasar por la puerta — it won't go through the door

sal por aquí — go out this way

se cayó por la escalera — he fell down the stairs

subieron por la ladera este — they went up by the east face

¿el 121 va por (la) Avenida Rosas? — does the 121 go along Rosas Avenue?

fuimos por el camino más largo — we took the longer route

¿por dónde has venido? — which way did you come?

¿puedes pasar por la tintorería? — could you call in at o drop by the drycleaner's?

17)

a) ( expresando lugar indeterminado)

está por ahí — he's over there somewhere

¿por dónde está or queda el hotel? — whereabouts is the hotel?

viven por mi barrio — they live around my area

¿qué tal te fue por Londres? — how did you get on in London?

por todos lados or por todas partes — everywhere

b) ( expresando lugar determinado)

corta por aquí — cut here

voy por la página 15 — I'm up to o I'm on page 15

empieza por el principio — start at the beginning

agárralo por el mango — hold it by the handle

c) ( indicando extensión)

por todo el país — throughout the (whole) country

viajamos por el norte de Francia — we travelled around o in the North of France

pasa un trapo por el piso — give the floor a quick wipe; ver tb afuera, adentro, dentro, fuera, encima, etc

Sentido IV

18) ( expresando tiempo aproximado)

por aquella época or por aquel entonces — at that time

sucedió allá por 1960 — it happened some time back around 1960

19) (Esp) ( indicando una ocasión) for

me lo regaló por mi cumpleaños — she gave it to me for my birthday

20) ( durante) for

por los siglos de los siglos — for ever and ever

por el momento or por ahora — for the time being o for now; ver tb mañana III, tarde II, noche

* * *

= across, along, around, because of, by, by, down, for the sake of, in connection with, in the gift of, on account of, on the grounds that/of, per, through, times, under, x, as a matter of, out of, through the agency of.

Ex: This arrangement may facilitate browsing across different kinds of materials.

Ex: This means that a large number of messages can be combined together along the same line, giving economies of scales.

Ex: I wouldn't expect you to be detailed in your report in terms of where the bookmible would stop around town and where you'd park it.

Ex: This makes him feel somehow defficient and all because of his difficulty in making sense out of words in print with which his troubles began.

Ex: A set of government publications could be filed alphabetically by the issuing bureau, and then by title of the particular series in numerical order.

Ex: Micrographic and computer technologies and their integration will become increasingly efficacious as agents for change with respect to the continued existence of the traditional 75 by 125 millimeter card.

Ex: Some users find the format of KWIC indexes unacceptable, they find alphabetical arrangement by keywords down the centre of a page, and wrapped-round titles awkward.

Ex: The advocates of ISBD originally argued that it was for the sake of the computer.

Ex: There is an index to the schedules, but this has been criticised in connection with the size of the entry vocabulary.

Ex: Its notability is seen to lie in the fact that it has significantly broken the stranglehold upon postgraduate studentships in the gift of the Science and Engineering Research Council.

Ex: Partly on account of the variety of bases for coverage there is significant overlap between the assortment of abstracting and indexing services.

Ex: AACR2 has been criticised on the grounds that it does not identify the cataloguing unit to which the rules refer.

Ex: Indexing can thus be achieved at a detailed level, with often many terms per document, with almost no indexing effort.

Ex: The contributions are input to the data base, then referred and any suggestion made by the referee are communicated through the data base to the editor.

Ex: 4 days times 30 cents per day = 120 cents.

Ex: One of the outcomes of entry under title has been the proliferation of serials titles.

Ex: Card catalogues or indexes comprise a set of cards often 5x3 inches (122x72 mm), with each entry on a separate card.

Ex: Most drivers stop at stop signs: Some do under duress -- there may be a policeman concealed in nearby bushes, others as a matter of prudence -- a fast car with the right of way can be injurious.

Ex: But these and other interested people collected this type of books out of a mixture of curiosity and sentiment.

Ex: This article argues that critical thinking, a long sought after goal in the US educational system, may be taught efficiently through the agency of library use instructions within the college environment.

* actuar por impulso = act on + impulse.

* aprendizaje por medio del ordenador = computer-based learning (CBL).

* aunque por otro lado = but otherwise.

* búsqueda por medio de menús = menu-assisted searching.

* coger por sorpresa = catch out.

* Día + por la tarde = late + Día.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say.

* dominar por completo = sweep + the board.

* encontrar por casualidad = come across.

* encuadernación por encargo = bespoke binding.

* error por omisión = omission failure.

* estar por delante de = be ahead of.

* hecho por encargo = bespoke.

* introducir por primera vez = pioneer.

* leer por encima = browse.

* llamar por teléfono = call up.

* muy por encima de todo = over and above all.

* Nombre + por primera vez = Nombre + ever.

* ordenado por fecha = in date order.

* pasar por alto = bypass [by-pass], skip over, pass + Nombre/Pronombre + by.

* pongamos por ejemplo = let us say.

* por accidente = accidentally.

* por adelantado = advance, in advance (of), up-front [up front].

* por ahí = out there.

* por ahora = as of right now, as yet, at present, at the moment, at this point, for the present, for the time being, just yet, for now, at this time, as of now, at the present, by now, for the nonce.

* por ahora todo va bien = so far, so good.

* por alguna razón = for some reason, for whatever reason.

* por algún motivo = for whatever reason.

* por algún tiempo = for sometime.

* por allí = nearby [near-by].

* por amor al arte = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por analogía = by analogy.

* por anticipado = in advance (of).

* por antonomasia = quintessential, unique.

* por añadidura = in addition (to), on top of everything else.

* por aquel entonces = at the time, about that time, by this time.

* por aquí = around here, nearby [near-by], round here.

* por aquí y por allí = hanging about.

* por así decir = as it were.

* por boca de = by word of mouth.

* por bondad = out of the goodness of + Posesivo + heart.

* por buena dirección = a step in the right direction.

* por buen camino = a step in the right direction.

* por cabeza = per person.

* por cable = wireline, corded.

* por caminos apartados = off-road.

* por capas = multilayered [multi-layered/multi layered], layered, tiered.

* por casualidad = by chance, coincidentally, fortuitously, by accident, by happenstance, happen to + Infinitivo, chance to + Infinitivo, accidentally, by a fluke, by luck, by a stroke of (good) luck.

* por chiripa = by chance, by a fluke, by luck, by a stroke of (good) luck.

* por ciento = per cent [percent] (%).

* por cierto = coincidentally, incidentally, by the way, anecdotally, by the by(e), speaking of which.

* por coincidencia = by coincidence.

* por comodidad = for convenience, for the sake of + convenience.

* por completo = fully.

* por confirmar = to be announced, to be confirmed.

* por consideración a = out of respect for.

* por consideración a = out of consideration for.

* por consiguiente = consequently, then, thence, by implication, therefore.

* por contra = in contrast.

* por conveniencia = for convenience, for the sake of + convenience.

* por correo = by post, mailed.

* por cortesía de = courtesy of.

* por cualquier motivo = for whatever reason.

* por cualquier razón = for whatever reason.

* por cuanto que = because.

* por cuenta ajena = vicariously.

* por cuenta de uno = privately.

* por cuenta propia = freelance, self-employed, at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por cuenta y riesgo de Uno = at + Posesivo + peril.

* por curiosidad = out of curiosity.

* por debajo de = below, beneath, underneath.

* por debajo de + Cantidad = under + Cantidad.

* por debajo de cero = sub-zero, below-freezing.

* por debajo del 10 por ciento = single digit, single figure.

* por debajo de la media = sub-par, below-average.

* por debajo de las posibilidades = below + Posesivo + capabilities.

* por debajo de lo normal = below-normal.

* por debajo de lo óptimo = sub-optimal [suboptimal].

* por debajo del peso nomral = underweight.

* por décadas = ten-yearly.

* por decidir = to be decided.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por decisión propia = by choice.

* por defecto = by default, default.

* por deferencia a = in deference to.

* por definición = by definition.

* por delante = ahead.

* por delante de = ahead of.

* por delante de la competencia = ahead of the game.

* por delante y por detrás = front and back.

* por dentro = inwardly.

* por desgracia = unfortunately, sadly, unhappily, disappointingly.

* por despecho = spitefully, out of spite.

* ¡por dios! = in heaven's name, for God's sake, gosh.

* ¡por Dios! = for crying out loud!.

* por diversión = for sport, for fun, (just) for the hell of (doing) it, for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it.

* por divertirse = for kicks.

* por doquier = all around.

* por dos años = two-year.

* por ejemplo = e.g. (latín - exempli gratia), for example, for instance, say, to illustrate, for the sake of + argument.

* por (el) amor a = for the love of.

* ¡por el amor de Dios! = for crying out loud!.

* por el bien del saber = for knowledge's sake.

* por el contrario = by contrast, conversely, however, in contrast, instead, on the contrary, by way of contrast, to the contrary, quite the opposite, by comparison, contrariwise, quite the contrary, quite the reverse.

* por el cual = whereby, whereupon.

* por el detalle = for detail.

* por el día = by day, daytime [day-time], during the daytime, in the daytime, during daytime.

* por el día o por la noche = day or night.

* por el día y por la noche = day and night, night and day.

* por elección propia = by choice.

* por el gobierno = governmentally + Adjetivo.

* por el gobierno federal = federally.

* por el hecho de que = because of the fact that.

* por el hombre = humanly.

* por ello = on this basis, on that basis, accordingly.

* por el mero hecho de saber = for knowledge's sake.

* por el método de ensayo y error = by trial and error, trial and error.

* por el modo = by the way.

* por el momento = for the time being, momentarily, at the moment, for the nonce, for the present.

* por el placer de hacerlo = (just) for the fun of (doing) it.

* por el que se puede cobrar = chargeable.

* por el receptor = at the receiving end.

* por el sexo = gendered.

* por encargo = custom, bespoke.

* por encima = overhead, cursorily.

* por encima de = across, beyond, beyond all, over, over and above, beyond the range of, well over + Expresión Numérica, overarching, above.

* por encima de + Cantidad = in excess of + Cantidad.

* por encima de eso = beyond that.

* por encima del 10 por ciento = double digit, double figure.

* por encima de la media = above average.

* por encima de la tierra = aboveground.

* por encima de toda crítica = beyond reproach, above reproach.

* por encima de toda duda = beyond reproach, above reproach.

* por encima de toda razón = beyond reason.

* por encima de toda sospecha = above suspicion.

* por encima de todo = at all costs, at any cost, at any price.

* por ende = thereby, accordingly, therefore.

* por enfado = out of anger.

* por enojo = out of anger.

* por error = by mistake.

* por esa razón = thereby, for that reason.

* por escrito = in writing, in print, written.

* por eso = on that score, therefore.

* por eso que = hence.

* por esta razón = for this reason.

* por esta única razón = for this reason alone.

* por este motivo = for this reason.

* por esto = thus, accordingly, therefore.

* por etapas = staged.

* por excelencia = par excellence, quintessential, unique.

* por exceso = excessively, to excess.

* por explotar = untapped.

* por + Expresión Temporal = by the + Expresión Temporal.

* por extensión = by extension.

* por extenso = in full, at length.

* por falta de = for want of, for lack of.

* por fases = staged.

* por favor = please.

* por favor, responda = RSVP [R.S.V.P.].

* por fin = at length, at last, finally, at long last.

* por fin llegó la hora (de) = it's about time (that).

* por frustración = out of frustration.

* por fuera = outwardly, outwardly.

* por grupos = in batches.

* por gusto = for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por hora = hourly.

* por horas = on an hourly basis.

* por igual = alike, on an equitable basis, equally, in equal measure(s).

* por imitación = copycat.

* por incremento gradual = incremental.

* por incrementos graduales = incrementally.

* por individuo = per capita, per person.

* por iniciativa de = at the instigation of, under the auspices of.

* por instinto = instinctively.

* por interés = out of interest.

* por interés personal = self-interested.

* por investigar = unresearched.

* por invitación = invitational.

* por invitación de = at the invitation of.

* por la borda = overboard.

* por la cantidad de + Número = amounting to + Cantidad.

* por la forma = by the way.

* por la friolera de + Cantidad = to the tune of + Cantidad.

* por la fuerza = forcibly.

* por la mala fortuna = by ill fate.

* por la mala suerte = by ill luck, by bad luck, by ill fate.

* por la manera = by the way.

* por la mañana = in the morning.

* por la mañana y por la noche = morning and night.

* por la noche = overnight, at night, night-time, after dark, by night.

* por la posibilidad de = at the prospect of.

* por la presente = hereby.

* por las buenas o por las malas = by hook or by crook.

* por la sencilla razón = for no other reason.

* por las nubes = soaring.

* por la tarde = in the evening.

* por ley = mandated.

* por libre = freelance.

* por línea telefónica = over the telephone line.

* por lo general = on the whole, all in all, in general, generally, generally speaking, in the normal run of events, in the normal run of things.

* por lo pronto = for the time being.

* por lo que = so.

* por lo que concierne a = as far as + Nombre + be + concerned, so far as + Nombre + be concerned.

* por lo que concierne a Uno = on + Posesivo + side.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por lo que es = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por lo que incumbe a Uno = on + Posesivo + side.

* ¡Por lo que más quieras! = for God's sake.

* por lo que se refiere a = moving on to.

* por lo que son = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por lo que yo sé = to the best of my knowledge.

* por los pelos = by the skin of + Posesivo + teeth, close call, close shave.

* por los siguientes motivos = on the following counts.

* por los suelos = in tatters.

* por lo tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

* por lo visto = apparently, apparently.

* por mala fortuna = unfortunately, unhappily, sadly.

* por mala suerte = by ill luck, by bad luck, by a stroke of bad luck, by ill fate.

* por mal camino = astray.

* por más que lo intento = for the life of me.

* por materias = subject-based, topically.

* por mecionar sólo unos cuantos = to mention only a few.

* por medio = out of.

* por medio de = by means of, by way of, in the form of, through, via, via the medium of, by dint of, through the agency of.

* por medio de isótopos = isotopically.

* por medio de otro(s) = by proxy.

* por medio de una agencia = on a bureau basis.

* por mencionar sólo algunos = to mention but a few of, to mention only a few.

* por mencionar sólo unos cuantos = to mention but a few of, to name only some.

* por mencionar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por mencionar unos pocos = just to name a few.

* por menús = menu-driven.

* por méritos = meritorious.

* por mes = per month.

* por miedo de = for fear of/that.

* por millones = in the millions, by the millions.

* por mor de = because of, out of consideration for, out of respect for.

* por motivo de = in the interest(s) of.

* por motivos de = for the sake of, on grounds.

* por motivos de + Nombre = for + Nombre's sake.

* por muchas razones = in many ways.

* por mucho que lo intento = for the life of me.

* por mucho tiempo = for long, for long periods of time.

* por muy + Adjetivo/Adverbio + Nombre + que + Subjuntivo = however + Adjetivo/Adverbio + Nombre + Verbo.

* por muy + Adjetivo/Adverbio + que sea = however + Adjetivo/Adverbio.

* por muy + Adjetivo + be = Adjetivo + though + Nombre + be.

* por muy difícil que parezca = difficult though it may seem, difficult as it may seem.

* por muy extraño que parezca = oddly enough, strangely enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, funnily enough, funnily.

* por muy increíble que parezca = incredible though it may seem, incredibly, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy mentira que parezca = incredibly, incredible though it may seem, strangely enough, incredibly enough, incredible as it may seem, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange, although it may seem incredible.

* por muy raro que parezca = strangely enough, oddly enough, strange though it may seem, strange as it may seem, although it may seem strange.

* por nada = for nothing.

* por nada del mundo = for the life of me.

* por nada or casi nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por naturaleza = by nature, by definition, characteristically, natural-born, naturally, inherently.

* por necesidad = of necessity, out of necessity.

* por niveles = multilayered [multi-layered/multi layered], multilayer, layered, tiered.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* por nombrar (sólo) + Número = to name (only) + Número.

* por nombrar sólo unos cuantos = to name only some.

* por nombrar sólo unos pocos = to name but a few.

* por + Nombre = on a + Adjetivo + basis.

* por no mencionar = not to mention.

* por norma = as a rule.

* por + Número + cosas = on + Número + counts.

* por orden de = mandated.

* por orden del congreso = congressionally mandated.

* por orden de llegada = on a first come first served basis.

* por orden numérico = in numerical order.

* por otra parte = on the other hand, on the other side, on the flip side.

* por otro lado = alternatively, however, on the other hand, on the other side, for another thing, on the flip side, on another topic, on another matter, on another note, on other matters.

* por parejas = in pairs.

* por parte de = on the part of.

* por parte de uno = on + Posesivo + part.

* por pasar el rato = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por pereza = lazily.

* por + Período de Tiempo = for + Expresión Temporal.

* por persona = per person.

* por placer = for kicks, (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por poco dinero = cheaply.

* por poco o nada = at little or no extra cost.

* por poderes = by proxy.

* por poner un ejemplo + Adjetivo = to take a + Adjetivo + example.

* por poner un ejemplo sobre + Nombre = to take + Nombre.

* por + Posesivo + cuenta = at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por + Posesivo + parte = for + Posesivo + part.

* por + Posesivo + propia cuenta = at + Posesivo + own expense.

* por + Posesivo + (propia) naturaleza = in + Posesivo + nature.

* por primera vez = first + Verbo, for the first time, for once.

* por principio = on principle.

* por principios = as a matter of principle.

* por probar nada se pierde = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* por + Pronombre + mismo = all by + Reflexivo, by + Reflexivo.

* por propia iniciativa = self-directed.

* por pura curiosidad = just out of interest, (just) as a mater of interest.

* por pura diversión = for kicks.

* por puro entretenimiento = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por puro placer = (just) for the fun of (doing) it, (just) for the hell of (doing) it.

* por qué = why.

* por razones + Adjetivo = for + Nombre + purposes.

* por razones de = for the sake of.

* por razones de seguridad = for security reasons, for safety reasons.

* por razones éticas = on moral grounds.

* por razones morales = on moral grounds.

* por razones personales = for personal reasons.

* por + Reflexivo + cuenta = for + Reflexivo.

* por rencor = out of spite.

* por respeto a = out of respect for, out of consideration for.

* por rumores = grapevine.

* por rutina = routinely.

* por sacos = by the sackful.

* por satélite = satellite-based.

* por segunda vez = a second time, the second time around, a second time around.

* por seguridad = for safety reasons.

* por semana = per week.

* por separado = at different times, in isolation, separately, singly.

* por ser + Adjetivo = as being + Adjetivo.

* por sexo = along gender lines.

* por si = in the chance that.

* por si acaso = in case of, on the off chance, just in case, on spec, for good measure.

* por si casualidad = in the chance that.

* por si era poco = for good measure.

* por si fuera poco = to boot, for good measure, to add insult to injury, to add salt to injury, to rub salt in the wound.

* por si hace falta consultarlo en el futuro = for future reference.

* por si las moscas = just in case, on spec.

* por sí mismo = for its/their own sake, in itself, in + Posesivo + own right, itself, unto + Reflexivo, in and of + Reflexivo.

* por sí mismos = in themselves.

* por simple curiosidad = (just) as a mater of interest, just out of interest.

* por si sirve de algo = for what it's worth [FWIW].

* por sí solo = by itself, for its/their own sake, on its own, in and of + Reflexivo, in itself.

* por sí solos = by themselves, in themselves.

* por si + tener + suerte = on spec.

* por sorpresa = unawares.

* por su cuenta y riesgo = at + Posesivo + own risk.

* por suerte = luckily, fortunately, happily.

* por suerte o por desgracia = for better or (for) worse, by luck or misfortune.

* por su naturaleza = by + Posesivo + nature.

* por su papel = in its role.

* por su parte = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por su propia voluntad = of its own accord.

* por su propio derecho = in + Posesivo + own right.

* por supuesto = of course, surely, to be sure, certainly.

* ¡por supuesto que no! = heaven forbid, heaven forbid.

* por suscripción = subscriber + Nombre.

* por su volatilidad = mercurially.

* por su volubilidad = mercurially.

* por tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

* por teléfono = on the telephone, by tele(phone), over the phone, over the telephone.

* por temas = topically.

* por temor a = for fear of/that.

* por temor a represalias = under duress.

* por término medio = on average.

* por toda la ciudad = citywide [city-wide].

* por toda la Internet = Internet-wide.

* por toda la nación = nationwide [nation-wide].

* por toda la provincia = province-wide.

* por toda la vida = lifetime [life-time].

* por todas las instituciones oficiales = government-wide.

* por todas partes = all over the place, everywhere, widely, all around, far and wide.

* por toda una vida = lifetime [life-time].

* por todo = all over, throughout, all the way through.

* por todo el campus universitario = campus-wide [campuswide].

* por todo el continente = continent-wide.

* por todo el distrito = district-wide [districtwide].

* por todo el gobierno = government-wide.

* por todo el mundo = worldwide [world-wide], around the world, across the globe, around the globe, across the world, around the planet, the world over.

* por todo el planeta = across the planet, planet-wide.

* por todo el servicio = service-wide.

* por todo lo alto = grandly, on a grand scale.

* por todo + Lugar = up and down + Lugar.

* por todo + Nombre de Lugar = across + Nombre de Lugar.

* por todos conocido = well-known.

* por todos lados = left, right and centre, far and wide.

* por todos los medios = by all means.

* por todos sitios = everywhere.

* por triplicado = in triplicate.

* por trueque = in kind.

* por turnos = on a rotating basis, on a rota basis, on a rota system, on a rota.

* por última vez = for the last time, one last time.

* por último = finally, last, lastly, ultimately.

* por último pero no menos importante = last but not least.

* por una lado... por otro = at one end... at the other.

* por unanimidad = unanimously.

* por una parte = on the one hand, on the one side.

* por un gran margen = by a huge margin.

* por un gustazo, un trancazo = a kingdom for a kiss.

* por unidad = per unit.

* por un lado = for one, on the one hand, on the one side.

* por un lado entra + Nombre + y por otro sale + Nombre = in go + Nombre + at one end, and out come + Nombre + at the other.

* por un momento = for a moment.

* por uno mismo = on + Posesivo + own, for + Reflexivo.

* por unos momentos = for a few moments, for a short time.

* por uno solo = solo.

* por un período de tiempo limitado = on a short-term basis.

* por un tiempo = for a time.

* por un tiempo indefinido = for an indefinite time to come, for indefinite time.

* por valor de + Cantidad = amounting to + Cantidad.

* por varias razones = for a variety of reasons, for a number of reasons.

* por varios motivos = for a number of reasons.

* por venganza = out of spite.

* por voluntad propia = voluntarily.

* quedar por ver = remain + to be seen.

* tirar dinero y esfuerzo por la borda = be money and effort down the drain.

* transporte por tierra = land transport.

* utilizar por primera vez = pioneer.

* venta al por mayor = wholesaling.

* * *

por

GUIA DE BUSQUEDA

Sentido I

A en relaciones causales

B según

C ¿por qué?

D en locuciones

E en expresiones concesivas

F

1 en expresiones de modo

2 indicando el medio

3 Educación

G

1 en relaciones de proporción

2 en multiplicaciones

H

1 en relaciones de sustitución etc

2 por ejemplo

I como

Sentido II

A al expresar finalidad, objetivo

B indicando consideración, favor

C indicando inclinación, elección

D en busca de

E en lo que respecta a

F indicando una situación pendiente

G estar por

Sentido III

A indicando lugar de acceso, salida

B

expresando lugar indeterminado

C expresando lugar determinado

D indicando extensión

Sentido IV

A expresando tiempo aproximado

B indicando una ocasión

C durante

prep

Sentido I

A (en relaciones causales) because of

he puesto esto aquí por el gato I've put this here because of the cat

nunca se lo dijo por miedo a perderla he never told her out of fear of losing her o because he was afraid of losing her

eso te pasa por crédulo that's what you get for being (so) gullible

lo conseguimos por él we got it thanks to him

ella es así por naturaleza she's like that by nature

lo hace por necesidad he does it out of necessity

no se acabó por falta de dinero it wasn't finished for o because of o owing to lack of money

el final no por conocido me resulta menos triste knowing how it ends doesn't make it any less sad

por su alto contenido en proteínas because of o owing to its high protein content

tanto por su precio como por su practicidad both for its price and its practical design

fue por eso por lo que no te llamé or fue por eso que no te llamé that was the reason o that was why I didn't call you

precisamente por eso no dije nada that's precisely why I didn't say anything

la muerte se produjo por asfixia he suffocated, death was caused by suffocation ( frml)

éste serviría si no fuera por el color this one would do if it weren't for the color

fue elogiado por su excelente actuación he was praised for his excellent performance

por + INF for -ING

me pidió perdón por haberme mentido he apologized for lying o for having lied to me

eso

B (según) from

por lo que he oído from what I've heard

por lo que parece no va a volver it seems o it would seem he's not coming back

por mi experiencia diría que … from my experience, I would say that …

C ( fam):

¿por? why?

¿con quién vas? — con Daniel ¿por? who are you going with? — with Daniel, why? o why do you want to know?

D ( en locuciones):

por qué why

¿por qué lloras? why are you crying?

¿por qué no vienes a almorzar a casa? why don't you come to my house for lunch?

por si in case

llévate una muda, por si tuvieras que quedarte take a change of clothes (just) in case you have to stay

acaso, mosca² (↑ mosca (2))

E (en expresiones concesivas) por … QUE:

por más que me esfuerzo me sigue saliendo mal no matter how hard I try o however hard I try, I still can't get it right

(+ subj): por (muy) fácil que se lo pongan, no creo que lo sepa hacer however easy o no matter how easy they make it for him I don't think he'll be able to do it

F

1

(en expresiones de modo): clasifícalos por tamaño classify them according to size o by size

colóquense por orden de altura line up in order of height

por adelantado in advance

por escrito in writing

2

(indicando el medio): se lo comunicaron por teléfono they told him over the phone

lo dijeron por la radio they said it on the radio

lo mandaron por avión/barco they sent it by air/sea

por carretera by road

la conocí por la voz I recognized the o her voice, I recognized her by her voice

me enteré por un amigo I heard from o through a friend

conocido por el nombre de Pancho known as Pancho

lo intenté por todos los medios I tried everything possible o every possible way

3 ( Educación):

es doctor honoris causa por Oxford he has an honorary doctorate from Oxford

un graduado en ciencias políticas por la universidad de Granada a graduate in political science from the university of Granada

G

1

(en relaciones de proporción): cobra $30 por clase he charges $30 a o per class

120 kilómetros por hora 120 kilometers an o per hour

lo venden por metro they sell it by the meter

tú comes por tres you eat enough for three people

había un hombre por cada dos mujeres there was one man to every two women

tiene tres metros de largo por uno de ancho it's three meters long by one meter wide

ya hemos hecho bastante por hoy we've done enough for today

los hizo entrar uno por uno she made them come in one by one o one at a time

examinar un escrito punto por punto to go through a document point by point

ciento² (↑ ciento (2))

2 [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ]

(en multiplicaciones): tres por cuatro (son) doce three times four is twelve, three fours are twelve

H

1

(en relaciones de sustitución, intercambio, representación): su secretaria firmó por él his secretary signed for him o on his behalf

yo puedo ir por ti I can go for you o in your place

por toda respuesta se encogió de hombros all he did was shrug his shoulders

tú podrías pasar por inglesa you could pass as English o for an Englishwoman

te dan uno nuevo por dos viejos they give you one new one in exchange for two old ones

es senador por Canarias he's a senator for the Canary Islands

2

(como): por ejemplo for example

¿acepta usted por esposa a Carmen? do you take Carmen to be your (lawful wedded) wife?

