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С английского на:
Испанский
С испанского на:
Английский

expecting the worst

Толкование Перевод

1 lo bueno y lo malo

= the rights and wrongs

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

* * *

= the rights and wrongs

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Spanish-English dictionary > lo bueno y lo malo
2 esperar lo peor

(v.) = expect + the worst

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

* * *

(v.) = expect + the worst

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Spanish-English dictionary > esperar lo peor
3 asustado

adj.

scared, fearful, afraid, frightened.

past part.

past participle of spanish verb: asustar.

* * *

asustado

► adjetivo

1 frightened, scared

* * *

(f. - asustada)

adj.

1) frightened, scared, afraid

2) scared

* * *

ADJ (=con miedo) frightened; (=espantado) startled

* * *

- da adjetivo ( atemorizado) frightened; ( preocupado) worried

los niños estaban muy asustados — the children were very frightened

tiene algo del pulmón y está asustado — he has something wrong with his lung and he's really worried

* * *

= alarmed, frightened, afraid, spooked.

Ex. Melanie Stanton looked both shocked and alarmed.

Ex. Astounded and frightened by those shimmering tears, Leforte repeated her questions: 'Bernice... Please... Is anything wrong? Can I help?'.

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex. The U.S. government's bailout plan did little to improve conditions in the commercial paper market where spooked investors continue to favor short-term debt.

----

* vivir asustado = live in + fear.

* * *

- da adjetivo ( atemorizado) frightened; ( preocupado) worried

los niños estaban muy asustados — the children were very frightened

tiene algo del pulmón y está asustado — he has something wrong with his lung and he's really worried

* * *

= alarmed, frightened, afraid, spooked.

Ex: Melanie Stanton looked both shocked and alarmed.

Ex: Astounded and frightened by those shimmering tears, Leforte repeated her questions: 'Bernice... Please... Is anything wrong? Can I help?'.

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex: The U.S. government's bailout plan did little to improve conditions in the commercial paper market where spooked investors continue to favor short-term debt.

* vivir asustado = live in + fear.

* * *

asustado -da

adjective

los niños volvieron llorando y muy asustados the children came back crying and very frightened

le han dicho que tiene algo del pulmón y está asustado he's been told he has something wrong with his lung and he's really worried o scared

* * *

Del verbo asustar: ( conjugate asustar)

asustado es:

el participio

Multiple Entries:
asustado
asustar
asustado
◊ -da adjetivo ( atemorizado) frightened;

( preocupado) worried
asustar ( conjugate asustar) verbo transitivo
to frighten;
◊ me asustó cuando se puso tan serio he gave me a fright when he went all serious

asustarse verbo pronominal
to get frightened;
me asusté cuando vi que no estaba allí I got a fright o I got worried when I saw he wasn't there;
no se asuste, no es nada grave there's no need to worry, it's nothing serious
asustar verbo transitivo to frighten, scare

' asustado' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
espantado
English:
alarmed
- frightened
- scare
- scared

* * *

asustado, -a adj
[con miedo] frightened, scared; [preocupado] worried
* * *

asustado, -da adj

: frightened, afraid

Spanish-English dictionary > asustado
4 con miedo

(adj.) = fearfully, afraid, frightened

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.

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex. Astounded and frightened by those shimmering tears, Leforte repeated her questions: 'Bernice... Please... Is anything wrong? Can I help?'.

* * *

(adj.) = fearfully, afraid, frightened

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.

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex: Astounded and frightened by those shimmering tears, Leforte repeated her questions: 'Bernice... Please... Is anything wrong? Can I help?'.

Spanish-English dictionary > con miedo
5 mantener una actitud abierta

(v.) = be open-minded

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

* * *

(v.) = be open-minded

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Spanish-English dictionary > mantener una actitud abierta
6 meterse en una situación embarazosa

(v.) = put + Reflexivo + into + position

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

* * *

(v.) = put + Reflexivo + into + position

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Spanish-English dictionary > meterse en una situación embarazosa
7 no tener prejuicios

(v.) = be open-minded

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

* * *

(v.) = be open-minded

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Spanish-English dictionary > no tener prejuicios
8 temeroso

adj.

1 fearful, full of care, afraid, faint-hearted.

2 fearful, shy.

* * *

temeroso

► adjetivo

1 fearful, timid

2 (medroso) frightful, fearsome

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

temeroso,-a de afraid of

temeroso,-a de Dios God-fearing

* * *

(f. - temerosa)

adj.

fearful

* * *

ADJ

1) (=con temor) fearful, frightened

2)

temeroso de Dios — God-fearing, full of the fear of God

3) (=espantoso) fearsome

* * *

- sa adjetivo frightened

huyeron temerosos — they fled in fear (liter)

temeroso DE alguien/algo — fearful of somebody/something (liter), afraid of somebody/something

temeroso de Dios — God-fearing

* * *

= fearful, afraid, timorous.

Ex. From my observations, most employees are inherently fearful and immature.

Ex. The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex. Even on his pet subject of mathematics, Wilson is a timorous exegete.

----

* persona temerosa = risk taker.

* temeroso de Dios = God-fearing.

* * *

- sa adjetivo frightened

huyeron temerosos — they fled in fear (liter)

temeroso DE alguien/algo — fearful of somebody/something (liter), afraid of somebody/something

temeroso de Dios — God-fearing

* * *

= fearful, afraid, timorous.

Ex: From my observations, most employees are inherently fearful and immature.

Ex: The mother, a little afraid and expecting the worst, was unsettled, despite all her efforts to be open-minded, by her preconceptions not only about the drug but about the rights and wrongs of the position she had put herself into.

Ex: Even on his pet subject of mathematics, Wilson is a timorous exegete.

* persona temerosa = risk taker.

* temeroso de Dios = God-fearing.

* * *

temeroso -sa

adjective

frightened

huyeron temerosos they fled in fear ( liter)

avanzaron temerosos hacia la puerta they approached the door fearfully

temeroso DE algn/algo fearful OF sb/sth ( liter), afraid OF sb/sth, frightened OF sb/sth

temeroso de Dios God-fearing

* * *

temeroso,-a adjetivo
1 (que causa temor) frightful
2 (que siente temor) fearful, timid: estaba temerosa de su reacción, she was fearful of his reaction
' temeroso' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
temerosa
English:
fearful

* * *

temeroso, -a adj
[con temor] fearful;
se escondían temerosos they hid in fear;

estar temeroso de algo/alguien to fear sth/sb;

temeroso de Dios God-fearing

* * *

temeroso

adj fearful, frightened

* * *

temeroso, -sa adj

miedoso: fearful, frightened

Spanish-English dictionary > temeroso
9 me

pron.

1 me.

le gustaría verme she'd like to see me

2 (to) me.

me lo dio he gave it to me

me tiene miedo he's afraid of me

3 myself.

me visto I get dressed

* * *

me

► pronombre

1 me

■ no me lo dijo she didn't tell me

■ dámelo give it to me

■ me envió una postal desde Menorca he sent me a postcard from Minorca

■ me han robado la cartera I've had my wallet stolen

2 (reflexivo) myself

■ me veo en el espejo I can see myself in the mirror

■ me he comprado unos zapatos I bought myself some shoes

■ me levanto a las ocho I get up at eight o'clock

* * *

pron.

1) me

2) to me, for me, from me

3) myself

* * *

PRON PERS

1) [como complemento directo] me

me llamó por teléfono — he telephoned o rang me

ya no me quiere — he doesn't love me any more

2) [como complemento indirecto] (to) me

¡dámelo! — give it to me!

me lo compró — [de mí] he bought it from me; [para mí] he bought it for me

me lo presentó mi primo — my cousin introduced him to me

¿por qué me lo preguntas? — why do you ask?

me lo dijeron ayer — they told me yesterday

3) [con partes del cuerpo, ropa]

me rompí el brazo — I broke my arm

me lavé la cara — I washed my face

me quité el abrigo — I took my coat off

se me está cayendo el pelo — my hair is falling out

4) [uso enfático]

me lo comí todo — I ate it all up

se me ha caído el bolígrafo — I've dropped my pen

me preparé un café — I made myself a coffee

5) [uso reflexivo o pronominal]

me lavé — I washed (myself)

me miré al espejo — I looked at myself in the mirror

me voy a enfadar — I'm going to get cross

me marcho — I am going

* * *

pronombre personal me

me robaron el reloj — my watch was stolen

¿me lo prestas? — will you lend it to me o lend me it?

me arregló el televisor — he fixed the television for me

me lo quitó — he took it off me o away from me

me fue imposible — I was unable to

me miré en el espejo — (refl) I looked at myself in the mirror

me hice una chaqueta — (refl) I made myself a jacket; (caus) I had a jacket made

me equivoqué — I made a mistake

me alegro mucho — I'm very pleased

se me murió el gato — my cat died

no te me vayas — don't go away

* * *

= me.

Ex. Let me offer an illustration.

----

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* me gustaría = I shoud like.

* me gustaría muchísimo = I sure wish.

* * *

pronombre personal me

me robaron el reloj — my watch was stolen

¿me lo prestas? — will you lend it to me o lend me it?

me arregló el televisor — he fixed the television for me

me lo quitó — he took it off me o away from me

me fue imposible — I was unable to

me miré en el espejo — (refl) I looked at myself in the mirror

me hice una chaqueta — (refl) I made myself a jacket; (caus) I had a jacket made

me equivoqué — I made a mistake

me alegro mucho — I'm very pleased

se me murió el gato — my cat died

no te me vayas — don't go away

* * *

= me.

Ex: Let me offer an illustration.

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* me gustaría = I shoud like.

