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light depth of cut

1 малая глубина резания

light depth of cut

Русско-английский словарь по машиностроению > малая глубина резания
2 при этом

При этом - with, here (где, здесь - в выкладках); when done in this way, in so doing, in doing so, with that, therewith, at this point (о сопутствующих обстоятельствах); at this (о значении величины). Иногда это словосочетание на английский язык не переводится.
Here, fh represents the friction factor in the hole, taken as constant.

The assumed form of this relationship is l = A/Pd with Pd expressed in MPa.

In negotiating curved track, creep forces are generated between the wheels and rails, which attempt to move the axles' radial alignment. In so doing, the truck suspensions are strained.

The lubricant introduced at the small end is pumped through the bearing to the large end and in doing so is thrown centrifugally to the cup raceway surface thus cooling the cup.

A careful study of the problem reveals that either h or T must be provided as input and, with that, the solution will yield the other of the two via an iterative procedure which uses the measured temperature on the rear face.

When done in this way, the grain depth of cut increases from zero at the start of each scratch, reaches maximum values halfway through, and then decreases back to zero.

At this point, the light source aperture, the cell and white light viewing apertures should be in perfect alignment.

(Пример случая, когда это русское словосочетание на английский не переводится.) Normally, the heat exchanger can be unpressurised by shutting off the fluid inlets and outlets. The temperature will gradually decrease to the ambient temperature.

Русско-английский научно-технический словарь переводчика > при этом
3 Boden

m; -s, Böden

1. (Erdreich) soil; fruchtbarer / magerer Boden fertile / barren soil; lockerer / verdichteter Boden loose / compressed soil; sandiger / steiniger Boden sandy / stony ground; leichter / mittelschwerer / schwerer Boden light / loamy / heavy ( oder clayey) soil; durchlässiger / lehmiger Boden permeable / loamy soil; den Boden bebauen oder bestellen develop ( oder till) land; ( wie Pilze) aus dem Boden schießen mushroom (up); Schadstoffe etc. gelangen in den Boden get into the soil; ein Rat / eine Mahnung etc. fällt auf fruchtbaren Boden fig. advice / a warning etc. falls on fertile ground ( oder has an effect); etw. aus dem Boden stampfen fig. conjure s.th. up (out of thin air); wie aus dem Boden gewachsen as if by magic; sie wäre am liebsten vor Scham in den Boden versunken she wished that the earth would open up and swallow her; Grund

2. nur Sg.; (Erdoberfläche) ground; (Fußboden) floor (auch im Wagen etc.); fester Boden firm ground; auf den oder zu Boden fallen oder zu Boden stürzen fall to the ground ( innen: floor); zu Boden gehen (beim Boxen etc.) go down; auf dem oder am Boden liegen lie on the ground; fig. be finished ( oder bankrupt); etw. vom Boden aufheben pick s.th. up (off the ground); jemanden zu Boden schlagen oder strecken knock s.o. down (to the ground), floor s.o.; die Augen zu Boden schlagen cast one’s eyes down (to the ground); jemanden zu Boden drücken konkret: pin ( oder press oder weigh) s.o. down; fig. destroy s.o., bear s.o. down; ( festen) Boden fassen get a (firm) footing oder foothold; fig. find one’s feet; Idee etc.: take hold ( oder root); festen Boden unter den Füßen haben be standing on firm ground, be on terra firma; den Boden unter den Füßen verlieren konkret: lose one’s footing; (unsicher werden) be thrown off balance; fig. get out of one’s depth; jemandem den Boden unter den Füßen wegziehen fig. pull the rug out from under s.o.; sich auf gefährlichem oder unsicherem oder schwankendem Boden bewegen be treading on slippery ground, be skating on thin ice; der Boden wurde ihm zu heiß oder der Boden brannte ihm unter den Füßen fig. things got too hot for him; den Boden für etw. bereiten prepare the ground for s.th.; am Boden zerstört umg. (entsetzt) (completely) devastated; (erschöpft) completely drained, washed out; (an) Boden gewinnen / verlieren gain / lose ground; Boden zurückgewinnen make up for lost ground

3. eines Gefäßes: bottom; eine Kiste etc. mit doppeltem Boden with a false bottom; Moral mit doppeltem Boden fig. double standards Pl.

4. nur Sg.; (Grund) eines Gewässers: bottom; auf dem oder am Boden des Meeres on the sea(-)bed (Am. auch ocean floor)

5. (Gebiet): auf britischem etc. Boden on British etc. soil; heiliger Boden holy ( oder consecrated) ground; heimatlicher Boden home territory

6. fig. (Grundlage) basis; auf dem Boden des Grundgesetzes stehen be within the Constitution; auf dem Boden der Tatsachen bleiben stick ( oder keep) to the facts; den Boden der Tatsachen verlassen get away from ( oder forget) the facts; einem Argument etc. den Boden entziehen knock the bottom out of; Handwerk hat goldenen Boden you can’t go wrong if you learn a trade

7. (Tortenboden) base

8. (Dachboden) loft, attic; (Heuboden) hayloft; (Trockenboden) drying room; Fass, Grund 1

* * *

der Boden

(Ackerboden) soil;

(Dachboden) attic;

(Erdboden) ground; earth;

(Fußboden) floor;

(Gefäßboden) bottom

* * *
Bo|den ['boːdn]
m -s, ordm;
['bøːdn]
1) (= Erde, Grundfläche) ground; (= Erdreich auch) soil; (= Fußboden) floor; (= Grundbesitz) land; (no pl = Terrain) soil

auf spanischem Bóden — on Spanish soil

zu Bóden fallen — to fall to the ground

jdn zu Bóden schlagen or strecken — to knock sb down, to floor sb

festen Bóden unter den Füßen haben, auf festem Bóden sein — to be or stand on firm ground, to be on terra firma

den Bóden unter den Füßen verlieren (lit) — to lose one's footing

keinen Fuß auf den Bóden bekommen (fig) — to be unable to find one's feet; (fig: in Diskussion) to get out of one's depth

ihm wurde der Bóden (unter den Füßen) zu heiß (fig) — things were getting too hot for him

jdm den Bóden unter den Füßen wegziehen (fig) — to cut the ground from under sb's feet (Brit), to pull the carpet out from under sb's feet

ich hätte ( vor Scham) im Bóden versinken können (fig) — I was so ashamed that I wished the ground would (open and) swallow me up

am Bóden zerstört sein (inf) — to be shattered (Brit fig inf) or devastated

(an) Bóden gewinnen/verlieren (fig) — to gain/lose ground

Bóden gutmachen or wettmachen (fig) — to make up ground, to catch up

etw aus dem Bóden stampfen (fig) — to conjure sth up out of nothing; Häuser auch to build overnight

er stand wie aus dem Bóden gewachsen vor mir — he appeared in front of me as if by magic

auf fruchtbaren Bóden fallen (fig) — to fall on fertile ground

jdm/einer Sache den Bóden bereiten (fig) — to prepare the ground for sb/sth

See:

→ Fass, Grund

2) (= unterste Fläche) (von Behälter) bottom; (von Meer auch) seabed; (von Hose) seat; (= Tortenboden) base

See:

→ doppelt

3) (Raum) (= Dachboden, Heuboden) loft; (= Trockenboden) (für Getreide) drying floor; (für Wäsche) drying room

4) (fig = Grundlage)

auf dem Bóden der Wissenschaft/Tatsachen/Wirklichkeit stehen — to base oneself on scientific fact/on fact/on reality; (Behauptung) to be based or founded on scientific fact/on fact/on reality

sie wurde hart auf den Bóden der Wirklichkeit zurückgeholt — she was brought down to earth with a bump

auf dem Bóden der Tatsachen bleiben — to stick to the facts

den Bóden der Tatsachen verlassen — to go into the realm of fantasy

sich auf unsicherem Bóden bewegen — to be on shaky ground

er steht auf dem Bóden des Gesetzes (= nicht ungesetzlich) (= hat Gesetz hinter sich) — he is within the law he has the backing of the law

einem Gerücht den Bóden entziehen — to show a rumour (Brit) or rumor (US) to be unfounded

* * *

der

1) (the lowest part of anything: the bottom of the sea.) bottom

2) (the solid surface of the Earth: lying on the ground; high ground.) ground

3) (the upper layer of the earth, in which plants grow: to plant seeds in the soil; a handful of soil.) soil

* * *

Bo·den

<-s, Böden>

[ˈbo:dn̩, pl bø:dn̩]

m

1. (Erdreich) soil; (Ackerland) land no pl

fetter/magerer \Boden fertile/barren [or poor] soil

diese Böden sind [o dieser \Boden ist] für den Ackerbau nicht geeignet this land is not suited for farming

aus dem \Boden schießen (a. fig) to sprout [or spring] [or shoot] up a. fig

den \Boden verbessern to ameliorate the soil

2. kein pl (Erdoberfläche) ground no pl

der \Boden bebte the ground shook

nach dem Flug waren die Reisenden froh, wieder festen \Boden zu betreten after the flight the passengers were glad to be [or stand] on firm ground [or on terra firma] [again]

[wieder] festen [o sicheren] \Boden unter die Füße bekommen [o unter den Füßen haben] to be back on terra firma; (nach einer Schiffsreise a.) to be back on dry land; (nach einer Flugreise a.) to be back on the ground

3. kein pl (Gebiet) soil; (Grundbesitz) land, property; (Territorium) territory

auf britischem/deutschem \Boden on British/German soil

auf eigenem Grund und \Boden on one's own property

wieder den \Boden seiner Heimat betreten to be back under one's native skies

heiliger \Boden holy ground

feindlicher \Boden enemy territory

4. (Grundfläche) ground no pl; (Fußboden) floor; (Teppichboden) carpet

bei Marianne kann man vom \Boden essen Marianne's floors are so clean that you could eat off them

vor Scham wäre ich am liebsten in den \Boden versunken I was so ashamed that I wished the ground would open up and swallow me

die Augen zu \Boden schlagen to look down

beschämt/verlegen zu \Boden schauen to look down in shame/embarrassment

zu \Boden fallen [o sinken] to fall to the ground

sie sank ohnmächtig zu \Boden she fell unconscious to the ground

dann fiel der König tot zu \Boden then the king dropped dead

zu \Boden gehen Boxer to go down

jdn [mit sich dat] zu \Boden reißen to drag sb to the ground

jdn zu \Boden schlagen [o (geh) strecken] to knock [or form strike] down sb sep, to floor sb

5. (Dachboden) loft, attic; (Heuboden) hayloft

die Skisachen sind alle oben auf dem \Boden all the ski gear is [up] in the loft [or attic

6. (Regalboden) shelf

7. (a. fig: Grund) bottom a. fig; eines Gefäßes a. base; einer Hose seat

die Preise haben den \Boden erreicht prices hit rock-bottom

der Koffer hat einen doppelten \Boden the suitcase has a false bottom

auf dem \Boden des Meeres/Flusses at the bottom of the sea/river, on the seabed/riverbed

eine Moral mit einem doppelten \Boden double standards pl

8. (Tortenboden) [flan] base

9. kein pl (Grundlage)

jdm/etw den \Boden bereiten to pave the way for sb/sth fig

[wieder] auf festem \Boden sein to have a firm base [again]; Unternehmen to be back on its feet [again] fig

auf dem \Boden des Gesetzes stehen to be within [or to conform to] the constitution

allen [o jeglichen] Spekulationen den \Boden entziehen to knock the bottom out of all speculation

auf dem \Boden der Tatsachen bleiben/stehen to stick to the facts/to be based on facts

den \Boden der Tatsachen verlassen to get into the realm of fantasy

auf den \Boden der Wirklichkeit zurückkommen to come down to earth fig

10.

▶ jdm brennt der \Boden unter den Füßen [o wird der \Boden unter den Füßen zu heiß] (fam) things are getting too hot [or are hotting up too much] for sb

▶ jdn unter den \Boden bringen SCHWEIZ to be the death of sb

▶ durch alle Böden [hindurch] SCHWEIZ at all costs

▶ festen [o sicheren] \Boden unter den Füßen haben (sich seiner Sache sicher sein) to be sure of one's ground; (eine wirtschaftliche Grundlage haben) to be on firm ground fig

▶ wieder festen [o sicheren] \Boden unter die Füße bekommen [o unter den Füßen haben] (wieder Halt bekommen) to find one's feet again fig

▶ auf fruchtbaren \Boden fallen to fall on fertile ground fig

ich hoffe, mein Ratschlag ist auf fruchtbaren \Boden gefallen I hope my advice has made some impression on you

▶ den \Boden unter den Füßen verlieren (die Existenzgrundlage verlieren) to feel the ground fall from beneath one's feet fam; (haltlos werden) to have the bottom drop out of one's world fam

▶ jdm den \Boden unter den Füßen wegziehen to cut the ground from under sb's feet fam, to pull the rug [out] from under sb's feet fig fam

▶ wie aus dem \Boden geschossen [o gestampft] [o gewachsen] vor jdm stehen to appear out of nowhere

▶ [jdm/etw gegenüber] an \Boden gewinnen (einholen) to gain ground [over sb/sth]; (Fortschritte machen) to make headway [or progress]

▶ [einen] günstigen \Boden für etw akk finden to find fertile ground for sth fig

▶ [jdm/etw gegenüber] [verlorenen] \Boden gutmachen [o wettmachen] to make up [lost] ground [or to catch up] [on sb/sth]

▶ etw [mit jdm] zu \Boden reden SCHWEIZ to chew over sth sep [with sb] fam

▶ sich akk auf schwankendem [o unsicherem] \Boden bewegen, auf schwankendem \Boden stehen to be on shaky ground fig

seine Argumente stehen auf schwankendem \Boden his arguments are built on weak foundations

▶ jdm schwankt der \Boden unter den Füßen the ground is moving under sb's feet fig

▶ sich akk auf schwankenden \Boden begeben to go into a risky area

▶ etw aus dem \Boden stampfen to build sth overnight fig

▶ total am \Boden sein to be [completely] shattered fam

▶ [jdm/etw gegenüber] an \Boden verlieren to lose ground [to sb/sth]

▶ am \Boden zerstört sein to be devastated [or fam all of a heap]

* * *

der; Bodens, Böden

1) (Erde) ground; soil

etwas [nicht] aus dem Boden stampfen können — [not] be able to conjure something up [out of thin air]

2) (FußBoden) floor

zu Boden fallen/sich zu Boden fallen lassen — fall/drop to the ground

der Boxer ging zu Boden — the boxer went down

jemanden zu Boden schlagen od. (geh.) strecken — knock somebody down; floor somebody; (fig.)

sich auf unsicherem Boden bewegen — be on shaky ground (fig.)

am Boden liegen — be bankrupt

am Boden zerstört [sein] — (ugs.) [be] shattered (coll.)

bleiben wir doch auf dem Boden der Tatsachen! — let's stick to the facts

3) o. Pl. (Terrain)

heiliger Boden — holy ground

feindlicher Boden — enemy territory

auf französischem Boden — on French soil

[an] Boden gewinnen/verlieren — gain/lose ground

4) (unterste Fläche) bottom; (HosenBoden) seat; (TortenBoden) base; s. auch doppelt

5) (DachBoden) loft

auf dem Boden — in the loft

* * *

Boden m; -s, Böden

1. (Erdreich) soil;

fruchtbarer/magerer Boden fertile/barren soil;

lockerer/verdichteter Boden loose/compressed soil;

sandiger/steiniger Boden sandy/stony ground;

leichter/mittelschwerer/schwerer Boden light/loamy/heavy ( oder clayey) soil;

durchlässiger/lehmiger Boden permeable/loamy soil;

den Boden bebauen oder

bestellen develop ( oder till) land;

(wie Pilze) aus dem Boden schießen mushroom (up);

Schadstoffe etc

gelangen in den Boden get into the soil;

ein Rat/eine Mahnung etc

fällt auf fruchtbaren Boden fig advice/a warning etc falls on fertile ground ( oder has an effect);

etwas aus dem Boden stampfen fig conjure sth up (out of thin air);

wie aus dem Boden gewachsen as if by magic;

sie wäre am liebsten vor Scham in den Boden versunken she wished that the earth would open up and swallow her; → Grund

2. nur sg; (Erdoberfläche) ground; (Fußboden) floor (auch im Wagen etc);

fester Boden firm ground;

auf den oder

zu Boden fallen oder

zu Boden stürzen fall to the ground ( innen: floor);

zu Boden gehen (beim Boxen etc) go down;

auf dem oder

am Boden liegen lie on the ground; fig be finished ( oder bankrupt);

etwas vom Boden aufheben pick sth up (off the ground);

jemanden zu Boden schlagen oder

strecken knock sb down (to the ground), floor sb;

die Augen zu Boden schlagen cast one’s eyes down (to the ground);

jemanden zu Boden drücken konkret: pin ( oder press oder weigh) sb down; fig destroy sb, bear sb down;

(festen) Boden fassen get a (firm) footing oder foothold; fig find one’s feet; Idee etc: take hold ( oder root);

festen Boden unter den Füßen haben be standing on firm ground, be on terra firma;

den Boden unter den Füßen verlieren konkret: lose one’s footing; (unsicher werden) be thrown off balance; fig get out of one’s depth;

jemandem den Boden unter den Füßen wegziehen fig pull the rug out from under sb;

sich auf gefährlichem oder

unsicherem oder

schwankendem Boden bewegen be treading on slippery ground, be skating on thin ice;

der Boden wurde ihm zu heiß oder

der Boden brannte ihm unter den Füßen fig things got too hot for him;

den Boden für etwas bereiten prepare the ground for sth;

am Boden zerstört umg (entsetzt) (completely) devastated; (erschöpft) completely drained, washed out;

(an) Boden gewinnen/verlieren gain/lose ground;

Boden zurückgewinnen make up for lost ground

3. eines Gefäßes: bottom;

eine Kiste etc

mit doppeltem Boden with a false bottom;

Moral mit doppeltem Boden fig double standards pl

4. nur sg; (Grund) eines Gewässers: bottom;

auf dem oder

am Boden des Meeres on the sea(-)bed (US auch ocean floor)

5. (Gebiet):

auf britischem etc

Boden on British etc soil;

heiliger Boden holy ( oder consecrated) ground;

heimatlicher Boden home territory

6. fig (Grundlage) basis;

auf dem Boden des Grundgesetzes stehen be within the Constitution;

auf dem Boden der Tatsachen bleiben stick ( oder keep) to the facts;

den Boden der Tatsachen verlassen get away from ( oder forget) the facts;

einem Argument etc

den Boden entziehen knock the bottom out of;

Handwerk hat goldenen Boden you can’t go wrong if you learn a trade

7. (Tortenboden) base

8. (Dachboden) loft, attic; (Heuboden) hayloft; (Trockenboden) drying room; → Fass, Fußboden, Grund 1

* * *

der; Bodens, Böden

1) (Erde) ground; soil

etwas [nicht] aus dem Boden stampfen können — [not] be able to conjure something up [out of thin air]

2) (FußBoden) floor

zu Boden fallen/sich zu Boden fallen lassen — fall/drop to the ground

der Boxer ging zu Boden — the boxer went down

jemanden zu Boden schlagen od. (geh.) strecken — knock somebody down; floor somebody; (fig.)

sich auf unsicherem Boden bewegen — be on shaky ground (fig.)

am Boden liegen — be bankrupt

am Boden zerstört [sein] — (ugs.) [be] shattered (coll.)

bleiben wir doch auf dem Boden der Tatsachen! — let's stick to the facts

3) o. Pl. (Terrain)

heiliger Boden — holy ground

feindlicher Boden — enemy territory

auf französischem Boden — on French soil

[an] Boden gewinnen/verlieren — gain/lose ground

4) (unterste Fläche) bottom; (HosenBoden) seat; (TortenBoden) base; s. auch doppelt

5) (DachBoden) loft

auf dem Boden — in the loft

* * *

¨-- (von Gefäß) m.

base n. ¨-- m.

bottom n.

floor n.

ground n.

land n.

soil n.

Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch > Boden
4 el

art.

the (in general).

el coche the car

la casa the house

los niños the children

el agua/hacha/águila the water/ax/eagle

fui a recoger a los niños I went to pick up the children

* * *

el

► determinante

1 the

■ el coche the car

■ el agua water

■ el Japón Japan

■ la Sra. Rodríguez Mrs. Rodríguez

■ llegó el martes he arrived on Tuesday

2 el de the one

■ el del traje azul the one in the blue suit

■ el de Valencia the one from Valencia

■ el de tu hermano your brother's

■ el de hoy today's

3 el que (persona - sujeto) the one who; (- objeto) the one, the one that, the one whom

■ el que vino ayer the one who came yesterday

■ el que vi the one I saw

4 (cosa) the one, the one that, the one which

■ el que me diste the one (that) you gave me

* * *
1. pron.
the one

- el que
2. art.
the

* * *

el; la; los; las
ART DEF
1) [con nombres de referente único o concreto] the

el sol — the sun

perdí el autobús — I missed the bus

¿está fría el agua? — is the water cold?

¿ha llegado ya el abogado? — has the lawyer arrived yet?

el tío ese — * that chap

2) [en algunos casos no se traduce]

a) [con nombres propios]

La India — India

en el México de hoy — in present-day Mexico

el Real Madrid ganó la liga — Real Madrid won the league

el General Prim — General Prim

¿qué manda la señora? — what would madam like?

ha llamado el Sr. Sendra — Mr. Sendra called

dáselo a la Luisa — * give it to Luisa

b) [con nombres en sentido genérico]

me gusta el baloncesto — I like basketball

no me gusta el pescado — I don't like fish

está en la cárcel — he's in jail

c) [con infinitivo]

el hacerlo fue un error — doing it was a mistake, it was a mistake to do it

d) [con cifras, proporciones]

la mitad de la población — half of the population

ahora gano el 3% más — I now earn 3% more

3) [traducido por el posesivo]

se lavó las manos — he washed his hands

me he cortado el pelo — I've had my hair cut

ayer me lavé la cabeza — I washed my hair yesterday

me puse el abrigo — I put my coat on

4) [con expresiones temporales]

a las ocho — at eight o'clock

a los quince días — after a fortnight

vendrá el lunes que viene — he's coming next Monday

la reunión será el 15 de abril — the meeting's on 15 April

en el mes de julio — in (the month of) July

5) (=uso distributivo)

cuesta dos euros el kilo — it costs two euros a kilo

6) [en exclamaciones]

¡el frío que hacía! — it was freezing!

7) [posesivo]

• el de, mi libro y el de usted — my book and yours

este jugador y el de la camisa azul — this player and the one in the blue shirt

el del sombrero rojo — the one with o in the red hat

es un traje bonito, pero prefiero el de Ana — it's a nice suit, but I prefer Ana's

y el de todos los demás — and that of everybody else, and everybody else's

el idiota de Pedro no me contestó al teléfono — that idiot Pedro didn't answer the phone

8)

• el que —

a) + indic

el que compramos no vale — the one we bought is no good

a los que mencionamos añádase este — add this one to the ones we mentioned

yo fui el que lo encontró — I was the one who found it

él es el que quiere — it's he who wants to, he's the one who wants to

los que hacen eso son tontos — anyone who does that is a fool, those who do so are foolish

b) + subjun whoever

el que quiera, que lo haga — whoever wants to can do it

* * *

(pl los), la (pl las) articulo

[the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or ha, e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina]

1)

a) ( con un referente único) the

el sol — the sun

la Tierra — the Earth

b) ( con sustantivos en sentido genérico)

odio el pescado — I hate fish

así es la vida — that's life

(nosotros) los mexicanos — we Mexicans

¿ya vas a la escuela? — do you go to school yet?

en el mar — at sea

c) ( con un referente conocido o que se define)

en la calle Solis — in Solis street

el mío/las tuyas — mine/yours

el rojo/último — the red/last one

el estúpido del marido — that stupid husband of hers

los nacidos entre... — those born between...

2)

a)

el + de...: la del sombrero the one with the hat; el de Valencia the one from Valencia; el de las nueve the nine o'clock one; el de Juan/de mi hijo — Juan's/my son's

b)

el + que...: el que acaba de entrar the one who's just come in; las que yo ví the ones I saw; los que estén cansados; those who are tired, anyone who's tired; la que te guste whichever you like; el que lo haya hecho — whoever has done it

3) ( en expresiones de tiempo)

ocurrió el domingo — it happened last Sunday

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo — my birthday's on May 28

el mes pasado/que viene — last/next month

no trabajo los sábados — I don't work (on) Saturdays

toda la mañana — all morning

a las ocho — at eight o'clock

4) ( cada)

$80 el metro/kilo — $80 a meter/a kilo

5) (con fracciones, porcentajes, números)

la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero — half the money/a quarter of the money

el 20% de... — 20% of...

el cuarto piso — the fifth floor (AmE) o (BrE) fourth floor

6) (refiriéndose a partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc)

tenía las manos en los bolsillos — she had her hands in her pockets

te cortaste el pelo! — you've had your hair cut!

tienes la falda sucia — your skirt is dirty

tiene los ojos azules — he has blue eyes

7) ( con nombres propios)

a) (con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc)

el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal — Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal

b) ( en plural)

los Ortega — the Ortegas

c) ( con algunos nombres geográficos)

en la India — in India

en (el) Perú — in Peru; ver África, Argentina, etc

d) ( al calificar)

la España de Franco — Franco's Spain

el Buñuel que todos conocemos — the Buñuel we all know

e) ( con algunos equipos deportivos)

juegan contra el Juventus — they're playing against Juventus

8) el ( con infinitivo)

odiaba el tener que pedírselo — he hated having to ask her

es cuidadoso en el hablar — he's careful in the way he speaks

el frenético girar de los bailarines — the frenzied spinning of the dancers

* * *

(pl los), la (pl las) articulo

[the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or ha, e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina]

1)

a) ( con un referente único) the

el sol — the sun

la Tierra — the Earth

b) ( con sustantivos en sentido genérico)

odio el pescado — I hate fish

así es la vida — that's life

(nosotros) los mexicanos — we Mexicans

¿ya vas a la escuela? — do you go to school yet?

en el mar — at sea

c) ( con un referente conocido o que se define)

en la calle Solis — in Solis street

el mío/las tuyas — mine/yours

el rojo/último — the red/last one

el estúpido del marido — that stupid husband of hers

los nacidos entre... — those born between...

2)

a)

el + de...: la del sombrero the one with the hat; el de Valencia the one from Valencia; el de las nueve the nine o'clock one; el de Juan/de mi hijo — Juan's/my son's

b)

el + que...: el que acaba de entrar the one who's just come in; las que yo ví the ones I saw; los que estén cansados; those who are tired, anyone who's tired; la que te guste whichever you like; el que lo haya hecho — whoever has done it

3) ( en expresiones de tiempo)

ocurrió el domingo — it happened last Sunday

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo — my birthday's on May 28

el mes pasado/que viene — last/next month

no trabajo los sábados — I don't work (on) Saturdays

toda la mañana — all morning

a las ocho — at eight o'clock

4) ( cada)

$80 el metro/kilo — $80 a meter/a kilo

5) (con fracciones, porcentajes, números)

la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero — half the money/a quarter of the money

el 20% de... — 20% of...

el cuarto piso — the fifth floor (AmE) o (BrE) fourth floor

6) (refiriéndose a partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc)

tenía las manos en los bolsillos — she had her hands in her pockets

te cortaste el pelo! — you've had your hair cut!

tienes la falda sucia — your skirt is dirty

tiene los ojos azules — he has blue eyes

7) ( con nombres propios)

a) (con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc)

el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal — Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal

b) ( en plural)

los Ortega — the Ortegas

c) ( con algunos nombres geográficos)

en la India — in India

en (el) Perú — in Peru; ver África, Argentina, etc

d) ( al calificar)

la España de Franco — Franco's Spain

el Buñuel que todos conocemos — the Buñuel we all know

e) ( con algunos equipos deportivos)

juegan contra el Juventus — they're playing against Juventus

8) el ( con infinitivo)

odiaba el tener que pedírselo — he hated having to ask her

es cuidadoso en el hablar — he's careful in the way he speaks

el frenético girar de los bailarines — the frenzied spinning of the dancers

* * *

el²

= the, ye.

Nota: Forma arcaica.

Ex: The first institute, 'The Catalog: Its Nature and Prospects,' was held in New York City on October 9 and 10, 1975.

Ex: The article 'Ye olde smart card' presents an annotated list of information sources on the credit card industry.

* a lo extremo = to the extreme.

* aunque no lo creas = believe it or not.

* barrio de los ricos = upper town.

* de los mejores = as good as any.

* el abuelo de = the granddaddy of.

* el acabose = the last straw.

* el alcance = comprehensiveness.

* el amor de + Posesivo + vida = the love of + Posesivo + life.

* el año próximo = the year ahead.

* el arte de = the art of, the fine art of.

* el ataque es la mejor defensa = attack is the best form of defence.

* el auténtico = the real McCoy.

* el beneficio de la duda = the benefit of the doubt.

* el bien de = the good of.

* el buenazo de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el bueno de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el camino a seguir = the way ahead, the way to go.

* el camino correcto = the way ahead, the way to go.

* el camino hacia + Nombre + está lleno de + Nombre = the road (to/towards) + Nombre + is paved with + Nombre.

* el camino hacia + Nombre + está plagado de + Nombre = the road (to/towards) + Nombre + is paved with + Nombre.

* el camino por recorrer = the way ahead.

* el camino que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* el camino recorrido = the road travelled so far.

* el camino se hace andando = actions speak louder than words.

* el centro de atención + ser = all eyes + be + on.

* el charco = the big pond.

* el ciudadano de a pie = the average Joe.

* el ciudadano medio = the average Joe.

* el cliente siempre tiene la razón = the customer is always right.

* el colmo = the last straw.

* el consejo de otra persona = a second opinion.

* el copón = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* el corazón de = the heart of.

* el crecimiento de = the rising tide of.

* el cual = which.

* el de = that in, that of.

* el diablo está en los detalles = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* el día del Juicio Final = the Day of Judgement.

* El Diluvio = the Flood.

* el dinero es el origen de todos los males = money is the root of all evil.

* el dinero es la fuente de todos los males = money is the root of all evil.

* el dinero mueve al mundo = money makes the world go (a)round.

* el dinero no crece en los árboles = money doesn't grow on trees.

* el doble = twice + as many.

* el doble de = twice + the number of.

* El Dorado = El Dorado.

* el enemigo en casa = the enemy within.

* el entonces + Nombre = the then + Nombre.

* el espíritu de la época = the spirit of the times.

* el estado de las cosas = the lay of the land [the lie of the land, -UK].

* el evitar = avoidance.

* el éxito genera éxito = success breeds success (SBS).

* el éxito llama al éxito = success breeds success (SBS).

* el final de = the close of.

* el final de los problemas = the light at the end of the tunnel.

* el fin del mundo = the ends of the earth.

* el fin de semana = over the weekend, at the weekend.

* el fin de todos los fines = the end of all ends.

* el fin justifica los medios = the end justifies the means.

* el fruto de + Nombre = the fruit of + Nombre.

* el futuro = the way ahead, the way of the future.

* el futuro + estar + justo a la vuelta de la esquina = the future + be + just around the corner.

* el Gato con Botas = Puss in Boots.

* el grado de = the extent of.

* el grado de + Nombre = the breadth and depth of + Nombre.

* el grado en que = the extent to which.

* el gran hermano = big brother.

* el guapo de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el hecho es que = fact is, the fact is (that).

* el hecho es que... = the fact of the matter is that....

* el hombre de la calle = the average Joe.

* el hombre no es una isla = no man is an island.

* el hombre propone y Dios dispone = Man proposes, God disposes.

* el impulsor de = the power behind.

* el interés público = the public interest.

* El Juicio Final = The Last Judgement.

* el lastre de = the shackles of.

* el llevar = carrying.

* el lugar que le corresponde a = the due place of.

* El Mago de Oz = The Wizard of Oz, The Wizard of Oz.

* el más = all-time.

* el más + Adjetivo = the most + Adjetivo.

* el más allá = hereafter.

* el más bajo = rock-bottom.

* el más favorito del mes = pick of the month.

* el más leído = the most widely read.

* el más recomendado = best of breed, the.

* el Mediterráneo = Mediterranean Sea, the, the Med.

* el mejor = best of breed, the.

* el mejor de todos = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* el mejor hasta ahora = the best yet.

* el mejor modo de = the best way of.

* el mejor momento de todos = the time of all times.

* el mejor + Nombre = the best available + Nombre.

* el mejor que ha hecho hasta ahora = Posesivo + best yet.

* el mentir = lying.

* el mes pasado = last month.

* el mío = mine.

* el mismo + Nombre (+ que) = every bit as much + Nombre (+ as).

* el mismo número = as many.

* el modo como = the way in which.

* el modo de = the way in which.

* el modo de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* el momento preciso = the point in time at which.

* el motor de = the power behind.

* el movimiento se demuestra andando = actions speak louder than words.

* el muerto al hoyo y el vivo al bollo = dead men have no friends.

* el mundo de las noticias = newsmaking.

* el mundo en la palma de la mano = the world in the palm of + Posesivo + hand.