I (introduciendo el agente) by

un lugar frecuentado por muchos famosos a place frequented by many famous people

se vieron sorprendidos por una tormenta they were caught in a sudden storm

la ocupación de la fábrica por (parte de) los obreros the occupation of the factory by the workers

ver tb parte² f B. (↑ parte (2))

Sentido II

A

(al expresar finalidad, objetivo): se estaban peleando por la pelota they were fighting over the ball

lo hace por el dinero he does it for the money

te lo digo por tu bien I'm telling you for your own good

por + INF:

daría cualquier cosa por verte contento I'd give anything to see you happy

no entré por no molestar I didn't go in so as not to disturb him o because I didn't want to disturb him

eso es hablar por hablar that's talking for the sake of talking o for the sake of it

por QUE + SUBJ here por que can also be written porque:

estaba ansioso por que lo escucharan he was eager for them to listen to him

recemos por que lleguen a un acuerdo let's pray that they'll come to an agreement

siguieron luchando por que se hiciera justicia they continued fighting for justice to be done

B

(indicando consideración, favor): haría cualquier cosa por ti I'd do anything for you

intercede por nosotros intercede for us

por mí no lo hagas don't do it just for me o for my sake

C

(indicando inclinación, elección): su amor por la música her love of music

demostró gran interés por el cuadro he showed great interest in the painting

no siento nada por él I don't feel anything for him

opté por no ir I chose not to go

votó por ella he voted for her

¿por la afirmativa? all those in favor?

se manifestaron por el derecho al aborto they demonstrated for the right to abortion

estar por algn ( fam); to be crazy about sb

D

(en busca de): salió/fue poror ( Esp) a por pan he went (out) for some bread, he went (out) to get some bread

E

(en lo que respecta a): por mí no hay inconveniente I don't mind

que haga lo que le dé la gana, por mí … let him do what he likes, as far as I'm concerned …

F (indicando una situación pendiente) por + INF:

tengo toda la casa por limpiar I've got the whole house to clean

estos cambios aún están por hacer these changes have still not been made o are yet to be made

ver² vt C 1. (↑ ver (2))

G

( AmL) estar por + INF (estar a punto de): deben de estar por llegar they should be arriving any minute

la leche está por hervir the milk's about to boil

Sentido III

A

(indicando lugar de acceso, salida, trayectoria): entró por la ventana he came in through the window

sal por aquí go out this way

el acceso al edificio es por la calle Lamas you enter the building from Lamas Street

el piano no va a pasar por la puerta the piano won't go through the door

se cayó por la escalera he fell down the stairs

subieron por la ladera este they went up by the east face

¿el 121 va por (la) Avenida Rosas? does the 121 go along Rosas Avenue?

fuimos por el camino más largo we took the longer route

no vayas por ahí que te vas a perder don't go that way, you'll get lost

¿por dónde has venido? which way did you come?

¿puedes pasar por la tintorería? could you call in at o drop by the drycleaner's?

B

(expresando lugar indeterminado): está por ahí he's over there somewhere

¿por dónde está or queda el restaurante? whereabouts is the restaurant?

viven por el sur/por mi barrio they live in the south somewhere/around my area

hace mucho que no lo vemos por aquí we haven't seen him around here for ages

¿qué tal te fue por Londres? how did you get on in London?

C

(expresando lugar determinado): corta por aquí cut here

voy por la página 15 I'm up to o I'm on page 15

empieza por el principio start at the beginning

agárralo por el mango hold it by the handle

D

(indicando extensión): lo he buscado por todos lados or por todas partes I've looked everywhere for it

la epidemia se extendió por todo el país the epidemic spread throughout the (whole) country

estuvimos viajando por el norte de Francia we were traveling around o in the North of France

fuimos a caminar por la playa we went for a walk along the beach

pasa un trapo por el piso give the floor a quick wipe

ver tb afuera, adentro, dentro, fuera¹ adv A 1. (↑ fuera (1)), encima, por etc

Sentido IV

A

(expresando tiempo aproximado): por aquella época at that time

por aquel entonces vivían en Pozuelo at that time they were living in Pozuelo

sucedió por allá por 1960 it happened some time back around 1960

B ( Esp) (indicando una ocasión) for

me lo regalaron por mi cumpleaños they gave it to me for my birthday

por Semana Santa pensamos ir a Londres we're thinking of going to London for Easter

C (durante) for

por los siglos de los siglos for ever and ever

no se lo confío ni por un minuto I wouldn't trust him with it for a minute

puede quedar así por el momento or por ahora it can stay like that for the time being o for now

ver tb mañana³ (↑ mañana (3)), tarde² (↑ tarde (2)), noche

* * *

por preposición
1 ( causa) because of;
◊ por falta de dinero because of o owing to lack of money;

por naturaleza by nature;
por necesidad out of necessity;
por eso no dije nada that's why I didn't say anything;
fue por eso que no te llamé that was why I didn't call you;
si no fuera por mi hijo … if it wasn't for my son …;
me pidió perdón por haberme mentido he apologized for lying o for having lied to me
2 ( en locs)
◊ por qué why;

no dijo por qué he didn't say why;
¿por qué no vienes conmigo? why don't you come with me?;
por si in case;
por si no entiende in case he doesn't understand;
See Also→ acaso 2, mosca
3 ( en expresiones concesivas):
◊ por más que me esfuerzo however hard o no matter how hard I try;

por (muy) fácil que sea however easy o no matter how easy it is
4
a) ( modo):

◊ colócalos por orden de tamaño put them in order of size;

por adelantado in advance;
por escrito in writing
b) ( medio):

◊ se lo comunicaron por teléfono they told him over the phone;

lo dijeron por la radio they said it on the radio;
por avión by air;
la conocí por la voz I recognized her by her voice;
me enteré por un amigo I heard from o through a friend
5
a) ( proporción):

◊ cobra $30 por clase he charges $30 a o per class;

120 kilómetros por hora 120 kilometers an o per hour;
por metro/docena by the meter/dozen;
tú comes por tres you eat enough for three people;
tiene tres metros de largo por uno de ancho it's three meters long by one meter wide;
uno por uno one by one;
See Also→ ciento sustantivo masculino b
b) ( en multiplicaciones):

◊ tres por cuatro (son) doce three times four is twelve, three fours are twelve

6
a) ( sustitución) for;

◊ su secretaria firmó por él his secretary signed for him o on his behalf;

pasa por inglesa she passes for an Englishwoman
b) ( como):

◊ por ejemplo for example

7 ( introduciendo el agente) by;
◊ compuesto por Mozart composed by Mozart

1 (finalidad, objetivo):
◊ pelearse por algo to fight over sth;

lo hace por el dinero he does it for the money;
no entré por no molestarlo I didn't go in because I didn't want to disturb him;
por que + subj (here por que can also be written porque): estaba ansioso por que lo escucharan he was eager for them to listen to him
2 (indicando inclinación, elección):
◊ su amor por la música her love of music;

no siento nada por él I don't feel anything for him;
votó por ella he voted for her
3 ( en busca de): salió/fue por or (Esp) a por pan he went (out) for some bread, he went (out) to get some bread
4 ( en lo que respecta a):
◊ por mí que haga lo que quiera as far as I'm concerned, he can do what he likes

5 (esp AmL) estar por + inf ( estar a punto de) to be about to + inf;
◊ está por terminar he's about to finish;

deben (de) estar por llegar they should be arriving any minute
1
a) ( lugar):

◊ entró por la ventana he came in through the window;

sal por aquí go out this way;
se cayó por la escalera he fell down the stairs;
¿el 121 va por (la) Avenida Rosas? does the 121 go along Rosas Avenue?;
¿por dónde has venido? which way did you come?;
está por ahí he's over there somewhere;
¿por dónde está el hotel? whereabouts is the hotel?;
viven por mi barrio they live around my area;
voy por la página 15 I'm up to o I'm on page 15;
empieza por el principio start at the beginning;
agárralo por el mango hold it by the handle
b) ( indicando extensión): por todos lados or por todas partes everywhere;

◊ viajamos por el norte de Francia we traveled around o in the North of France;

ver tb dentro, fuera, encima, etc
2 ( tiempo) for;
◊ por un mes for a month;

por el momento or por ahora for the time being, for now;
ver tb mañana, tarde, noche
3 (Esp) ( ocasión) for;
◊ me lo regaló por mi cumpleaños she gave it to me for my birthday

por preposición
1 (autoría) by: está escrito por mí, it was written by me
2 (camino, lugar) through: viajamos por Castilla, we travelled round Castilla
3 (medio) lo enviaron por avión, they sent it by plane
me enteré por el periódico, I read about it in the newspaper
4 (motivo, causa) because of
por tu culpa, because of you
(en favor de) for: hazlo por ellos, do it for their sake
por la libertad, for freedom
5 (en torno a) por San Juan, near Saint John's Day
6 (durante) por la mañana/noche, in the morning/at night
por el momento, for the time being
7 (a través) entramos por la puerta, we got in through the door
miramos por la ventana, we looked out (of) the window
pasamos por la ciudad, we went through the town
8 (sobre, por encima de) cruzaremos por el puente, we'll cross the bridge
9 (delante de) paso todos los días por tu casa, I go by your house every day
10 (a cambio de) for: te doy mi helado por tu yogur, I'll swap you my ice-cream for your yoghurt
11 (en una distribución, cálculo) por cabeza, a head, per person
mil pesetas por hora, a thousand pesetas per hour
dos mil revoluciones por minuto, two thousand revolutions per minute
12 (en una multiplicación) dos por dos, cuatro, two times two is four
un diez por ciento, ten per cent
13 (con infinitivo) in order to, so as to
trabajar por trabajar, to work for the sake of it
♦ Locuciones: por así decirlo, so to speak
por más/mucho que..., no matter how...
por qué, why
' por' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- abogar
- abonar
- abonarse
- abotargada
- abotargado
- abuelo
- acabar
- acaso
- accidente
- acercarse
- acertar
- aclamación
- acomplejada
- acomplejado
- acomplejarse
- acoquinar
- acostumbrar
- actual
- adelantada
- adelantado
- adivinar
- admitir
- adoración
- aérea
- aéreo
- afanarse
- afectada I
- afectado
- afición
- agradecer
- aguantar
- ahí
- ahogada
- ahogado
- ahora
- ahorcarse
- ahorrar
- aire
- alegrarse
- algo
- allá
- allí
- almacén
- alquiler
- alta
- alto
- aludida
- aludido
- amarga
English:
A
- aback
- ablaze
- about
- above
- absence
- absorb
- accident
- accidentally
- acclaim
- accompany
- accord
- accordingly
- account
- accustom
- actual
- actually
- add to
- advocate
- after
- afternoon
- again
- against
- air
- airmail
- alert
- allowance
- alone
- alphabetically
- alternately
- amble
- amends
- amok
- angry
- annihilate
- annoy
- answer for
- answering service
- antipathy
- anxious
- anywhere
- apologetic
- apologize
- appal
- appall
- apparently
- appearance
- appease
- appointment
- appreciate

* * *

por prep

1. [indica causa] because of;

llegó tarde por el tráfico she was late because of the traffic;

lo hizo por amor he did it out of o for love;

me disculpé por llegar tarde I apologized for arriving late;

miré dentro por simple curiosidad I looked inside out of pure curiosity;

accidentes por conducción temeraria accidents caused by reckless driving;

muertes por enfermedades cardiovasculares deaths from cardiovascular disease;

no quise llamar por la hora (que era) I didn't want to call because of the time;

cerrado por vacaciones/reformas [en letrero] closed for holidays/alterations;

por mí no te preocupes don't worry about me;
Esp
fue por eso por lo que tuvimos tantos problemas, Am [m5] fue por eso que tuvimos tantos problemas that's why we had so many problems;

eso te pasa por (ser tan) generoso that's what you get for being so generous;

la razón por (la) que dimite the reason (why) she is resigning;

¿por qué? why?;

¿por qué no vienes? why don't you come?;

¿por qué lo preguntas? – por nada why do you ask? – no reason;
Fam
¿por? why?;

por si in case;

por si se te olvida in case you forget

2. [indica indicio]
por lo que me dices/lo que he oído no debe de ser tan difícil from what you say/what I've heard, it can't be that difficult;

por lo que tengo entendido, viven juntos as I understand it, they live together, my understanding is that they live together;

por lo visto, por lo que se ve apparently

3. [indica finalidad] (antes de infinitivo) (in order) to;

* * *

por

prp

1 motivo for, because of;

lo hace por mí he does it for me;

lo hizo por amor she did it out of o for love;

luchó por sus ideales he fought for his ideals;

por miedo a ofenderle for fear of upsetting her;

vino por verme he came to see me

2 medio by;

por avión by air;

por correo by mail, Br

tb by post

3 tiempo

:

por un año/un segundo for a year/a second;

por la mañana in the morning;

por Navidad around Christmas

4 movimiento

:

por la calle down the street;

por un tunel through a tunnel;

por aquí this way

5 posición aproximada around, about;

está por aquí it’s around here (somewhere);

vive por el centro de la ciudad she lives somewhere around the center of town

6 cambio

:

por cincuenta pesos for fifty pesos;

por cabeza each, a head

7 otros usos

:

por hora an o per hour;

dos por dos two times two;

¿por qué? why?;

el motivo por el cual o

por el que … the reason why …;

esa factura aún está por pagar that invoice still has to be paid;

tomar por esposa marry;

por difícil que sea however difficult it might be

* * *

por prep

1) : for, during

se quedaron allí por la semana: they stayed there during the week

por el momento: for now, at the moment

2) : around, during

por noviembre empieza a nevar: around November it starts to snow

por la mañana: in the morning

3) : around (a place)

debe estar por allí: it must be over there

por todas partes: everywhere

4) : by, through, along

por la puerta: through the door

pasé por tu casa: I stopped by your house

por la costa: along the coast

5) : for, for the sake of

lo hizo por su madre: he did it for his mother

¡por Dios!: for heaven's sake!

6) : because of, on account of

llegué tarde por el tráfico: I arrived late because of the traffic

dejar por imposible: to give up as impossible

7) : per

60 millas por hora: 60 miles per hour

por docena: by the dozen

8) : for, in exchange for, instead of

su hermana habló por él: his sister spoke on his behalf

9) : by means of

hablar por teléfono: to talk on the phone

por escrito: in writing

10) : as for

por mí: as far as I'm concerned

11) : times

tres por dos son seis: three times two is six

12) según: from, according to

por lo que dices: judging from what you're telling me

13) : as, for

por ejemplo: for example

14) : by

hecho por mi abuela: made by my grandmother

por correo: by mail

15) : for, in order to

lucha por ganar su respeto: he struggles to win her respect

16)

estar por : to be about to

17)

por ciento : percent

18)

por favor : please

19)

por lo tanto : therefore, consequently

20)

¿por qué? : why?

21)

por que porque

22)

por... que : no matter how

por mucho que intente: no matter how hard I try

23)

por si or

por si acaso : just in case

* * *

por prep

1. (a través de) through

entra por la puerta de la derecha go in through the door on the right

por el bosque through the wood

2. (la calle) along / down

iba por la calle I was walking down the street

3. (indica camino) via / by

fuimos por la carretera comarcal we went by the B road

4. (indica una parte concreta) by

sujeta la cacerola por el asa hold the saucepan by its handle

5. (indica el tiempo)

por la mañana in the morning

por Navidades at Christmas

por la noche at night

por unos días for a few days

6. (a causa de) because of

suspendieron el concierto por la lluvia the concert was cancelled because of the rain

7. (a fin de) to / in order to

por complacer al padre in order to please her father

8. (indica el autor) by

el cuadro fue pintado por Picasso the picture was painted by Picasso

9. (en favor o defensa de) for

haría cualquier cosa por su hijo she'd do anything for her son

es por tu propio bien it's for your own good

10. (multiplicado) times

cuatro por cuatro son dieciséis four times four is sixteen

11. (a cambio de) for

lo compré por cien pesetas I bought it for a hundred pesetas

te doy este libro por esos sellos I'll give you this book for those stamps

12. (en vez de) instead of

ya jugaré yo por Jaime I'll play instead of Jaime

13. (indica que una acción todavía no está hecha)

las camas están por hacer the beds still have to be made

ir por / ir a por to fetch

¡ve a por mis zapatillas, por favor! fetch my slippers, please!

por + adjetivo however + adjective

por barato que parezca however cheap it may seem

por mucho que te quejes however much you complain

por aquí (cerca) near here (indicando camino) this way

por ciento per cent

por correo by post

por fin at last

por la fuerza by force

por lo general generally / usually

por lo menos at least

por mí as far as I'm concerned

por si... in case...

por sorpresa by surprise

por supuesto of course

por tanto therefore

por teléfono on the telephone

¿por qué? why?

Spanish-English dictionary > por
6 decir

v.

1 to say.

decir que sí/no to say yes/no

dice que no viene she says (that) she is not coming

¿cómo se dice “estación” en inglés? how do you say “estación” in English?

dicen que va a ser un verano muy seco they say it's going to be a very dry summer

Ella dijo la razón She said the reason.

Ella dijo incongruencias She said=uttered inconsistencies.

Esa historia dice algo cierto That story says something that is true.

2 to tell.

¿quién te lo ha dicho? who told you that?

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you want me to say?, what can I say?

decir a alguien que haga algo to tell somebody to do something

decir la verdad to tell the truth

Decirle la verdad a Ricardo To tell the truth to Richard= To tell Richard the truth.

Le dije I told him.

3 to recite, to read.

4 to tell, to show.

eso lo dice todo that says it all

decir mucho (en favor) de to say a lot for

5 to call.

le dicen la carretera de la muerte they call it the road of death

6 to say to.

Ella había dicho hacer eso She had said to do that.

7 to say about.

Ese estudio dice mil años That study says about one thousand years.

* * *

DECIR

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen.

Past Indicative

dije, dijiste, dijo, dijimos, dijisteis, dijeron.

Future Indicative

diré, dirás, dirá, diremos, diréis, dirán.

Conditional

diría, dirías, diría, diríamos, diríais, dirían.

Present Subjunctive

diga, digas, diga, digamos, digáis, digan.

Imperfect Subjunctive

dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran;

dijese, dijeses, dijese, dijésemos, dijeseis, dijesen.

Future Subjunctive

dijere, dijeres, dijere, dijéremos, dijereis, dijeren.

Imperative

di (tú), diga (él/Vd.), digamos (nos.), decid (vos.), digan (ellos/Vds.).

Past Participle

dicho,-a.

* * *

verb

1) to say

2) tell

3) speak

•

- decirse

* * *
DECIR ¿"Say" o "tell"? Decir se puede traducir por say o por tell. Por regla general, say simplemente {dice} y tell {informa} u {ordena hacer algo}. ► Decir generalmente se traduce por say en estilo directo. Normalmente no lleva un complemento de persona pero si se menciona a quién se está dirigiendo el hablante, el complemento de persona tiene que ir precedido por la preposición to: "Ya son las tres", dije "It's already three o'clock," I said "¡Qué tiempo más malo!" Eso fue lo único que me dijo "What awful weather!" That's all he said to me ► En estilo indirecto, decir se puede traducir por say cuando simplemente se cuenta lo que alguien ha dicho. Si say lleva complemento de persona, este se coloca después del complemento directo: Dijo que se tenía que marchar He said he had to leave Me dijo algo que no entendí He said something to me that I didn't understand ► Decir se traduce por tell cuando se {informa} o se {ordena hacer algo}. Suele llevar un objeto de persona sin la preposición to: Me dijo que tenía una entrevista de trabajo He told me he had a job interview ¡Te he dicho que no lo toques! I told you not to touch it! ► Hay algunos usos idiomáticos en los que decir se traduce por tell aunque no lleva complemento de persona. Por ejemplo: to tell the truth (decir la verdad) y to tell a lie (decir una mentira). Otros verbos ► Si decir va acompañado de un calificativo en español, a menudo se puede traducir al inglés por otros verbos que no sean say o tell: "Lo he perdido todo", dijo entre sollozos "I've lost everything," she sobbed Dijo con voz ronca algo sobre necesitar un médico He croaked something about needing a doctor Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada Para otras expresiones con el participio, ver dicho.
1. VERBO TRANSITIVO

1) (=afirmar) to say

ya sabe decir varias palabras — she can already say several words, she already knows several words

- tengo prisa -dijo — "I'm in a hurry," she said

viene y dice: -estás despedido — * he goes, "you're fired" *

olvídalo, no he dicho nada — forget I said anything

¿decía usted? — you were saying?

• [como] dicen los madrileños — as they say in Madrid

como decía mi abuela — as my grandmother used to say

como iba diciendo... — as I was saying...

¿cómo ha dicho usted? — pardon?, what did you say?

• decir para {o} entre [sí] — to say to o.s.
decir que to say (that)
mi amigo dice que eres muy guapa — my friend says (that) you're very pretty

dicen que... — they say (that)..., people say (that)...

el cartel dice claramente que... — the sign says clearly {o} clearly states that...

decir que sí/no — to say yes/no

-¿viene? -dice que sí — "is she coming?" - "she says she is {o} she says so"

la miré y me dijo que sí/no con la cabeza — I looked at her and she nodded/shook her head
adiós 2.
2) decir algo a algn to tell sb sth

¿quién te lo dijo? — who told you?

se lo dije bien claro, pero no me hizo caso — I told her quite clearly, but she didn't take any notice of me

tengo algo que decirte — there's something I want to tell you, I've got something to tell you

hoy nos dicen las notas — they're telling {o} giving us our results today
decir a algn que ({+ indic}) to tell sb (that)
me dijo que no vendría — he told me (that) he wouldn't come

ya te dije que no tiene ni idea — I told you he hasn't got a clue

¿no te digo que no puedo ir? — I've already told you I can't go
decir a algn que ({+ subjun}) (=ordenar) to tell sb to ({+ infin}); (=pedir) to ask sb to ({+ infin})
la profesora me dijo que esperara fuera — the teacher told me to wait outside

le dije que fuera más tarde — I told her to go later

dile que venga a cenar mañana con nosotros — ask him to come and have supper with us tomorrow

te digo que te calles — I said shut up

3) (=contar) [+ mentiras, verdad, secreto] to tell

decir tonterías — to talk nonsense
verdad 1)
4) (=llamar) to call

¿cómo le dicen a esto en Perú? — what do they call this in Peru?

se llama Francisco, pero le dicen Paco — his name is Francisco, but he's known as Paco

le dicen "el torero" — he's known as "el torero"

en México se le dice "recámara" al dormitorio — in Mexico they say "recámara" instead of "dormitorio"

• me dijo de [todo] — he called me all the names under the sun

5) (=opinar) to say

podemos ir a Portugal, ¿tú qué dices? — we could go to Portugal, what do you say?

¿tu familia qué dice de la boda? — what does your family say about the wedding?

6) [rectificando]

había 8, digo 9 — there were 8, I mean 9

dirá usted aquel otro — you must mean that other one

¡qué digo! — what am I saying?

7) [texto] to say

no puedo leer lo que dice — I can't read what it says

no me dice nada este libro — this book leaves me cold

• como dice el [refrán]... — as the saying goes...

8) [+ misa] to say

9) [locuciones en indicativo]

digo... — Méx well, er...

mis súbditos se presentarán ante mí ¡he dicho! — my subjects shall appear before me: I have spoken!

• y dice [bien] — and he is quite right

• [como quien] dice — (=de alguna manera) so to speak; (=aproximadamente) in a way, more or less

aunque no es el director es, como quien dice, el que manda en la empresa — although he isn't the manager, he's the person in charge, so to speak, of the company

está, como quien dice, aquí al lado — it's just round the corner, as they say

como quien no dice nada — quite casually, as though it wasn't important

• [lo mismo] digo — likewise

- gracias por todo -lo mismo digo — "thank you for everything" - "likewise!" {o} "thanks to you too!"

• pero dice [mal] — but he is wrong

• pues si esto te parece mucha gente, no te digo [nada] en verano — if you think this is a lot of people, you should see it in summer

• no lo digo [por] ti — I'm not referring to you, I'm not getting at you

• sí, [porque tú] lo digas — yes, sir, aye, aye, captain! iró

• ¿[qué me] dices? — [sorpresa] you don't say!, well I never!; [incredulidad] come off it!

• [si tú] lo dices — if you say so

• eso digo [yo] — that's (just) what I say

deberías buscar trabajo, vamos, digo yo — you ought to look for a job, that's what I say, if you ask me, you ought to look for a job

¡si te lo digo yo! — of course it's true!

¡lo digo yo y basta! — you will do it because I say so!

• ¡[y que] lo digas! — you can say that again!

- decir digo donde dijo Diego

- no dijo ni pío

- dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres

10) [locuciones en infinitivo]

• [dar] que decir (a la gente) — to make people talk, set tongues wagging

• [es] decir — that is (to say)

mi prima, es decir, la hija de Ana — my cousin, that is (to say) Ana's daughter

• [ir] a decir, ¡a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

• es [mucho] decir — that's saying something

• [ni que] decir tiene que... — it goes without saying that...

• [no hay más] que decir — there's nothing more to say

• para decirlo con otras [palabras] — to put it another way, in other words

• decir [por] decir — to talk for talking's sake

• [por así] decirlo — so to speak

• [querer] decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir "spatha"? — what does "spatha" mean?