* me gustaría muchísimo = I sure wish.

* * *

me

pron pers

me

me mandaron una postal they sent me a postcard

me han robado el reloj I've had my watch stolen, my watch has been stolen

¿me lo prestas? will you lend it to me o lend me it?

me arregló el televisor he fixed the television for me

me lo quitó he took it off me o away from me

me fue imposible asistir it was impossible for me to attend

me miré en el espejo ( refl) I looked at myself in the mirror

me hice una chaqueta ( refl) I made myself a jacket;

( caus) I had a jacket made

me terminé el libro en un día ( enf) I finished the book in a day

me equivoqué I made a mistake, I was mistaken

me alegro mucho I'm very pleased

se me murió el gato my cat died

no te me vayas, que quiero hablar contigo don't go away, I want a word with you

el nene no me come/duerme my baby won't eat/sleep

* * *

me pron pers
me;
◊ ¿me lo prestas? will you lend it to me o lend me it?;

me arregló el televisor he fixed the television for me;
me lo quitó he took it off me o away from me;
me robaron el reloj my watch was stolen;
me miré en el espejo ( refl) I looked at myself in the mirror;
me corté el pelo ( refl) I cut my hair;

( caus) I had my hair cut;
◊ me equivoqué I made a mistake;

me alegro mucho I'm very pleased;
se me murió el gato my cat died
me pron pers
1 (objeto directo) me: me abrazó con fuerza, he hugged me tight
2 (objeto indirecto) me, to me, for me: me parece absurdo, it seems absurd to me
me resulta imposible convencerte, it is imposible for me to convince you
préstame una moneda, lend me a coin
3 (pron reflexivo) myself: me prometí conseguirlo, I promised myself I would manage it
me quedé dormida, I fell asleep

'me' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- abochornar
- abordar
- aborigen
- abotonar
- abrigo
- abrirse
- abrumar
- absoluta
- absoluto
- acaso
- achicharrarse
- aclararse
- acogerse
- acometer
- acompañar
- acordarse
- acribillar
- actual
- acusación
- adelantarse
- adentro
- adivinar
- agradar
- ahumar
- ajena
- ajeno
- alcanzar
- alegrar
- alegrarse
- algo
- alguna
- alguno
- aliento
- alma
- amable
- amargada
- amargado
- amargura
- ambages
- amontonarse
- anda
- anquilosarse
- anticiparse
- aparte
- apenas
- aplatanada
- aplatanado
- apoltronarse
- apoyarse
English:
aback
- academy
- account
- ache
- aching
- actual
- adjust
- admit
- advance
- affirmation
- afraid
- after
- agree
- airmail
- album
- alive
- along
- also
- alternate
- amalgamate
- amaze
- amazement
- amazing
- amusing
- and
- angry
- animate
- animated
- annoy
- answer back
- any
- anybody
- apology
- appal
- appall
- appeal
- appease
- apprise
- approach
- approximate
- approximation
- around
- art form
- ashamed
- ask
- assert
- assign
- assurance
- attractive
- attuned to

* * *

me pron personal

1. [complemento directo] me;

le gustaría verme she'd like to see me;

me atracaron en plena calle I was attacked in the middle of the street;

me han aprobado I've passed

2. [complemento indirecto] (to) me;

me lo dio he gave it to me, he gave me it;

me tiene miedo he's afraid of me;

me lo compró [yo se lo vendí] she bought it from o off me;
[es para mí] she bought it for me;
¿me sujetas esto? will you hold this for me?;

me extrajeron sangre they took some of my blood;

me han quitado el bolso they've stolen my bag;

me mancharon el traje they stained my suit;

me pegaron un empujón someone pushed me, I was pushed;

se me cayó I dropped it;

no me resulta agradable hacer esto it's not very pleasant for me to have to do this;

me será de gran ayuda it will be a great help to me

3. [reflexivo] myself;

me visto I get dressed;

me serví un whisky I poured myself a whisky;

me puse la falda I put my skirt on;

me acosté en el sofá I lay down on the sofa;

me rompí una pierna I broke a leg;

me he arreglado estos pantalones [yo mismo] I've mended these Br trousers o US pants;
[en modista, sastre] I've had these Br trousers o US pants mended
4. [con valor intensivo o expresivo]
¡no me lo creo! I can't believe it!;

me espero lo peor I'm expecting the worst;

me lo comí todo I ate the whole lot;

no te me eches a llorar ahora don't start crying on me now;

se me ha estropeado la lavadora the washing machine has gone and got broken;

yo sé lo que me digo I know what I'm talking about

5. [para formar verbos pronominales]
me refiero a ti I'm referring to you;

yo me abstengo I abstain

* * *

me

pron pers

I complemento directo me

II complemento indirecto (to) me;

me dio el libro he gave me the book, he gave the book to me

III reflexivo myself

* * *

me pron

1) : me

me vieron: they saw me

2) : to me, for me, from me

dame el libro: give me the book

me lo compró: he bought it for me

me robaron la cartera: they stole my pocketbook

3) : myself, to myself, for myself, from myself

me preparé una buena comida: I cooked myself a good dinner

me equivoqué: I made a mistake

* * *

me pron

1. (complemento) me

no me dijo nada he didn't say anything to me

Pablo me saludó desde el autobús Pablo waved to me from the bus

2. (partes del cuerpo) my

me rompí el brazo I broke my arm

me lavo los dientes cada día I clean my teeth every day

3. (reflexivo) myself

me miré en el espejo I looked at myself in the mirror

me he comprado unos pantalones I bought myself some trousers

Spanish-English dictionary > me
10 esperar

v.

1 to wait (for).

te esperaremos en el aeropuerto we'll meet you at the airport, we'll be waiting for you at the airport

esperar a que alguien haga algo to wait for somebody to do something

espera, que ya voy wait a minute, I'm coming

quien espera desespera (Prov) a watched pot never boils

Elsa espera pacientemente Elsa waits patiently.

2 to hope (tener esperanza de).

espero poder ayudar I hope I can be of some help

esperar que to hope that

espero que sí/no I hope so/not

esperar hacer algo to hope to do something

Esperamos que suceda lo mejor We hope for the best.

3 to expect (tener confianza en).

no esperábamos esta reacción we didn't expect this reaction

esperar algo de alguien to expect something from somebody, to hope for something from somebody

como era de esperar as was to be expected

Elsa espera un milagro Elsa expects a miracle.

4 to await, to be in store for (ser inevitable).

le esperan dificultades many difficulties await him

¡me espera una buena en casa! (informal) I'm in for it when I get home!

5 to wait for, to await, to wait.

Elsa espera el tren Elsa waits for the train.

6 to expect to, to look forward to, to hope to, to be expecting to.

Ellos esperan llegar pronto They hope to arrive soon.

7 to await for, to expect, to watch for.

Ellos esperan la noticia They await for the news.

Me espera una sorpresa A surprise awaits for me.

* * *

esperar

► verbo transitivo

1 (tener esperanza) to hope for, expect

■ esperan un milagro they're hoping for a miracle

■ esperar la gloria to hope for glory

2 (contar, creer) to expect

■ no te esperábamos hasta mañana we didn't expect you till tomorrow

■ llegaron tarde como era de esperar they arrived late as expected

3 (aguardar) to wait for, await

■ espera un momento wait a moment

■ espero a mi padre I'm waiting for my father

4 (desear) to hope

■ espero que cantes I hope you'll sing

■ espero verlo I hope to see him

5 (ser inevitable) to await, be ahead

■ mala noche nos espera there's a bad night ahead

6 figurado (bebé) to expect

► verbo intransitivo

1 to wait

■ esperaré hasta que lleguen I'll wait until they get here

► verbo pronominal esperarse

1 (aguardar) to wait

■ espérense en recepción please wait in reception

2 (creer, contar) to expect

■ se espera que seas puntual you're expected to be punctual

3 (desear) to hope

■ se espera que lo hayan pasado bien we hope you've had a good time

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

en espera de noticias tuyas we hope to hear from you soon

¡espérate sentado! don't hold your breath!, you'll be waiting till the cows come home!

espero que no I hope not

espero que sí I hope so

hacer esperar a alguien to keep somebody waiting

hacerse esperar to keep people waiting

quien espera desespera a watched pot never boils

* * *

verb

1) to wait for, await

2) expect

3) hope

•

- esperarse

* * *

1. VT

1) (=aguardar) [+ tren, persona] to wait for

estaba esperando el avión — I was waiting for the plane

esperaban noticias de los rehenes — they were waiting for o awaiting news of the hostages

fuimos a esperarla a la estación — we went to meet her at the station

nos espera un duro invierno — we've got a hard winter ahead of us

¡la que te espera cuando llegues a casa! — you're (in) for it when you get home!

de aquí te espero * —

un lío de aquí te espero — * a tremendous row *

dijo unas tonterías de aquí te espero — he said some really stupid things

2) (=desear) to hope

espero llegar a tiempo — I hope to arrive on time

eso espero — I hope so

han prometido castigar a los culpables y espero que sea así — they've promised to punish those responsible and I hope they will

- ya nos pagará -espero que sea así — "he'll pay us, you'll see" - "I hope you're right o I hope so"

espero que te haya gustado — I hope you liked it

espero que vengas — I hope you'll come

espero que no sea nada grave — I hope it isn't anything serious

-¿vienen a la fiesta? -espero que sí — "are they coming to the party?" - "I hope so"

-¿crees que se enfadará? -espero que no — "do you think she will be angry?" - "I hope not"

3) (=contar con) to expect

¿esperas visita? — are you expecting someone?

espero su llamada en cualquier momento — I expect his call at any moment

no me esperes antes de las siete — don't expect me before seven

¿acaso esperas que pague yo? — you're not expecting me to pay, are you?

llegaron antes de lo que yo esperaba — they arrived sooner than I expected

esperaban que les pidiera perdón — they were expecting him to apologize

¿qué esperas, que encima te lo agradezca? — don't expect me to thank you for it as well

¿qué puedes esperar de él, después de cómo se ha comportado? — what do you expect from him, after the way he has behaved?