* el mundo está a sus pies = the world is + Posesivo + oyster.

* el mundo es un pañuelo = it's a small world.

* el + Nombre + correcto al + Nombre + adecuado en el momento oportuno = the right + Nombre + to the right + Nombre + at the right time.

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

* el + Nombre + más completo = the + Nombre + to end all + Nombre.

* el no va más = the be all and end all, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el nuevo aspecto de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* el orgullo de = showpiece.

* el otro lado de la barrera = the other side of the fence.

* el padre de = the father of.

* el pan nuestro de cada día = all in a day's work.

* el paso del tiempo = the passage of time, the sands of time.

* el peor de todos = the worst of the lot.

* el perro es el mejor amigo del hombre = a dog is man's best friend.

* el peso de = brunt of, the.

* el populacho = the great unwashed.

* el porqué de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* el portavoz de = the voice of.

* el presente = thisness.

* el primer intento = the first time around.

* el primer + Nombre = the earliest + Nombre.

* el primero mencionado = former.

* el principal = the number one.

* el principio de = the dawn of.

* el principio del fin = the beginning of the end.

* el principio de + Mes/Estación = early + Mes/Estación.

* el problema no es el qué, sino el cómo = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* el problema obvio = the elephant in the room.

* el proletariado = the great unwashed.

* el pulmón de = the heart of.

* el punto más bajo = rock-bottom.

* el que = that, the one.

* el que aprende = learner.

* el que las hace, las paga = you've made your bed, now you must lie in it!.

* el que lo encuentre se lo queda = finders keepers.

* el que mantiene a la familia = breadwinner [bread winner].

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* el que no llora, no mama = the squeaky (squeaking) wheel gets the grease (the oil/oiled).

* el que no se aventura no cruza el mar = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* el que pregunta = inquirer [enquirer, -UK].

* el quid de la cuestión = the crux of the problem, the crux of the matter.

* el registro de los registros = record-of-record.

* el registro modelo = record-of-record.

* el resto = rest, the.

* el resto (de) = the remainder (of), the rest (of).

* El Salvador = El Salvador.

* el segundo mencionado = latter.

* el sendero que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* el ser barato = cheapness.

* el siguiente no, el otro = next but one.

* el sitio adecuado en el momento adecuado = the right place at the right time.

* el sueño de toda persona = the stuff dreams are made of.

* el sueño de todos = the stuff dreams are made of.

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

* el súmmum = the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el tamaño de = the extent of.

* el tema de la discusión = the focus of the discussion.

* el tema del debate = the focus of the discussion.

* el tiempo de Algo = in season.

* el tiempo es oro = time is money.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* el tiempo vuela = time flies (by).

* el tipo de = the range of.

* el todo es más grande que la suma de sus partes = the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

* el total de = the total sum of, the sum total of.

* el transcurrir del tiempo = the sands of time.

* el transcurso del tiempo = as time goes by.

* el último citado = latter.

* el último grito = the last word, the cat's meow, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el último + Nombre = the latest + Nombre.

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

* el único = the one and only.

* el único e incomparable = the one and only.

* el único e inimitable = the one and only.

* el único problema = a fly in the soup, the fly in the ointment.

* el verdadero = the real McCoy.

* el verdadero problema = the elephant in the room.

* el ver televisión = television viewing.

* el viejo = the elder.

* el vulgo = the great unwashed.

* el yugo de = the shackles of.

* espicharlas = kick + the bucket.

* la = the, ye.

* la alternativa + ser = the alternative + be.

* la belleza es superficial = beauty is only skin deep.

* La Biblioteca Responde = Ask the Library.

* la Biblioteca y el Archivo de Canadá = Library and Archives Canada.

* la buena noticia = the good news.

* la calidad es nuestro lema = quality is our middle name.

* la calma que precede a la tormenta = the lull before the storm.

* la cambiante fisonomía de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* la caridad empieza por uno mismo = charity begins at home.

* la ciudadana de a pie = the average Jane.

* la ciudadana media = the average Jane.

* la ciudad que nunca duerme = the city that never sleeps.

* la clave de = at the heart of.

* la clave está en la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* la comunidad en general = the community at large.

* la Convención de la Haya de 1954 = the 1954 Hague Convention.

* la copa del árbol = the top of the tree.

* la cosa es que = the thing is.

* la cosa principal = the number one thing.

* la crème de la crème = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* la cruz de = the bane of.

* la cuestión es que = the thing is.

* la década de los + Número = the + Número + s.

* la demanda de = a call for.

* la diversidad de = the range of.

* la diversidad de + Nombre = the many + Nombre.

* la edad se lleva en el alma = you are as old as you feel.

* la época de Algo = in season.

* la escoria de la sociedad = the gutter.

* la espalda de = the back of.

* la evidencia = the writing on the wall.

* la fe mueve montañas = faith will move mountains.

* la filosofía de = the reason behind, the reasoning behind.

* la flor de + Nombre = the prime of + Nombre.

* la flor y nata = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* la forma correcta de hacer las cosas = the way to go.

* la forma de = ways and means (of/for/to/in/by).

* la forma de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* la forma de ver las cosas = the way + to see things.

* la fuerza de la mayoría = strength in numbers.

* la gente decía que = rumour had it that.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

* la gente se está inquietando = the natives are nervous.

* la gente se está poniendo nerviosa = the natives are nervous.

* la gente se puso de pie para aplaudir = standing ovation.

* la gota que colmó el vaso = the straw that broke the camel's back.

* la Gran Manzana = the Big Apple.

* la gran mayoría de = the vast majority of, the bulk of.

* la historia + repetirse = history + come full circle.

* la historia + volverse a repetir = history + come full circle.

* la hostia = the cat's pyjamas, the cat's pyjamas, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* la hoz y el martillo = the hammer and sickle.

* la idea que hay detrás de = the idea behind.

* la imaginación no tiene límites = your imagination is the limit.

* la imitación es la mejor forma de que lo halaguen a uno = imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

* La Isla del Tesoro = Treasure Island.

* la joya de = showpiece.

* la judicatura = the Bench.

* la justicia = the Bench.

* la juventud no es cuestión de edad sino de espíritu = you are as old as you feel.

* la leche = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la luz al final del túnel = the light at the end of the tunnel.

* la magistratura = the Bench.

* la manera de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* la mano que mece la cuna es la mano que domina el mundo = the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

* la mano que mece la cuna gobierna el mundo = the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

* la mar de = a whole slew of.

* la mayoría con mucho de = the vast majority of.

* la mayoría de = the majority of, most + Nombre, the main bulk of.

* la mayoría de la gente = most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría de las personas = most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría de las veces = most of the time, more often than not.

* la mayoría del mundo = the majority of the world, most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría del tiempo = most of the time.

* la mayor parte de = the majority of, the main bulk of, the lion's share of.

* la mayor parte de las veces = more often than not.

* la medida en que = the extent to which.

* la mejor forma de hacer Algo = best practices, lessons learned [lessons learnt].

* la mejor manera = how best.

* la mejor manera de = the best way of.

* la mejor oferta = the best deal.

* la mejor opción = the best bet.

* la mejor salida = the best way forward.

* la mejor solución = the best way forward.

* la menor duda de que = no doubt whatsoever.

* la mentira = lying.

* la mirada en = eye(s) on.

* la misma persona = one and the same person.

* la mitad (1/2) = one-half (1/2).

* la necesidad agudiza el ingenio = necessity mothers invention.

* la ocasión la pintan calva = make + hay while the sun shines.

* la opinión de otra persona = a second opinion.

* la oportunidad de + Posesivo + vida = the opportunity of a lifetime.

* la parte de atrás de = the back of.

* la parte más dura de = brunt of, the.

* la parte más importante = the heart of.

* la parte principal de = the bulk of.

* la parte superior izquierda de = the upper left of.

* la parte trasera de = the back of.

* la personificación de la confianza en uno mismo = confidence personified.

* la pesadilla de = the bane of.

* la pesca del día = the day's catch, the catch of the day.

* la petición de = a call for.

* la píldora = the pill.

* la plebe = the great unwashed.

* la polla = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la práctica hace al maestro = practice makes perfect.

* la primera tentativa = the first time around.

* la primera vez = the first time around.

* la proporción mayor de = the lion's share of.

* la próxima moda = the next hot thing.

* la puntilla = the final/last nail in + Posesivo + coffin.

* la que = that, the one.

* la razón de ser = the reason for being.

* la realidad es que = the fact remains that..., fact is, the fact is (that).

* la rehostia = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la responsabilidad ahora recae en + Nombre = the ball is in + Posesivo + court.

* la responsabilidad es de... = the buck + stops....

* la riqueza de = the wealth of.

* la ruina de = the bane of.

* las = the, ye.

* las 24 horas = round the clock, around the clock.

* las apariencias engañan = don't judge a book by its cover, there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las ataduras de = the shackles of.

* las autoridades = the powers-that-be.

* las cosas + cambiar = pendulum + swing.

* las cosas + estar + claras = the (hand)writing + be + on the wall, see it + coming.

* las cosas no pasan así como así = everything happens for a reason (and a purpose).

* las cosas no pasan (así) porque sí = everything happens for a reason (and a purpose).

* las cosas no son tan simples como parecen = there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las cosas + seguir + igual = business + revolve + as usual.

* las cosas siguen igual = business as usual.

* las cosas sólo pasan una vez = lightning never strikes twice.

* las cosas son más complicadas de lo que parecen = there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las cosas tal y como son = the birds and the bees.

* las cosas + volver + a su punto de partida = the wheel + turn + full circle.

* las de = those for.

* las doce del mediodía = noon.

* la segunda mitad de + Fecha = the latter part of + Fecha.

* la segunda opción = the next best choice.

* la segunda vez = the second time around.

* la semana pasada = last week.

* la senda que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* la situación = the course of events.

* la sociedad en general = society at large.

* las posibilidades son infinitas = the possibilities are endless.

* las profundidades del mar = the deep.

* las profundidades del océano = the deep.

* las pruebas = the writing on the wall.

* las raíces se encuentran = roots + lie.

* las raíces se remontan a = roots + lie.

* las razones de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* las Reglas de Cutter para un Catálogo Diccionario = Cutter's Rules for a Dictionary Catalog.

* las triquiñuelas de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* la suerte + cambiar = the tide + turn.

* la suerte estaba echada = the die was cast, the die had been cast.

* la suerte está echada = the die is cast.

* la suma total de = the total sum of, the sum total of.

* las uvas están verdes = sour grapes.

* las veinticuatro horas = day and night, day or night, night and day.

* la temporada de Algo = in season.

* la tierra de la abundancia = the land of plenty.

* la tierra de las oportunidades = the land of opportunity.

* la tira de = a whole slew of.

* la tira de tiempo = donkey's years.

* la triste realidad es que = the sad fact is (that).

* la última palabra = the last word, the last word, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* la última vez = last time.

* la última vez que = the last time.

* la única pega = the fly in the ointment, a fly in the soup.

* la unión hace la fuerza = strength in numbers.

* la ventaja de = the beauty of.

* la ventaja es que = on the positive side, the advantage is that, on the bright side.

* la verdad = the lowdown (on).

* la verdad es que = if the truth be known, if the truth be told, the fact is (that), fact is.

* la verdad es que... = the fact of the matter is that....

* la verdad sea dicha = to tell the truth.

* la verdad sea dicha que = if the truth be told.

* la Vía Láctea = the Milky Way.

* la vida continúa = the show must go on.

* la vida + continuar = life + go on.

* la vida es así = life's like that.

* ¡la vida no es un camino de rosas! = the course of true love never did run smooth!.

* la vida + seguir = life + go on.

* la víspera de = on the eve of.

* la voz de = the voice of.

* la voz de la conciencia = the voice within.

* la voz de la experiencia = the voice of experience.

* la voz de la razón = the voice of reason.

* la voz del odio = the voice of hate.

* la voz interior = the voice within.

* lo absurdo = ridiculousness.

* lo adecuado = adequacy.

* lo + Adjetivo + que sea/esté = how + Adjetivo.

* lo anodino = blandness.

* lo anteriormente expuesto = the preceding.

* lo apropiado = appropriateness.

* lo barato = inexpensiveness.

* lo básico = essential, the, nuts and bolts, bare minimum, bare necessities, the, the lowdown (on).

* lo bastante elevado = high enough.

* lo bastante extenso = adequately scoped.

* lo bueno de = the beauty of.

* lo bueno es que = the good news is (that)..., on the positive side, on the bright side.

* lo bueno viene en frascos pequeños = small is beautiful.

* lo bueno y lo malo = the rights and wrongs.

* lo caro = expensiveness.

* lo chicano = Chicana.

* lo chulo = coolness.

* lo cierto es que = fact is, the fact is (that).

* lo completo = completeness.

* lo completo que Algo está = fullness.

* lo creas o no = believe it or not.

* lo decisivo = the last word.

* lo definitivo = the last word.

* lo desagradable = unpleasantness.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be joking!, you must be kidding!.

* lo directo = directness.

* lo divertido = the fun part.

* lo engorroso de = cumbersomeness.

* lo esencial = essential, the, nuts and bolts, bare minimum, bare necessities, the, the lowdown (on).

* lo estrafalario = zaniness.

* lo estrambótico = zaniness.

* lo extenso = comprehensiveness.

* lo favorable = propitiousness.

* lo hebraico = Hebraica.

* lo hecho hecho está = no use crying over spilt/spilled milk.

* lo importante es lo que eres no cómo te llamas = a rose by any other name.

* lo imprescindible = bare necessities, the, bare minimum.

* lo incómodo de = cumbersomeness.

* lo indefinido = indefiniteness.

* lo indirecto = indirectness.

* lo indispensable = bare necessities, the, bare minimum.

* lo insulso = blandness.

* lo interesante = the fun part.

* lo judío = Judaica.

* lo lindo = cuteness.

* lo llano = flatness.

* lo más cercano a = the nearest thing to.

* lo más conveniente es que = optimally.

* lo más destacado = highlights.

* lo más detestado = pet hate.

* lo más importante = most of all, at its core.

* lo más interesante = highlights.

* lo más mínimo = so much as.

* lo más novedoso = the last word.

* lo más odiado = pet hate.

* lo más parecido a = the nearest thing to.

* lo más probable es que = most probably.

* lo más recio de = brunt of, the.

* lo más recóndito = nooks and crannies.

* lo máximo = the be all and end all, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* lo mejor = the top of the tree.

* lo mejor de = the beauty of, showpiece.

* lo mejor de ambas partes = the best of both worlds.

* lo mejor de lo mejor = the best of the best.

* lo mejor de todo = best of all.

* lo mejor entre lo mejor = the best of the best.

* lo mejor es que... = the good news is (that)....

* lo mejor está aún por llegar = the best is yet to come.

* lo mejor posible = to the best of + Posesivo + ability, at + Posesivo + (very) best, optimally.

* lo mejor que pueda = to the best of + Posesivo + ability.

* lo mejor que se puede hacer = the best bet.

* lo mejor + ser = the beautiful part + be.

* lo menos posible = as little as possible.

* lo mínimo = bare minimum, bare necessities, the.

* lo mismo ocurre con = the same goes for.

* lo mismo ocurre en el caso de = the same is true (for/of/with).

* lo mismo que = the same as, along the lines of, in much the same way as.

* lo mismo que antes = the same as before.

* lo mismo que para = the same as that for.

* lo mismo se aplica a = the same is true (for/of/with).

* lo molesto de = cumbersomeness.

* lo mucho que = how extensively.

* lo noble = high-mindedness.

* lo no convencional = unconventional, the.

* lo normal + ser + que = there + be + a tendency (to/for), there + be + a tendency (to/for).

* lo oportuno = timeliness.

* lo pasado pasado está = let bygones be bygones.

* lo peor de = brunt of, the.

* lo peor del = the armpit of the.

* lo pintoresco = quaintness.

* lo plano = flatness.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* lo poco convencional = unconventional, the.

* lo primero = for one, first off.

* lo primero de todo = first of all, first off.

* lo prometido es deuda = a promise is a promise.

* lo propicio = propitiousness.

* lo público = publicness.

* lo que = that which, what.

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

* lo que Algo o Alguien se merece, lo que le corresponde, bastante = fair share, fair share.

* lo que a uno cura a otro mata = one man's meat is another man's poison.

* lo que demuestra que = which (just) goes to show that.

* lo que el futuro depara a = what is on store for.

* lo que es aun más inquietante = more disturbingly.

* lo que es aun más preocupante = more disturbingly.

* lo que es aun mejor = better still.

* lo que es aun peor = worse still.

* lo que es bueno para uno es bueno para otro = what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* lo que es bueno para uno también es bueno para otro = what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

* lo que es más = what is more, what's more.

* lo que es más importante = most importantly, more importantly, most of all, most important.

* lo que es mejor aun = better still.

* lo que es muy importante = importantly.

* lo que es peor = what's worse.

* lo que es peor aun = worse still.

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

* lo que está bien y lo que está mal = rights and wrongs.

* lo que existe (en el mercado) = what's out there.

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

* lo que hay (en el mercado) = what's out there.

* lo que hay que hacer = do + the right thing, the way to go.

* lo que hay que hacer y lo que hay que evitar = do's and don'ts, rights and wrongs.

* lo que le corresponde = fair share.

* lo que nos espera = things to come.

* lo que quiera que = whatever.

* lo que sea = something or other.

* lo que se gana por un lado se pierde por otro = swings and roundabouts.

* lo que se pierda en una cosa se gana en la otra = what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.

* lo que + ser = what + be like.

* lo que se suele pagar = going rate, the.

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

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

* lo que vale para tí también vale para mí = what's good for the goose is good for the gander, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* lo rural = rurality.

* los = the, ye.

* los 365 días del año = year-round.

* los 40 principales = Top 40 singles chart.

* los abajo firmantes = the parties hereto.

* los acontecimientos = the course of events.

* lo sagrado = sacredness.

* los albores de = the dawn of.

* los años cincuenta = fifties.

* los años treinta = thirties.

* los árboles no dejan ver el bosque = lose + sight of the forest for the trees.

* los avatares de la guerra = the tides of war.

* los buenos tiempos = the good old days.

* los comienzos de = the dawn of.

* los constantes cambios de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* los de = those for, those in.

* los demás = rest, the, everybody else.

* los detalles de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* los días antes de = leading up to.

* los dos = both, both of them, both of which.

* los efectos negativos se están dejando sentir ahora = chickens come home to roost.

* los gobernantes = the powers-that-be.

* los hay para dar y regalar = there's one born every minute.

* los mandamás = the powers-that-be.

* los más necesitados = those most in need.

* los más pobres + Nombre = the poorest + Nombre.

* los menos locuaces = inarticulate, the.

* los motivos de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* los necesitados = the needy.

* los orígenes de = the dawn of.

* los otros con los que aparece(n) = neighbours [neighbors, -USA].

* los peores + Nombre = the poorest + Nombre.

* los poderes fáticos = the powers-that-be.

* los pormenores de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* Los Principios de París = Paris Principles.

* los que = those who.

* los que detentan el poder = the powers-that-be.

* los que mandan = the powers-that-be.

* los que no han recibido formación específica = uninstructed, the.

* los que + Verbo = those + Participio.

* los tribunales = the Bench.

* lo suficientemente cerca = within range.

* lo suficientemente cerca como para oír = within earshot of.

* lo suficientemente estúpido como para = dumb enough to.

* lo suficientemente grande = large enough, big enough.

* lo suficientemente lejos como para no poder oír = out of earshot.

* los últimos coletazos = fag-end.

* lo sumo = the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks, the cat's pyjamas.

* los unos a costa de los otros = at each other's expense.

* los viejos tiempos = the good old days.

* lo tomas o lo dejas = take it or leave it.

* lo último = the last word.

* lo uno es tan malo como lo otro = one is as bad as the other.

* lo vanguardista = cutting edge.

* lo yidish = Yiddica.

* parmarlas = kick + the bucket.

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

* * *

el (pl los), la; (pl las)

art

[ the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or, ha e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina]

A (con un referente único, conocido o que se define) the

el sol the sun

el lápiz/la goma/los lápices/las gomas que compré the pencil/the eraser/the pencils/the erasers I bought

no, ése no, el que te presté ayer/el de Julio/el rojo no, not that one, the one I lent you yesterday/Julio's/the red one

en la calle Solís in Solís Street

prefiero el mío/los tuyos I prefer mine/yours

me atendió el estúpido del marido that stupid husband of hers served me

yo soy la arquitecta, ella es lexicógrafa I'm the architect, she's a lexicographer

yo fui la que lo rompí or rompió I was the one who broke it

los nacidos entre … those born between …

los que faltamos ayer those of us who weren't here yesterday

¿cuál es Ardiles? — el del sombrero negro which one's Ardiles? — the one with the black hat

un encuentro al que asistieron muchas personalidades a meeting which was attended by many well known people

la obra de la que or de la cual hablábamos the play we were talking about

B

(con sustantivos en sentido genérico): me encanta la ópera I love opera

odio el pescado I hate fish

así es la vida that's life

(nosotros) los mexicanos lo sabemos muy bien we Mexicans know only too well

¿ya vas a la escuela? do you go to school yet?

ya salió del hospital she's out of the hospital ( AmE) o ( BrE) out of hospital

en el mar at sea

viajar por el espacio to travel in space

C

(en expresiones de tiempo): ocurrió el domingo de Pascua/en el verano del 76 it happened on Easter Sunday/in the summer of '76

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo my birthday's on May 28

el mes pasado/que viene last/next month

no trabaja los sábados she doesn't work (on) Saturdays

estudió toda la mañana he studied all morning

a las ocho at eight o'clock, at eight

a eso de las seis around six o'clock

D

(cada): lo venden a $80 el kilo/metro they're selling it at $80 a kilo/a meter o at $80 per kilo/meter

¿cuánto cuesta el paquete de diez? how much does a packet of ten cost?

E

(con fracciones, porcentajes, números): me dio la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero she gave me half the money/a quarter of the money

el 20% de los peruanos 20% of Peruvians

vivo en el cuarto I live on the fifth floor ( AmE) o ( BrE) fourth floor

F [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ]

(refiriéndose a partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc): con las manos en los bolsillos with my/your/his hands in my/your/his pockets

¡te cortaste el pelo! you've had your hair cut!

tienes la falda sucia your skirt is dirty

tienes el suéter puesto al revés you've got your sweater on inside out

tiene el pelo largo/los ojos azules he has long hair/blue eyes

G (con nombres propios)

1

(con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc): llamó el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal/el general Santos Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal/General Santos phoned

el gran Caruso the Great Caruso

2

(con nombres de mujeres famosas): la última película de la Monroe Monroe's last movie

3

(en plural): los Ortega (matrimonio) the Ortegas, Mr and Mrs Ortega; (familia) the Ortegas, the Ortega family

a los Josés se les suele llamar Pepe people called José are often known as Pepe

4 (fam: en muchas regiones crit)

(con nombres de pila): pregúntale a la Carmen/al Ricardo ask Carmen/Ricardo

5

(con algunos nombres geográficos): en la India in India

en (el) Perú in Peru

ver África, Argentina, el etc

6

(al calificar): la España de Franco Franco's Spain

el Buñuel que todos conocemos the Buñuel we all know

la Italia del siglo pasado Italy in the last century

7

(con algunos equipos deportivos): juegan contra el Juventus/el Barcelona they're playing against Juventus/Barcelona

H el

(con infinitivo): odiaba el tener que pedírselo he hated having to ask her

es cuidadoso y pausado en el hablar he's careful and deliberate in the way he speaks

el frenético girar de los bailarines the frenzied spinning of the dancers

al + INF ver a prep B 2. (↑ a 3)

* * *

Multiple Entries:
el
él
el (pl
◊ los), la (pl las) art the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or ha, e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina

1
a) ( en general) the;

◊ la Tierra the Earth

b) ( con sustantivos en sentido genérico):

◊ odio el pescado I hate fish;

así es la vida that's life;
(nosotros) los mexicanos we Mexicans;
¿ya vas a la escuela? do you go to school yet?
c) ( refiriéndose a algo que se conoce o se está definiendo):

◊ en la calle Solis in Solis street;

las tuyas yours;
el último the last one;
el estúpido del marido that stupid husband of hers
2
a) el + de:

◊ la del sombrero the one with the hat;

el de las nueve the nine o'clock one;
el de mi hijo my son's
b) el + que:

◊ las que yo ví the ones I saw;

los que estén cansados;
those who are tired, anyone who's tired;
la que te guste whichever you like
3 ( en expresiones de tiempo):
◊ ocurrió el domingo it happened last Sunday;

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo my birthday's on May 28;
el mes pasado last month;
toda la mañana all morning;
a las ocho at eight o'clock
4 ( cada):
◊ $80 el metro/kilo $80 a meter/a kilo, $80 per kilo/meter

5 (con fracciones, porcentajes, números):
◊ la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero half the money/a quarter of the money;

el 20% de … 20% of …
6 (con partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc):
◊ tenía las manos en los bolsillos she had her hands in her pockets;

¡te cortaste el pelo! you've had your hair cut!;
tiene los ojos azules he has blue eyes
7
a) (con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc):

◊ el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal;

los Ortega the Ortegas
b) ( con algunos nombres geográficos):

◊ en la India in India;

ver África, Argentina, etc
él pron pers
a) ( como sujeto) he;

◊ ¿quién se lo va a decir? — él who's going to tell her? — he is;

lo hizo él mismo he did it himself;
fue él it was him
b) (en comparaciones, con preposiciones) him;

( refiriéndose a cosas) it;
◊ llegué antes que él I arrived before him o before he did;

con/para él with/for him;
son de él they're his
el art def m
1 the
2 (no se traduce) (ante un tratamiento formal) el sr. Gómez, Mr Gomez
(cuando el sustantivo es general) el hambre/tiempo, hunger/time
3 (se traduce por un posesivo) (con partes del cuerpo) se ha cortado el pelo, she's cut her hair
(prendas) se lo metió en el bolsillo, he put it in his pocket
(pertenencias) guarda el diario en el cajón, put your diary into the drawer
4 (con días de la semana) iré el miércoles, I'll go on Wednesday
5 (cuando el sustantivo está elidido) the one: prefiero el azul, I prefer the blue one
el de las diez, the ten o'clock one
el que está en la mesa, the one that's on the table
el que más nos guste, whichever one we like best
(delante de un posesivo) el de María, Maria's
es el mío, it's mine
él pron pers
1 (sujeto) (persona) he
(animal, cosa) it: fue él, it was him, fue él el que..., it was him that... o it was he who...
2 (complemento) (persona) him
(animal, cosa) it
dáselo a él, give it to him, es para él, it's for him
3 (posesivo) de él, his
4 (oración comparativa) ella es mejor que él, she's better than him o she's better than he is
'él' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- abajo
- abalanzarse
- abaratarse
- abarquillarse
- abarrotar
- abarrotada
- abarrotado
- abastecimiento
- abatir
- abatimiento
- abdicar
- abierta
- abierto
- abismo
- abogada
- abogado
- abominar
- abominable
- abordar
- aborigen
- aborregarse
- abortar
- abotargada
- abotargado
- abrir
- abreviar
- abrirse
- absoluta
- absoluto
- abstención
- abundancia
- acabar
- acabarse
- acabose
- acallar
- acanallar
- accionariado
- acero
- achacosa
- achacoso
- achatamiento
- achicharrarse
- aclarar
- aclarado
- acomodarse
- acompañar
- acondicionar
- acostumbrada
- acostumbrado
English:
A
- abandon
- ABC
- ability
- about
- above
- abroad
- abseil
- absence
- absent
- absolute
- absolve
- absorb
- abstract
- academic
- accelerate
- accommodate
- accomplice
- account
- accurately
- accusation
- accused
- accustom
- aching
- act
- act on
- act up
- actual
- actually
- acute
- address
- adequately
- adjourn
- admission
- admit
- advance
- advanced
- advantage
- advantageous
- advise
- advocate
- affair
- afford
- afloat
- afraid
- after
- against
- age
- agenda
- aggregate

* * *

el (f la, mpl los, fpl las) art determinado el is used instead of la before feminine nouns which are stressed on the first syllable and begin with “a” or “ha” (e.g. el agua, el hacha). Note that el combines with the prepositions a and de to produce the contracted forms al and del.

1. [con valor especificador] the;

el coche the car;

la casa the house;

los niños the children;

el agua/hacha/águila the water/axe/eagle;

fui a recoger a los niños I went to pick up the children

2. [con sustantivo abstracto, valor genérico]
el amor love;

la vida life;

el hombre Man, human beings;

los derechos de la mujer women's rights;

los niños imitan a los adultos children copy adults;

el pan es un alimento básico bread is a basic food;

la mayoría de la gente no la conoce most people don't know her;

vuelve el biquini bikinis are back

3. [indica posesión, pertenencia]
se partió la pierna he broke his leg;

se quitó los zapatos she took her shoes off;

tiene el pelo oscuro he has dark hair;

me han robado la maleta my suitcase has been stolen;

se dieron la mano they shook hands

4. [con días de la semana, fechas, horas]
vuelven el sábado they're coming back on Saturday;

los domingos vamos al cine we go to the movies (on) Sundays;

llegaré el 1 de mayo [escrito] I'll arrive on 1 May;
[hablado] I'll arrive on the first of May;
son las siete it's seven o'clock;

el año pasado/que viene last/next year

5. [con nombres propios geográficos]
el Sena the (River) Seine;

el Everest (Mount) Everest;

la India India;

La Haya The Hague;

El Cairo Cairo;

la España de la posguerra post-war Spain

6. [con apellido]
la señora Márquez Mrs Márquez;

el señor/el doctor Juárez Mr/Doctor Juárez;

los Amaya [matrimonio] Mr and Mrs Amaya, the Amayas;
[familia completa] the Amayas, the Amaya family;
los Austrias the Hapsburgs;

el Hitler español the Spanish Hitler

7. Fam [con nombre propio de persona]
llama a la María call Maria

8. [con numerales, porcentajes, fracciones]
el siete es mi número de la suerte seven's my lucky number;

llegó el tercero he came third;

el tercer piso the third floor;

un aumento del 30 por ciento a 30 percent increase;

la quinta parte (de) a fifth (of);

el 20 por ciento (de) 20 percent (of)

9. [en proporciones, precios]
100 pesos el kilo 100 pesos a o per kilo

10. [con complemento especificativo]
el/la del sombrero the one with the hat;

los/las de azul [cosas] the blue ones;
[personas] the ones in blue;
he perdido el tren, cogeré el de las nueve I've missed the train, I'll get the nine o'clock one;

el de aquí this one here;

¿los del parque son amigos tuyos? were those people in the park friends of yours?;

prefiero las del escaparate I prefer the ones in the window;

los del fondo no se callan the people at the back won't shut up

11. [con complemento posesivo]
mi hermano y el de Juan my brother and Juan's;

el mío mine;

la tuya yours;

los suyos theirs

12. [con adjetivo]
prefiero el rojo al azul I prefer the red one to the blue one;

el/la mejor the best;

es la mejor de la clase she's the best in the class, she's top of the class;

los seleccionados realizarán un examen those chosen will sit an exam;

el tonto de Ignacio se equivocó that idiot Ignacio got it wrong

13. [con infinitivo]
el beber tanto acabó con él all that drinking is what finished him off;

es amante del buen comer she loves good food;

me sienta mal el tener que decírtelo I don't like to have to tell you

14. [con frases subordinadas]
el/la que [cosa] whichever;
[persona] whoever;
los/las que [cosas] whichever;
[personas] whoever;
coge el/los que quieras take whichever you like;

el que más corra whoever runs fastest, the one who runs the fastest;

las que quieran venir que levanten la mano those who want to come o anyone who wants to come should put their hand up;

el que no te guste no quiere decir que sea malo the fact that you don't like him doesn't make him a bad person

15. [con valor enfático]
¡la pena que me dio verlo en ese estado! I felt so sorry for him when I saw him in that state!