¿qué quiere usted decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿querrás decir un millón, no un billón? — do you mean a million rather than a billion?

• [ya es] decir — that's saying something

les ha costado más cara que mi casa, y eso ya es decir — it cost them more than my house did, and that's saying something

11) [locuciones en subjuntivo, imperativo]

no es que yo lo diga, pero... — it's not because I say so, but...

es, digamos, un comerciante — he's a dealer, for want of a better word, he's a sort of dealer

¡haberlo dicho!, ¡me lo hubieras dicho! — you could have told me {o} said!

• digámoslo [así] — so to speak, for want of a better word

• digan [lo que] digan — whatever they say

• y [no] digamos... — not to mention...

y su madre, no digamos — not to mention his mother

• no es muy guapa [que] digamos — she's not what you'd call pretty, she's not exactly pretty

no estuvo muy cortés, que digamos — he wasn't what you'd call polite, he wasn't exactly polite

• ¡[no me] digas! — [sorpresa] you don't say!, well I never!; [incredulidad] come off it!

• ¿qué [quieres] que te diga? — what can I say?

12) [locuciones en condicional]

¿cómo (lo) diría yo? — how shall I put it?

¿cómo diríamos? — how shall I put it?

¡quién lo diría! — would you believe it!, who would have thought it!

13) el qué dirán

pero no quiso por el qué dirán — but she didn't want to because of what people might say

se preocupa mucho por el qué dirán — she's always worried about what people will say {o} think

2. VERBO INTRANSITIVO

1) [invitando a hablar]

-¿te puedo pedir un favor? -dime — "can I ask you a favour?" - "go ahead"

¿diga?, ¿dígame? — [al teléfono] hello?

usted dirá — [invitando a hablar] go ahead; [sirviendo bebida] say when; [en tienda] can I help you?

-¿te gustaría cambiar de coche? -¡hombre, ya me dirás! — "would you like a new car?" - "you bet I would!"

2) (=indicar)

su nombre no me dice nada — her name doesn't mean anything to me

su mirada lo dice todo — her expression says it all {o} speaks volumes

• eso dice mucho [de] su personalidad — that says a lot about her personality

una situación que tan mal dice de nuestro gobierno — a situation which shows our government in such a bad light

3.

See:

decirse

* * *
I
masculino

¿cientos de personas? - bueno, es un decir — hundreds of people? - well, figuratively speaking
II 1.
verbo transitivo

1) <palabra/frase/poema> to say; <mentira/verdad> to tell

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2]

ya dice `mamá' — he says `mama' now

no digas esas cosas, por favor — please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces — don't talk nonsense!

¿cómo pudiste decir eso? — how could you say that?

¿eso lo dices por mí? — are you referring to me?

no lo dirás en serio! — you can't be serious!

dijo que sí con la cabeza — he nodded

dicen or se dice que es el hombre más rico del país — he is said to be the richest man in the country

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' — it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

eso no se dice! — you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? — how do you say `love' in Russian?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es — she's not what you would call pretty

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado — it's on Saturday; you're invited, but that goes without saying

haberlo dicho antes — why didn't you say so before?

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? - dice que sí — will he have time to do it? - he says he will

¿no lo encontró? - dice que no — didn't he find it? - no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan — whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? — (RPl fam) hi, how are things? (colloq)

2)

decirle algo a alguien — to tell somebody something

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí — that's not what he told me

¿sabes qué me dijo? — do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá — I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado — they're going to give us the result today

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano — Andrés told me about your brother

a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

ya te lo decía yo! — I told you so!

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco — it was terrible, I can't begin to tell you how terrible

no me digas que no es precioso! — isn't it beautiful?

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres — you can judge a man by the company he keeps

3)

a) (expresando o transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias)

porque lo digo yo! — because I say so!

harás lo que yo diga — you'll do as I say

papá dice que vayas — Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues — she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado — she said to be careful

decirle a alguien que + subj — to tell somebody to + inf

diles que empiecen — tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera — I told him not to do it

b)

decir adiós — to say goodbye

decirle adiós a alguien — to say goodbye to somebody

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante — you'd better say goodbye to your student days

4) ( por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? — what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto — there's nothing in the paper about it

5) ( llamar) to call

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo — her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

6) (sugerir, comunicar)

la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona — the way someone dresses says a lot/tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá — time will tell

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil — something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? — does that name mean anything to you?

7)

decir misa — to say mass

8)

querer decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? — what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? — do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

9) (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? — what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

quién lo hubiera dicho! — who would have thought o believed it?

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo — we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil - si tú lo dices... — it's very easy - if you say so...

10) (en locs)

a decir verdad — to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice — so to speak

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda... he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me; decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it; es decir that is; mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is; es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año - eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year - I wouldn't go that far; he dicho! that's that o final!; no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq); por así decirlo so to speak; que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent; que no se diga! shame on you!; que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it; y (ya) no digamos or (AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics...; el qué dirán (fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán — she's always been worried what other people (might) think; ver tb dicho I
2.
decir vi

a) ( invitando a hablar)

papá - dime, hijo — dad - yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor - usted dirá — I wanted to ask you a favor - certainly, go ahead

tome asiento, usted dirá — (frml) take a seat, and now, what can I do for you?

b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono)

¿diga? or ¿dígame? — hello?
3.
decirse v pron

a) (refl) to say... to oneself

b) (recípr) to say.... to each other

se decían secretos al oído — they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo — they called each other every name under the sun

c) (enf)

yo sé lo que me digo — I know what I'm talking about

tú te lo dices todo — you seem to have all the answers

* * *

= declare, put, read, say, state, tell, volunteer, make + the point that, let + Nombre + know, let + it be known, observe, bid, reflect, utter, tender, hip, call + the tune.

Ex. 24.17 declares Enter a body created or controlled by a government under its own name unless it belongs to one or more of the types listed in 24.18.

Ex. As one respondent from this end of the information spectrum put it, 'Context is all in the information world'.

Ex. This error message is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and reads: DAWT008, 107, DFCR....

Ex. In conclusion, it should not be necessary to say that instructions and guiding must be as brief as possible.

Ex. Short abstracts are generally preferred, but there are instances where the most effective approach is to cite the original unamended, and to state that this is what has been done.

Ex. Program function key 1 (FP1) tells DOBIS/LIBIS to stop whatever it is doing and go back to the function selection screen.

Ex. 'Anything wrong?' 'Oh, I'm okay, I guess,' volunteered Datto cautiously.

Ex. However, they do make the very important point that the notation is not an essential part of the scheme.

Ex. Then the secretary, having rallied herself, said forlornly 'I'll let him know you're here in a minute'.

Ex. It can certainly be status-conferring to let it be known in social conversation that one has read the latest Fay Weldon book, but if the group one is in never reads Fay Weldon anyway and could not care less what she has written then the victory is a somewhat hollow one.

Ex. 'All this is not very likely,' she observed at last, 'not only because of the strength of the selection process -- its imperviousness to proof before an arbitrator'.

Ex. 'Sit down please,' he bade her.

Ex. 'Now, you know, I could merely turn this over to the two division or all the department heads and let them decide,' reflected Bough.

Ex. The ideal was forever etched in his consciousness from the day Crane uttered it: a good librarian working anywhere is a credit and benefit to libraries everywhere.

Ex. 'Well,' Stanton tendered, 'one candidate clearly has the superior experience -- Kass'.

Ex. He was aghast after having been hipped to the fact there are hookers on the Internet.

Ex. As long as we allow other people to pay the piper, they will continue calling the tune in Africa.

----

* ¡eso se dice pronto! = easier said than done.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be kidding!.

* a decir de todos = by all accounts.

* a decir verdad = to tell the truth, if the truth be known, if the truth be told, in all truth, in truth, fact is, the fact is (that), to be fair.

* a decir verdad... = the fact of the matter is that....

* arriesgarse a decir = hazard.

* atreverse a decir = go + (as/so) far as to say.

* aunque a decir verdad = Mind you.

* aventurarse a decir = venture.

* baste decir que = suffice (it) to say.

* como dice el dicho = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* como dice el refrán = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* continuar diciendo = go on.

* cumplir lo que se dice = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* decían las malas lenguas que = rumour had it that.

* decir adiós = bid + Nombre + goodbye, bid + adieu, kiss + Nombre + goodbye, bid + farewell, wave + a bye.

* decir adiós (a) = say + goodbye (to).

* decir adiós al pasado = bid + farewell + to the past.

* decir adiós con la mano = wave + goodbye.

* decir adiós con un gesto = signal + goodbye.

* decir a favor de = say in + favour of.

* decir Algo = break + the news.

* decir Algo a Alguien = let + Nombre + in on.

* decir Algo de un modo colérico = flame out.

* decir Algo que es obvio por sí mismo = state + the obvious.

* decir balbuceando = splutter, sputter.

* decir bolas = fib.

* decir bromeando = quip.

* decir chorradas = bullshit.

* decir con desdén = sneer.

* decir con desprecio = sneer.

* decir con la boca llena = say in + full confidence.

* decir con mal humor = spit out.

* decir con toda confianza = say in + full confidence.

* decir con voz + Adjetivo = say in + a + Adjetivo + voice.

* decir de un modo enfadado = spit out.

* decir disparates = shoot off + at the mouth, talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir en confianza = confide.

* decir en defensa de = say in + defence of.

* decir entrecordamente = splurt out.

* decir en voz alta = say + out loud, say in + a loud voice.

* decir en voz baja = say under + Posesivo + breath, say in + a low voice, say in + a quiet voice.

* decir + esperar = express + hope.

* decir estupideces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir gilipolleces = talk + nonsense, talk + rubbish, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir humorísticamente = quip.

* decir inesperadamente = blurt out, pipe.

* decir la última palabra = hear + the final word, outface.

* decir la verdad = tell + the truth, speak + the truth, come + clean.

* decir la verdad sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* decir la verdad, toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad = to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

* decirlo = come out with + it.

* decir lo que Uno piensa = speak up, speak out.

* decir mentirijillas = fib.

* decir mentirillas = fib.

* decir mucho de Algo = speak + volumes.

* decir pamplinas = bullshit.

* decir + poseer = claim.

* decir que Uno se siente cómodo con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno se siente confortable con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno siente lo que le ha pasado a Otra Persona = express + sympathy for.

* decir rápidamente sin parar = rattle off.

* decir resoplando = snort.

* decir sandeces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decirse = grapevine + carry + the story, make out to be, word + go (a)round.

* decirse que = be reputed to.

* decir suspirando = sigh.

* decir tonterías = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir una grosería = make + rude remark.

* demostrar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* dicen las malas lenguas que = rumour has it that.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say, say.

* dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres = you are known by the company you keep.

* dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres = you are known by the company you keep.

* el tiempo dirá = time will tell.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* enterarse de lo que Uno quiere decir = catch + Posesivo + drift, get + Posesivo + drift.

* es decir = i.e. (latín - id est), in other words, that is, that is to say, which is to say.

* es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo = easier said than done.

* estar a punto de decir = be on the tip of + Posesivo + tongue to say.

* esto no quiere decir que = this is not to say that.

* expresar lo que Uno quiere decir = make + Posesivo + point.

* hablar sin decir nada = waffle.

* hacer lo que uno dice que es capaz de hacer = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* huelga decir = needless to say.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be joking!.

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* ni que decir tiene que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no decir a Alguien lo que está ocurriendo = leave + Nombre + in the dark.

* no decir nada = keep + quiet.

* no decir nada a nadie = lips + seal.

* no decir palabrotas = watch + Posesivo + mouth.

* ¡no digas palabrotas! = watch your language!.

* no hace falta decir que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no preguntes porque no te puedo decir la verdad = ask no questions and hear no lies.

* no saber qué decir = be at a loss for words, be lost for words.

* no ser tan bueno como se dice = not + it's cracked up to be.

* para comenzar diremos que = to begin with.

* para decir la verdad = to be honest.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* predecible en cuanto a lo que dice = platitudinous.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* qué me dices de... = what about....

* querer decir = mean.

* quién iba a decir entonces que... = little did + Verbo + then that....

* quién + Pronombre + iba a decir que... = little did + Pronombre + know that....

* recalcar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* resaltar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* se decía que = rumour had it that.

* se dice = so the story goes.

* se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil = easier said than done.

* se dice que = rumour has it that, the saying + be + that.

* según se dice = reportedly, so the argument goes, reputedly.

* sin decir nada = dumbly.

* sin decir ni mú = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir ni pío = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir una palabra = without saying a word.

* sin saber qué decir = nonplussed [nonplused].

* tener cuidado con lo que se dice = say + the right thing.

* tener cuidado con lo que Uno dice = watch + Posesivo + mouth, watch what + say.

* yo me atrevería a decir = dare I say.

* * *
I
masculino

¿cientos de personas? - bueno, es un decir — hundreds of people? - well, figuratively speaking
II 1.
verbo transitivo

1) <palabra/frase/poema> to say; <mentira/verdad> to tell

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2]

ya dice `mamá' — he says `mama' now

no digas esas cosas, por favor — please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces — don't talk nonsense!

¿cómo pudiste decir eso? — how could you say that?

¿eso lo dices por mí? — are you referring to me?

no lo dirás en serio! — you can't be serious!

dijo que sí con la cabeza — he nodded

dicen or se dice que es el hombre más rico del país — he is said to be the richest man in the country

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' — it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

eso no se dice! — you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? — how do you say `love' in Russian?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es — she's not what you would call pretty

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado — it's on Saturday; you're invited, but that goes without saying

haberlo dicho antes — why didn't you say so before?

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? - dice que sí — will he have time to do it? - he says he will

¿no lo encontró? - dice que no — didn't he find it? - no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan — whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? — (RPl fam) hi, how are things? (colloq)

2)

decirle algo a alguien — to tell somebody something

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí — that's not what he told me

¿sabes qué me dijo? — do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá — I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado — they're going to give us the result today

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano — Andrés told me about your brother

a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

ya te lo decía yo! — I told you so!

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco — it was terrible, I can't begin to tell you how terrible

no me digas que no es precioso! — isn't it beautiful?

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres — you can judge a man by the company he keeps

3)

a) (expresando o transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias)

porque lo digo yo! — because I say so!

harás lo que yo diga — you'll do as I say

papá dice que vayas — Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues — she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado — she said to be careful

decirle a alguien que + subj — to tell somebody to + inf

diles que empiecen — tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera — I told him not to do it

b)

decir adiós — to say goodbye

decirle adiós a alguien — to say goodbye to somebody

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante — you'd better say goodbye to your student days

4) ( por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? — what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto — there's nothing in the paper about it

5) ( llamar) to call

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo — her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

6) (sugerir, comunicar)

la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona — the way someone dresses says a lot/tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá — time will tell

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil — something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? — does that name mean anything to you?

7)

decir misa — to say mass

8)

querer decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? — what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? — do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

9) (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? — what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

quién lo hubiera dicho! — who would have thought o believed it?

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo — we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil - si tú lo dices... — it's very easy - if you say so...

10) (en locs)

a decir verdad — to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice — so to speak

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda... he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me; decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it; es decir that is; mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is; es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año - eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year - I wouldn't go that far; he dicho! that's that o final!; no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq); por así decirlo so to speak; que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent; que no se diga! shame on you!; que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it; y (ya) no digamos or (AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics...; el qué dirán (fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán — she's always been worried what other people (might) think; ver tb dicho I
2.
decir vi

a) ( invitando a hablar)

papá - dime, hijo — dad - yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor - usted dirá — I wanted to ask you a favor - certainly, go ahead

tome asiento, usted dirá — (frml) take a seat, and now, what can I do for you?

b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono)

¿diga? or ¿dígame? — hello?
3.
decirse v pron

a) (refl) to say... to oneself

b) (recípr) to say.... to each other

se decían secretos al oído — they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo — they called each other every name under the sun

c) (enf)

yo sé lo que me digo — I know what I'm talking about

tú te lo dices todo — you seem to have all the answers

* * *

= declare, put, read, say, state, tell, volunteer, make + the point that, let + Nombre + know, let + it be known, observe, bid, reflect, utter, tender, hip, call + the tune.

Ex: 24.17 declares Enter a body created or controlled by a government under its own name unless it belongs to one or more of the types listed in 24.18.

Ex: As one respondent from this end of the information spectrum put it, 'Context is all in the information world'.

Ex: This error message is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and reads: DAWT008, 107, DFCR....

Ex: In conclusion, it should not be necessary to say that instructions and guiding must be as brief as possible.

Ex: Short abstracts are generally preferred, but there are instances where the most effective approach is to cite the original unamended, and to state that this is what has been done.

Ex: Program function key 1 (FP1) tells DOBIS/LIBIS to stop whatever it is doing and go back to the function selection screen.

Ex: 'Anything wrong?' 'Oh, I'm okay, I guess,' volunteered Datto cautiously.

Ex: However, they do make the very important point that the notation is not an essential part of the scheme.

Ex: Then the secretary, having rallied herself, said forlornly 'I'll let him know you're here in a minute'.

Ex: It can certainly be status-conferring to let it be known in social conversation that one has read the latest Fay Weldon book, but if the group one is in never reads Fay Weldon anyway and could not care less what she has written then the victory is a somewhat hollow one.

Ex: 'All this is not very likely,' she observed at last, 'not only because of the strength of the selection process -- its imperviousness to proof before an arbitrator'.

Ex: 'Sit down please,' he bade her.

Ex: 'Now, you know, I could merely turn this over to the two division or all the department heads and let them decide,' reflected Bough.

Ex: The ideal was forever etched in his consciousness from the day Crane uttered it: a good librarian working anywhere is a credit and benefit to libraries everywhere.

Ex: 'Well,' Stanton tendered, 'one candidate clearly has the superior experience -- Kass'.

Ex: He was aghast after having been hipped to the fact there are hookers on the Internet.

Ex: As long as we allow other people to pay the piper, they will continue calling the tune in Africa.

* ¡eso se dice pronto! = easier said than done.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be kidding!.

* a decir de todos = by all accounts.

* a decir verdad = to tell the truth, if the truth be known, if the truth be told, in all truth, in truth, fact is, the fact is (that), to be fair.

* a decir verdad... = the fact of the matter is that....

* arriesgarse a decir = hazard.

* atreverse a decir = go + (as/so) far as to say.

* aunque a decir verdad = Mind you.

* aventurarse a decir = venture.

* baste decir que = suffice (it) to say.

* como dice el dicho = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* como dice el refrán = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* continuar diciendo = go on.

* cumplir lo que se dice = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* decían las malas lenguas que = rumour had it that.

* decir adiós = bid + Nombre + goodbye, bid + adieu, kiss + Nombre + goodbye, bid + farewell, wave + a bye.

* decir adiós (a) = say + goodbye (to).

* decir adiós al pasado = bid + farewell + to the past.

* decir adiós con la mano = wave + goodbye.

* decir adiós con un gesto = signal + goodbye.

* decir a favor de = say in + favour of.

* decir Algo = break + the news.

* decir Algo a Alguien = let + Nombre + in on.

* decir Algo de un modo colérico = flame out.

* decir Algo que es obvio por sí mismo = state + the obvious.

* decir balbuceando = splutter, sputter.

* decir bolas = fib.

* decir bromeando = quip.

* decir chorradas = bullshit.

* decir con desdén = sneer.

* decir con desprecio = sneer.

* decir con la boca llena = say in + full confidence.

* decir con mal humor = spit out.

* decir con toda confianza = say in + full confidence.

* decir con voz + Adjetivo = say in + a + Adjetivo + voice.

* decir de un modo enfadado = spit out.

* decir disparates = shoot off + at the mouth, talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir en confianza = confide.

* decir en defensa de = say in + defence of.

* decir entrecordamente = splurt out.

* decir en voz alta = say + out loud, say in + a loud voice.

* decir en voz baja = say under + Posesivo + breath, say in + a low voice, say in + a quiet voice.

* decir + esperar = express + hope.

* decir estupideces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir gilipolleces = talk + nonsense, talk + rubbish, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir humorísticamente = quip.

* decir inesperadamente = blurt out, pipe.

* decir la última palabra = hear + the final word, outface.

* decir la verdad = tell + the truth, speak + the truth, come + clean.

* decir la verdad sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* decir la verdad, toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad = to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

* decirlo = come out with + it.

* decir lo que Uno piensa = speak up, speak out.

* decir mentirijillas = fib.

* decir mentirillas = fib.

* decir mucho de Algo = speak + volumes.

* decir pamplinas = bullshit.

* decir + poseer = claim.

* decir que Uno se siente cómodo con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno se siente confortable con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno siente lo que le ha pasado a Otra Persona = express + sympathy for.

* decir rápidamente sin parar = rattle off.

* decir resoplando = snort.

* decir sandeces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decirse = grapevine + carry + the story, make out to be, word + go (a)round.

* decirse que = be reputed to.

* decir suspirando = sigh.

* decir tonterías = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir una grosería = make + rude remark.

* demostrar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* dicen las malas lenguas que = rumour has it that.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say, say.

* dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres = you are known by the company you keep.

* dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres = you are known by the company you keep.

* el tiempo dirá = time will tell.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* enterarse de lo que Uno quiere decir = catch + Posesivo + drift, get + Posesivo + drift.

* es decir = i.e. (latín - id est), in other words, that is, that is to say, which is to say.

* es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo = easier said than done.

* estar a punto de decir = be on the tip of + Posesivo + tongue to say.

* esto no quiere decir que = this is not to say that.

* expresar lo que Uno quiere decir = make + Posesivo + point.

* hablar sin decir nada = waffle.

* hacer lo que uno dice que es capaz de hacer = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* huelga decir = needless to say.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be joking!.

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* ni que decir tiene que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no decir a Alguien lo que está ocurriendo = leave + Nombre + in the dark.

* no decir nada = keep + quiet.

* no decir nada a nadie = lips + seal.

* no decir palabrotas = watch + Posesivo + mouth.

* ¡no digas palabrotas! = watch your language!.

* no hace falta decir que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no preguntes porque no te puedo decir la verdad = ask no questions and hear no lies.

* no saber qué decir = be at a loss for words, be lost for words.

* no ser tan bueno como se dice = not + it's cracked up to be.

* para comenzar diremos que = to begin with.

* para decir la verdad = to be honest.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* predecible en cuanto a lo que dice = platitudinous.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* qué me dices de... = what about....

* querer decir = mean.

* quién iba a decir entonces que... = little did + Verbo + then that....

* quién + Pronombre + iba a decir que... = little did + Pronombre + know that....

* recalcar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* resaltar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* se decía que = rumour had it that.

* se dice = so the story goes.

* se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil = easier said than done.

* se dice que = rumour has it that, the saying + be + that.

* según se dice = reportedly, so the argument goes, reputedly.

* sin decir nada = dumbly.

* sin decir ni mú = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir ni pío = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir una palabra = without saying a word.

* sin saber qué decir = nonplussed [nonplused].

* tener cuidado con lo que se dice = say + the right thing.

* tener cuidado con lo que Uno dice = watch + Posesivo + mouth, watch what + say.

* yo me atrevería a decir = dare I say.

* * *

decir¹

masculine

1

(manera de expresarse): en el decir popular in popular speech

¿cientos de personas? — bueno, es un decir hundreds of people? — well, it's just a manner of speaking o a figure of speech

supongamos, es un decir, que … let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that …

al decir de la gente, el clima está cambiando people say the climate is changing

2 decires mpl (dichos) sayings (pl); (rumores) talk

no son más que decires it's just talk

decir² [ I24 ]

GUIA DE BUSQUEDA

■ decir (verbo transitivo)

A decir: palabra, mentira etc

B decirle algo a alguien

C

1 transmitiendo órdenes, deseos etc

2 decir adiós

D por escrito

E llamar

F sugerir, comunicar

G decir misa

H

1 querer decir

2 digo (al rectificar)

I opinar, pensar

J en locuciones

■ decir (verbo intransitivo)

A

1 invitando a hablar

2 al contestar el teléfono

B decir bien/mal de

■ decirse (verbo pronominal)

1 reflexivo

2 recíproco

3 para enfatizar

vt

A ‹palabra/frase› to say; ‹mentira/verdad› to tell; ‹poema› to say, recite; ‹oración› to say

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2] ya dice `mamá' he says ‘mama’ now

no digas esas cosas, por favor please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces/barbaridades don't talk nonsense o ( AmE) garbage o ( BrE) rubbish

¿cómo pudiste decir semejante disparate? how could you say such a stupid thing o make such a stupid comment?

no me dejó decir ni una palabra he didn't let me get a word in edgeways

¿eso lo dices por mí? are you referring to me?

no sé qué decir … un millón de gracias I don't know what to say … thank you very much indeed

¡qué callado estás! ¡no dices nada! you're very quiet, you've hardly said a word!

¡no lo dirás en serio! you can't be serious!

¡no irás a decir que no lo sabías! don't try and tell me you didn't know!

dijo que sí con la cabeza he nodded

—no puedo hacer nada —dijo Juan there is nothing I can do, said Juan o Juan said

como dice el refrán/mi abuela as the saying goes/as my grandmother says

lo dijeron por la radio they said it o it was announced on the radio

no eran ricos, digamos que vivían bien I don't mean they were rich, let's just say they lived well

dicen que de joven fue muy guapa they say she was very beautiful when she was young

dicen que es el hombre más rico del país he is said to be the richest man in the country

¿qué se dice? — gracias/por favor what do you say? — thank you/please

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

¡eso no se dice! you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `te quiero' en ruso? how do you say `I love you' in Russian?, what's the Russian for `I love you'?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es she's not what you would call pretty

estoy harta, lo que se dice harta ¿me oyes? I'm fed up, absolutely fed up, do you hear?

eso se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil that's easier said than done

palatal: dícese del sonido cuya articulación … palatal: of, relating to or denoting a sound articulated …

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado it's on Saturday; you're invited, of course, but that goes without saying o but I don't need to tell you that

haberlo dicho antes why didn't you say so before?, you might have said so before!

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? — dice que sí will he have time to do it? — he says he will

¿no lo encontró? — dice que no didn't he find it? — no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan no matter what people say, whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? ( RPl fam); hi, how are things? ( colloq), hi, what's up? ( AmE colloq)

B

decirle algo a algn to tell sb sth

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí that's not what he told me, that's not what he said to me

¿sabes qué me dijo? do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado they're going to give us the result today

me dijo una mentira he told me a lie, he lied to me

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano Andrés told me about your brother

¡a mí me lo vas a decir! you're telling me!, you don't have to tell me!