• era de esperar — it was to be expected

era de esperar que eso sucediera — it was to be expected that that would happen

era de esperar que no viniera — it was to be expected that he wouldn't come

• no esperaba menos de ti — I expected nothing o no less of you

llamará cuando menos te lo esperes — he'll call when you least expect it

- esperar algo como agua de mayo

4) [+ bebé]

está esperando un hijo — she's expecting (a baby)

está esperando su primer hijo — she's expecting her first child

2. VI

1) (=aguardar) to wait

esperaré aquí — I'll wait here

¡espera un momento, este no es mi libro! — hold on o wait a minute, this isn't my book!

espera en la puerta, ahora mismo voy — wait at the door, I'm just coming

esperar a o hasta que algn haga algo — to wait for sb to do sth

• hacer esperar a algn — keep sb waiting

su respuesta no se hizo esperar — his answer wasn't long in coming

- esperar desesperando

- espera y verás

- puedes esperar sentado

- el que espera desespera

2)

• esperar en algn — to put one's hopes o trust in sb

esperar en Dios — to trust in God

3.

See:

esperarse
ESPERAR Esperar tiene en inglés varias traducciones, entre las que se encuentran wait (for), await, hope y expect. ► Se traduce por wait ( for ) cuando esperar se refiere al hecho de aguardar la llegada de alguien o de un suceso: Hice el examen hace dos meses y todavía estoy esperando los resultados I took the exam two months ago and I'm still waiting for the results La esperó media hora y después se fue a casa He waited half an hour for her and then went home ► El verbo await es un verbo de uso similar a wait for, aunque no requiere el uso de la preposición y no es muy corriente en inglés moderno: Esperaban ansiosamente la llegada del Rey They eagerly awaited the arrival of the King ► Se traduce por hope cuando deseamos que algo suceda, pero no estamos seguros de si ocurrirá o no: Espero que no se enfade mucho conmigo I hope (that) she won't be very annoyed with me Después de terminar la carrera espero conseguir un buen trabajo I hope to get a good job when I finish university ► Traducimos esperar por expect cuando estamos muy seguros de que algo va a suceder o cuando hay una razón lógica para que algo suceda: Espero aprobar porque el examen me salió muy bien I expect to pass o I expect I'll pass because the exam went very well Ha resultado mejor de lo que esperábamos It was better than we expected Está esperando un niño She's expecting (a baby) Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada
* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

1)

a) <autobús/persona/acontecimiento> to wait for

la esperé dos horas — I waited for her for two hours

esperaban con impaciencia su llegada — they were really looking forward to her coming

le encanta hacerse esperar — he loves to keep people waiting

¿qué estás esperando para decírselo? — tell him! what are you waiting for?

no me esperes para cenar — don't wait for me to eat

b) ( recibir) to meet

la fuimos a esperar al aeropuerto — we went to meet her at the airport

c) sorpresa to await

su reacción no se hizo esperar — he was swift to react

le espera un futuro difícil — he has a difficult future ahead of him

ya verás la que te espera en casa! — (fam) you'll catch it o you'll be for it when you get home! (colloq)

2)

a) (contar con, prever) to expect

tal como esperábamos — just as we expected

cuando uno menos lo espera — when you least expect it

te espero alrededor de las nueve — I'll expect you around nine

estoy esperando una llamada — I'm expecting a call

esperar que + subj: ¿esperabas que te felicitara? did you expect me to congratulate you?; era de esperar que el proyecto fracasara the project was bound to fail; no esperes que cambie de idea don't expect me to change my mind; esperar algo de alguien/algo to expect something of somebody/something; esperaba otra cosa de ti I expected more of you; de ella no puedes esperar ayuda — don't expect her to help

b) <niño/bebé> to be expecting

está esperando familia — she's expecting

3) ( con esperanza) to hope

eso espero or espero que sí — I hope so

espero que no — I hope not

esperar + inf — to hope to + inf

espero no haberme olvidado de nada — I hope I haven't forgotten anything

esperar que + subj: espero que no llueva/que te guste I hope it doesn't rain/you like it; espero que tengas suerte I wish you luck; esperemos que no sea nada grave — let's hope it's nothing serious
2.
esperar vi

a) ( aguardar) to wait

no podemos esperar más — we can't wait any longer

espera, que bajo contigo — wait a minute o (colloq) hold on, I'll come down with you

esperar a + inf: espera a estar seguro wait until you're sure; esperar (a) que + subj: esperaron (a) que él se fuera para entrar they waited for him to go before they went in; espera (a) que te llamen wait until they call you; esperar sentado (fam): si piensa que lo voy a llamar puede esperar sentado if he thinks I'm going to call him he's got another think coming (colloq); ¿que él cambie de idea? mejor espera sentada him change his mind? some hope!; quien espera desespera — waiting's the worst part

b) embarazada

estar esperando — to be expecting

¿para cuándo espera? — when's the baby due?
3.
esperarse v pron

1) (fam) ( aguardar) to hang on (colloq), to hold on (colloq)

espérate ¿no ves que estoy ocupada? — wait a minute! can't you see I'm busy?

2) (fam) ( prever) to expect

no me esperaba eso de él — I didn't expect that of o from him

quién se lo iba a esperar! — who would have thought it!

* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

1)

a) <autobús/persona/acontecimiento> to wait for

la esperé dos horas — I waited for her for two hours

esperaban con impaciencia su llegada — they were really looking forward to her coming

le encanta hacerse esperar — he loves to keep people waiting

¿qué estás esperando para decírselo? — tell him! what are you waiting for?

no me esperes para cenar — don't wait for me to eat

b) ( recibir) to meet

la fuimos a esperar al aeropuerto — we went to meet her at the airport

c) sorpresa to await

su reacción no se hizo esperar — he was swift to react

le espera un futuro difícil — he has a difficult future ahead of him

ya verás la que te espera en casa! — (fam) you'll catch it o you'll be for it when you get home! (colloq)

2)

a) (contar con, prever) to expect

tal como esperábamos — just as we expected

cuando uno menos lo espera — when you least expect it

te espero alrededor de las nueve — I'll expect you around nine

estoy esperando una llamada — I'm expecting a call

esperar que + subj: ¿esperabas que te felicitara? did you expect me to congratulate you?; era de esperar que el proyecto fracasara the project was bound to fail; no esperes que cambie de idea don't expect me to change my mind; esperar algo de alguien/algo to expect something of somebody/something; esperaba otra cosa de ti I expected more of you; de ella no puedes esperar ayuda — don't expect her to help

b) <niño/bebé> to be expecting

está esperando familia — she's expecting

3) ( con esperanza) to hope

eso espero or espero que sí — I hope so

espero que no — I hope not

esperar + inf — to hope to + inf

espero no haberme olvidado de nada — I hope I haven't forgotten anything

esperar que + subj: espero que no llueva/que te guste I hope it doesn't rain/you like it; espero que tengas suerte I wish you luck; esperemos que no sea nada grave — let's hope it's nothing serious
2.
esperar vi

a) ( aguardar) to wait

no podemos esperar más — we can't wait any longer

espera, que bajo contigo — wait a minute o (colloq) hold on, I'll come down with you

esperar a + inf: espera a estar seguro wait until you're sure; esperar (a) que + subj: esperaron (a) que él se fuera para entrar they waited for him to go before they went in; espera (a) que te llamen wait until they call you; esperar sentado (fam): si piensa que lo voy a llamar puede esperar sentado if he thinks I'm going to call him he's got another think coming (colloq); ¿que él cambie de idea? mejor espera sentada him change his mind? some hope!; quien espera desespera — waiting's the worst part

b) embarazada

estar esperando — to be expecting

¿para cuándo espera? — when's the baby due?
3.
esperarse v pron

1) (fam) ( aguardar) to hang on (colloq), to hold on (colloq)

espérate ¿no ves que estoy ocupada? — wait a minute! can't you see I'm busy?

2) (fam) ( prever) to expect

no me esperaba eso de él — I didn't expect that of o from him

quién se lo iba a esperar! — who would have thought it!

* * *

esperar¹

¹ = await, wait, wait for, hang on, be in store, tarry.

Ex: Comment published so far is favourable, but the code still awaits widespread adoption.

Ex: Otherwise documents will have to wait in cataloguing departments until the record does become available.

Ex: Please accept this from the person who was probably the biggest sceptic in the State of Ohio at the beginning -- if we had waited for this from the start, I think we never would have started.

Ex: ' Hang on a sec, okay?' the senior assistant librarian in charge of serials said as she put the phone down.

Ex: A worse fate is in store for those whose integrated library sustem vendor goes out of business or is bought by another vendor.

Ex: And arming himself with patience and piety he tarried awhile until the hubbub was stilled.

* de aquí te espero = tremendous, humongous [humungous], massive, enormous, gianormous.

* esperamos su repuesta = look forward to + hearing from you.

* esperar con impaciencia = kick + Posesivo + heels.

* esperar el turno de Uno = wait + Posesivo + turn.

* esperar en el futuro = be in store for + Nombre + in the future, future + have in store.

* esperar entre bastidores = wait in + the wings, lurk in + the wings.

* esperar impacientemente = kick + Posesivo + heels.

* esperar sin nada que hacer = kick + Posesivo + heels.