* * *

el

I art the

II pron

:

el de … that of …;

el de Juan Juan’s;

el más grande the biggest (one);

el que está … the one that is …

* * *

él pron

: he, him

él es mi amigo: he's my friend

hablaremos con él: we will speak with him

el pron, (referring to masculine nouns)

1) : the one

tengo mi libro y el tuyo: I have my book and yours

de los cantantes me gusta el de México: I prefer the singer from México

2)

el que : he who, whoever, the one that

el que vino ayer: the one who came yesterday

el que trabaja duro estará contento: he who works hard will be happy

el, la art, pl los, las : the

los niños están en la casa: the boys are in the house

me duele el pie: my foot hurts

* * *

el det

1. the

¿qué te pareció el libro? what did you think of the book?

perdimos el tren we missed the train

2. (posesivo) my / your / his / her etcétera

me rompí el brazo I broke my arm

es el hermano de María it's María's brother

¿te has cortado el pelo? have you had your hair cut?

se puso el jersey he put his jumper on

3. (característica) the one

¿cuál prefieres? el azul which one do you prefer? the blue one

el del pelo largo the one with long hair

el de la camisa negra the one in the black shirt

me gusta el de Alejo I like Alejo's

¡Ojo! Algunas veces no se traduce

¿quieres salir el sábado? do you want to go out on Saturday?

el Sr. García Mr. García

me gusta el arroz I like rice

el que (persona) the one who / the one that (cosa) the one which / the one that

el que llegó primero the one who came first

el que me dejaste the one you lent me

el que (quienquiera) whoever

con el que that... with

el chico con el que salgo the boy that I go out with

el cuchillo con el que lo corté the knife that I cut it with

en el que that... in

el cajón en el que lo puse the drawer that I put it in

el coche en el que iban the car that they were in

Spanish-English dictionary > el
5 él

art.

the (in general).

el coche the car

la casa the house

los niños the children

el agua/hacha/águila the water/ax/eagle

fui a recoger a los niños I went to pick up the children

* * *

el

► determinante

1 the

■ el coche the car

■ el agua water

■ el Japón Japan

■ la Sra. Rodríguez Mrs. Rodríguez

■ llegó el martes he arrived on Tuesday

2 el de the one

■ el del traje azul the one in the blue suit

■ el de Valencia the one from Valencia

■ el de tu hermano your brother's

■ el de hoy today's

3 el que (persona - sujeto) the one who; (- objeto) the one, the one that, the one whom

■ el que vino ayer the one who came yesterday

■ el que vi the one I saw

4 (cosa) the one, the one that, the one which

■ el que me diste the one (that) you gave me

* * *
1. pron.
the one

- el que
2. art.
the

* * *

el; la; los; las
ART DEF
1) [con nombres de referente único o concreto] the

el sol — the sun

perdí el autobús — I missed the bus

¿está fría el agua? — is the water cold?

¿ha llegado ya el abogado? — has the lawyer arrived yet?

el tío ese — * that chap

2) [en algunos casos no se traduce]

a) [con nombres propios]

La India — India

en el México de hoy — in present-day Mexico

el Real Madrid ganó la liga — Real Madrid won the league

el General Prim — General Prim

¿qué manda la señora? — what would madam like?

ha llamado el Sr. Sendra — Mr. Sendra called

dáselo a la Luisa — * give it to Luisa

b) [con nombres en sentido genérico]

me gusta el baloncesto — I like basketball

no me gusta el pescado — I don't like fish

está en la cárcel — he's in jail

c) [con infinitivo]

el hacerlo fue un error — doing it was a mistake, it was a mistake to do it

d) [con cifras, proporciones]

la mitad de la población — half of the population

ahora gano el 3% más — I now earn 3% more

3) [traducido por el posesivo]

se lavó las manos — he washed his hands

me he cortado el pelo — I've had my hair cut

ayer me lavé la cabeza — I washed my hair yesterday

me puse el abrigo — I put my coat on

4) [con expresiones temporales]

a las ocho — at eight o'clock

a los quince días — after a fortnight

vendrá el lunes que viene — he's coming next Monday

la reunión será el 15 de abril — the meeting's on 15 April

en el mes de julio — in (the month of) July

5) (=uso distributivo)

cuesta dos euros el kilo — it costs two euros a kilo

6) [en exclamaciones]

¡el frío que hacía! — it was freezing!

7) [posesivo]

• el de, mi libro y el de usted — my book and yours

este jugador y el de la camisa azul — this player and the one in the blue shirt

el del sombrero rojo — the one with o in the red hat

es un traje bonito, pero prefiero el de Ana — it's a nice suit, but I prefer Ana's

y el de todos los demás — and that of everybody else, and everybody else's

el idiota de Pedro no me contestó al teléfono — that idiot Pedro didn't answer the phone

8)

• el que —

a) + indic

el que compramos no vale — the one we bought is no good

a los que mencionamos añádase este — add this one to the ones we mentioned

yo fui el que lo encontró — I was the one who found it

él es el que quiere — it's he who wants to, he's the one who wants to

los que hacen eso son tontos — anyone who does that is a fool, those who do so are foolish

b) + subjun whoever

el que quiera, que lo haga — whoever wants to can do it

* * *

pronombre personal

a) ( como sujeto) he

él me lo dijo — he told me

¿quién se lo va a decir? - él — who's going to tell her? - he is

lo hizo él mismo — he did it himself

fue él — it was him, it was he (frml)

b) (en comparaciones, con preposiciones) him; ( refiriéndose a cosas) it

llegué antes que él — I arrived before him o before he did

eres tan alto como él — you are as tall as him o as he is

con/contra/para él — with/against/for him

son de él — they're his

con/contra/para él — with/against/for him

* * *

(pl los), la (pl las) articulo

[the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or ha, e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina]

1)

a) ( con un referente único) the

el sol — the sun

la Tierra — the Earth

b) ( con sustantivos en sentido genérico)

odio el pescado — I hate fish

así es la vida — that's life

(nosotros) los mexicanos — we Mexicans

¿ya vas a la escuela? — do you go to school yet?

en el mar — at sea

c) ( con un referente conocido o que se define)

en la calle Solis — in Solis street

el mío/las tuyas — mine/yours

el rojo/último — the red/last one

el estúpido del marido — that stupid husband of hers

los nacidos entre... — those born between...

2)

a)

el + de...: la del sombrero the one with the hat; el de Valencia the one from Valencia; el de las nueve the nine o'clock one; el de Juan/de mi hijo — Juan's/my son's

b)

el + que...: el que acaba de entrar the one who's just come in; las que yo ví the ones I saw; los que estén cansados; those who are tired, anyone who's tired; la que te guste whichever you like; el que lo haya hecho — whoever has done it

3) ( en expresiones de tiempo)

ocurrió el domingo — it happened last Sunday

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo — my birthday's on May 28

el mes pasado/que viene — last/next month

no trabajo los sábados — I don't work (on) Saturdays

toda la mañana — all morning

a las ocho — at eight o'clock

4) ( cada)

$80 el metro/kilo — $80 a meter/a kilo

5) (con fracciones, porcentajes, números)

la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero — half the money/a quarter of the money

el 20% de... — 20% of...

el cuarto piso — the fifth floor (AmE) o (BrE) fourth floor

6) (refiriéndose a partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc)

tenía las manos en los bolsillos — she had her hands in her pockets

te cortaste el pelo! — you've had your hair cut!

tienes la falda sucia — your skirt is dirty

tiene los ojos azules — he has blue eyes

7) ( con nombres propios)

a) (con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc)

el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal — Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal

b) ( en plural)

los Ortega — the Ortegas

c) ( con algunos nombres geográficos)

en la India — in India

en (el) Perú — in Peru; ver África, Argentina, etc

d) ( al calificar)

la España de Franco — Franco's Spain

el Buñuel que todos conocemos — the Buñuel we all know

e) ( con algunos equipos deportivos)

juegan contra el Juventus — they're playing against Juventus

8) el ( con infinitivo)

odiaba el tener que pedírselo — he hated having to ask her

es cuidadoso en el hablar — he's careful in the way he speaks

el frenético girar de los bailarines — the frenzied spinning of the dancers

* * *

el²

= the, ye.

Nota: Forma arcaica.

Ex: The first institute, 'The Catalog: Its Nature and Prospects,' was held in New York City on October 9 and 10, 1975.

Ex: The article 'Ye olde smart card' presents an annotated list of information sources on the credit card industry.

* a lo extremo = to the extreme.

* aunque no lo creas = believe it or not.

* barrio de los ricos = upper town.

* de los mejores = as good as any.

* el abuelo de = the granddaddy of.

* el acabose = the last straw.

* el alcance = comprehensiveness.

* el amor de + Posesivo + vida = the love of + Posesivo + life.

* el año próximo = the year ahead.

* el arte de = the art of, the fine art of.

* el ataque es la mejor defensa = attack is the best form of defence.

* el auténtico = the real McCoy.

* el beneficio de la duda = the benefit of the doubt.

* el bien de = the good of.

* el buenazo de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el bueno de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el camino a seguir = the way ahead, the way to go.

* el camino correcto = the way ahead, the way to go.

* el camino hacia + Nombre + está lleno de + Nombre = the road (to/towards) + Nombre + is paved with + Nombre.

* el camino hacia + Nombre + está plagado de + Nombre = the road (to/towards) + Nombre + is paved with + Nombre.

* el camino por recorrer = the way ahead.

* el camino que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* el camino recorrido = the road travelled so far.

* el camino se hace andando = actions speak louder than words.

* el centro de atención + ser = all eyes + be + on.

* el charco = the big pond.

* el ciudadano de a pie = the average Joe.

* el ciudadano medio = the average Joe.

* el cliente siempre tiene la razón = the customer is always right.

* el colmo = the last straw.

* el consejo de otra persona = a second opinion.

* el copón = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* el corazón de = the heart of.

* el crecimiento de = the rising tide of.

* el cual = which.

* el de = that in, that of.

* el diablo está en los detalles = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* el día del Juicio Final = the Day of Judgement.

* El Diluvio = the Flood.

* el dinero es el origen de todos los males = money is the root of all evil.

* el dinero es la fuente de todos los males = money is the root of all evil.

* el dinero mueve al mundo = money makes the world go (a)round.

* el dinero no crece en los árboles = money doesn't grow on trees.

* el doble = twice + as many.

* el doble de = twice + the number of.

* El Dorado = El Dorado.

* el enemigo en casa = the enemy within.

* el entonces + Nombre = the then + Nombre.

* el espíritu de la época = the spirit of the times.

* el estado de las cosas = the lay of the land [the lie of the land, -UK].

* el evitar = avoidance.

* el éxito genera éxito = success breeds success (SBS).

* el éxito llama al éxito = success breeds success (SBS).

* el final de = the close of.

* el final de los problemas = the light at the end of the tunnel.

* el fin del mundo = the ends of the earth.

* el fin de semana = over the weekend, at the weekend.

* el fin de todos los fines = the end of all ends.

* el fin justifica los medios = the end justifies the means.

* el fruto de + Nombre = the fruit of + Nombre.

* el futuro = the way ahead, the way of the future.

* el futuro + estar + justo a la vuelta de la esquina = the future + be + just around the corner.

* el Gato con Botas = Puss in Boots.

* el grado de = the extent of.

* el grado de + Nombre = the breadth and depth of + Nombre.

* el grado en que = the extent to which.

* el gran hermano = big brother.

* el guapo de + Nombre = good old + Nombre.

* el hecho es que = fact is, the fact is (that).

* el hecho es que... = the fact of the matter is that....

* el hombre de la calle = the average Joe.

* el hombre no es una isla = no man is an island.

* el hombre propone y Dios dispone = Man proposes, God disposes.

* el impulsor de = the power behind.

* el interés público = the public interest.

* El Juicio Final = The Last Judgement.

* el lastre de = the shackles of.

* el llevar = carrying.

* el lugar que le corresponde a = the due place of.

* El Mago de Oz = The Wizard of Oz, The Wizard of Oz.

* el más = all-time.

* el más + Adjetivo = the most + Adjetivo.

* el más allá = hereafter.

* el más bajo = rock-bottom.

* el más favorito del mes = pick of the month.

* el más leído = the most widely read.

* el más recomendado = best of breed, the.

* el Mediterráneo = Mediterranean Sea, the, the Med.

* el mejor = best of breed, the.

* el mejor de todos = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* el mejor hasta ahora = the best yet.

* el mejor modo de = the best way of.

* el mejor momento de todos = the time of all times.

* el mejor + Nombre = the best available + Nombre.

* el mejor que ha hecho hasta ahora = Posesivo + best yet.

* el mentir = lying.

* el mes pasado = last month.

* el mío = mine.

* el mismo + Nombre (+ que) = every bit as much + Nombre (+ as).

* el mismo número = as many.

* el modo como = the way in which.

* el modo de = the way in which.

* el modo de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* el momento preciso = the point in time at which.

* el motor de = the power behind.

* el movimiento se demuestra andando = actions speak louder than words.

* el muerto al hoyo y el vivo al bollo = dead men have no friends.

* el mundo de las noticias = newsmaking.

* el mundo en la palma de la mano = the world in the palm of + Posesivo + hand.

* el mundo está a sus pies = the world is + Posesivo + oyster.

* el mundo es un pañuelo = it's a small world.

* el + Nombre + correcto al + Nombre + adecuado en el momento oportuno = the right + Nombre + to the right + Nombre + at the right time.

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

* el + Nombre + más completo = the + Nombre + to end all + Nombre.

* el no va más = the be all and end all, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el nuevo aspecto de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* el orgullo de = showpiece.

* el otro lado de la barrera = the other side of the fence.

* el padre de = the father of.

* el pan nuestro de cada día = all in a day's work.

* el paso del tiempo = the passage of time, the sands of time.

* el peor de todos = the worst of the lot.

* el perro es el mejor amigo del hombre = a dog is man's best friend.

* el peso de = brunt of, the.

* el populacho = the great unwashed.

* el porqué de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* el portavoz de = the voice of.

* el presente = thisness.

* el primer intento = the first time around.

* el primer + Nombre = the earliest + Nombre.

* el primero mencionado = former.

* el principal = the number one.

* el principio de = the dawn of.

* el principio del fin = the beginning of the end.

* el principio de + Mes/Estación = early + Mes/Estación.

* el problema no es el qué, sino el cómo = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* el problema obvio = the elephant in the room.

* el proletariado = the great unwashed.

* el pulmón de = the heart of.

* el punto más bajo = rock-bottom.

* el que = that, the one.

* el que aprende = learner.

* el que las hace, las paga = you've made your bed, now you must lie in it!.

* el que lo encuentre se lo queda = finders keepers.

* el que mantiene a la familia = breadwinner [bread winner].

* el que mucho abarca poco aprieta = jack of all trades, master of none.

* el que no llora, no mama = the squeaky (squeaking) wheel gets the grease (the oil/oiled).

* el que no se aventura no cruza el mar = nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* el que pregunta = inquirer [enquirer, -UK].

* el quid de la cuestión = the crux of the problem, the crux of the matter.

* el registro de los registros = record-of-record.

* el registro modelo = record-of-record.

* el resto = rest, the.

* el resto (de) = the remainder (of), the rest (of).

* El Salvador = El Salvador.

* el segundo mencionado = latter.

* el sendero que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* el ser barato = cheapness.

* el siguiente no, el otro = next but one.

* el sitio adecuado en el momento adecuado = the right place at the right time.

* el sueño de toda persona = the stuff dreams are made of.

* el sueño de todos = the stuff dreams are made of.

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

* el súmmum = the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el tamaño de = the extent of.

* el tema de la discusión = the focus of the discussion.

* el tema del debate = the focus of the discussion.

* el tiempo de Algo = in season.

* el tiempo es oro = time is money.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* el tiempo vuela = time flies (by).

* el tipo de = the range of.

* el todo es más grande que la suma de sus partes = the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

* el total de = the total sum of, the sum total of.

* el transcurrir del tiempo = the sands of time.

* el transcurso del tiempo = as time goes by.

* el último citado = latter.

* el último grito = the last word, the cat's meow, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* el último + Nombre = the latest + Nombre.

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

* el único = the one and only.

* el único e incomparable = the one and only.

* el único e inimitable = the one and only.

* el único problema = a fly in the soup, the fly in the ointment.

* el verdadero = the real McCoy.

* el verdadero problema = the elephant in the room.

* el ver televisión = television viewing.

* el viejo = the elder.

* el vulgo = the great unwashed.

* el yugo de = the shackles of.

* espicharlas = kick + the bucket.

* la = the, ye.

* la alternativa + ser = the alternative + be.

* la belleza es superficial = beauty is only skin deep.

* La Biblioteca Responde = Ask the Library.

* la Biblioteca y el Archivo de Canadá = Library and Archives Canada.

* la buena noticia = the good news.

* la calidad es nuestro lema = quality is our middle name.

* la calma que precede a la tormenta = the lull before the storm.

* la cambiante fisonomía de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* la caridad empieza por uno mismo = charity begins at home.

* la ciudadana de a pie = the average Jane.

* la ciudadana media = the average Jane.

* la ciudad que nunca duerme = the city that never sleeps.

* la clave de = at the heart of.

* la clave está en la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* la comunidad en general = the community at large.

* la Convención de la Haya de 1954 = the 1954 Hague Convention.

* la copa del árbol = the top of the tree.

* la cosa es que = the thing is.

* la cosa principal = the number one thing.

* la crème de la crème = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* la cruz de = the bane of.

* la cuestión es que = the thing is.

* la década de los + Número = the + Número + s.

* la demanda de = a call for.

* la diversidad de = the range of.

* la diversidad de + Nombre = the many + Nombre.

* la edad se lleva en el alma = you are as old as you feel.

* la época de Algo = in season.

* la escoria de la sociedad = the gutter.

* la espalda de = the back of.

* la evidencia = the writing on the wall.

* la fe mueve montañas = faith will move mountains.

* la filosofía de = the reason behind, the reasoning behind.

* la flor de + Nombre = the prime of + Nombre.

* la flor y nata = the cream of the crop, crème de la crème.

* la forma correcta de hacer las cosas = the way to go.

* la forma de = ways and means (of/for/to/in/by).

* la forma de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* la forma de ver las cosas = the way + to see things.

* la fuerza de la mayoría = strength in numbers.

* la gente decía que = rumour had it that.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

* la gente se está inquietando = the natives are nervous.

* la gente se está poniendo nerviosa = the natives are nervous.

* la gente se puso de pie para aplaudir = standing ovation.

* la gota que colmó el vaso = the straw that broke the camel's back.

* la Gran Manzana = the Big Apple.

* la gran mayoría de = the vast majority of, the bulk of.

* la historia + repetirse = history + come full circle.

* la historia + volverse a repetir = history + come full circle.

* la hostia = the cat's pyjamas, the cat's pyjamas, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* la hoz y el martillo = the hammer and sickle.

* la idea que hay detrás de = the idea behind.

* la imaginación no tiene límites = your imagination is the limit.

* la imitación es la mejor forma de que lo halaguen a uno = imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

* La Isla del Tesoro = Treasure Island.

* la joya de = showpiece.

* la judicatura = the Bench.

* la justicia = the Bench.

* la juventud no es cuestión de edad sino de espíritu = you are as old as you feel.

* la leche = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la luz al final del túnel = the light at the end of the tunnel.

* la magistratura = the Bench.

* la manera de + Infinitivo = the way to go about + Gerundio.

* la mano que mece la cuna es la mano que domina el mundo = the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

* la mano que mece la cuna gobierna el mundo = the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

* la mar de = a whole slew of.

* la mayoría con mucho de = the vast majority of.

* la mayoría de = the majority of, most + Nombre, the main bulk of.

* la mayoría de la gente = most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría de las personas = most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría de las veces = most of the time, more often than not.

* la mayoría del mundo = the majority of the world, most people, the majority of the people.

* la mayoría del tiempo = most of the time.

* la mayor parte de = the majority of, the main bulk of, the lion's share of.

* la mayor parte de las veces = more often than not.

* la medida en que = the extent to which.

* la mejor forma de hacer Algo = best practices, lessons learned [lessons learnt].

* la mejor manera = how best.

* la mejor manera de = the best way of.

* la mejor oferta = the best deal.

* la mejor opción = the best bet.

* la mejor salida = the best way forward.

* la mejor solución = the best way forward.

* la menor duda de que = no doubt whatsoever.

* la mentira = lying.

* la mirada en = eye(s) on.

* la misma persona = one and the same person.

* la mitad (1/2) = one-half (1/2).

* la necesidad agudiza el ingenio = necessity mothers invention.

* la ocasión la pintan calva = make + hay while the sun shines.

* la opinión de otra persona = a second opinion.

* la oportunidad de + Posesivo + vida = the opportunity of a lifetime.

* la parte de atrás de = the back of.

* la parte más dura de = brunt of, the.

* la parte más importante = the heart of.

* la parte principal de = the bulk of.

* la parte superior izquierda de = the upper left of.

* la parte trasera de = the back of.

* la personificación de la confianza en uno mismo = confidence personified.

* la pesadilla de = the bane of.

* la pesca del día = the day's catch, the catch of the day.

* la petición de = a call for.

* la píldora = the pill.

* la plebe = the great unwashed.

* la polla = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la práctica hace al maestro = practice makes perfect.

* la primera tentativa = the first time around.

* la primera vez = the first time around.

* la proporción mayor de = the lion's share of.

* la próxima moda = the next hot thing.

* la puntilla = the final/last nail in + Posesivo + coffin.

* la que = that, the one.

* la razón de ser = the reason for being.

* la realidad es que = the fact remains that..., fact is, the fact is (that).

* la rehostia = the dog's bollocks, the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's whiskers.

* la responsabilidad ahora recae en + Nombre = the ball is in + Posesivo + court.

* la responsabilidad es de... = the buck + stops....

* la riqueza de = the wealth of.

* la ruina de = the bane of.

* las = the, ye.

* las 24 horas = round the clock, around the clock.

* las apariencias engañan = don't judge a book by its cover, there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las ataduras de = the shackles of.

* las autoridades = the powers-that-be.

* las cosas + cambiar = pendulum + swing.

* las cosas + estar + claras = the (hand)writing + be + on the wall, see it + coming.

* las cosas no pasan así como así = everything happens for a reason (and a purpose).

* las cosas no pasan (así) porque sí = everything happens for a reason (and a purpose).

* las cosas no son tan simples como parecen = there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las cosas + seguir + igual = business + revolve + as usual.

* las cosas siguen igual = business as usual.

* las cosas sólo pasan una vez = lightning never strikes twice.

* las cosas son más complicadas de lo que parecen = there's more to it than meets the eye.

* las cosas tal y como son = the birds and the bees.

* las cosas + volver + a su punto de partida = the wheel + turn + full circle.

* las de = those for.

* las doce del mediodía = noon.

* la segunda mitad de + Fecha = the latter part of + Fecha.

* la segunda opción = the next best choice.

* la segunda vez = the second time around.

* la semana pasada = last week.

* la senda que lleva a = a/the doorway to.

* la situación = the course of events.

* la sociedad en general = society at large.

* las posibilidades son infinitas = the possibilities are endless.

* las profundidades del mar = the deep.

* las profundidades del océano = the deep.

* las pruebas = the writing on the wall.

* las raíces se encuentran = roots + lie.

* las raíces se remontan a = roots + lie.

* las razones de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* las Reglas de Cutter para un Catálogo Diccionario = Cutter's Rules for a Dictionary Catalog.

* las triquiñuelas de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* la suerte + cambiar = the tide + turn.

* la suerte estaba echada = the die was cast, the die had been cast.

* la suerte está echada = the die is cast.

* la suma total de = the total sum of, the sum total of.

* las uvas están verdes = sour grapes.

* las veinticuatro horas = day and night, day or night, night and day.

* la temporada de Algo = in season.

* la tierra de la abundancia = the land of plenty.

* la tierra de las oportunidades = the land of opportunity.

* la tira de = a whole slew of.

* la tira de tiempo = donkey's years.

* la triste realidad es que = the sad fact is (that).

* la última palabra = the last word, the last word, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* la última vez = last time.

* la última vez que = the last time.

* la única pega = the fly in the ointment, a fly in the soup.

* la unión hace la fuerza = strength in numbers.

* la ventaja de = the beauty of.

* la ventaja es que = on the positive side, the advantage is that, on the bright side.

* la verdad = the lowdown (on).

* la verdad es que = if the truth be known, if the truth be told, the fact is (that), fact is.

* la verdad es que... = the fact of the matter is that....

* la verdad sea dicha = to tell the truth.

* la verdad sea dicha que = if the truth be told.

* la Vía Láctea = the Milky Way.

* la vida continúa = the show must go on.

* la vida + continuar = life + go on.

* la vida es así = life's like that.

* ¡la vida no es un camino de rosas! = the course of true love never did run smooth!.

* la vida + seguir = life + go on.

* la víspera de = on the eve of.

* la voz de = the voice of.

* la voz de la conciencia = the voice within.

* la voz de la experiencia = the voice of experience.

* la voz de la razón = the voice of reason.

* la voz del odio = the voice of hate.

* la voz interior = the voice within.

* lo absurdo = ridiculousness.

* lo adecuado = adequacy.

* lo + Adjetivo + que sea/esté = how + Adjetivo.

* lo anodino = blandness.

* lo anteriormente expuesto = the preceding.

* lo apropiado = appropriateness.

* lo barato = inexpensiveness.

* lo básico = essential, the, nuts and bolts, bare minimum, bare necessities, the, the lowdown (on).

* lo bastante elevado = high enough.

* lo bastante extenso = adequately scoped.

* lo bueno de = the beauty of.

* lo bueno es que = the good news is (that)..., on the positive side, on the bright side.

* lo bueno viene en frascos pequeños = small is beautiful.

* lo bueno y lo malo = the rights and wrongs.

* lo caro = expensiveness.

* lo chicano = Chicana.

* lo chulo = coolness.

* lo cierto es que = fact is, the fact is (that).

* lo completo = completeness.

* lo completo que Algo está = fullness.

* lo creas o no = believe it or not.

* lo decisivo = the last word.

* lo definitivo = the last word.

* lo desagradable = unpleasantness.

* ¿lo dices en broma? = you must be joking!, you must be kidding!.

* lo directo = directness.

* lo divertido = the fun part.

* lo engorroso de = cumbersomeness.

* lo esencial = essential, the, nuts and bolts, bare minimum, bare necessities, the, the lowdown (on).

* lo estrafalario = zaniness.

* lo estrambótico = zaniness.

* lo extenso = comprehensiveness.

* lo favorable = propitiousness.

* lo hebraico = Hebraica.

* lo hecho hecho está = no use crying over spilt/spilled milk.

* lo importante es lo que eres no cómo te llamas = a rose by any other name.

* lo imprescindible = bare necessities, the, bare minimum.

* lo incómodo de = cumbersomeness.

* lo indefinido = indefiniteness.

* lo indirecto = indirectness.

* lo indispensable = bare necessities, the, bare minimum.

* lo insulso = blandness.

* lo interesante = the fun part.

* lo judío = Judaica.

* lo lindo = cuteness.

* lo llano = flatness.

* lo más cercano a = the nearest thing to.

* lo más conveniente es que = optimally.

* lo más destacado = highlights.

* lo más detestado = pet hate.

* lo más importante = most of all, at its core.

* lo más interesante = highlights.

* lo más mínimo = so much as.

* lo más novedoso = the last word.

* lo más odiado = pet hate.

* lo más parecido a = the nearest thing to.

* lo más probable es que = most probably.

* lo más recio de = brunt of, the.

* lo más recóndito = nooks and crannies.

* lo máximo = the be all and end all, the bee's knees, the cat's pyjamas, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks.

* lo mejor = the top of the tree.

* lo mejor de = the beauty of, showpiece.

* lo mejor de ambas partes = the best of both worlds.

* lo mejor de lo mejor = the best of the best.

* lo mejor de todo = best of all.

* lo mejor entre lo mejor = the best of the best.

* lo mejor es que... = the good news is (that)....

* lo mejor está aún por llegar = the best is yet to come.

* lo mejor posible = to the best of + Posesivo + ability, at + Posesivo + (very) best, optimally.

* lo mejor que pueda = to the best of + Posesivo + ability.

* lo mejor que se puede hacer = the best bet.

* lo mejor + ser = the beautiful part + be.

* lo menos posible = as little as possible.

* lo mínimo = bare minimum, bare necessities, the.

* lo mismo ocurre con = the same goes for.

* lo mismo ocurre en el caso de = the same is true (for/of/with).

* lo mismo que = the same as, along the lines of, in much the same way as.

* lo mismo que antes = the same as before.

* lo mismo que para = the same as that for.

* lo mismo se aplica a = the same is true (for/of/with).

* lo molesto de = cumbersomeness.

* lo mucho que = how extensively.

* lo noble = high-mindedness.

* lo no convencional = unconventional, the.

* lo normal + ser + que = there + be + a tendency (to/for), there + be + a tendency (to/for).

* lo oportuno = timeliness.

* lo pasado pasado está = let bygones be bygones.

* lo peor de = brunt of, the.

* lo peor del = the armpit of the.

* lo pintoresco = quaintness.

* lo plano = flatness.

* lo poco común = rarity, rareness.

* lo poco convencional = unconventional, the.

* lo primero = for one, first off.

* lo primero de todo = first of all, first off.

* lo prometido es deuda = a promise is a promise.

* lo propicio = propitiousness.

* lo público = publicness.

* lo que = that which, what.

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

* lo que Algo o Alguien se merece, lo que le corresponde, bastante = fair share, fair share.

* lo que a uno cura a otro mata = one man's meat is another man's poison.

* lo que demuestra que = which (just) goes to show that.

* lo que el futuro depara a = what is on store for.

* lo que es aun más inquietante = more disturbingly.

* lo que es aun más preocupante = more disturbingly.

* lo que es aun mejor = better still.

* lo que es aun peor = worse still.

* lo que es bueno para uno es bueno para otro = what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* lo que es bueno para uno también es bueno para otro = what's good for the goose is good for the gander.

* lo que es más = what is more, what's more.

* lo que es más importante = most importantly, more importantly, most of all, most important.

* lo que es mejor aun = better still.

* lo que es muy importante = importantly.

* lo que es peor = what's worse.

* lo que es peor aun = worse still.

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

* lo que está bien y lo que está mal = rights and wrongs.

* lo que existe (en el mercado) = what's out there.

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

* lo que hay (en el mercado) = what's out there.

* lo que hay que hacer = do + the right thing, the way to go.

* lo que hay que hacer y lo que hay que evitar = do's and don'ts, rights and wrongs.

* lo que le corresponde = fair share.

* lo que nos espera = things to come.

* lo que quiera que = whatever.

* lo que sea = something or other.

* lo que se gana por un lado se pierde por otro = swings and roundabouts.

* lo que se pierda en una cosa se gana en la otra = what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.

* lo que + ser = what + be like.

* lo que se suele pagar = going rate, the.

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

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

* lo que vale para tí también vale para mí = what's good for the goose is good for the gander, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

* lo rural = rurality.

* los = the, ye.

* los 365 días del año = year-round.

* los 40 principales = Top 40 singles chart.

* los abajo firmantes = the parties hereto.

* los acontecimientos = the course of events.

* lo sagrado = sacredness.

* los albores de = the dawn of.

* los años cincuenta = fifties.

* los años treinta = thirties.

* los árboles no dejan ver el bosque = lose + sight of the forest for the trees.

* los avatares de la guerra = the tides of war.

* los buenos tiempos = the good old days.

* los comienzos de = the dawn of.

* los constantes cambios de = the changing face of, the changing nature of.

* los de = those for, those in.

* los demás = rest, the, everybody else.

* los detalles de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* los días antes de = leading up to.

* los dos = both, both of them, both of which.

* los efectos negativos se están dejando sentir ahora = chickens come home to roost.

* los gobernantes = the powers-that-be.

* los hay para dar y regalar = there's one born every minute.

* los mandamás = the powers-that-be.

* los más necesitados = those most in need.

* los más pobres + Nombre = the poorest + Nombre.

* los menos locuaces = inarticulate, the.

* los motivos de = the reason behind, the thinking behind, the reasoning behind, the idea behind.

* los necesitados = the needy.

* los orígenes de = the dawn of.

* los otros con los que aparece(n) = neighbours [neighbors, -USA].

* los peores + Nombre = the poorest + Nombre.

* los poderes fáticos = the powers-that-be.

* los pormenores de la letra pequeña = the devil (is/lives) in the details.

* Los Principios de París = Paris Principles.

* los que = those who.

* los que detentan el poder = the powers-that-be.

* los que mandan = the powers-that-be.

* los que no han recibido formación específica = uninstructed, the.

* los que + Verbo = those + Participio.

* los tribunales = the Bench.

* lo suficientemente cerca = within range.

* lo suficientemente cerca como para oír = within earshot of.

* lo suficientemente estúpido como para = dumb enough to.

* lo suficientemente grande = large enough, big enough.

* lo suficientemente lejos como para no poder oír = out of earshot.

* los últimos coletazos = fag-end.

* lo sumo = the bee's knees, the cat's meow, the cat's whiskers, the dog's bollocks, the cat's pyjamas.

* los unos a costa de los otros = at each other's expense.

* los viejos tiempos = the good old days.

* lo tomas o lo dejas = take it or leave it.

* lo último = the last word.

* lo uno es tan malo como lo otro = one is as bad as the other.

* lo vanguardista = cutting edge.

* lo yidish = Yiddica.

* parmarlas = kick + the bucket.