¿sabes lo que te digo? por mí que se muera look, as far as I'm concerned he can drop dead! ( colloq)

¿no te digo? éste se cree que yo soy la sirvienta see what I mean? he thinks I'm his servant

¿no te digo or no te estoy diciendo que hasta le pega? I'm telling you, he even hits her!

¿tú qué me aconsejas? — ¿qué quieres que te diga? tienes que tomar tú la decisión what do you think I should do? — well, to be quite frank o honest, I think you have to decide for yourself

ya te decía yo que no era verdad I told you it wasn't true, didn't I?

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco it was terrible, I just can't describe it o I can't begin to tell you

hace mal tiempo en verano, y no te digo nada en invierno … in summer the weather's bad, and as for the winter …

¡no me digas que no es precioso! isn't it beautiful?

a lo mejor te ofrecen el puesto ¿quién te dice? (CS); you never know, they might offer you the job

me resultó ¿cómo te diría? … violento I found it … how shall I put it? o I don't know … rather embarrassing

¡ya me dirás qué le cuesta escribirnos una carta! I mean, surely it's not too much trouble for him to write us a letter

no te creas todo lo que te dicen don't believe everything people tell you o everything you hear

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres you can judge a man by the company he keeps

C

1

(transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias): ¡porque lo digo yo! because I say so!

a mí nadie me dice lo que tengo que hacer nobody tells me what to do

harás lo que yo diga you'll do as I say

manda decir mi mamá que si le puede prestar el martillo ( AmL); mom says can she borrow your hammer?

Fernando pregunta si puede venir con nosotros — dile que sí Fernando wants to know if he can come with us — yes, tell him he can o say yes

decir QUE + SUBJ:

dice papá que vayas Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado she said to be careful, she said we should be careful

decirle a algn QUE + SUBJ to tell sb to + INF

diles que empiecen tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera I told him not to do it

nos dijeron que esperáramos they told us o we were told to wait

te digo que vengas aquí enseguida I said, come here at once

2

decir adiós to say goodbye

vino a decirme adiós she came to say goodbye (to me)

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante that's the end of your student days, you'd better say goodbye to your student days

¿se lo prestaste? ¡ya le puedes decir adiós! you mean you lent it to him? well, you can kiss that goodbye! ( colloq)

D (por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto there's nothing in the paper about it

E (llamar) to call

le dicen `Dumbo' por las orejas they call him `Dumbo' because of his ears

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

no me digas de usted there's no need to call me `usted'

F

(sugerir, comunicar): la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona the way someone dresses says a lot o tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá time will tell

por afuera la casa no dice nada the house doesn't look much from the outside

el poema no me dice nada the poem doesn't do anything for me

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? does that name mean anything to you?

la tarta estaba diciendo cómeme the cake was just asking to be eaten

G

decir misa to say mass

H

1

querer decir to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? what do you mean by that?

no entendiste lo que quise decir you didn't understand what I meant

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

sólo quería decirte que … I just wanted to say that …

2

digo (al rectificar) I mean

el presupuesto asciende a diez mil, digo cien mil de euros we have a budget of ten thousand, (sorry,) I mean a hundred thousand euros

I (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

podríamos ir mañana ¿tú qué dices? we could go tomorrow, what do you think?

¡quién lo hubiera dicho! who would have thought o believed it?

podría haber mencionado al resto del equipo, vamos, digo yo … he could have mentioned the rest of the team … well I'd have thought so, anyway

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil — si tú lo dices … it's very easy — if you say so …

J ( en locuciones):

a decir verdad to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice so to speak

el nuevo tren está, como quien dice, a la vuelta de la esquina the new train is, so to speak o to coin a phrase, just around the corner

la granja es, como quien dice, la razón de su vida I suppose you could say the farm is his whole reason for living

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda … he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me

decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it

¡digo! ( Esp fam): ¡qué calor hace! — ¡digo! it's so hot! — you can say that again o I'll say! ( colloq)

¿y te gusta? — ¡digo! do you like it? — you bet I do o ( AmE) I sure do! ( colloq)

es decir that is

mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is

no sé si voy a poder ir — es decir que no vas a ir I don't know if I'll be able to go — you mean you're not going

es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año — eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year — I wouldn't go that far

¡he dicho! that's that!, that's final!

lo mismo digo: mucho gusto en conocerle — lo mismo digo pleased to meet you — pleased to meet you o likewise

¡qué alegría verte! — lo mismo digo it's great to see you! — and you o you too

¡no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! ( colloq)

¿sabes que se casa Lola? — ¡no me digas! do you know Lola's getting married? — no! o you're joking! o really? o never!

por así decirlo so to speak

es, por así decirlo, el alma-máter de la empresa he is, so to speak o as it were, the driving force behind the company

que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent

¿qué me dices?: saqué el primer puesto ¿qué me dices? I came first, how about that then?

¿y qué me dices de lo de Carlos? and what about Carlos then?

¿sabes que lo van a derribar? — ¿qué me dices? do you know they're going to demolish it? — what? o you're kidding!

¡que no se diga! shame on you!

¿te ganó un niño de seis años? ¡que no se diga! you were beaten by a six-year-old child? shame on you!

¡que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it

se dice pronto no less

costó $20.000 ¡se dice pronto! it cost $20,000, which is no mean sum

lleva dos meses enferma, que se dice pronto she has been ill for two months, and that's a long time

¡y que lo digas! ( Esp); you can say that again!, you're telling me!, don't I know it!

y (ya) no digamos or ( AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics …

el/la que te dije ( fam hum); you-know-who

el qué dirán ( fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán she's always been worried what other people (might) think

¿por qué te preocupa tanto el qué dirán? why do you worry about what people will o might say?

ver tb dicho¹ (↑ dicho (1))

■ decir

vi

A

1

(invitando a hablar): papá — dime, hijo dad — yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor — usted dirá ( frml); I wanted to ask you a favor — certainly, go ahead

tome asiento — gracias — usted dirá ( frml); take a seat — thank you — now, what can I do for you?

2

( Esp) [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ] (al contestar el teléfono): ¿diga? or ¿dígame? hello?

B

decir bien/mal de algn/algo: sus trabajos dicen bien de él his work has created a good impression

la manera en que se comportó no dice muy bien de él the way he behaved doesn't show him in a very good light o doesn't say very much for him

■ decirse

v pron

1 ( reflexivo) to say to oneself

se dijo que no lo volvería a hacer he said to himself o he told himself that he wouldn't do it again

me dije para mis adentros que allí había gato encerrado I said o thought to myself, there's something fishy going on here

2 ( recíproco) to say to each other

se decían secretos al oído they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo they called each other every name under the sun

3 ( enf):

tú hazme caso que yo sé lo que me digo you listen to me, I know what I'm talking about

no sé para qué me preguntas, si tú te lo dices todo I don't know why you're asking me, you seem to have all the answers

* * *

decir 1 sustantivo masculino:
◊ ¿cientos de personas? — bueno, es un decir hundreds of people? — well, figuratively speaking

decir 2 ( conjugate decir) verbo transitivo
1
a) ‹palabra/frase/poema› to say;

‹mentira/verdad› to tell;
para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2
◊ no digas estupideces don't talk nonsense!;

¿eso lo dices por mí? are you referring to me?;
¡no lo dirás en serio! you can't be serious!;
dijo que sí con la cabeza he nodded;
no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' it isn't `andé', it's `anduve';
¡eso no se dice! you mustn't say that!;
¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? how do you say `love' in Russian?;
¿lo encontró? — dice que sí/no did he find it? — he says he did/he didn't
b)

◊ decir misa to say mass

2 decirle algo a algn to tell sb sth;
◊ voy a decirle a papá que … I'm going to tell Dad …;

¡ya te lo decía yo! I told you so!
3
a) (expresando órdenes, deseos, advertencias):

◊ ¡porque lo digo yo! because I say so!;

harás lo que yo diga you'll do as I say;
dice que llames cuando llegues she says (you are) to phone when you get there;
dijo que tuviéramos cuidado she said to be careful;
diles que empiecen tell them to start;
le dije que no lo hiciera I told him not to do it
b)

◊ decir(le) adiós (a algn) to say goodbye (to sb)

4
a) (opinar, pensar) to think;

◊ ¿y los padres qué dicen? what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?;

¡quién lo hubiera dicho! who would have thought o believed it?;
es muy fácil — si tú lo dices … it's very easy — if you say so …
b) (sugerir, comunicar):

◊ el tiempo lo dirá time will tell;

¿te dice algo ese nombre? does that name mean anything to you?
5
◊ querer decir [palabra/persona] to mean;

¿qué quieres decir con eso? what do you mean by that?
6 ( en locs)
◊ a decir verdad to tell you the truth, to be honest;

como quien dice so to speak;
es decir that is;
¡he dicho! that's that o final!;
ni que decir tiene que … it goes without saying that …;
¡no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq);
por así decirlo so to speak;
el qué dirán (fam) what other people (might) think;
ver tb dicho 1
verbo intransitivo
a) ( invitando a hablar):

◊ papá — dime, hijo dad — yes, son?;

quería pedirle un favor — usted dirá I wanted to ask you a favor — certainly, go ahead
b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono): ¿diga? or ¿dígame? hello?

decirse verbo pronominal
a) ( refl) to say … to oneself

b) ( recípr) to say …. to each other;

◊ se decían secretos al oído they were whispering secrets to each other

decir
I m (dicho, sentencia) saying: es sólo un decir, it's just a manner of speaking
II verbo transitivo
1 to say: está diciendo una mentira/la verdad, she's telling a lie/the truth
no dijo nada, he said nothing
2 (con complemento indirecto) to tell: no le dije mi opinión, I didn't tell him my opinion
les dijo que esperaran un rato, she told them to wait for a while
3 (opinar, afirmar, proponer) ¿qué me dices de mi nuevo corte de pelo?, what do you think of my new haircut?, te digo que es una extravagancia, I think it's quite weird
yo digo que vayamos a Cuenca, I suggest going to Cuenca
4 (suscitar interés, una idea) to mean, appeal: ese libro no me dice nada, that book doesn't appeal to me
¿le dice algo esta cara?, does this face mean anything to you?
5 (mostrar, indicar) to say, show: lo que hizo dice mucho en su favor, what he did says a lot for him
su cara de decepción lo dice todo, his long face says it all
♦ Locuciones: Tel Esp diga o dígame, hello?
digamos, let's say
digo yo, in my opinion
el qué dirán, what people will say
es decir, that is (to say)
ni que decir tiene, needless to say
no decir esta boca es mía, not to say a word
¡no me digas!, really!
por así decirlo, as it were o so to speak
querer decir, to mean
¡y que lo digas!, you bet! ➣ Ver nota en mean
¿To tell o to say?
Observa que to tell menciona a la persona a la cual va dirigida una frase: Dime tu nombre. Tell me your name. Les dijo que se fueran. He told them to go away.
Por el contrario, to say se centra en el contenido del mensaje, sin importarnos a quién va dirigido: ¿Qué has dicho? What did you say? Dijo que sí. He said yes. ➣ Ver nota en tell.
' decir' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- amén
- amohinarse
- año
- apéndice
- atinar
- bala
- barbaridad
- bastante
- burrada
- callar
- chorrada
- colmo
- comenzar
- confiar
- cosa
- declarar
- delirar
- descargo
- despedirse
- dilucidar
- disparate
- entender
- excusada
- excusado
- flexible
- fluir
- ir
- haber
- hablar
- holgar
- honestamente
- hoy
- lengua
- maravilla
- mu
- nada
- obviedad
- pelagatos
- pío
- precisamente
- puño
- querer
- rezar
- restar
- rey
- saciedad
- señor
- significar
- soltar
English:
ablaze
- abuse
- afraid
- anything
- bid
- bite back
- blurt out
- buzz off
- caller
- clear off
- dash off
- devil
- dinner
- distinctly
- drone
- enjoy
- eventual
- ever
- few
- flatter
- flounder
- fortune
- gasp out
- get
- get at
- go
- go on
- hand
- heart
- hotly
- i.e.
- keep in
- know
- lip
- loss
- mean
- mention
- mildly
- mind
- miserably
- mouth
- move
- need
- needless
- neither
- no
- nonsense
- O
- occasion
- oops!

* * *

decir

♦ vt

1. [en general] to say;

siempre digo lo que pienso I always say what I think;

es muy callado, nunca dice nada he's very quiet, he never says anything o a word;

¿qué dice la etiqueta? what does the label say?;

no digas tonterías don't talk nonsense;

no digas tacos delante de los niños don't swear in front of the children;

lo dijo en broma she meant it as a joke;

¿quién te lo ha dicho? who told you that?;

me da igual lo que diga la gente I don't care what people say;

al decir esto, se marchó with these words o with that, he left;

no sabía qué decir I didn't know what to say, I was lost for words;

decir que sí/no to say yes/no;

dice que no viene she says (that) she's not coming;

como dice el refrán,… as the saying goes,…;

dicen que va a ser un verano muy seco they say it's going to be a very dry summer;

Comp

¡díjolo Blas, punto redondo! sure, whatever!, yes, sure!;

Comp

donde dije digo, digo Diego: ayer dijiste que me lo dejarías – sí, pero no puedo – ya, donde dije digo, digo Diego yesterday you told me you'd lend it to me – yes, but I can't now – you're always saying one thing one minute and another the next

2. [contar] to tell;

se lo voy a decir a la profesora I'm going to tell the teacher;

no se lo digas a nadie don't breathe a word of it to anyone;

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you want me to say?, what can I say?;

ya te lo había dicho yo, es demasiado caro I told you it's too expensive;

decir la verdad to tell the truth;

decir mentiras to tell lies;

pregunta si le dejas salir – dile que sí/no she wants to know if she can go out – tell her she can/can't;

quiere saber si hemos terminado – dile que sí/no he wants to know if we've finished – tell him we have/haven't;

dile que estoy ocupado tell him I'm busy;

dígame lo que pasó tell me what happened;

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí that's not what she told me;

tengo que hacerte una pregunta – dime I need to ask you a question – go ahead;

dígame en qué puedo ayudarle what can I do for you?

3. [ordenar] to tell;

la ley dice que es obligatorio el uso del casco according to the law, it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet, the law says that it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet;

decir a alguien que haga algo to tell sb to do sth;

haz lo que te digan y no protestes do as you're told and don't complain;

dile que venga tell her to come;

nos dijeron que nos fuéramos they told us to go away;

lo vas a hacer porque lo digo yo you'll do it because I say so

4. [recitar] [de memoria] to recite;
[leyendo] to read
5. [revelar] to tell, to show;

eso lo dice todo that says it all;

decir mucho (en favor) de to say a lot for;

sus ropas dicen bastante sobre su situación económica her clothes say a lot about her financial situation;

su violenta reacción dice mucho sobre su personalidad his violent reaction tells us o reveals a lot about his personality

6. [llamar] to call;

me dicen Paco they call me Paco;

le dicen la carretera de la muerte they call it the road of death

7. [asegurar] to tell, to assure;

te digo que ella no está mintiendo I tell you o assure you (that) she isn't lying;

dice que llegará mañana sin falta she says (that) she'll definitely arrive tomorrow

8. [en frases]
a decir verdad, no me apetece nada ir a la boda to tell (you) the truth o to be honest, I don't really feel like going to the wedding;

como quien no dice nada as if it were nothing;

olvídalo, como si no hubiera dicho nada forget I ever mentioned it;

con decirte que me marché a los diez minutos, te puedes imaginar como fue la fiesta if I tell you that I left after ten minutes, you can imagine what the party was like;

cualquiera diría que no le dan de comer en casa anyone would o you'd think she never gets fed at home;

decir para sí to say to oneself;

decir por decir to talk for the sake of talking;

no te lo tomes en serio, lo dijo por decir don't take it seriously, she didn't really mean it;

decirle a alguien cuatro verdades to tell sb a few home truths;

es decir that is, that's to say;

aracnofobia, es decir miedo a las arañas arachnophobia, that is o that's to say, fear of spiders;

tengo otra cita – es decir, que no vendrás a la inauguración I've got another engagement – you mean o in other words you're not coming to the opening ceremony;

encantado de conocerte – lo mismo digo pleased to meet you – likewise;

tu primer examen estaba muy mal, y lo mismo digo del segundo you did very poorly in your first exam, and the same goes for the second one;

ni que decir tiene needless to say;

yo no digo o [m5]no quiero decir nada, pero… it's not for me to say, but…;

¿sabías que Santiago se ha casado? – ¡no me digas! did you know that Santiago got married? – no! o never!;

¡no me digas que no te gusta! don't tell me you don't like it!;

el tenis/este cuadro no me dice nada tennis/this picture doesn't do anything for me;

no hay más que decir that's all there is to it, that's that;

(o) mejor dicho or rather;

por más que digas, no le veo nada especial a esta ciudad whatever you say, I don't see what's so special about this city;

por decirlo así, por así decirlo in other words, so to speak;
RP Fam
¿qué decís? how are you doing?, how are things?;

preocuparse por el qué dirán to worry about what people will say;

no está lloviendo mucho que digamos it's not exactly raining hard;

él no es muy inteligente que digamos he isn't what you'd call intelligent;

ha sufrido un infarto – ¡qué me dices! she's had a heart attack – no! o surely not!;

¡quién lo diría! tan rico y sin embargo tan humilde who would have thought it, such a rich person and yet so humble!;

tardarán en construirlo cinco años, ¡se dice pronto! they're going to take five years, no less, to build it!;

yo lo hago en cinco minutos – eso se dice pronto, no sabes lo difícil que es I'll have it done in five minutes – that's easily said, you've no idea how difficult it is;

si tú lo dices if you say so;

¡tú lo has dicho! you said it!;
Esp
¡y que lo digas! you can say that again!;

y no digamos, Am [m5]ya no se diga, Am [m5] ni se diga to say nothing of;

no le gusta el pescado y no digamos el pollo she doesn't like fish, to say nothing of chicken

♦ vi

como quien dice, como si dijéramos so to speak;

es, como si dijéramos, una mezcla de danza y teatro it's a sort of mixture of dance and theatre;

es, como quien dice, el alma de la empresa he is, so to speak, the soul of the company;
Esp
¿diga?, ¿dígame? [al teléfono] hello?;
Fam
¡digo! [¡ya lo creo!] of course!;
[¡madre mía!] I say!;
tenemos muchas ganas de ir de vacaciones, y nuestros hijos, no digamos we can't wait to go on holiday, and as for our children…

♦ See also the pronominal verb decirse

* * *

decir

<part dicho>

I v/t

1 say; ( contar) tell;

decir misa say mass;

decir que sí say yes;

decir que no say no;

se dice que … they say that …, it’s said that …;

diga lo que diga whatever he says;

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you expect me to say?;

decir entre o

para sí say to o.s.

2 con infinitivo

:

querer decir mean;

es decir in other words;

dar que decir set people talking;

ni que decir tiene (que) it goes without saying (that);

por así decirlo so to speak;

ya es decir that’s saying something;

que ya es decir which is really something;

es mucho decir that’s saying a lot

3 con participio

:

¡quién hubiera dicho que María se iba casar! who would have thought that Maria would get married!;

dicho y hecho no sooner said than done;

mejor dicho or rather;

dicho sea de paso incidentally;

está dicho, lo dicho as I have already said

4

:

no es rico, que digamos let’s say he’s not rich;

¡no me digas! you’re kidding!;

¡dímelo a mí! tell me about it!, you’re telling me!;

como quien dice so to speak;

y que lo digas you bet;

¿y qué me dices de …? so what do you think of …?;

usted dirá how can I help you?;

ya decía yo que iba a acabar mal I knew it would end badly;

¡quién lo diría! who would believe it!;

¡cualquiera diría que tiene setenta años! who would have thought he was seventy!, you wouldn’t think o believe he was seventy!

II v/i

:

¡diga!, ¡dígame! Esp
TELEC hello
III m saying;

es un decir it’s just a figure of speech

* * *

decir {23} vt

1) : to say

dice que no quiere ir: she says she doesn't want to go

2) : to tell

dime lo que estás pensando: tell me what you're thinking

3) : to speak, to talk

no digas tonterías: don't talk nonsense

4) : to call

me dicen Rosy: they call me Rosy

5)

es decir : that is to say

6)

querer decir : to mean

♦ See also the reflexive verb decirse

* * *

decir¹ n saying

decir² vb

1. (en general) to say [pt. & pp. said]

¿qué ha dicho? what did he say?

dijo que estaba cansada she said she was tired

¿cómo se dice "biblioteca" en inglés? how do you say "biblioteca" in English?

2. (a alguien) to tell [pt. & pp. told]

me dijo que estaba cansada she told me she was tired

no se lo digas a nadie don't tell anybody

3. (para dar órdenes) to tell

me dijo que fuera en seguida she told me to go at once

4. (llamar) to call

le dicen "Chapi" people call him "Chapi"

dime / dígame (en tienda etc) yes?

es decir that is / that is to say

¿diga? / ¿dígame? (por teléfono) hello?

sin decir nada without a word

Spanish-English dictionary > decir
7 tanto

adj.

so much, all that much, that much, as much.

adv.

so much, such a lot, so, so very much.

pron.

as much, so much, all that much, that much.

m.

1 portion, certain amount.

2 score point, point.

* * *

tanto

► adjetivo

1 (incontables) so much; (contables) so many

■ no cojas tanta leche don't take so much milk

■ no comas tantos caramelos don't eat so many sweets

■ ¡tengo tanto calor! I'm so hot!

■ ¡ha pasado tanto tiempo! it's been so long!

2 (comparación - incontable) as much; (- contables) as many

■ trajo tanto pan como yo he brought as much bread as I did

■ tengo tantos libros como tú I've got as many books as you

► pronombre

1 (incontable) so much; (contable) so many

■ no había tantos there weren't so many

► adverbio

1 (cantidad) so much

■ ¡te quiero tanto! I love you so much!

■ lo siento tanto I'm so sorry

2 (tiempo) so long

■ esperamos tanto we waited for so long

■ hace tanto que no viene it's a long time since he last came

3 (frecuencia) so often

■ no los telefonees tanto don't phone them so often

► nombre masculino tanto

1 (punto) point; (fútbol) goal

2 (cantidad imprecisa) so much, a certain amount

■ percibes un tanto al mes you get so much a month

3 (poco) bit

■ es un tanto estrecho it's a bit narrow

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

a las tantas familiar very late, at an unearthly hour

a tantos de sometime in

■ fue a tantos de enero it was sometime in January

apuntar un tanto / marcar un tanto (gen) to score a point 2 (fútbol) to score a goal

con tanto / de tanto with so much

■ se quedó afónica de tanto gritar she lost her voice with shouting so much

cuanto más... tanto más... the more... the more...

en tanto / entre tanto / mientras tanto meanwhile

eso es tanto como... that is like...

estar al tanto (informado) to be informed 2 (alerta) to be on the alert

ni tanto ni tan poco / ni tanto ni tan calvo familiar neither one extreme nor the other

no es para tanto / no hay para tanto it's not that bad

no será tanto it can't be as bad as you make out

otro tanto as much again, the same again

por lo tanto therefore

ser uno de tantos / ser una de tantos to be nothing special

tanto cuanto as much as

tanto más / tanto menos all the more / all the less

tanto mejor / tanto peor so much the better / so much the worse

tanto si... como si... whether... or...

■ tanto si quieres como si no whether you like it or not

uno de tantos / una de tantas run-of-the-mill

... y tantos /... y tantas (cantidad) odd 2 (año) something

■ treinta y tantos libros thirty odd books

■ en el año cuarenta y tantos in nineteen forty something

tanto por ciento percentage

————————

tanto

► nombre masculino

1 (punto) point; (fútbol) goal

2 (cantidad imprecisa) so much, a certain amount

■ percibes un tanto al mes you get so much a month

3 (poco) bit

■ es un tanto estrecho it's a bit narrow

* * *
1. noun m.
1) point, goal

2) certain amount

3) rate

•

- tanto por ciento
2. (f. - tanta)
adj.

1) so many, so much, such

2) as many, as much
3. adv.
1) so much

2) so long

•

- al tanto
- entre tanto
- por lo tanto
- un tanto 4. (f. - tanta)
pron.

so many, so much

* * *

1. ADJ

1) [indicando gran cantidad] [en singular] so much; [en plural] so many

ahora no bebo tanta leche — I don't drink so o as much milk now

tiene tanto dinero que no sabe qué hacer con él — he has so much money he doesn't know what to do with it

¡tuve tanta suerte! — I was so lucky!

¡tengo tantas cosas que hacer hoy! — I have so many things to do today!

había tantos coches que no había donde aparcar — there were so many cars that there was nowhere to park

• tanto... como — [en singular] as much... as; [en plural] as many... as

tiene tanto dinero como yo — he has as much money as I do

no recibe tantas llamadas como yo — he doesn't get as many calls as I do

• tanto gusto — how do you do?, pleased to meet you

2) [indicando cantidad indeterminada]

había cuarenta y tantos invitados — there were forty-odd guests

hay otros tantos candidatos — there are as many more candidates, there's the same number of candidates again

se dividen el trabajo en otras tantas partes — they divide up the work into a like number of parts

2. PRON

1) (=gran cantidad) [en singular] so much; [en plural] so many

gana tanto — he earns so much

no necesitamos tantas — we don't need so many

vinieron tantos que no cabían en la sala — so many people came that they wouldn't all fit into the room

• tanto como — [en singular] as much as; [en plural] as many as

gano tanto como tú — I earn as much as you

coge tantos como quieras — take as many as you like

• es uno de tantos — he's nothing special

2) (=cantidad indeterminada)

nació en el mil novecientos cuarenta y tantos — she was born in nineteen forty-something o some time in the forties

a tantos de marzo — on such and such a day in March

yo no sé qué tantos de libros hay — I don't know how many books there are

las tantas (de la madrugada o de la noche) —

el tren llegó a las tantas — the train arrived really late o in the middle of the night

estar fuera hasta las tantas — to stay out until all hours

-¿qué hora es? -deben de ser las tantas — "what's the time?" - "it must be pretty late"

3) [otras locuciones]

• entre tanto — meanwhile

• mientras tanto — meanwhile

• no es para tanto — [al quejarse] it's not as bad as all that; [al enfadarse] there's no need to get like that about it

• por lo tanto — so, therefore

ni tanto así —

no nos desvíamos ni tanto así — we didn't deviate even by this much

no le tengo ni tanto así de lástima — I haven't a scrap of pity for him

¡y tanto! —

-¿necesitarás unas vacaciones? -¡y tanto! — "do you need a holiday?" - "you bet I do!"