* esperar su momento = wait in + the wings, stand in + the wings, lurk in + the wings.

* esperar su oportunidad = wait in + the wings, stand in + the wings, lurk in + the wings.

* esperar una sorpresa desagradable = rude awakening + be in store, be in for a rude awakening.

* hacer esperar = cool + Posesivo + heels.

* hacer + Pronombre + esperar = keep + Pronombre + waiting.

* lo que espera a = what is on store for.

* lo que nos espera = things to come.

* protesta + no hacerse esperar = cry + ring out.

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

esperar²

² = call on/upon, expect, hope, count on, look to, bank on.

Ex: The difference is only that an indexer is not usually called upon to appreciate the subtleties of the subject to the same extent as an abstractor.

Ex: In a journal most formal items including articles, essays, discussions and reviews can be expected to be accompanied by an abstract.

Ex: It is hoped that a new ISDS manual and guidelines for bibliographic description will be published in 1986.

Ex: Bookstores can no longer count on customers buying books if there is a more attractive entertainment option.

Ex: Those with more faith than I look to gigantic electronic archives maintained by governments and private companies that will ensure the indefinite survival of the electronic records of humankind.

Ex: Don't bank on it, there can be bright sunshine, hailstones, drizzle, pouring rain and snowflurries in any given hour of the day.

* como cabe esperar = unsurprisingly, as one might expect, as expected.

* como cabía esperar = as expected.

* como cabría esperar = as might be expected, as one might expect.

* como era de esperar = as expected.

* como es de esperar = predictably, not surprisingly, as expected.

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

* decir + esperar = express + hope.

* es de esperar = hopefully.

* esperamos sus noticias = look forward to + hearing from you.

* esperando que = in hopeful expectation that.

* esperar con ansiedad = hope for, hold + Posesivo + breath.

* esperar con ansiedad (+ Infinitivo) = look forward to (+ Gerundio).

* esperar con interés (+ Infinitivo), = look forward to (+ Gerundio).

* esperar impacientemente (+ Infinitivo) = look forward to (+ Gerundio).

* esperar lo imposible = shoot (for) + the moon, cry for + the moon, ask for + the moon, reach for + the moon.

* esperar lo peor = expect + the worst.

* esperarse = hold + Posesivo + horses.

* esperarse Algo = come as + no surprise.

* esperar una (gran) sorpresa = be in for a (big) surprise.

* llegar a esperar = come to + expect.

* mucha gente + esperar que = be widely expected.

* que espera demasiado = over expectant.

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

* sin esperarlo = out of the blue, like a bolt out of the blue, like a bolt from the blue.

* * *

esperar [A1 ]

vt

A

1 ‹autobús/persona/acontecimiento› to wait for

esperaba el tren/a un amigo he was waiting for the train/a friend

podrías haber esperado un momento más oportuno you could have waited for a better moment

espérame, ya voy wait for me, I'm just coming

la esperé dos horas/en el bar I waited for her for two hours/in the bar

esperaban con impaciencia la llegada de sus amigos they were really looking forward to their friends coming, they couldn't wait for o they were dying for their friends to arrive ( colloq)

le encanta hacerse esperar he loves to keep people waiting

esperar algo/a algn PARA + INF:

¿qué estás esperando para decírselo? tell him! what are you waiting for?

no me esperes para cenar eat without me o don't wait for me to eat

2 (recibir) to meet

la fuimos a esperar al aeropuerto we went to meet her at the airport

¿dónde van a esperar el Año Nuevo? where will you be seeing the New Year in?

3 «sorpresa» to await

la reacción del gobierno no se hizo esperar the government was swift to react

como no salgamos temprano ya sabes lo que nos espera a la salida de Madrid if we don't leave early, you know what problems we'll have o you know what it'll be like trying to leave Madrid

le espera un futuro difícil he has a difficult future ahead of him

¡ya verás la que te espera en casa! ( fam); you'll catch it o you'll be for it when you get home! ( colloq)

B

1 (contar con, prever) to expect

tal como esperábamos just as we expected

cuando uno menos lo espera when you least expect it

ven a cenar, te espero alrededor de las nueve come to dinner, I'll expect you around nine

estoy esperando una llamada de Nueva York I'm expecting a call from New York

esperan un lleno completo they expect a full house

tuvo mayor aceptación de lo que se esperaba it proved to be more popular than had been expected

esperar QUE + SUBJ:

se espera que más de un millón de personas visite la exposición over a million people are expected to visit the exhibition

¿qué esperabas, que te felicitara? what did you expect me to do? congratulate you?

era de esperar que el proyecto fracasara the project was bound to fail, it was only to be expected that the project would fail

no esperes que cambie de idea don't expect me to change my mind

esperar algo DE algn/algo to expect sth OF sb/sth

esperaba otra cosa de ti I expected more of you

no hay que esperar mucho de las conversaciones we shouldn't expect too much of the talks

de ella no puedes esperar ayuda don't expect her to help, you can't expect to get any help from her

2 ‹niño/bebé› to be expecting

esperan el primer hijo para mayo they're expecting their first child in May

está esperando familia she's expecting

C (con esperanza) to hope

¿te vienen a recoger? — eso espero are they coming to collect you? — I hope so

¿quedarán entradas? — espero que sí will there be any tickets left? — I hope so

¿habrá perdido el tren? — espero que no do you think he's missed the train? — I hope not

esperar + INF:

espero poder llegar a la cumbre esta vez I hope to be able to reach the summit this time

espero no haberme olvidado de nada I hope I haven't forgotten anything

esperar QUE + SUBJ:

espero que no llueva/que haga buen tiempo I hope it doesn't rain/the weather's nice

espero que tengas suerte I wish you luck

espero que no me haya mentido I hope he hasn't lied to me

esperemos que no sea nada grave let's hope it's nothing serious

¡y yo que esperaba que estuviera todo listo! and there was I hoping that everything would be ready!

■ esperar

vi

A

1 (aguardar) to wait

lo siento, no podemos esperar más I'm sorry, we can't wait any longer

mientras esperaba corregí los exámenes I corrected the tests while I was waiting

espera, que bajo contigo wait a minute o ( colloq) hold on, I'll come down with you

espere un momento, por favor wait a moment, please

espera un momento ¿tú qué haces aquí? just a moment, what are you doing here?

vamos, que el tren no espera come on, the train won't wait for us

esperar A + INF:

espera a estar seguro antes de hablar con ella wait until you're sure before you talk to her

mejor espero a tener un poco más de dinero ahorrado I'd better wait until I've saved a bit more money

esperar ( A) QUE + SUBJ:

el profesor esperó (a) que hubiera silencio the teacher waited for them to be quiet

tiene que esperar (a) que lo llamen you have to wait for them to call you o until they call you

esperaron (a) que él se fuera para entrar they waited for him to go before they went in

esperar sentado ( fam): si piensa que lo voy a llamar puede esperar sentado if he thinks I'm going to call him he's got another think coming ( colloq)

¿que él cambie de idea? mejor espera sentada him change his mind? some hope! o don't hold your breath! o we could be waiting till the cows come home! ( colloq)

quien espera desespera waiting's the worst part, the waiting gets you down

2

«embarazada»: no sabía que estaba esperando I didn't know she was expecting

¿para cuándo espera? when's the baby due?

quedar esperando ( Chi); to get pregnant

B esperar por ( ant) esperar vt A 1.

■ esperarse

v pron

A ( fam) (aguardar) to hang on ( colloq), to hold on ( colloq)

espérate ¿no ves que estoy ocupada? wait a minute o hang on o hold on! can't you see I'm busy?

B ( fam) (prever) to expect

¿qué te esperabas por ese precio? what did you expect for that price?

no me esperaba esa reacción I hadn't expected her to react like that

¿quién se iba a esperar que saliera elegido él? who would have thought he would be elected?

* * *

esperar ( conjugate esperar) verbo transitivo
1
a) ‹autobús/persona/acontecimiento› to wait for;

◊ ¿qué estás esperando para decírselo? tell him! what are you waiting for?

b) ( recibir) to meet;

◊ la fuimos a esperar al aeropuerto we went to meet her at the airport

c) [ sorpresa] to await;

◊ le espera un futuro difícil he has a difficult future ahead of him

2
a) (contar con, prever) to expect;

◊ tal como esperábamos just as we expected;

cuando uno menos lo espera when you least expect it;
te espero alrededor de las nueve I'll expect you around nine;
¿esperabas que te felicitara? did you expect me to congratulate you?;
era de esperar que el proyecto fracasara the project was bound to fail
b) ‹niño/bebé› to be expecting

3 ( con esperanza) to hope;
eso espero or espero que sí I hope so;
◊ espero que no I hope not;

esperar hacer algo to hope to do sth;
espero que no llueva I hope it doesn't rain;
esperemos que no sea nada grave let's hope it's nothing serious
verbo intransitivo
a) ( aguardar) to wait;

◊ no podemos esperar más we can't wait any longer;

espera a estar seguro wait until you're sure;
esperaron (a) que él se fuera para entrar they waited for him to go before they went in
b) [ embarazada]:

◊ estar esperando to be expecting

esperarse verbo pronominal
1 (fam) ( aguardar) to hang on (colloq), to hold on (colloq)
2 (fam) ( prever) to expect;
◊ ¡quién se lo iba a esperar! who would have thought it!