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

* * *

el (pl los), la; (pl las)

art

[ the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or, ha e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina]

A (con un referente único, conocido o que se define) the

el sol the sun

el lápiz/la goma/los lápices/las gomas que compré the pencil/the eraser/the pencils/the erasers I bought

no, ése no, el que te presté ayer/el de Julio/el rojo no, not that one, the one I lent you yesterday/Julio's/the red one

en la calle Solís in Solís Street

prefiero el mío/los tuyos I prefer mine/yours

me atendió el estúpido del marido that stupid husband of hers served me

yo soy la arquitecta, ella es lexicógrafa I'm the architect, she's a lexicographer

yo fui la que lo rompí or rompió I was the one who broke it

los nacidos entre … those born between …

los que faltamos ayer those of us who weren't here yesterday

¿cuál es Ardiles? — el del sombrero negro which one's Ardiles? — the one with the black hat

un encuentro al que asistieron muchas personalidades a meeting which was attended by many well known people

la obra de la que or de la cual hablábamos the play we were talking about

B

(con sustantivos en sentido genérico): me encanta la ópera I love opera

odio el pescado I hate fish

así es la vida that's life

(nosotros) los mexicanos lo sabemos muy bien we Mexicans know only too well

¿ya vas a la escuela? do you go to school yet?

ya salió del hospital she's out of the hospital ( AmE) o ( BrE) out of hospital

en el mar at sea

viajar por el espacio to travel in space

C

(en expresiones de tiempo): ocurrió el domingo de Pascua/en el verano del 76 it happened on Easter Sunday/in the summer of '76

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo my birthday's on May 28

el mes pasado/que viene last/next month

no trabaja los sábados she doesn't work (on) Saturdays

estudió toda la mañana he studied all morning

a las ocho at eight o'clock, at eight

a eso de las seis around six o'clock

D

(cada): lo venden a $80 el kilo/metro they're selling it at $80 a kilo/a meter o at $80 per kilo/meter

¿cuánto cuesta el paquete de diez? how much does a packet of ten cost?

E

(con fracciones, porcentajes, números): me dio la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero she gave me half the money/a quarter of the money

el 20% de los peruanos 20% of Peruvians

vivo en el cuarto I live on the fifth floor ( AmE) o ( BrE) fourth floor

F [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ]

(refiriéndose a partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc): con las manos en los bolsillos with my/your/his hands in my/your/his pockets

¡te cortaste el pelo! you've had your hair cut!

tienes la falda sucia your skirt is dirty

tienes el suéter puesto al revés you've got your sweater on inside out

tiene el pelo largo/los ojos azules he has long hair/blue eyes

G (con nombres propios)

1

(con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc): llamó el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal/el general Santos Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal/General Santos phoned

el gran Caruso the Great Caruso

2

(con nombres de mujeres famosas): la última película de la Monroe Monroe's last movie

3

(en plural): los Ortega (matrimonio) the Ortegas, Mr and Mrs Ortega; (familia) the Ortegas, the Ortega family

a los Josés se les suele llamar Pepe people called José are often known as Pepe

4 (fam: en muchas regiones crit)

(con nombres de pila): pregúntale a la Carmen/al Ricardo ask Carmen/Ricardo

5

(con algunos nombres geográficos): en la India in India

en (el) Perú in Peru

ver África, Argentina, el etc

6

(al calificar): la España de Franco Franco's Spain

el Buñuel que todos conocemos the Buñuel we all know

la Italia del siglo pasado Italy in the last century

7

(con algunos equipos deportivos): juegan contra el Juventus/el Barcelona they're playing against Juventus/Barcelona

H el

(con infinitivo): odiaba el tener que pedírselo he hated having to ask her

es cuidadoso y pausado en el hablar he's careful and deliberate in the way he speaks

el frenético girar de los bailarines the frenzied spinning of the dancers

al + INF ver a prep B 2. (↑ a 3)

* * *

Multiple Entries:
el
él
el (pl
◊ los), la (pl las) art the masculine article el is also used before feminine nouns which begin with accented a or ha, e.g. el agua pura, el hada madrina

1
a) ( en general) the;

◊ la Tierra the Earth

b) ( con sustantivos en sentido genérico):

◊ odio el pescado I hate fish;

así es la vida that's life;
(nosotros) los mexicanos we Mexicans;
¿ya vas a la escuela? do you go to school yet?
c) ( refiriéndose a algo que se conoce o se está definiendo):

◊ en la calle Solis in Solis street;

las tuyas yours;
el último the last one;
el estúpido del marido that stupid husband of hers
2
a) el + de:

◊ la del sombrero the one with the hat;

el de las nueve the nine o'clock one;
el de mi hijo my son's
b) el + que:

◊ las que yo ví the ones I saw;

los que estén cansados;
those who are tired, anyone who's tired;
la que te guste whichever you like
3 ( en expresiones de tiempo):
◊ ocurrió el domingo it happened last Sunday;

mi cumpleaños es el 28 de mayo my birthday's on May 28;
el mes pasado last month;
toda la mañana all morning;
a las ocho at eight o'clock
4 ( cada):
◊ $80 el metro/kilo $80 a meter/a kilo, $80 per kilo/meter

5 (con fracciones, porcentajes, números):
◊ la mitad/la cuarta parte del dinero half the money/a quarter of the money;

el 20% de … 20% of …
6 (con partes del cuerpo, prendas de vestir, artículos personales, etc):
◊ tenía las manos en los bolsillos she had her hands in her pockets;

¡te cortaste el pelo! you've had your hair cut!;
tiene los ojos azules he has blue eyes
7
a) (con apellidos acompañados de título, adjetivos, etc):

◊ el señor Ortiz/la doctora Vidal Mr Ortiz/Doctor Vidal;

los Ortega the Ortegas
b) ( con algunos nombres geográficos):

◊ en la India in India;

ver África, Argentina, etc
él pron pers
a) ( como sujeto) he;

◊ ¿quién se lo va a decir? — él who's going to tell her? — he is;

lo hizo él mismo he did it himself;
fue él it was him
b) (en comparaciones, con preposiciones) him;

( refiriéndose a cosas) it;
◊ llegué antes que él I arrived before him o before he did;

con/para él with/for him;
son de él they're his
el art def m
1 the
2 (no se traduce) (ante un tratamiento formal) el sr. Gómez, Mr Gomez
(cuando el sustantivo es general) el hambre/tiempo, hunger/time
3 (se traduce por un posesivo) (con partes del cuerpo) se ha cortado el pelo, she's cut her hair
(prendas) se lo metió en el bolsillo, he put it in his pocket
(pertenencias) guarda el diario en el cajón, put your diary into the drawer
4 (con días de la semana) iré el miércoles, I'll go on Wednesday
5 (cuando el sustantivo está elidido) the one: prefiero el azul, I prefer the blue one
el de las diez, the ten o'clock one
el que está en la mesa, the one that's on the table
el que más nos guste, whichever one we like best
(delante de un posesivo) el de María, Maria's
es el mío, it's mine
él pron pers
1 (sujeto) (persona) he
(animal, cosa) it: fue él, it was him, fue él el que..., it was him that... o it was he who...
2 (complemento) (persona) him
(animal, cosa) it
dáselo a él, give it to him, es para él, it's for him
3 (posesivo) de él, his
4 (oración comparativa) ella es mejor que él, she's better than him o she's better than he is
'él' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- abajo
- abalanzarse
- abaratarse
- abarquillarse
- abarrotar
- abarrotada
- abarrotado
- abastecimiento
- abatir
- abatimiento
- abdicar
- abierta
- abierto
- abismo
- abogada
- abogado
- abominar
- abominable
- abordar
- aborigen
- aborregarse
- abortar
- abotargada
- abotargado
- abrir
- abreviar
- abrirse
- absoluta
- absoluto
- abstención
- abundancia
- acabar
- acabarse
- acabose
- acallar
- acanallar
- accionariado
- acero
- achacosa
- achacoso
- achatamiento
- achicharrarse
- aclarar
- aclarado
- acomodarse
- acompañar
- acondicionar
- acostumbrada
- acostumbrado
English:
A
- abandon
- ABC
- ability
- about
- above
- abroad
- abseil
- absence
- absent
- absolute
- absolve
- absorb
- abstract
- academic
- accelerate
- accommodate
- accomplice
- account
- accurately
- accusation
- accused
- accustom
- aching
- act
- act on
- act up
- actual
- actually
- acute
- address
- adequately
- adjourn
- admission
- admit
- advance
- advanced
- advantage
- advantageous
- advise
- advocate
- affair
- afford
- afloat
- afraid
- after
- against
- age
- agenda
- aggregate

* * *

el (f la, mpl los, fpl las) art determinado el is used instead of la before feminine nouns which are stressed on the first syllable and begin with “a” or “ha” (e.g. el agua, el hacha). Note that el combines with the prepositions a and de to produce the contracted forms al and del.

1. [con valor especificador] the;

el coche the car;

la casa the house;

los niños the children;

el agua/hacha/águila the water/axe/eagle;

fui a recoger a los niños I went to pick up the children

2. [con sustantivo abstracto, valor genérico]
el amor love;

la vida life;

el hombre Man, human beings;

los derechos de la mujer women's rights;

los niños imitan a los adultos children copy adults;

el pan es un alimento básico bread is a basic food;

la mayoría de la gente no la conoce most people don't know her;

vuelve el biquini bikinis are back

3. [indica posesión, pertenencia]
se partió la pierna he broke his leg;

se quitó los zapatos she took her shoes off;

tiene el pelo oscuro he has dark hair;

me han robado la maleta my suitcase has been stolen;

se dieron la mano they shook hands

4. [con días de la semana, fechas, horas]
vuelven el sábado they're coming back on Saturday;

los domingos vamos al cine we go to the movies (on) Sundays;

llegaré el 1 de mayo [escrito] I'll arrive on 1 May;
[hablado] I'll arrive on the first of May;
son las siete it's seven o'clock;

el año pasado/que viene last/next year

5. [con nombres propios geográficos]
el Sena the (River) Seine;

el Everest (Mount) Everest;

la India India;

La Haya The Hague;

El Cairo Cairo;

la España de la posguerra post-war Spain

6. [con apellido]
la señora Márquez Mrs Márquez;

el señor/el doctor Juárez Mr/Doctor Juárez;

los Amaya [matrimonio] Mr and Mrs Amaya, the Amayas;
[familia completa] the Amayas, the Amaya family;
los Austrias the Hapsburgs;

el Hitler español the Spanish Hitler

7. Fam [con nombre propio de persona]
llama a la María call Maria

8. [con numerales, porcentajes, fracciones]
el siete es mi número de la suerte seven's my lucky number;

llegó el tercero he came third;

el tercer piso the third floor;

un aumento del 30 por ciento a 30 percent increase;

la quinta parte (de) a fifth (of);

el 20 por ciento (de) 20 percent (of)

9. [en proporciones, precios]
100 pesos el kilo 100 pesos a o per kilo

10. [con complemento especificativo]
el/la del sombrero the one with the hat;

los/las de azul [cosas] the blue ones;
[personas] the ones in blue;
he perdido el tren, cogeré el de las nueve I've missed the train, I'll get the nine o'clock one;

el de aquí this one here;

¿los del parque son amigos tuyos? were those people in the park friends of yours?;

prefiero las del escaparate I prefer the ones in the window;

los del fondo no se callan the people at the back won't shut up

11. [con complemento posesivo]
mi hermano y el de Juan my brother and Juan's;

el mío mine;

la tuya yours;

los suyos theirs

12. [con adjetivo]
prefiero el rojo al azul I prefer the red one to the blue one;

el/la mejor the best;

es la mejor de la clase she's the best in the class, she's top of the class;

los seleccionados realizarán un examen those chosen will sit an exam;

el tonto de Ignacio se equivocó that idiot Ignacio got it wrong

13. [con infinitivo]
el beber tanto acabó con él all that drinking is what finished him off;

es amante del buen comer she loves good food;

me sienta mal el tener que decírtelo I don't like to have to tell you

14. [con frases subordinadas]
el/la que [cosa] whichever;
[persona] whoever;
los/las que [cosas] whichever;
[personas] whoever;
coge el/los que quieras take whichever you like;

el que más corra whoever runs fastest, the one who runs the fastest;

las que quieran venir que levanten la mano those who want to come o anyone who wants to come should put their hand up;

el que no te guste no quiere decir que sea malo the fact that you don't like him doesn't make him a bad person

15. [con valor enfático]
¡la pena que me dio verlo en ese estado! I felt so sorry for him when I saw him in that state!

* * *

el

I art the

II pron

:

el de … that of …;

el de Juan Juan’s;

el más grande the biggest (one);

el que está … the one that is …

* * *

él pron

: he, him

él es mi amigo: he's my friend

hablaremos con él: we will speak with him

el pron, (referring to masculine nouns)

1) : the one

tengo mi libro y el tuyo: I have my book and yours

de los cantantes me gusta el de México: I prefer the singer from México

2)

el que : he who, whoever, the one that

el que vino ayer: the one who came yesterday

el que trabaja duro estará contento: he who works hard will be happy

el, la art, pl los, las : the

los niños están en la casa: the boys are in the house

me duele el pie: my foot hurts

* * *

el det

1. the

¿qué te pareció el libro? what did you think of the book?

perdimos el tren we missed the train

2. (posesivo) my / your / his / her etcétera

me rompí el brazo I broke my arm

es el hermano de María it's María's brother

¿te has cortado el pelo? have you had your hair cut?

se puso el jersey he put his jumper on

3. (característica) the one

¿cuál prefieres? el azul which one do you prefer? the blue one

el del pelo largo the one with long hair

el de la camisa negra the one in the black shirt

me gusta el de Alejo I like Alejo's

¡Ojo! Algunas veces no se traduce

¿quieres salir el sábado? do you want to go out on Saturday?

el Sr. García Mr. García

me gusta el arroz I like rice

el que (persona) the one who / the one that (cosa) the one which / the one that

el que llegó primero the one who came first

el que me dejaste the one you lent me

el que (quienquiera) whoever

con el que that... with

el chico con el que salgo the boy that I go out with

el cuchillo con el que lo corté the knife that I cut it with

en el que that... in

el cajón en el que lo puse the drawer that I put it in

el coche en el que iban the car that they were in

Spanish-English dictionary > él
6 ser2

² = be, take + the form of, stand as.

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

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

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

----

* anhelar ser = ache to be.

* a no ser que = unless.

* así es = that's how it is.

* así sea = amen.

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

* centrado en el ser humano = anthropocentric.

* clonación del ser humano = human cloning.

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

* cómo + ser = what + be like.

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

* continuar siendo importante = remain + big.

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

* cualquiera que fuere = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que fuese = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que sea + Nombre = whichever + Nombre.

* debilidad del ser humano = mankind's frailty.

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

* demostrar ser = prove + to be.

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

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

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

* dinero + ser para = money + go towards.

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

* el ser barato = cheapness.

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

* entrar sin ser visto = sneak into.

* es = it's [it is].

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

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

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

* es de deducir que = it follows that.

* es de destacar que = significantly.

* es de esperar = hopefully.

* es de esperar que = all being well.

* es de resaltar que = significantly.

* es de suponer que = presumably.

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

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

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

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

* es evidente = clearly.

* es importante destacar = importantly.

* es inevitable que = inevitably.

* es interesante que = interestingly.

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

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

* es más = more important, moreover.

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

* es mi opinión = my two cents' worth.

* es mi parecer = my two cents' worth.

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

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

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

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

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

* evitar ser afectado = escape + unaffected.

* fue durante mucho tiempo = long remained.

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

* haber sido comprobado exhaustivamente = be thoroughly tested.

* la razón de ser = the reason for being.

* la verdad sea dicha = to tell the truth.

* llegar a ser = become, develop into.

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

* lo que es aun peor = worse still.

* lo que es peor = what's worse.

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

* lo que + ser = what + be like.

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

* merecer ser mencionado = deserve + mention.

* no ser aconsejable = be undesirable.

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

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

* no ser bien visto = be in the doghouse.

* no ser cobarde = be no chicken.

* no ser consciente de = remain + unaware of.

* no ser deseable = be undesirable.

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

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

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

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

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

* no ser nada = add up to + nothing.

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

* no ser ningún jovencito = be no chicken.

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

* no ser sino = be nothing but.

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

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

* no ser verdad = be untrue.

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

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

* para ser específico = to be specific.

* para ser franco = in all honesty.

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

* pasar a ser = become, develop into.

* por ser + Adjetivo = as being + Adjetivo.

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

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

* posible de ser visto en pantalla = displayable.

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

* puede muy bien ser = could well be.

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

* que fue = one-time.

* que fue común antes = once-common.

* que ha sido abordado con preguntas = accost.

* que puede ser apilado = stacking.

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

* ser reconocido = gain + recognition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* sean cuales sean = whatever they may be.

* sentido del ser humano = human sense.

* ser accesible a través de = be available through.

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

* ser acertado = be spot on.

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

* ser acorde con = be commensurate with.

* ser acuciante = be acute.

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

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

* ser + Adjetivo = get + Adjetivo.

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

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

* ser aficionado a = be fond of.

* ser afortunado = be lucky, strike + lucky.

* ser agradable de oír = be good to hear.

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

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

* ser algo bueno = be a good thing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser Algo imponente = loom + large.

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

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

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

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

* ser algo muy claro = be a dead giveaway.

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

* ser Algo muy importante = loom + large.

* ser algo muy obvio = be a dead giveaway.

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

* ser algo muy raro = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy revelador = be a giveaway.

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

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

* ser algo permanente = be here to stay.

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

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

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

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

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

* ser algo por ver = be an open question.

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

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

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

* ser amado = loved-one.

* ser amigo de = be buddies with.

* ser analizado como una frase = be phrase parsed.

* ser apreciado = receive + appreciation.

* ser apropiado = be right.

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

* ser arrestado = be under arrest.

* ser asequible = be available, become + available.

* ser asequible a = be amenable to.

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

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

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

* ser atrevido = make + a bold statement.

* ser atribuible a = be attributable to.

* ser aun más = be all the more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser bueno = make + good + Nombre.

* ser bueno en = be good at.

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

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

* ser capaz de = be capable of.

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

* ser característico de = be emblematic of.

* ser carísimo = cost + be prohibitive.

* ser caro = be steep.

* ser casi seguro = be a good bet.

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

* ser chulo = be cool.

* ser clavado a = be a dead ringer for.

* ser cliente de una tienda = patronise + shop.

* ser coherente = cohere.

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

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

* ser como mínimo = be no less than.

* ser como una esfera = wrap around.

* ser como un círculo = wrap around.

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

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

* ser complementarios = be integral one to another.

* ser completamente diferente = be in a different league.

* ser completo = be all inclusive.

* ser común = be the case (with).

* ser condenado a prisión = receive + prison sentence.

* ser confuso = be deceiving.

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

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

* ser consciente = sentient being.

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

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

* ser consciente + desafortunadamente = be painfully aware of.

* ser contradictorio de = run + contrary to.

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

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

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

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

* ser cortés con = be civil towards.

* ser costumbre = be customary.

* ser creativo = be inventive.

* ser creíble = invoke + belief.

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

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

* ser cuestión de = come down to.

* ser culpable = be to blame.

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

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

* ser de = be a native of.

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

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

* ser de ayuda = be of assistance.

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

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

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

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

* ser de crecimiento rápido = be a quick grower.

* ser de difícil acceso = tuck away.

* ser de dominio público = be public domain.

* ser deficiente = be wanting.

* ser definitivo = be final.

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

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

* ser de importancia primordial = be of key importance.

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

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

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

* ser de la izquierda = be of the left.

* ser de la noche = night creature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser demasiado común = be all too common.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser de número limitado = be limited in number.

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

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

* ser de primera categoría = be top notch.

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

* ser de sabios = be a point of wisdom.

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

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

* ser desconocido para = be alien to.

* ser descorazonador = be dispiriting.

* ser desoído = be unheeded.

* ser despiadado = play + hardball.

* ser detenido = be under arrest.

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

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

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

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

* ser de utilidad = be of use.

* ser de utilidad a = be of service to.

* ser diestro en = be skilled at.

* ser difícil = be a stretch.

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

* ser difícil de conseguir = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de creer = beggar + belief.

* ser difícil de encontrar = be hard to find.

* ser difícil de lograr = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de superar = take + some beating.

* ser digno de = merit.

* ser digno de admiración = deserve + admiration.

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

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

* ser diplomático = say + the right thing.

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

* ser dogmático = be dogmatic.

* ser dos mundos completamente distintos = be poles apart.

* ser dudoso = be doubtful.

* ser duro = play + hardball.

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

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

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

* ser el asunto = be the point.

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

* ser el blanco de = be a pushover for.

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

* ser el canalizador de = be the conduit for.

* ser el capitán = skipper, captain.

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

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

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

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

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

* ser el culo del mundo = be the pits.

* ser elegido = get in.

* ser elevado = be steep.

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

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

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

* ser el límite = be the limit.

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

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

* ser el máximo = be the limit.

* ser el momento clave = mark + the watershed.

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

* ser el momento decisivo = mark + the watershed.

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

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

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

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

* ser el paraje natural de = be home to.

* ser el preludio = usher in.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser el último grito = be all the rage.

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

* ser emblemático de = be emblematic of.

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

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

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

* ser enviado a = have + the lead to.

* ser equiparable a = be commensurate with.

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

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

* ser esclavo de = be slave to.

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

* ser estúpido = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* ser exigente al elegir = pick and choose.

* ser exigente al escoger = pick and choose.

* ser experto en = be skilled at.

* ser expulsado de = be dropped from.

* ser extraño para = be alien to.

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

* ser fácil = be easy.

* ser fácil de conseguir = be readily available.

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

* ser factible de = be amenable to.

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

* ser famoso = gain + recognition, be popular.

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

* ser favorable = be a plus.

* ser ficticio = be fiction.

* ser fiel a = cleave to.

* ser fructífero = come to + fruition.

* ser goloso = have + a sweet tooth.

* ser grosero con = be abusive of.

* ser hábil para = be adroit at.

* ser habitual = be customary.

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

* ser hipertenso = be hyper.

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

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

* ser hora de irse = be time to go.

* ser hora de marcharse = be time to go.

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

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

* sería mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

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

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

* ser idóneo para = be suited to.

* ser ignorado = be unheeded.

* ser igual a = be equivalent to, equal.

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

* ser ilegal = be against the law.

* ser ilimitado = be boundless.

* ser implacable = play + hardball.

* ser imponente = be awe-inspiring.

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

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

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

* ser imposible = be dead meat.

* ser imprescindible = be a must.

* ser improcedente = be out of order.

* ser imprudente = be reckless.

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

* ser incapaz de = be unable to.

* ser incoherente = Negativo + hold + water.

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

* ser inconsistente = Negativo + hold + water.

* ser increíble = beggar + belief.

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

* ser indescriptible = beggar + description.

* ser indispensable = be a must.

* ser ineficaz = fire + blanks.

* ser infundado = be unfounded.

* ser inherente a = inhere in.

* ser inimaginable = beggar + imagination.

* ser inminente = be on the cards.

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

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

* ser innumerable = be without number, be legion.

* ser innumerables = run into + the thousands.

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

* ser insignificante de = be slight in.

* ser inteligente = be talented.

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

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

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

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

* ser intransigente = play + hardball.

* ser inútil = fire + blanks.

* ser irrespetuoso con = disrespect, diss.

* ser justo = play + fair.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser la abreviatura de = be short for.

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

* ser la ciudad de = be home to.

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

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

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

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

* ser la costumbre = be customary.

* ser la cuestión = be the point.

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

* ser la culpa de = be the fault of.

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

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

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

* ser la excepción = be the exception.

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

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

* ser la forma abreviada de = be short for.

* ser la forma de = be a recipe for.

* ser la fórmula para = be a recipe for.

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

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

* ser la imagen de = be a picture of.

* ser la intención = be the intention.

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

* ser la manera de = be a recipe for.

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

* ser la mayoría = be in the majority.

* ser la mejor alternativa = be the best bet.

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

* ser lamentable = be a pity.

* ser la minoría = be in the minority.

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

* ser la novedad = be on the scene.

* ser la obra de = be the work of.

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

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

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

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

* ser la punta de lanza de = spearhead.

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

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

* ser la responsabilidad de = be the responsibility of.

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

* ser la última palabra = be all the rage.

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

* ser lector de una biblioteca = library membership.

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

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

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

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

* ser lo mismo = be one and the same.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser lo suficientemente comprensivo = go + far enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser maravilloso = sound + great.

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

* ser más interno = inner being.

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

* ser mayor = be older.

* ser mejor en = be better at.

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

* ser mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

* ser menor = be less.

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

* ser mínimo = be at a minimum.

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

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

* ser molesto = be disturbing.

* ser moroso = be in default.

* ser motivador = be motivating.

* ser motivo de preocupación = loom + large.

* ser mucho = be a mouthful.

* ser mucho más = be all the more.

* ser mucho más que = be far more than.

* ser muy aconsejable que = be well advised to.

* ser muy alto = be metres high.

* ser muy amigo de = be pally with.

* ser muy antiguo = go ba.

Spanish-English dictionary > ser2
7 ser

m.

1 being (ente).

ser humano human being

los seres vivos living things

2 ens.

v.

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

fue aquí it was here

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

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

¿de dónde eres? where are you from?

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

es alto/gracioso he is tall/funny

es azul/difícil it's blue/difficult

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

Yo soy buena I am good.

2 to be (to be worth, quantity).

¿cuánto es? how much is it?

son 300 pesos that'll be 300 pesos

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

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

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

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

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

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

son estudiantes they're students

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

es muy tarde it's rather late

era de noche/de día it was night/day

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

fue visto por un testigo he was seen by a witness

6 to exist, to live.

7 to be for.

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

* * *

SER

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

era, eras, era, éramos, erais, eran.

Past Indicative

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

Future Indicative

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

Conditional

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

Present Subjunctive

sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean.

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

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

Future Subjunctive

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

Imperative

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

Past Participle

sido.

\

\

————————

SER

► abreviatura

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

* * *
1. verb
to be

- ser de
2. noun m.
being

* * *

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

1) ( seguido de adjetivos) to be

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

es bajo — he's short

es muy callada — she's very quiet

mi padre es calvo — my father's bald

es sorda de nacimiento — she was born deaf

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

era cierto/posible — it was true/possible

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

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

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

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

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

2) ( hablando de estado civil) to be

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

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

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

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

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

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

el que fuera presidente — the former president

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

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

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

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

4) (con predicado introducido por `de')

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

soy de Córdoba — I'm from Cordoba

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

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

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

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

5) (hipótesis, futuro)

será un error — it must be a mistake

¿será cierto? — can it be true?

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

Sentido I

1)

a) ( existir) to be

b) (liter) ( en cuentos)

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

2)

a) (tener lugar, ocurrir)

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

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

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

b) ( en preguntas)

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

3) ( sumar)

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

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

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

somos diez en total — there are ten of us altogether

4) (causar, significar) to be

aquello fue su ruina — that was his downfall

5) ( resultar)

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

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

6) ( consistir en) to be

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

7) (indicando finalidad, adecuación)

ser para algo — to be for something

este agua es para beber — this water is for drinking

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

Sentido II

8) ( usado para enfatizar)

así es como queda mejor — like that it looks best

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

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

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

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

9)

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

10)

lo que es... — (fam)

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

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

11) (en locs)

a no ser que — (+ subj) unless

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

Sentido III

12) ( en el tiempo) to be

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

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

es miércoles — it's Wednesday

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

era primavera — it was spring(time)

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

ser + pp — to be + pp

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

1)

a) ( ente) being

seres sobrenaturales — supernatural beings

b) (individuo, persona)

un ser querido — a loved one

un ser muy especial — a very special person

- ser humano/vivo

2)

a) ( naturaleza)

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

b) ( carácter esencial) essence

3) (Fil) being

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

* * *
I 1.
cópula

1) ( seguido de adjetivos) to be

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

es bajo — he's short

es muy callada — she's very quiet

mi padre es calvo — my father's bald

es sorda de nacimiento — she was born deaf

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

era cierto/posible — it was true/possible

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

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

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

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

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

2) ( hablando de estado civil) to be

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

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

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

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

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

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

el que fuera presidente — the former president

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

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

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

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

4) (con predicado introducido por `de')

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

soy de Córdoba — I'm from Cordoba

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

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

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

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

5) (hipótesis, futuro)

será un error — it must be a mistake

¿será cierto? — can it be true?

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

Sentido I

1)

a) ( existir) to be

b) (liter) ( en cuentos)

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

2)

a) (tener lugar, ocurrir)

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

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

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

b) ( en preguntas)

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

3) ( sumar)

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

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

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

somos diez en total — there are ten of us altogether

4) (causar, significar) to be

aquello fue su ruina — that was his downfall

5) ( resultar)

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

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

6) ( consistir en) to be

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

7) (indicando finalidad, adecuación)

ser para algo — to be for something

este agua es para beber — this water is for drinking

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

Sentido II

8) ( usado para enfatizar)

así es como queda mejor — like that it looks best

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

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

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

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

9)

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

10)

lo que es... — (fam)

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

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

11) (en locs)

a no ser que — (+ subj) unless

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

Sentido III

12) ( en el tiempo) to be

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

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

es miércoles — it's Wednesday

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

era primavera — it was spring(time)

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

ser + pp — to be + pp

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

1)

a) ( ente) being

seres sobrenaturales — supernatural beings

b) (individuo, persona)

un ser querido — a loved one

un ser muy especial — a very special person

- ser humano/vivo

2)

a) ( naturaleza)

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

b) ( carácter esencial) essence

3) (Fil) being

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

* * *

ser¹

¹ = being, creature.

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

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

* abducción por seres extraterrestres = alien abduction.

* alimentación del ser humano = human nutrition.

* llegada de seres extraterrestres = alien visitation.

* nutrición del ser humano = human nutrition.

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

* ser extraterrestre = alien creature.

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

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

* ser inteligente = intelligent being.

* ser pensante = sentient being.

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

* ser supremo = supreme being.

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

* ser vivo = living being, sentient being.

* todo ser humano = every living soul.

* tráfico de seres humanos = trafficking in human beings.

* trata de seres humanos = trafficking in human beings.

ser²

² = be, take + the form of, stand as.

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

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

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

* anhelar ser = ache to be.

* a no ser que = unless.

* así es = that's how it is.

* así sea = amen.

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

* centrado en el ser humano = anthropocentric.

* clonación del ser humano = human cloning.

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

* cómo + ser = what + be like.

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

* continuar siendo importante = remain + big.

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

* cualquiera que fuere = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que fuese = any... whatsoever.

* cualquiera que sea + Nombre = whichever + Nombre.

* debilidad del ser humano = mankind's frailty.

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

* demostrar ser = prove + to be.

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

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

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

* dinero + ser para = money + go towards.

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

* el ser barato = cheapness.

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

* entrar sin ser visto = sneak into.

* es = it's [it is].

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

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

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

* es de deducir que = it follows that.

* es de destacar que = significantly.

* es de esperar = hopefully.

* es de esperar que = all being well.

* es de resaltar que = significantly.

* es de suponer que = presumably.

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

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

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

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

* es evidente = clearly.

* es importante destacar = importantly.

* es inevitable que = inevitably.

* es interesante que = interestingly.

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

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

* es más = more important, moreover.

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

* es mi opinión = my two cents' worth.

* es mi parecer = my two cents' worth.

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

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

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

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

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

* evitar ser afectado = escape + unaffected.

* fue durante mucho tiempo = long remained.

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

* haber sido comprobado exhaustivamente = be thoroughly tested.

* la razón de ser = the reason for being.

* la verdad sea dicha = to tell the truth.

* llegar a ser = become, develop into.

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

* lo que es aun peor = worse still.

* lo que es peor = what's worse.

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

* lo que + ser = what + be like.

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

* merecer ser mencionado = deserve + mention.

* no ser aconsejable = be undesirable.

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

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

* no ser bien visto = be in the doghouse.

* no ser cobarde = be no chicken.

* no ser consciente de = remain + unaware of.

* no ser deseable = be undesirable.

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

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

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

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

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

* no ser nada = add up to + nothing.

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

* no ser ningún jovencito = be no chicken.

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

* no ser sino = be nothing but.

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

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

* no ser verdad = be untrue.

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

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

* para ser específico = to be specific.

* para ser franco = in all honesty.

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

* pasar a ser = become, develop into.

* por ser + Adjetivo = as being + Adjetivo.

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

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

* posible de ser visto en pantalla = displayable.

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

* puede muy bien ser = could well be.

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

* que fue = one-time.

* que fue común antes = once-common.

* que ha sido abordado con preguntas = accost.

* que puede ser apilado = stacking.

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

* ser reconocido = gain + recognition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* sean cuales sean = whatever they may be.

* sentido del ser humano = human sense.

* ser accesible a través de = be available through.

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

* ser acertado = be spot on.

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

* ser acorde con = be commensurate with.

* ser acuciante = be acute.

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

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

* ser + Adjetivo = get + Adjetivo.

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

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

* ser aficionado a = be fond of.

* ser afortunado = be lucky, strike + lucky.

* ser agradable de oír = be good to hear.

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

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

* ser algo bueno = be a good thing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser Algo imponente = loom + large.

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

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

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

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

* ser algo muy claro = be a dead giveaway.

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

* ser Algo muy importante = loom + large.

* ser algo muy obvio = be a dead giveaway.

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

* ser algo muy raro = be a rare occurrence.

* ser algo muy revelador = be a giveaway.

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

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

* ser algo permanente = be here to stay.

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

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

* ser algo poco frecuente = be a rare occurrence.

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

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

* ser algo por ver = be an open question.