3. ADV

1) [con verbos] [indicando duración, cantidad] so much; [indicando frecuencia] so often

se preocupa tanto que no puede dormir — he gets so worried that he can't sleep, he worries so much that he can't sleep

estoy cansada de tanto andar — I'm tired after all this walking

¡cuesta tanto comprar una casa! — buying a house is such hard work!

no deberías trabajar tanto — you shouldn't work so hard

¡no corras tanto! — don't run so fast!

ya no vamos tanto al cine — we don't go to the cinema so o as much any more

ahora no la veo tanto — I don't see so o as much of her now, I don't see her so often now

• tanto como, él gasta tanto como yo — he spends as much as I do o as me

tanto como corre, va a perder la carrera — he may be a fast runner, but he's still going to lose the race

tanto como habla no dice más que tonterías — all his talk is just hot air

tanto tú como yo — both you and I

tanto si viene como si no — whether he comes or not

• tanto es así que — so much so that
montar 2., 3)
2) [con adjetivos, adverbios]

los dos son ya mayores, aunque su mujer no tanto — the two of them are elderly, although his wife less so

• tanto como, es difícil, pero tanto como eso no creo — it's difficult, but not that difficult

es un poco tacaño, pero tanto como estafador, no — he's a bit on the mean side, but I wouldn't go so far as to call him a swindler

• es tanto más difícil — it is all the more difficult

es tanto más loable cuanto que... — it is all the more praiseworthy because...

• tanto mejor — so much the better

tanto mejor para ti — so much the better for you

• tanto peor — so much the worse

tanto peor para ti — it's your loss o that's just too bad

- ¡ni tanto ni tan calvo!

3) [en locuciones conjuntivas]

• en tanto — as (being)

estoy en contra de la leyes en tanto sistema represivo — I am against laws as (being) a repressive system

• en tanto que — (=mientras que) while; (=como) as

no puede haber democracia en tanto que siga habiendo torturas — for as long as there is torture, there can never be democracy, there cannot be democracy while there is torture

la Iglesia en tanto que institución — the Church as an institution

4. SM

1) (=cantidad)

me paga un tanto fijo cada semana — he pays me a fixed amount each week

cobra un tanto por página — he gets so much per page

¿qué tanto será? — LAm how much (is it)?

• otro tanto, las máquinas costaron otro tanto — the machines cost as much again o the same again

tanto alzado — fixed price

por un tanto alzado — for a fixed rate

tanto por ciento — percentage

2) (=punto) (Ftbl, Hockey) goal; (Baloncesto, Tenis) point

Juárez marcó el segundo tanto — Juárez scored the second goal

marcó dos tantos — he scored twice

• apuntar los tantos — to keep score

tanto a favor — goal for, point for

tanto del honor — consolation goal

tanto en contra — goal against, point against
apuntarse 3)
3)

• estar al tanto — to be up to date

estar al tanto de los acontecimientos — to be fully abreast of events

• mantener a algn al tanto de algo — to keep sb informed about sth

• poner a algn al tanto de algo — to put sb in the picture about sth

4)

• un tanto — [como adv] rather

estoy un tanto cansado — I'm rather tired

* * *
I
adverbio

1) [see note under tan] ( aplicado a adjetivo o adverbio) so; ( aplicado a verbo) so much

es tan difícil de describir — it's so difficult to describe

es una chica tan amable! — she's such a nice girl!

si es así, tanto mejor — if that's the case, so much the better

y si no te gusta, tanto peor para ti — and if you don't like it, too bad o (colloq) tough!

la tan esperada boda — the long-awaited wedding

no es tan difícil — it's not that difficult

ya no salimos tanto — nowadays we don't go out so often o so much

tan/tanto... que — so... (that)

tanto insistió que me quedé — he was so insistent that I stayed

tan/tanto... como — as... as

no es tan tímida como parece — she's not as shy as she looks

sale tanto como tú — he goes out as much o as often as you do

tan pronto como le sea posible — as soon as you can

no han mejorado tanto como para poder ganar — they haven't improved enough to win

tanto Suárez como Vargas votaron en contra — both Suárez and Vargas voted against

no lo reconocí de tan viejo que estaba — he had aged so much I didn't recognize him

2) (AmL exc RPl)

qué tanto/qué tan: ¿qué tan alto es? how tall is he?; ¿qué tanto hay de cierto en eso? — how much of it is true?

3) para locs ver tanto III 2)
II
- ta adjetivo

1)

a) (sing) so much; (pl) so many

había tanto espacio/tantos niños — there was so much space/there were so many children

tiene tanta fuerza...! — she has such strength...!

tanto tiempo sin verte! — it's been so long!

tanto/tantos... como as much/as many...as; sufro tanto como ella I suffer as much as she does; no hubo tantos turistas como el año pasado there weren't been as many o so many tourists as last year; tengo tanta suerte como tú — I'm as lucky as you are

b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas)

tenía setenta y tantos años — he was seventy something, he was seventy-odd (colloq)

cincuenta y tantos pesos — fifty and something pesos

2) (sing) (fam) ( con valor plural) so many

había tanto mosquitos — there were so many mosquitoes
III
- ta pronombre

1)

a) (sing) so much; (pl) so many

quería azúcar, pero no tanta — I wanted sugar but not that much

es uno de tantos — he's one of many

tengo tanto que hacer! — I've so much to do!

¿de verdad gana tanto? — does he really earn that much?

ni tanto ni tan calvo or tan poco — there's no need to go that far

no ser para tanto — (fam)

no te pongas así, no es para tanto — come on, there's no need to get like that about it

duele, pero no es para tanto — it hurts, but it's not that bad

tanto tienes tanto vales — you are what you own

b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas)

hasta las tantas de la madrugada — until the early hours of the morning

en mil ochocientos treinta y tantos — in eighteen thirty-something

cincuenta y tantas — fifty-odd, fifty or so

c) tanto ( refiriéndose a tiempo) so long

hace tanto que no me llama — it's been so long since she called me

aún faltan dos horas - ¿tanto? — there's still two hours to go - what? that long?

2) (en locs)

en tanto — while

en tanto + subj — as long as, so long as

en tanto tú estés aquí — as long as you're here

entre tanto — meanwhile, in the meantime

hasta tanto + subj — (frml)

hasta tanto (no) se solucione este conflicto — until this conflict is solved

otro tanto — as much again

me queda otro tanto por hacer — I have as much again still to do

cuesta $15 y las pilas, casi otro tanto — it costs $15 and then the batteries cost nearly as much again

otro tanto cabe decir de... — the same can be said of...

por (lo) tanto — therefore

tan siquiera: no pudo ni tan siquiera gritar he couldn't even shout; cómprale tan siquiera unas flores at least buy her some flowers; si tan siquiera me hubieras prevenido! if only you'd warned me!; tan sólo only; tanto es así que... so much so that...; tanto más cuanto que... — especially since...
IV
masculino

1) ( cantidad)

un tanto por ciento — a certain percentage

hay que dejar un tanto de depósito — you have to put down a certain amount as a deposit

2) ( punto - en fútbol) goal; (- en fútbol americano) point; (- en tenis, en juegos) point

apuntarse un tanto — to score a point

3) (en locs)

al tanto: me puso al tanto she put me in the picture; mantenerse al tanto de to keep up to date with; te mantendré al tanto I'll keep you informed; estar al tanto (pendiente, alerta) to be on the ball (colloq); ya está al tanto de lo ocurrido he already knows what's happened; un tanto triste — somewhat o rather o a little sad

* * *
I
adverbio

1) [see note under tan] ( aplicado a adjetivo o adverbio) so; ( aplicado a verbo) so much

es tan difícil de describir — it's so difficult to describe

es una chica tan amable! — she's such a nice girl!

si es así, tanto mejor — if that's the case, so much the better

y si no te gusta, tanto peor para ti — and if you don't like it, too bad o (colloq) tough!

la tan esperada boda — the long-awaited wedding

no es tan difícil — it's not that difficult

ya no salimos tanto — nowadays we don't go out so often o so much

tan/tanto... que — so... (that)

tanto insistió que me quedé — he was so insistent that I stayed

tan/tanto... como — as... as

no es tan tímida como parece — she's not as shy as she looks

sale tanto como tú — he goes out as much o as often as you do

tan pronto como le sea posible — as soon as you can

no han mejorado tanto como para poder ganar — they haven't improved enough to win

tanto Suárez como Vargas votaron en contra — both Suárez and Vargas voted against

no lo reconocí de tan viejo que estaba — he had aged so much I didn't recognize him

2) (AmL exc RPl)

qué tanto/qué tan: ¿qué tan alto es? how tall is he?; ¿qué tanto hay de cierto en eso? — how much of it is true?

3) para locs ver tanto III 2)
II
- ta adjetivo

1)

a) (sing) so much; (pl) so many

había tanto espacio/tantos niños — there was so much space/there were so many children

tiene tanta fuerza...! — she has such strength...!

tanto tiempo sin verte! — it's been so long!

tanto/tantos... como as much/as many...as; sufro tanto como ella I suffer as much as she does; no hubo tantos turistas como el año pasado there weren't been as many o so many tourists as last year; tengo tanta suerte como tú — I'm as lucky as you are

b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas)

tenía setenta y tantos años — he was seventy something, he was seventy-odd (colloq)

cincuenta y tantos pesos — fifty and something pesos

2) (sing) (fam) ( con valor plural) so many

había tanto mosquitos — there were so many mosquitoes
III
- ta pronombre

1)

a) (sing) so much; (pl) so many

quería azúcar, pero no tanta — I wanted sugar but not that much

es uno de tantos — he's one of many

tengo tanto que hacer! — I've so much to do!

¿de verdad gana tanto? — does he really earn that much?

ni tanto ni tan calvo or tan poco — there's no need to go that far

no ser para tanto — (fam)

no te pongas así, no es para tanto — come on, there's no need to get like that about it

duele, pero no es para tanto — it hurts, but it's not that bad

tanto tienes tanto vales — you are what you own

b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas)

hasta las tantas de la madrugada — until the early hours of the morning

en mil ochocientos treinta y tantos — in eighteen thirty-something

cincuenta y tantas — fifty-odd, fifty or so

c) tanto ( refiriéndose a tiempo) so long

hace tanto que no me llama — it's been so long since she called me

aún faltan dos horas - ¿tanto? — there's still two hours to go - what? that long?

2) (en locs)

en tanto — while

en tanto + subj — as long as, so long as

en tanto tú estés aquí — as long as you're here

entre tanto — meanwhile, in the meantime

hasta tanto + subj — (frml)

hasta tanto (no) se solucione este conflicto — until this conflict is solved

otro tanto — as much again

me queda otro tanto por hacer — I have as much again still to do

cuesta $15 y las pilas, casi otro tanto — it costs $15 and then the batteries cost nearly as much again

otro tanto cabe decir de... — the same can be said of...

por (lo) tanto — therefore

tan siquiera: no pudo ni tan siquiera gritar he couldn't even shout; cómprale tan siquiera unas flores at least buy her some flowers; si tan siquiera me hubieras prevenido! if only you'd warned me!; tan sólo only; tanto es así que... so much so that...; tanto más cuanto que... — especially since...
IV
masculino

1) ( cantidad)

un tanto por ciento — a certain percentage

hay que dejar un tanto de depósito — you have to put down a certain amount as a deposit

2) ( punto - en fútbol) goal; (- en fútbol americano) point; (- en tenis, en juegos) point

apuntarse un tanto — to score a point

3) (en locs)

al tanto: me puso al tanto she put me in the picture; mantenerse al tanto de to keep up to date with; te mantendré al tanto I'll keep you informed; estar al tanto (pendiente, alerta) to be on the ball (colloq); ya está al tanto de lo ocurrido he already knows what's happened; un tanto triste — somewhat o rather o a little sad

* * *

tanto¹

* al tanto = in the know, in step.

* al tanto de = on the lookout for, on the alert for, in step with.

* debe por lo tanto ser una consecuencia lógica que = it must therefore follow that.

* en tanto por ciento = percentage-wise.

* estar al tanto = monitor + developments.

* estar al tanto de = be on the lookout for, keep + track of, keep + Posesivo + eyes peeled, keep + Posesivo + eyes skinned.

* estar al tanto de las cosas = stay on + top of things, keep on + top of things, be on top of things.

* mantenerse al tanto = stay + tuned.

* mantenerse al tanto de = keep in + sync, keep + a finger on the pulse of, keep + track of, stay in + step with, keep in + step with, keep + step with.

* mantenerse al tanto de las cosas = stay on + top of things, keep on + top of things, be on top of things.

* mantenerse al tanto de las noticias = keep up with + the news.

* mantenerse al tanto de los avances = track + developments.

* mientras tanto = in (the) meantime, meantime, ad interim.

* no estar al tanto de = be out of touch with.

* otros tantos = as many.

* poner a Alguien al tanto de = fill + Alguien + in on.

* poner al tanto (de) = bring into + the swim of, bring + Nombre + up to speed (on), get + Nombre + up to speed on.

* poner al tanto sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* ponerse al tanto = get + up to speed, wise up.

* ponerse al tanto de = get up to + speed on.

* por lo tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

* por tanto = consequently, ergo, so, then, thereby, therefore, thus, it follows that.

tanto²

= so much, so + Participio, quite so much.

Ex: It is rather a pity that book reviewers tend to ignore this very popular genre so much.

Ex: On the other hand, 626 is now unused, for the subject to which it was originally allocated, Canal engineering, has so decreased in importance that it no longer justifies a separate heading.

Ex: But we are not then acting quite so much out of blindness or inarticulateness; we are selfishly or fearfully or wilfully trying to short-circuit what we know underneath to be more nearly the true state of things.

* cada tanto = every so often, every now and then, every now and again, every once in a while.

* cada tantos minutos = every few minutes.

* cada tantos + Período de Tiempo = every few + Período de Tiempo.

* cada tanto tiempo = every so often, every now and then, every now and again, every once in a while.

* cambiar tanto que resulta irreconocible = change + beyond (all) recognition.

* con tan buenos resultados = to such good effect.

* con tan poca antelación = at such short notice.

* con tan poca anticipación = at such short notice.

* con tanta frecuencia = so often.

* desde hace tanto tiempo = so long.

* dinero que tanto ha costado ganar = hard-earned money.

* durante tanto tiempo = for so long, so long.

* durante tanto tiempo como sea posible = for as long as possible.

* en tanto en cuanto = as long as, so long as.

* en tanto en cuanto que = inasmuch as, insomuch as.

* en tanto en cuanto + Subjuntivo = provided (that).

* en tanto que = insofar as [in so far as].

* es por lo tanto deducible = it therefore follows that.

* es por lo tanto lógico que = it therefore follows that.

* estar mareado de tanto trabajo = be reeling.

* estar tan bueno que no se puede dejar de comer = moreish, moreish.

* nada menos que + Nombre + tan + Adjetivo + como = no less + Adjetivo + Nombre + than.

* no ser tan bueno como se dice = not + it's cracked up to be.

* no tan bueno = not-so-good.

* quedarse tan fresco = not bat an eyelash, not bat an eyelid.

* ser tan buen momento como cualquier otro = be as good a time as any.

* ser un momento tan bueno como cualquier otro = be as good a time as any.

* tan = all too + Adjetivo.

* tan + Adjetivo = most + Adjetivo, so + Adjetivo, as + Adjetivo + as that.

* tan + Adjetivo/Adverbio = all that + Adjetivo/Adverbio.

* tan + Adjetivo + como = as + Adjetivo + as, every bit as + Adjetivo + as.

* tan + Adjetivo + como de costumbre = as + Adjetivo + as ever.

* tan + Adjetivo + como siempre = as + Adjetivo + as ever.

* tan + Adverbio = ever so + Adverbio.

* tan amado de todos = so beloved of all.

* tan amado por todos = so beloved of all.

* tan a menudo = so often.

* tan anunciado = much-vaunted, much-touted, long-heralded, much-heralded.

* tan astuto como un zorro = as sly as a fox, as wily as a fox.

* tan borracho como una cuba = as drunk as a lord, as drunk as a newt, as drunk as a skunk.

* tan bueno como ningún otro = as good as any.

* tan cacareado = much-vaunted, much-touted, long-heralded, much-heralded, much acclaimed.

* tan claro como el agua = as clear as a bell.

* tan duro como el pedernal = as hard as nails.

* tan duro como la piedra = as hard as nails.

* tan duro como la suela de un zapato = as tough as leather, as tough as nails, as tough as nuts, as tough as old boots, as tough as shoe leather.

* tan duro como una piedra = as hard as nails, as tough as nuts, as tough as nails, as tough as leather, as tough as old boots, as tough as shoe leather.

* tan fácil como coser y cantar = as simple as ABC.

* tan famoso = much acclaimed.

* tan fresco = as cool as a cucumber.

* tan inocente como un bebé = as innocent as a lamb.

* tan lejano como = as far afield as.

* tan lejos como = as far away as.

* tan manso como un cordero = as meek as a lamb.

* tan pancho = as cool as a cucumber, unfazed.

* tan pregonado = much-vaunted.

* tan pronto = quite so soon.

* tan pronto como = as soon as, just as soon as, no sooner... than.

* tan pronto como + Pronombre + sea posible = at + Posesivo + earliest convenience.

* tan pronto como sea posible = as soon as possible (asap), at an early a juncture as possible.

* tan querido de todos = so beloved of all.

* tan querido por todos = so beloved of all.

* tan rápido como una liebre = as quick as a wink.

* tan rápido como un rayo = as quick as a wink.

* tan rápido como un relámpago = as quick as a wink.

* tan renombrado = much acclaimed.

* tan simple como = with as little ado as.

* tan sordo como una tapia = as deaf as a post.

* tan sorprendente como pueda parecer = as amazing as it seems.

* tan suave como el terciopelo = as smooth as silk, as soft as velvet.

* tan suave como la seda = as soft as silk, as smooth as silk.

* tan suave como un guante = as meek as a lamb.

* tanto como = as many... as..., as much as + Adjetivo, both... and..., no less than, equally, if not, so much as.

* tanto como sea posible = as far as possible.

* tanto como siempre = as much as ever.

* tanto es así que = so much so that.

* tanto mejor = so much the better.

* tanto por ciento = percentage.

* tanto que = so much so that, insomuch that.

* tantos = so many.

* tanto tiempo = so much time, this long, such a very long time.

* tan tranquilo = unfazed.

* tardar tanto tiempo en = take + so long to.

* uno más de tantos en la organización = a cog in the machine.

* uno más de tantos en la organización = a cog in the wheel.

* un tanto + Adjetivo = vaguely + Adjetivo.

tanto³

³ = goal.

Ex: Kristen Taylor leads Carolina with three goals and an assist.

* encargado de anotar los tantos = scorer.

* marcar un tanto = score, poach + a goal, score + goal.

* tanto de la victoria = winning goal.

* tanto del empate = equaliser [equalizer, -USA].

* * *

tanto¹

adverb

A [ see note under tan] (aplicado a un adjetivo o adverbio) so; (aplicado a un verbo) so much

es tan difícil de describir it's so difficult to describe

¡es una chica tan amable! she's such a nice girl!

¡te he echado tanto de menos! I've missed you so much!

si es así, tanto mejor if that's the case, so much the better

y si no te gusta, tanto peor para ti and if you don't like it, too bad o ( colloq) tough!

vamos, no es tan difícil come on, it's not that difficult

¡y tanto! and how!

el tan esperado acontecimiento the long-awaited event

ya no cenamos afuera tanto nowadays we don't eat out so often o so much

de tanto que habla te marea he talks so much he makes your head spin

es tanto más importante cuanto que es su única fuente de ingresos ( frml); it is all the more important because it is his only source of income

no deberías trabajar/gastar tanto you shouldn't work so hard/spend so much

tan/tanto … QUE:

llegó tan tarde que ya no había nadie he arrived so late (that) everybody had gone

tanto insistió que no tuve más remedio que quedarme he was so insistent that I just had to stay

tan/tanto … COMO:

no es tan tímida como parece she's not as shy as she looks

sale tanto como tú/como se lo permiten los compromisos he goes out as much o as often as you do/as his commitments allow

tan pronto como le sea posible as soon as you can, as soon as possible

no han mejorado tanto como para poder ganar el torneo they haven't improved enough to win the tournament

tanto Suárez como Vargas votaron en contra both Suárez and Vargas voted against

te lo cobran tanto si lo comes como si no lo comes they charge you for it whether you eat it or not

B

( AmL exc CS): qué tanto/qué tan: ¿qué tan alto es? how tall is he?

es difícil decir qué tanto hay de autobiográfico en la novela it is difficult to say how much of the novel is autobiographical

C para locs ver tanto³ pron B. (↑ tanto (3))

tanto² -ta

adjective

A

1 ( sing) so much; (pl) so many

no sabía que había tanto espacio/tantas habitaciones I didn't know there was so much space/there were so many rooms

había tantísima gente ( fam); there were so many o such a lot of people

¡tiene tanta fuerza …! she has such strength …!, she is so strong …!

¡tanto tiempo sin verte! it's been so long!, it's been such a long time!

tanto … QUE:

comió tanto chocolate que le hizo mal he ate so much chocolate (that) it made him ill

tanto … COMO:

tengo tanto derecho como el que más I've got as much right as anyone else o as the next man

no ha habido tantos turistas como el año pasado there haven't been as many o so many tourists as last year

2 ( fam)

(expresando cantidades indeterminadas): tenía setenta y tantos años he was seventy something, he was seventy-odd ( colloq)

mil quinientos y tantos pesos one thousand five hundred and something pesos, fifteen hundred something pesos ( AmE)

B ( sing) ( fam) (con valor plural) so many

había tanto mosquito que no pudimos dormir there were so many mosquitoes we couldn't sleep

tanto³ -ta

pronoun

A

1 ( sing) so much; (pl) so many

¿no querías azúcar? — sí, pero no tanta didn't you want sugar? — yes, but not that much

vinieron tantos que no alcanzaron los asientos so many people came there weren't enough seats

es uno de tantos he's one of many

¡tengo tanto que hacer! I've so much to do!

¿de verdad gana tanto? does he really earn that much?

ni tanto ni tan calvo or tan poco there's no need to go that far

no es para tanto ( fam): no te pongas así, hombre; tampoco es para tanto come on, there's no need to get like that about it

duele un poco, pero no es para tanto it hurts a bit, but it's not that bad

no pinta mal pero tampoco es para tanto she's not a bad artist but she's not that good

tanto monta, monta tanto ( Esp); it makes no difference, it's as broad as it is long ( colloq)

tanto tienes, tanto vales you are what you own

2 ( fam)

(expresando cantidades indeterminadas): hasta las tantas de la madrugada until the early hours of the morning

te cobran tanto por folio/por minuto they charge you so much a sheet/a minute

en el año mil ochocientos treinta y tantos in eighteen thirty-something

cincuenta y tantas fifty-odd, fifty or so

3

tanto (refiriéndose a tiempo) so long

hace tanto que no me llama she hasn't called me for such a long time o for so long, it's been so long since she called me

todavía faltan dos horas — ¿tanto? there's still two hours to go — what? that long?