esperar
I verbo transitivo
1 (aguardar) to wait for: espera un momento, ¿seguro que hablas del mismo Pedro?, wait a minute, are you sure you're talking about the same Peter?
2 (tener esperanza) to hope: espero que todo salga bien, I hope everything turns out well ➣ Ver nota en hope 3 (desear, suponer) to expect
4 fig (un hijo) to expect ➣ Ver nota en expect
II verbo intransitivo to wait: no puedo esperar más, I can't wait any longer
♦ Locuciones: familiar de aquí te espero, incredible, massive: afuera hay un follón de aquí te espero, there's an incredible mess outside
esperar sentado, to have a long wait in store: si creéis que voy a participar en esa locura podéis esperar sentados, if you think that I'm going to have any part of that madness, you'll have to wait a long time
Esperar tiene tres significados básicos, que corresponden a tres verbos ingleses:
Aguardar, en sentido general, se traduce por to wait: Llevo media hora esperándote, I've been waiting for you for half an hour.
Tener esperanza, desear, se traduce por to hope: Espero que vengas mañana. I hope you will come tomorrow. Espero que sí. I hope so.
Suponer, esperar algo sabiendo que es muy probable que ocurra, se traduce por to expect: Espero la visita de un amigo (sabemos que va a venir). I'm expecting a friend to call.
' esperar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
acecho
- aguardar
- amabilidad
- cruzarse
- ser
- esperanza
- pelaje
- pendiente
- prometerse
- satisfacción
- como
- esperado
- exigir
- favor
- hacer
- mucho
- preferir
English:
aim
- anticipate
- await
- bargain for
- bargain on
- daydream
- eruption
- expect
- hang about
- hang around
- hang on
- hold off
- hold on
- hope
- magic wand
- sit up
- to
- trust
- wait
- wait about
- wait around
- wind
- would
- bear
- bide
- count
- dark
- delay
- duly
- else
- hang
- hold
- mind
- unprepared
- unrealistic

* * *

esperar

♦ vt

1. [aguardar] to wait for;

esperar el autobús to wait for the bus;

te esperaremos en el aeropuerto we'll meet you at the airport, we'll be waiting for you at the airport;

espéranos un minuto wait for us a minute;

¡espérame, que voy contigo! wait for me, I'm coming with you!;

¿a qué estás esperando? what are you waiting for?;

esperar a que alguien haga algo to wait for sb to do sth;

esperaré a que vuelva I'll wait till she gets back

2. [tener esperanza de]
todos esperamos la victoria we all hope for victory;

esperamos salir al campo el domingo we are hoping to go on a trip to the countryside on Sunday;

espero poder ayudar I hope I can be of some help;

esperar que… to hope that…;

espero que sí/no I hope so/not;

espero que no te hayas ofendido I hope you didn't take offence;

esperamos que no sea nada let's hope it's nothing serious;

ser de esperar: es de esperar que no ocurra ninguna desgracia let's hope nothing terrible happens;

era de esperar que ocurriría esto you could have predicted this would happen;

como era de esperar as was to be expected;

como era de esperar, llovió mucho as was to be expected o as you might expect, there was a lot of rain

3. [tener confianza en] to expect;

no esperábamos esta reacción we didn't expect this reaction;

espero que venga esta noche I expect (that) she'll come tonight;

esperar algo de alguien to expect sth from sb, to hope for sth from sb;

espero discreción de usted I expect discretion from you, I expect you to be discreet;

¿y qué esperabas (de alguien así)? what did you expect (from someone like that)?;

no esperaba menos de él I expected no less of him

4. [ser inminente para] to await, to be in store for;

nos esperan un buen baño y una cama there's a nice warm bath and a bed waiting for us;

le esperan dificultades he's in for some problems, there are problems in store for him;
Fam
¡me espera una buena en casa! I'm in for it when I get home!;
Fam
¡no sabes la o [m5] lo que te espera! you don't know what you're in for!

♦ vi

1. [aguardar] to wait;

espera en este despacho wait in this office;

espera, que ya voy wait a minute, I'm coming;

espera un instante o [m5]momento, ¿no es el famoso Pedro Valverde? hang on o wait a minute, isn't that the famous Pedro Valverde?;

no creo que puedas hacerlo – espera y verás I don't think you'll be able to do it – just (you) wait and see;

su enfado no se hizo esperar it didn't take long for her anger to surface;
Fam
si crees que te voy a dejar dinero, puedes esperar sentado if you think I'm going to lend you some money, you've got another think coming;

hacer esperar a alguien to keep sb waiting, to make sb wait;

me hiciste esperar una hora you kept me waiting (for) an hour;

Prov

quien espera desespera a watched pot never boils

2. [estar embarazada] to be expecting;

está esperando desde hace cuatro meses she's four months pregnant

♦ See also the pronominal verb esperarse

* * *

esperar

I v/t

1 ( aguardar) wait for;

hacerse esperar keep people waiting

2 con esperanza hope;

(así) lo espero I hope so, hopefully;

espero que no I hope not, hopefully not;

es de esperar que it is to be hoped that

3 ( suponer, confiar en) expect

4

:

esperar un hijo be expecting a baby

5

:

de aquí te espero fam incredible fam

II v/i ( aguardar) wait;

puedes esperar sentado you’re in for a long wait

* * *

esperar vt

1) aguardar: to wait for, to await

2) : to expect

3) : to hope

espero poder trabajar: I hope to be able to work

espero que sí: I hope so

esperar vi

: to wait

♦ See also the reflexive verb esperarse

* * *

esperar vb

1. (aguardar) to wait / to wait for

¿hace mucho que esperas? have you been waiting long?

te esperé toda la tarde I waited all afternoon for you

2. (creer, imaginar) to expect

no esperaba que viniera tanta gente I didn't expect so many people to come

las cosas no le fueron tan bien como esperaba things didn't go as well as he'd expected

3. (tener esperanza, desear) to hope

espera ir a la universidad she hopes to go to university

espero que seáis muy felices I hope you'll be very happy

espero que sí I hope so

esperar un niño to be expecting a baby

hacer esperar a alguien to keep somebody waiting

Spanish-English dictionary > esperar
11 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
12 contar

v.

1 to count.

se pueden contar con los dedos de una mano you can count them on (the fingers of) one hand

Pedro cuenta los goles Peter counts the goals.

El aseo cuenta como algo importante Hygiene counts as something important.

2 to count.

cuenta también los gastos de desplazamiento count o include travel costs too

somos 57 sin contar a los niños there are 57 of us, not counting the children

3 to count.

sabe contar hasta diez she can count to ten

4 to count.

aquí no cuento para nada I count for nothing here

lo que cuenta es… what matters is…

5 to tell.

cuéntame, ¿cómo te va la vida? tell me, how are things?

Ricardo le cuenta historias al grupo Richard tells the group stories.

Le conté I told him [her].

6 to consider, to repute, to judge.

María cuenta su actitud Mary considers his attitude.

* * *

CONTAR

CONJUGACIÓN

(o changes to ue in stressed syllables)

Present Indicative

cuento, cuentas, cuenta, contamos, contáis, cuentan.

Present Subjunctive

cuente, cuentes, cuente, contemos, contéis, cuenten.

Imperative

cuenta (tú), cuente (él/Vd.), contemos (nos.), contad (vos.), cuenten (ellos/Vds.).

* * *

verb

1) to count

2) tell

•

- contar con

* * *

1. VT

1) (=calcular) [+ objetos, números, puntos] to count; [+ dinero] to count, count up

estaba contando los minutos que quedaban para el final — I was counting the minutes till the end

cuenta cuántos alumnos hay en la clase — count how many pupils there are in the class

2) (=relatar) to tell

nos contó un cuento muy bonito — she told us a very nice story

cuéntanos lo que ocurrió — tell us what happened

¿qué les voy a contar que ustedes no sepan? — what can I tell you that you don't already know?

el paro está peor y la corrupción, ¿qué le voy a contar? — unemployment has got worse and as for corruption, what can I say?

si pierdo el trabajo, ya me contarás de qué vamos a vivir — you tell me what we'll live on if I lose my job

¿y a mí qué me cuentas? — so what?

¡a mi me lo vas a contar! — you're telling me! *, tell me about it! *

se cuenta que... — it is said that...

- ¡una obra que ni te cuento!

3) (=tener la edad de)

la Constitución española cuenta 20 años — the Spanish constitution is 20 years old

María cuenta 32 años — María is 32 years of age

4) (=incluir) to count

lo cuento entre mis amigos — I count him among my friends

a mi ya me cuentan como adulto — I'm counted as an adult now

seis en total, sin contarme a mí — six altogether, not counting me

1.500 sin contar las propinas — 1,500, excluding tips, 1,500, not counting tips

se le cuenta entre los más ricos — he is reckoned among the richest

5) (=tener en cuenta) to remember, bear in mind

cuenta que es más fuerte que tú — remember o don't forget he's stronger than you are

2. VI

1) (Mat) to count

sabe contar hasta 20 — he can count (up) to 20

contar con los dedos — to count on one's fingers

parar de contar * —

hay dos sillas, una mesa y para ya de contar — there are two chairs, a table, and that's it

2) (=relatar) to tell

luego te contaré — I'll tell you later

ojalá tengas suerte con la entrevista de trabajo, ya me contarás — I hope the job interview goes well, I look forward to hearing all about it

es muy largo de contar — it's a long story

- cuenta y no acaba de hablar

3) (=importar, valer) to count

aquí lo que cuenta es la ganancia final — what counts here is the final profit

el último gol no cuenta — the last goal doesn't count

este examen no cuenta para la nota final — this exam doesn't count towards the final mark

• contar por dos, los domingos una hora cuenta por dos — on Sundays one hour counts as two

come tanto que cuenta por dos — he eats enough for two

- la intención es lo que cuenta

4)

• contar con —

a) (=confiar en) to count on

cuenta conmigo — you can rely o count on me

no cuentes con mi ayuda — don't count on my help

cuento con que no llueva — I'm counting on it not raining

b) (=tener presente)

tienes que contar con el mal estado de la carretera — you have to take into account o remember the bad state of the road

lo calcularon sin contar con nosotros — they worked it out without taking us into account

cuenta con que es más fuerte que tú — bear in mind o remember he's stronger than you are

no contábamos con eso — we hadn't bargained for that

sin contar con que... — leaving aside the fact that...

c) (=incluir) to count in

cuenta conmigo para la cena — count me in for dinner

lo siento, pero para eso no cuentes conmigo — I'm sorry but you can count me out of that

no contéis con nosotros para el viernes, estaremos ocupados — don't expect us on Friday, we'll be busy

d) (=tener) to have

el polideportivo cuenta con una piscina olímpica — the sports centre has o boasts an Olympic-size swimming pool

cuenta con varias ventajas — it has a number of advantages

una democracia que tan solo cuenta con dieciséis años de existencia — a democracy that has only existed for sixteen years

3.

See:

contarse

* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

Sentido I

1) <dinero/votos/dís> to count

a contar desde hoy — starting from today

sus seguidores se cuentan por millares — she has thousands of followers

2)

a) ( incluir) to count

y eso sin contar las horas extras — and that's without including overtime

lo cuento entre mis amigos — I consider him (to be) one of my friends

b) ( tener)

contaba ya veinte años — (frml o liter) she was then twenty years old

Sentido II

3) <cuento/chiste/secreto> to tell

no se lo cuentes a nadie — don't tell anyone

cuéntame qué es de tu vida — tell me what you've been up to (colloq)

a mí me lo vas a contar! — (fam) you're telling me!

¿y a a mí qué me cuentas? — what's that to do with me?

es muy largo de contar — it's a long story

un minuto más y no lo cuento — one more minute and I wouldn't be here to tell the tale

¿qué cuentas (de nuevo)? — (fam) how're things? (colloq)

cuenta la leyenda que... — the story goes that...
2.
contar vi

Sentido I

1) (Mat) to count

cuenta de diez en diez — count in tens

hay cuatro tiendas... y para de contar — there are four stores and that's it

contar con los dedos — to count on one's fingers

2) (importar, valer) to count

¿este trabajo cuenta para la nota final? — does this piece of work count toward(s) the final grade?

este ejercicio cuenta por dos — this exercise counts as two

lo que cuenta es el gesto — it's the thought that counts

ella no cuenta para nada — what she says (o thinks etc) doesn't count for anything

Sentido II

3) contar con

<persona/ayuda/discreción> to count on, rely on

cuento contigo para la fiesta — I'm counting o relying on you being at the party

no cuentes conmigo para mañana — don't expect me there tomorrow

yo me opongo, así es que no cuentes conmigo — I'm against it, so you can count me out

cuenta con que iré — rest assured that I'll be going

eso contando con que... — assuming that...

sin contar con que... — without taking into account that...

4) ( prever) to expect

no contaba con que hiciera tan mal tiempo — I wasn't expecting the weather to be so bad

5) (frml) ( tener) to have

el hotel cuenta con gimnasio y sauna — the hotel has a gym and a sauna

cuenta con 10 años de experiencia — she has 10 years of experience
3.
contarse v pron

a) (frml) ( estar incluido)

contarse entre algo: se cuenta entre los pocos que tienen acceso she is numbered among the few who have access (frml); me cuento entre sus partidarios I count myself as one of their supporters; su nombre se cuenta entre los finalistas her name figures o appears among the finalists; su novela se cuenta entre las mejores — his novel is among the best

b)

¿qué te cuentas? — how's it going? (colloq)

* * *

= count, relate, tally, count, tell out into, narrate, number, count out, hip.

Ex. To ease the cataloguer's job and save him the trouble of counting characters, DOBIS/LIBIS uses a special function.

Ex. This article relates what happened to the records of the German era after the colony became a mandate under the British administration and after the attainment of independence.

Ex. The statistic programs have been designed to make it possible to extract, tally, and print statistical information from the journal.

Ex. People must be made to feel that they and their ideas count.

Ex. The finished paper was sorted for imperfections and told out into quires and reams for sale.

Ex. The inmates satisfied their need for reading by smuggling in Polish books, or else narrating stories from memory.

Ex. I would therefore like to give a blanket thankyou to everyone who has talked or written to me in my research and they must now number thousands rather than hundreds.

Ex. At midnight, one pirate arose, opened the chest, and counted out the gold pieces into five even piles.

Ex. He was aghast after having been hipped to the fact there are hookers on the Internet.

----

* contando = counting.

* contar Algo a Alguien = let + Nombre + in on.

* contar chismes de Alguien = tell + tales out of school about + Alguien.

* contar con = hold, count on, have at + Posesivo + disposal, bank on, set + your watch by.

* contar con Alguien = count + Pronombre + in.

* contar con apoyo para = have + support for.

* contar con el apoyo de Alguien = have + Nombre + behind + Pronombre.

* contar con el apoyo necesario para = have + the power behind to.

* contar con el visto bueno = meet with + approval.

* contar con la aprobación = meet with + approval.

* contar con la colaboración de = enjoy + cooperation with.

* contar con la cooperación de = enjoy + cooperation with.

* contar con + Posesivo + aprobación = meet + Posesivo + approval.

* contar con + Posesivo + visto bueno = meet + Posesivo + approval.

* contar de = tell of.

* contar dinero = count + money.

* contar en confianza = confide.

* contar experiencias = tell + tales.

* contar historias = tell + tales.

* contar la experiencia = relate + experience, recount + experience.

* contar las ideas a Alguien = run + ideas + past + Pronombre.

* contarle las penas a Alguien = sob + Posesivo + heart out to.

* contar para nada = count + for nothing.

* contar + Posesivo + propia vida y milagros = spill + Posesivo + guts.

* contar todo sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* contar una anécdota = tell + story.

* contar una historia = spin + a yarn, weave + a tale, narrate + story, weave + story.

* contar un cuento = tell + story.

* cuenta la leyenda que = legend has it that, as legend goes.

* dinero contante y sonante = readies, the ready.

* entre ellos contamos con los siguientes = numbered amongst these are.

* no contar = be out of the picture.

* no contar con = leave + Nombre + out of the picture, drop + Nombre + out of the picture.

* no contar con la aprobación = frown on/upon.

* poder contar con = be there for + Pronombre.

* que se cuentan por millones = numbered in millions.

* según cuenta la leyenda = legend has it that, as legend goes.

* sin contar = not including, excluding.

* sin contar con = in the absence of.

* visión contada por una persona de adentro = insider's look, insider's perspective.

* volver a contar = recount, retell.

* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

Sentido I

1) <dinero/votos/dís> to count

a contar desde hoy — starting from today

sus seguidores se cuentan por millares — she has thousands of followers

2)

a) ( incluir) to count

y eso sin contar las horas extras — and that's without including overtime

lo cuento entre mis amigos — I consider him (to be) one of my friends

b) ( tener)

contaba ya veinte años — (frml o liter) she was then twenty years old

Sentido II

3) <cuento/chiste/secreto> to tell

no se lo cuentes a nadie — don't tell anyone

cuéntame qué es de tu vida — tell me what you've been up to (colloq)

a mí me lo vas a contar! — (fam) you're telling me!

¿y a a mí qué me cuentas? — what's that to do with me?

es muy largo de contar — it's a long story

un minuto más y no lo cuento — one more minute and I wouldn't be here to tell the tale

¿qué cuentas (de nuevo)? — (fam) how're things? (colloq)

cuenta la leyenda que... — the story goes that...
2.
contar vi

Sentido I

1) (Mat) to count

cuenta de diez en diez — count in tens

hay cuatro tiendas... y para de contar — there are four stores and that's it

contar con los dedos — to count on one's fingers

2) (importar, valer) to count

¿este trabajo cuenta para la nota final? — does this piece of work count toward(s) the final grade?

este ejercicio cuenta por dos — this exercise counts as two

lo que cuenta es el gesto — it's the thought that counts

ella no cuenta para nada — what she says (o thinks etc) doesn't count for anything

Sentido II

3) contar con

<persona/ayuda/discreción> to count on, rely on

cuento contigo para la fiesta — I'm counting o relying on you being at the party

no cuentes conmigo para mañana — don't expect me there tomorrow

yo me opongo, así es que no cuentes conmigo — I'm against it, so you can count me out

cuenta con que iré — rest assured that I'll be going

eso contando con que... — assuming that...

sin contar con que... — without taking into account that...

4) ( prever) to expect

no contaba con que hiciera tan mal tiempo — I wasn't expecting the weather to be so bad

5) (frml) ( tener) to have

el hotel cuenta con gimnasio y sauna — the hotel has a gym and a sauna

cuenta con 10 años de experiencia — she has 10 years of experience
3.
contarse v pron

a) (frml) ( estar incluido)

contarse entre algo: se cuenta entre los pocos que tienen acceso she is numbered among the few who have access (frml); me cuento entre sus partidarios I count myself as one of their supporters; su nombre se cuenta entre los finalistas her name figures o appears among the finalists; su novela se cuenta entre las mejores — his novel is among the best

b)

¿qué te cuentas? — how's it going? (colloq)

* * *

= count, relate, tally, count, tell out into, narrate, number, count out, hip.

Ex: To ease the cataloguer's job and save him the trouble of counting characters, DOBIS/LIBIS uses a special function.

Ex: This article relates what happened to the records of the German era after the colony became a mandate under the British administration and after the attainment of independence.

Ex: The statistic programs have been designed to make it possible to extract, tally, and print statistical information from the journal.

Ex: People must be made to feel that they and their ideas count.

Ex: The finished paper was sorted for imperfections and told out into quires and reams for sale.

Ex: The inmates satisfied their need for reading by smuggling in Polish books, or else narrating stories from memory.

Ex: I would therefore like to give a blanket thankyou to everyone who has talked or written to me in my research and they must now number thousands rather than hundreds.

Ex: At midnight, one pirate arose, opened the chest, and counted out the gold pieces into five even piles.

Ex: He was aghast after having been hipped to the fact there are hookers on the Internet.

* contando = counting.

* contar Algo a Alguien = let + Nombre + in on.

* contar chismes de Alguien = tell + tales out of school about + Alguien.

* contar con = hold, count on, have at + Posesivo + disposal, bank on, set + your watch by.

* contar con Alguien = count + Pronombre + in.

* contar con apoyo para = have + support for.

* contar con el apoyo de Alguien = have + Nombre + behind + Pronombre.

* contar con el apoyo necesario para = have + the power behind to.

* contar con el visto bueno = meet with + approval.

* contar con la aprobación = meet with + approval.

* contar con la colaboración de = enjoy + cooperation with.

* contar con la cooperación de = enjoy + cooperation with.

* contar con + Posesivo + aprobación = meet + Posesivo + approval.

* contar con + Posesivo + visto bueno = meet + Posesivo + approval.

* contar de = tell of.

* contar dinero = count + money.

* contar en confianza = confide.

* contar experiencias = tell + tales.

* contar historias = tell + tales.

* contar la experiencia = relate + experience, recount + experience.

* contar las ideas a Alguien = run + ideas + past + Pronombre.

* contarle las penas a Alguien = sob + Posesivo + heart out to.

* contar para nada = count + for nothing.

* contar + Posesivo + propia vida y milagros = spill + Posesivo + guts.

* contar todo sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* contar una anécdota = tell + story.

* contar una historia = spin + a yarn, weave + a tale, narrate + story, weave + story.

* contar un cuento = tell + story.

* cuenta la leyenda que = legend has it that, as legend goes.

* dinero contante y sonante = readies, the ready.

* entre ellos contamos con los siguientes = numbered amongst these are.

* no contar = be out of the picture.

* no contar con = leave + Nombre + out of the picture, drop + Nombre + out of the picture.

* no contar con la aprobación = frown on/upon.

* poder contar con = be there for + Pronombre.

* que se cuentan por millones = numbered in millions.

* según cuenta la leyenda = legend has it that, as legend goes.

* sin contar = not including, excluding.

* sin contar con = in the absence of.

* visión contada por una persona de adentro = insider's look, insider's perspective.

* volver a contar = recount, retell.

* * *

contar [ A10 ]

vt

Sentido I

A ‹dinero/votos› to count

15 días a contar desde la fecha de notificación 15 days starting from the date of notification

está contando los días que faltan para que llegues he's counting the days until you arrive

B

1 (incluir) to count

a mí no me cuentes entre sus partidarios don't include me among his supporters

lo cuento entre mis mejores amigos I consider him (to be) one of my best friends

sin contar al profesor somos 22 there are 22 of us, not counting the teacher

y eso sin contar las horas extras and that's without taking overtime into account o without including overtime

2

(llevar): contaba ya veinte años ( frml o liter); she was then twenty years old

la asociación cuenta ya medio siglo de vida ( frml); the association has now been in existence for half a century ( frml)

Sentido II ‹cuento/chiste/secreto› to tell

no se lo cuentes a nadie don't tell anyone

cuéntame qué es de tu vida tell me what you've been doing o ( colloq) what you've been up to

¡y a mí me lo vas a contar! ( fam); you're telling me! o don't I know! o tell me about it! ( colloq)

abuelito, cuéntame un cuento grandpa, tell me a story

es una historia muy larga de contar it's a long story

¡cuéntaselo a tu abuela! ( fam); go tell it to the marines! ( AmE colloq), come off it! ( BrE colloq)

¿qué cuentas (de nuevo)? ( fam); how're things? ( colloq), what's up? ( AmE colloq)

■ contar

vi

A

1 ( Mat) to count

cuenta de diez en diez count in tens

cuenta hasta 20 count (up) to 20

cuatro tiendas, dos bares … y para de contar four stores, two bars and that's it

2 (importar, valer) to count

para él lo único que cuenta es el dinero for him the only thing that counts is money o the only thing that matters to him is money

¿este trabajo cuenta para la nota final? does this piece of work count toward(s) the final grade?

este ejercicio cuenta por dos porque es muy largo this exercise counts as two because it's very long

a efectos impositivos, estos ingresos no cuentan this does not count as taxable income

lo que cuenta es el gesto it's the thought that counts

B contar con

1 ‹persona/ayuda/discreción› to count on, rely on

¿puedo contar con tu colaboración? can I count on your help?

cuento contigo para la fiesta I'm counting o relying on you being at the party

no cuentes conmigo para mañana, tengo una cita con el médico don't expect me there tomorrow, I've got a doctor's appointment

yo me opongo, así es que no cuentes conmigo I'm against it, so you can count me out

2 (prever) to expect

no contaba con que hiciera tan mal tiempo I wasn't expecting the weather to be so bad, I hadn't bargained for o allowed for such bad weather

no habíamos contado con este contratiempo we hadn't expected o anticipated o ( colloq) we hadn't reckoned on this setback

3 ( frml) (tener) to have

el hotel cuenta con piscina, gimnasio y sauna the hotel has o is equipped with o offers o boasts a swimming pool, gym and sauna

no contamos con los elementos de juicio necesarios we do not have o possess the necessary knowledge

los sindicatos contarán con representación en este organismo the unions will be represented in this organization

■ contarse

v pron

1 ( frml) (estar incluido) contarse ENTRE algo:

se cuenta entre los pocos que tienen acceso she is numbered among the few who have access ( frml), she is one of the few people who have access

sus partidarios, entre quienes me cuento their supporters, and I count myself as one of them o ( frml) their supporters, and I number myself among them

su nombre se cuenta entre los finalistas her name figures o appears among the finalists

su novela se cuenta entre las mejores del año his novel is among o is numbered among the year's best

2

¿qué te cuentas? how's it going? ( colloq), how's things? ( colloq)

* * *

contar ( conjugate contar) verbo transitivo
1 ‹dinero/votos/días› to count;
◊ eran 6 sin contar al conductor there were 6 of them not counting the driver;

y eso sin contar las horas extras and that's without including overtime;
lo cuento entre mis amigos I consider him (to be) one of my friends
2 ‹cuento/chiste/secreto› to tell;
◊ no se lo cuentes a nadie don't tell anyone;

es muy largo de contar it's a long story;
¿qué cuentas (de nuevo)? (fam) how're things? (colloq)
verbo intransitivo
1 ( en general) to count;
◊ contar con los dedos to count on one's fingers;

¿este trabajo cuenta para la nota final? does this piece of work count toward(s) the final grade?;
ella no cuenta para nada what she says (o thinks etc) doesn't count for anything
2
◊ contar con

a) ‹persona/ayuda/discreción› to count on, rely on;

◊ cuento contigo para la fiesta I'm counting o relying on you being at the party;

sin contar con que … without taking into account that …
b) ( prever) to expect;

◊ no contaba con que hiciera tan mal tiempo I wasn't expecting the weather to be so bad

c) (frml) ( tener) to have;

◊ cuenta con 10 años de experiencia she has 10 years of experience

contarse verbo pronominal
a) (frml) ( estar incluido):

◊ me cuento entre sus partidarios I count myself as one of their supporters;

su novela se cuenta entre las mejores his novel is among the best
b)

◊ ¿qué te cuentas? how's it going? (colloq)

contar
I verbo transitivo
1 (un suceso, una historia) to tell
2 (numerar) to count
II verbo intransitivo to count
♦ Locuciones: contar con, (confiar en) to count on
(constar de) to have
' contar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
acostumbrar
- cacarear
- confiar
- cotillear
- cuento
- dada
- dado
- desahogarse
- guión
- lisamente
- película
- referir
- sin
- bola
- chisme
- chiste
- contabilizar
- esperar
- largo
- narración
- platicar
English:
allow for
- bank on
- bargain for
- bargain on
- count
- count on
- count out
- crack
- depend
- expect
- fib
- figure on
- foresee
- joke
- miscount
- narrate
- number
- plan on
- put
- reckon
- reckon on
- recount
- rely
- repeat
- report
- retell
- secret
- spin
- story
- tell
- untold
- bank
- boast
- command
- figure
- gossip
- plan
- re-count
- tale
- to

* * *

contar

♦ vt

1. [enumerar] to count;

contaron doscientos manifestantes en la marcha del domingo the number of demonstrators at Sunday's march was estimated at two hundred;

se pueden contar con los dedos de una mano you can count them on (the fingers of) one hand

2. [incluir] to count;

cuenta también los gastos de desplazamiento count o include travel costs too;

somos cincuenta y siete sin contar a los niños there are fifty-seven of us, not counting the children;

la economía, sin contar el desempleo, parece recuperarse the economy, with the exception of the unemployment situation, seems to be recovering

3. [narrar] to tell;

no me cuentes el final don't tell me what happens;

ya me contarás qué tal te va por la capital let me know how you get on in the capital;

me han contado maravillas sobre ese restaurante I've heard great things about that restaurant;
Fam
¿qué cuentas? how are you doing?;

¿qué me cuentas? ¡no me lo puedo creer! never! I can't believe it!;
Fam
cuéntame, ¿cómo te va la vida? tell me, how are things?;
Irónico
¿me lo cuentas a mí? you're telling me!;

Comp
Fam
¡cuéntaselo a tu abuela! pull the other one!, come off it!;

Comp
Fam
no me cuentes tu vida I don't want to hear your life story

4. [tener una cantidad de]
la población contaba mil habitantes the village had a thousand inhabitants;

cuenta ya diez años she's ten years old now;

el equipo cuenta ya dos victorias the team has already achieved two wins, the team already has two wins under its belt

5. [considerar]
a él lo cuento como uno más del grupo I consider o see him as just another member of the group;

te contaba como una persona seria I thought you were a serious person;

cuenta que la próxima semana estoy de vacaciones remember that I'm on holiday next week

♦ vi

1. [hacer cálculos] to count;

sabe contar hasta diez she can count to ten;

contar con los dedos to count on one's fingers;

un perro, dos gatos y para de contar a dog, two cats and that's it

2. [importar] to count;

lo que cuenta es que te pongas bien the important thing is for you to get better, what matters is for you to get better;

en esta casa no cuento para nada I count for nothing in this household;

para él lo único que cuenta es ganar dinero the only thing that matters to him is making money;

los dos peores resultados no cuentan para el resultado final the worst two scores aren't taken into account when calculating the final total;

es tan fuerte que cuenta por dos he has the strength of two men

3.
contar con [confiar en] to count on, to rely on;

es un buen amigo, siempre se puede contar con él he's a good friend, you can count on o rely on him;

¡no cuentes con ellos! don't count on o rely on them!;

no cuentes conmigo, no voy a venir don't expect me, I won't be coming;

cuenta con ello, estaré allí para ayudarte I'll be there to help you, you can count on it, rest assured, I'll be there to help you

4.
contar con [tener, poseer] to have;

cuenta con dos horas para hacerlo she has two hours to do it;

las minorías contarán con representación en el nuevo parlamento minority parties will be represented in the new parliament

5.
contar con [tener en cuenta] to take into account;

con esto no contaba I hadn't reckoned with that;

no contaban con que se acabara la cerveza tan rápidamente they hadn't expected the beer to run out so quickly

♦ See also the pronominal verb contarse

* * *

contar

I v/t

1 count

2 ( narrar) tell;

¡a quién se lo vas a contar!, ¡me lo vas a contar a mí! you’re telling me!;

¿qué (me) cuentas? what’s new?

II v/i

1 count

2

:

contar con count on

* * *

contar {19} vt

1) : to count

2) : to tell

3) : to include

contar vi

1) : to count (up)

2) : to matter, to be of concern

eso no cuenta: that doesn't matter

3)

contar con : to rely on, to count on

♦ See also the reflexive verb contarse

* * *

contar vb

1. (en general) to count

los pastores cuentan las ovejas shepherds count their sheep

sabe contar hasta diez he can count up to ten

2. (explicar) to tell [pt. & pp. told]

contar un cuento to tell a story

3. (edad) to be

el joven campeón cuenta con tan sólo 16 años the young champion is only 16 years old

contar con (confiar) to count on (tener) to have

cuento contigo I'm counting on you

esta casa cuenta con un pequeño jardín this house has got a small garden

Spanish-English dictionary > contar
13 esperarse

esperarse

► verbo pronominal

1 (aguardar) to wait

■ espérense en recepción please wait in reception

2 (creer, contar) to expect

■ se espera que seas puntual you're expected to be punctual

3 (desear) to hope

■ se espera que lo hayan pasado bien we hope you've had a good time

* * *

1) to expect

2) hold on, hang on

* * *

VPR

1) [uso impersonal] to be expected

como podía esperarse — as was to be expected

no fue tan bueno como se esperaba — it was not as good as expected

se espera que asistan más de mil personas — more than a thousand people are expected to attend

2) * (=uso enfático)

¡espérate un momento! — wait a minute!, hold on a minute!

espérate a que deje de llover — wait until it stops raining

¡no es lo que me esperaba! — it's not what I was expecting!

¡me lo esperaba! — I was expecting this!

* * *

(v.) = hold + Posesivo + horses

Ex. Over the last couple of months, drug companies had been holding their horses in the hope that the new budget would bring them some relief.

* * *

(v.) = hold + Posesivo + horses

Ex: Over the last couple of months, drug companies had been holding their horses in the hope that the new budget would bring them some relief.

* * *

vpr

1. [imaginarse, figurarse] to expect;

ya me esperaba yo esta contestación I expected that answer;

se esperaban lo peor they expected o feared the worst;

esto no me lo esperaba I wasn't expecting this;

ya me lo esperaba I expected as much;

¿qué te esperabas? what did you expect?;

esperarse algo de alguien to expect sth of sb;

no me esperaba eso de ti I didn't expect that of you, I never thought you'd do that

2. [aguardar] to wait;

espérate un momento wait a minute;

esperarse a que alguien haga algo to wait for sb to do sth;

no te esperes a que nadie resuelva tus problemas don't wait for other people to solve your problems

3. [uso impersonal] to be expected;

se esperan lluvias en toda la región rain is expected o there will be rain across the whole region;

se espera que acudan varios miles de personas several thousand people are expected to attend;

se esperaba que hiciera unas declaraciones he was expected to make a statement

* * *

vr

1) : to expect, to be hoped

como podría esperarse: as would be expected

2) : to hold on, to hang on

espérate un momento: hold on a minute

Spanish-English dictionary > esperarse
14 desinteresado

adj.

1 disinterested, unconcerned, indifferent, uncaring.

2 unselfish, selfless.

f. & m.

uninterested person.

past part.

past participle of spanish verb: desinteresarse.

* * *

desinteresado

► participio pasado

1→ link=desinteresarse desinteresarse

► adjetivo

1 disinterested, unselfish

* * *

ADJ

1) (=altruista) unselfish

2) (=imparcial) disinterested

* * *

- da adjetivo <consejo/ayuda> disinterested; < persona> selfless

* * *

= uninterested, uncaring, plateaued, pro bono, selfless, unselfish, self-denying, self-sacrificing, self-giving.

Ex. Other staff of the library remained at best uninterested in the project and at worst resented it as a diminution of traditional library services.

Ex. The principal problem which faces archives is that of saving significant material from indiscriminate destruction by ignorant or uncaring owners.

Ex. This article suggests strategies which managers can adopt to assist passively plateaued individuals who are discontented with their situation and lack interest or motivation.

Ex. Pro bono work should be a part of professional duty, not looked on as a charitable act = El trabajo desinteresado debería formar parte de los deberes profesionales y no considerarse como un acto caritativo.

Ex. Information technology should be viewed as an enabler of a larger system which builds a sharing, selfless working community.

Ex. True, we do have our unselfish heroes, men who willingly have laid down their lives for others, the wholly unselfish mother, the man who will step aside for the benefit of others.

Ex. She on the other hand believes in a self-denying, self-sacraficing love which goes beyond the mere impulse of humanity.

Ex. She on the other hand believes in a self-denying, self-sacraficing love which goes beyond the mere impulse of humanity.

Ex. Mark's Gospel reveals the power of God as self-effacement and self-giving love rather than domination and conquest.

----

* trabajo desinteresado = labour of love.

* * *

- da adjetivo <consejo/ayuda> disinterested; < persona> selfless

* * *

= uninterested, uncaring, plateaued, pro bono, selfless, unselfish, self-denying, self-sacrificing, self-giving.

Ex: Other staff of the library remained at best uninterested in the project and at worst resented it as a diminution of traditional library services.

Ex: The principal problem which faces archives is that of saving significant material from indiscriminate destruction by ignorant or uncaring owners.

Ex: This article suggests strategies which managers can adopt to assist passively plateaued individuals who are discontented with their situation and lack interest or motivation.

Ex: Pro bono work should be a part of professional duty, not looked on as a charitable act = El trabajo desinteresado debería formar parte de los deberes profesionales y no considerarse como un acto caritativo.

Ex: Information technology should be viewed as an enabler of a larger system which builds a sharing, selfless working community.

Ex: True, we do have our unselfish heroes, men who willingly have laid down their lives for others, the wholly unselfish mother, the man who will step aside for the benefit of others.

Ex: She on the other hand believes in a self-denying, self-sacraficing love which goes beyond the mere impulse of humanity.

Ex: She on the other hand believes in a self-denying, self-sacraficing love which goes beyond the mere impulse of humanity.

Ex: Mark's Gospel reveals the power of God as self-effacement and self-giving love rather than domination and conquest.

* trabajo desinteresado = labour of love.

* * *

desinteresado -da

adjective

‹actuación› unselfish, selfless ( frml); ‹consejo/ayuda› disinterested; ‹persona› selfless

ofreció su ayuda de forma desinteresada he offered to help without expecting anything in return

* * *

Del verbo desinteresarse: ( conjugate desinteresarse)

desinteresado es:

el participio

Multiple Entries:
desinteresado
desinteresarse
desinteresado
◊ -da adjetivo ‹consejo/ayuda› disinterested;

‹ persona› selfless
desinteresado,-a adjetivo unselfish, selfless
' desinteresado' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
desinteresada
English:
disinterested
- selfless
- unselfish

* * *

desinteresado, -a adj

1. [indiferente] uninterested ( por in)

2. [generoso] unselfish;

colabora de forma desinteresada he's taking part with no thought of personal gain

* * *

desinteresado

adj unselfish, disinterested

* * *

desinteresado, -da adj

generoso: unselfish

Spanish-English dictionary > desinteresado

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Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: с испанского на английский

expecting the worst

См. также в других словарях:

Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное

Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: с испанского на английский

expecting the worst

См. также в других словарях:

Поделиться ссылкой на выделенное

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