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

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

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

* ser amado = loved-one.

* ser amigo de = be buddies with.

* ser analizado como una frase = be phrase parsed.

* ser apreciado = receive + appreciation.

* ser apropiado = be right.

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

* ser arrestado = be under arrest.

* ser asequible = be available, become + available.

* ser asequible a = be amenable to.

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

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

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

* ser atrevido = make + a bold statement.

* ser atribuible a = be attributable to.

* ser aun más = be all the more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser bueno = make + good + Nombre.

* ser bueno en = be good at.

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

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

* ser capaz de = be capable of.

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

* ser característico de = be emblematic of.

* ser carísimo = cost + be prohibitive.

* ser caro = be steep.

* ser casi seguro = be a good bet.

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

* ser chulo = be cool.

* ser clavado a = be a dead ringer for.

* ser cliente de una tienda = patronise + shop.

* ser coherente = cohere.

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

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

* ser como mínimo = be no less than.

* ser como una esfera = wrap around.

* ser como un círculo = wrap around.

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

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

* ser complementarios = be integral one to another.

* ser completamente diferente = be in a different league.

* ser completo = be all inclusive.

* ser común = be the case (with).

* ser condenado a prisión = receive + prison sentence.

* ser confuso = be deceiving.

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

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

* ser consciente = sentient being.

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

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

* ser consciente + desafortunadamente = be painfully aware of.

* ser contradictorio de = run + contrary to.

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

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

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

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

* ser cortés con = be civil towards.

* ser costumbre = be customary.

* ser creativo = be inventive.

* ser creíble = invoke + belief.

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

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

* ser cuestión de = come down to.

* ser culpable = be to blame.

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

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

* ser de = be a native of.

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

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

* ser de ayuda = be of assistance.

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

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

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

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

* ser de crecimiento rápido = be a quick grower.

* ser de difícil acceso = tuck away.

* ser de dominio público = be public domain.

* ser deficiente = be wanting.

* ser definitivo = be final.

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

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

* ser de importancia primordial = be of key importance.

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

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

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

* ser de la izquierda = be of the left.

* ser de la noche = night creature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser demasiado común = be all too common.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser de número limitado = be limited in number.

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

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

* ser de primera categoría = be top notch.

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

* ser de sabios = be a point of wisdom.

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

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

* ser desconocido para = be alien to.

* ser descorazonador = be dispiriting.

* ser desoído = be unheeded.

* ser despiadado = play + hardball.

* ser detenido = be under arrest.

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

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

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

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

* ser de utilidad = be of use.

* ser de utilidad a = be of service to.

* ser diestro en = be skilled at.

* ser difícil = be a stretch.

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

* ser difícil de conseguir = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de creer = beggar + belief.

* ser difícil de encontrar = be hard to find.

* ser difícil de lograr = be hard to get.

* ser difícil de superar = take + some beating.

* ser digno de = merit.

* ser digno de admiración = deserve + admiration.

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

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

* ser diplomático = say + the right thing.

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

* ser dogmático = be dogmatic.

* ser dos mundos completamente distintos = be poles apart.

* ser dudoso = be doubtful.

* ser duro = play + hardball.

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

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

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

* ser el asunto = be the point.

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

* ser el blanco de = be a pushover for.

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

* ser el canalizador de = be the conduit for.

* ser el capitán = skipper, captain.

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

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

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

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

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

* ser el culo del mundo = be the pits.

* ser elegido = get in.

* ser elevado = be steep.

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

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

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

* ser el límite = be the limit.

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

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

* ser el máximo = be the limit.

* ser el momento clave = mark + the watershed.

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

* ser el momento decisivo = mark + the watershed.

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

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

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

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

* ser el paraje natural de = be home to.

* ser el preludio = usher in.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser el último grito = be all the rage.

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

* ser emblemático de = be emblematic of.

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

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

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

* ser enviado a = have + the lead to.

* ser equiparable a = be commensurate with.

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

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

* ser esclavo de = be slave to.

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

* ser estúpido = be off + Posesivo + rocker.

* ser exigente al elegir = pick and choose.

* ser exigente al escoger = pick and choose.

* ser experto en = be skilled at.

* ser expulsado de = be dropped from.

* ser extraño para = be alien to.

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

* ser fácil = be easy.

* ser fácil de conseguir = be readily available.

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

* ser factible de = be amenable to.

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

* ser famoso = gain + recognition, be popular.

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

* ser favorable = be a plus.

* ser ficticio = be fiction.

* ser fiel a = cleave to.

* ser fructífero = come to + fruition.

* ser goloso = have + a sweet tooth.

* ser grosero con = be abusive of.

* ser hábil para = be adroit at.

* ser habitual = be customary.

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

* ser hipertenso = be hyper.

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

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

* ser hora de irse = be time to go.

* ser hora de marcharse = be time to go.

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

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

* sería mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

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

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

* ser idóneo para = be suited to.

* ser ignorado = be unheeded.

* ser igual a = be equivalent to, equal.

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

* ser ilegal = be against the law.

* ser ilimitado = be boundless.

* ser implacable = play + hardball.

* ser imponente = be awe-inspiring.

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

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

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

* ser imposible = be dead meat.

* ser imprescindible = be a must.

* ser improcedente = be out of order.

* ser imprudente = be reckless.

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

* ser incapaz de = be unable to.

* ser incoherente = Negativo + hold + water.

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

* ser inconsistente = Negativo + hold + water.

* ser increíble = beggar + belief.

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

* ser indescriptible = beggar + description.

* ser indispensable = be a must.

* ser ineficaz = fire + blanks.

* ser infundado = be unfounded.

* ser inherente a = inhere in.

* ser inimaginable = beggar + imagination.

* ser inminente = be on the cards.

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

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

* ser innumerable = be without number, be legion.

* ser innumerables = run into + the thousands.

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

* ser insignificante de = be slight in.

* ser inteligente = be talented.

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

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

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

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

* ser intransigente = play + hardball.

* ser inútil = fire + blanks.

* ser irrespetuoso con = disrespect, diss.

* ser justo = play + fair.

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser la abreviatura de = be short for.

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

* ser la ciudad de = be home to.

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

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

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

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

* ser la costumbre = be customary.

* ser la cuestión = be the point.

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

* ser la culpa de = be the fault of.

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

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

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

* ser la excepción = be the exception.

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

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

* ser la forma abreviada de = be short for.

* ser la forma de = be a recipe for.

* ser la fórmula para = be a recipe for.

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

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

* ser la imagen de = be a picture of.

* ser la intención = be the intention.

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

* ser la manera de = be a recipe for.

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

* ser la mayoría = be in the majority.

* ser la mejor alternativa = be the best bet.

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

* ser lamentable = be a pity.

* ser la minoría = be in the minority.

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

* ser la novedad = be on the scene.

* ser la obra de = be the work of.

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

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

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

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

* ser la punta de lanza de = spearhead.

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

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

* ser la responsabilidad de = be the responsibility of.

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

* ser la última palabra = be all the rage.

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

* ser lector de una biblioteca = library membership.

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

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

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

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

* ser lo mismo = be one and the same.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser lo suficientemente comprensivo = go + far enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* ser maravilloso = sound + great.

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

* ser más interno = inner being.

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

* ser mayor = be older.

* ser mejor en = be better at.

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

* ser mejor que + Subjuntivo = better + Infinitivo.

* ser menor = be less.

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

* ser mínimo = be at a minimum.

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

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

* ser molesto = be disturbing.

* ser moroso = be in default.

* ser motivador = be motivating.

* ser motivo de preocupación = loom + large.

* ser mucho = be a mouthful.

* ser mucho más = be all the more.

* ser mucho más que = be far more than.

* ser muy aconsejable que = be well advised to.

* ser muy alto = be metres high.

* ser muy amigo de = be pally with.

* ser muy antiguo = go ba

* * *

SER

/ser/

feminine

= Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión

* * *

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

b) (liter) ( en cuentos):

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

2
a) (tener lugar, ocurrir):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

◊ ser humano/vivo human/living being

b) (individuo, persona):

◊ un ser querido a loved one

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

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

* * *

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

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

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

♦ v copulativo

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

es alto/gracioso he's tall/funny;

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

es azul/difícil it's blue/difficult;

sé discreta/paciente be discreet/patient;

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

son unos amigos míos they're friends of mine;

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

soy yo, ábreme open up, it's me;

soy Víctor [al teléfono] it's Víctor;

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

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

¿es eso verdad? is that true?;

eso no es cierto that isn't true;

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

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

es posible que llueva it may rain;

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

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

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

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

que seas muy feliz I wish you every happiness, I hope you'll be very happy;

¡será imbécil el tipo! the guy must be stupid!;

este restaurante ya no es lo que era this restaurant isn't as good as it used to be o isn't what it used to be;
RP Fam
ser loco por algo to be wild about sth

2. [con sustantivos, adjetivos] [indica empleo, dedicación, estado civil, religión] to be;

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

son estudiantes they're students;

para ser juez hay que trabajar mucho you have to work very hard to be o become a judge;

es padre de tres hijos he's a father of three;

es soltero/casado/divorciado he's single/married/divorced;

era viuda she was a widow;

son budistas/protestantes they are Buddhists/Protestants;

el que fuera gobernador del estado the former governor of the state;

Comp
Am Fam
¿tú eres o te haces? are you stupid or what?;

Comp
RP Fam
¿vos sos o te hacés? are you stupid or what?

3. [con "de"] [indica material, origen, propiedad]
ser de [estar hecho de] to be made of;
[provenir de] to be from; [pertenecer a] to belong to;
un juguete que es todo de madera a completely wooden toy, a toy made completely of wood;

¿de dónde eres? where are you from?;

estas pilas son de una linterna these batteries are from a torch;

¿es de usted este abrigo? is this coat yours?, does this coat belong to you?;

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

portarse así es de cobardes only cowards behave like that, it's cowardly to behave like that

4. [con "de"] [indica pertenencia a grupo]
ser de [club, asociación, partido] to be a member of;

¿de qué equipo eres? [aficionado] which team o who do you support?;

soy del Barcelona I support Barcelona;

ser de los que… to be one of those people who…;

ése es de los que están en huelga he is one of those on strike;

no es de las que se asustan por cualquier cosa she's not one to get scared easily

♦ vi

1. [ocurrir, tener lugar] to be;

fue aquí it was here;

¿cuándo es la boda? when's the wedding?;

la final era ayer the final was yesterday;

¿cómo fue lo de tu accidente? how did your accident happen?;

¿qué fue de aquel amigo tuyo? what happened to that friend of yours?;

¿qué es de Pablo? how's Pablo (getting on)?

2. [constituir, consistir en] to be;

fue un acierto que nos quedáramos en casa we were right to stay at home;

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

su ambición era dar la vuelta al mundo her ambition was to travel round the world;

tratar así de mal a la gente es buscarse problemas treating people so badly is asking for trouble

3. [con fechas, horas] to be;

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

hoy es jueves today's Thursday, it's Thursday today;

¿qué (fecha) es hoy? what's the date today?, what date is it today?;

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

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

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

serán o [m5] deben de ser las tres it must be three (o'clock)

4. [con precios] to be;

¿cuánto es? how much is it?;

son 300 pesos that'll be 300 pesos;

¿a cómo son esos tomates? how much are those tomatoes?

5. [con cifras, en operaciones] to be;

ellos eran unos 500 there were about 500 of them;

11 por 100 son 1.100 11 times 100 is 1,100

6. [servir, ser adecuado]
ser para to be for;

este trapo es para (limpiar) las ventanas this cloth is for (cleaning) the windows;

este libro es para niños this book is for children;

la ciudad no es para mí the city isn't for me

7. [con "de" más infinitivo] [indica necesidad, posibilidad]
es de desear que… it is to be hoped that…;

era de esperar que pasara algo así it was to be expected that something like that would happen;

es de suponer que aparecerá presumably, he'll turn up;

es de temer cuando se enoja she's really scary when she gets angry

8. [para recalcar, poner énfasis]
ése es el que me lo contó he's the one who told me;

lo que es a mí, no me llamaron they certainly didn't call me, they didn't call me, anyway;

¿es que ya no te acuerdas? don't you remember any more, then?, you mean you don't remember any more?

9. [indica excusa, motivo]
es que no me hacen caso but o the thing is they don't listen to me;

es que no vine porque estaba enfermo the reason I didn't come is that I was ill, I didn't come because I was ill, you see;

¿cómo es que no te han avisado? how come they didn't tell you?

10. Literario [existir]
Platón, uno de los grandes sabios que en el mundo han sido Plato, one of the wisest men ever to walk this earth

11. [en frases]
a no ser que venga unless she comes;

tengo que conseguirlo (sea) como sea I have to get it one way or another;

hay que evitar (sea) como sea que se entere we have to prevent her from finding out at all costs o no matter what;

hazlo cuando sea do it whenever;

de no ser/haber sido por… if it weren't/hadn't been for…;

de no ser por él no estaríamos vivos if it weren't for him, we wouldn't be alive;

de no ser así otherwise;

de ser así if that should happen;

déjalo donde sea leave it anywhere o wherever;

érase una vez, érase que se era once upon a time;

dile lo que sea, da igual tell her anything o whatever, it doesn't make any difference;

haré lo que sea para recuperar mi dinero I will do whatever it takes o anything to get my money back;

se enfadó, y no era para menos she got angry, and not without reason;

no sea que…, no vaya a ser que… in case…;

la llamaré ahora no sea que luego me olvide I'll call her now in case I forget later;

Estados Unidos y Japón, o sea, las dos economías mundiales más importantes the United States and Japan, that is to say o in other words, the two most important economies in the world;

50 euros, o sea unas 8.300 pesetas 50 euros, that's about 8,300 pesetas;

o sea que no quieres venir so you don't want to come then?;

por si fuera poco as if that wasn't enough;

habla con quien sea talk to anyone;

sea quien sea no abras la puerta don't open the door, whoever it is;

si no fuera/hubiera sido por… if it weren't/hadn't been for…;
Am
siendo que… seeing that o as…, given that…;
Am
siendo que tienes la plata, cómprate el vestido más caro seeing as o since you've got the money, buy yourself the more expensive dress

♦ v impersonal
[indica tiempo] to be;
es muy tarde it's rather late;

era de noche/de día it was night/day

♦ nm

1. [ente] being;

seres de otro planeta beings from another planet

Comp
ser humano human being;
Ser Supremo Supreme Being;

los seres vivos living things

2. [persona] person;

sus seres queridos his loved ones

3. [existencia]
mis padres me dieron el ser my parents gave me my life

4. [esencia, naturaleza] being;

la quiero con todo mi ser I love her with all my being o soul

* * *

SER

f abr (= Sociedad Española de Radiodifusión) network of independent Spanish radio stations

* * *

ser {77} vi

1) : to be

él es mi hermano: he is my brother

Camila es linda: Camila is pretty

2) : to exist, to live

ser, o no ser: to be or not to be

3) : to take place, to occur

el concierto es el domingo: the concert is on Sunday

4) (used with expressions of time, date, season)

son las diez: it's ten o'clock

hoy es el 9: today's the 9th

5) : to cost, to come to

¿cuánto es?: how much is it?

6) (with the future tense) : to be able to be

¿será posible?: can it be possible?

7)

ser de : to come from

somos de Managua: we're from Managua

8)

ser de : to belong to

ese lápiz es de Juan: that's Juan's pencil

9)

es que : the thing is that

es que no lo conozco: it's just that I don't know him

10)

¡sea! : agreed!, all right!

11)

sea... sea : either... or

ser v aux (used in passive constructions) : to be

la cuenta ha sido pagada: the bill has been paid

él fue asesinado: he was murdered

ser nm

: being

ser humano: human being

* * *

ser¹ n (ente) being

ser humano human being

ser vivo living creature

ser² vb

1. (en general) to be

mi amigo es alemán my friend is German

es médico he's a doctor

el cuadro es de Picasso the painting is by Picasso

cinco más cinco son diez five plus five are ten

serán quince euros that'll be fifteen euros

somos cinco there are five of us

la fiesta es el sábado the party is on Saturday

el presidente fue asesinado the president was murdered

2. (estar hecho) to be made

la mesa es de madera the table is made of wood

3. (pertenecer) to belong

este libro es de María this book belongs to María / this book is María's

a no ser que unless

a no ser que llueva unless it rains

érase una vez once upon a time

Spanish-English dictionary > ser
8 grand

grand, e [gʀɑ̃, gʀɑ̃d]

1. adjective

   a. ( = de haute taille) tall

   b. ( = plus âgé) son grand frère his older or big (inf) brother

• ils ont deux grands enfants they have two grown-up children

• quand il sera grand [enfant] when he grows up

• il est assez grand pour savoir he's old enough to know

• tu es grand/grande maintenant you're a big boy/girl now

   c. (en dimensions) big, large ; [bras, distance, voyage, enjambées] long ; [avenue, marge] wide

• ouvrir de grands yeux to open one's eyes wide

• l'amour avec un grand A love with a capital L

   d. (en nombre, en quantité) [vitesse, poids, valeur, puissance] great ; [nombre, quantité] large ; [famille] large, big

• la grande majorité des gens the great majority of people

   e. ( = intense) [bruit, cri] loud ; [froid, chaleur] intense ; [vent] strong ; [danger, plaisir, pauvreté] great

• avec un grand rire with a loud laugh

• à ma grande surprise to my great surprise

   f. ( = riche, puissant) [pays, firme, banquier, industriel] leading

   g. ( = important) great ; [ville, travail] big

• je t'annonce une grande nouvelle ! I've got some great news!

• c'est un grand jour pour nous this is a great day for us

   h. ( = principal) main

• c'est la grande nouvelle du jour it's the main news of the day

• la grande difficulté consiste à... the main difficulty lies in...

   i. (intensif) [travailleur, collectionneur, ami, rêveur] great ; [buveur, fumeur] heavy ; [mangeur] big

• un grand verre d'eau a large glass of water

• les grands malades the very ill

• un grand invalide a seriously disabled person

   j. ( = remarquable) great

• un grand vin a great wine

• une grande année a vintage year

• c'est du grand jazz (inf) it's jazz at its best

   k. ( = de gala) [réception, dîner] grand

• en grande pompe with great pomp

   l. ( = noble) [âme] noble ; [pensée, principe] lofty

   m. ( = exagéré) faire de grandes phrases to voice high-flown sentiments

• tous ces grands discours all these high-flown speeches

   n. ( = beaucoup de) cela te fera (le plus) grand bien it'll do you the world of good

• grand bien vous fasse ! much good may it do you!

2. adverb

   a. (en taille) ces sandales chaussent grand these sandals are big-fitting (Brit) or run large (US)

   b. ( = largement) ouvrir (en) grand [+ porte] to open wide ; [+ robinet] to turn full on

• la fenêtre était grand(e) ouverte the window was wide open

• voir grand to think big

• il a vu trop grand he was over-ambitious

• il fait toujours les choses en grand he always does things on a large scale

3. masculine noun

   a. ( = élève) senior boy

• jeu pour petits et grands game for old and young alike

   b. (terme d'affection) viens, mon grand come here, son

   c. ( = personne puissante) les grands de ce monde men in high places

• Alexandre le Grand Alexander the Great

4. feminine noun

grande

   a. ( = élève) senior girl

• elle parle comme une grande she talks like a much older child

   b. (terme d'affection) ma grande (my) dear

5. compounds

► la grande Bleue or bleue the Med (inf)

► grande personne grown-up

► la grande vie the good life

• mener la grande vie to live the good life

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

GRANDES ÉCOLES

The grandes écoles are competitive-entrance higher education establishments where engineering, business administration and other subjects are taught to a very high standard. The most prestigious include « l'École Polytechnique » (engineering), the three « Écoles normales supérieures » (arts and sciences), « l'ÉNA » (the civil service college), and « HEC » (business administration).

Pupils prepare for entrance to the grandes écoles after their « baccalauréat » in two years of « classes préparatoires ». → CLASSES PRÉPARATOIRES CONCOURS ÉCOLE NATIONALE D'ADMINISTRATION

* * *

1.

grande gʀɑ̃, gʀɑ̃d adjectif

1) ( de dimensions importantes) ( en hauteur) tall; (en longueur, durée) long; ( en largeur) wide; (en étendue, volume) big

plus grand que nature — larger than life

ouvrir de grands yeux — to open one's eyes wide

2) (nombreux, abondant) large, big

pas grand monde — not many people

il fait grand jour — it's broad daylight

laver à grande eau — to wash [something] in plenty of running water [légumes]; to wash [something] down [sol]

3) ( à un degré élevé) [rêveur, collectionneur, ami] great; [tricheur, joueur] big; [buveur, fumeur] heavy

c'est un grand timide — he's very shy

les grands malades — very sick people

les grands blessés — the seriously injured

4) ( important) [découverte, expédition, nouvelle] great; [date] important; [rôle] major; [problème, décision] big

c'est un grand jour pour elle — it's a big day for her

la grande majorité — the great ou vast majority

5) ( principal) main

les grandes lignes d'une politique — the broad lines of a policy

6) ( de premier plan) [société, marque] leading

les grandes industries — the big industries

7) (brillant, remarquable) [peintre, vin, cause] great; [cœur, âme] noble

c'est un grand homme — he's a great man

Louis le Grand — Louis the Great; esprit

8) ( âgé) [frère, sœur] elder; [élève] senior GB, older; ( adulte)

les grandes personnes — grown-ups

les grandes classes — École the senior forms GB, the upper classes US

une grande fille comme toi! — a big girl like you!

assez grand pour faire — old enough to do

9) ( qualifiant une mesure) [hauteur, longueur, distance, valeur] great; [pointure, quantité, étendue] large; [vitesse] high

il est grand temps que tu partes — it's high time you went

10) (extrême, fort) [bonté, amitié, danger, intérêt] great; [bruit] loud; [froid] severe; [chaleur] intense; [vent] strong, high; [tempête] big, violent

d'une grande timidité — very shy

à ma grande surprise — much to my surprise

sans grand espoir — without much hope

ça te ferait le plus grand bien — it would do you a world of good

à grands cris — loudly; cas, remède

11) ( de rang social élevé) [famille, nom] great

la grande bourgeoisie — the upper middle class

12) ( grandiose) [réception, projet] grand

avoir grande allure — to look very impressive

13) ( emphatique) [mot] big; [phrase] high-sounding

un grand merci — a big thank you

faire de grands gestes — to wave one's arms about

et voilà, tout de suite les grands mots — there you go, straight off the deep end

2.

nom masculin, féminin ( enfant) big boy/girl; École senior GB ou older pupil

pour les grands et les petits — for old and young alike

3.

adverbe wide

ouvrir grand les bras — to throw one's arms open

ouvrir la porte toute grande — to open the door wide

ouvrir grand ses oreilles — fig to prick up one's ears

leurs vêtements taillent grand — their clothes are cut on the large side

voir grand — to think big

4.

nom masculin

les grands de ce monde — the great and the good

les cinq grands — Politique the Big Five

les grands de l'automobile — the top car manufacturers

5.

en grand locution adverbiale

faire de l'élevage en grand — to breed animals on a large scale

faire les choses en grand — to do things on the grand scale

Phrasal Verbs:

- grand banditisme

- grand bassin

- grand couturier

- grand duc

- grand écart

- le grand écran

- grand ensemble

- grand invalide civil

- grand invalide de guerre

- le grand large

- grand magasin

- grand maître

- grand mât

- le grand monde

- le Grand Nord

- grand panda

- Grand Pardon

- grand patron

- grand prêtre

- le grand public

- grand quotidien

- grand teint

- grand tourisme

- la grande banlieue

- la grande cuisine

- grande distribution

- grande école

- la Grande Guerre

- grande gueule

- la grande muraille de Chine

- grande personne

- la grande presse

- grande puissance

- grande roue

- grande série

- grande surface

- grandes eaux

- grandes lignes

- grandes marées

- grandes ondes

- grands espaces

- grands fauves

- grands fonds

- Grands Lacs

- grands singes

* * *
ɡʀɑ̃, ɡʀɑ̃d grand, -e
1. adj

1) (= de haute taille) tall

Il est grand pour son âge. — He's tall for his age.

2) (= aîné)

son grand frère — his big brother

C'est sa grande sœur. — She's his big sister.

3) (= adulte)

une grande personne — a grown-up

Il est assez grand pour... — He's old enough to...

4) (= gros, vaste, large) big, large

une grande valise — a big suitcase

une grande maison — a big house

5) (importance, stature) great

un grand homme — a great man

un grand voyage — a long journey

C'est un grand ami à moi. — He's a great friend of mine.

les grandes vacances — the summer holidays

les grandes lignes CHEMINS DE FER — the main lines

6) (ampleur, degré)

un grand buveur — a heavy drinker

les grands blessés; Les grands blessés ont été emmenés à l'hôpital en hélicoptère. — The severely injured were taken to hospital by helicopter.

les grands brûlés — people with serious burns

un grand malade — a very sick person

le grand malade de l'Europe — the sick man of Europe

7) (intensif)

au grand jour — in broad daylight

au grand air — in the open air

Ça te fera beaucoup de bien d'être au grand air. — It'll be very good for you to be out in the open air.

de grand matin — at the crack of dawn

il est grand temps de — it's high time to

avoir grand besoin de — to be in great need of

2. adv

grand ouvert — wide open

voir grand — to think big

3. nm/f

1) (= élève, enfant) big boy, big girl

Il est chez les grands maintenant. — He's in the senior school now.

C'est une grande, elle peut y aller seule. — She's a big girl now, she can go on her own.

2) (= personnage)

les grands de ce monde — the great and the good

4. nm

en grand [ouvrir] — wide

voir les choses en grand — to think big

* * *

grand, grande

A adj

1 ( de dimensions importantes) ( en hauteur) [personne, arbre, tour, cierge] tall; (en longueur, durée) [bras, enjambée, promenade, voyage] long; ( en largeur) [angle, marge] wide; (en étendue, volume) [lac, ville, salle, trou, édifice, paquet] large, big; [tas, feu] big; ( démesuré) [pied, nez, bouche] big; un homme (très) grand a (very) tall man; un grand homme brun, un homme grand et brun a tall dark man; plus grand que nature larger than life; ouvrir de grands yeux to open one's eyes wide;

2 (nombreux, abondant) [famille, foule] large, big; [fortune] large; grande braderie big sale; pas grand monde not many people; faire de grandes dépenses to spend a lot of money; il fait grand jour it's broad daylight; laver à grande eau to wash [sth] in plenty of running water [légumes]; to wash [sth] down [sol]; à grand renfort de publicité with much publicity;

3 ( à un degré élevé) [rêveur, collectionneur, travailleur, ami, ennemi, pécheur] great; [tricheur, joueur, lâcheur, idiot] big; [buveur, fumeur] heavy; grand amateur de ballet great ballet lover; c'est un grand timide he's very shy; les grands malades very sick people; c'est un grand cardiaque he has a serious heart condition;

4 ( important) [découverte, migration, expédition, événement, nouvelle, honneur] great; [date] important; [rôle] major; [problème, décision] big; ( principal) main; c'est un grand jour pour elle it's a big day for her; une grande partie de la maison a large part of the house; une grande partie des habitants many of the inhabitants; la grande majorité the great ou vast majority; ⇒ scène;

5 ( principal) main; le grand escalier the main staircase; le grand problème/obstacle the main ou major problem/obstacle; les grands axes routiers the main ou trunk GB roads; les grands points du discours the main points of the speech; les grandes lignes d'une politique the broad lines of a policy;

6 ( de premier plan) Écon, Pol [pays, société, industriel, marque] leading; les grandes industries the big industries;

7 (brillant, remarquable) [peintre, œuvre, civilisation, vin, cause] great; [cœur, âme] noble; c'est un grand homme he's a great man; les grands écrivains great authors; un grand nom de la musique a great musician; un grand monsieur du théâtre a great gentleman of the stage; Louis/Pierre le Grand Louis/Peter the Great; les grands noms du cinéma/de la littérature indienne the big names of the cinema/of Indian literature; de grande classe [produit] high-class; [exploit] admirable; ⇒ esprit;

8 ( âgé) [frère, sœur] elder; [élève] senior GB, older; ( adulte) grown-up; mon grand frère my elder brother; les grandes classes Scol the senior forms GB, the upper classes US; quand il sera grand when he grows up; mes enfants sont grands my children are quite old; une grande fille comme toi! a big girl like you!; 12 ans! tu es assez grand pour te débrouiller 12 years old! you're old enough to cope;

9 ( qualifiant une mesure) [hauteur, longueur, distance, poids, valeur, âge] great; [dimensions, taille, pointure, quantité, nombre, étendue] large; [vitesse] high; [kilomètre, mois, heure] good; il est grand temps que tu partes it's high time you were off ou you went;

10 (intense, extrême, fort) [bonté, lâcheté, pauvreté, amitié, chagrin, faim, danger, différence, intérêt] great; [bruit] great, loud; [froid] severe; [chaleur] intense; [vent] strong, high; [tempête] big, violent; avec grand plaisir with great ou much pleasure; dans le plus grand secret in great secrecy; d'une grande bêtise/timidité very ou extremely stupid/shy; à ma grande honte/surprise much to my shame/surprise; sans grand espoir/enthousiasme without much hope/enthusiasm; sans grande importance not very important; il n'y a pas grand mal à cela/à faire there isn't much harm in that/in doing; avoir grand faim/soif to be very hungry/thirsty; avoir grand besoin de to be badly in need of; ça te ferait le plus grand bien it would do you a world of good; à grands cris loudly; ⇒ cas, remède;

11 ( de rang social élevé) [famille, nom] great; grande dame great lady; la grande bourgeoisie the upper middle class;

12 ( grandiose) [réception] grand; grands projets grand designs; avoir grande allure, avoir grand air to look very impressive;

13 ( emphatique) [mot] big; [phrase] high-sounding; un grand merci a big thank you; faire de grands gestes to wave one's arms about; et voilà, tout de suite les grands mots there you go, straight off the deep end.

B nm,f

1 ( enfant) big boy/girl; Scol senior GB ou older pupil; il a fait ça tout seul comme un grand he did it all by himself like a big boy; il fait le ménage comme un grand he does the housework like a grown-up; pour les grands et les petits for old and young alike;

2 ( terme d'affection) mon grand, ma grande my darling.

C adv wide; ouvrir grand la bouche to open one's mouth wide; ouvrir tout grand les bras to throw one's arms open; les fenêtres sont grand(es) ouvertes the windows are wide open; ouvrir la porte toute grande to open the door wide; ouvrir grand ses oreilles fig to prick up one's ears; ouvrir tout grand son cœur fig to open one's heart; les bottes chaussent grand the boots are large-fitting; leurs vêtements taillent grand their clothes are cut on the large side; voir grand fig to think big.

D nm ( pays) big power; ( entreprise) leader, big name; les grands de ce monde the great and the good; Pol the world's leaders; les cinq grands Pol the Big Five; les grands de l'automobile the top car manufacturers; c'est un grand de la publicité he's big in advertising.

E en grand loc adv [ouvrir] wide, completely; faire de l'élevage en grand to breed animals on a large scale; quand ils reçoivent, ils font les choses en grand when they entertain they do things on the grand scale or they really go to town○.

Composés

grand argentier Hist royal treasurer; hum keeper of the nation's purse, Finance minister; le grand art alchemy; grand banditisme organized crime; grand bassin ( de piscine) main pool; Anat upper pelvis; grand cacatois main royal sail; grand caniche standard poodle; le grand capital Écon big money, big investors pl; grand commis de l'État top civil servant; grand coq de bruyère capercaillie; grand corbeau raven; grand couturier couturier; grand débutant absolute beginner; grand duc Zool eagle owl; grand écart Danse, Sport splits (sg); faire le grand écart to do the splits; le grand écran the big screen; grand électeur ( en France) elector who votes in the elections for the French Senate; ( aux États-Unis) presidential elector; grand ensemble high-density housing complex; la vie dans les grands ensembles high-rise living; grand d'Espagne Spanish grandee; grand foc outer jib; grand frais Météo moderate gale; grand hunier main topsail; grand hunier fixe lower main topsail; grand hunier volant upper main topsail; grand invalide civil, GIC civilian who is registered severely disabled; grand invalide de guerre, GIG Prot Soc ex-serviceman who is registered severely disabled; le grand large Naut the high seas (pl); grand magasin Comm department store; grand maître ( aux échecs) grand master; grand maître de l'ordre des Templiers Hist Grand Master of the Knights Templar; grand mât Naut mainmast; le grand monde high society; le Grand Nord Géog the Far North; Grand Œuvre Great Work; grand officier de la Légion d'Honneur high-ranking officer of the Legion of Honour^GB; le Grand Orient the Grand Lodge of France; grand panda giant panda; Grand Pardon Day of Atonement; grand patron Méd senior consultant GB, head doctor US; grand perroquet Naut main topgallant sail; grand prêtre Relig, fig high priest; grand prix Courses Aut, Sport grand prix; le grand public the general public; Comm produit grand public consumer product; grand quart Naut six-hour watch; Grand quartier général, GQG Mil General Headquarters, GHQ; grand quotidien Presse big national daily; grand roque Jeux ( aux échecs) castling long; le Grand Siècle Hist the 17th century (in France); grand teint colourfast^GB; grand tétras capercaillie; grand tourisme Courses Aut, Aut GT, gran turismo; le Grand Turc the Sultan; grand veneur Chasse master of the hounds; grande Armée Hist Grande Armée (Napoleon's army); grande Baie Australienne Géog Great Australian Bight; la grande banlieue the outer suburbs (pl); Grande Barrière (de Corail) Géog Great Barrier Reef; la grande bleue the sea; la grande cuisine Culin haute cuisine; grande distribution Écon volume retailing; grand école higher education institution; la Grande Guerre Hist the First World War; grande gueule○ loud mouth○; grande hune Naut maintop; la grande muette the army; la grande muraille de Chine Géog the Great Wall of China; grande personne grown-up, adult; la grande presse Presse the popular dailies (pl); grande puissance Pol superpower; grande roue ( de foire) big wheel GB, Ferris wheel US; grande série Comm mass production; fabriqué en grande série mass-produced; grande surface Comm supermarket; grandes eaux fountains; fig ( pleurs) waterworks; dès qu'on la gronde, ce sont les grandes eaux the minute you tell her off, she turns on the waterworks; grandes lignes Rail main train routes; grandes marées spring tides; grandes ondes Radio long wave (sg); Grandes Plaines Géog Great Plains; les grands blessés the seriously injured; grands corps de l'État Admin senior branches of the civil service; grands espaces Écol open spaces; grands fauves Zool big cats; grands fonds Naut ocean depths; les grands froids the cold of winter; Grands Lacs Géog Great Lakes; grands singes Zool great apes; ⇒ école, voyage.