B ( en locs):

en tanto while

en tanto ella atendía a los clientes, él cocinaba while she served the customers, he did the cooking

en tanto + SUBJ as long as, so long as

en tanto tú estés aquí as long as you're here

en tanto que ( frml) (como) as; (dado que) inasmuch as ( frml), insofar as ( frml)

entre tanto meanwhile, in the meantime

hasta tanto + SUBJ

( frml): hasta tanto (no) se solucione este conflicto until this conflict is solved

otro tanto: otro tanto cabe decir de su política exterior the same can be said of their foreign policy

me queda otro tanto por hacer I have as many again still to do

cuesta unos $15 y las pilas, casi otro tanto it costs about $15 and then the batteries cost nearly as much again

por (lo) tanto therefore

tan siquiera: ¡si tan siquiera me hubieras prevenido! if only you'd warned me!

no le escribió ni tan siquiera una notita he didn't even write her a little note

cómprale tan siquiera unas flores at least buy her some flowers o buy her some flowers, at least

tan sólo only

tenía tan sólo cuatro años he was only four years old

por tan sólo dos mil pesos for only o for as little as two thousand pesos

tanto es así or tan así es so much so

se sentía mal, tanto es así que no quiso comer she felt ill, so much so that she didn't want anything to eat

tanto más cuanto que specially since, all the more so because

es importante, tanto más cuanto que es su única fuente de ingresos it's important, specially since o all the more so because it's his only source of income

tanto⁴

masculine

A

(cantidad): recibe un tanto por ciento por cada venta she gets a percentage o a certain percentage on every sale

tienes que entregar un tanto de depósito you have to put down so much o a certain amount as a deposit

B (punto — en fútbol) goal; (— en fútbol americano) point; (— en tenis, en juegos) point

apuntarse un tanto to score a point

C ( en locs):

al tanto: me puso al tanto she put me in the picture

me mantengo al tanto de lo que pasa en el mundo I keep abreast of o I keep up to date with what is going on in the world

te mantendré al tanto I'll keep you informed

ya está al tanto de lo ocurrido he already knows what's happened

estáte al tanto para cuando venga keep an eye out for him ( colloq)

un tanto somewhat, rather, a little

un tanto triste somewhat o rather o a little sad

* * *

tanto 1 adverbio
1 [ see note under
◊ tan ] ( aplicado a adjetivo o adverbio) so;

( aplicado a verbo) so much;
◊ es tan bonito it's so beautiful;

¡es una chica tan amable! she's such a nice girl!;
tanto mejor so much the better;
tan solo only;
tanto es así que … so much so that …;
ya no salimos tanto we don't go out so often o so much now;
llegó tan tarde que … he arrived so late (that) …;
no es tan tímida como parece she's not as shy as she looks;
sale tanto como tú he goes out as much as you do;
tan pronto como puedas as soon as you can;
tanto Suárez como Vargas votaron en contra both Suárez and Vargas voted against
2 (AmL exc RPl)
◊ qué tanto/qué tan: ¿qué tanto te duele? how much does it hurt?;

¿qué tan alto es? how tall is he?
■ sustantivo masculino
1 ( cantidad):
◊ un tanto por ciento a percentage;

hay que dejar un tanto de depósito you have to put down a certain amount as a deposit
2 ( punto — en fútbol) goal;
(— en fútbol americano, tenis, juegos) point
3 ( en locs)
◊ al tanto: me puso al tanto she put me in the picture;

mantenerse al tanto de algo to keep up to date with sth;
estar al tanto (pendiente, alerta) to be on the ball (colloq);
está al tanto de lo ocurrido he knows what's happened;
un tanto somewhat, rather;
un tanto triste somewhat sad
tanto 2
◊ -ta adjetivo

a) ( sing) so much;

(pl) so many;
◊ había tanto espacio/tantos niños there was so much space/there were so many children;

¡tanto tiempo sin verte! it's been so long!;
tanto dinero/tantos turistas como … as much money/as many tourists as …
b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas):

◊ tenía setenta y tantos años he was seventy something, he was seventy-odd (colloq)

■ pronombre
1
a) ( sing) so much;

(pl) so many;
◊ ¡tengo tanto que hacer! I've so much to do!;

vinieron tantos que … so many people came (that) …;
¿de verdad gana tanto? does he really earn that much?;
no ser para tanto (fam): duele, pero no es para tanto it hurts, but it's not that bad
b) (fam) ( expresando cantidades indeterminadas):

◊ hasta las tantas de la madrugada until the early hours of the morning;

treinta y tantas thirty or so
c) ( refiriéndose a tiempo):

◊ hace tanto que no me llama it's been so long since she called me;

aún faltan dos horas — ¿tanto? there's still two hours to go — what? that long?
2 ( en locs)
◊ en tanto while;

entre tanto meanwhile, in the meantime;
otro tanto as much again;
me queda otro tanto por hacer I have as much again still to do;
por (lo) tanto therefore
tanto,-a
I adjetivo & pron
1 (gran cantidad, mucho) (con singular) so much
(con plural) so many: ¿cómo puedes ahorrar tanto (dinero)?, how are you able to save so much money?
no necesito tantos folios, I don't need so many sheets of paper
¡hace tanto tiempo!, it's been so long!
no es para tanto, it's not that bad
2 (cantidad imprecisa) le costó cuarenta y tantos dólares, it cost her forty-odd dollars
tiene cincuenta y tantos años, he's fifty something o fifty-odd
3 (en comparaciones: con singular) as much
(: en plural) as many: tiene tantos amigos como tú, he has as many friends as you
II adverbio tanto 1 (hasta tal punto) so much: no deberías beber tanto, you shouldn't drink so much
si vienes con nosotros, tanto mejor, if you come with us, so much the better
tanto peor, so much the worse
2 (referido a tiempo) so long: tardé un mes en escribirlo, - ¿tanto?, I spent one month writing it, - so long?
(a menudo) ya no sale tanto, nowadays he doesn't go out so often
III sustantivo masculino tanto 1 Dep point
Ftb goal
2 (una cantidad determinada) a certain amount
♦ Locuciones: figurado apuntarse un tanto, to score a point
estar al tanto, to be up-to-date
poner al tanto, to put sb in the picture
a las tantas: me llamó a las tantas de la madrugada/de la noche, she phoned me in the early hours of the morning/very late at night
entre tanto, meanwhile
otro tanto, as much again
por lo tanto, therefore
tanto (...) como (...), both: tanto Pedro como María, both Pedro and María
tanto por ciento, percentage
un tanto, somewhat, rather, a bit
un tanto cansado, rather tired
¡y tanto!, and how!
' tanto' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
alquilar
- amargada
- amargado
- atonía
- bar
- calva
- calvo
- ciento
- cuñada
- cuñado
- embrutecerse
- empañar
- escarnio
- fastidio
- griterío
- gusto
- hartar
- hermano
- histórica
- histórico
- idiotizar
- licuación
- marcar
- mejor
- mientras
- mucha
- mucho
- normal
- objeto
- padre
- para
- parecerse
- permitirse
- que
- ronca
- ronco
- satisfacción
- sobrino
- tanta
- tela
- toda
- todo
- tutearse
- ver
- vencerse
- anotar
- anular
- apuntar
- arreglar
- así
English:
acquaint
- all
- alone
- as
- awaken
- ball
- better
- bog down
- both
- critical
- delay
- din
- ear
- excitement
- fall apart
- fuss over
- hence
- labour
- lie down
- meantime
- meanwhile
- monopolize
- much
- must
- name
- neither
- packaging
- picture
- point
- privy
- rupture
- score
- scorer
- so
- somewhat
- song
- spin out
- stretch out
- such
- that
- therefore
- this
- whereas
- work
- alike
- begrudge
- cope
- every
- fail
- follow

* * *

tanto, -a

♦ adj

1. [gran cantidad] [singular] so much;
[plural] so many;
tanto dinero so much money, such a lot of money;

tanta gente so many people;

tiene tanto entusiasmo/tantos amigos que… she is so enthusiastic/has so many friends that…;
Fam
nunca había visto tanto niño junto en mi vida I'd never seen so many children in one place;

de tanto gritar se quedó afónico he lost his voice from all that shouting, he shouted so much that he lost his voice;

¡tanto quejarse del tiempo y luego se mudan a Alaska! they never stop complaining about the weather and then they move to Alaska!

2. [cantidad indeterminada] [singular] so much;
[plural] so many;
nos daban tantos pesos al día they used to give us so many pesos per day;

hay cuarenta y tantos candidatos there are forty-odd o forty or so candidates;

tiene treinta y tantos años she's thirty-something o thirty-odd;

nos conocimos en el año sesenta y tantos we met in nineteen sixty-something

3. [en comparaciones]
tanto… como as much… as;

tantos… como as many… as;

hoy no hay tanta gente como ayer there aren't as many people today as yesterday

♦ pron

1. [tan gran cantidad] [singular] so much;
[plural] so many;
tenemos tanto de qué hablar we have so much o such a lot to talk about;

¿cómo puedes tener tantos? how can you have so many?;

éramos tantos que faltó comida there were so many of us we ran out of food;

Comp

ser uno de tantos to be nothing special

2. [cantidad indeterminada] [singular] so much;
[plural] so many;
si el petróleo está a tanto el barril… if oil costs so much a barrel…;

a tantos de agosto on such and such a date in August;

debe de andar por los cuarenta y tantos he must be forty-odd;

ocurrió en el sesenta y tantos it happened in nineteen sixty-something

3. [igual cantidad] [singular] as much;
[plural] as many;
tantos as many;

tantos como desees as many as you like;

había mucha gente aquí, pero allí no había tanta there were a lot of people here, but there weren't as many there;

otro tanto as much again, the same again;

otro tanto le ocurrió a los demás the same thing happened to the rest of them;

ponme otro tanto same again, please;

Comp
Fam
ni tanto ni tan calvo there's no need to go to extremes;

Comp
Esp
tanto monta, monta tanto it makes no difference, it's all the same to me/him/ etc

♦ adv

1. [mucho]
tanto (que…) [cantidad] so much (that…);
[tiempo] so long (that…);
no bebas tanto don't drink so much;

de eso hace tanto que ya no me acordaba it's been so long since that happened that I don't even remember;

la aprecia tanto que… he's so fond of her that…;

ya no llueve tanto it's not raining as much o so hard now;

ya no vienen tanto por aquí they don't come here so often o as much any more;

la quiero, pero no tanto I like her, but not that much;

quizás tardemos una hora en llegar – ¡no tanto! it may take us an hour to get there – it won't take that long!;

¿nos denunciarán? – no creo que la cosa llegue a tanto will they report us? – I don't think it will come to that;

no es para tanto [no es tan grave, malo] it's not too serious;
[no te enfades] there's no need to get so upset about it, it's not such a big deal;
¿el mejor escritor de la historia? yo creo que no es para tanto the best writer ever? I don't see what all the fuss is about myself;

faltan cien kilómetros todavía – ¿tanto? there are still a hundred kilometres to go – as much as that?;

tanto (es así) que… so much so that…;

odia las fiestas, tanto es así que no celebra ni su cumpleaños he hates parties, so much so that he doesn't even celebrate his own birthday;

tanto más cuanto que… all the more so because…;

tanto mejor/peor so much the better/worse;

si no nos quieren invitar, tanto peor para ellos if they don't want to invite us, that's their loss;

¡y tanto! absolutely!, you bet!;

hay cosas más importantes en la vida – ¡y tanto! there are more important things in life – there certainly are! o that's too true!

2. [en comparaciones]
tanto como as much as;

me gusta tanto como a ti I like it (just) as much as you do;

la casa está deteriorada, pero no tanto como para demolerla the house is in a poor state of repair, but not so as you'd want to demolish it;

tanto hombres como mujeres both men and women;

tanto si estoy en casa como si no whether I'm at home or not

3. Am
qué tanto [cuánto]: [m5]¿qué tanto lo conoces? how well do you know him?;

no importa qué tanto sepan de tecnología it doesn't matter how much they know about technology

♦ nm

1. [punto] point;
[gol] goal;
marcar un tanto to score

Comp
tanto directo de saque [en tenis] ace;
tanto de saque [en tenis] service point

2. [ventaja] point;

apuntarse un tanto (a favor) to earn a point in one's favour

3. [poco]
un tanto a bit, rather;

es un tanto pesada she's a bit of a bore o rather boring;

se le ve un tanto triste he seems rather sad

4. [cantidad indeterminada]
un tanto so much, a certain amount;

te cobran un tanto por la reparación y otro por el desplazamiento they charge you so much o a certain amount for the repair work and on top of that a call-out charge;

un tanto así [acompañado de un gesto] this much

Comp
tanto por ciento percentage;
¿qué tanto por ciento de IVA llevan los libros? what percentage Br VAT o US sales tax do you pay on books?

♦ al tanto loc adv

siempre está al tanto de todo she always knows everything that's going on;

no estoy al tanto de lo que ha pasado I'm not up to date with what happened;

mantener a alguien al tanto de algo [informado] to keep sb up to date on o informed about sth;

te mantendremos al tanto we'll keep you informed;

mantenerse al tanto (de algo) to keep up to date (on sth), to keep oneself informed (about sth);

poner a alguien al tanto (de algo) to inform sb (about sth)

♦ en tanto que loc conj

1. [mientras, hasta que] while;

espera en tanto que acabamos wait while we finish

2. [mientras, pero] while, whereas;

él dimitió en tanto que los demás siguieron en el cargo he resigned while o whereas the others remained in their posts

♦ en tanto que loc prep
[como] as;
en tanto que director, me corresponde la decisión as manager, it's for me to decide

♦ entre tanto loc adv
[mientras] meanwhile;
haz las camas y entre tanto, yo lavo los platos you make the beds and, meanwhile, I'll do the dishes

♦ hasta tanto loc conj
[hasta que] until;
hasta tanto no se reúnan until they meet

♦ por (lo) tanto loc conj

therefore, so

* * *

tanto

I adj so much; igual cantidad as much;

tantos pl so many; igual número as many;

comí tantos pasteles que me puse malo I ate so many candies that I was ill;

no vimos tantos pájaros como ayer we didn’t see as many birds as we did yesterday

II pron so much; igual cantidad as much;

un tanto a little;

tantos pl so many; igual número as many;

uno de tantos one of many;

tienes tanto you have so much;

no hay tantos como ayer there aren’t as many as yesterday;

a las tantas de la noche in the small hours

III adv so much; igual cantidad as much; periodo so long;

tardó tanto como él she took as long as him;

tanto mejor so much the better;

no es para tanto it’s not such a big deal;

a tanto no llega things aren’t as bad as that;

tanto es así que … so much so that…;

tanto (me) da I don’t really care;

¡y tanto! yeah!, right on!

IV en locuciones

:

por lo tanto therefore, so;

entre tanto meanwhile;

ella trabajaba en tanto que él veía la televisión she was working while he was watching television

V m

1 point;

apuntarse o

marcar un tanto DEP score a point;

tanto por ciento percentage

2

:

estar al tanto be informed (de about)

3

:

él es muy inteligente, y ella otro tanto he is very intelligent and so is she o and she is too

* * *

tanto adv

1) : so much

tanto mejor: so much the better

2) : so long

¿por qué te tardaste tanto?: why did you take so long?

tanto, -ta adj

1) : so much, so many, such

no hagas tantas preguntas: don't ask so many questions

tiene tanto encanto: he has such charm, he's so charming

2) : as much, as many

come tantos dulces como yo: she eats as many sweets as I do

3) : odd, however many

cuarenta y tantos años: forty-odd years

tanto nm

1) : certain amount

2) : goal, point (in sports)

3)

al tanto : abreast, in the picture

4)

un tanto : somewhat, rather

un tanto cansado: rather tired

tanto, -ta pron

1) : so much, so many

tiene tanto que hacer: she has so much to do

¡no me des tantos!: don't give me so many!

2)

entre tanto : meanwhile

3)

por lo tanto : therefore

* * *

tanto¹ adj pron

1. (con nombres incontables) so much

no deberías tomar tanto café you shouldn't drink so much coffee

2. (con nombres contables) so many

¡hay tantos mosquitos! there are so many mosquitoes!

Cuando se traduce con un adjetivo en inglés, se usa so a secas

hace tanto frío it's so cold

hacía tanto calor it was so hot

tengo tanta hambre I'm so hungry

tanto... como as much... as / as many... as

Depende de si el nombre es contable o incontable

tiene tanto dinero como tú he's got as much money as you

tenéis tantos gatos como nosotros you've got as many cats as us

por lo tanto therefore

... y tantos... something

tiene treinta y tantos años he's thirty something

las tantas the early hours

tanto² adv

1. (en general) so much

no deberías fumar tanto you shouldn't smoke so much

2. (tiempo) so long

tardabas tanto, que me fui you took so long, that I went

no es para tanto it's not that bad

tanto... como... both... and...

tanto tú como yo sabemos como es both you and I know what he's like

tanto mejor so much the better

tanto³ n point / goal

tanto por ciento percentage

estar al tanto (saber) to know (estar alerta) to be on the alert

poner a alguien al tanto to put someone in the picture

Spanish-English dictionary > tanto
8 meno

1. adv less

superlativo least

mathematics minus

il meno possibile as little as possible

di meno at least

a meno che unless

per lo meno at least

sono le sei meno un quarto it's a quarter to six

sempre meno less and less

fare a meno di qualcosa do without something

venir meno a qualcuno forze desert someone

venir meno alla parola data not keep one's word

2. prep except

* * *

meno avv.compar.

1 (in minor quantità o grado) less; not so... (as); not as... (as): dovresti lavorare (di) meno e riposare di più, you should work less and rest more; il viaggio di ritorno mi è sembrato meno lungo, the journey back didn't seem so long (to me); quest'anno ha piovuto (di) meno, it hasn't rained so much this year; non per questo è meno intelligente, he is no less intelligent for that // più o meno, poco più poco meno, more or less // chi più chi meno, more or less (o some more some less): tutti hanno contribuito, chi più chi meno, al buon esito dell'iniziativa, everyone more or less contributed to the success of the venture (o everyone contributed to the success of the venture, some more some less) // né più né meno, just, exactly: gli ho detto né più né meno come la pensavo, I told him just (o exactly) how I felt about it; le cose sono andate né più né meno così, that's exactly what happened

2 (nel compar. di minoranza) less... (than); not so... (as), not as... (as): l'argento è meno prezioso dell'oro, silver is less precious than gold (o silver isn't as precious as gold); lui non è meno studioso di te, he studies just as much as you do (o he studies no less than you do); oggi è meno freddo di ieri, it isn't as cold today as it was yesterday (form. it is less cold than yesterday); il traffico era meno intenso del solito, the traffic wasn't as heavy as usual (o was less heavy than usual); è andata meno bene del previsto, it didn't go as well as expected

3 (correl.) (quanto) meno... (tanto) meno: the less... the less: meno si lavora, meno si lavorerebbe, the less you work, the less you feel like working; meno studi, meno impari, the less you study, the less you learn

4 (nel superl. di minoranza) the least; (fra due) the less: tra tutte le conferenze, questa è stata la meno interessante, of all the lectures, this was the least interesting; la meno preparata delle due squadre, the less fit of the (two) teams; ho intenzione di scegliere la macchina che costa meno, I'm going to choose the car that costs the least (o the cheapest car); cerca di affaticarti il meno possibile, try to tire yourself as little as possible

5 (con valore di no) not: fammi sapere se verrai o meno, let me know whether or not you're coming; mi domando se valga la pena o meno di accettare, I wonder whether or not it's worth accepting; mi hanno accreditato mille euro, meno le spese bancarie, my account was credited with one thousand euros, minus bank charges

6 (mat.) minus: sette meno tre è uguale a quattro, seven minus three is four (o three from seven leaves four) // la temperatura è meno due, the temperature is two degrees below zero // ci sono cinque euro in meno, di meno, (mancano cinque euro) there's five euros missing; ho speso dieci euro in meno, I spent ten euros less; uno di meno!, one less!; non eravamo in meno di otto, there were no less than eight of us // se avessi vent'anni di meno!, if only I were twenty years younger! // sono le otto meno cinque, it's five to eight

◆ prep. (tranne) but, except: c'erano tutti meno loro, everyone was there except (o but) them; il museo è aperto tutti i giorni meno il lunedì, the museum is open every day but (o except) Monday; ho pensato a tutto meno che a fare i biglietti, I saw to everything except the tickets.

◆ FRASEOLOGIA: tanto meno, ancora meno, even less: non ho accettato finora, tanto meno accetterei adesso, I haven't accepted so far, and now I've got even less reason to accept // meno che mai, men che meno, let alone: non sa parlare l'italiano, meno che mai l'inglese, he can't even speak Italian, let alone English // quanto meno, (perlomeno) at least: avresti potuto quanto meno farmi una telefonata, you could at least have phoned me // fare a meno di qlcu., di (fare) qlco., to do without s.o., (doing) sthg.: non potrei fare a meno di lui, I couldn't do without him; non potei fare a meno di ridere, I couldn't help laughing // venire meno, (venire a mancare) to fail; (svenire) to faint; mi venne meno il coraggio, my courage failed me; a quella notizia, mi sentii venire meno, I felt as if I was going to faint when I heard the news // venire meno alla parola data, to break one's word // essere da meno (di qlcu.), to be less than s.o. // senza meno, (region.) certainly, for sure: le telefonerò domani senza meno, I'll phone her tomorrow for sure; a meno che, a meno di, unless: lo spettacolo si terrà all'aperto, a meno che non piova, the performance will take place outdoors, unless it rains; non farei mai una cosa simile, a meno di non esservi costretto, I would never do such a thing, unless I was forced to // niente meno → nientedimeno // per lo meno → perlomeno.

meno agg.compar.invar. less; not so much, not as much; (con s. pl.) fewer; not so many, not as many: c'è meno traffico sulle strade rispetto a ieri, there's less traffic on the roads than yesterday (o there isn't as much traffic on the roads as yesterday); oggi c'è meno gente in giro, there are fewer people (o there aren't so many people) about today; se prendi l'autostrada impiegherai meno tempo, it will take you less time (o it won't take you so long) if you use the motorway; c'erano meno italiani e più stranieri, there were fewer Italians and more foreigners; ha meno amici che nemici, he has fewer friends than enemies; loro hanno meno preoccupazioni di noi, they have fewer worries than we have (o they haven't so many worries as we have); questa volta hai fatto meno errori, this time you made fewer mistakes (o you didn't make so many mistakes) // meno storie!, stop making a fuss! // meno male, thank goodness; just as well; it's a good job (o a good thing); not so bad: meno male che non si è fatto niente, thank goodness he wasn't hurt; meno male che siete arrivati in tempo, it's a good job you arrived in time; meno male, poteva andar peggio!, not so bad, things could have been worse!

◆ s.m.

1 (con valore di compar.) less, not as much: ho fatto meno di quanto avrei voluto, I did less than (o I didn't do as much as) I would have liked; ha mangiato meno del solito, he ate less than usual (o he didn't eat as much as usual); meno di così non si poteva dare, you couldn't give less than that; si accontenterebbe di molto meno, he would be satisfied with much less; oggi ho dovuto aspettare molto meno, today I didn't have nearly so long to wait (o I had much less to wait); ci vorranno non meno di tre ore per arrivare, it will take no less than three hours to get there; finirò il lavoro in meno di un mese, I shall finish the job in less than a month; arriverà tra non meno di due settimane, he won't be here for a fortnight // a meno, per meno, (a minor prezzo) for less (o cheaper): vendere, acquistare per meno, to sell, to purchase for less // in men che non si dica, in less than no time

2 (con valore di superl.) the least; as little as: questo è il meno che tu possa fare, that's the least you can do; era il meno che gli potesse capitare, it was the least that could happen to him; vorrei spendere il meno possibile, I'd like to spend as little as possible // parlare del più e del meno, to talk of this and that // quando meno ci si pensa..., when you least expect...

3 (mat.) minus: il segno del meno, the minus sign

4 pl.: i meno, (la minoranza) the minority; i deputati che votarono a favore della proposta di legge erano i meno, the MP s who voted in favour of the bill were in the minority.

* * *
['meno]
1. avv

1) less

meno caro — less expensive, cheaper

è meno alto di suo fratello/di quel che pensavo — he is not as tall as his brother/as I thought, he is less tall than his brother/than I thought

ha due anni meno di me — he's two years younger than me

dovresti mangiare meno — you should eat less, you shouldn't eat so much

meno ne discutiamo, meglio è — the less we talk about it, the better

deve avere non meno di trent'anni — he must be at least thirty

meno fumo più mangio — the less I smoke the more I eat

andare all'università diventa sempre meno facile — it's getting less and less easy to go to university

ho speso (di) meno — I spent less

arrivo tra meno di un'ora — I'll be there in less than o in under an hour

2) (con senso superlativo) least

è il meno dotato dei miei studenti — he's the least gifted of my pupils

è quello che leggo meno spesso — it's the one I read least often

3) (sottrazione) Mat minus, less

5 meno 2 — 5 minus 2, 5 take away 2

sono le otto meno un quarto — it's a quarter to eight Brit o of eight Am

mi hai dato due carte di meno — you gave me two cards too few

eh, se avessi dieci anni di meno! — oh, if only I were ten years younger!

ho una sterlina in meno — I am one pound short

ci sono meno 25° — it's minus 25°, it is 25° below (zero)

ha preso sette meno — he got (a) B minus

4)

(fraseologia) non è da meno di lui — she is (every bit) as good as he is

non voglio essere da meno di lui — I don't want to be outdone by him

fare a meno di — to do o manage without

se non c'è zucchero ne faremo a meno — if there isn't any sugar we'll do without

potresti fare a meno di fumare in macchina? — would you mind not smoking in the car?

non ho potuto fare a meno di ridere — I couldn't help laughing

in men che non si dica — in less than no time, quick as a flash

meno male! — good!, thank goodness!, just as well!

meno male che sei arrivato — it's a good job that you have come

men che meno gli inglesi — least of all the English

fammi sapere se verrai o meno — let me know if you are coming or not

quanto meno poteva avvertire — he could at least have let us know

non mi piace come scrive e tanto meno come parla — I don't like the way he writes let alone the way he talks

2. agg inv

(acqua, lavoro, soldi) less, (persone, libri, errori) fewer

meno bambini ci sono, meglio è — the fewer children there are the better

meno storie! — stop messing around!

meno tempo — less time

meno turisti — fewer tourists

3. sm inv

1)

(la minor cosa) il meno — the least

era il meno che ti potesse capitare — (rimprovero) you were asking for it

parlare del più e del meno — to talk about this and that

per lo meno — perlomeno

i meno — (la minoranza) the minority

2) Mat minus (sign)

4. prep

(fuorché, eccetto che) except (for)

a meno che non faccia caldo — unless it is hot

a meno di prendere un giorno di ferie — unless I (o you ecc) take a day off

ci siamo tutti meno lui — we are all here except (for) him

tutti meno uno — all but one

* * *
['meno] 1.
avverbio

1) (in un comparativo di minoranza) less

un po' meno — a little less

è meno alto di Tim — he is not as tall as Tim

è meno complicato di quanto pensi — it's less complicated than you think

2) (con un avverbio) less

meno spesso — less often

meno del solito — less than usual

canta meno bene di prima — she doesn't sing as well as she used to

3) (con un verbo) less

l'argento costa meno dell'oro — silver costs less than gold

costa meno prendere il treno — it works out cheaper to take the train

dovresti lavorare (di) meno — you should work less

guadagno meno di lei — I earn less than she does, I don't earn as much as she does

meno se ne parla, meglio è — the less said about that, the better

meno esco, meno ho voglia di uscire — the less I go out, the less I feel like going out

è lui quello che lavora meno di tutti — he's the one who works the least of all

4) (con un numerale) less

meno di 50 — less than 50

meno di due ore — under o less than two hours

un po' meno di 15 cm — just under 15 cm

i bambini con meno di sei anni — children under six

non troverai niente a meno di 200 euro — you won't find anything for less than o for under 200 euros

5) (in un superlativo relativo)

(il) meno, (la) meno, (i) meno, (le) meno — the least

le famiglie meno ricche — the least wealthy families

era la meno soddisfatta di tutti — she was the least satisfied of all

è quello pagato meno bene fra i due — he's the least well-paid of the two

quello mi piace meno di tutti — I like that one (the) least

sono quelli che ne hanno meno bisogno — they are the ones who need it (the) least

proprio quando meno me l'aspettavo — just when I least expected it

6) (in correlazione con "più")

né più, né meno — neither more, nor less

centimetro più, centimetro meno — give or take an inch (or two)

né più né meno che — nothing less than

7) (con valore di negazione) not

che lo voglia o meno — whether he's willing or not

non ha deciso se firmare o meno — he hasn't decided whether to sign (or not)

8) da meno

è un gran bugiardo e suo fratello non è da meno — he's a liar and his brother isn't any better

ho fatto una torta anche io per non essere da meno — I made a cake as well, just to keep up

9) di meno, in meno

se avessi 20 anni di meno! — I wish I were 20 years younger!

ho preso 30 euro in meno di stipendio — my wages are 30 euros short

10) a meno di short of

11) a meno che unless

12) sempre meno less and less

13) meno male thank goodness

meno male che — it's a good thing that

meno male che è impermeabile! — it's just as well it's waterproof!

meno male che ci sono andato! — it was lucky for me that I went!

14) quanto meno, per lo meno at least

15) tanto meno

non l'ho mai visto, tanto meno gli ho parlato — I've never seen him, much less spoken to him

era troppo malata per stare in piedi, tanto meno per camminare — she was too ill to stand let alone walk

16) più o meno more or less, about, roughly, round about

più o meno alto come te — about your height

è successo più o meno qui — it happened round about here

"ti è piaciuto il film?" - "più o meno" — "did you enjoy the film?" - "sort of"

più o meno nello stesso modo — in much the same way

la canzone fa più o meno così — the song goes something like this
2.
aggettivo invariabile

1) (in un comparativo di minoranza) less, fewer

ho meno libri di te — I have fewer books than you

ho meno caldo adesso — I feel cooler now

ci è voluto meno tempo di quanto pensassimo — it took less time than we expected

2) (con valore pronominale) less, fewer

non meno di — no fewer than

ne ho meno di te — I have less than you

ha venduto meno di tutti — he sold the fewest
3.
preposizione

1) (in una sottrazione) from, minus

quanto fa 20 meno 8? — what is 20 minus 8?

20 meno 5 fa 15 — 5 from 20 leaves 15, 20 minus 5 is 15, 20 take away 5 is 15

2) (tranne, eccetto) but, besides, except

3) (per indicare l'ora)

le sei meno dieci — ten to six

4) (per indicare una temperatura)

meno 10 — minus 10
4.
sostantivo maschile invariabile

1) (la cosa, quantità minore) least

questo è il meno — that's the least of it

fare il meno possibile — to do as little as possible

2) mat. minus (sign)

••

parlare del più e del meno — to talk about this and that, to shoot the breeze AE

in men che non si dica — before you could say knife, in the bat o wink of an eye, in (less than) no time

fare a meno di — to manage o do without, to dispense with [auto, servizi]

non posso farne a meno — I can't help it
••
Note:

Meno è usato principalmente come avverbio e come aggettivo, anche con valore pronominale. - Come avverbio, si rende con less quando introduce un comparativo di minoranza e con (the) least quando introduce un superlativo di minoranza: less è seguito da than, the least è seguito da of oppure in (se ci si riferisce a un luogo o un gruppo). Gli esempi nella voce mostrano anche che il comparativo di minoranza è spesso sostituito in inglese dalla variante negativa di un comparativo di uguaglianza: ho meno esperienza di te = I have less experience than you, oppure: I don't have as much experience as you; la mia stanza è meno grande della tua = my bedroom isn't as big as yours. - Come aggettivo, in inglese standard meno si traduce con less davanti e al posto di sostantivi non numerabili ( meno denaro = less money; ne ho meno di ieri = I have less than yesterday), mentre davanti e al posto di sostantivi plurali si usa fewer con valore comparativo ( meno studenti = fewer students; non meno di = no fewer than) e (the) fewest con valore superlativo ( ho fatto meno errori di tutti = I made the fewest mistakes; ne ha dati meno di tutti = he gave the fewest); tuttavia, nel linguaggio parlato less tende a sostituire fewer anche con riferimento plurale: meno persone = less people. - Per altri esempi e per l'uso di meno come preposizione e sostantivo, si veda la voce qui sotto

* * *

meno

/'meno/

Meno è usato principalmente come avverbio e come aggettivo, anche con valore pronominale. - Come avverbio, si rende con less quando introduce un comparativo di minoranza e con (the) least quando introduce un superlativo di minoranza: less è seguito da than, the least è seguito da of oppure in (se ci si riferisce a un luogo o un gruppo). Gli esempi nella voce mostrano anche che il comparativo di minoranza è spesso sostituito in inglese dalla variante negativa di un comparativo di uguaglianza: ho meno esperienza di te = I have less experience than you, oppure: I don't have as much experience as you; la mia stanza è meno grande della tua = my bedroom isn't as big as yours. - Come aggettivo, in inglese standard meno si traduce con less davanti e al posto di sostantivi non numerabili ( meno denaro = less money; ne ho meno di ieri = I have less than yesterday), mentre davanti e al posto di sostantivi plurali si usa fewer con valore comparativo ( meno studenti = fewer students; non meno di = no fewer than) e (the) fewest con valore superlativo ( ho fatto meno errori di tutti = I made the fewest mistakes; ne ha dati meno di tutti = he gave the fewest); tuttavia, nel linguaggio parlato less tende a sostituire fewer anche con riferimento plurale: meno persone = less people. - Per altri esempi e per l'uso di meno come preposizione e sostantivo, si veda la voce qui sotto.

I avverbio

1 (in un comparativo di minoranza) less; un po' meno a little less; è meno alto di Tim he is not as tall as Tim; è meno complicato di quanto pensi it's less complicated than you think

2 (con un avverbio) less; meno spesso less often; meno del solito less than usual; canta meno bene di prima she doesn't sing as well as she used to

3 (con un verbo) less; l'argento costa meno dell'oro silver costs less than gold; costa meno prendere il treno it works out cheaper to take the train; dovresti lavorare (di) meno you should work less; guadagno meno di lei I earn less than she does, I don't earn as much as she does; meno se ne parla, meglio è the less said about that, the better; meno esco, meno ho voglia di uscire the less I go out, the less I feel like going out; è lui quello che lavora meno di tutti he's the one who works the least of all

4 (con un numerale) less; meno di 50 less than 50; meno di due ore under o less than two hours; un po' meno di 15 cm just under 15 cm; i bambini con meno di sei anni children under six; non troverai niente a meno di 200 euro you won't find anything for less than o for under 200 euros

5 (in un superlativo relativo) (il) meno, (la) meno, (i) meno, (le) meno the least; le famiglie meno ricche the least wealthy families; era la meno soddisfatta di tutti she was the least satisfied of all; è quello pagato meno bene fra i due he's the least well-paid of the two; quello mi piace meno di tutti I like that one (the) least; sono quelli che ne hanno meno bisogno they are the ones who need it (the) least; proprio quando meno me l'aspettavo just when I least expected it

6 (in correlazione con "più") né più, né meno neither more, nor less; centimetro più, centimetro meno give or take an inch (or two); né più né meno che nothing less than

7 (con valore di negazione) not; che lo voglia o meno whether he's willing or not; non ha deciso se firmare o meno he hasn't decided whether to sign (or not)

8 da meno è un gran bugiardo e suo fratello non è da meno he's a liar and his brother isn't any better; ho fatto una torta anche io per non essere da meno I made a cake as well, just to keep up

9 di meno, in meno se avessi 20 anni di meno! I wish I were 20 years younger! ho preso 30 euro in meno di stipendio my wages are 30 euros short

10 a meno di short of

11 a meno che unless

12 sempre meno less and less

13 meno male thank goodness; meno male che it's a good thing that; meno male che è impermeabile! it's just as well it's waterproof! meno male che ci sono andato! it was lucky for me that I went!

14 quanto meno, per lo meno at least

15 tanto meno non l'ho mai visto, tanto meno gli ho parlato I've never seen him, much less spoken to him; era troppo malata per stare in piedi, tanto meno per camminare she was too ill to stand let alone walk

16 più o meno more or less, about, roughly, round about; più o meno alto come te about your height; è successo più o meno qui it happened round about here; "ti è piaciuto il film?" - "più o meno" "did you enjoy the film?" - "sort of"; più o meno nello stesso modo in much the same way; la canzone fa più o meno così the song goes something like this

II aggettivo invariabile

1 (in un comparativo di minoranza) less, fewer; ho meno libri di te I have fewer books than you; ho meno caldo adesso I feel cooler now; ci è voluto meno tempo di quanto pensassimo it took less time than we expected

2 (con valore pronominale) less, fewer; non meno di no fewer than; ne ho meno di te I have less than you; ha venduto meno di tutti he sold the fewest

III preposizione

1 (in una sottrazione) from, minus; quanto fa 20 meno 8? what is 20 minus 8? 20 meno 5 fa 15 5 from 20 leaves 15, 20 minus 5 is 15, 20 take away 5 is 15

2 (tranne, eccetto) but, besides, except

3 (per indicare l'ora) le sei meno dieci ten to six

4 (per indicare una temperatura) meno 10 minus 10

IV m.inv.

1 (la cosa, quantità minore) least; questo è il meno that's the least of it; fare il meno possibile to do as little as possible

2 mat. minus (sign)

IDIOMS

parlare del più e del meno to talk about this and that, to shoot the breeze AE; in men che non si dica before you could say knife, in the bat o wink of an eye, in (less than) no time; fare a meno di to manage o do without, to dispense with [auto, servizi]; non posso farne a meno I can't help it.

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese > meno
9 baja

f.

1 drop, fall (descenso).

redondear el precio a la baja to round the price down

el precio del cacao sigue a la baja the price of cocoa is continuing to fall

tendencia a la baja downward trend

jugar a la baja (finance) to bear the market

2 redundancy (cese) (forzado).

dar de baja a alguien to lay somebody off; (en empresa) to expel somebody (en club, sindicato)

darse de baja (de) to resign (from); (dimitir) to drop out (of); (salirse) to unsusomebodyscribe (from) (de subscripción)

3 sick leave (por enfermedad) (permiso). (peninsular Spanish)

estar/darse de baja to be on/take sick leave

baja por maternidad maternity leave

4 loss, casualty (military).

bajas civiles civilian casualties

5 pasha, Moslem honorary title, Moslem honourary title, pacha.

6 doctor's excuse, doctor's line, doctor's note.

7 lay off period.

8 termination of employment.

pres.indicat.

3^rd person singular (él/ella/ello) present indicative of spanish verb: bajar.

* * *

baja

► nombre femenino

1 (descenso) fall, drop

■ la baja del precio del petróleo the fall in the price of oil

■ el dólar sigue a la baja the dollar continues to fall

2 MILITAR casualty

■ el ejército sufrió pocas bajas the army suffered few casualties

3 (por enfermedad) sick leave; (justificante) medical certificate, doctor's note

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

dar de baja (a enfermo) to give a sick note to 2 (a socio de club) to expel 3 (a soldado) to declare missing

darse de baja (de un club) to cancel one's membership, leave, drop out 2 (en una suscripción) to cancel one's subscription 3 (por enfermedad) to take sick leave

estar de baja (enfermo) to be off sick 2 (pasado) to be dropping, on the way out

estar en baja to be dropping, on the way out

■ los concursos televisivos están en baja television quiz shows are on the way out

ser baja (deportista) to be injured, not be playing 2 (militar) to be reported missing

■ Osuna es baja para el partido de mañana Osuna is out of tomorrow's game

* * *
1. f., (m. - bajo) 2. noun f.
1) casualty

2) fall, drop, slump

3) discharge

4) dismissal

•

- dar de baja
- darse de baja
- estar de baja
* * *

SF

1) (=descenso) fall, drop

se produjo una baja continuada de las temperaturas — there was a continued fall o drop in temperatures

una baja repentina de los beneficios — a sudden fall o drop in profits

sigue la baja en la cotización del euro — the euro continues to fall

el gobierno anunció una baja de los tipos de interés — the government announced a cut in interest rates

• a la baja — [evolución, tendencia] downward

se ha producido una orientación del mercado a la baja — the market has started on a downward trend

el precio del algodón sigue a la baja — the price of cotton continues to fall

la patronal está presionando los salarios a la baja — employers are forcing wages down

• abrir a la baja — (Bolsa) to open down

• cerrar a la baja — (Bolsa) to close down

la Bolsa cerró a la baja en el día de ayer — the Stock Exchange closed down o was down at the close of trading yesterday

• corregir algo a la baja — to adjust sth downwards

• cotizarse a la baja — (Bolsa) to trade low

• estar en baja — to be in decline

su reputación estuvo en baja en los últimos meses — his reputation was on the o in decline over the last few months

la Bolsa está en baja — there is a downward trend in the Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange is in decline

2) (=cese)
[en organización, suscripción, trabajo]
hubo tantas bajas que el club tuvo que cerrar — so many people left that the club had to close down

la baja de dos de los países miembros — the departure of two member countries

el nuevo estilo de la revista ha causado numerosas bajas — the new style of the magazine has led many people to cancel their subscription

• dar de baja — [+ socio] to expel; [+ abogado, médico] to strike off; [+ militar] to discharge; [+ empleado] to dismiss, fire; [+ empresa, sociedad] to dissolve; [+ coche] to take out of circulation; [+ avión, tren] to decommission; [+ teléfono, luz] to have disconnected

la dieron de baja del club por no pagar la suscripción — her membership of the club was cancelled because she had failed to pay her subscription

la dirección decidió dar de baja al nuevo profesor — the board decided to dismiss the new teacher

hemos dado de baja la luz — we had the electricity disconnected

• darse de baja — [de club, institución, partido] to leave; [de revista, periódico] to cancel one's subscription

numerosos suscriptores han decidido darse de baja de la revista — many readers have decided to cancel their subscription to the magazine

nos dimos de baja del teléfono — we had the telephone disconnected

• pedir la baja — to hand in one's resignation

baja incentivada — voluntary redundancy

baja por incentivo — voluntary redundancy

baja por jubilación — retirement

baja por jubilación anticipada — early retirement

baja voluntaria — [por dimisión] voluntary redundancy; [por jubilación] early retirement

3) (=ausencia laboral)

• dar de baja, se le dará de baja a partir del día de la operación — she will be on sick leave from the day of the operation

• estar de baja — to be on sick leave, be off sick

• pedir la baja — to ask for o apply for sick leave

baja laboral — leave

baja maternal — maternity leave

baja médica — sick leave

baja permanente — indefinite sick leave

baja por enfermedad — sick leave

el número de bajas por enfermedad — the number of people taking sick leave

baja por maternidad — maternity leave

baja por paternidad — paternity leave

baja retribuida — paid leave

4) (Dep) [por descalificación] suspension; [por lesión] injury

el equipo sufrió dos bajas por sendas tarjetas rojas — the team lost two players for red card offences

el partido registró varias bajas en ambos equipos — there were several injuries for both teams during the match

5) Esp (Med) (=certificado) medical certificate, sick note *

6) (Mil) (=víctima) casualty

hasta la fecha no ha habido ninguna baja — there have been no casualties to date

* * *

femenino

1) ( descenso) fall, drop

su popularidad está en baja — his popularity is waning o declining

la baja de las tasas de interés — the cut in interest rates

a la baja: tendencia a la baja downward trend; los que juegan a la baja — those who are selling for a fall, the bears

2)

a) (Esp) (Rels Labs) ( permiso) sick leave; ( certificado) medical certificate

está (dado) de baja — he's off sick o on sick leave

b) (Dep)

el equipo tiene varias bajas — the team is missing several regulars

c) (Mil) ( muerte) loss, casualty

los rebeldes tuvieron trece bajas — the rebels lost thirteen men

- baja por maternidad

3)

a) ( en entidad)

ha habido varias bajas — ( en clase) several students have dropped out o left; ( en asociación) several members have left

darse de baja — ( en club) to cancel one's membership, leave; ( en partido) to resign, leave

lo dieron de baja en el club por no pagar la cuota — they canceled his membership to the club for not paying his fees

causó baja en nuestra empresa — (Esp) he left our employment

b) (Mil) ( cese) discharge

dar de baja — to discharge

pidió la baja en el ejército — he applied to be discharged from the army

c) ( en puesto)

el equipo lo dio de baja — the club cut him (AmE), the club released him (BrE)

lo dieron de baja por invalidez — he was dismissed because of illness o on health grounds

•

- baja incentivada

- baja voluntaria

* * *

femenino

1) ( descenso) fall, drop

su popularidad está en baja — his popularity is waning o declining

la baja de las tasas de interés — the cut in interest rates

a la baja: tendencia a la baja downward trend; los que juegan a la baja — those who are selling for a fall, the bears

2)

a) (Esp) (Rels Labs) ( permiso) sick leave; ( certificado) medical certificate

está (dado) de baja — he's off sick o on sick leave

b) (Dep)

el equipo tiene varias bajas — the team is missing several regulars

c) (Mil) ( muerte) loss, casualty

los rebeldes tuvieron trece bajas — the rebels lost thirteen men

- baja por maternidad

3)

a) ( en entidad)

ha habido varias bajas — ( en clase) several students have dropped out o left; ( en asociación) several members have left

darse de baja — ( en club) to cancel one's membership, leave; ( en partido) to resign, leave

lo dieron de baja en el club por no pagar la cuota — they canceled his membership to the club for not paying his fees

causó baja en nuestra empresa — (Esp) he left our employment

b) (Mil) ( cese) discharge

dar de baja — to discharge

pidió la baja en el ejército — he applied to be discharged from the army

c) ( en puesto)

el equipo lo dio de baja — the club cut him (AmE), the club released him (BrE)

lo dieron de baja por invalidez — he was dismissed because of illness o on health grounds

•

- baja incentivada

- baja voluntaria

* * *

baja¹

¹ = drop, fall.

Ex: Perfect recall can only be achieved by a drop in the proportion of relevant documents considered.

Ex: There has been a rapid increase in the number and costs of science, technology and medicine scholarly titles in recent years, and a fall in subscriptions.

* a la baja = on the wane.

* estar a la baja = be down.

* ir a la baja = be down.

* Nombre + a la baja = Nombre + down.

baja²

² = leave.

Ex: The induction course will give all the necessary employment details relating to such matters as the amount of leave entitlement, insurance stoppages, what to do in case of sickness, etc..

* baja maternal = maternity leave, maternal leave.

* baja paternal = paternal leave.

* baja por enfermedad = sick leave, sickness leave.

* baja por maternidad = maternity leave, parental leave, maternal leave.

* baja por paternidad = paternal leave.

* baja temporal = temporary leave.

* dar de baja = take out of + circulation.

* estar de baja = be off work.

* estar de baja por enfermedad = be off work sick.

baja³

³ = termination.

Ex: No area of library operations would be unaffected -- from the selection of materials to the hiring and termination of personnel.

* dado de baja = written-off.

* darse de baja de una suscripción = unsubscribe.

baja⁴

⁴ = casualty.

Ex: Unfortunately, there are indications that the use of rubber stamps in libraries may be among the first casualties of the information revolution.

* baja de guerra = war casualty.

* baja en combate = combat casualty.

* * *

baja

feminine

A (descenso) fall, drop

una baja en el número de inscripciones a fall o drop in the number of enrollments

su popularidad está en baja his popularity is waning o declining o on the wane

hubo una baja de tensión ( RPl); there was a drop in voltage

a la baja: el precio del crudo sigue a la baja the price of crude oil continues to fall

continúa la tendencia a la baja en las cuatro bolsas the downward trend continues o stocks continue to fall on all four exchanges

los que jugaban a la baja those who were selling for a fall, the bears

B

1

( Esp) ( Dep): Pardo es baja para el partido del domingo Pardo is out of Sunday's game

el equipo tiene varias bajas the team is without several of its usual players

2 ( Mil) (muerte) loss, casualty

los rebeldes tuvieron trece bajas the rebels lost thirteen men

registraron varias bajas they suffered several casualties o the loss of several men

3 ( Esp) ( Rels Labs) (permiso) sick leave; (certificado) medical certificate

debe presentar la baja you must produce your medical certificate

está (dado) de baja desde hace dos meses he's been off sick o on sick leave for two months

Compuesto:

baja por maternidad

maternity leave

C

1

(en un club, una organización): ha habido or se han registrado or se han producido varias bajas (en una clase) several students have dropped out o left; (en una asociación) several members have left

lo dieron de baja en el club por no pagar la cuota they canceled his membership of the club o threw him out of the club for not paying his subscription

darse de baja (en un club) to cancel one's membership, leave; (en un partido) to resign, leave; (en el consulado) to have one's name removed from the register; (de un sitio web) to unsubscribe

2 ( Mil) (cese) discharge

pidió la baja en el ejército he applied for a discharge o to be discharged from the army

fue dado de baja he was discharged

3

(en un puesto): la empresa lo dio de baja the company dismissed him, the company cut him ( AmE), the company sacked him ( BrE)

lo dieron de baja por invalidez he was dismissed because of illness o on health grounds

durante los tres meses posteriores a la fecha de la baja in the three months following termination of employment

causó baja en nuestra organización en mayo de 2008 ( Esp); he left our employment o ( frml) employ in May 2008

Compuestos:

● baja incentivada

voluntary redundancy ( with incentive payment)

● baja vegetativa

reducir la plantilla mediante bajas vegetativas to reduce the workforce by attrition ( AmE) o ( BrE) natural wastage

● baja voluntaria

voluntary redundancy

* * *

Del verbo bajar: ( conjugate bajar)

baja es:

3ª persona singular (él/ella/usted) presente indicativo

2ª persona singular (tú) imperativo

Multiple Entries:
baja
bajar
baja sustantivo femenino
1 ( descenso) fall, drop;
◊ una baja en los precios a fall o drop in prices;

la baja de las tasas de interés the cut in interest rates;
tendencia a la baja downward trend
2
a) (Esp) (Rels Labs) ( permiso) sick leave;

( certificado) medical certificate;
◊ está (dado) de baja he's off sick o on sick leave;

baja por maternidad (Esp) maternity leave
b) (Dep):

◊ el equipo tiene varias bajas the team is missing several regulars

c) (Mil) ( muerte) loss, casualty

3 ( en entidad):
◊ darse de baja ( en club) to cancel one's membership, leave;

( en partido) to resign, leave;
(Mil) ( cese) discharge;
◊ dar de baja to discharge

bajar ( conjugate bajar) verbo intransitivo
1
a) [ascensor/persona] ( alejándose) to go down;

( acercándose) to come down;
◊ baja por las escaleras to go/come down the stairs;

ya bajo I'll be right down
b) ( apearse) baja de algo ‹de tren/avión› to get off sth;

‹ de coche› to get out of sth;
‹de caballo/bicicleta› to get off sth
c) (Dep) [ equipo] to go down

2
a) [ marea] to go out

b) [fiebre/tensión] to go down, drop;

[ hinchazón] to go down;
[ temperatura] to fall, drop
c) [precio/valor] to fall, drop;

[ calidad] to deteriorate;
[ popularidad] to diminish;
◊ baja de precio to go down in price

verbo transitivo
1 ‹escalera/cuesta› to go down
2 ‹brazo/mano› to put down, lower
3
a) baja algo (de algo) ‹de armario/estante› to get sth down (from sth);

‹ del piso de arriba› ( traer) to bring sth down (from sth);
( llevar) to take sth down (to sth)
b) baja a algn de algo ‹de mesa/caballo› to get sb off sth

4
a) ‹persiana/telón› to lower;

‹ ventanilla› to open
b) ‹ cremallera› to undo

5 ‹ precio› to lower;
‹ fiebre› to bring down;
‹ volumen› to turn down;
‹ voz› to lower
bajarse verbo pronominal
1 ( apearse) bajase de algo ‹de tren/autobús› to get off sth;
‹ de coche› to get out of sth;
‹de caballo/bicicleta› to get off sth;
‹de pared/árbol› to get down off sth
2 ‹ pantalones› to take down;
‹ falda› to pull down
bajo,-a
I adjetivo
1 low
2 (de poca estatura) short: es muy bajo para jugar al baloncesto, he's a bit too short to play basketball
3 (poco intenso) faint, soft: en este local la música está baja, the music isn't very loud here
4 (escaso) poor: su nivel es muy bajo, his level is very low
este queso es bajo en calorías, this cheese is low in calories
5 Mús low
6 fig (mezquino, vil, ruin) base, despicable: tiene muy bajos instintos, he's absolutely contemptible
bajos fondos, the underworld
la clase baja, the lower class
II adverbio low: habla bajo, por favor, please speak quietly
por lo b., (a sus espaldas, disimuladamente) on the sly: con Pedro es muy amable, pero por lo bajo echa pestes de él, she's very nice to Pedro, but she's always slagging him off behind his back
(como mínimo) at least: ese libro cuesta cinco mil pesetas tirando por lo bajo, that book costs at least five thousand pesetas
III sustantivo masculino
1 Mús (instrumento, cantante, instrumentista) bass
2 (de un edificio) ground floor
3 (de una prenda) hem
IV mpl Mec underneath: las piedras del camino le rozaron los bajos del coche, we scratched the bottom of the car against the stones on the road
V preposición
1 (lugar) under, underneath
bajo techo, under shelter
bajo tierra, underground
bajo la tormenta, in the storm
2 Pol Hist under
bajo la dictadura, under the dictatorship 3 bajo cero, (temperatura) below zero
4 Jur under
bajo fianza, on bail
bajo juramento, under oath
bajo multa de cien mil pesetas, subject to a fine of one hundred thousand pesetas
bajo ningún concepto, under no circumstances
firmó la declaración bajo presión, she signed the declaration under pressure
La traducción más común del adjetivo es low. Sin embargo, recuerda que cuando quieres describir a una persona debes usar la palabra short: Es muy bajo para su edad. He's very short for his age.
baja sustantivo femenino
1 (informe médico) sick note
baja por enfermedad, sick leave
baja por maternidad, maternity leave
2 (descenso) drop, fall
3 Mil (víctima, herido) casualty: nuestro ejército no ha sufrido bajas, we haven't suffered any casualties
♦ Locuciones: coger la baja, (por enfermedad) to take sick leave
darse de baja, (de una asociación, una actividad) to resign [de, from], drop out [de, of]
estar de baja, (por enfermedad) to be off sick
Fin jugar a la baja, to operate for a fall
bajar
I verbo transitivo
1 (descender) to come o go down: bajé corriendo la cuesta, I ran downhill ➣ Ver nota en ir 2 (llevar algo abajo) to bring o get o take down: baja los disfraces del trastero, bring the costumes down from the attic
3 (un telón) to lower
(una persiana) to let down
(la cabeza) to bow o lower
4 (reducir el volumen) to turn down
(la voz) to lower
5 (los precios, etc) to reduce, cut
6 (ropa, dobladillo) tengo que bajar el vestido, I've got to let the hem down
7 Mús tienes que bajar un tono, you've got to go down a tone
II verbo intransitivo
1 to go o come down: bajamos al bar, we went down to the bar
2 (apearse de un tren, un autobús) to get off
(de un coche) to get out [de, of]: tienes que bajarte en la siguiente parada, you've got to get off at the next stop
3 (disminuir la temperatura, los precios) to fall, drop: ha bajado su cotización en la bolsa, its share prices have dropped in the stock exchange
' baja' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
bajar
- bajinis
- bajo
- borrarse
- cabeza
- cámara
- despacio
- estar
- estofa
- forma
- fresca
- fresco
- grosera
- grosero
- jugar
- marea
- media
- medio
- planta
- riñón
- telebasura
- temblor
- temporada
- tensión
- tintorro
- voz
- clase
- fondo
- incapacidad
- petiso
- renacuajo
- roto
English:
alternate
- attrition rate
- breath
- breathe
- casualty
- discharge
- downstairs
- downturn
- downward
- downwards
- fall behind
- floor
- form
- ground floor
- house
- low-calorie
- lower
- lower-class
- off
- off-peak
- quietly
- season
- shoddiness
- sick
- sick-leave
- simmer
- slide
- undertone
- voice
- whisper
- work
- down
- drop
- go
- ground
- hushed
- low
- red
- slump
- small
- sweep
- tide
- under
- voluntary
- water
- way