ⓘ Grande école A prestigious third-level institution where admission is usually by competitive entrance examination or concours. Places are much sought after as they are widely considered to guarantee more promising career prospects than the standard university institutions. Many grandes écoles specialize in particular disciplines or fields of study, e.g. ENA, Sciences Po, etc.

( féminin grande) [grɑ̃, grɑ̃d] (devant nom masculin commençant par voyelle ou h muet [grɑ̃t]) adjectif

A.[ASPECT QUANTITATIF]

1. [de taille élevée - adulte] tall ; [ - enfant] tall, big

2. [de grandes dimensions - objet, salle, ville] big, large ; [ - distance] long

grand A/B/C capital A/B/C

une grande tour a high ou tall tower

un grand fleuve a long ou big river

une statue plus grande que nature a large-scale statue

de grandes jambes long legs

avoir de grands pieds to have big ou large feet

ses grands yeux bleus her big blue eyes

marcher à grands pas to walk with great ou long strides

3. [d'un certain âge - être humain] big

tu es un grand garçon maintenant you're a big boy now

tu es assez grand pour comprendre you're old enough to understand

[aîné - frère, sœur] big

[au terme de sa croissance - personne] grown-up ; [ - animal] fully grown, adult

quand je serai grand when I'm grown-up ou big

4. [qui dure longtemps] long

pendant un grand moment for quite some time

5. [intense, considérable] great

les risques sont grands there are considerable risks

de grande diffusion widely-distributed

une grande fortune great wealth, a large fortune

ils ont marié leur fille à grands frais they married off their daughter at great ou vast expense

rincer à grande eau to rinse thoroughly

les grands froids intense cold

pendant les grandes chaleurs in high summer, in ou at the height of summer

nous avons fait un grand feu we made a big fire

un grand incendie a major ou great fire

ce sont des articles de grande consommation they are everyday consumer articles

(à l'époque des)grandes marées (at) spring tide

au grand jour in broad daylight

6. [pour qualifier une mesure] large, great

la grande majorité de the great ou vast majority of

son grand âge explique cette erreur this mistake can be put down to her being so old

ils plongent à une grande profondeur they dive very deep ou to a great depth

un grand nombre de passagers a large number of passengers

7. [entier]

une grande cuillerée de sucre a heaped spoonful of sugar

elle m'a fait attendre une grande heure/semaine she made me wait a good hour/a good week

8. BOTANIQUE great, greater

9. GÉOGRAPHIE

le Grand Canyon the Grand Canyon

les Grands Lacs the Great Lakes

10. ZOOLOGIE

les grands animaux (the) larger animals

B.[ASPECT QUALITATIF]

1. [important] great, major

les grands problèmes de notre temps the main ou major ou key issues of our time

2. [acharné, invétéré] great, keen

c'est un grand travailleur he's a hard worker, he's hard-working

c'est une grande timide she's really shy

ce sont de grands amis they're great ou very good friends

grands fumeurs heavy smokers

les grands blessés/brûlés/invalides the seriously wounded/burned/disabled

les grands handicapés the severely handicapped

3. [puissant, influent - banque] top ; [ - industriel] top, leading, major ; [ - propriétaire, famille] important ; [ - personnage] great

4. [dans une hiérarchie]

les grands dignitaires du régime the leading ou important dignitaries of the regime

le Grand rabbin (de France) the Chief Rabbi (of France)

les grands corps de l'État the major public bodies

5. [noble]

avoir grand air ou grande allure to carry oneself well, to be imposing

6. [généralementéreux]

il a un grand cœur he's big-hearted, he has a big heart

une grande âme a noble soul

7. [exagéré] big

de grands gestes extravagant gestures

grands mots high-sounding words, high-flown language

8. [fameux, reconnu] great

un grand homme a great man

un grand journaliste a great ou top journalist

les grands textes classiques the classics

il ne descend que dans les grands hôtels he only stays in the best hotels ou the most luxurious hotels

le grand film de la soirée tonight's big ou feature film

le grand jour the big day

les grandes dates de l'histoire de France the great ou most significant dates in French history

un grand nom a great name

un grand nom de la peinture contemporaine one of today's great painters

les grands couturiers the top fashion designers

9. HISTOIRE

la Grande Catherine Catherine the Great

10. [omnipotent, suprême] great

Dieu est grand God is great

C.[EN INTENSIF]

avec une (très) grande facilité with (the greatest of) ease

sans grand enthousiasme/intérêt without much enthusiasm/interest

sa grande fierté, c'est son jardin he's very proud of ou he takes great pride in his garden

c'était un grand moment it was a great moment

un grand merci à ta sœur lots of thanks to ou a big thank you to your sister

le grand amour: c'est le grand amour! it's true love!

Robert fut son grand amour Robert was the love of her life

tu aurais grand avantage à la prévenir you'd be well advised to warn her

cette cuisine a grand besoin d'être nettoyée this kitchen really needs ou is in dire need of a clean

faire grand bien: ça m'a fait le plus grand bien it did me a power of ou the world of good

il en a pensé le plus grand bien he thought most highly of it

grand bien lui fasse! much good may it do her!

faire grand cas de to set great store by

toute la famille au grand complet the whole family, every single member of the family

jamais, au grand jamais je n'accepterai never in a million years will I accept

il n'y a pas grand mal à demander des précisions there's no harm in asking for further details

il est parti de grand matin he left at the crack of dawn

il n'y avait pas grand monde à son concert there weren't many people at his concert

pour notre plus grand plaisir to our (great) delight

prendre grand soin de to take great care of

à sa grande surprise much to his surprise, to his great surprise

il est grand temps que tu le lises it's high time you read it

————————

, grande [grɑ̃, grɑ̃d] (devant nom masculin commençant par voyelle ou h muet [grɑ̃t]) nom masculin, nom féminin

1. [enfant - d'un certain âge]

l'école des grands primary school

[en appellatif]

merci mon grand! thanks, son!

allons, ma grande, ne pleure pas! come on now, love, don't cry!

comme un grand: je me débrouillerai tout seul, comme un grand/toute seule, comme une grande I'll manage on my own, like a big boy/a big girl

2. [adulte - généralement] grown-up, adult

un jeu pour petits et grands a game for young and old (alike)

[en appellatif]

alors, ma grande, tu as pu te reposer un peu? well dear, did you manage to get some rest?

[personne de grande taille]

pour la photo, les grands se mettront derrière for the photo, tall people ou the taller people will stand at the back

————————

adverbe

1. [vêtement]

chausser grand: c'est un modèle qui chausse grand this is a large-fitting shoe

tailler grand: ça devrait vous aller, ça taille grand it should fit you, it's cut large

2. (locution)

ils ont vu trop grand they bit off more than they could chew

elle voit grand pour son fils she's got great hopes for her son

deux rôtis! tu as vu grand! two roasts! you don't do things by halves!

3. [largement]

grand ouvert wide-open

4. ART

représenter quelque chose plus grand que nature to enlarge something

————————

nom masculin

1. PHILOSOPHIE → link=infiniment infiniment

2. [entrepreneur, industriel]

un grand de la mode a leading light in the fashion business

les grands de l'automobile the major ou leading car manufacturers

————————

grands nom masculin pluriel

ÉCONOMIE & POLITIQUE

les grands [les puissants] the rich (and powerful)

les grands de ce monde the people in (positions of) power ou in high places

les deux Grands POLITIQUE the two superpowers

————————

en grand locution adverbiale

[complètement] on a large scale

il faut aérer la maison en grand the house needs a thorough ou good airing

il a fait les choses en grand (figuré) he really did things properly

grande école nom féminin

competitive-entrance higher education establishment

grand ensemble nom masculin

housing scheme (UK), housing project (US)

grande surface nom féminin

hypermarket

GRANDE ÉCOLE

The grandes écoles are relatively small and highly respected higher education establishments. Admission is usually only possible after two years of intensive preparatory studies and a competitive entrance examination. Most have close links with industry. The grandes écoles include l'École des hautes études commerciales or HEC (management and business), l'École polytechnique or l'X (engineering) and l'École normale supérieure (teacher training).

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais > grand
9 AF

of

* * *

prep. w. dat.

I. Of place:

1) off, from;

G. hljóp af hesti sínum, G. jumped off his horse;

ganga af mótinu, to go away from the meeting;

Flosi kastaði af sér skikkjunni, threw off his cloak;

Gizzur gekk af útsuðri at gerðinu, from the south-west;

hann hafði leyst af sér skúa sína, he had taken off his shoes;

Steinarr vildi slíta hann af sér, throw him off;

tók Gísli þá af sér vápnin, took off his arms;

bréf af Magnúsi konungi, a letter from king Magnus;

land af landi, from one land to the other;

hverr af öðrum, one after another, in succession;

vil ek þú vinnir af þér skuldina, work off the debt;

muntu enga sætt af mér fá, no peace at my hand;

rísa af dauða, to rise from the dead;

vakna af draumi, to awaken from a dream;

lúka upp af hrossi, to open a gate from off a horse;

vindr stóð af landi, the wind blew from the land;

2) out of;

verða tekinn af heimi, to be taken out of the world;

gruflar hón af læknum, she scrambles out of the brook;

Otradalr var mjök af vegi, far out of the way.

Connected with út; föstudaginn fór út herrinn af borginni, marched out of the town.

II. Of time; past, beyond:

af ómagaaldri, able to support oneself, of age;

ek em nú af léttasta skeiði, no longer in the prime of life;

þá er sjau vikur eru af sumri, when seven weeks of summer are past;

var mikit af nótt, much of the night was past.

III. In various other relations:

1) þiggja lið af e-m, to receive help from one;

hafa umboð af e-m, to be another’s deputy;

vera góðs (ills) maklegr af e-m, to deserve good (bad) of one;

féll þar lið mart af Eyvindi, many of Eyvind’s men fell there;

þá eru þeir útlagir ok af goðorði sínu, have forfeited their goðorð;

þá skalt þú af allri fjárheimtunni, forfeit all the claim;

ek skal stefna þér af konunni, summon thee to give up;

2) off, of;

höggva fót, hönd, af e-m, to cut off one’s foot, hand;

vil ek, at þú takir slíkt sem þér líkar af varningi, whatever you like of the stores;

þar lá forkr einn ok brotit af endanum, with the point broken off;

absol., beit hann höndina af, bit the hand off;

fauk af höfuðit, the head flew off;

3) of, among;

hinn efniligasti maðr af ungum mönnum, the most promising of the young men;

4) with;

hláða, (ferma) skip af e-u, to load (freight) a ship with;

fylla heiminn af sínu kyni, to fill the world with his offspring;

5) of (= ór which is more frequent);

húsit var gert af timbr stokkum, was built of trunks of trees;

6) fig., eigi vita menn hvat af honum er orðit, what has become of him;

hvat hefir þú gert af Gunnari, what hast thou done with Gunnar?;

7) denoting parentage, descent, origin;

ok eru af þeim komnir Gilsbekkingar, are descended from them;

kominn af Trójumönnum, descended from the Trojans;

8) by, of (after passive);

ek em sendr hingat af Starkaði, sent hither by;

ástsæll af landsmónnum, beloved of;

9) on account of, by reason of, by;

úbygðr at frosti ok kulda, because of frost and cold;

ómáli af áverkum, speechless from wounds;

af ástæld hans, by his popularity;

af því, therefore;

af hví, wherefor why;

af því at, because;

10) by means of, by;

framfœra e-n af verkum sínum, by means of his own labour;

af sínu fé, by one’s own means;

absol., hann fekk af hina mestu sœmd, derived great honour from it;

11) with adjectives, in regard to;

mildr af fé, liberal of money;

góðr af griðum, merciful;

fastr af drykk, close (stingy) in regard to drink;

12) used absol. with a verb, off away;

hann bað hann þá róa af fjörðinn, to row the firth off;

ok er þeir höfðu af fjörðung, when they had covered one forth of the way;

sofa af nóttina, to sleep the night away.

* * *

prep. often used elliptically by dropping the case, or even merely adverbially, [Ulf. af; A. S. and Engl. of, off; Hel. ab; Germ. ab; Gr. άπό; Lat. a, ab.] With dat. denoting a motion a loco; one of the three prepp. af, ór, frá, corresponding to those in loco—á, í, við, and ad locum—á, í, at. It in general corresponds to the prepp. in loco—á, or in locum— til, whilst ór answers more to í; but it also frequently corresponds to yfir, um or í. It ranges between ór and frá, generally denoting the idea from the surface of, while ór means from the inner part, and frá from the outer part or border. The motion from a hill, plain, open place is thus denoted by af; by ór that from an enclosed space, depth, cavity, thus af fjalli, but ór of a valley, dale; af Englandi, but ór Danmörk, as mörk implies the notion of a deep wood, forest. The wind blows af landi, but a ship sets sail frá landi; frá landi also means a distance from: af hendi, of a glove, ring; ór hendi, of whatever has been kept in the hand (correl. to á hendi and í hendi). On the other hand af is more general, whilst frá and ór are of a more special character; frá denoting a departure, ór an impulse or force; a member goes home af þingi, whereas ór may denote an inmate of a district, or convey the notion of secession or exclusion from, Eb. 105 new Ed.; the traveller goes af landi, the exile ór landi: taka e-t af e-m is to take a thing out of one’s hand, that of taka frá e-m to remove out of one’s sight, etc. In general af answers to Engl. of, off, ór to out of, and frá to from: the Lat. prepp. ab, de, and ex do not exactly correspond to the Icelandic, yet as a rule ór may answer to ex, af sometimes to ab, sometimes to de. Of, off, from among; with, by; on account of by means of, because of concerning, in respect of.

A. Loc.

I. With motion, off, from:

1. prop. corresp. to á,

α. konungr dró gullhring af hendi sér (but á hendi), Ld. 32; Höskuldr lætr bera farm af skipi, unload the ship (but bera farm á skip), id.; var tekit af hestum þeirra, they were unsaddled, Nj. 4; Gunnarr hafði farit heiman af bæ sínum, he was away from home, 82; Gunnarr hljóp af hesti sínum, jumped off his horse (but hl. á hest), 83; hlaupa, stökkva af baki, id., 112, 264 ; Gunnarr skýtr til hans af boganum, from the bow, where af has a slight notion of instrumentality, 96; flýja af fundinum, to fly from off the battle-field, 102; ríða af Þríhyrningshálsum, 206; út af Langaholti, Eg. 744 ; sunnan ór Danmörk ok af Saxlandi, 560; ganga af mótinu, to go from the meeting, Fms. vii. 130; af þeirra fundi reis María upp ok fór, 625. 85 ; Flosi kastaði af ser skikkjunni, threw his cloak off him (but kasta á sik),Nj. 176; taka Hrungnis fót af honum, of a load, burden, Edda 58; land þat er hann fiskði af, from which he set off to fish, Grág. i. 151, is irregular, frá would suit better; slíta af baki e-s, from off one’s back, ii. 9 ; bera af borði, to clear the table, Nj. 75.

β. where it more nearly answers to í; þeir koma af hafi, of sailors coming in (but leggja í haf), Nj. 128 ; fara til Noregs af Orkneyjum (but í or til O.), 131; þeim Agli fórst vel ok komu af hafi i Borgarfjörð, Eg. 392 ; hann var útlagi ( outlawed) af Noregi, where ór would be more regular, 344; af Islandi, of a traveller, Fms. x. 3; búa her af báðum ríkjunum, to take a levy from, 51; hinir beztu bændr ór Norðlendingafjórðungi ok af Sunnlendingafjórðungi, the most eminent Southerners and Northerners, 113; Gizzurr gékk af útsuðri at gerðinu, from south-west, Sturl. ii. 219; prestar af hvárutveggja biskupsdæmi, from either diocess, Dipl. ii. 11; verða tekinn af heimi, to be taken out of the world, 623. 21; gruflar hon af læknum, scrambles out of the brook, Ísl. ii. 340; Egill kneyfði af horninu í einum drykk, drained off the horn at one draught, literally squeezed every drop out of it, Eg. 557; brottuaf herbúðunurn, Fms. x. 343.

γ. of things more or less surrounding the subject, corresp. to yfir or um; láta þeir þegar af sér tjöldin, break off, take down the tents in preparing for battle, Eg. 261; kyrtillinn rifnaði af honum, his coat burst, caused by the swollen body, 602; hann hafði leyst af sér skúa sína, he untied his shoes (but binda á sik), 716; Steinarr vildi slíta hann af sér, throw him off, of one clinging to one’s body, 747; tók Gísli þá af sér vápnin, took off his arms, Fms. vii. 39. Of putting off clothes; fara af kápu, Nj. 143; far þú eigi af brynjunni, Bs. i. 541; þá ætlaði Sigurðr at fara af brynjunni, id.; þá var Skarphéðinn flettr af klæðunum, Nj. 209: now more usually fara or klæðum, fötum, exuere, to undress.

δ. connected with út; föstudaginn for út herrinn af borginni, marched out of the town, Nj. 274; ganga út af kirkjunni, to go out of the church, now út úr, Fms. vii. 107: drekki hann af þeirri jörðunni, of something impregnated with the earth, Laekn. 402.

ε. more closely corresponding to frá, being in such cases a Latinism (now frá); bréf af páfa, a pope’s bull, Fms. x. 6; rit af hánum, letter from him, 623. 52; bréf af Magnúsi konungi, a letter from king Magnus, Bs. i. 712; farið þér á brautu af mér í eilífan eld, Hom. 143; brott af drottins augliti, Stj. 43.

ζ. denoting an uninterrupted continuity, in such phrases as land aflandi, from land to land, Eg. 343, Fas. ii. 539; skip af skipl. from ship to ship, Fms. v. 10; brann hvat af öðru, one after another, of an increasing fire, destroying everything, i. 128; brandr af brandi brenn, funi kveykist af funa, one from another, Hm. 56; hverr af öðrum, one after another, in succession, also hverr at öðrum, Eb. 272, 280 (where at in both passages).

2. metaph., at ganga af e-m dauðum, to go from, leave one dead on the spot, of two combatants; en hann segiz bani hins ef hann gekk af dauðum manni, Grág. ii. 88, Hkr. 1. 327; undr þykir mér er bróðir þinn vildi eigi taka af þér starf þetta, would not take this toil from thee, Nj. 77; þegnar hans glöddust af honum, were fain of him, Fms. x. 380; at koma þeim manni af sér er settr var á fé hans, to get rid of, Ld. 52; vil ek þú vinriir af þér skuldina, work off the debt, Njarð. 366; reka af sér, to repel, Sturl. ii. 219; hann á þá sonu er aldri munu af oss ganga, who will never leave us, whom we shall never get rid of, Fas. i. 280; leysa e-n af e-u, to relieve, 64; taka e-n af lífi, to kill, Eg. 48, 416, Nj. 126; af lífdögum, Fms. vii. 204; ek mun ná lögum af því máli, get the benefit of the law in this case, Eg. 468; muntu enga sætt af mér fá, no peace at my hand, 414; rísa af dauða, to rise from death, Fms. ii. 142; guð bætti honum þó af þessi sótt, healed him of this sickness, ix. 390; vakna af sýn, draumi, svefni, to awaken from a vision, dream, sleep, 655 xxxii. I, Gísl. 24, Eb. 192, Fas. i. 41. Rather with the notion out of, in the phrase af sér etc., e. g. sýna e-t af scr, to shew, exhibit a disposition for or against, Ld. 18; gera mikit af sér, to shew great prowess, Ísl. ii. 368; éf þú gerir eigi meira af þér um aðra leika, unless you make more of thyself, Edda 32; Svipdagr hafði mikit af sér gert, fought bravely, Fas. i. 41; góðr (illr) af sér, good ( bad) of oneself, by nature; mikill af sjálfum sér, proud, bold, stout, Nj. 15; ágætastr maðr af sjálfum sér, the greatest hero, Bret.: góðr af ser, excellent, Hrafn. 7; but, on the contrary, af sér kominn, ruinous, in decay; this phrase is used of old houses or buildings, as in Bs. i. 488 = Sturl. l. c.; af sér kominn af mæði can also be said of a man fallen off from what he used to be; kominn af fotum fram, off his legs from age, Sturl. i. 223, Korm. 154 (in a verse).

II. WITHOUT MOTION:

1. denoting direction from, but at the same time continuous connection with an object from which an act or thing proceeds, from; tengja skip hvárt fram af stafni annars, to tie the ships in a line, stem to stern, Fms. i. 157, xi. 111; svá at þeir tóku út af borðum, jutted out of the boards, of rafters or poles, iv. 49; stjarna ok af sem skaft, of a comet, ix. 482; lúka upp af hrossi, to open a gate from off a horse, Grág. ii. 264; hon svarar af sínu sæti sem álpt af baru, Fás. i. 186; þar er sjá mátti utau af firði, af þjóðleið, that might be seen from the fareway on the sea when sailing in the firth, Hkr. ii. 64; þá mun hringt af (better at) Burakirkju, of bells rung at the church, Fms. xi. 160; gengr þar af Meðalfellsströnd, projects from, juts out, of a promontory, Ld. 10.

2. denoting direction alone; upp af víkinni stóð borg mikil, a burg inland from the inlet, Eg. 161; lokrekkja innar af seti, a shut bed inward from the benches in the hall, Ísl. ii. 262; kapella upp af konungs herbergjum, upwards from, Fms. x. 153; vindr stóð af landi, the wind stood off the land, Bárð. 166.

β. metaph., stauda af e-u, vide VI. 4.

γ. ellipt., hallaði af norðr, of the channel, north of a spot, Boll. 348; also, austr af, suðr af, vestr af, etc.

3. denoting absence; þingheyendr skulu eigi vera um nótt af þingi ( away from the meeting), eðr lengr, þá eru þeir af þingi ( away from (be meeting) ef þeir eru or ( out of) þingmarki, Grág. i. 25; vera um nótt af várþingi, 115; meðan hann er af landi héðan, abroad, 150.

β. metaph., gud hvíldi af öllum verkum sínum á sjaunda degi, rested from his labours, Ver. 3.

4. denoting distance; þat er komit af þjóðleið, out of the high road, remote, Eg. 369; af þjóðbraut, Grág. ii. 264, i. 15; Otradalr (a farm) var mjök af vegi, far out of the way, Háv. 53.

B. TEMP, past, from, out of, beyond:

1. of a person’s age, in the sense of having past a period of life; af ómaga aldri, of age, able to support oneself, Grág. i. 243; af aeskualdri, stricken in years, having past the prime of life, Eg. 202; lítið af barnsaldri, still a child, Ld. 74; ek em nú af léttasia skeiði, no longer in the prime of life, Háv. 40.

2. of a part or period of time, past; eigi síðar en nótt er af þingi, a night of the session past, Grág. i. 101; þá er sjau vikur eru af sumri, seven weeks past of the summer, 182; tíu vikur af sumri, Íb. 10; var mikit af nótt, much of the night was past, Háv. 41; mikið af vetri, much of the winter was past, Fas. ii. 186; þriðjungr af nótt, a third of the night past, Fms. x. 160; stund af degi, etc.; tveir mánoðr af sumri, Gþl. 103.

3. in adverbial phrases such as, af stundu, soon; af bragði, at once; af tómi, at leisure, at ease; af nýju, again; af skyndingu, speedily; af bráðungu, in a hurry, etc.

C. In various other relations:

I. denoting the passage or transition of an object, concrete or abstract, of, from.

1. where a thing is received, derived from, conferred by a person or object; þiggja lið af e-m, to derive help from, Edda 26; taka traust af e-m, to receive support, comfort from, Fms. xi. 243; taka mála af e-m, to be in one’s pay, of a soldier, Eg. 266; halda land af e-m, to hold land of any one, 282; verða viss af e-m, to get information from, 57, Nj. 130; taka við sök af manni (a law term), to undertake a case, suit, Grág. i. 142; hafa umboð af e-m, to be another’s deputy, ii. 374; vera góðs (ills) maklegr af e-m, to deserve good (bad) of, Vd. 88 (old Ed., the new reads frá), Fs. 45; afla matar af eyjum, to derive supplies from, Eb. 12.

2. where an object is taken by force:

α. prop. out of a person’s hand; þú skalt hnykkja smíðit af honum, wrest it out of his hand, Nj. 32; cp. taka, þrífa, svipta e-u (e-t) af e-m, to wrest from.

β. metaph. of a person’s deprival of anything in general; hann tók af þér konuna, carried thy wife off, Nj. 33; tók Gunnarr af þér sáðland þitt, robbed thee of seedland, 103; taka af honum tignina, to depose, degrade him, Eg. 271; vinna e-t af e-m, to carry off by force of arms, conquer, Fms. iii. 29; drepa menn af e-m, for one, slay one’s man, Eg. 417; fell þar lið mart af Eyvindi, many of Eyvind’s people fell there, 261.

γ. in such phrases as, hyggja af e-u (v. afhuga), hugsa af e-u, to forget; hyggja af harmi; sjá af e-u, to lose, miss; var svá ástúðigt með þeim, at livargi þóttist mega af öðrum sjá, neither of them could take his eyes off the other, Sturl. i. 194; svá er mörg við ver sinn vær, at varla um sér hon af hoiuun nær, Skálda 163.

3. denoting forfeiture; þá eru þeir útlagir, ok af goðorði sínu, have forfeited their priesthood, Grág. i. 24; telja hann af ráðunum fjár síns alls, to oust one, on account of idiocy or madness, 176; verða af kaupi, to be off the bargain, Edda 26; þá skalt þú af allri fjárheimtunni, forfeit all the claim, Nj. 15; ek skal stefna þér af konunni, summon thee to forfeit, a case of divorce, id.; ella er hann af rettarfari um hana, has forfeited the suit, Grág. i. 381.

β. ellipt., af ferr eindagi ef, is forfeited, Grág. i. 140.

II. denoting relation of a part to a whole, off, of, Lat. de; höggva hönd, höfuð, fót af e-um, to cut one’s hand, head, foot off, Nj. 97, 92, Bs. i. 674; höggva spjót af skapti, to sever the blade from the shaft, 264; hann lét þá ekki hafa af föðurarfi sínum, nothing of their patrimony, Eg. 25; vil ek at þú takir slíkt sem þér líkar af varningi, take what you like of the stores, Nj. 4; at þú eignist slíkt af fé okkru sem þú vili, 94.

β. ellipt., en nú höfum vér kjörit, en þat er af krossinum, a slice of, Fms. vii. 89; Þórðr gaf Skólm frænda sínum af landnámi sínu, a part of, Landn. 211; hafði hann þat af hans eigu er hann vildi, Sturl. ii. 169; þar lá forkr einn ok brotið af endanum, the point broken off, Háv. 24, Sturl. i. 169.

γ. absol. off; beit hann höndina af, þar sem nú heitir úlfliðr, bit the hand off, Edda 17; fauk af höfuðit, the head flew off, Nj. 97; jafnt er sem þér synist, af er fótrinn, the foot is off, id.; af bæði eyru, both ears off, Vm. 29.

2. with the notion of—among; mestr skörungr af konum á Norðrlöndum, the greatest heroine in the North, Fms. i. 116; hinn efniligasti maðr af ungum mönnum í Austfjörðum, the most hopeful of youths in the Eastfirths, Njarð. 364; af ( among) öllurn hirðmönnuni virði konungr mest skáld sín, Eg. 27; ef hann vildi nokkura kaupa af þessum konum, Ld. 30; ör liggr þar útiá vegginum, ok er sú af þeirra örum, one of their own arrows, Nj. 115.

β. from, among, belonging to; guð kaus hana af ollum konum sér til móður, of the Virgin Mary, Mar. A. i. 27.

γ. metaph., kunna mikit (lítið) af e-u, to know much, little of, Bragi kann mest af skáldskap, is more cunning of poetry than any one else, Edda 17.

δ. absol. out of, before, in preference to all others; Gunnarr bauð þér góð boð, en þú vildir eingi af taka, you would choose none of them, Nj. 77; ráða e-t af, to decide; þó mun faðir minn mestu af ráða, all depends upon him, Ld. 22; konungr kveðst því mundu heldr af trúa, preferred believing that of the two, Eg. 55; var honum ekki vildara af ván, he could expect nothing better, 364.

3. with the additional sense of instrumentality, with; ferma skip af e-u, to freight a ship with, Eg. 364; hlaða mörg skip af korni, load many ships with corn, Fms. xi. 8; klyfja tvá hesta af mat, Nj. 74; var vágrinn skipaðr af herskipum, the bay was covered with war ships, 124; fylla ker af glóðum, fill it with embers, Stj. 319; fylla heiminn af sínu kyni, to fill the world with his offspring, Ver. 3.

III. denoting the substance of which a thing is made, of; used indifferently with ór, though ór be more frequent; þeir gerðu af honum jörðina, af blóði hans sæinn ok vötnin, of the creation of the world from the corpse of the giant Ymir; the poem Gm. 40, 41, constantly uses ór in this sense, just as in modern Icelandic, Edda 5; svá skildu þeir, at allir hlutir væri smíðaðir af nokkru efni, 147 (pref.); húsit var gert af timbrstokkum, built of trunks of timber, Eg. 233; hjöhin vóru af gulli, of gold, golden, Fms. i. 17; af osti, of cheese, but in the verse 1. c. ór osti, Fms. vi. 253; línklæði af lérepti, linen, Sks. 287.

2. metaph. in the phrases, göra e-t af e-n ( to dispose of), verða af ( become of), hvat hefir þú gört af Gunnari, what hast thou done with Gunnar? Njarð. 376; hvat af motrinuni er orðit, what has become of it? of a lost thing, Ld. 208; hverfr Óspakr á burt, svá eigi vita menn hvat af honum er orðit, what has become of him? Band. 5.

IV. denoting parentage, descent, origin, domicile, abode:

1. parentage, of, from, used indifferently with frá; ok eru af þeim komnir Gilsbekkingar, descend from them, but a little below—frá honum eru konmir Sturlungar, Eb. 338, cp. afkvæmi; af ætt Hörðakára, Fms. i. 287; kominn af Trojumönnum, xi. 416; af Ása-ætt (Kb. wrongly at), Edda I.

β. metaph., vera af Guði (theol.), of God, = righteous, 686 B. 9; illr ávöxtr af íllri rót, Fms. ii. 48; Asia er kölluð af nafni nokkurar konu, derives her name from, Stj. 67; af honum er bragr kallaðr skáldskapr, called after his name, Edda 17.

2. of domicile; af danskri tungu, of Danish or Scandinavian origin, speaking the Danish tongue, Grág. ii. 73; hvaðan af löndum, whence, native of what country? Ísl.

β. especially denoting a man’s abode, and answering to á and í, the name of the farm (or country) being added to proper names, (as in Scotland,) to distinguish persons of the same name; Hallr af Síðu, Nj. 189; Erlingr af Straumey, 273; Ástríðr af Djúpárbakka, 39; Gunnarr af Hlíðarenda (more usual frá); þorir haklangr konungr af Ögðum, king of Agdir, Eg. 35, etc.; cp. ór and frá.

V. denoting a person with whom an act, feeling, etc. originates, for the most part with a periphrastic passive:

1. by, the Old Engl. of; as, ek em sendr hingað af Starkaði ok sonum hans, sent hither by, Nj. 94; inna e-t af hendi, to perform, 257; þó at alþýða væri skírð af kennimönnum, baptized of, Fms. ii. 158; meira virðr af mönnum, higher esteemed, Ld. 158; ástsæll af landsmönnum, beloved, íb. 16; vinsæll af mönnum, Nj. 102; í allgóðu yfirlæti af þeim feðgum, hospitably treated by them, Eg. 170; var þá nokkut drukkið af alþjóð, there was somewhat hard drinking of the people, Sturl. iii. 229; mun þat ekki upp tekið af þeim sükudólgum mínum, they will not clutch at that, Nj. 257; ef svá væri í hendr þér búit af mér, if í had so made everything ready to thy hands, Ld. 130; þá varð fárætt um af föður hans, his father said little about it, Fms. ii. 154.

2. it is now also sometimes used as a periphrase of a nom., e. g. ritað, þýtt af e-m, written, translated, edited by, but such phrases scarcely occur in old writers.

VI. denoting cause, ground, reason:

1. originating from, on account of, by reason of; af frændsemis sökum, for kinship’s sake, Grág. ii. 72; ómáli af áverkum, speechless from wounds, 27; af manna völdum, by violence, not by natural accident, of a crime, Nj. 76; af fortölum Halls, through his pleading, 255; af ástsæld hans ok af tölum þeirra Sæmundar, by his popularity and the eloquence of S., Íb. 16; af ráðum Haralds konungs, by his contriving, Landn. 157; úbygðr af frosti ok kulda, because of frost and cold, Hkr. i. 5.

β. adverbially, af því, therefore, Nj. 78; af hví, why? 686 B. 9; þá verðr bóndi heiðinn af barni sínu, viz. if he does not cause his child to be christened, K. Þ. K. 20.

2. denoting instrumentality, by means of; af sinu fé, by one’s own means, Grág. i. 293; framfæra e-n af verkum sinum, by means of one’s own labour, K. Þ. K. 142; draga saman auð af sökum, ok vælum ok kaupum, make money by, 623. I; af sínum kostnaði, at hi s own expense, Hkr. i. 217.

β. absol., hún fellir á mik dropa svá heita at ek brenn af öll, Ld. 328; hann fékk af hina mestu sæmd, derived great honotur from it, Nj. 88; elli sótti á hendr honum svá at hann lagðist í rekkju af, he grew bedridden from age, Ld. 54; komast undan af hlaupi, escape by running, Fms. viii. 58; spinna garn af rokki, spin off a wheel (now, spinna á rokk), from a notion of instrumentality, or because of the thread being spun out (?), Eb. 92.

3. denoting proceeding, originating from; lýsti af höndum hennar, her hands spread beams of light, Edda 22; allir heimar lýstust ( were illuminated) af henni, id.; en er lýsti af degi, when the day broke forth, Fms. ii. 16; lítt var lýst af degi, the day was just beginning to break, Ld. 46; þá tók at myrkja af nótt, the ‘mirk-time’ of night began to set in, Eg. 230; tók þá brátt at myrkva af nótt, the night grew dark, Hkr. ii. 230.

4. metaph., standa, leiða, hljótast af, to be caused by, result from; opt hlýtst íllt af kvenna hjali, great mischief is wrought by women’s gossip (a proverb), Gísl. 15, 98; at af þeim mundi mikit mein ok úhapp standa, be caused by, Edda 18; kenna kulda af ráðum e-s, to feel sore from, Eb. 42; þó mun her hljótast af margs manns bani, Nj, 90.

5. in adverbial phrases, denoting state of mind; af mikilli æði, in fury, Nj. 116; af móð, in great emotion, Fms. xi. 221; af áhyggju, with concern, i. 186; af létta, frankly, iii. 91; af viti, collectedly, Grág. ii. 27; af heilu, sincerely, Eg. 46; áf fári, in rage; af æðru, timidly, Nj. (in a verse); af setning, composedly, in tune, Fms. iii. 187; af mikilli frægð, gallantly, Fas. i. 261; af öllu afli, with all might, Grág. ii. 41; af riki, violently, Fbr. (in a verse); af trúnaði, confidently, Grág. i. 400.

VII. denoting regard to, of, concerning, in respect of, as regards:

1. with verbs, denoting to tell of, be informed, inquire about, Lat. de; Dioscorides segir af grasi því, speaks of, 655 xxx. 5; er menn spurðu af landinu, inquired about it, Landn. 30; halda njósn af e-u, Nj. 104; er þat skjótast þar af at segja, Eg. 546, Band. 8.

β. absol., hann mun spyrja, hvárt þér sé nokkut af kunnigt hversu for með okkr, whether you know anything about, how, Nj. 33; halda skóla af, to hold a school in a science, 656 A. i. 19 (sounds like a Latinism); en ek gerða þik sera mestan mann af öllu, in respect of all, that you should get all the honour of it, Nj. 78.

2. with adjectives such as mildr, illr, góðrafe-u, denoting disposition or character in respect to; alira manna mildastr af fo, very liberal, often-banded, Fms. vii. 197; mildr af gulli, i. 33; góðr af griðum, merciful, Al. 33; íllr af mat en mildr af gulli, Fms. i. 53; fastr af drykk, close, stingy in regard to, Sturl. ii. 125; gat þess Hildigunnr at þú mundir góðr af hestinum, that you would be good about the horse, Nj. 90, cp. auðigr at, v. at, which corresponds to the above phrases; cp. also the phrase af sér above, p. 4, col. I, ll. 50 sqq.

VIII. periphrasis of a genitive (rare); provincialis af öllum Predikaraklaustrum, Fms. x. 76; vera af hinum mesta fjandskap, to breathe deep hatred to, be on bad terms with, ix. 220; af hendi, af hálfu e-s, on one’s behalf, v. those words.

IX. in adverbial phrases; as, af launungu, secretly; af hljóði, silently; v. those words.

β. also used absolutely with a verb, almost adverbially, nearly in the signification off, away; hann bað þá róa af fjörðinn, pass the firth swiftly by rowing, row the firth off, Fms. ix. 502; var pá af farit þat seni skerjóttast var, was past, sailed past, Ld. 142; ok er þeir höfðu af fjórðung, past one fourth of the way, Dropl. 10: skína af, to clear up, of the skv, Eb. 152; hence in common language, skína af sér, when the sun breaks forth: sofa af nóttina, to sleep it away, Fms. ii. 98; leið af nóttin, the night past away, Nj. 53; dvelja af stundir, to kill the time, Band. 8; drepa af, to kill; láta af, to slaughter, kill off;

γ. in exclamations; af tjöldin, off with the awnings, Bs. i. 420, Fins, ix. 49.

δ. in the phrases, þar af, thence; hér af, hence, Fms. ii. 102; af fram, straight on, Nj. 144; now, á fram, on, advance.

X. it often refers to a whole sentence or to an adverb, not only like other prepp. to hér, hvar, þar, but also redundantly to hvaðan, héðan, þaðan, whence, hence, thence.

2. the preposition may sometimes be repeated, once elliptically or adverbially, and once properly, e. g. en er af var borit at borðinu, the cloth was taken off from the table, Nj. 176; Guð þerrir af (off, away) hvert tár af ( from) augum heilagra manna, God wipes off every tear from the eyes of his saints, 655 xx. vii. 17; skal þó fyrst bætr af lúka af fé vegaiula, pay off, from, Gþl. 160, the last af may be omitted—var þá af borið borðinu—and the prep. thus be separated from its case, or it may refer to some of the indecl. relatives er or sem, the prep. hvar, hér, þar being placed behind them without a case, and referring to the preceding relative, e. g. oss er þar mikit af sagt auð þeim, we have been told much about these riches, Band. 24; er þat skjótast þar af at segja, in short, shortly. Eg. 546; þaðan af veit ek, thence í infer, know, Fms. i. 97.

XI. it is moreover connected with a great many verbs besides those mentioned above, e. g. bera af, to excel, whence afbragð, afbrigði; draga af, to detract, deduct, hence afdráttr; veita ekki af, to be hard with; ganga at, to be left, hence afgangr; standast af um e-t, to stand, how matters stand; sem af tekr, at a furious rate; vita af, to be conscious, know about (vide VII).

D. As a prefix to compounds distinction is to be made between:

I. af privativum, denoting diminution, want, deduction, loss, separation, negation of, etc., answering indifferently to Lat. ab-, de-, ex-, dis-, and rarely to re- and se-, v. the following COMPDS, such as segja, dicere, but afsegja, negare; rækja, colere, but afrækja, negligere; aflaga, contra legem; skapligr, normalis, afskapligr, deformis; afvik, recessus; afhús, afhellir, afdalr, etc.

II. af intensivum, etymologically different, and akin to of, afr-, e. g. afdrykkja = ofdrykkja, inebrietas; afbrýði, jealously; afbendi, tenesmus; afglapi, vir fatuus, etc. etc. Both the privative and the intensive af may be contracted into á, esp. before a labial f, m, v, e. g. á fram = af fram; ábrýði = afbrýði; ávöxtr = afvöxtr; áburðr = afburðr; ávíta = afvíta (?). In some cases dubious. With extenuated and changed vowel; auvirðiligr or övirðiligr, depreciated, = afv- etc., v. those words.

Íslensk-ensk orðabók > AF
10 Á

shall

* * *

a negative suffix to verbs, not;

era útmakligt, at it is not unmeet that.

* * *

1.

á, prep., often used elliptically, or even adverbially, [Goth. ana; Engl. on; Germ. an. In the Scandinavian idioms the liquid n is absorbed. In English the same has been supposed to happen in adverbial phrases, e. g. ‘along, away, abroad, afoot, again, agate, ahead, aloft, alone, askew, aside, astray, awry,’ etc. It is indeed true that the Ormulum in its northern dialect freq. uses o, even in common phrases, such as ‘o boke, o land, o life, o slæpe, o strande, o write, o naht, o loft,’ etc., v. the glossary; and we may compare on foot and afoot, on sleep (Engl. Vers. of Bible) and asleep; A. S. a-butan and on-butan (about); agen and ongean (again, against); on bæc, aback; on life, alive; on middan, amid. But it is more than likely that in the expressions quoted above, as well as in numberless others, as well in old as in modern English, the English a- as well as the o- of the Ormulum and the modern Scottish and north of England o- are in reality remains of this very á pronounced au or ow, which was brought by the Scandinavian settlers into the north of England. In the struggle for supremacy between the English dialects after the Conquest, the Scandinavian form á or a won the day in many cases to the exclusion of the Anglo-Saxon on. Some of these adverbs have representatives only in the Scandinavian tongues, not in Anglo-Saxon; see below, with dat. B. II, C. VII; with acc. C. I. and VI. The prep. á denotes the surface or outside; í and ór the inside; at, til, and frá, nearness measured to or from an object: á thus answers to the Gr. επί; the Lat. in includes á and i together.]

With dat. and acc.: in the first case with the notion of remaining on a place, answering to Lat. in with abl.; in the last with the notion of motion to the place, = Lat. in with acc.

WITH DAT.

A. Loc.

I. generally on, upon; á gólfi, on the floor, Nj. 2; á hendi, on the hand (of a ring), 48, 225; á palli, 50; á steini, 108; á vegg, 115; á sjá ok á landi, on sea and land. In some instances the distinction between d and i is loose and wavering, but in most cases common sense and usage decide; thus ‘á bók’ merely denotes the letters, the penmanship, ‘í’ the contents of a book; mod. usage, however, prefers ‘í,’ lesa í bók, but stafr á bók. Old writers on the other hand; á bókum Enskum, in English books, Landn. 24, but í Aldafars bók, 23 (in the book De Mensurâ Temporum, by Bede), cp. Grág. i. 76, where á is a false reading instead of at; á bréfi, the contents of a letter: of clothing or arms, mítr á höfði, sverð á hlið, mitre on head, sword on side, Fms. i. 266, viii. 404; hafa lykil á sér, on one’s person, 655 xxvii. 22; möttull á tyglum, a mantle hanging on (i. e. fastened by) laces, Fms. vii. 201: á þingi means to be present at a meeting; í þingi, to abide within a jurisdiction; á himni, á jörðu, on (Engl. in) heaven and earth, e. g. in the Lord’s Prayer, but í helviti, in hell; á Gimli, Edda (of a heavenly abode); á báti, á skipi denote crew and cargo, ‘í’ the timber or materials of which a ship is built, Eg. 385; vera í stafni á skipi, 177: á skógi, to be abroad in a wood (of a hunter, robber, deer); but to be situated (a house), at work (to fell timber), í skógi, 573, Fs. 5, Fms. iii. 122, viii. 31, xi. 1, Glúm. 330, Landn. 173; á mörkinni, Fms. i. 8, but í mörk, of a farm; á firðinum means lying in a firth, of ships or islands (on the surface of the water), þær eyjar liggja á Breiðafirði, Ld. 36; but í firði, living in a district named Firth; á landi, Nj. 98, Fms. xi. 386.

II. á is commonly used in connection with the pr. names or countries terminating in ‘land,’ Engl. in, á Englandi, Írlandi, Skotlandi, Bretlandi, Saxlandi, Vindlandi, Vínlandi, Grænalandi, Íslandi, Hálogalandi, Rogalandi, Jótlandi, Frakklandi, Hjaltlandi, Jamtalandi, Hvítramannalandi, Norðrlöndum, etc., vide Landn. and the index to Fms. xii. In old writers í is here very rare, in modern authors more frequent; taste and the context in many instances decide. An Icelander would now say, speaking of the queen or king, ‘á Englandi,’ ruling over, but to live ‘í Englandi,’ or ‘á Englandi;’ the rule in the last case not being quite fixed.

2. in connection with other names of countries: á Mæri, Vörs, Ögðum, Fjölum, all districts of Norway, v. Landn.; á Mýrum (in Icel.), á Finnmörk, Landn., á Fjóni (a Danish island); but í Danmörk, Svíþjóð (á Svíþjóðu is poët., Gs. 13).

3. before Icel. farms denoting open and elevated slopes and spaces (not too high, because then ‘at’ must be used), such as ‘staðr, völlr, ból, hjalli, bakki, heimr, eyri,’ etc.; á Veggjum, Landn. 69; á Hólmlátri, id.: those ending in ‘-staðr,’ á Geirmundarstöðum, Þórisstöðum, Jarðlangsstöðum…, Landn.: ‘-völlr,’ á Möðruvöllum: á Fitjum (the farm) í Storð (the island), í Fenhring (the island) á Aski (the farm), Landn., Eg.: ‘-nes’ sometimes takes á, sometimes í (in mod. usage always ‘í’), á Nesi, Eb. 14, or í Krossnesi, 30; in the last case the notion of island, νησος, prevails: so also, ‘fjörðr,’ as, þeir börðust á Vigrafirði (of a fight o n the ice), Landn. 101, but orusta í Hafrsfirði, 122: with ‘-bær,’ á is used in the sense of a farm or estate, hón sa á e-m bæ mikit hús ok fagrt, Edda 22; ‘í bæ’ means within doors, of the buildings: with ‘Bær’ as pr. name Landn. uses ‘í,’ 71, 160, 257, 309, 332.

4. denoting on or just above; of the sun, when the time is fixed by regarding the sun in connection with points in the horizon, a standing phrase in Icel.; sól á gjáhamri, when the sun is on the crag of the Rift, Grág. i. 26, cp. Glúm. 387; so, brú á á, a bridge on a river, Fms. viii. 179, Hrafn. 20; taka hús á e-m, to surprise one, to take the house over his head, Fms. i. 11.

III. á is sometimes used in old writers where we should now expect an acc., esp. in the phrase, leggja sverði (or the like) á e-m, or á e-m miðjum, to stab, Eg. 216, Gísl. 106, Band. 14; þá stakk Starkaðr sprotanum á konungi, then Starkad stabbed the king with the wand, Fas. iii. 34; bíta á kampi (vör), to bite the lips, as a token of pain or emotion, Nj. 209, 68; taka á e-u, to touch a thing, lay hold of it, v. taka; fá á e-u, id. (poët.); leggja hendr á (better at) síðum, in wrestling, Fms. x. 331; koma á úvart á e-m, to come on one unawares, ix. 407 (rare).

B. TEMP. of a particular point or period of time, at, on, in:

I. gener. denoting during, in the course of; á nótt, degi, nætrþeli …, Bs. i. 139; or spec. adding a pron. or an adject., á næsta sumri, the next summer; á því ári, þingi, misseri, hausti, vári, sumri …, during, in that year …, Bs. i. 679, etc.; á þrem sumrum, in the course of three summers, Grág. i. 218; á þrem várum, Fms. ii. 114; á hálfs mánaðar fresti, within half a month’s delay, Nj. 99; á tvítugs, sextugs … aldri, á barns, gamals aldri, etc., at the age of …, v. aldr: á dögum e-s, in the days of, in his reign or time, Landn. 24, Hrafn. 3, Fms. ix. 229.

II. used of a fixed recurrent period or season; á várum, sumrum, haustum, vetrum, á kveldum, every spring, summer …, in the evenings, Eg. 711, Fms. i. 23, 25, vi. 394, Landn. 292: with the numeral adverbs, cp. Lat. ter in anno, um sinn á mánuði, ári, once a month, once a year, where the Engl. a is not the article but the preposition, Grág. i. 89.

III. of duration; á degi, during a whole day, Fms. v. 48; á sjau nóttum, Bárð. 166; á því meli, during that time, in the meantime, Grág. i. 259.

IV. connected with the seasons (á vetri, sumri, vári, hausti), ‘á’ denotes the next preceding season, the last winter, summer, autumn, Eb. 40, 238, Ld. 206: in such instances ‘á’ denotes the past, ‘at’ the future, ‘í’ the present; thus í vetri in old writers means this winter; á vetri, last winter; at vetri, next winter, Eb. 68 (in a verse), etc.

C. In various other relations, more or less metaphorically, on, upon, in, to, with, towards, against:

I. denoting object, in respect of, against, almost periphrastically; dvelja á náðum e-s, under one’s protection, Fms. i. 74; hafa metnað á e-u, to be proud of, to take pride in a thing, 127.

2. denoting a personal relation, in; bæta e-t á e-m, to make amends, i. e. to one personally; misgöra e-t á e-m, to inflict wrong on one; hafa elsku (hatr) á e-m, to bear love ( hatred) to one, Fms. ix. 242; hefna sín á e-m, to take revenge on one’s person, on anyone; rjúfa sætt á e-m, to break truce on the person of any one, to offend against his person, Nj. 103; hafa sár á sér, 101; sjá á e-m, to read on or in one’s face; sér hann á hverjum manni hvárt til þín er vel eðr illa, 106; var þat brátt auðséð á hennar högum, at …, it could soon be seen in all her doings, that …, Ld. 22.

3. also generally to shew signs of a thing; sýna fáleika á sér, to shew marks of displeasure, Nj. 14, Fs. 14; taka vel, illa, lítt, á e-u, to take a thing well, ill, or indifferently, id.; finna á sér, to feel in oneself; fann lítt á honum, hvárt …, it could hardly be seen in his face, whether …, Eb. 42; líkindi eru á, it is likely, Ld. 172; göra kost á e-u, to give a choice, chance of it, 178; eiga vald á e-u, to have power over …, Nj. 10.

II. denoting encumbrance, duty, liability; er fimtardómsmál á þeim, to be subject to …, Nj. 231; the phrase, hafa e-t á hendi, or vera á hendi e-m, on one’s hands, of work or duty to be done; eindagi á fé, term, pay day, Grág. i. 140; ómagi (skylda, afvinna) á fé, of a burden or encumbrance, D. I. and Grág. in several passages.

III. with a personal pronoun, sér, mér, honum …, denoting personal appearance, temper, character, look, or the like; vera þungr, léttr … á sér, to be heavy or light, either bodily or mentally; þungr á sér, corpulent, Sturl. i. 112; kátr ok léttr á sér, of a gay and light temper, Fms. x. 152; þat bragð hafði hann á sér, he looked as if, … the expression of his face was as though …, Ld., cp. the mod. phrase, hafa á sér svip, bragð, æði, sið, of one’s manner or personal appearance, to bear oneself as, or the like; skjótr (seinn) á fæti, speedy ( slow) of foot, Nj. 258.

IV. as a periphrasis of the possessive pronoun connected with the limbs or parts of the body. In common Icel. such phrases as my hands, eyes, head … are hardly ever used, but höfuð, eyru, hár, nef, munnr, hendr, fætr … á mér; so ‘í’ is used of the internal parts, e. g. hjarta, bein … í mér; the eyes are regarded as inside the body, augun í honum: also without the possessive pronoun, or as a periphrasis for a genitive, brjóstið á e-m, one’s breast, Nj. 95, Edda 15; súrnar í augum, it smarts in my eyes, my eyes smart, Nj. 202; kviðinn á sér, its belly, 655 xxx. 5, Fms. vi. 350; hendr á henni, her hands, Gísl. (in a verse); í vörunum á honum, on his lips, Band. 14; ristin á honum, his step, Fms. viii. 141; harðr í tungu, sharp of tongue, Hallfred (Fs. 114); kalt (heitt) á fingrum, höndum, fótum …, cold ( warm) in the fingers, hands, feet …, i. e. with cold fingers, etc.; cp. also the phrase, verða vísa (orð) á munni, of extemporising verses or speeches, freq. in the Sagas; fastr á fótum, fast by the leg, of a bondsman, Nj. 27: of the whole body, díla fundu þeir á honum, 209. The pers. pron. is used only in solemn style (poetry, hymns, the Bible), and perhaps only when influenced by foreign languages, e. g. mitt hjarta hví svo hryggist þú, as a translation of ‘warumb betrübst du dich mein Herz?’ the famous hymn by Hans Sachs; instead of the popular hjartað í mér, Sl. 43, 44: hjartað mitt is only used as a term of endearment, as by a husband to his wife, parents to their child, or the like, in a metaphorical sense; the heart proper is ‘í mér,’ not ‘mitt.’

2. of other things, and as a periphrasis of a genitive, of a part belonging to the whole, e. g. dyrr á husi = húsdyrr, at the house-doors; turn á kirkju = kirkju turn; stafn, skutr, segl, árar … á skipi, the stem, stern, sail … of a ship, Fms. ix. 135; blöð á lauk, á tré …, leaves of a leek, of a tree …, Fas. i. 469; egg á sverði = sverðs egg; stafr á bók; kjölr á bók, and in endless other instances.

V. denoting instrumentality, by, on, or a-, by means of; afla fjár á hólmgöngum, to make money a-duelling, by means of duels, Eg. 498; á verkum sínum, to subsist on one’s own work, Njarð. 366: as a law term, sekjast á e-ju, to be convicted upon …, Grág. i. 123; sekst maðr þar á sínu eigini ( a man is guilty in re sua), ef hann tekr af þeim manni er heimild ( possessio) hefir til, ii. 191; falla á verkum sínum, to be killed flagranti delicto, v. above; fella e-n á bragði, by a sleight in wrestling; komast undan á flótta, to escape by flight, Eg. 11; á hlaupi, by one’s feet, by speed, Hkr. ii. 168; lifa á e-u, to feed on; bergja á e-u, to taste of a thing; svala sér á e-u, to quench the thirst on.

VI. with subst. numerals; á þriðja tigi manna, up to thirty, i. e. from about twenty to thirty, Ld. 194; á öðru hundraði skipa, from one to two hundred sail strong, Fms. x. 126; á níunda tigi, between eighty and ninety years of age, Eg. 764, v. above: used as prep., á hendi, on one’s hand, i. e. bound to do it, v. hönd.

VII. in more or less adverbial phrases it may often be translated in Engl. by a participle and a- prefixed; á lopti, aloft; á floti, afloat; á lífi, alive; á verðgangi, a-begging; á brautu, away; á baki, a-back, behind, past; á milli, a-tween; á laun, alone, secretly; á launungu, id.; á móti, against; á enda, at an end, gone; á huldu, hidden; fara á hæli, to go a-heel, i. e. backwards, Fms. vii. 70;—but in many cases these phrases are transl. by the Engl. partic. with a, which is then perh. a mere prefix, not a prep., á flugi, a-flying in the air, Nj. 79; vera á gangi, a-going; á ferli, to be about; á leiki, a-playing, Fms. i. 78; á sundi, a-swimming, ii. 27; á verði, a-watching, x. 201; á hrakningi, a-wandering; á reiki, a-wavering; á skjálfi, a-shivering; á-hleri, a-listening; á tali, a-talking, Ísl. ii. 200; á hlaupi, a-running, Hkr. ii. 268; á verki, a-working; á veiðum, a-hunting; á fiski, a-fishing; á beit, grazing: and as a law term it even means in flagranti, N. G. L. i. 348.

VIII. used absolutely without a case in reference to the air or the weather, where ‘á’ is almost redundant; þoka var á mikil, a thick fog came on, Nj. 267; niðamyrkr var á, pitch darkness came on, Eg. 210; allhvast á norðan, a very strong breeze from the north, Fms. ix. 20; þá var á norðrænt, a north wind came on, 42, Ld. 56; hvaðan sem á er, from whatever point the wind is; var á hríð veðrs, a snow storm came on, Nj. 282; görði á regn, rain came on, Fms. vi. 394, xi. 35, Ld. 156.

WITH ACC.

A. Loc.

I. denoting simple direction towards, esp. connected with verbs of motion, going, or the like; hann gékk á bergsnös, Eg. 389; á hamar, Fas. ii. 517.

2. in phrases denoting direction; liggja á útborða, lying on the outside of the ship, Eg. 354; á annat borð skipinu, Fms. vii. 260; á bæði borð, on both sides of the ship, Nj. 124, Ld. 56; á tvær hliðar, on both sides, Fms. v. 73. Ísl. ii. 159; á hlið, sidewards; út á hlið, Nj. 262, Edda 44; á aðra hönd henni, Nj. 50, Ld. 46; höggva á tvær hendr, to hew or strike right and left, Ísl. ii. 368, Fas. i. 384, Fms. viii. 363, x. 383.

3. upp á, upon; hann tók augu Þjaza ok kastaði upp á himin, Edda 47: with verbs denoting to look, see, horfa, sjá, líta, etc.; hann rak skygnur á land, he cast glances towards the land, Ld. 154.

II. denoting direction with or without the idea of arriving:

1. with verbs denoting to aim at; of a blow or thrust, stefna á fótinn, Nj. 84; spjótið stefnir á hann miðjan, 205: of the wind, gékk veðrit á vestr, the wind veered to west, Fms. ix. 28; sigla á haf, to stand out to sea, Hkr. i. 146, Fms. i. 39: with ‘út’ added, Eg. 390, Fms. x. 349.

2. conveying the notion of arriving, or the intervening space being traversed; spjótið kom á miðjan skjöldinn, Eg. 379, Nj. 96, 97; langt upp á land, far up inland, Hkr. i. 146: to reach, taka ofan á belti, of the long locks of a woman, to reach down to the belt, Nj. 2; ofan á bringu, 48; á þa ofan, 91.

III. without reference to the space traversed, connected with verbs denoting to go, turn, come, ride, sail, throw, or the like, motion of every kind; hann kastar honum á völlinn, he flings him down, Nj. 91; hlaupa á skip sitt, to leap on board his ship, 43; á hest, to mount quickly, Edda 75; á lend hestinum, Nj. 91; hann gengr á sáðland sitt, he walks on to his fields, 82: on, upon, komast á fætr, to get upon one’s legs, 92; ganga á land, to go a-shore, Fms. i. 40; ganga á þing, vii. 242, Grág. (often); á skóg, á merkr ok skóga, into a wood, Fb. i. 134, 257, Fms. xi. 118, Eg. 577, Nj. 130; fara á Finnmörk, to go travelling in Finmark, Fms. i. 8; koma, fara á bæ, to arrive at the farm-house; koma á veginn, Eg. 578; stíga á bát, skip, to go on board, 158; hann gékk upp á borg, he went up to the burg (castle), 717; en er þeir komu á loptriðið, 236; hrinda skipum á vatn, to float the ships down into the water, Fms. i. 58; reka austr á haf, to drift eastwards on the sea, x. 145; ríða ofan á, to ride down or over, Nj. 82.

IV. in some cases the acc. is used where the dat. would be used, esp. with verbs denoting to see or hear, in such phrases as, þeir sá boða mikinn inn á fjörðinn, they saw great breakers away up in the bight of the firth, the acc. being due perhaps to a motion or direction of the eye or ear towards the object, Nj. 124; sá þeir fólkit á land, they saw the people in the direction of land, Fas. ii. 517: in phrases denoting to be placed, to sit, to be seated, the seat or bench is freq. in the acc. where the dat. would now be used; konungr var þar á land upp, the king was then up the country, the spectator or narrator is conceived as looking from the shore or sea-side, Nj. 46; sitja á miðjan bekk, to be seated on the middle bench, 50; skyldi konungs sæti vera á þann bekk … annat öndvegi var á hinn úæðra pall; hann setti konungs hásæti á miðjan þverpall, Fms. vi. 439, 440, cp. Fagrsk. l. c., Sturl. iii. 182; eru víða fjallbygðir upp á mörkina, in the mark or forest, Eg. 58; var þar mörk mikil á land upp, 229; mannsafnaðr er á land upp (viewed from the sea), Ld. 76; stóll var settr á mótið, Fas. i. 58; beiða fars á skip, to beg a passage, Grág. i. 90.

V. denoting parts of the body; bíta e-n á barka, to bite one in the throat, Ísl. ii. 447; skera á háls, to cut the throat of any one, Nj. 156; brjóta e-n á háls, to break any one’s neck; brjóta e-n á bak, to break any one’s back, Fms. vii. 119; kalinn á kné, frozen to the knees with cold, Hm. 3.

VI. denoting round; láta reipi á háls hesti, round his horse’s neck, 623. 33; leggja söðul á hest, Nj. 83; and ellipt., leggja á, to saddle; breiða feld á hofuð sér, to wrap a cloak over his head, 164; reyta á sik mosa, to gather moss to cover oneself with, 267; spenna hring á hönd, á fingr, Eg. 300.

VII. denoting a burden; stela mat á tvá hesta, hey á fimtán hesta, i. e. a two, a fifteen horse load, Nj. 74: metaph., kjósa feigð á menn, to choose death upon them, i. e. doom them to death, Edda 22.

B. TEMP.

I. of a period of time, at, to; á morgun, to-morrow (í morgun now means the past morning, the morning of to-day), Ísl. ii. 333.

II. if connected with the word day, ‘á’ is now used before a fixed or marked day, a day of the week, a feast day, or the like; á Laugardag, á Sunnudag …, on Saturday, Sunday, the Old Engl. a-Sunday, a-Monday, etc.; á Jóladaginn, Páskadaginn, on Yule and Easter-day; but in old writers more often used ellipt. Sunnudaginn, Jóladaginn …, by dropping the prep. ‘á,’ Fms. viii. 397, Grág. i. 18.

III. connected with ‘dagr’ with the definite article suffixed, ‘á’ denotes a fixed, recurring period or season, in; á daginn, during the day-time, every day in turn, Grett. 91 A.

IV. connected with ‘evening, morning, the seasons,’ with the article; á kveldit, every evening, Ld. 14; á sumarit, every summer, Vd. 128, where the new Ed. Fs. 51 reads sumrum; á haust, every autumn, Eg. 741 (perh. a misprint instead of á haustin or á haustum); á vetrinn, in the winter time, 710; á várit, every spring, Gþl. 347; the sing., however, is very rare in such cases, the old as well as mod. usage prefers the plur.; á nætrnar, by night, Nj. 210; á várin, Eg. 710; á sumrin, haustin, á morgnana, in the morning (á morgin, sing., means to-morrow); á kveldin, in the evening, only ‘dagr’ is used in sing., v. above (á daginn, not á dagana); but elliptically and by dropping the article, Icelanders say, kveld og morgna, nótt og dag, vetr sumar vor og haust, in the same sense as those above mentioned.

V. denoting duration, the article is dropped in the negative phrase, aldri á sinn dag, never during one’s life; aldri á mína daga, never in my life, Bjarn. 8, where a possess. pron. is put between noun and prep., but this phrase is very rare. Such phrases as, á þann dag, that day, and á þenna dag, Stj. 12, 655 xxx. 2. 20, are unclassical.

VI. á dag without article can only be used in a distributive sense, e. g. tvisvar á dag, twice a-day; this use is at present freq. in Icel., yet instances from old writers are not on record.

VII. denoting a movement onward in time, such as, liðið á nótt, dag, kveld, morgun, sumar, vetr, vár, haust (or nóttina, daginn …), jól, páska, föstu, or the like, far on in the night, day …, Edda 33; er á leið vetrinn, when the winter was well on, as the winter wore on, Nj. 126; cp. áliðinn: also in the phrase, hniginn á inn efra aldr, well stricken in years, Ld. 68.

C. Metaph. and in various relations:

I. somewhat metaphorically, denoting an act only (not the place); fara á fund, á vit e-s, to call for one, Eg. 140; koma á ræðu við e-n, to come to a parley with, to speak, 173; ganga á tal, Nj. 103; skora á hólm, to challenge to a duel on an island; koma á grið, to enter into a service, to be domiciled, Grág. i. 151; fara á veiðar, to go a-hunting, Fms. i. 8.

β. generally denoting on, upon, in, to; bjóða vöxtu á féit, to offer interest on the money, Grág. i. 198; ganga á berhögg, to come to blows, v. berhögg; fá á e-n, to make an impression upon one, Nj. 79; ganga á vápn e-s, to throw oneself on an enemy’s weapon, meet him face to face, Rd. 310; ganga á lagið, to press on up the spear-shaft after it has passed through one so as to get near one’s foe, i. e. to avail oneself of the last chance; bera fé á e-n, to bribe, Nj. 62; bera öl á e-n, to make drunk, Fas. i. 13; snúinn á e-t, inclined to, Fms. x. 142; sammælast á e-t, to agree upon, Nj. 86; sættast, verða sáttr á e-t, in the same sense, to come to an agreement, settlement, or atonement, 78, Edda 15, Eb. 288, Ld. 50, Fms. i. 279; ganga á mála, to serve for pay as a soldier, Nj. 121; ganga á vald e-s, to put oneself in his power, 267; ganga á sætt, to break an agreement; vega á veittar trygðir, to break truce, Grág. ii. 169.

II. denoting in regard to, in respect to:

1. of colour, complexion, the hue of the hair, or the like; hvítr, jarpr, dökkr … á hár, having white, brown, or dark … hair, Ísl. ii. 190, Nj. 39; svartr á brún ok brá, dark of brow and eyebrow; dökkr á hörund, id., etc.

2. denoting skill, dexterity; hagr á tré, a good carpenter; hagr á járn, málm, smíðar …, an expert worker in iron, metals …, Eg. 4; fimr á boga, good at the bow: also used of mastership in science or arts, meistari á hörpuslátt, a master in striking the harp, Fas. iii. 220; fræðimaðr á kvæði, knowing many poems by heart, Fms. vi. 391; fræðimaðr á landnámssögur ok forna fræði, a learned scholar in histories and antiquities (of Are Frode), Ísl. ii. 189; mikill á íþrótt, skilful in an art, Edda (pref.) 148; but dat. in the phrase, kunna (vel) á skíðum, to be a cunning skater, Fms. i. 9, vii. 120.

3. denoting dimensions; á hæð, lengd, breidd, dýpt …, in the heighth, length, breadth, depth …, Eg. 277; á hvern veg, on each side, Edda 41 (square miles); á annan veg, on the one side, Grág. i. 89.

β. the phrase, á sik, in regard to oneself, vel (illa) á sik kominn, of a fine ( ugly) appearance, Ld. 100, Fas. iii. 74.

III. denoting instrumentality; bjargast á sínar hendr, to live on the work of one’s own hands, (á sínar spýtur is a mod. phrase in the same sense); (vega) á skálir, pundara, to weigh in scales, Grág. ii. 370; at hann hefði tvá pundara, ok hefði á hinn meira keypt en á hinn minna selt, of a man using two scales, a big one for buying and a little one for selling, Sturl. i. 91; á sinn kostnað, at one’s own expense; nefna e-n á nafn, by name, Grág. i. 17, etc. The Icel. also say, spinna á rokk, snældu, to spin on or with a rock or distaff; mala á kvern, to grind in a ‘querne,’ where Edda 73 uses dat.; esp. of musical instruments, syngja, leika á hljóðfæri, hörpu, gígju …; in the old usage, leika hörpu …, Stj. 458.

IV. denoting the manner or way of doing:

1. á þessa lund, in this wise, Grág. ii. 22; á marga vega, á alla, ymsa vega, in many, all, respects, Fms. i. 114; á sitt hóf, in its turn, respectively, Ld. 136, where the context shews that the expression answers to the Lat. mutatis mutandis; á Þýðersku, after German fashion, Sks. 288.

2. esp. of language; mæla, rita á e-a tungu, to speak, write in a tongue; á Írsku, in Irish, Ld. 76; Norrænu, in Norse, Eb. 330, Vm. 35; a Danska tungu, in Danish, i. e. Scandinavian, Norse, or Icelandic, Grág. i. 18; á Vára tungu, i. e. in Icelandic, 181; rita á Norræna tungu, to write in Norse, Hkr. (pref.), Bs. i. 59:—at present, dat. is sometimes used.

3. in some phrases the acc. is used instead of the dat.; hann sýndi á sik mikit gaman, Fms. x. 329; hann lét ekki á sik finna, he shewed no sign of motion, Nj. 111; skaltú önga fáleika á þik gera (Cod. Kalf.), 14.

V. used in a distributive sense; skal mörk kaupa gæzlu á kú, eðr oxa fim vetra gamlan, a mark for every cow, Grág. i. 147; alin á hvert hross, 442; á mann, per man (now freq.): cp. also á dag above, lit. B.

VI. connected with nouns,

1. prepositional; á hendr (with dat.), against; á hæla, at heel, close behind; á bak, at back, i. e. past, after; á vit (with gen.), towards.

2. adverbially; á braut, away, abroad; á víxl, in turns; á mis, amiss; á víð ok dreif, a-wide and a-drift, i. e. dispersedly.

3. used almost redundantly before the following prep.; á eptir, after, behind; á undan, in front of; á meðal, á milli, among; á mót, against; á við, about, alike; á frá (cp. Swed. ifrån), from (rare); á fyrir = fyrir, Haustl. 1; á hjá, beside (rare); á fram, a-head, forwards; á samt, together; ávalt = of allt, always: following a prep., upp á, upon; niðr á, down upon; ofan á, eptir á, post eventum, (temp.) á eptir is loc., id., etc.

VII. connected with many transitive verbs, answering to the Lat. ad- or in-, in composition, in many cases periphrastically for an objective case. The prep. generally follows after the verb, instead of being prefixed to it as in Lat., and answers to the Engl. on, to; heita kalla, hrópa á, to call on; heyra, hlusta, hlyða á, to hearken to, listen to; hyggja, hugsa á, to think on; minna á, to remind; sjá, líta, horfa, stara, mæna, glápa, koma auga … á, to look on; girnast á, to wish for; trúa á, to believe on; skora á, to call on any one to come out, challenge; kæra á, to accuse; heilsa á, to greet; herja, ganga, ríða, hlaupa, ráða … á, to fall on, attack, cp. ágangr, áreið, áhlaup; ljúga á, to tell lies of, to slander; telja á, to carp at; ausa, tala, hella, kasta, verpa … á, to pour, throw on; ríða, bera, dreifa á, to sprinkle on; vanta, skorta á, to fall short of; ala á, to plead, beg; leggja á, to throw a spell on, lay a saddle on; hætta á, to venture on; gizka á, to guess at; kveða á, to fix on, etc.: in a reciprocal sense, haldast á, of mutual strife; sendast á, to exchange presents; skrifast á, to correspond (mod.); kallast á, to shout mutually; standast á, to coincide, so as to be just opposite one another, etc.

2.

f. [Lat. aqua; Goth. ahva; Hel. aha; A. S. eâ; O. H. G. aha, owa; cp. Germ. ach and aue; Fr. eau, eaux; Engl. Ax-, Ex-, etc., in names of places; Swed.-Dan. å; the Scandinavians absorb the hu, so that only a single vowel or diphthong remains of the whole word]:—a river. The old form in nom. dat. acc. sing. is , v. the introduction to A, page 1, Bs. i. 333 sq., where ́n, ́ (acc.), and ́na; so also Greg. 677; the old fragm. of Grág. ii. 222, 223, new Ed. In the Kb. of the Edda the old form occurs twice, viz. page 75, ́na (acc.), (but two lines below, ána), í ́nni (dat.) The old form also repeatedly occurs in the Kb. and Sb. of the Grág., e. g. ii. 266, 267: gen. sing. ár; nom. pl. ár, gen. á contracted, dat. ám, obsolete form ́m; Edda 43, Eg. 80, 99, 133, 185: proverbs, at ósi skal á stemma, answering to the Lat. principiis obsta, Edda 60; hér kemr á til sæfar, here the river runs into the sea, metaph. = this is the very end, seems to have been a favourite ending of old poems; it is recorded in the Húsdrápa and the Norðsetadrápa, v. Edda 96, Skálda 198; cp. the common saying, oil vötn renna til sævar, ‘all waters run into the sea.’ Rivers with glacier water are in Icel. called Hvítá, White river, or Jökulsá: Hitá, Hot river, from a hot spring, opp. to Kaldá, v. Landn.: others take a name from the fish in them, as Laxá, Lax or Salmon river (freq.); Örriða á, etc.: a tributary river is þverá, etc.: ár in the Njála often means the great rivers Ölfusá and Þjórsá in the south of Iceland. Áin helga, a river in Sweden, Hkr. ii: á is also suffixed to the names of foreign rivers, Tempsá = Thames; Dóná, Danube (Germ. Don-au), (mod.), etc. Vide Edda (Gl.) 116, 117, containing the names of over a hundred North-English and Scottish rivers.

COMPDS: áráll, árbakki, árbrot, ardjúp, árfarvegr, árfors, árgljúfr, árhlutr, ármegin, árminni, ármót, áróss, árreki, árstraumr, árströnd, árvað, árvegr, árvöxtr.

Íslensk-ensk orðabók > Á
11 moins

moins [mwɛ̃]

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1. adverb

2. preposition

3. masculine noun

4. compounds

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1. <

   a. (comparatif) less

• beaucoup moins much less

• un peu moins a little less

• tellement moins so much less

• encore moins even less

• trois fois moins three times less

• non moins célèbre no less famous

• nous sortons moins we go out less

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► moins se traduit souvent par not as.

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• c'est moins rapide it's not as fast

• il fait moins chaud ici it's not as hot in here

► moins... que less... than

• il est moins intelligent qu'elle he's less intelligent than her

• cela m'a coûté moins que rien it cost me next to nothing

• je l'ai eu pour moins que rien I got it for next to nothing

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► Les expressions du type moins... que sont souvent traduites par l'équivalent anglais de pas aussi... que.

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• c'est moins grand que je ne croyais it's not as big as I thought it was

• il travaille moins que vous he doesn't work as hard as you

• j'aime moins la campagne en hiver qu'en été I don't like the countryside as much in winter as in summer

► moins de + nom non comptable less

• je mange moins de pain qu'avant I eat less bread than I used to► moins de + nom comptable

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► Avec un nom comptable, la traduction correcte est fewer, mais la plupart des gens disent less.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ fewer less

• il y aura moins de monde demain there'll be fewer people tomorrow there'll be less people tomorrow

• mange moins de bonbons don't eat so many sweets

► moins de + nombre

• les moins de 25 ans the under-25s

• les enfants de moins de quatre ans children under four

• nous l'avons fait en moins de cinq minutes we did it in less than five minutes

• il y a moins de deux ans qu'il vit ici he's been living here for less than two years

• il était un peu moins de 6 heures it was just before 6 o'clock

• la frontière est à moins de 3 km the border is less than 3km away► deux fois moins

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► deux fois moins se traduit souvent par half.

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• c'est deux fois moins grand it's half the size

• cela coûtait deux fois moins it was half the price

► moins... moins the less... the less ; (avec nom comptable) the fewer... the fewer

• moins je mange, moins j'ai d'appétit the less I eat, the less hungry I feel

• moins il y a de clients, moins j'ai de travail the fewer customers I have, the less work I have to do► moins... plus

• moins je fume, plus je mange the less I smoke, the more I eat► moins... mieux

• moins je fume, mieux je me porte the less I smoke, the better I feel

• moins j'ai de coups de fil, mieux je travaille the fewer phone calls I get, the more work I can do► à moins

• vous ne l'obtiendrez pas à moins you won't get it for less

• il est fatigué -- on le serait à moins he's tired -- that's hardly surprising► à moins de

• à moins d'un accident, ça devrait marcher barring accidents, it should work

• il jouera, à moins d'un imprévu he'll be playing unless something unexpected happens

• à moins de faire une bêtise, il devrait gagner unless he does something silly he should win► à moins que

• à moins qu'il ne vienne unless he comes► de moins

• il gagne 500 euros de moins qu'elle he earns 500 euros less than she does

• vous avez cinq ans de moins qu'elle you're five years younger than her► de moins en moins less and less

• c'est de moins en moins utile it's less and less useful

• il entend de moins en moins bien his hearing is getting worse and worse

• il a de moins en moins de clients he has fewer and fewer customers

• j'ai de moins en moins de temps libre I have less and less free time► en moins

• il y a trois verres en moins there are three glasses missing

• ça me fera du travail en moins ! that'll be less work for me!

• en moins de rien in next to no time

• en moins de deux (inf) in next to no time► pas moins

• pas moins de 40 km les sépare de la ville la plus proche they're at least 40km from the nearest town

• gravement malade, il n'en continue pas moins d'écrire despite being seriously ill, he still continues to write

• il n'en reste pas moins que... the fact remains that...

• il n'en est pas moins vrai que... it is no less true that...

   b. (superlatif) least

• le moins the least

► le moins, la moins, les moins (de plusieurs) the least ; (de deux) the less

• c'est le moins doué de mes élèves he's the least gifted of my pupils

• c'est le moins doué des deux he's the less gifted of the two

• les fleurs les moins chères the least expensive flowers► le moins + verbe the least

• c'est celle que j'aime le moins it's the one I like the least

• l'émission que je regarde le moins the programme I watch least often

• c'est bien le moins qu'on puisse faire it's the least one can do

• c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire ! that's putting it mildly!► le moins possible as little as possible

• je lui parle le moins possible I talk to him as little as possible

• j'y resterai le moins de temps possible I won't stay there any longer than I have to

2. <

   a. (soustraction, nombre négatif) minus

• 6 moins 2 font 4 6 minus 2 equals 4

• il fait moins 5 it's minus 5°

   b. (heure) to

• il est 4 heures moins 5 it's 5 to 4

• il est moins 10 (inf) it's 10 to (inf)

3. <

► au moins at least

• elle a payé cette robe au moins 3 000 € she paid at least 3,000 euros for that dress

• 600 au moins at least 600► du moins (restriction) at least

• il ne pleuvra pas, du moins c'est ce qu'annonce la radio it's not going to rain, at least that's what it says on the radio

• j'arriverai vers 4 heures, du moins si l'avion n'a pas de retard I'll be there around 4 o'clock - if the plane's on time, that is► pour le moins to say the least

• sa décision est pour le moins bizarre his decision is odd to say the least

4. <

► moins que rien (inf) masculine noun

( = minable) complete loser (inf)

• on les traite comme des moins que rien they're treated like scum ► moins-value feminine noun depreciation

* * *

I
1. mwɛ̃
préposition

1) ( dans une soustraction) minus

2) ( pour dire l'heure) to

il est huit heures moins dix — it's ten (minutes) to eight

il est moins vingt — (colloq) it's twenty to (colloq)

il était moins une (colloq) or moins cinq — (colloq) it was a close shave (colloq)

3) ( dans une température) minus

2.

adverbe

1) ( modifiant un verbe) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif)

le moins — the least

ils sortent moins — they go out less often

c'est moins une question d'argent qu'une question de principe — it's not so much a question of money as a question of principle

de moins en moins — less and less

moins je sors, moins j'ai envie de sortir — the less I go out, the less I feel like going out

qui travaille le moins de tous? — who works the least of all?

le film qui m'a le moins plu — the film I liked the least

ce que j'aime le moins chez lui — what I like least about him

2) ( modifiant un adjectif) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif)

le moins, la moins, les moins — ( de deux) the less; ( de plus de deux) the least

il est moins grand que son père — he's not as tall as his father

il est moins menteur que sa sœur — he's less of a liar than his sister

les jeunes et les moins jeunes — the young and the not so young

dans le livre il y a du bon et du moins bon — in the book, there are bits that are good and bits that are not so good

il n'en est pas moins vrai que — it's nonetheless true that

le même en moins gros — the same, only thinner

un individu des moins recommandables — a most unsavoury individual

3) ( modifiant un adverbe) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif)

le moins — least

tu devrais rester moins longtemps dans le sauna — you shouldn't stay so long in the sauna

elle chante moins bien qu'avant — she doesn't sing as well as she used to

le moins souvent — (the) least often

3.

moins de déterminant indéfini

1) ( avec un nom)

moins de livres — fewer books

moins de graisses — less fat

moins de sucre/bruit — less sugar/noise

il a parlé avec moins de hargne — he spoke less aggressively

il y a moins de monde aujourd'hui qu'hier — there are fewer people today than there were yesterday

c'est lui qui a le moins d'expérience des trois — of the three he's the one with the least experience

2) ( avec un numéral)

en moins de trois heures — in less than three hours

il est moins de 3 heures — it's not quite 3 o'clock

les moins de 20 ans — people under 20, the under-twenties

4.

à moins locution adverbiale

on serait furieux à moins — it's more than enough to make one angry

5.

à moins de locution prépositive

à moins de partir maintenant — unless we/you etc leave now

à moins d'un miracle — unless there's a miracle

6.

à moins que locution conjonctive

à moins qu'il ne veuille venir — unless he wants to come

7.

à tout le moins locution adverbiale to say the least

8.

au moins locution adverbiale at least

tout au moins — at least

tu l'as remercié, au moins? — you did thank him, didn't you?

9.

de moins locution adverbiale

ça m'a pris deux heures de moins — it took me two hours less

le kilo de pêches valait dix centimes de moins que la veille — a kilo of peaches cost 10 cents less than it had the day before

j'ai un an de moins que lui — I'm a year younger than he is

il a obtenu 25% de voix de moins que son adversaire — he got 25% fewer votes than his opponent

10.

du moins locution adverbiale at least

c'est du moins ce qu'il m'a raconté — at least that's what he told me

si du moins tu es d'accord — that is if you agree

11.

en moins locution adverbiale

il y avait deux fourchettes en moins dans la boîte — there were two forks missing from the box

il est revenu du front avec une jambe en moins/avec un doigt en moins — he came back from the front with only one leg/with a finger missing

c'est tout le portrait de son père, la moustache en moins — he's the spitting image of his father without the moustache GB ou mustache US

12.

pour le moins locution adverbiale to say the least

II mwɛ̃
nom masculin invariable

1) Mathématique minus

le signe moins — the minus sign

2) (colloq) ( inconvénient) minus

•

Phrasal Verbs:

- moins que rien

••

moins I

Généralités

La traduction en anglais de moins est less. Cependant, elle n'est utilisée que dans un nombre de cas assez restreint: en moins de trois jours = in less than three days

Très souvent, même quand une traduction avec less est possible, l'anglais a recours à d'autres moyens. Certains sont réguliers: ma chambre est moins grande que la tienne = my bedroom isn't as big as yours; j'ai moins d'expérience que toi = I don't have as much experience as you (do), = I have less experience than you (do); c'est moins compliqué que vous ne le croyez = it's not as complicated as you think, = it's less complicated than you think

D'autres ne le sont pas: j'essaie de moins fumer = I'm trying to cut down on my smoking, = I'm trying to smoke less

moins de

Lorsque moins de, déterminant indéfini, est suivi d'un nom dénombrable, la règle voudrait que l'on traduise par fewer mais dans la langue parlée on utilise également less

Les expressions le moins possible, le moins du monde sont traitées respectivement sous possible et monde

On trouvera ci-dessous exemples et exceptions illustrant les différentes fonctions de moins

On pourra également se reporter aux notes d'usage portant notamment sur la quantité, l'expression de l'âge, etc. Consulter l'index

* * *
mwɛ̃
1. adv

1) (comparatif) less

moins que — less than

moins grand que — not as tall as

de moins — less

100 euros de moins — 100 euros less

3 jours de moins — 3 days less

Il a trois ans de moins que moi. — He's three years younger than me.

Nous avons trois jours de vacances de moins que l'an dernier. — We have three days holiday less than last year.

Il est moins intelligent que moi. — He's not as clever as me.

Moins je travaille, mieux je me porte. — The less I work, the better I feel.

2) (superlatif)

le moins — least, the least

le moins doué; la moins douée — the least gifted

C'est ce que j'aime le moins. — It's what I like least., It's what I like the least.

C'est l'album que j'aime le moins. — This is the album I like the least., This is the album I least like.

C'est le modèle le moins cher. — It's the least expensive model.

Ce sont les plages qui sont les moins polluées. — These are the least polluted beaches.

3)

moins de (livres, gens) — fewer, (sable, eau, sel) less

moins de sable — less sand

moins d'eau — less water

moins de 2 ans — less than 2 years

Ça coûte moins de deux cents euros. — It costs less than 200 euros.

moins de livres — fewer books

moins de gens — fewer people

Il y a moins de gens aujourd'hui. — There are fewer people today.

Il est moins de midi. — It's not yet midday.

4) (autres locutions)

en moins; de l'argent en moins — less money

Cette année nous avons trois jours de vacances en moins. — We have three days less holiday this year.

le soleil en moins — without the sun, minus the sun

L'endroit ressemble assez à la Côte d'Azur, le soleil en moins. — The place is quite like the Riviera, without the sun.

au moins — at least

Ne te plains pas: au moins il ne pleut pas! — Don't complain: at least it's not raining!

pour le moins — at the very least

à moins de; à moins que — unless

à moins de faire; à moins que tu ne fasses — unless you do

Je te retrouverai à dix heures à moins que le train n'ait du retard. — I'll meet you at 10 o'clock unless the train is late.

à moins d'un accident — barring accidents

de moins en moins — less and less

Il vient nous voir de moins en moins. — He comes to see us less and less often.

en moins de deux — in a flash

2. prép

1) (soustraction) minus

4 moins 2 — 4 minus 2

2) (température) minus

Il fait moins 5. — It's minus 5., It's 5 below., It's 5 degrees below freezing.

Il a fait moins cinq la nuit dernière. — It was minus five last night.

3) (heure)

dix heures moins cinq — five to ten

Il est cinq heures moins dix. — It's ten to five.

Il est moins cinq. — It's five to.

3. nm

(= signe) minus sign

* * *

I.

moins ⇒ Note d'usage

A prép

1 ( dans une soustraction) minus; 8 moins 3 égale 5 8 minus 3 is ou equals 5; il a retrouvé sa voiture, moins les roues he got his car back without ou minus hum the wheels;

2 ( pour dire l'heure) to; il est huit heures moins dix it's ten (minutes) to eight; il est moins vingt○ it's twenty to○, it's twenty minutes to the hour; il était moins une○ or moins cinq○ it was a close shave○;

3 ( dans une température) minus; il faisait moins 15 degrés it was minus 15 (degrees).

B adv

1 ( modifiant un verbe) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif) le moins the least; je lis moins ces derniers temps I read less these days; ils sortent moins maintenant qu'ils ont un enfant they don't go out as much ou they go out less often now that they have a child; il importe moins de changer le règlement que de le faire appliquer changing the rule is less important than implementing it; je gagne moins qu'elle I earn less than she does, I don't earn as much as she does; c'est moins un artiste qu'un bon artisan he' s not so much an artist as a good craftsman; c'est moins une question d'argent qu'une question de principe it's not so much a question of money as a question of principle; de moins en moins less and less; moins je sors, moins j'ai envie de sortir the less I go out, the less I feel like going out; moins je le vois, mieux je me porte the less I see him, the better I feel; c'est lui qui travaille le moins de tous he's the one who works the least of all; le film qui m'a le moins plu the film I liked the least; ce que j'aime le moins chez lui what I like least about him;

2 ( modifiant un adjectif) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif) le moins, la moins, les moins ( de deux) the less; ( de plus de deux) the least; il est moins grand/doué que son père he's not as tall/gifted as his father; c'est moins facile qu'il n'y paraît it's not as easy as it seems; il est moins menteur que sa sœur he's less of a liar than his sister; c'est moins problématique que je ne croyais it's less problematic ou less of a problem than I thought, it's not as problematic as I thought; les jeunes et les moins jeunes the young and the not so young; dans le livre il y a du bon et du moins bon in the book, there are bits that are good and bits that are not so good; il n'en est pas moins vrai que it's nonetheless true that; il ressemble à son frère en moins gros he looks like his brother, only thinner; ce sont les employés les moins compétents de l'entreprise they're the least competent employees in the company; un individu des moins recommandables a most unsavoury individual;

3 ( modifiant un adverbe) ( comparatif) less; ( superlatif) le moins least; tu devrais rester moins longtemps dans le sauna you shouldn't stay so long in the sauna; elle chante moins bien qu'avant she doesn't sing as well as she used to; il fait moins beau que l'an dernier the weather isn't as good as it was last year; c'est le moins bien payé des deux he's the less well-paid of the two; le moins souvent (the) least often.

C moins de dét indéf

1 ( avec un nom dénombrable) moins de livres/d'assiettes/d'arguments fewer books/plates/arguments; j'ai moins de livres que toi I don't have as many books as you ou I have fewer books than you; mangez moins de graisses eat less fat; il y a moins de candidats there are fewer candidates; ils ont moins de chances d'être élus they are less likely to be elected; les éditeurs publient moins de livres publishers are publishing fewer books; pas moins de no fewer than;

2 ( avec un nom non dénombrable) moins de sucre/vin/papier less sugar/wine/paper; moins de bruit/lumière less noise/light; il a parlé avec moins de hargne he spoke less aggressively; il y a moins de monde aujourd'hui qu'hier there are fewer people today than there were yesterday; pas moins de no less than; c'est lui qui a le moins d'expérience des trois of the three he's the one with the least experience;

3 ( avec un numéral) en moins de trois heures in less than three hours; dans moins de trois heures in less than three hours; le voyage a duré un peu moins de trois heures the journey took a bit less than ou just under three hours; il est moins de 3 heures it's not quite 3 o'clock; les enfants de moins de 6 ans children under 6; les moins de 20 ans people under 20, the under-twenties; une planche de moins de deux m ètres de long a plank less than two metres^GB long; moins de huit candidats fewer than eight candidates; tu ne trouveras rien à moins de 500 euros you won't find anything for less than 500 euros ou for under 500 euros; ça m'a coûté moins de 200 euros it cost me less than 200 euros ou under 200 euros.

D à moins loc adv on serait furieux à moins it's more than enough to make one angry.

E à moins de loc prép à moins de partir maintenant, il n'arrivera pas à l'heure unless he leaves now he won't get there on time; à moins d'un miracle il va échouer unless there's a miracle, he's going to fail.

F à moins que loc conj à moins qu'il ne veuille venir unless he wants to come.

G à tout le moins loc adv to say the least.

H au moins loc adv at least; tout au moins at least; il y avait au moins 3 000 personnes there were at least 3,000 people; au moins, lui, il a réussi dans la vie he, at least, succeeded in life; tu l'as remercié, au moins? you did thank him, didn't you?

I de moins loc adv ça m'a pris deux heures de moins it took me two hours less; le kilo de pêches valait deux euros de moins que la veille a kilo of peaches cost two euros less than it had the day before; j'ai un an de moins que lui I'm a year younger than he is; il a obtenu 25% de voix de moins que son adversaire he got 25% fewer votes than his opponent.

J du moins loc adv at least; c'est du moins ce qu'il m'a raconté at least that's what he told me; si du moins tu es d'accord that is if you agree.

K en moins loc adv il y avait deux fourchettes en moins dans la boîte there were two forks missing from the box; il est revenu du front avec une jambe en moins/avec un doigt en moins he came back from the front with only one leg/with a finger missing; c'est tout le portrait de son père, la moustache en moins he's/she's the spitting image of his/her father without the moustache GB ou mustache US.

L pour le moins loc adv to say the least; ton attitude est pour le moins étrange your attitude is strange to say the least (of it).

II.

moins nm inv

1 Math minus; le signe moins the minus sign;

2 ○( inconvénient) minus.

Composé

moins que rien nmf good-for-nothing, nobody.

[mwɛ̃] adverbe

A.[COMPARATIF D'INFÉRIORITÉ]

1. [avec un adjectif, un adverbe] less

cinq fois moins cher five times less expensive

deux fois moins cher half as expensive, twice as cheap

en moins rapide but not so ou as fast

c'est moins bien que l'an dernier it's not as good a last year

c'est le même appartement, en moins bien/grand it's the same flat only not as nice/not as big

beaucoup/un peu moins a lot/a little less

il est moins timide que réservé he's not so much shy as reserved

il n'en est pas moins vrai que... it is nonetheless true that...

non moins charmante que... just as charming as..., no less charming than...

2. [avec un verbe] less, not... so ou as much

je souffre moins I'm not in so much ou I'm in less pain

tu devrais demander moins you shouldn't ask for so much

moins tu parles, mieux ça vaut the less you speak, the better

j'y pense moins que tu ne le crois I think about it less than you think

B.[SUPERLATIF D'INFÉRIORITÉ]

1. [avec un adjectif, un adverbe]

c'est lui le moins riche des trois he's the least wealthy of the three

c'est elle la moins intelligente des deux she's the less intelligent of the two

c'est le sommet le moins élevé it's the lowest peak

c'est le modèle le moins cher qu'on puisse trouver it's the least expensive (that) you can find

le moins possible as little as possible

c'est lui qui habite le moins loin he lives the least far away ou the nearest

je ne suis pas le moins du monde surpris I'm not at all ou not in the least bit surprised

je vous dérange? — mais non, pas le moins du monde am I disturbing you? — of course not ou not in the slightest

2. [avec un verbe]

le moins (the) least

le moins qu'on puisse faire, c'est de les inviter the least we could do is invite them

c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire! that's the least you can say!

————————

[mwɛ̃] préposition

1. [en soustrayant]

dix moins huit font deux ten minus ou less eight makes two

on est seize: moins les enfants, ça fait douze there are sixteen of us, twelve not counting the children

2. [indiquant l'heure]

il est moins vingt it's twenty to

il est 3 h moins le quart it's (a) quarter to 3

il était moins une ou cinq (familier) that was a close call ou shave

3. [introduisant un nombre négatif]

moins 50 plus moins 6 égalent moins 56 minus 50 plus minus 6 is ou makes minus 56

il fait moins 25 it's 25 below ou minus 25

plonger à moins 300 m to dive to a depth of 300 m

————————

[mwɛ̃] nom masculin

minus (sign)

————————

à moins locution adverbiale

j'étais terrifié — on le serait à moins! I was terrified — and lesser things have frightened me!

————————

à moins de locution prépositionnelle

1. [excepté]

à moins d'un miracle short of ou barring a miracle

nous n'arriverons pas à temps, à moins de partir demain we won't get there on time unless we leave tomorrow

2. [pour moins de] for less than

3. [dans le temps, l'espace]

il habite à moins de 10 minutes/500 mètres d'ici he lives less than 10 minutes/500 metres from here

————————

à moins que locution conjonctive

unless

à moins que vous ne vouliez le faire vous-même... unless you wanted to do it yourself...

————————

au moins locution adverbiale

1. [en tout cas] at least

2. [au minimum] at least

ça fait au moins un mois qu'on ne l'a pas vu we haven't seen him for at least a month

————————

de moins locution adverbiale

il y a 100 euros de moins dans le tiroir there are 100 euros missing from the drawer

je me sens 10 ans de moins I feel 10 years younger

(en corrélation avec 'que')

j'ai un an de moins qu'elle I'm a year younger than her

j'ai une tête de moins qu'elle I'm shorter than her by a head

de moins en moins locution adverbiale

less and less

de moins en moins souvent less and less often

de moins en moins de locution déterminante

[suivi d'un nom comptable] fewer and fewer

[suivi d'un nom non comptable] less and less

il y a de moins en moins de demande pour ce produit there is less and less demand for this product

————————

des moins locution adverbiale

un accueil des moins chaleureux a less than warm welcome

————————

du moins locution adverbiale

at least

ils devaient venir samedi, c'est du moins ce qu'ils nous avaient dit they were supposed to come on saturday, at least that's what they told us

————————

en moins locution adverbiale

il y a une chaise en moins there's one chair missing, we're one chair short

————————

en moins de locution prépositionnelle

in less than

en moins de temps qu'il n'en faut pour le dire before you can say Jack Robinson

en moins de rien in no time at all

en moins de deux (familier) in a jiffy, in two ticks

————————

moins de locution déterminante

1. (comparatif) [avec un nom comptable] fewer

[avec un nom non comptable] less

un peu moins de bruit! a little less noise!

il a moins de 18 ans he's under 18

les moins de 18 ans the under 18's

il ne me faudra pas moins de 3 heures pour tout faire I'll need no less than ou at the very least 3 hours to do everything

2. (superlatif)

le moins de

a. [avec un nom comptable] the fewest

b. [avec un nom non comptable] the least

c'est ce qui consomme le moins d'énergie it uses the least amount of energy

————————

moins... moins locution correlative

the less... the less

moins il travaillera, moins il aura de chances de réussir à son examen the less he works, the less chance he'll have of passing his exam

————————

moins... plus locution correlative

the less... the more

————————

moins que rien locution adverbiale

next to nothing

————————

moins que rien nom masculin et féminin

nobody

c'est un/une moins que rien he's/she's a nobody

des moins que rien a useless bunch (of individuals)

on ne peut moins locution adverbiale

elle est on ne peut moins honnête she's as honest as they come

c'est on ne peut moins compliqué! it couldn't be less complicated!

pour le moins locution adverbiale

at the very least, to say the least

il y a pour le moins une heure d'attente there's an hour's wait at the very least

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais > moins

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Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

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light depth of cut

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Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: со всех языков на английский

light depth of cut

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