* * *

baja nf

1. [descenso] drop, fall;

una baja en las temperaturas a drop in temperature;

no se descarta una baja en los tipos de interés a cut in interest rates isn't being ruled out;

redondear el precio a la baja to round the price down;

el precio del cacao sigue a la baja the price of cocoa is continuing to fall, the slump in the price of cocoa is continuing;

la bolsa de Madrid sigue a la baja share prices on the Madrid stock exchange are continuing to fall;

tendencia a la baja downward trend;

las eléctricas cotizaron ayer a la baja share prices for the electricity companies fell yesterday;
Fin
jugar a la baja to bear the market

2. [cese] lay-off, Br redundancy;

han anunciado veinte bajas [forzadas] they have announced twenty lay-offs o Br redundancies;

la empresa ha sufrido bajas entre sus directivos [voluntarias] a number of managers have left the firm;

la pérdida de las elecciones provocó cientos de bajas en el partido the election defeat caused hundreds of people to leave the party;

dar de baja a alguien [en una empresa] to lay sb off;
[en un club, sindicato] to expel sb;
darse de baja (de) [dimitir] to resign (from);
[salirse] to drop out (of);
pedir la baja [de un club, organización] to ask to leave;
[del ejército] to apply for a discharge
Comp
baja incentivada voluntary lay-off o Br redundancy;
baja por jubilación retirement;

baja retribuida paid leave;

baja no retribuida unpaid leave;

baja con sueldo paid leave;

baja sin sueldo unpaid leave

3. Esp [por enfermedad] [permiso] sick leave;
[documento] sick note, doctor's certificate;
estar/darse de baja to be on/take sick leave

Comp
baja por enfermedad sick leave;
baja por maternidad maternity leave;

baja por paternidad paternity leave

4. Mil loss, casualty;

se registraron numerosas bajas en el combate they suffered heavy casualties in the battle, a number of people were lost in the battle

5. Dep [por lesión] casualty, injured player;
[por sanción] suspended player;
al no haberse recuperado todavía, el brasileño causa o [m5] es baja para el próximo encuentro as he still hasn't recovered from injury, the Brazilian is out of the next game;

acudieron a la final con varias bajas importantes they went into the final with a number of important players missing

* * *

baja

f

1 descenso fall, drop;

jugar a la baja FIN gamble on a bear market

2 persona casualty;

bajas pl MIL casualties

3 ( dimisión, cese)

:

causar baja resign, leave;

dar de baja dismiss;

darse de baja resign, leave ( por because of);

estar de baja (por enfermedad) be off sick, be on sick leave

* * *

baja nf

1) descenso: fall, drop

2) : slump, recession

3) : loss, casualty

4)

dar de baja : to discharge, to dismiss

5)

darse de baja : to withdraw, to drop out

* * *

baja n

1. (disminución) fall / drop

una baja de temperatura a drop in temperature

una baja del precio del carbón a fall in the price of coal

2. (persona lesionada)

hay muchas bajas para el partido de mañana a lot of players are out of tomorrow's game

3. (persona muerta) casualty [pl. casualties]

la flota regresó sin bajas the fleet returned without any casualties

4. (documento) sick note / doctor's note

pidió la baja por enfermedad he asked for a sick note

dar de baja a alguien (en el trabajo) to give someone sick leave (en un club etc) to cancel someone's membership

darse de baja (en un club, etc) to cancel your membership

estar de baja to be off sick / to be on sick leave

Spanish-English dictionary > baja
10 hundred

1. noun
1) ((plural hundred) the number 100: Ten times ten is a hundred; more than one/a hundred; There must be at least six hundred of them here.) cien

2) (the figure 100.) cien

3) (the age of 100: She's over a hundred; a man of a hundred.) cien años

4) ((plural hundred) a hundred pounds or dollars: I lost several hundred at the casino last night.) cientos (de)

2. adjective
1) (100 in number: six hundred people; a few hundred pounds.) cientos

2) (aged 100: He is a hundred today.) cien años, centenario

•

- hundred-
- hundredfold
- hundredth
- hundreds of

hundred num

1. cien / ciento

it cost a hundred pounds costó cien libras

2. centenar

we have hundreds of friends tenemos cientos de amigos / tenemos centenares de amigos

hundred

tr['hʌndrəd]

noun

1 cien

■ a hundred volunteers cien voluntarios

■ a hundred and ten kilos ciento diez kilos

■ five hundred years ago hace quinientos años

■ it costs two hundred euros cuesta doscientas euros

■ a hundred and fifty cars ciento cincuenta coches

■ in the eighteen hundreds en el siglo diecinueve

■ he lived to be a hundred llegó a los cien años

plural noun hundreds

1 (many) centenares nombre masculino plural, cientos nombre masculino plural

■ there were hundreds of cyclists había centenares de ciclistas

■ there are hundreds of ways to save money hay cientos de maneras de ahorrar dinero

\

SMALLIDIOMATIC EXPRESSION/SMALL

a hundred per cent (literally) ciento por ciento 2 (figuratively) totalmente

■ a hundred per cent of the votes have been counted el ciento por ciento de los votos han sido escrutados

■ I agree with you a hundred per cent estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo

hundred ['hʌndrəd] adj

: cien, ciento

hundred n, pl - dreds or - dred : ciento m

hundred

adj.

• cien (to) adj.

n.

• centena s.f.

• centenar s.m.

• cien s.m.

'hʌndrəd
noun cien m

a/one hundred — cien

a/one hundred and one — ciento uno

two hundred — doscientos

five hundred — quinientos

five hundred pages — quinientas páginas

twelve hundred — mil doscientos

fifteen hundred — mil quinientos

in (the year) fifteen hundred — en el (año) mil quinientos

she lived in the seventeen hundreds — vivió en el siglo XVIII

ten hundreds are a thousand — diez centenas son un millar

they are sold by the hundred o in hundreds — se venden de a cien or (Esp) de cien en cien

a/one hundred thousand/million — cien mil/millones

hundreds of times — cientos de veces

I've got a hundred and one things to do — tengo cientos or miles de cosas que hacer

['hʌndrɪd]
1. N

1)

a or one hundred — (before noun, or used alone) cien; (before numbers up to 99) ciento

a or one hundred people — cien personas

to count up to a or one hundred — contar hasta cien

a hundred and one/two — ciento uno/dos

a or one hundred and ten — ciento diez

a or one hundred thousand — cien mil

two hundred — doscientos

three hundred — trescientos

five hundred people — quinientas personas

five hundred and one — quinientos uno

seven hundred euros — setecientos euros

nine hundred pounds — novecientas libras

a hundred per cent — cien por cien

to live to be a hundred — llegar a los cien años

the hundred and first — el centésimo primero

2) (=figure) ciento m

3) (=large number)

in hundreds, by the hundred — a centenares

for hundreds of thousands of years — durante centenares de miles de años

hundreds of people — centenares de personas

I've got hundreds of letters to write — tengo que escribir cientos de cartas

I've told you hundreds of times — te lo he dicho cientos or centenares de veces

I've got a hundred and one things to do — tengo la mar de cosas que hacer

2.

CPD

the Hundred Years' War N — la Guerra de los Cien Años
HUNDRED
"Ciento" or "cien"?
► Use cien before a {noun} (even when it follows mil):
... a or one hundred soldiers...... cien soldados...
... eleven hundred metres...... mil cien metros... NOTE: Don't translate numbers like e leven hundred literally. Translate their equivalent in thousands and hundreds instead. ► Use cien before mil and millón:
... a or one hundred thousand dollars...... cien mil dólares...
... a or one hundred million euros...... cien millones de euros... ► But use cie nto before another {number}:
... a or one hundred and sixteen stamps...... ciento dieciséis sellos... ► When hun dred follows another number, use the compound forms (doscientos, -as, trescientos, -as {etc}) which must agree with the noun:
... two hundred and fifty women...... doscientas cincuenta mujeres... For further uses and examples, see main entry
* * *
['hʌndrəd]
noun cien m

a/one hundred — cien

a/one hundred and one — ciento uno

two hundred — doscientos

five hundred — quinientos

five hundred pages — quinientas páginas

twelve hundred — mil doscientos

fifteen hundred — mil quinientos

in (the year) fifteen hundred — en el (año) mil quinientos

she lived in the seventeen hundreds — vivió en el siglo XVIII

ten hundreds are a thousand — diez centenas son un millar

they are sold by the hundred o in hundreds — se venden de a cien or (Esp) de cien en cien

a/one hundred thousand/million — cien mil/millones

hundreds of times — cientos de veces

I've got a hundred and one things to do — tengo cientos or miles de cosas que hacer

English-spanish dictionary > hundred
11 quelque

quelque [kεlk(ə)]

━━━━━━━━━

1. indefinite adjective

2. adverb

━━━━━━━━━

1. <

a. (au singulier) some

• il habite à quelque distance d'ici he lives some distance from here

• j'ai quelque peine à croire cela I find that rather difficult to believe

► quelque temps a while

• dans quelque temps in a while

• attendre quelque temps to wait a while► quelque chose something

• quelque chose d'extraordinaire something extraordinary

• quelque chose d'autre something else

• puis-je faire quelque chose pour vous ? is there something I can do for you?

• il a quelque chose (qui ne va pas) (maladie) there's something wrong with him ; (ennuis) there's something the matter with him

• vous prendrez bien quelque chose do have something to drink

• il y est pour quelque chose he has got something to do with it

• ça y est pour quelque chose it has got something to do with it

• il y a quelque chose comme une semaine something like a week ago

• je t'ai apporté un petit quelque chose I've brought you a little something

• ça m'a fait quelque chose d'apprendre sa mort I was upset when I heard he had died

• il a plu quelque chose de bien ! it rained like anything! (inf)

• ça alors, c'est quelque chose ! that's a bit too much!► quelque part somewhere ; ( = d'une certaine façon) in a way

• je vous ai déjà vue quelque part I've seen you somewhere

• quelque part, c'est un avertissement in a way, it's a warning► quelque... que (formal) whatever

• de quelque façon que l'on envisage le problème whatever way you look at the problem

• il veut l'acheter, à quelque prix que ce soit he wants to buy it no matter how much it costs► en quelque sorte ( = pour ainsi dire) as it were ; ( = d'une certaine manière) in a way

• le liquide s'était en quelque sorte solidifié the liquid had solidified as it were

• on pourrait dire en quelque sorte que... you could say in a way that...

b. (au pluriel) quelques a few

• M. Dupont va vous dire quelques mots Mr Dupont is going to say a few words to you

• quelques milliers a few thousand

• il ne peut rester que quelques instants he can only stay for a few moments

• quelques autres a few others

► et quelques (inf)

20 kg et quelques a bit (inf) over 20kg

• il doit être trois heures et quelques it must be a bit (inf) after three► les quelques

• les quelques enfants qui étaient venus the few children who had come

• les quelques centaines de personnes qui lisent ses romans the few hundred people who read his novels

2. <

( = environ) about

• il y a quelque 20 ans qu'il enseigne ici he has been teaching here for about 20 years

• ça a augmenté de quelque 50 euros it's gone up by about 50 euros

► quelque peu rather

• quelque peu déçu rather disappointed

* * *
kɛlk
1.

adjectif indéfini

1) ( au singulier) ( dans les phrases affirmatives) some; ( dans les phrases interrogatives) any

il y aurait quelque contradiction à dire que — it would be somewhat contradictory to say that

si pour quelque raison que ce soit — if for whatever reason

de quelque côté que nous allions — whichever way we go

2) ( au pluriel) ( dans les phrases affirmatives) some, a few; ( dans les phrases interrogatives) any

je voudrais ajouter quelques mots — I'd like to add a few words

quelques instants — a few moments

est-ce qu'il vous reste quelques cartons? — do you have any boxes left?

ça dure trois heures et quelques — it lasts over three hours

2.

adverbe

1) ( environ)

les quelque deux mille spectateurs — the two thousand odd spectators, the two thousand or so spectators

ça lui a coûté quelque 30 euros — it cost him about 30 euros

2) (si) however

quelque admirable que soit son attitude — however admirable his/her attitude may be

3.

quelque chose pronom indéfini invariable ( dans les phrases affirmatives) something

il y a quelque chose qui ne va pas — something's wrong

ils y sont pour quelque chose — they've got something to do with it

elle est restée quelque chose comme trois heures — she stayed for something like three hours

il me reste quelque chose comme 20 euros — I've got about 20 euros left

quelque chose de mieux — something better

il y aurait quelque chose d'absurde à refuser sa proposition — it would be ridiculous to turn down his offer

c'est quelque chose d'inimaginable! — it's unbelievable!

il a quelque chose de son grand-père — he's got a look of his grandfather about him

faire quelque chose à quelqu'un — [événement, substance] to have an effect on somebody

c'est quelque chose! (colloq) tu es toujours en retard! — for crying out loud! you're always late

en ce temps-là, être instituteur, c'était quelque chose — in those days it was quite something to be a primary school teacher

ça me dit quelque chose — it reminds me of something, it rings a bell

4.

quelque part locution adverbiale somewhere

il lui a mis son pied quelque part — (colloq) euph he gave him/her a kick in the behind

5.

quelque peu locution adverbiale somewhat

il a accepté après avoir quelque peu hésité — he accepted after some hesitation

••

Remarques à propos de ‘quelque chose’

Dans les phrases affirmatives quelque chose se traduit par something: quelque chose m'a frappé = something struck me; j'ai vu quelque chose qui va te plaire = I saw something that you will like

Dans les phrases interrogatives et conditionnelles, l'anglais fait une distinction entre une vraie question dont la réponse peut être oui ou non ou une vraie supposition: avez-vous quelque chose à ajouter? = have you got anything to add?; si tu vois quelque chose de louche = if you see anything suspicious; si quelque chose leur arrivait = if anything happened to them; et une supposition formulée sous forme de question: tu fais une drôle de tête, tu as quelque chose à dire? = you're pulling a face, have you got something to say?; ou de suggestion: si tu as vu quelque chose que tu aimerais pour ton anniversaire = if you have seen something that you'd like for your birthday; si quelque chose te déplaît, dis-le = if there's something you don't like, say so

Voir exemples supplémentaires et exceptions ci-dessous II et III

* * *
kɛlk
1. adj

1) (au singulier) some

quelque espoir — some hope

Il habite à quelque distance d'ici. — He lives some distance from here.

Il trouvera quelque excuse. — He'll find some excuse., He'll find some excuse or other.

2) (en corrélation: n'importe)

quelque... que — whatever, whichever

Quelque livre qu'il choisisse... — Whatever book he chooses..., Whichever book he chooses...

Par quelque temps qu'il fasse... — Whatever the weather...

3)

quelque chose — something, (en tournure interrogative) anything

J'ai quelque chose pour toi. — I've got something for you.

Je voudrais quelque chose de moins cher. — I'd like something cheaper.

y être pour quelque chose — to have something to do with it

faire quelque chose à qn (= émouvoir) — to do something to sb

Avez-vous quelque chose à déclarer? — Have you got anything to declare?

quelque chose d'autre — something else, (tournure interrogative) anything else

Tu as pensé à quelque chose d'autre? — Have you thought of anything else?

4)

quelque part — somewhere, (tournure interrogative) anywhere

J'ai oublié mon sac quelque part. — I've left my bag somewhere.

Vous allez quelque part ce week-end? — Are you going anywhere this weekend?

5) (locution)

en quelque sorte — as it were

6) (au pluriel) some, a few, (en tournure interrogative) any, (en corrélation avec un relatif) few

Il a quelques amis à Paris. — He has some friends in Paris., He has a few friends in Paris.

J'ai acheté quelques disques. — I bought some records., I bought a few records.

Il reste quelques bouteilles. — There are a few bottles left.

Ils ont fini les quelques bouteilles qui restaient. — They finished the few bottles that were left.

7) (autres locutions)

20 kg et quelques — a bit over 20 kg

"quelle heure est-il?" - - "onze heures et quelques" — "what time is it?" - - "just gone eleven"

2. adv

1) (= environ)

quelque 100 mètres — some 100 metres

2) (avec adjectif)

quelque peu — rather, somewhat

J'ai trouvé ça quelque peu déplacé de sa part. — I thought what he said was somewhat uncalled-for.

3) (en corrélation)

quelque difficile que ce soit — however difficult it may be

* * *

quelque ⇒ Note d'usage

A adj indéf

1 ( au singulier) ( dans les phrases affirmatives) some; ( dans les phrases interrogatives) any; nous avons eu quelque difficulté à nous comprendre we had some difficulty in understanding each other; j'ai eu quelque peine à le convaincre I had some trouble persuading him; il sera probablement allé voir quelque ami he's probably gone to see some friend of his; il trouvera bien quelque autre moyen d'y parvenir he's sure to find some other way of managing it; il y a quelque temps some time ago; depuis quelque temps il est déprimé for some time he has been depressed; il y aurait quelque contradiction à dire que it would be somewhat contradictory to say that; si pour quelque raison que ce soit tu ne pouvais pas venir if for whatever reason you were unable to come; quelque décision que tu prennes whatever decision you come to; de quelque côté que nous allions whichever way we go;

2 ( au pluriel) ( dans les phrases affirmatives) some, a few; ( dans les phrases interrogatives) any; quelques jours/chaises/étudiants some ou a few days/chairs/students; je voudrais ajouter quelques mots I'd like to add a few words; quelques instants a few moments; la police a dispersé les quelques manifestants qui restaient the police dispersed the few remaining demonstrators; est-ce qu'il vous reste quelques cartons? do you have any boxes left?; ça dure trois heures et quelques it lasts over three hours.

B adv

1 ( environ) les quelque deux mille spectateurs the two thousand odd spectators, the two thousand or so spectators; il y a quelque 20 ans de cela it was about 20 years ago; ça lui a coûté quelque 300 euros it cost him about 300 euros; ils étaient quelque deux cents hommes they numbered some two hundred men;

2 (si) however; quelque compétents qu'ils soient however competent they may be; quelque admirable que soit son attitude however admirable his attitude may be.

C quelque chose pron indéf inv ( affirmatives) something; vous mangerez/boirez bien quelque chose? you'll eat/drink something won't you?; vous avez fait tomber quelque chose you've knocked something over; elle lui a offert un petit quelque chose she gave him a little something; il faut faire quelque chose! we've got to do something!; il y a quelque chose qui ne va pas something's wrong; quelque chose me dit que something tells me that; ils y sont pour quelque chose they've got something to do with it; il se passe quelque chose there's something going on; il leur est peut-être arrivé quelque chose maybe something's happened to them; elle est restée quelque chose comme trois heures she stayed for something like ou for about three hours; il me reste quelque chose comme 200 euros I've got about 200 euros left; quelque chose d'autre something else; quelque chose de mieux/de moins cher something better/cheaper; il m'a dit quelque chose d'incroyable he told me something amazing; il y a quelque chose d'inquiétant chez elle, elle a quelque chose d'inquiétant there's something strange about her; il y aurait quelque chose d'absurde à refuser sa proposition it would be ridiculous to turn down his offer; il boit, c'est quelque chose d'inimaginable! he drinks such a lot, it's unbelievable!; il a quelque chose de son grand-père he's got a look of his grandfather about him; faire quelque chose à qn [événement, substance] to have an effect on sb; il y a quelque chose comme vent aujourd'hui○! there's quite a wind blowing today!; il y avait quelque chose comme monde en ville○ there was quite a crowd in town; c'est quelque chose! tu es toujours en retard! for crying out loud! you're always late; en ce temps-là, être instituteur, c'était quelque chose in those days it was quite something to be a primary school teacher; leur faire ranger leur chambre, c'est quelque chose! getting them to tidy their room is quite an operation!; c'est déjà quelque chose! that's something at least!; ça me dit quelque chose it reminds me of something, it rings a bell.

D quelque part loc adv somewhere; ils sont quelque part en Autriche they're somewhere in Austria; il lui a mis son pied quelque part○ euph he gave him a kick in the behind; tu n'aurais pas vu mes clés quelque part? you haven't seen my keys anywhere, have you?

E quelque peu loc adv somewhat; ma remarque l'a quelque peu décontenancé he was somewhat taken aback by my remark; il était quelque peu surpris/gêné he was somewhat surprised/embarrassed; il a accepté après avoir quelque peu hésité he accepted after some hesitation.

[kɛlk(ə)] déterminant (adjectif indéfini)

1. [un peu de] some

elle est bizarre depuis quelque temps she's been acting strangely for a ou some time now

2. (soutenu) [n'importe quel] some

il trouvera bien une quelque autre excuse he's bound to find some new excuse or other

3. [en corrélation avec 'que']

dans quelque pays que tu sois whichever ou whatever country you may be in

à quelque heure que ce soit whatever the time, at whatever time

————————

[kɛlk(ə)] adverbe

(soutenu)

1. [approximativement] around, about

il y a quelque 40 ans de cela that was about 40 years ago, that was 40 or so years ago

2. [en corrélation avec 'que']

nous y arriverons, quelque difficile que ce soit we will manage, however difficult it may be

————————

quelques déterminant (adjectif indéfini pluriel)

1. (sans déterminant) a few, some

amène quelques amis bring some ou a few friends along

quelques dizaines de journalistes a few dozen journalists

et quelques (familier) : ça pèse deux kilos et quelques it's a little ou a bit over two kilos

il était cinq heures et quelques it was just after five o'clock

2. (avec déterminant) few

les quelques millions de téléspectateurs qui nous regardent the few million viewers watching us

en quelque sorte locution adverbiale

1. [en un sens] as it were, so to speak, in a manner of speaking

c'est en quelque sorte un cheval avec un buste d'homme it is, as it were ou so to speak, a horse with the head and shoulders of a man

2. [en résumé] in a nutshell, in fact

quelque chose pronom indéfini

1. [dans une affirmation] something

elle a quelque chose aux poumons she's got something wrong with her lungs

ça m'a fait quelque chose de le revoir 20 ans plus tard it was really weird to see him 20 years later

quand il est parti, ça m'a vraiment fait quelque chose when he left, it really affected me

2. [dans une question, une négation, une hypothèse] anything, something

s'il m'arrivait quelque chose, contactez mon notaire if anything ou something should happen to me, contact my solicitor

ça te ferait vraiment quelque chose si je partais? would it really matter to you ou would you feel anything if I left?

3. (familier) [dans une approximation]

elle a quelque chose comme 80 ans she's about 80 ou 80 or so

c'était une Renault 5 ou quelque chose comme ça it was a Renault 5 or something (of the kind) ou like that

Anne quelque chose a téléphoné (familier) Anne something phoned

4. (familier) [emploi expressif]

tu vas recevoir quelque chose! you're asking for it!

je vais te corriger, quelque chose de bien! I'm going to give you a good ou proper hiding!

c'est quelque chose!

a. [ton exaspéré] that's a bit much!

b. [ton admiratif] that's quite something!

quelque part locution adverbiale

1. [dans un lieu] somewhere

tu vas quelque part à Noël? are you going anywhere (special) for Christmas?

2. (familier & euphémisme) [aux toilettes]

elle est allée quelque part she went to wash her hands (euphémisme)

3. (familier & euphémisme) [au derrière]

c'est mon pied quelque part que tu veux? do you want a kick up the backside?

————————

quelque part que locution conjonctive

(littéraire)

quelque part qu'elle regardât wherever she looked

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais > quelque

См. также в других словарях:

History of the Kurdish people — This article is part of the Kurdish history and Culture series Ancient history Corduene Kayusid Medieval history Shahrazur Shaddadid Rawadid Hasanwayhid Annazid Marwanid Hadhabani Hazaraspid Ayyubid Badlis Ardalan … Wikipedia

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — PETA redirects here. For other uses, see Peta (disambiguation). Founder(s) Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco … Wikipedia

Three Mile Island accident — The Three Mile Island accident of 1979 was the most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power generating industry. It resulted in the release of a significant amount of radioactivity, an estimated 43,000 curies… … Wikipedia

Kurdish people — Kurd redirects here. For other uses, see Kurd (disambiguation). Kurds 1st row: Saladin … Wikipedia

Operation Gladio — Emblem of Gladio , Italian branch of the NATO stay behind paramilitary organizations. The motto means In silence I preserve freedom . Operation Gladio (Italian: Operazione Gladio) is the codename for a clandestine NATO stay behind operation in… … Wikipedia

Science and technology in the People's Republic of China — has been growing rapidly. As China develops and becomes more connected to the global economy, the government has placed a stronger emphasis on science and technology as an integral part of the socio economic development of the country. This has… … Wikipedia

Dimasa people — The Dimasa people (or Dima basa, and also called Dimasa Kachari) are a group of people in Assam, in northeastern India Dimasa mythology says they are the children of Bangla Raja and the great divine bird Arikhidima. Bangla Raja s six sons… … Wikipedia

Ohlone people — For the college of the same name, see Ohlone College. For Tiger Beetle of the same name, see Ohlone tiger beetle. Ohlone (Costanoan) People Map of the Costanoan languages and major villages Total population 1770: 10,000 20,000 180 … Wikipedia

Politics of the People's Republic of China — People s Republic of China This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the People s Republic of China … Wikipedia

Roma people — Infobox Ethnic group group = Roma image caption = Khamoro Roma Festival Prague 2007 flag caption = Flag of the Roma people pop = 15 million or more region1 = flagcountry|IND pop1 = 5,794,000 ref1 = lower| [cite… … Wikipedia

White people — Whites redirects here. For other uses, see White (disambiguation). Race … Wikipedia

Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: со всех языков на все языки

there must have been at least three thousand people

См. также в других словарях:

Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное

Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: со всех языков на все языки

there must have been at least three thousand people

См. также в других словарях:

Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное

Прямая ссылка: