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to sort out the truth from the lies

1 sort out

sort [sth.] out, sort out [sth.]

1) (resolve) risolvere [ problem]; regolare [ matter]

to sort out the confusion — chiarire un malinteso

I'll sort it out — lo sistemo io

2) (organize) occuparsi di [details, arrangements]; organizzare [ ideas]

3) (tidy up) mettere in ordine, riordinare [ desk]; ordinare [ files]; mettere a posto [finances, affairs]

to sort out one's life — fare ordine nella propria vita

4) (select) selezionare [photos, clothes]

5) (mend) mettere a posto [clutch, fault]; sort out [sth.]

6) (separate)

to sort out the clean socks from the dirty — separare le calze pulite da quelle sporche

to sort out the truth from the lies — distinguere le bugie dalla verità

7) (establish)

to sort out who is responsible — stabilire chi è il responsabile

I'm still trying to sort out what happened — sto ancora cercando di capire cosa sia successo; sort [sb.] out colloq.

8) (punish)

I'll sort him out! — lo aggiusto o arrangio io!

9) (help)

the doctor will soon sort you out — il dottore ti rimetterà presto in sesto; sort [oneself] out (get organized) organizzarsi, mettersi a posto

to get oneself sorted out — mettere la testa a posto

things will sort themselves out — le cose andranno a posto da sole

* * *

1) (to separate (one lot or type of) things from a general mixture: I'll try to sort out some books that he might like.) selezionare

2) (to correct, improve, solve etc: You must sort out your business affairs.) mettere a posto, risolvere

3) (to attend to, usually by punishing or reprimanding: I'll soon sort you out, you evil little man!) sistemare

* * *

vt + adv

1)

See:

sort 2., 1)

2) (straighten out: room) riordinare, sistemare, (papers, one's ideas) riordinare, (solve: problem etc) risolvere

have you managed to sort out what's happening? — sei riuscito a sapere cosa succede?

things will sort themselves out — le cose si sistemeranno da sole

we've got it sorted out now — la faccenda è risolta

3)

I'll sort him out! fam — lo sistemo io!

* * *

sort [sth.] out, sort out [sth.]

1) (resolve) risolvere [ problem]; regolare [ matter]

to sort out the confusion — chiarire un malinteso

I'll sort it out — lo sistemo io

2) (organize) occuparsi di [details, arrangements]; organizzare [ ideas]

3) (tidy up) mettere in ordine, riordinare [ desk]; ordinare [ files]; mettere a posto [finances, affairs]

to sort out one's life — fare ordine nella propria vita

4) (select) selezionare [photos, clothes]

5) (mend) mettere a posto [clutch, fault]; sort out [sth.]

6) (separate)

to sort out the clean socks from the dirty — separare le calze pulite da quelle sporche

to sort out the truth from the lies — distinguere le bugie dalla verità

7) (establish)

to sort out who is responsible — stabilire chi è il responsabile

I'm still trying to sort out what happened — sto ancora cercando di capire cosa sia successo; sort [sb.] out colloq.

8) (punish)

I'll sort him out! — lo aggiusto o arrangio io!

9) (help)

the doctor will soon sort you out — il dottore ti rimetterà presto in sesto; sort [oneself] out (get organized) organizzarsi, mettersi a posto

to get oneself sorted out — mettere la testa a posto

things will sort themselves out — le cose andranno a posto da sole

English-Italian dictionary > sort out
2 sort

sort

A n

1 (kind, type) sorte f, genre m ; this sort of novel/fabric ce genre de roman/tissu ; this sort of rabbit/person ce genre de lapin/personne ; all sorts of reasons/people/colours toutes sortes de raisons/gens/couleurs ; machines of all sorts des machines de toutes sortes ; different sorts of cakes différentes sortes de gâteaux ; I like board games, backgammon, that sort of thing j'aime les jeux de société, le jaquet, ce genre de jeu ; books, records-that sort of thing des livres, des disques, ce genre de choses ; that's my sort of holiday GB ou vacation US c'est le genre de vacances que j'aime ; I'm not that sort of person ce n'est pas mon genre ; it's some sort of computer c'est une sorte d'ordinateur ; there must by some sort of mistake il doit y avoir une erreur ; this must be some sort of joke ça doit être une plaisanterie ; he must be some sort of madman ce doit être un fou ; I need a bag of some sort j'ai besoin d'un sac quelconque ; you must have some sort of idea tu dois avoir une idée ; an odd ou strange sort of chap un drôle de type ; radiation of any sort is harmful toutes les sortes de radiation sont dangereuses ; any sort of knife will do n'importe quel couteau fera l'affaire ; what sort of person would do such a thing? qui pourrait faire une chose pareille? ; what sort of person does she think I am? pour qui me prend-elle? ; what sort of thing does she like/read? qu'est-ce qu'elle aime/lit? ; what sort of a reply/an excuse is that? qu'est-ce que c'est que cette réponse/excuse? ; you know the sort of thing (I mean) tu vois ce que je veux dire ; the same sort of thing la même chose ; a liar of the worst sort un menteur de la pire or de la plus belle espèce ; in an embarrassed sort of way d'une façon plutôt embarrassée ; something of that ou the sort quelque chose comme ça ; I didn't say anything of the sort! je n'ai jamais dit une chose pareille! ; nothing of the sort ( not in the least) pas du tout ; ‘this milk is off’-‘it's nothing of the sort!’ ‘ce lait est tourné’-‘mais non, pas du tout!’ ; ‘I'll pay’-‘you'll do nothing of the sort!’ ‘je vais payer’-‘il n'en est pas question!’ ; ‘you're being awkward’-‘I'm being nothing of the sort’ ‘tu es vraiment exigeant’-‘ce n'est pas vrai du tout!’ ;

2 ( in vague description) espèce f, sorte f ; some sort of bird une sorte or espèce d'oiseau ; a sort of blue uniform une sorte or espèce d'uniforme bleu ; a sort of elephant without a trunk une sorte or espèce d'éléphant sans trompe ;

3 ( type of person) I know your/his sort je connais les gens de votre/son espèce ; people of her sort les gens de son espèce ; he's not the sort to betray his friends ce n'est pas le genre à trahir ses amis ; she's the sort who would cheat c'est le genre or elle est du genre à tricher ; we see all sorts here on voit toutes sortes de gens ici ; he's a good sort c'est un brave type ; she's a good sort c'est une brave fille ;

4 Comput tri m.

B of sorts, of a sort adv phr a duck of sorts ou of a sort une sorte de canard ; a hero of sorts une sorte de héros ; progress of sorts un semblant de progrès ; an answer of sorts un semblant de réponse.

C sort of adv phr

1 ( a bit) sort of cute/eccentric/embarrassed plutôt mignon/excentrique/gêné ; to sort of understand/sympathize comprendre/compatir plus ou moins ; ‘is it hard?-‘sort of’ ‘est-ce que c'est difficile?’-‘plutôt, oui’ ; ‘did you enjoy the film?’-‘sort of’ ‘est-ce que le film t'a plu?’-‘oui, c'était pas mal’ ;

2 ( approximately) sort of blue-green dans les bleu-vert ; it just sort of happened c'est arrivé comme ça ; he was just sort of lying there il était étendu par terre comme ça.

D vtr

1 (classify, arrange) classer [data, files, stamps] ; trier [letters, apples, potatoes] ; to sort books into piles ranger des livres en piles ; to sort buttons by colour ranger des boutons par couleur ; to sort the apples according to size classer les pommes selon leur taille ;

2 ( separate) séparer ; to sort the good potatoes from the bad séparer les bonnes pommes de terre des mauvaises ; to sort the old stock from the new séparer les vieux stocks des nouveaux.

Idioms

to be ou feel out of sorts ( ill) ne pas être dans son assiette ; ( grumpy) être de mauvais poil ○ ; it takes all sorts (to make a world) Prov il faut de tout pour faire un monde Prov.

Phrasal verbs

■ sort out:

▶ sort [sth] out, sort out [sth]

1 ( resolve) régler [problem, matter] ; to sort out the confusion dissiper un malentendu ; it will take me hours to sort this mess out il va me falloir des heures pour remettre de l'ordre dans tout ça ; I'll sort it out je m' en occuperai ; they have sorted out their differences ils ont réglé leurs différends ; go and sort it out elsewhere allez vous expliquer ailleurs ; it's time to sort this thing out il est temps de tirer cette affaire au clair ;

2 ( organize) s'occuper de [details, arrangements] ; clarifier [ideas] ; I'll sort something out with Tim j'arrangerai quelque chose avec Tim ; Rex will sort something out for you Rex arrangera quelque chose pour vous ; I'll sort out with him what I have to do je verrai avec lui ce que j'ai à faire ;

3 (tidy up, put in order) ranger [cupboard, desk] ; classer [files, documents] ; mettre de l'ordre dans [finances, affairs] ; to sort out one's life mettre de l'ordre dans sa vie ;

4 ( select) trier [photos, clothes] ;

5 ( find) trouver [replacement, stand-in] ;

6 ( mend) réparer [clutch, fault] ;

▶ sort out [sth]

1 ( separate) to sort out the clean socks from the dirty séparer les chaussettes propres des chaussettes sales ; to sort out the truth from the lies démêler le vrai du faux ;

2 ( establish) to sort out who is responsible établir qui est responsable ; we're still trying to sort out what happened nous essayons toujours de comprendre ce qui s'est passé ;

▶ sort [sb] out ○

1 ( punish) régler son compte à qn ○ ;

2 ( help) [representative, receptionist, organizer] aider [person] ; the doctor will soon sort you out le médecin te remettra sur pied ;

▶ sort [oneself] out ( get organized) s'organiser ; ( in one's personal life) résoudre ses problèmes ; to get oneself sorted out s'organiser ; things will sort themselves out les choses vont s'arranger d'elles-mêmes ; the problem sorted itself out le problème s'est résolu de lui-même.

■ sort through:

▶ sort through [sth] regarder, passer [qch] en revue [files, invoices] ; sort through the cards until you find the ace of clubs regarde toutes les cartes une par une pour trouver l'as de trèfle.

Big English-French dictionary > sort
3 démêler

démêler [demele]

➭ TABLE 1 transitive verb

a. [+ ficelle, écheveau, cheveux] to untangle ; (avec un peigne) to comb out

b. [+ problème, situation] to sort out

• démêler le vrai du faux to sort out the truth from the lies

* * *
demele
1.

verbe transitif

1) lit to disentangle [fils, pelote]; to untangle [cheveux]

2) fig ( éclaircir) to sort out [affaire, situation]

démêler les fils d'une intrigue — to unravel the threads of a plot

2.

se démêler verbe pronominal

1) ( être clarifié) [situation] to get sorted out

2) ( se dépêtrer) [personne]

se démêler de quelque chose — to extricate oneself from something

* * *
demele vt
1) [fils, cheveux] to untangle

2) [affaire] to get to the bottom of

* * *

démêler verb table: aimer

A vtr

1 lit to disentangle [fils, pelote]; to untangle [cheveux];

2 fig ( éclaircir) to sort out [affaire, situation]; démêler le vrai du faux to sort out truth from falsehood; démêler la part de responsabilité de chacun to sort out everyone's responsibilities; démêler les fils d'une intrigue to unravel the threads of a plot; je n'arrive pas à démêler le sens du message I can't make out what the message means.

B se démêler vpr

1 ( être clarifié) [situation] to get sorted out;

2 ( se dépêtrer) [personne] se démêler de qch to extricate oneself from sth.

[demele] verbe transitif

1. [cheveux] to untangle, to disentangle, to comb out (separable)

[nœud, filet] to disentangle, to untangle

2. [éclaircir - mystère, affaire] to clear up (separable), to disentangle, to see through (inseparable)

démêler la vérité du mensonge ou le vrai du faux to disentangle truth from falsehood, to sift out the truth from the lies

3. (littéraire & locution)

avoir quelque chose à démêler avec quelqu'un to have a bone to pick with somebody

————————

se démêler verbe pronominal (emploi passif)

[cheveux] to comb out, to be disentangled

ses cheveux se démêlent tout seuls his hair combs out beautifully

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais > démêler
4 odsi|ać

pf — odsi|ewać impf (odsieję, odsiali a. odsieli — odsiewam) Ⅰ vt 1. (oczyścić) to screen [ziarno]; to sift, to sieve [mąkę]
- odsiać mąkę na sicie to sift flour through a sieve

- odsiać mąkę od otrębów to separate flour from bran

- odsiać prawdę od kłamstwa to sort out the truth from the lies
2. pot. (odrzucić przy klasyfikacji) to screen, to winnow [sb] out, to winnow out [kandydatów]
- odsiać najgorszych studentów to weed out the worst students
Ⅱ odsiać się — odsiewać się 1. [ziarno] to be screened; [mąka] to be sifted, to sift 2. pot. (zostać odrzuconym) [kandydat] to be screened a. winnowed out
- najgorsi odsieją się na egzaminie the worst will be weeded out in the examination

The New English-Polish, Polish-English Kościuszko foundation dictionary > odsi|ać
5 quitar

v.

1 to remove.

quitar la mesa to clear the table (peninsular Spanish)

quitarle algo a alguien to take something away from somebody

quita tus cosas de en medio clear your things up (out of the way)

de quita y pon removable; detachable (capucha)

2 to take away, to relieve.

María quita los muebles Mary removes the furniture.

el aperitivo me ha quitado el hambre I don't feel hungry after that snack

3 to take up (time).

me quitan mucho tiempo los niños the children take up a lot of my time

4 to take, to steal.

me han quitado la cartera someone has taken o stolen my wallet

5 to switch off.

6 to eliminate, to suppress, to abstract.

María quita el reglamento Mary eliminates the rules.

* * *

quitar

► verbo transitivo

1 (separar) to remove, take off

■ le quitó la piel a la pera he peeled the pear

■ quita la tapa remove the lid

2 (sacar) to take off, take out; (prendas) to take off; (tiempo) to take up

■ el médico quitó los puntos al enfermo the doctor took out the patient's stitches

■ quítate los zapatos take your shoes off

3 (apartar) to take away, take off

■ quita eso de ahí clear that away

4 (hacer desaparecer) to remove; (dolor) to relieve; (sed) to quench

■ si lo comes te quitará el apetito if you eat it, it will spoil your appetite

■ eso te quitará el hambre that'll stop you feeling hungry

■ el café me quita el sueño coffee keeps me awake

5 (despojar) to take; (robar) to steal

■ me han quitado la cartera my wallet's been stolen

■ le quitó la vida he killed him

6 (restar) to subtract; (descontar) to take off

7 (prohibir) to forbid, rule out

■ me han quitado el alcohol I've been told to cut out alcohol

8 (impedir) to prevent

■ eso no quita para que se lo diga that's no reason not to tell him

9 (disminuir) to take away

■ eso no le quita mérito a la obra that doesn't take anything away from the work

10 familiar (radio, agua, etc) to turn off

► verbo pronominal quitarse

1 (desaparecer) to go away, come out

■ se me han quitado las ganas I don't feel like it any more

■ esa mancha no se quita that stain won't come out

2 quitarse de (del juego, bebida, etc) to give up

■ se quitó de fumar she gave up smoking

\

FRASEOLOGÍA

de quita y pon (que se desprende) removable, detachable 2 (no permanente) temporary

¡quita/quítate de ahí! move!, get away!

quitando... except...

quitar de delante to clear away

quitar el hipo figurado to take one's breath away

quitar el sueño (desvelar) to keep awake 2 (preocupar) to worry

■ eso no me quitará el sueño I won't lose any sleep over that

quitar importancia a algo to play something down

quitar la mesa to clear the table

quitar las ganas a alguien to put somebody off

quitarse algo/a alguien de encima to get rid of something/somebody

quitarse años figurado to lie about one's age

quitarse la vida eufemístico to commit suicide 2 (admirar) to admire

* * *

verb

1) to remove

2) take off

3) clear

4) rob

•

- quitarse
- quitarse a alguien
- quitarse algo de encima
* * *

1. VT

1) (=sacar) [gen] to remove; [+ ropa, zapatos] to take off; [+ póster, estantes] to take down

le quitaron las vendas — they took her bandages off, they removed her bandages

tardaron dos días en quitar los escombros — it took two days to clear o remove the rubble

quitaron las banderas de los balcones — they took the flags down from the balconies, they removed the flags from the balconies

quita eso de allí — get that away from there

querían quitarle de su puesto — they wanted to remove him from his post

• quitar la mesa — to clear the table

- quitar de en medio a algn

- no quitarle ojo a algn

2) (=arrebatar) [gen] to take away; [para robar] to take, steal; [+ vida] to take

su hermana le quitó la pelota — his sister took the ball away from him

me quitaron la licencia — I had my licence taken away

le quitaron la cartera en el tren — someone took his wallet on the train, he had his wallet stolen on the train

me quitó la novia — he stole my girlfriend

• quitar el sitio a algn — to steal sb's place

3) (=eliminar) [+ mancha] to remove, get rid of; [+ dolor] to relieve, stop; [+ felicidad, ilusión, ganas] to take away; [+ preocupaciones, temores] to allay

me quitó las ganas de comer — it took my appetite away

trataba de quitarme esa idea de la cabeza — she tried to make me change my mind

• quitar el hambre, un par de rodajas deben quitar el hambre — a couple of slices should stop you feeling hungry

no alimenta mucho, pero quita el hambre — it's not very nutritious, but it's filling

• quitar la sed — to quench one's thirst

el vino no quita la sed — wine doesn't quench your thirst, wine isn't thirst-quenching

• quitar el sueño, el café me quita el sueño — coffee stops me sleeping

ese asunto no me quita el sueño — I'm not losing any sleep over that matter

4) (=restar)

no quita nada de su valor — it does not detract at all from its value

no le quiero quitar méritos — I don't want to detract from him

eso le quita la razón — that shows he's wrong, that proves him wrong

quiero quitar unos cuantos centímetros a mi cintura — I want to lose a few centimetres from around the waist

me quita mucho tiempo — it takes up a lot of my time

quitar extensión a un campo — to reduce the size of a field

• quitar importancia a algo — to play sth down

• quitando el postre comimos bien — apart o aside from the dessert we had a good meal

quitando tres o cuatro, van a ir todos — except for three or four (people), everybody is going

5) (=impedir)

quitar a algn de hacer algo — to stop o prevent sb (from) doing sth

6) (Mat) to take away, subtract

7) [+ golpe] to ward off; (Esgrima) to parry

8) ** [+ dinero] to make

2.

VI

¡quita!, ¡quita de ahí! — (=¡aparta!) get out of the way!; (=¡qué va!) get away!, come off it!

eso no quita —

eso no quita para que me ayudes — that doesn't stop o prevent you helping me, that doesn't mean you can't help me

eso no quita que eche de menos a mi mujer — that doesn't mean I don't miss my wife

- ni quito ni pongo
quita
3.

See:

quitarse

* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

1)

a) (apartar, retirar)

quítalo de aquí! — get o take it out of here!

quita esa silla de en medio! — get that chair out of the way!

quita tus cosas de mi escritorio — take your things off my desk

quitó los obstáculos de mi camino — he removed the obstacles from my path

quitar la mesa — (Esp) to clear the table; (+ me/te/le etc)

quítame las manos de encima! — take your hands off me!

le quitó la piel al pollo — he skinned the chicken

me quitó una pelusa del hombro — she picked a bit of fluff off my shoulder

no le puedo quitar la tapa — I can't get the top off

b) <prenda/anillo> (+ me/te/le etc) to take off

quítale los zapatos — take his shoes off

2) (+ me/te/le etc)

a) ( de las manos)

le quitó la pistola al ladrón — he got o took the gun off the thief

se lo quitó de un manotazo — she swiped it out of his hand

le quité el cuchillo — I took the knife (away) from her

b) ( privar de)

la policía le quitó el pasaporte — the police took his passport away

c) ( robar)

me quitaron la cartera del bolsillo — someone took o stole my wallet from my pocket

me quitó el asiento — he took my seat

3) ( restar) (+ me/te/le etc)

me estás quitando autoridad — you're undermining my authority

me quita mucho tiempo — it takes up a lot of my time

no le quites méritos — give him his due

quitarle años a alguien — to take years off somebody

quitarle importancia a algo — to play something down

le quita valor/credibilidad — it detracts from its value/credibility

4) ( hacer desaparecer) < mancha> to remove, get... out; < dolor> to relieve, get rid of; < sed> to quench; < apetito> to take away; (+ me/te/le etc)

eso te quitará el hambre — that will stop you feeling hungry

hay que quitarle esa idea de la cabeza — we must get that idea out of his head

5) quitando (ger) (fam) except for
2.
quitar vi

1) (Esp fam)

quita (de ahí)! — get out of the way!

quita ya! eso no se lo cree nadie! — oh come off it, nobody believes that!

2) (en locs)

de quita y pon — <funda/etiqueta> removable

eso no quita que...: pero eso no quita que se pueda hacer de otra manera but that doesn't mean that there aren't other ways of doing it; ni quitar ni poner (fam): yo aquí ni quito ni pongo I don't count o my opinion doesn't count around here; quien quita y... (Méx fam): quien quita y me saco la lotería maybe I'll even win the lottery; quien quita y lo encontramos — we might still find it
3.
quitarse v pron

1) ( desaparecer) mancha to come out; dolor go (away); viento to die down; (+ me/te/le etc)

se me quitó el dolor — I got rid of the pain

ya se me quitaron las ganas — I don't feel like it any more

2) (apartarse, retirarse) to get out of the way

quítate de mi vista! — get out of my sight!

3) (refl)

a) <prenda/alhaja/maquillaje> to take off

b) <dolor/resfriado> to get rid of; < miedo> to overcome, get over

se quita años or la edad — she lies about her age

quitarse algo DE algo: quítate el dedo de la nariz! stop picking your nose!; quítate las manos de los bolsillos! take your hands out of your pockets!; quitarse algo/a alguien de encima/en medio to get rid of something/somebody; te has quitado veinte años de encima — you look twenty years younger

* * *

= remove, take off, take away, strip away, roll back, strip, trim off, strip off, take down, commandeer, get off.

Ex. Folders allow a set of papers to be kept together when a set on a given topic is removed from the file.

Ex. Meek took her glasses off and twiddled them as her supervisor related the following incident.

Ex. For example, books close to the door and the circulation desk may be intended for the user who merely wishes to make a swift selection of items to take away and read elsewhere.

Ex. Like its predecessor, it wants to strip away the sentimentality surrounding male-female relationships and reveal the ugly, unvarnished truth.

Ex. Some Russia specialists say President Putin is rolling back liberal economic and political reforms ushered in by his predecessor.

Ex. Pluto, scorned by astronomers who considered it too dinky and distant, was unceremoniously stripped of its status as a planet Thursday.

Ex. If you repeatedly deadhead - trim off the spent flowers - the plant goes into overdrive.

Ex. They gathered a whole sackful, stripped off the husks, and filled the sack again.

Ex. State officials urge people to take down bird feeders after recent reports of sick and dead birds, according to a news release.

Ex. He was left without a scratch and pursued the shooter on foot until the gunman commandeered a passing car.

Ex. The full-length, two-direction zipper makes it easy to get on and off, and the bottom is easy to unzip for diaper changes.

----

* de quita y pon = burn-'em-down-build-'em-up, removable.

* hablar a calzón quitado = lay + Posesivo + cards on the table, put + Posesivo + cards on the table.

* hasta el cuarenta de mayo no te quites el sayo = cast no clout till May is out.

* no poder quitarse Algo de la cabeza = can't get it out of my mind.

* pala de quitar nieve = snow shovel.

* pala para quitar nieve = snow shovel.

* poner y quitar = get on and off.

* que se puede quitar = detachable, removable.

* quita o pon = give or take.

* quitar Algo = take + Nombre + out of + Posesivo + hands.

* quitar con pala = shovel.

* quitar con un cepillo = brush away.

* quitar con un golpe = knock off.

* quitar de las manos = snap up.

* quitar el deseo = suffocate + desire.

* quitar el estigma = destigmatise [destigmatize, -USA].

* quitar el interés = take + the shine off things.

* quitar el mérito a Algo = belittle.

* quitar el poder = disempower.

* quitar el polvo = dust.

* quitar el sufijo a una palabra = strip + suffix.

* quitar el valor = render + valueless.

* quitar frotando = rub off, rub.

* quitar importancia = de-emphasise [de-emphasize, -USA], understate, trivialise [trivialize, -USA], minimise + importance, downplay, gloss over, negate, soft-pedal.

* quitar importancia a un problema = trivialise + trouble.

* quitar la credibilidad = destroy + credence.

* quitar la humedad = dehumidify.

* quitar la idea = wipe away + idea.

* quitar la marca = unmark.

* quitar la mesa = clear away + the things, clear + the table.

* quitar las escamas = scale.

* quitar las ganas de = kill + the momentum.

* quitar las telarañas = dust off + the cobwebs.

* quitarle el sentido = render + meaningless.

* quitarle importancia a las cosas = make + light of things.

* quitarle mérito = obscure + fact.

* quitar mérito = detract from.

* quitar pintura mediante chorro de arena a presión = sandblast.

* quitar puestos de trabajo = shed + jobs, axe + jobs, cut + jobs.

* quitarse = take off, doff, take off.

* quitarse a Alguien de encima = keep + Nombre + off + Posesivo + back, get + Nombre + off + Posesivo + back.

* quitarse de encima = shake off.

* quitarse de en medio = take + Nombre + out.

* quitarse del medio = run for + cover.

* quitarse el sombrero ante = hats off to + Nombre, take + Posesivo + hat off to.

* quitar(se) la ropa = undress.

* quitarse la vida = take + Posesivo + (own) life.

* quitársele a Uno las ganas = put off.

* quitarse una mala reputación = clean up + bad reputation.

* quitarse un (buen) peso de encima = get + a (real) weight off + Posesivo + chest.

* quitarse un peso de encima = take + a weight off + Posesivo + mind, take + a load off + Posesivo + mind.

* quitar una preocupación = allay + concern.

* quitar un peso de encima = remove + burden from shoulders.

* quitar un peso de encima a Alguien = lift + a weight off + Posesivo + shoulders.

* quitar valor = devalue, deflate.

* tener + que quitarse el sombrero = have to hand it to + Nombre.

* ya lo quitas, ya lo pones = burn-'em-down-build-'em-up.

* * *
1.
verbo transitivo

1)

a) (apartar, retirar)

quítalo de aquí! — get o take it out of here!

quita esa silla de en medio! — get that chair out of the way!

quita tus cosas de mi escritorio — take your things off my desk

quitó los obstáculos de mi camino — he removed the obstacles from my path

quitar la mesa — (Esp) to clear the table; (+ me/te/le etc)

quítame las manos de encima! — take your hands off me!

le quitó la piel al pollo — he skinned the chicken

me quitó una pelusa del hombro — she picked a bit of fluff off my shoulder

no le puedo quitar la tapa — I can't get the top off

b) <prenda/anillo> (+ me/te/le etc) to take off

quítale los zapatos — take his shoes off

2) (+ me/te/le etc)

a) ( de las manos)

le quitó la pistola al ladrón — he got o took the gun off the thief

se lo quitó de un manotazo — she swiped it out of his hand

le quité el cuchillo — I took the knife (away) from her

b) ( privar de)

la policía le quitó el pasaporte — the police took his passport away

c) ( robar)

me quitaron la cartera del bolsillo — someone took o stole my wallet from my pocket

me quitó el asiento — he took my seat

3) ( restar) (+ me/te/le etc)

me estás quitando autoridad — you're undermining my authority

me quita mucho tiempo — it takes up a lot of my time

no le quites méritos — give him his due

quitarle años a alguien — to take years off somebody

quitarle importancia a algo — to play something down

le quita valor/credibilidad — it detracts from its value/credibility

4) ( hacer desaparecer) < mancha> to remove, get... out; < dolor> to relieve, get rid of; < sed> to quench; < apetito> to take away; (+ me/te/le etc)

eso te quitará el hambre — that will stop you feeling hungry

hay que quitarle esa idea de la cabeza — we must get that idea out of his head

5) quitando (ger) (fam) except for
2.
quitar vi

1) (Esp fam)

quita (de ahí)! — get out of the way!

quita ya! eso no se lo cree nadie! — oh come off it, nobody believes that!

2) (en locs)

de quita y pon — <funda/etiqueta> removable

eso no quita que...: pero eso no quita que se pueda hacer de otra manera but that doesn't mean that there aren't other ways of doing it; ni quitar ni poner (fam): yo aquí ni quito ni pongo I don't count o my opinion doesn't count around here; quien quita y... (Méx fam): quien quita y me saco la lotería maybe I'll even win the lottery; quien quita y lo encontramos — we might still find it
3.
quitarse v pron

1) ( desaparecer) mancha to come out; dolor go (away); viento to die down; (+ me/te/le etc)

se me quitó el dolor — I got rid of the pain

ya se me quitaron las ganas — I don't feel like it any more

2) (apartarse, retirarse) to get out of the way

quítate de mi vista! — get out of my sight!

3) (refl)

a) <prenda/alhaja/maquillaje> to take off

b) <dolor/resfriado> to get rid of; < miedo> to overcome, get over

se quita años or la edad — she lies about her age

quitarse algo DE algo: quítate el dedo de la nariz! stop picking your nose!; quítate las manos de los bolsillos! take your hands out of your pockets!; quitarse algo/a alguien de encima/en medio to get rid of something/somebody; te has quitado veinte años de encima — you look twenty years younger

* * *

= remove, take off, take away, strip away, roll back, strip, trim off, strip off, take down, commandeer, get off.

Ex: Folders allow a set of papers to be kept together when a set on a given topic is removed from the file.

Ex: Meek took her glasses off and twiddled them as her supervisor related the following incident.

Ex: For example, books close to the door and the circulation desk may be intended for the user who merely wishes to make a swift selection of items to take away and read elsewhere.

Ex: Like its predecessor, it wants to strip away the sentimentality surrounding male-female relationships and reveal the ugly, unvarnished truth.

Ex: Some Russia specialists say President Putin is rolling back liberal economic and political reforms ushered in by his predecessor.

Ex: Pluto, scorned by astronomers who considered it too dinky and distant, was unceremoniously stripped of its status as a planet Thursday.

Ex: If you repeatedly deadhead - trim off the spent flowers - the plant goes into overdrive.

Ex: They gathered a whole sackful, stripped off the husks, and filled the sack again.

Ex: State officials urge people to take down bird feeders after recent reports of sick and dead birds, according to a news release.

Ex: He was left without a scratch and pursued the shooter on foot until the gunman commandeered a passing car.

Ex: The full-length, two-direction zipper makes it easy to get on and off, and the bottom is easy to unzip for diaper changes.

* de quita y pon = burn-'em-down-build-'em-up, removable.

* hablar a calzón quitado = lay + Posesivo + cards on the table, put + Posesivo + cards on the table.

* hasta el cuarenta de mayo no te quites el sayo = cast no clout till May is out.

* no poder quitarse Algo de la cabeza = can't get it out of my mind.

* pala de quitar nieve = snow shovel.

* pala para quitar nieve = snow shovel.

* poner y quitar = get on and off.

* que se puede quitar = detachable, removable.

* quita o pon = give or take.

* quitar Algo = take + Nombre + out of + Posesivo + hands.

* quitar con pala = shovel.

* quitar con un cepillo = brush away.

* quitar con un golpe = knock off.

* quitar de las manos = snap up.

* quitar el deseo = suffocate + desire.

* quitar el estigma = destigmatise [destigmatize, -USA].

* quitar el interés = take + the shine off things.

* quitar el mérito a Algo = belittle.

* quitar el poder = disempower.

* quitar el polvo = dust.

* quitar el sufijo a una palabra = strip + suffix.

* quitar el valor = render + valueless.

* quitar frotando = rub off, rub.

* quitar importancia = de-emphasise [de-emphasize, -USA], understate, trivialise [trivialize, -USA], minimise + importance, downplay, gloss over, negate, soft-pedal.

* quitar importancia a un problema = trivialise + trouble.

* quitar la credibilidad = destroy + credence.

* quitar la humedad = dehumidify.

* quitar la idea = wipe away + idea.

* quitar la marca = unmark.

* quitar la mesa = clear away + the things, clear + the table.

* quitar las escamas = scale.

* quitar las ganas de = kill + the momentum.

* quitar las telarañas = dust off + the cobwebs.

* quitarle el sentido = render + meaningless.

* quitarle importancia a las cosas = make + light of things.

* quitarle mérito = obscure + fact.

* quitar mérito = detract from.

* quitar pintura mediante chorro de arena a presión = sandblast.

* quitar puestos de trabajo = shed + jobs, axe + jobs, cut + jobs.

* quitarse = take off, doff, take off.

* quitarse a Alguien de encima = keep + Nombre + off + Posesivo + back, get + Nombre + off + Posesivo + back.

* quitarse de encima = shake off.

* quitarse de en medio = take + Nombre + out.

* quitarse del medio = run for + cover.

* quitarse el sombrero ante = hats off to + Nombre, take + Posesivo + hat off to.

* quitar(se) la ropa = undress.

* quitarse la vida = take + Posesivo + (own) life.

* quitársele a Uno las ganas = put off.

* quitarse una mala reputación = clean up + bad reputation.

* quitarse un (buen) peso de encima = get + a (real) weight off + Posesivo + chest.

* quitarse un peso de encima = take + a weight off + Posesivo + mind, take + a load off + Posesivo + mind.

* quitar una preocupación = allay + concern.

* quitar un peso de encima = remove + burden from shoulders.

* quitar un peso de encima a Alguien = lift + a weight off + Posesivo + shoulders.

* quitar valor = devalue, deflate.

* tener + que quitarse el sombrero = have to hand it to + Nombre.

* ya lo quitas, ya lo pones = burn-'em-down-build-'em-up.

* * *

quitar [A1 ]

vt

A

1

(apartar, retirar): ¡quita esa silla de en medio! get that chair out of the way!

quita tus cosas de mi escritorio take o get your things off my desk

quitó todos los obstáculos de mi camino he removed all the obstacles from my path

quitar la mesa ( Esp); to clear the table

(+ me/te/le etc): ¡quítame las manos de encima! take o get your hands off me!

le quitó la piel al pollo he skinned the chicken

me quitó una pelusa del hombro she picked a bit of fluff off my shoulder

no le puedo quitar la tapa I can't get the top off

2 ‹prenda/anillo› (+ me/te/le etc) to take off

quítale los zapatos take his shoes off

B ‹juguete/dinero› (+ me/te/le etc):

le quité el cuchillo I took the knife (away) from her

la policía le quitó el pasaporte the police took his passport away

me quitaron la cartera del bolsillo someone took o stole my wallet from my pocket

le quitó la pistola al ladrón he got o took the gun off the thief

se lo quitó de un manotazo she swiped it out of his hand

bailar

C (restar) (+ me/te/le etc):

quítale 26 a 84 take 26 away from 84

no me quites autoridad delante de los niños don't undermine my authority in front of the children

los niños me quitan mucho tiempo the children take up a lot of my time

no es que quiera quitarte la razón pero … I'm not saying you're wrong but …

no le quites méritos give him his due

ese peinado te quita años that hairstyle takes years off you

hay que quitarle un poco de ancho it needs to be taken in a bit

trataba de quitarle importancia al asunto he tried to play the matter down

le quita valor a la casa it detracts from the value of the house

D (hacer desaparecer) ‹mancha› to remove, get … out; ‹dolor› to relieve, get rid of

(+ me/te/le etc): te quita el hambre pero no te alimenta it stops you feeling hungry but it isn't very nourishing

te voy a quitar las ganas de volver a mentirme when I've finished with you, you'll think twice about lying to me again

a ver si le quitas esa idea de la cabeza why don't you try to get that idea out of his head?

E ( fam) (prohibir) (+ me/te/le etc):

el médico me ha quitado la sal/el vino the doctor's told me I mustn't have any salt on my food/I mustn't drink wine

F quitando ger ( fam) except for

quitando a los más chicos todos pueden entrar they can all go in except for the very youngest ones

quitando que tuvimos que esperar mucho rato apart from the fact that we had to wait a long time

■ quitar

vi

A

( Esp fam): ¡quita (de ahí)! get out of the way!

¡quita ya! ¡eso no se lo cree nadie! oh come off it, nobody believes that!

B ( en locs):

de quita y pon ‹funda/etiqueta› removable

tiene una capucha de quita y pon it has a detachable hood

una fe de quita y pon ( iró); a very flexible o convenient sort of faith ( iro)

eso no quita que …: yo lo hago así, eso no quita que se pueda hacer de otra manera I do it like this but that doesn't mean that there aren't other ways of doing it

ni quitar ni poner ( fam): pregúntaselo a él, yo aquí ni quito ni pongo ask him about it, I don't count o my opinion doesn't count around here

en ese asunto él ni quita ni pone he doesn't have any say in that matter

quien quita y … ( Méx fam): quien quita y me lo regrese pronto I hope she brings it back soon

■ quitarse

v pron

A (desaparecer) «mancha» to come out; «dolor» to go, go away; «viento» to die down

(+ me/te/le etc): no hay forma de que se me quite este dolor de cabeza I just can't get rid of this headache

ya se me han quitado las ganas de ir I don't feel like going any more

B (apartarse, retirarse) to get out of the way

¡quítate de mi vista! get out of my sight!

he vendido el negocio, quiero quitarme de problemas I've sold the business, I want to be rid of all this trouble o ( colloq) to be shot of all this hassle

C ( refl)

1 ‹prenda/alhaja/maquillaje› to take off

quítate la chaqueta take your jacket off

2 (deshacerse de) ‹dolor› to get rid of

se quitaban el frío saltando they jumped up and down to warm themselves up o to get warm

me tengo que quitar este miedo ridículo a los aviones I have to overcome o get over this ridiculous fear of flying

3 (retirar) quitarse algo DE algo:

me tuve que quitar una pestaña del ojo I had to get an eyelash out of my eye

¡quítate el dedo de la nariz! stop picking your nose!

¡quítate las manos de los bolsillos! take your hands out of your pockets!

quitarse a algn de en medio to get rid of sb

4 ‹años›

te has quitado veinte años de encima you look twenty years younger

se quita años or la edad she lies about her age

* * *

quitar ( conjugate quitar) verbo transitivo
1 (apartar, retirar):
◊ ¡quítalo de aquí! get it out of here!;

quité la silla de en medio I got the chair out of the way;
quita tus cosas de mi escritorio take your things off my desk;
quitar la mesa (Esp) to clear the table;
¡quítame las manos de encima! take your hands off me!;
no le puedo quitar la tapa I can't get the top off;
le quitó los zapatos she took his shoes off
2 (+ me/te/le etc)
a) ( de las manos):

◊ le quitó la pistola al ladrón he got o took the gun off the thief;

le quité el cuchillo I took the knife (away) from her
b) ( privar de) ‹pasaporte/carnet de conducir› to take away

c) ‹cartera/dinero› to take, steal;

‹asiento/lugar› to take
3 ( restar) (+ me/te/le etc):
◊ me quita mucho tiempo it takes up a lot of my time;

quitarle años a algn to take years off sb;
quitarle importancia a algo to play sth down;
le quita valor it detracts from its value
4 ( hacer desaparecer) ‹ mancha› to remove, get … out;
‹ dolor› to relieve, get rid of;
‹ sed› to quench;
‹ apetito› to take away;
(+ me/te/le etc)
◊ eso te quitará el hambre that will stop you feeling hungry;

hay que quitarle esa idea de la cabeza we must get that idea out of his head
5
◊ quitando ( ger) (fam) except for

verbo intransitivo
1 (Esp fam):
◊ ¡quita (de ahí)! get out of the way!

2 ( en locs)
◊ de quita y pon ‹funda/etiqueta› removable;

eso no quita que … that doesn't mean that …
quitarse verbo pronominal
1 ( desaparecer) [ mancha] to come out;
[ dolor] to go (away);
◊ ya se me quitaron las ganas I don't feel like it any more

2 (apartarse, retirarse) to get out of the way;
◊ ¡quítate de mi vista! get out of my sight!

3 ( refl)
a) ‹prenda/alhaja/maquillaje› to take off

b) ‹dolor/resfriado› to get rid of;

‹ miedo› to overcome, get over;
◊ se quita la edad she lies about her age;

quitarse algo/a algn de encima to get rid of sth/sb
quitar
I verbo transitivo
1 (retirar, separar) to remove: quita todas esas cajas de aquí, get all those boxes out of here
quitar la mesa, to clear the table
2 (ropa, gafas, etc) to take off
3 (eliminar) (la sed) to quench
(el hambre) to take away: el té me quita el sueño, tea keeps me awake
4 (una mancha) to remove, get out
5 (el dolor) to relieve
6 (arrebatar, privar de) le quitó el lápiz, he took the pencil away from him
nos quitaron el asiento, they took our seats
(robar) to steal
7 Mat (restar) to substract
figurado quitar importancia a algo, to play sthg down
figurado quitar las ganas a alguien, to put sb off
figurado le quita mucho tiempo, it takes up a lot of her time
II verbo intransitivo ¡quita!, get away
♦ Locuciones: de quita y pon, removable
fam (excepción hecha de) quitando, except for
' quitar' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
aclarar
- aligerar
- allanar
- careta
- desenmascarar
- desollar
- despejar
- despepitar
- despintar
- despuntar
- hipo
- restar
- sueño
- truco
- alisar
- arrebatar
- aspereza
- coger
- cortar
- desarmar
- descuidar
- espabilar
- espátula
- mancha
- manchar
- minimizar
- polvo
- retirar
- sacar
- soplete
English:
bleach
- bone
- brush off
- clear
- clear away
- clutter
- de-ice
- discourage
- dust
- fillet
- flick
- from
- get off
- get out
- graffiti
- mess
- peel off
- play down
- pull off
- push off
- removable
- remove
- scrub away
- scrub off
- shift
- snatch
- spoil
- strip
- strip off
- sweat off
- table
- take
- take away
- take off
- take out
- trim
- upstage
- wash away
- wash off
- wash out
- whatsit
- whip off
- wipe off
- wrestle
- brush
- clean
- detach
- detachable
- dull
- get

* * *

quitar

♦ vt

1. [retirar, extraer, apartar] to remove;
[ropa, zapatos] to take off; Esp
quitar la mesa [despejar] to clear the table;

al quitar la tapa de la olla salió un delicioso olor when she took the lid off the pot, a delicious smell came out;

le han quitado un tumor del pecho they've removed a tumour from her breast;

quita tus cosas de la cama take your things off the bed;

quita tus cosas de en medio clear your things up (out of the way);

voy a quitar el polvo de los muebles I'm going to dust the furniture;

quitarle algo a alguien [arrebatar, privar de] to take sth away from sb;

me quitó la carta de las manos she took the letter from my hands;

durante la guerra le quitaron la casa they took her house away from her during the war;

le han quitado la custodia de los niños they've taken away custody of the children from her;

eso fue lo que dijo, sin quitar ni poner nada that's what he said, word for word;

Comp

por un quítame allá esas pajas for no reason, over nothing;

Comp
Méx
no quitar el dedo del renglón to keep coming back to the same point

2. [eliminar, suprimir] to remove;

quité la mancha con jabón I removed the stain o got the stain out with soap;

han quitado mi programa favorito de la tele they've taken my favourite programme off the TV;

ese ministerio lo han quitado they've done away with o got rid of that ministry;

el médico me ha quitado el tabaco [prohibido] the doctor has told me to stop smoking

3. [robar] to take, to steal;

me han quitado la cartera someone has taken o stolen my wallet;

le quitaron el puesto they've taken his job away from him

4. [mitigar del todo] [dolor, ansiedad] to take away, to relieve;
[sed] to quench;
el aperitivo me ha quitado el hambre I don't feel hungry after that snack

5. [ocupar] [tiempo, espacio] to take up;

me quitan mucho tiempo los niños the children take up a lot of my time;

el trabajo me quita tiempo para el deporte my job doesn't leave me much time for sport;

el armario va a quitar mucho sitio ahí the wardrobe's going to take up a lot of space there

6. [restar] to take away;

a esa cifra quítale el 20 por ciento take away 20 percent from that figure;

no quiero quitar mérito o [m5] valor a lo que ha hecho I don't want to take away from o detract from what she has done;

le quitó importancia al hecho he played it down

7. [impedir]
esto no quita que sea un vago that doesn't change the fact that he's a layabout;

que me mude de ciudad no quita que nos sigamos viendo just because I'm moving to another city doesn't mean we won't still be able to see each other

8. [exceptuar]
quitando el queso, me gusta todo apart from cheese, I like everything

9. [desconectar] [aparato] to switch off;

quita el gas antes de salir turn the gas off before leaving

♦ vi

1. [apartarse] to get out of the way;

¡quita (de ahí), que no veo! get out of the way, I can't see!

2.
de quita y pon [asa, tapa, capucha] removable

3. Fam [expresando incredulidad]
¡quita!, ¡quite! don't talk rubbish!;

¿casarme yo? ¡quita, quita, estoy muy bien como estoy! me, get married? you must be joking, I'm quite happy as I am!;

¡quita, yo no me lo creo! pull the other one o come off it, you don't expect me to believe that, do you?

♦ See also the pronominal verb quitarse

* * *

quitar

I v/t ropa take off, remove; obstáculos remove;

quitar el polvo dust;

quitar algo a alguien take sth (away) from s.o.;

quitar la mesa clear the table;

de quita y pon fam removable

II v/i

:

¡quita! get out of the way!

* * *

quitar vt

1) : to remove, to take away

2) : to take off (clothes)

3) : to get rid of, to relieve

♦ See also the reflexive verb quitarse

* * *

quitar vb

1. (en general) to take off [pt. took; pp. taken] / to take down

quita los pies del sofá take your feet off the sofa

quítate el abrigo take your coat off

2. (eliminar manchas) to get out / to remove

no puedo quitar la mancha I can't get the stain out

3. (robar cartera, dinero) to take [pt. took; pp. taken]

me han quitado la cartera somebody's taken my wallet

¿quién me ha cogido el lápiz? who's taken my pencil?

¡quita! / ¡quita de ahí! get out of the way!

quitar el sueño to keep awake

quitar la mesa to clear the table

quitar la sed to quench your thirst

Spanish-English dictionary > quitar
6 decir

v.

1 to say.

decir que sí/no to say yes/no

dice que no viene she says (that) she is not coming

¿cómo se dice “estación” en inglés? how do you say “estación” in English?

dicen que va a ser un verano muy seco they say it's going to be a very dry summer

Ella dijo la razón She said the reason.

Ella dijo incongruencias She said=uttered inconsistencies.

Esa historia dice algo cierto That story says something that is true.

2 to tell.

¿quién te lo ha dicho? who told you that?

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you want me to say?, what can I say?

decir a alguien que haga algo to tell somebody to do something

decir la verdad to tell the truth

Decirle la verdad a Ricardo To tell the truth to Richard= To tell Richard the truth.

Le dije I told him.

3 to recite, to read.

4 to tell, to show.

eso lo dice todo that says it all

decir mucho (en favor) de to say a lot for

5 to call.

le dicen la carretera de la muerte they call it the road of death

6 to say to.

Ella había dicho hacer eso She had said to do that.

7 to say about.

Ese estudio dice mil años That study says about one thousand years.

* * *

DECIR

CONJUGACIÓN

Present Indicative

digo, dices, dice, decimos, decís, dicen.

Past Indicative

dije, dijiste, dijo, dijimos, dijisteis, dijeron.

Future Indicative

diré, dirás, dirá, diremos, diréis, dirán.

Conditional

diría, dirías, diría, diríamos, diríais, dirían.

Present Subjunctive

diga, digas, diga, digamos, digáis, digan.

Imperfect Subjunctive

dijera, dijeras, dijera, dijéramos, dijerais, dijeran;

dijese, dijeses, dijese, dijésemos, dijeseis, dijesen.

Future Subjunctive

dijere, dijeres, dijere, dijéremos, dijereis, dijeren.

Imperative

di (tú), diga (él/Vd.), digamos (nos.), decid (vos.), digan (ellos/Vds.).

Past Participle

dicho,-a.

* * *

verb

1) to say

2) tell

3) speak

•

- decirse

* * *
DECIR ¿"Say" o "tell"? Decir se puede traducir por say o por tell. Por regla general, say simplemente {dice} y tell {informa} u {ordena hacer algo}. ► Decir generalmente se traduce por say en estilo directo. Normalmente no lleva un complemento de persona pero si se menciona a quién se está dirigiendo el hablante, el complemento de persona tiene que ir precedido por la preposición to: "Ya son las tres", dije "It's already three o'clock," I said "¡Qué tiempo más malo!" Eso fue lo único que me dijo "What awful weather!" That's all he said to me ► En estilo indirecto, decir se puede traducir por say cuando simplemente se cuenta lo que alguien ha dicho. Si say lleva complemento de persona, este se coloca después del complemento directo: Dijo que se tenía que marchar He said he had to leave Me dijo algo que no entendí He said something to me that I didn't understand ► Decir se traduce por tell cuando se {informa} o se {ordena hacer algo}. Suele llevar un objeto de persona sin la preposición to: Me dijo que tenía una entrevista de trabajo He told me he had a job interview ¡Te he dicho que no lo toques! I told you not to touch it! ► Hay algunos usos idiomáticos en los que decir se traduce por tell aunque no lleva complemento de persona. Por ejemplo: to tell the truth (decir la verdad) y to tell a lie (decir una mentira). Otros verbos ► Si decir va acompañado de un calificativo en español, a menudo se puede traducir al inglés por otros verbos que no sean say o tell: "Lo he perdido todo", dijo entre sollozos "I've lost everything," she sobbed Dijo con voz ronca algo sobre necesitar un médico He croaked something about needing a doctor Para otros usos y ejemplos ver la entrada Para otras expresiones con el participio, ver dicho.
1. VERBO TRANSITIVO

1) (=afirmar) to say

ya sabe decir varias palabras — she can already say several words, she already knows several words

- tengo prisa -dijo — "I'm in a hurry," she said

viene y dice: -estás despedido — * he goes, "you're fired" *

olvídalo, no he dicho nada — forget I said anything

¿decía usted? — you were saying?

• [como] dicen los madrileños — as they say in Madrid

como decía mi abuela — as my grandmother used to say

como iba diciendo... — as I was saying...

¿cómo ha dicho usted? — pardon?, what did you say?

• decir para {o} entre [sí] — to say to o.s.
decir que to say (that)
mi amigo dice que eres muy guapa — my friend says (that) you're very pretty

dicen que... — they say (that)..., people say (that)...

el cartel dice claramente que... — the sign says clearly {o} clearly states that...

decir que sí/no — to say yes/no

-¿viene? -dice que sí — "is she coming?" - "she says she is {o} she says so"

la miré y me dijo que sí/no con la cabeza — I looked at her and she nodded/shook her head
adiós 2.
2) decir algo a algn to tell sb sth

¿quién te lo dijo? — who told you?

se lo dije bien claro, pero no me hizo caso — I told her quite clearly, but she didn't take any notice of me

tengo algo que decirte — there's something I want to tell you, I've got something to tell you

hoy nos dicen las notas — they're telling {o} giving us our results today
decir a algn que ({+ indic}) to tell sb (that)
me dijo que no vendría — he told me (that) he wouldn't come

ya te dije que no tiene ni idea — I told you he hasn't got a clue

¿no te digo que no puedo ir? — I've already told you I can't go
decir a algn que ({+ subjun}) (=ordenar) to tell sb to ({+ infin}); (=pedir) to ask sb to ({+ infin})
la profesora me dijo que esperara fuera — the teacher told me to wait outside

le dije que fuera más tarde — I told her to go later

dile que venga a cenar mañana con nosotros — ask him to come and have supper with us tomorrow

te digo que te calles — I said shut up

3) (=contar) [+ mentiras, verdad, secreto] to tell

decir tonterías — to talk nonsense
verdad 1)
4) (=llamar) to call

¿cómo le dicen a esto en Perú? — what do they call this in Peru?

se llama Francisco, pero le dicen Paco — his name is Francisco, but he's known as Paco

le dicen "el torero" — he's known as "el torero"

en México se le dice "recámara" al dormitorio — in Mexico they say "recámara" instead of "dormitorio"

• me dijo de [todo] — he called me all the names under the sun

5) (=opinar) to say

podemos ir a Portugal, ¿tú qué dices? — we could go to Portugal, what do you say?

¿tu familia qué dice de la boda? — what does your family say about the wedding?

6) [rectificando]

había 8, digo 9 — there were 8, I mean 9

dirá usted aquel otro — you must mean that other one

¡qué digo! — what am I saying?

7) [texto] to say

no puedo leer lo que dice — I can't read what it says

no me dice nada este libro — this book leaves me cold

• como dice el [refrán]... — as the saying goes...

8) [+ misa] to say

9) [locuciones en indicativo]

digo... — Méx well, er...

mis súbditos se presentarán ante mí ¡he dicho! — my subjects shall appear before me: I have spoken!

• y dice [bien] — and he is quite right

• [como quien] dice — (=de alguna manera) so to speak; (=aproximadamente) in a way, more or less

aunque no es el director es, como quien dice, el que manda en la empresa — although he isn't the manager, he's the person in charge, so to speak, of the company

está, como quien dice, aquí al lado — it's just round the corner, as they say

como quien no dice nada — quite casually, as though it wasn't important

• [lo mismo] digo — likewise

- gracias por todo -lo mismo digo — "thank you for everything" - "likewise!" {o} "thanks to you too!"

• pero dice [mal] — but he is wrong

• pues si esto te parece mucha gente, no te digo [nada] en verano — if you think this is a lot of people, you should see it in summer

• no lo digo [por] ti — I'm not referring to you, I'm not getting at you

• sí, [porque tú] lo digas — yes, sir, aye, aye, captain! iró

• ¿[qué me] dices? — [sorpresa] you don't say!, well I never!; [incredulidad] come off it!

• [si tú] lo dices — if you say so

• eso digo [yo] — that's (just) what I say

deberías buscar trabajo, vamos, digo yo — you ought to look for a job, that's what I say, if you ask me, you ought to look for a job

¡si te lo digo yo! — of course it's true!

¡lo digo yo y basta! — you will do it because I say so!

• ¡[y que] lo digas! — you can say that again!

- decir digo donde dijo Diego

- no dijo ni pío

- dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres

10) [locuciones en infinitivo]

• [dar] que decir (a la gente) — to make people talk, set tongues wagging

• [es] decir — that is (to say)

mi prima, es decir, la hija de Ana — my cousin, that is (to say) Ana's daughter

• [ir] a decir, ¡a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

• es [mucho] decir — that's saying something

• [ni que] decir tiene que... — it goes without saying that...

• [no hay más] que decir — there's nothing more to say

• para decirlo con otras [palabras] — to put it another way, in other words

• decir [por] decir — to talk for talking's sake

• [por así] decirlo — so to speak

• [querer] decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir "spatha"? — what does "spatha" mean?

¿qué quiere usted decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿querrás decir un millón, no un billón? — do you mean a million rather than a billion?

• [ya es] decir — that's saying something

les ha costado más cara que mi casa, y eso ya es decir — it cost them more than my house did, and that's saying something

11) [locuciones en subjuntivo, imperativo]

no es que yo lo diga, pero... — it's not because I say so, but...

es, digamos, un comerciante — he's a dealer, for want of a better word, he's a sort of dealer

¡haberlo dicho!, ¡me lo hubieras dicho! — you could have told me {o} said!

• digámoslo [así] — so to speak, for want of a better word

• digan [lo que] digan — whatever they say

• y [no] digamos... — not to mention...

y su madre, no digamos — not to mention his mother

• no es muy guapa [que] digamos — she's not what you'd call pretty, she's not exactly pretty

no estuvo muy cortés, que digamos — he wasn't what you'd call polite, he wasn't exactly polite

• ¡[no me] digas! — [sorpresa] you don't say!, well I never!; [incredulidad] come off it!

• ¿qué [quieres] que te diga? — what can I say?

12) [locuciones en condicional]

¿cómo (lo) diría yo? — how shall I put it?

¿cómo diríamos? — how shall I put it?

¡quién lo diría! — would you believe it!, who would have thought it!

13) el qué dirán

pero no quiso por el qué dirán — but she didn't want to because of what people might say

se preocupa mucho por el qué dirán — she's always worried about what people will say {o} think

2. VERBO INTRANSITIVO

1) [invitando a hablar]

-¿te puedo pedir un favor? -dime — "can I ask you a favour?" - "go ahead"

¿diga?, ¿dígame? — [al teléfono] hello?

usted dirá — [invitando a hablar] go ahead; [sirviendo bebida] say when; [en tienda] can I help you?

-¿te gustaría cambiar de coche? -¡hombre, ya me dirás! — "would you like a new car?" - "you bet I would!"

2) (=indicar)

su nombre no me dice nada — her name doesn't mean anything to me

su mirada lo dice todo — her expression says it all {o} speaks volumes

• eso dice mucho [de] su personalidad — that says a lot about her personality

una situación que tan mal dice de nuestro gobierno — a situation which shows our government in such a bad light

3.

See:

decirse

* * *
I
masculino

¿cientos de personas? - bueno, es un decir — hundreds of people? - well, figuratively speaking
II 1.
verbo transitivo

1) <palabra/frase/poema> to say; <mentira/verdad> to tell

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2]

ya dice `mamá' — he says `mama' now

no digas esas cosas, por favor — please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces — don't talk nonsense!

¿cómo pudiste decir eso? — how could you say that?

¿eso lo dices por mí? — are you referring to me?

no lo dirás en serio! — you can't be serious!

dijo que sí con la cabeza — he nodded

dicen or se dice que es el hombre más rico del país — he is said to be the richest man in the country

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' — it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

eso no se dice! — you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? — how do you say `love' in Russian?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es — she's not what you would call pretty

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado — it's on Saturday; you're invited, but that goes without saying

haberlo dicho antes — why didn't you say so before?

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? - dice que sí — will he have time to do it? - he says he will

¿no lo encontró? - dice que no — didn't he find it? - no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan — whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? — (RPl fam) hi, how are things? (colloq)

2)

decirle algo a alguien — to tell somebody something

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí — that's not what he told me

¿sabes qué me dijo? — do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá — I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado — they're going to give us the result today

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano — Andrés told me about your brother

a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

ya te lo decía yo! — I told you so!

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco — it was terrible, I can't begin to tell you how terrible

no me digas que no es precioso! — isn't it beautiful?

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres — you can judge a man by the company he keeps

3)

a) (expresando o transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias)

porque lo digo yo! — because I say so!

harás lo que yo diga — you'll do as I say

papá dice que vayas — Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues — she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado — she said to be careful

decirle a alguien que + subj — to tell somebody to + inf

diles que empiecen — tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera — I told him not to do it

b)

decir adiós — to say goodbye

decirle adiós a alguien — to say goodbye to somebody

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante — you'd better say goodbye to your student days

4) ( por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? — what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto — there's nothing in the paper about it

5) ( llamar) to call

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo — her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

6) (sugerir, comunicar)

la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona — the way someone dresses says a lot/tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá — time will tell

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil — something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? — does that name mean anything to you?

7)

decir misa — to say mass

8)

querer decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? — what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? — do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

9) (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? — what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

quién lo hubiera dicho! — who would have thought o believed it?

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo — we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil - si tú lo dices... — it's very easy - if you say so...

10) (en locs)

a decir verdad — to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice — so to speak

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda... he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me; decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it; es decir that is; mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is; es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año - eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year - I wouldn't go that far; he dicho! that's that o final!; no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq); por así decirlo so to speak; que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent; que no se diga! shame on you!; que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it; y (ya) no digamos or (AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics...; el qué dirán (fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán — she's always been worried what other people (might) think; ver tb dicho I
2.
decir vi

a) ( invitando a hablar)

papá - dime, hijo — dad - yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor - usted dirá — I wanted to ask you a favor - certainly, go ahead

tome asiento, usted dirá — (frml) take a seat, and now, what can I do for you?

b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono)

¿diga? or ¿dígame? — hello?
3.
decirse v pron

a) (refl) to say... to oneself

b) (recípr) to say.... to each other

se decían secretos al oído — they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo — they called each other every name under the sun

c) (enf)

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

tú te lo dices todo — you seem to have all the answers

* * *

= declare, put, read, say, state, tell, volunteer, make + the point that, let + Nombre + know, let + it be known, observe, bid, reflect, utter, tender, hip, call + the tune.

Ex. 24.17 declares Enter a body created or controlled by a government under its own name unless it belongs to one or more of the types listed in 24.18.

Ex. As one respondent from this end of the information spectrum put it, 'Context is all in the information world'.

Ex. This error message is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and reads: DAWT008, 107, DFCR....

Ex. In conclusion, it should not be necessary to say that instructions and guiding must be as brief as possible.

Ex. Short abstracts are generally preferred, but there are instances where the most effective approach is to cite the original unamended, and to state that this is what has been done.

Ex. Program function key 1 (FP1) tells DOBIS/LIBIS to stop whatever it is doing and go back to the function selection screen.

Ex. 'Anything wrong?' 'Oh, I'm okay, I guess,' volunteered Datto cautiously.

Ex. However, they do make the very important point that the notation is not an essential part of the scheme.

Ex. Then the secretary, having rallied herself, said forlornly 'I'll let him know you're here in a minute'.

Ex. It can certainly be status-conferring to let it be known in social conversation that one has read the latest Fay Weldon book, but if the group one is in never reads Fay Weldon anyway and could not care less what she has written then the victory is a somewhat hollow one.

Ex. 'All this is not very likely,' she observed at last, 'not only because of the strength of the selection process -- its imperviousness to proof before an arbitrator'.

Ex. 'Sit down please,' he bade her.

Ex. 'Now, you know, I could merely turn this over to the two division or all the department heads and let them decide,' reflected Bough.

Ex. The ideal was forever etched in his consciousness from the day Crane uttered it: a good librarian working anywhere is a credit and benefit to libraries everywhere.

Ex. 'Well,' Stanton tendered, 'one candidate clearly has the superior experience -- Kass'.

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

Ex. As long as we allow other people to pay the piper, they will continue calling the tune in Africa.

----

* ¡eso se dice pronto! = easier said than done.

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

* a decir de todos = by all accounts.

* a decir verdad = to tell the truth, if the truth be known, if the truth be told, in all truth, in truth, fact is, the fact is (that), to be fair.

* a decir verdad... = the fact of the matter is that....

* arriesgarse a decir = hazard.

* atreverse a decir = go + (as/so) far as to say.

* aunque a decir verdad = Mind you.

* aventurarse a decir = venture.

* baste decir que = suffice (it) to say.

* como dice el dicho = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* como dice el refrán = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* continuar diciendo = go on.

* cumplir lo que se dice = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* decían las malas lenguas que = rumour had it that.

* decir adiós = bid + Nombre + goodbye, bid + adieu, kiss + Nombre + goodbye, bid + farewell, wave + a bye.

* decir adiós (a) = say + goodbye (to).

* decir adiós al pasado = bid + farewell + to the past.

* decir adiós con la mano = wave + goodbye.

* decir adiós con un gesto = signal + goodbye.

* decir a favor de = say in + favour of.

* decir Algo = break + the news.

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

* decir Algo de un modo colérico = flame out.

* decir Algo que es obvio por sí mismo = state + the obvious.

* decir balbuceando = splutter, sputter.

* decir bolas = fib.

* decir bromeando = quip.

* decir chorradas = bullshit.

* decir con desdén = sneer.

* decir con desprecio = sneer.

* decir con la boca llena = say in + full confidence.

* decir con mal humor = spit out.

* decir con toda confianza = say in + full confidence.

* decir con voz + Adjetivo = say in + a + Adjetivo + voice.

* decir de un modo enfadado = spit out.

* decir disparates = shoot off + at the mouth, talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir en confianza = confide.

* decir en defensa de = say in + defence of.

* decir entrecordamente = splurt out.

* decir en voz alta = say + out loud, say in + a loud voice.

* decir en voz baja = say under + Posesivo + breath, say in + a low voice, say in + a quiet voice.

* decir + esperar = express + hope.

* decir estupideces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir gilipolleces = talk + nonsense, talk + rubbish, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir humorísticamente = quip.

* decir inesperadamente = blurt out, pipe.

* decir la última palabra = hear + the final word, outface.

* decir la verdad = tell + the truth, speak + the truth, come + clean.

* decir la verdad sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* decir la verdad, toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad = to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

* decirlo = come out with + it.

* decir lo que Uno piensa = speak up, speak out.

* decir mentirijillas = fib.

* decir mentirillas = fib.

* decir mucho de Algo = speak + volumes.

* decir pamplinas = bullshit.

* decir + poseer = claim.

* decir que Uno se siente cómodo con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno se siente confortable con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno siente lo que le ha pasado a Otra Persona = express + sympathy for.

* decir rápidamente sin parar = rattle off.

* decir resoplando = snort.

* decir sandeces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decirse = grapevine + carry + the story, make out to be, word + go (a)round.

* decirse que = be reputed to.

* decir suspirando = sigh.

* decir tonterías = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir una grosería = make + rude remark.

* demostrar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* dicen las malas lenguas que = rumour has it that.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say, say.

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

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

* el tiempo dirá = time will tell.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* enterarse de lo que Uno quiere decir = catch + Posesivo + drift, get + Posesivo + drift.

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

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

* estar a punto de decir = be on the tip of + Posesivo + tongue to say.

* esto no quiere decir que = this is not to say that.

* expresar lo que Uno quiere decir = make + Posesivo + point.

* hablar sin decir nada = waffle.

* hacer lo que uno dice que es capaz de hacer = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* huelga decir = needless to say.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

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

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* ni que decir tiene que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no decir a Alguien lo que está ocurriendo = leave + Nombre + in the dark.

* no decir nada = keep + quiet.

* no decir nada a nadie = lips + seal.

* no decir palabrotas = watch + Posesivo + mouth.

* ¡no digas palabrotas! = watch your language!.

* no hace falta decir que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no preguntes porque no te puedo decir la verdad = ask no questions and hear no lies.

* no saber qué decir = be at a loss for words, be lost for words.

* no ser tan bueno como se dice = not + it's cracked up to be.

* para comenzar diremos que = to begin with.

* para decir la verdad = to be honest.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* predecible en cuanto a lo que dice = platitudinous.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* qué me dices de... = what about....

* querer decir = mean.

* quién iba a decir entonces que... = little did + Verbo + then that....

* quién + Pronombre + iba a decir que... = little did + Pronombre + know that....

* recalcar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* resaltar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* se decía que = rumour had it that.

* se dice = so the story goes.

* se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil = easier said than done.

* se dice que = rumour has it that, the saying + be + that.

* según se dice = reportedly, so the argument goes, reputedly.

* sin decir nada = dumbly.

* sin decir ni mú = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir ni pío = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir una palabra = without saying a word.

* sin saber qué decir = nonplussed [nonplused].

* tener cuidado con lo que se dice = say + the right thing.

* tener cuidado con lo que Uno dice = watch + Posesivo + mouth, watch what + say.

* yo me atrevería a decir = dare I say.

* * *
I
masculino

¿cientos de personas? - bueno, es un decir — hundreds of people? - well, figuratively speaking
II 1.
verbo transitivo

1) <palabra/frase/poema> to say; <mentira/verdad> to tell

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2]

ya dice `mamá' — he says `mama' now

no digas esas cosas, por favor — please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces — don't talk nonsense!

¿cómo pudiste decir eso? — how could you say that?

¿eso lo dices por mí? — are you referring to me?

no lo dirás en serio! — you can't be serious!

dijo que sí con la cabeza — he nodded

dicen or se dice que es el hombre más rico del país — he is said to be the richest man in the country

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' — it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

eso no se dice! — you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? — how do you say `love' in Russian?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es — she's not what you would call pretty

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado — it's on Saturday; you're invited, but that goes without saying

haberlo dicho antes — why didn't you say so before?

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? - dice que sí — will he have time to do it? - he says he will

¿no lo encontró? - dice que no — didn't he find it? - no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan — whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? — (RPl fam) hi, how are things? (colloq)

2)

decirle algo a alguien — to tell somebody something

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí — that's not what he told me

¿sabes qué me dijo? — do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá — I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado — they're going to give us the result today

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano — Andrés told me about your brother

a mí me lo vas a decir! — you're telling me!

ya te lo decía yo! — I told you so!

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco — it was terrible, I can't begin to tell you how terrible

no me digas que no es precioso! — isn't it beautiful?

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres — you can judge a man by the company he keeps

3)

a) (expresando o transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias)

porque lo digo yo! — because I say so!

harás lo que yo diga — you'll do as I say

papá dice que vayas — Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues — she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado — she said to be careful

decirle a alguien que + subj — to tell somebody to + inf

diles que empiecen — tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera — I told him not to do it

b)

decir adiós — to say goodbye

decirle adiós a alguien — to say goodbye to somebody

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante — you'd better say goodbye to your student days

4) ( por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? — what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto — there's nothing in the paper about it

5) ( llamar) to call

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo — her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

6) (sugerir, comunicar)

la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona — the way someone dresses says a lot/tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá — time will tell

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil — something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? — does that name mean anything to you?

7)

decir misa — to say mass

8)

querer decir — to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? — what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? — what do you mean by that?

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? — do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

9) (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? — what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

quién lo hubiera dicho! — who would have thought o believed it?

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo — we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil - si tú lo dices... — it's very easy - if you say so...

10) (en locs)

a decir verdad — to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice — so to speak

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda... he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me; decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it; es decir that is; mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is; es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año - eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year - I wouldn't go that far; he dicho! that's that o final!; no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq); por así decirlo so to speak; que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent; que no se diga! shame on you!; que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it; y (ya) no digamos or (AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics...; el qué dirán (fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán — she's always been worried what other people (might) think; ver tb dicho I
2.
decir vi

a) ( invitando a hablar)

papá - dime, hijo — dad - yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor - usted dirá — I wanted to ask you a favor - certainly, go ahead

tome asiento, usted dirá — (frml) take a seat, and now, what can I do for you?

b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono)

¿diga? or ¿dígame? — hello?
3.
decirse v pron

a) (refl) to say... to oneself

b) (recípr) to say.... to each other

se decían secretos al oído — they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo — they called each other every name under the sun

c) (enf)

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

tú te lo dices todo — you seem to have all the answers

* * *

= declare, put, read, say, state, tell, volunteer, make + the point that, let + Nombre + know, let + it be known, observe, bid, reflect, utter, tender, hip, call + the tune.

Ex: 24.17 declares Enter a body created or controlled by a government under its own name unless it belongs to one or more of the types listed in 24.18.

Ex: As one respondent from this end of the information spectrum put it, 'Context is all in the information world'.

Ex: This error message is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and reads: DAWT008, 107, DFCR....

Ex: In conclusion, it should not be necessary to say that instructions and guiding must be as brief as possible.

Ex: Short abstracts are generally preferred, but there are instances where the most effective approach is to cite the original unamended, and to state that this is what has been done.

Ex: Program function key 1 (FP1) tells DOBIS/LIBIS to stop whatever it is doing and go back to the function selection screen.

Ex: 'Anything wrong?' 'Oh, I'm okay, I guess,' volunteered Datto cautiously.

Ex: However, they do make the very important point that the notation is not an essential part of the scheme.

Ex: Then the secretary, having rallied herself, said forlornly 'I'll let him know you're here in a minute'.

Ex: It can certainly be status-conferring to let it be known in social conversation that one has read the latest Fay Weldon book, but if the group one is in never reads Fay Weldon anyway and could not care less what she has written then the victory is a somewhat hollow one.

Ex: 'All this is not very likely,' she observed at last, 'not only because of the strength of the selection process -- its imperviousness to proof before an arbitrator'.

Ex: 'Sit down please,' he bade her.

Ex: 'Now, you know, I could merely turn this over to the two division or all the department heads and let them decide,' reflected Bough.

Ex: The ideal was forever etched in his consciousness from the day Crane uttered it: a good librarian working anywhere is a credit and benefit to libraries everywhere.

Ex: 'Well,' Stanton tendered, 'one candidate clearly has the superior experience -- Kass'.

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

Ex: As long as we allow other people to pay the piper, they will continue calling the tune in Africa.

* ¡eso se dice pronto! = easier said than done.

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

* a decir de todos = by all accounts.

* a decir verdad = to tell the truth, if the truth be known, if the truth be told, in all truth, in truth, fact is, the fact is (that), to be fair.

* a decir verdad... = the fact of the matter is that....

* arriesgarse a decir = hazard.

* atreverse a decir = go + (as/so) far as to say.

* aunque a decir verdad = Mind you.

* aventurarse a decir = venture.

* baste decir que = suffice (it) to say.

* como dice el dicho = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* como dice el refrán = as the saying goes, so the saying goes.

* continuar diciendo = go on.

* cumplir lo que se dice = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* decían las malas lenguas que = rumour had it that.

* decir adiós = bid + Nombre + goodbye, bid + adieu, kiss + Nombre + goodbye, bid + farewell, wave + a bye.

* decir adiós (a) = say + goodbye (to).

* decir adiós al pasado = bid + farewell + to the past.

* decir adiós con la mano = wave + goodbye.

* decir adiós con un gesto = signal + goodbye.

* decir a favor de = say in + favour of.

* decir Algo = break + the news.

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

* decir Algo de un modo colérico = flame out.

* decir Algo que es obvio por sí mismo = state + the obvious.

* decir balbuceando = splutter, sputter.

* decir bolas = fib.

* decir bromeando = quip.

* decir chorradas = bullshit.

* decir con desdén = sneer.

* decir con desprecio = sneer.

* decir con la boca llena = say in + full confidence.

* decir con mal humor = spit out.

* decir con toda confianza = say in + full confidence.

* decir con voz + Adjetivo = say in + a + Adjetivo + voice.

* decir de un modo enfadado = spit out.

* decir disparates = shoot off + at the mouth, talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir en confianza = confide.

* decir en defensa de = say in + defence of.

* decir entrecordamente = splurt out.

* decir en voz alta = say + out loud, say in + a loud voice.

* decir en voz baja = say under + Posesivo + breath, say in + a low voice, say in + a quiet voice.

* decir + esperar = express + hope.

* decir estupideces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir gilipolleces = talk + nonsense, talk + rubbish, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir humorísticamente = quip.

* decir inesperadamente = blurt out, pipe.

* decir la última palabra = hear + the final word, outface.

* decir la verdad = tell + the truth, speak + the truth, come + clean.

* decir la verdad sobre = give + Nombre + the lowdown on.

* decir la verdad, toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad = to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

* decirlo = come out with + it.

* decir lo que Uno piensa = speak up, speak out.

* decir mentirijillas = fib.

* decir mentirillas = fib.

* decir mucho de Algo = speak + volumes.

* decir pamplinas = bullshit.

* decir + poseer = claim.

* decir que Uno se siente cómodo con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno se siente confortable con Algo = express + comfort with.

* decir que Uno siente lo que le ha pasado a Otra Persona = express + sympathy for.

* decir rápidamente sin parar = rattle off.

* decir resoplando = snort.

* decir sandeces = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, bullshit, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decirse = grapevine + carry + the story, make out to be, word + go (a)round.

* decirse que = be reputed to.

* decir suspirando = sigh.

* decir tonterías = talk + rubbish, talk + nonsense, talk through + Posesivo + hat.

* decir una grosería = make + rude remark.

* demostrar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* dicen las malas lenguas que = rumour has it that.

* digamos por ejemplo = let us say, say.

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

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

* el tiempo dirá = time will tell.

* el tiempo lo dirá = only time will tell.

* enterarse de lo que Uno quiere decir = catch + Posesivo + drift, get + Posesivo + drift.

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

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

* estar a punto de decir = be on the tip of + Posesivo + tongue to say.

* esto no quiere decir que = this is not to say that.

* expresar lo que Uno quiere decir = make + Posesivo + point.

* hablar sin decir nada = waffle.

* hacer lo que uno dice que es capaz de hacer = live up to + Posesivo + claim.

* huelga decir = needless to say.

* la gente dice que = rumour has it that.

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

* me atrevo a decir = may I say.

* ni que decir tiene que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no decir a Alguien lo que está ocurriendo = leave + Nombre + in the dark.

* no decir nada = keep + quiet.

* no decir nada a nadie = lips + seal.

* no decir palabrotas = watch + Posesivo + mouth.

* ¡no digas palabrotas! = watch your language!.

* no hace falta decir que = it goes without saying that, needless to say.

* no preguntes porque no te puedo decir la verdad = ask no questions and hear no lies.

* no saber qué decir = be at a loss for words, be lost for words.

* no ser tan bueno como se dice = not + it's cracked up to be.

* para comenzar diremos que = to begin with.

* para decir la verdad = to be honest.

* por decirlo así = so to speak, in a manner of speaking.

* por decirlo de alguna manera = so to speak.

* por decirlo de algún modo = in a manner of speaking, so to speak.

* por lo que dicen todos = by all accounts.

* por no decir algo peor = to put it mildly.

* por no decir nada de = to say nothing of.

* por no decir nunca = if ever.

* por no decir otra cosa peor = to say the least.

* predecible en cuanto a lo que dice = platitudinous.

* probar lo que Uno dice = make + good + Posesivo + claim.

* qué me dices de... = what about....

* querer decir = mean.

* quién iba a decir entonces que... = little did + Verbo + then that....

* quién + Pronombre + iba a decir que... = little did + Pronombre + know that....

* recalcar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* resaltar lo que Uno quiere decir = drive + home + Posesivo + point.

* se decía que = rumour had it that.

* se dice = so the story goes.

* se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil = easier said than done.

* se dice que = rumour has it that, the saying + be + that.

* según se dice = reportedly, so the argument goes, reputedly.

* sin decir nada = dumbly.

* sin decir ni mú = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir ni pío = as quiet as a mouse.

* sin decir una palabra = without saying a word.

* sin saber qué decir = nonplussed [nonplused].

* tener cuidado con lo que se dice = say + the right thing.

* tener cuidado con lo que Uno dice = watch + Posesivo + mouth, watch what + say.

* yo me atrevería a decir = dare I say.

* * *

decir¹

masculine

1

(manera de expresarse): en el decir popular in popular speech

¿cientos de personas? — bueno, es un decir hundreds of people? — well, it's just a manner of speaking o a figure of speech

supongamos, es un decir, que … let's assume, just for the sake of argument, that …

al decir de la gente, el clima está cambiando people say the climate is changing

2 decires mpl (dichos) sayings (pl); (rumores) talk

no son más que decires it's just talk

decir² [ I24 ]

GUIA DE BUSQUEDA

■ decir (verbo transitivo)

A decir: palabra, mentira etc

B decirle algo a alguien

C

1 transmitiendo órdenes, deseos etc

2 decir adiós

D por escrito

E llamar

F sugerir, comunicar

G decir misa

H

1 querer decir

2 digo (al rectificar)

I opinar, pensar

J en locuciones

■ decir (verbo intransitivo)

A

1 invitando a hablar

2 al contestar el teléfono

B decir bien/mal de

■ decirse (verbo pronominal)

1 reflexivo

2 recíproco

3 para enfatizar

vt

A ‹palabra/frase› to say; ‹mentira/verdad› to tell; ‹poema› to say, recite; ‹oración› to say

[ para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2] ya dice `mamá' he says ‘mama’ now

no digas esas cosas, por favor please don't say things like that

no digas estupideces/barbaridades don't talk nonsense o ( AmE) garbage o ( BrE) rubbish

¿cómo pudiste decir semejante disparate? how could you say such a stupid thing o make such a stupid comment?

no me dejó decir ni una palabra he didn't let me get a word in edgeways

¿eso lo dices por mí? are you referring to me?

no sé qué decir … un millón de gracias I don't know what to say … thank you very much indeed

¡qué callado estás! ¡no dices nada! you're very quiet, you've hardly said a word!

¡no lo dirás en serio! you can't be serious!

¡no irás a decir que no lo sabías! don't try and tell me you didn't know!

dijo que sí con la cabeza he nodded

—no puedo hacer nada —dijo Juan there is nothing I can do, said Juan o Juan said

como dice el refrán/mi abuela as the saying goes/as my grandmother says

lo dijeron por la radio they said it o it was announced on the radio

no eran ricos, digamos que vivían bien I don't mean they were rich, let's just say they lived well

dicen que de joven fue muy guapa they say she was very beautiful when she was young

dicen que es el hombre más rico del país he is said to be the richest man in the country

¿qué se dice? — gracias/por favor what do you say? — thank you/please

no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' it isn't `andé', it's `anduve'

¡eso no se dice! you mustn't say that!

¿cómo se dice `te quiero' en ruso? how do you say `I love you' in Russian?, what's the Russian for `I love you'?

bonita, lo que se dice bonita, no es she's not what you would call pretty

estoy harta, lo que se dice harta ¿me oyes? I'm fed up, absolutely fed up, do you hear?

eso se dice pronto, pero no es tan fácil that's easier said than done

palatal: dícese del sonido cuya articulación … palatal: of, relating to or denoting a sound articulated …

es el sábado; ni que decir tiene que estás invitado it's on Saturday; you're invited, of course, but that goes without saying o but I don't need to tell you that

haberlo dicho antes why didn't you say so before?, you might have said so before!

¿tendrá tiempo de hacerlo? — dice que sí will he have time to do it? — he says he will

¿no lo encontró? — dice que no didn't he find it? — no, he says he didn't

digan lo que digan no matter what people say, whatever people say

¿qué tal? ¿qué decís? ( RPl fam); hi, how are things? ( colloq), hi, what's up? ( AmE colloq)

B

decirle algo a algn to tell sb sth

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí that's not what he told me, that's not what he said to me

¿sabes qué me dijo? do you know what he told me?; (expresando sorpresa, indignación, etc) do you know what he said to me?

se lo voy a decir a papá I'm going to tell Dad

hoy nos dicen el resultado they're going to give us the result today

me dijo una mentira he told me a lie, he lied to me

Andrés me dijo lo de tu hermano Andrés told me about your brother

¡a mí me lo vas a decir! you're telling me!, you don't have to tell me!

¿sabes lo que te digo? por mí que se muera look, as far as I'm concerned he can drop dead! ( colloq)

¿no te digo? éste se cree que yo soy la sirvienta see what I mean? he thinks I'm his servant

¿no te digo or no te estoy diciendo que hasta le pega? I'm telling you, he even hits her!

¿tú qué me aconsejas? — ¿qué quieres que te diga? tienes que tomar tú la decisión what do you think I should do? — well, to be quite frank o honest, I think you have to decide for yourself

ya te decía yo que no era verdad I told you it wasn't true, didn't I?

fue algo espantoso, todo lo que te diga es poco it was terrible, I just can't describe it o I can't begin to tell you

hace mal tiempo en verano, y no te digo nada en invierno … in summer the weather's bad, and as for the winter …

¡no me digas que no es precioso! isn't it beautiful?

a lo mejor te ofrecen el puesto ¿quién te dice? (CS); you never know, they might offer you the job

me resultó ¿cómo te diría? … violento I found it … how shall I put it? o I don't know … rather embarrassing

¡ya me dirás qué le cuesta escribirnos una carta! I mean, surely it's not too much trouble for him to write us a letter

no te creas todo lo que te dicen don't believe everything people tell you o everything you hear

dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres you can judge a man by the company he keeps

C

1

(transmitiendo órdenes, deseos, advertencias): ¡porque lo digo yo! because I say so!

a mí nadie me dice lo que tengo que hacer nobody tells me what to do

harás lo que yo diga you'll do as I say

manda decir mi mamá que si le puede prestar el martillo ( AmL); mom says can she borrow your hammer?

Fernando pregunta si puede venir con nosotros — dile que sí Fernando wants to know if he can come with us — yes, tell him he can o say yes

decir QUE + SUBJ:

dice papá que vayas Dad wants you

dice que llames cuando llegues she says (you are) to phone when you get there

dijo que tuviéramos cuidado she said to be careful, she said we should be careful

decirle a algn QUE + SUBJ to tell sb to + INF

diles que empiecen tell them to start

le dije que no lo hiciera I told him not to do it

nos dijeron que esperáramos they told us o we were told to wait

te digo que vengas aquí enseguida I said, come here at once

2

decir adiós to say goodbye

vino a decirme adiós she came to say goodbye (to me)

di adiós a tu vida de estudiante that's the end of your student days, you'd better say goodbye to your student days

¿se lo prestaste? ¡ya le puedes decir adiós! you mean you lent it to him? well, you can kiss that goodbye! ( colloq)

D (por escrito) to say

¿qué dice aquí? what does it say here?

el diario no dice nada sobre el asunto there's nothing in the paper about it

E (llamar) to call

le dicen `Dumbo' por las orejas they call him `Dumbo' because of his ears

se llama Rosario pero le dicen Charo her name is Rosario but people call her Charo

no me digas de usted there's no need to call me `usted'

F

(sugerir, comunicar): la forma de vestir dice mucho de una persona the way someone dresses says a lot o tells you a lot about them

el tiempo lo dirá time will tell

por afuera la casa no dice nada the house doesn't look much from the outside

el poema no me dice nada the poem doesn't do anything for me

algo me decía que no iba a ser fácil something told me it wasn't going to be easy

¿te dice algo ese nombre? does that name mean anything to you?

la tarta estaba diciendo cómeme the cake was just asking to be eaten

G

decir misa to say mass

H

1

querer decir to mean

¿qué quiere decir esta palabra? what does this word mean?

¿qué quieres decir con eso? what do you mean by that?

no entendiste lo que quise decir you didn't understand what I meant

¿quieres decir que ya no te interesa? do you mean (to say) that you're no longer interested?

sólo quería decirte que … I just wanted to say that …

2

digo (al rectificar) I mean

el presupuesto asciende a diez mil, digo cien mil de euros we have a budget of ten thousand, (sorry,) I mean a hundred thousand euros

I (opinar, pensar) to think

¿y los padres qué dicen? what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?

podríamos ir mañana ¿tú qué dices? we could go tomorrow, what do you think?

¡quién lo hubiera dicho! who would have thought o believed it?

podría haber mencionado al resto del equipo, vamos, digo yo … he could have mentioned the rest of the team … well I'd have thought so, anyway

habría que regalarle algo, no sé, digo yo we ought to buy her a present, well, I think so anyway

es muy fácil — si tú lo dices … it's very easy — if you say so …

J ( en locuciones):

a decir verdad to tell you the truth, to be honest

como quien dice so to speak

el nuevo tren está, como quien dice, a la vuelta de la esquina the new train is, so to speak o to coin a phrase, just around the corner

la granja es, como quien dice, la razón de su vida I suppose you could say the farm is his whole reason for living

con decirte que: no me lo perdonó nunca, con decirte que ni me saluda … he's never forgiven me, he won't even say hello to me

decir por decir: lo dijo por decir he didn't really mean it

¡digo! ( Esp fam): ¡qué calor hace! — ¡digo! it's so hot! — you can say that again o I'll say! ( colloq)

¿y te gusta? — ¡digo! do you like it? — you bet I do o ( AmE) I sure do! ( colloq)

es decir that is

mi cuñada, es decir la mujer de Rafael my sister-in-law, Rafael's wife that is

no sé si voy a poder ir — es decir que no vas a ir I don't know if I'll be able to go — you mean you're not going

es mucho decir: es la mejor película del año — eso ya es mucho decir it's the best movie of the year — I wouldn't go that far

¡he dicho! that's that!, that's final!

lo mismo digo: mucho gusto en conocerle — lo mismo digo pleased to meet you — pleased to meet you o likewise

¡qué alegría verte! — lo mismo digo it's great to see you! — and you o you too

¡no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! ( colloq)

¿sabes que se casa Lola? — ¡no me digas! do you know Lola's getting married? — no! o you're joking! o really? o never!

por así decirlo so to speak

es, por así decirlo, el alma-máter de la empresa he is, so to speak o as it were, the driving force behind the company

que digamos: no es muy inteligente que digamos he's not exactly o he's hardly what you'd call intelligent

¿qué me dices?: saqué el primer puesto ¿qué me dices? I came first, how about that then?

¿y qué me dices de lo de Carlos? and what about Carlos then?

¿sabes que lo van a derribar? — ¿qué me dices? do you know they're going to demolish it? — what? o you're kidding!

¡que no se diga! shame on you!

¿te ganó un niño de seis años? ¡que no se diga! you were beaten by a six-year-old child? shame on you!

¡que no se diga que no somos capaces! I don't want people saying that we can't do it

se dice pronto no less

costó $20.000 ¡se dice pronto! it cost $20,000, which is no mean sum

lleva dos meses enferma, que se dice pronto she has been ill for two months, and that's a long time

¡y que lo digas! ( Esp); you can say that again!, you're telling me!, don't I know it!

y (ya) no digamos or ( AmL) y no se diga: le cuestan mucho las matemáticas y no digamos la física he finds mathematics very difficult, and as for physics …

el/la que te dije ( fam hum); you-know-who

el qué dirán ( fam): siempre le ha importado el qué dirán she's always been worried what other people (might) think

¿por qué te preocupa tanto el qué dirán? why do you worry about what people will o might say?

ver tb dicho¹ (↑ dicho (1))

■ decir

vi

A

1

(invitando a hablar): papá — dime, hijo dad — yes, son?

quería pedirle un favor — usted dirá ( frml); I wanted to ask you a favor — certainly, go ahead

tome asiento — gracias — usted dirá ( frml); take a seat — thank you — now, what can I do for you?

2

( Esp) [ Vocabulary notes (Spanish) ] (al contestar el teléfono): ¿diga? or ¿dígame? hello?

B

decir bien/mal de algn/algo: sus trabajos dicen bien de él his work has created a good impression

la manera en que se comportó no dice muy bien de él the way he behaved doesn't show him in a very good light o doesn't say very much for him

■ decirse

v pron

1 ( reflexivo) to say to oneself

se dijo que no lo volvería a hacer he said to himself o he told himself that he wouldn't do it again

me dije para mis adentros que allí había gato encerrado I said o thought to myself, there's something fishy going on here

2 ( recíproco) to say to each other

se decían secretos al oído they were whispering secrets to each other

se dijeron de todo they called each other every name under the sun

3 ( enf):

tú hazme caso que yo sé lo que me digo you listen to me, I know what I'm talking about

no sé para qué me preguntas, si tú te lo dices todo I don't know why you're asking me, you seem to have all the answers

* * *

decir 1 sustantivo masculino:
◊ ¿cientos de personas? — bueno, es un decir hundreds of people? — well, figuratively speaking

decir 2 ( conjugate decir) verbo transitivo
1
a) ‹palabra/frase/poema› to say;

‹mentira/verdad› to tell;
para ejemplos con complemento indirecto ver división 2
◊ no digas estupideces don't talk nonsense!;

¿eso lo dices por mí? are you referring to me?;
¡no lo dirás en serio! you can't be serious!;
dijo que sí con la cabeza he nodded;
no se dice `andé', se dice `anduve' it isn't `andé', it's `anduve';
¡eso no se dice! you mustn't say that!;
¿cómo se dice `amor' en ruso? how do you say `love' in Russian?;
¿lo encontró? — dice que sí/no did he find it? — he says he did/he didn't
b)

◊ decir misa to say mass

2 decirle algo a algn to tell sb sth;
◊ voy a decirle a papá que … I'm going to tell Dad …;

¡ya te lo decía yo! I told you so!
3
a) (expresando órdenes, deseos, advertencias):

◊ ¡porque lo digo yo! because I say so!;

harás lo que yo diga you'll do as I say;
dice que llames cuando llegues she says (you are) to phone when you get there;
dijo que tuviéramos cuidado she said to be careful;
diles que empiecen tell them to start;
le dije que no lo hiciera I told him not to do it
b)

◊ decir(le) adiós (a algn) to say goodbye (to sb)

4
a) (opinar, pensar) to think;

◊ ¿y los padres qué dicen? what do her parents think of it?, how do her parents feel about it?;

¡quién lo hubiera dicho! who would have thought o believed it?;
es muy fácil — si tú lo dices … it's very easy — if you say so …
b) (sugerir, comunicar):

◊ el tiempo lo dirá time will tell;

¿te dice algo ese nombre? does that name mean anything to you?
5
◊ querer decir [palabra/persona] to mean;

¿qué quieres decir con eso? what do you mean by that?
6 ( en locs)
◊ a decir verdad to tell you the truth, to be honest;

como quien dice so to speak;
es decir that is;
¡he dicho! that's that o final!;
ni que decir tiene que … it goes without saying that …;
¡no me digas! no!, you're kidding o joking! (colloq);
por así decirlo so to speak;
el qué dirán (fam) what other people (might) think;
ver tb dicho 1
verbo intransitivo
a) ( invitando a hablar):

◊ papá — dime, hijo dad — yes, son?;

quería pedirle un favor — usted dirá I wanted to ask you a favor — certainly, go ahead
b) (Esp) ( al contestar el teléfono): ¿diga? or ¿dígame? hello?

decirse verbo pronominal
a) ( refl) to say … to oneself

b) ( recípr) to say …. to each other;

◊ se decían secretos al oído they were whispering secrets to each other

decir
I m (dicho, sentencia) saying: es sólo un decir, it's just a manner of speaking
II verbo transitivo
1 to say: está diciendo una mentira/la verdad, she's telling a lie/the truth
no dijo nada, he said nothing
2 (con complemento indirecto) to tell: no le dije mi opinión, I didn't tell him my opinion
les dijo que esperaran un rato, she told them to wait for a while
3 (opinar, afirmar, proponer) ¿qué me dices de mi nuevo corte de pelo?, what do you think of my new haircut?, te digo que es una extravagancia, I think it's quite weird
yo digo que vayamos a Cuenca, I suggest going to Cuenca
4 (suscitar interés, una idea) to mean, appeal: ese libro no me dice nada, that book doesn't appeal to me
¿le dice algo esta cara?, does this face mean anything to you?
5 (mostrar, indicar) to say, show: lo que hizo dice mucho en su favor, what he did says a lot for him
su cara de decepción lo dice todo, his long face says it all
♦ Locuciones: Tel Esp diga o dígame, hello?
digamos, let's say
digo yo, in my opinion
el qué dirán, what people will say
es decir, that is (to say)
ni que decir tiene, needless to say
no decir esta boca es mía, not to say a word
¡no me digas!, really!
por así decirlo, as it were o so to speak
querer decir, to mean
¡y que lo digas!, you bet! ➣ Ver nota en mean
¿To tell o to say?
Observa que to tell menciona a la persona a la cual va dirigida una frase: Dime tu nombre. Tell me your name. Les dijo que se fueran. He told them to go away.
Por el contrario, to say se centra en el contenido del mensaje, sin importarnos a quién va dirigido: ¿Qué has dicho? What did you say? Dijo que sí. He said yes. ➣ Ver nota en tell.
' decir' also found in these entries:
Spanish:
A
- amén
- amohinarse
- año
- apéndice
- atinar
- bala
- barbaridad
- bastante
- burrada
- callar
- chorrada
- colmo
- comenzar
- confiar
- cosa
- declarar
- delirar
- descargo
- despedirse
- dilucidar
- disparate
- entender
- excusada
- excusado
- flexible
- fluir
- ir
- haber
- hablar
- holgar
- honestamente
- hoy
- lengua
- maravilla
- mu
- nada
- obviedad
- pelagatos
- pío
- precisamente
- puño
- querer
- rezar
- restar
- rey
- saciedad
- señor
- significar
- soltar
English:
ablaze
- abuse
- afraid
- anything
- bid
- bite back
- blurt out
- buzz off
- caller
- clear off
- dash off
- devil
- dinner
- distinctly
- drone
- enjoy
- eventual
- ever
- few
- flatter
- flounder
- fortune
- gasp out
- get
- get at
- go
- go on
- hand
- heart
- hotly
- i.e.
- keep in
- know
- lip
- loss
- mean
- mention
- mildly
- mind
- miserably
- mouth
- move
- need
- needless
- neither
- no
- nonsense
- O
- occasion
- oops!

* * *

decir

♦ vt

1. [en general] to say;

siempre digo lo que pienso I always say what I think;

es muy callado, nunca dice nada he's very quiet, he never says anything o a word;

¿qué dice la etiqueta? what does the label say?;

no digas tonterías don't talk nonsense;

no digas tacos delante de los niños don't swear in front of the children;

lo dijo en broma she meant it as a joke;

¿quién te lo ha dicho? who told you that?;

me da igual lo que diga la gente I don't care what people say;

al decir esto, se marchó with these words o with that, he left;

no sabía qué decir I didn't know what to say, I was lost for words;

decir que sí/no to say yes/no;

dice que no viene she says (that) she's not coming;

como dice el refrán,… as the saying goes,…;

dicen que va a ser un verano muy seco they say it's going to be a very dry summer;

Comp

¡díjolo Blas, punto redondo! sure, whatever!, yes, sure!;

Comp

donde dije digo, digo Diego: ayer dijiste que me lo dejarías – sí, pero no puedo – ya, donde dije digo, digo Diego yesterday you told me you'd lend it to me – yes, but I can't now – you're always saying one thing one minute and another the next

2. [contar] to tell;

se lo voy a decir a la profesora I'm going to tell the teacher;

no se lo digas a nadie don't breathe a word of it to anyone;

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you want me to say?, what can I say?;

ya te lo había dicho yo, es demasiado caro I told you it's too expensive;

decir la verdad to tell the truth;

decir mentiras to tell lies;

pregunta si le dejas salir – dile que sí/no she wants to know if she can go out – tell her she can/can't;

quiere saber si hemos terminado – dile que sí/no he wants to know if we've finished – tell him we have/haven't;

dile que estoy ocupado tell him I'm busy;

dígame lo que pasó tell me what happened;

eso no es lo que me dijo a mí that's not what she told me;

tengo que hacerte una pregunta – dime I need to ask you a question – go ahead;

dígame en qué puedo ayudarle what can I do for you?

3. [ordenar] to tell;

la ley dice que es obligatorio el uso del casco according to the law, it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet, the law says that it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet;

decir a alguien que haga algo to tell sb to do sth;

haz lo que te digan y no protestes do as you're told and don't complain;

dile que venga tell her to come;

nos dijeron que nos fuéramos they told us to go away;

lo vas a hacer porque lo digo yo you'll do it because I say so

4. [recitar] [de memoria] to recite;
[leyendo] to read
5. [revelar] to tell, to show;

eso lo dice todo that says it all;

decir mucho (en favor) de to say a lot for;

sus ropas dicen bastante sobre su situación económica her clothes say a lot about her financial situation;

su violenta reacción dice mucho sobre su personalidad his violent reaction tells us o reveals a lot about his personality

6. [llamar] to call;

me dicen Paco they call me Paco;

le dicen la carretera de la muerte they call it the road of death

7. [asegurar] to tell, to assure;

te digo que ella no está mintiendo I tell you o assure you (that) she isn't lying;

dice que llegará mañana sin falta she says (that) she'll definitely arrive tomorrow

8. [en frases]
a decir verdad, no me apetece nada ir a la boda to tell (you) the truth o to be honest, I don't really feel like going to the wedding;

como quien no dice nada as if it were nothing;

olvídalo, como si no hubiera dicho nada forget I ever mentioned it;

con decirte que me marché a los diez minutos, te puedes imaginar como fue la fiesta if I tell you that I left after ten minutes, you can imagine what the party was like;

cualquiera diría que no le dan de comer en casa anyone would o you'd think she never gets fed at home;

decir para sí to say to oneself;

decir por decir to talk for the sake of talking;

no te lo tomes en serio, lo dijo por decir don't take it seriously, she didn't really mean it;

decirle a alguien cuatro verdades to tell sb a few home truths;

es decir that is, that's to say;

aracnofobia, es decir miedo a las arañas arachnophobia, that is o that's to say, fear of spiders;

tengo otra cita – es decir, que no vendrás a la inauguración I've got another engagement – you mean o in other words you're not coming to the opening ceremony;

encantado de conocerte – lo mismo digo pleased to meet you – likewise;

tu primer examen estaba muy mal, y lo mismo digo del segundo you did very poorly in your first exam, and the same goes for the second one;

ni que decir tiene needless to say;

yo no digo o [m5]no quiero decir nada, pero… it's not for me to say, but…;

¿sabías que Santiago se ha casado? – ¡no me digas! did you know that Santiago got married? – no! o never!;

¡no me digas que no te gusta! don't tell me you don't like it!;

el tenis/este cuadro no me dice nada tennis/this picture doesn't do anything for me;

no hay más que decir that's all there is to it, that's that;

(o) mejor dicho or rather;

por más que digas, no le veo nada especial a esta ciudad whatever you say, I don't see what's so special about this city;

por decirlo así, por así decirlo in other words, so to speak;
RP Fam
¿qué decís? how are you doing?, how are things?;

preocuparse por el qué dirán to worry about what people will say;

no está lloviendo mucho que digamos it's not exactly raining hard;

él no es muy inteligente que digamos he isn't what you'd call intelligent;

ha sufrido un infarto – ¡qué me dices! she's had a heart attack – no! o surely not!;

¡quién lo diría! tan rico y sin embargo tan humilde who would have thought it, such a rich person and yet so humble!;

tardarán en construirlo cinco años, ¡se dice pronto! they're going to take five years, no less, to build it!;

yo lo hago en cinco minutos – eso se dice pronto, no sabes lo difícil que es I'll have it done in five minutes – that's easily said, you've no idea how difficult it is;

si tú lo dices if you say so;

¡tú lo has dicho! you said it!;
Esp
¡y que lo digas! you can say that again!;

y no digamos, Am [m5]ya no se diga, Am [m5] ni se diga to say nothing of;

no le gusta el pescado y no digamos el pollo she doesn't like fish, to say nothing of chicken

♦ vi

como quien dice, como si dijéramos so to speak;

es, como si dijéramos, una mezcla de danza y teatro it's a sort of mixture of dance and theatre;

es, como quien dice, el alma de la empresa he is, so to speak, the soul of the company;
Esp
¿diga?, ¿dígame? [al teléfono] hello?;
Fam
¡digo! [¡ya lo creo!] of course!;
[¡madre mía!] I say!;
tenemos muchas ganas de ir de vacaciones, y nuestros hijos, no digamos we can't wait to go on holiday, and as for our children…

♦ See also the pronominal verb decirse

* * *

decir

<part dicho>

I v/t

1 say; ( contar) tell;

decir misa say mass;

decir que sí say yes;

decir que no say no;

se dice que … they say that …, it’s said that …;

diga lo que diga whatever he says;

¿qué quieres que te diga? what do you expect me to say?;

decir entre o

para sí say to o.s.

2 con infinitivo

:

querer decir mean;

es decir in other words;

dar que decir set people talking;

ni que decir tiene (que) it goes without saying (that);

por así decirlo so to speak;

ya es decir that’s saying something;

que ya es decir which is really something;

es mucho decir that’s saying a lot

3 con participio

:

¡quién hubiera dicho que María se iba casar! who would have thought that Maria would get married!;

dicho y hecho no sooner said than done;

mejor dicho or rather;

dicho sea de paso incidentally;

está dicho, lo dicho as I have already said

4

:

no es rico, que digamos let’s say he’s not rich;

¡no me digas! you’re kidding!;

¡dímelo a mí! tell me about it!, you’re telling me!;

como quien dice so to speak;

y que lo digas you bet;

¿y qué me dices de …? so what do you think of …?;

usted dirá how can I help you?;

ya decía yo que iba a acabar mal I knew it would end badly;

¡quién lo diría! who would believe it!;

¡cualquiera diría que tiene setenta años! who would have thought he was seventy!, you wouldn’t think o believe he was seventy!

II v/i

:

¡diga!, ¡dígame! Esp
TELEC hello
III m saying;

es un decir it’s just a figure of speech

* * *

decir {23} vt

1) : to say

dice que no quiere ir: she says she doesn't want to go

2) : to tell

dime lo que estás pensando: tell me what you're thinking

3) : to speak, to talk

no digas tonterías: don't talk nonsense

4) : to call

me dicen Rosy: they call me Rosy

5)

es decir : that is to say

6)

querer decir : to mean

♦ See also the reflexive verb decirse

* * *

decir¹ n saying

decir² vb

1. (en general) to say [pt. & pp. said]

¿qué ha dicho? what did he say?

dijo que estaba cansada she said she was tired

¿cómo se dice "biblioteca" en inglés? how do you say "biblioteca" in English?

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

me dijo que estaba cansada she told me she was tired

no se lo digas a nadie don't tell anybody

3. (para dar órdenes) to tell

me dijo que fuera en seguida she told me to go at once

4. (llamar) to call

le dicen "Chapi" people call him "Chapi"

dime / dígame (en tienda etc) yes?

es decir that is / that is to say

¿diga? / ¿dígame? (por teléfono) hello?

sin decir nada without a word

Spanish-English dictionary > decir
7 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 dire

dire [diʀ]

━━━━━━━━━

1. transitive verb

2. reflexive verb

3. plural masculine noun

━━━━━━━━━

➭ TABLE 37

1. <

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

► to say se construit, comme dire, avec un complément d'objet direct et un complément d'objet indirect: to say sth to sb, alors que to tell se construit avec deux compléments d'objet directs: to tell sb sth ; to tell ne peut pas s'employer sans objet.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

   a. to say ; [+ mensonges, nouvelle, nom] to tell ; [+ sentiment] to express

• dire qch à qn to say sth to sb to tell sb sth

• dire bonjour à qn to say hello to sb to tell sb hello (US)

• dire quelques mots à qn to say a few words to sb

• qu'est-ce que vous avez dit ? what did you say?

• comment dit-on ça en anglais ? how do you say that in English?

• il dit qu'il nous a écrit he says that he wrote to us

• vous nous dites dans votre lettre que... you say in your letter that...

• j'ai quelque chose à vous dire there's something I want to tell you

• je ne te le dirai pas deux fois I won't tell you again

• je vous l'avais bien dit ! I told you so!

• dites-lui de venir ce soir tell him to come tonight

• fais ce qu'on te dit ! do as you are told!

• on dit que... people say that...

• il faut bien dire que... ( = admettre) I must say that...

• il sait ce qu'il dit he knows what he's talking about

• Jean-François ne sait pas ce qu'il dit ( = il déraisonne) Jean-François doesn't know what he's saying

• ce n'est pas une chose à dire you can't say that kind of thing

• venez bientôt, disons demain come soon, let's say tomorrow

• je ne vous le fais pas dire ! you said it!

• laisser dire to let people talk

• laisse dire ! let them talk!

• dire la messe to say mass

• dire des bêtises to talk nonsense

• qu'est-ce qui me dit que c'est vrai ? how do I know it's the truth?

• faire dire qch à qn to send word of sth to sb

• je me suis laissé dire que... I heard that...

• ça suffit, j'ai dit ! I said that's enough!

► ceci dit having said this

► cela dit having said this

► cela va sans dire it goes without saying

► comme on dit as they say

   b. ( = penser) to think

• qu'est-ce que tu dis de ça ? what do you think about that?

• que diriez-vous d'une promenade ? how about a walk?

• on dirait qu'il le fait exprès ! you'd almost think he does it on purpose!

• on dirait qu'il va pleuvoir it looks like rain

• on dirait du poulet it tastes like chicken

   c. ( = objecter) je n'ai rien à dire sur son travail I can't complain about his work

• rien à dire ! you can't argue with that!

• il n'y a pas à dire (inf) there's no doubt about it

• c'est pas pour dire, mais il n'est pas très sympathique I don't want to go on about him, but he's not very nice

   d. ( = évoquer) ce nom me dit quelque chose the name rings a bell

• Lucien Josse ? ça ne me dit rien du tout Lucien Josse? I've never heard of him

   e. ( = plaire) ça vous dit de sortir ? do you feel like going out?

• ça ne me dit rien I don't feel like it

   f. (locutions) dis Papa, quand est-ce qu'on part ? when are we going, daddy?

• dites donc ! ( = à propos) by the way ; ( = holà) hey!

• ça lui a rapporté 100 000 € -- ben dis donc ! (inf) that earned him 100,000 euros -- goodness me!

• c'est moi qui vous le dis take my word for it

• c'est vous qui le dites that's what you say

• c'est beaucoup dire that's saying a lot

• c'est peu dire that's an understatement

• que tu dis ! (inf) that's your story!

• à qui le dites-vous ! you're telling me! (inf)

• qui dit mieux ? any advance?

► vouloir dire ( = signifier) to mean

• qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ? what does that mean?

• cette phrase ne veut rien dire this sentence doesn't mean anything

• que veux-tu dire par là ? what do you mean?

• ça veut tout dire ! that says it all!► comment dirais-je ? how shall I put it?

► soit dit en passant by the way

► entre nous soit dit between you and me

► pour tout dire actually

2. <

► se dire

   a. ( = penser) to think to o.s.

• je me suis dit que c'était dommage I thought to myself it was a pity

• je me dis que j'aurais dû l'acheter I feel now that I should have bought it

• il faut bien se dire que... one has to realize that...

   b. ( = se prétendre) to claim to be

• il se dit malade he claims to be ill

   c. (mutuellement) elles se sont dit au revoir they said goodbye

   d. ( = être exprimé) ça ne se dit pas (inusité) you don't say that ; (impoli) it's not polite

• comment ça se dit en français ? how do you say that in French?

3. <

dires

• selon ses dires according to him

• aux dires de according to

* * *

I
1. diʀ
verbe transitif

1) ( faire entendre) to say [mots, prière]; to tell [histoire, blague]

‘entrez’ dit-elle — ‘come in,’ she said

sans mot dire — without saying a word

ce n'est pas une chose à dire — you don't say that sort of thing

dire des bêtises — to talk nonsense

dire quelque chose à voix basse — to whisper something

dire quelque chose entre ses dents — to mutter something

ne plus savoir que dire — to be at a loss for words

j'ai mon mot à dire là-dessus — I've got something to say about that

dire ce qu'on a à dire — to say one's piece

2) ( faire savoir) to tell

dire des mensonges — to tell lies

dire quelque chose à quelqu'un — to tell somebody something

je vous l'avais bien dit! — I told you so!

c'est ce qu'on m'a dit — so I've been told

faire dire à quelqu'un que — to let somebody know that

je me suis laissé dire que... — I heard that...

tenez-vous le pour dit! — I don't want to have to tell you again!

c'est moi qui vous le dis — (colloq) I'm telling you

permets-moi de te dire que tu vas le regretter! — (colloq) you'll regret this, I can tell you!

je ne te dis que ça — (colloq) I'll say no more

c'est pas pour dire, mais — (colloq) I don't want to make a big deal of it, but... (colloq)

à qui le dites-vous! — (colloq) don't I know it!

je ne vous le fais pas dire! — (colloq) you don't need to tell me!

ne pas se le faire dire deux fois — (colloq) not to need to be told twice

dis, tu me crois? — (colloq) tell me, do you believe me?

dis donc, où tu te crois? — (colloq) hey! where do you think you are?

à vous de dire — Jeux your bid

3) ( affirmer) to say ( que that)

elle dit pouvoir le faire — she says she can do it

ne fais pas attention, il ne sait pas ce qu'il dit — don't mind him, he doesn't know what he's talking about

on dit que... — it is said that...

on le dit marié — he is said to be married

j'irai jusqu'à dire que — I'd go as far as to say that

c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire — that's the least one can say

si l'on peut dire — if one might say so

si je puis dire — if I may put it like that

on peut dire qu'elle a du toupet celle-là! — she's really got a nerve! (colloq)

on ne peut pas dire qu'il se soit fatigué! — he certainly didn't overtax himself

autant dire que — you might as well say that, in other words

si j'ose dire — if I may say so

ce n'est pas à moi de le dire — it's not for me to say

cela va sans dire — it goes without saying

il faut dire que — one should say that

c'est (tout) dire! — need I say more?

cela dit — having said that

c'est vous qui le dites! — that's what you say!

disons, demain — let's say tomorrow

c'est difficile à dire — it's hard to tell

je sais ce que je dis — I know what I'm talking about

à vrai dire — actually

entre nous soit dit — between you and me

soit dit en passant — incidentally

c'est dire si j'ai raison — it just goes to show I'm right

c'est beaucoup dire — that's going a bit far

c'est peu dire — that's an understatement

c'est vite dit — that's easy for you to say

ce n'est pas dit — I'm not that sure

c'est plus facile à dire qu'à faire — it's easier said than done

il est dit que je ne partirai jamais — I'm destined never to leave

tu l'as dit! — (colloq)

comme tu dis! — (colloq) you said it! (colloq)

4) ( formuler)

voilà qui est bien dit! — well said!

comment dire? — how shall I put it?

tu ne crois pas si bien dire — you don't know how true that is

pour ainsi dire — so to speak

autrement dit — in other words

lent, pour ne pas dire ennuyeux — slow, not to say boring

comme dirait l'autre — (colloq) as they say

disons que je suis préoccupé — let's say I'm worried

un lien disons social — a link which we could call social

5) ( indiquer) [loi] to state ( que that); [appareil de mesure] to show ( que that)

vouloir dire — to mean

quelque chose me dit que — something tells me that

qu'est-ce que ça veut dire tout ce bruit? — (colloq) what's the meaning of all this noise?

6) ( demander)

dire à quelqu'un de faire — to tell somebody to do

fais ce qu'on te dit! — do as you're told!

7) ( objecter)

qu'avez-vous à dire à cela? — what have you got to say to that?

je n'ai rien à dire — no comment

il n'y a pas à dire (colloq), elle est belle — you have to admit, she's beautiful

il n'y a rien à dire, tout est en ordre — I have no complaint, everything's fine

tu n'as rien à dire! — ( ne te plains pas) don't complain!; ( tais-toi) don't say a word!

8) ( penser) to think

qu'en dites-vous? — what do you think?

que diriez-vous d'une promenade? — how about a walk?

on dirait qu'il va pleuvoir — it looks as if it's going to rain

on dirait un fou — you'd think he was mad

on dirait du Bach — it sounds like Bach

dire qu'hier encore il était parmi nous! — it's odd to think (that) he was still with us yesterday!

9) ( inspirer)

ça ne me dit rien de faire — I don't feel like doing

notre nouveau jardinier ne me dit rien (qui vaille) — I don't think much of our new gardener

2.

se dire verbe pronominal

1) ( penser) to tell oneself ( que that)

il faut (bien) se dire que... — one must realize that...

il faut te dire que... — you must understand that...

2) ( échanger) to exchange [insultes, mots doux]

se dire adieu — to say goodbye to each other

3) ( se prétendre) to claim to be

4) ( se déclarer)

il s'est dit favorable à — he says he's in favour [BrE] of

5) ( être exprimé)

ça ne se dit pas — you can't say that

3.

se dire verbe impersonnel

il ne s'est rien dit d'intéressant — nothing of interest was said

II
1. diʀ
nom masculin

au dire de — according to

au dire de tous — by all accounts

2.

dires nom masculin pluriel statements

selon les dires de — according to

* * *
diʀ
1. nm

au dire de — according to

selon leurs dires — according to them

2. vt

1) (= exprimer) to say, [secret, mensonge] to tell

Qu'est-ce qu'il a dit? — What did he say?

dire l'heure — to tell the time

dire la vérité — to tell the truth

Elle m'a dit la vérité. — She told me the truth.

dire pardon — to say sorry

dire merci — to say thank you

dire qch à qn — to tell sb sth, to say sth to sb

Qu'est-ce qu'il t'a dit? — What did he tell you?, What did he say to you?

Dites-moi ce que vous pensez. — Tell me what you think.

dire à qn qu'il fasse; dire à qn de faire — to tell sb to do

Il nous a dit de regarder cette émission. — He told us to watch this programme.

dire que — to say, to say that

Il a dit qu'il ne viendrait pas. — He said he wouldn't come.

2) (= prétendre)

On le dit malade. — They say he's ill., He's said to be ill.

3) (= plaire)

dire à qn [idée, proposition] Si cela lui dit. — If he feels like it.

Cela ne me dit rien. — That doesn't appeal to me.

4) (= penser)

que dites-vous de...? — what do you think of...?

Qu'en dites-vous? — What do you think?

5) (autres locutions)

comme on dit — as they say

on dit que — they say, they say that

On dit que la nourriture y est excellente. — They say that the food there is excellent.

on dirait que (il semble que) — it looks like, it looks as if

On dirait qu'il va pleuvoir. — It looks like it's going to rain., It looks as if it's going to rain.

on dirait du vin — it tastes like wine

à vrai dire — to tell the truth

pour ainsi dire — so to speak

cela va sans dire — that goes without saying

dis donc!; dites donc! (pour attirer l'attention) — hey!, (= au fait) by the way

Il a drôlement changé, dis donc! — Hey, he's really changed!

et dire que... — and to think that...

ceci dit; cela dit — that being said

Cela dit, je n'aimerais pas être à sa place. — That being said, I wouldn't like to be in his place.

c'est dit — so that's settled

voilà qui est dit — so that's settled

il n'y a pas à dire — there's no getting away from it

c'est dire si... — that just shows that...

c'est beaucoup dire — that's saying a lot

c'est peu dire — that's not saying much

* * *

dire verb table: médire

A nm au dire de according to; au dire des experts according to the experts; au dire de tous by all accounts.

B dires nmpl statements; leurs dires ne concordent pas their statements do not agree; selon les dires de ta sœur according to your sister.

C vtr

1 ( faire entendre) to say [mots, prière]; to recite [poème]; to read [leçon]; to tell [histoire, blague]; dire non to say no; dites quelque chose de drôle say something funny; ‘entrez’ dit-elle ‘come in,’ she said; j'ai quelque chose à dire là-dessus I've got something to say about that; sans mot dire without saying a word; ce n'est pas une chose à dire you don't say that sort of thing; dire des bêtises or inepties to talk nonsense; dire qch à voix basse to whisper sth; dire qch entre ses dents to mutter sth; ne plus savoir que dire to be at a loss for words; avoir son mot à dire to have one's say; dire ce qu'on a à dire to say one's piece;

2 ( faire savoir) to tell; dire des mensonges/la vérité/l'avenir to tell lies/the truth/the future; dire qch à qn to tell sb sth; dites-moi votre nom tell me your name; je le leur dirai I'll tell them; dis-le à ton frère tell your brother; je vous l'avais bien dit! I told you so!; dites-moi, vous aimez l'opéra? tell me, do you like opera?; c'est ce qu'on m'a dit so I've been told; dis-leur que tu es occupé tell them you're busy; je dois vous dire que… I have to tell you that…; faire dire à qn que to let sb know that…; faites dire à ma femme que je serai en retard let my wife know that I will be late; dire ses projets to describe one's plans; dire son opinion/sa satisfaction to express one's opinion/one's satisfaction; je me suis laissé dire que… I heard that…; tenez-vous le pour dit! I don't want to have to tell you again!; c'est moi qui vous le dis○ I'm telling you; permets-moi de te dire que tu vas le regretter○! you'll regret this, I can tell you!; je ne te dis que ça○ I'll say no more; c'est pas pour dire, mais○ I don't want to make a big deal of it, but○…; à qui le dites-vous○! don't I know it!; vous m'en direz tant○! you don't say!; je ne vous le fais pas dire○! you don't need to tell me!; ne pas se le faire dire deux fois○ not to need to be told twice; dis, tu me crois○? tell me, do you believe me?; dis donc, où tu te crois○? hey! where do you think you are?; dites-donc, il n'est pas valable, votre ticket! here-did you know your ticket's not valid?; à vous de dire Jeux your bid; ⇒ vérité;

3 ( affirmer) to say (que that); elle dit pouvoir le faire she says she can do it; dire ce qu'on pense to say what one thinks; dire tout haut ce que d'autres pensent tout bas to say out loud what other people are thinking; ne fais pas attention, il ne sait pas ce qu'il dit don't mind him, he doesn't know what he's talking about ou he's talking through his hat; on dit que… it is said that…; on le dit marié/veuf he is said to be married/a widower; j'irai jusqu'à dire que I'd go as far as to say that; c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire that's the least one can say; le moins qu'on puisse dire c'est que… the least one can say is that…; si l'on peut dire if one might say so; si je puis dire if I may put it like that; on peut dire qu'elle a du toupet celle-là! she's really got a nerve○!; on ne peut pas dire qu'il se soit fatigué! he certainly didn't overtax himself; autant dire que you might as well say that, in other words; et que dire de…? to say nothing of…; j'ose dire que… I'm not afraid to say that…; si j'ose dire if I may say so; ce n'est pas à moi de le dire it's not for me to say; cela va sans dire it goes without saying; ce n'est pas peu dire that's saying a lot; il faut dire que one should say that; c'est (tout) dire! need I say more?; cela dit having said that; c'est vous qui le dites! that's what you say!; tu peux le dire○! you can say that again○!; disons, demain let's say tomorrow; c'est difficile à dire it's hard to tell; je sais ce que je dis I know what I'm talking about; à ce qu'il dit according to him; vous dites? pardon?; à vrai dire actually; entre nous soit dit between you and me; soit dit en passant incidentally; pour tout dire all in all; c'est dire si j'ai raison it just goes to show I'm right; c'est beaucoup dire that's going a bit far; c'est peu dire that's an understatement; c'est vite dit that's easy for you to say; ce n'est pas dit I'm not that sure; tout n'est pas dit that's not the end of the story; c'est plus facile à dire qu'à faire it's easier said than done; il est dit que je ne partirai jamais I'm destined never to leave; tu l'as dit○!, comme tu dis○! you said it○!; que tu dis○! says you○!; ⇒ envoyer, fontaine;

4 ( formuler) dire qch poliment/effrontément to say sth politely/cheekily; voilà qui est bien dit! well said!; il l'a mal dit, mais j'ai compris he put it badly but I understood; comment dire?, comment dirais-je? how shall I put it?; tu ne crois pas si bien dire you don't know how true that is; pour ainsi dire, comme qui dirait○ so to speak; autrement dit in other words; lent, pour ne pas dire ennuyeux slow, not to say boring; comme dirait l'autre○ as they say; disons que je suis préoccupé let's say I'm worried; un livre, disons un ‘texte’, comme dirait Adam a book, or let's say a ‘text’, as Adam would have it; un lien disons social a link which we could call social;

5 ( indiquer) [loi] to state (que that); [appareil de mesure] to show (que that); [sourire] to express (que that); ma calculatrice dit l'heure my calculator shows the time; que dit ta montre? what time is it by your watch?; vouloir dire to mean; qu'est-ce que tu crois qu'il a voulu dire? what do you think he meant?; quelque chose me dit que something tells me that; qu'est-ce que ça veut dire tout ce bruit○? what's the meaning of all this noise?; qu'est-ce que ça veut dire de téléphoner à une heure pareille○? what do you mean by calling me at this time?; qu'est-ce à dire†? what is the meaning of this?; est-ce à dire que…? does this mean that…?; ⇒ doigt;

6 ( demander) dire à qn de faire to tell sb to do; dites-leur de venir tell them to come; je vous avais dit d'être prudent I told you to be careful; qui vous a dit de partir? who told you to go?; fais ce qu'on te dit! do as you're told!; faites dire au médecin de venir have somebody call the doctor;

7 ( objecter) qu'avez-vous à dire à cela? what have you got to say to that?; j'ai beaucoup à dire sur ton travail I've quite a lot to say about your work; je n'ai rien à dire no comment; il n'y a pas à dire○, elle est belle you have to admit, she's beautiful; il n'y a rien à dire, tout est en ordre nothing to report, everything's fine; tu n'as rien à dire! ( ne te plains pas) don't complain!; ( tais-toi) don't say a word!;

8 ( penser) to think; qu'en dites-vous? what do you think?; que dis-tu de mon nouveau sac? what do you think of my new bag?; que diriez- vous d'une promenade/d'aller au marché? how about a walk/going to the market?; on dirait qu'il va pleuvoir/neiger it looks as if it's going to rain/to snow, it looks like rain/snow; on dirait que le vent se lève the wind seems to be picking up; on dirait qu'elle me déteste you'd think she hated me; on dirait un fou you'd think he was mad; on aurait dit qu'elle était déçue you'd have thought she was disappointed; on dirait de l'estragon ( à la vue) it looks like tarragon; ( au goût) it tastes like tarragon; on dirait du Bach it sounds like Bach; dire qu'hier encore il était parmi nous! it's odd to think (that) he was still with us yesterday!; dire que demain à la même heure je serai chez moi it's odd to think that this time tomorrow I'll be home;

9 ( inspirer) ça ne me/leur dit rien de faire I /they don't feel like doing; notre nouveau jardinier ne me dit rien (qui vaille) I don't think much of our new gardener;

10 Ling il faut dire ‘excusez-moi’ et non ‘je m'excuse’ one should say ‘excusez-moi’, not ‘je m'excuse’; tu dirais ‘une professeur’, toi? would you say ‘une professeur’?; comment dis-tu ça en italien? how do you say that in Italian?

D se dire vpr

1 ( penser) to tell oneself (que that); je me suis dit qu'il était trop tard I told myself that it was too late; il faut (bien) se dire que… one must realize that…; il faut te dire que… you must understand that…;

2 ( échanger des paroles) se dire des insultes/des mots doux to exchange insults/sweet nothings; se dire adieu to say goodbye to each other;

3 ( se prétendre) to claim to be, to say one is; il se dit intelligent/innocent/ingénieur he claims to be intelligent/innocent/an engineer; elle se dit incapable de marcher she claims to be unable to walk;

4 ( se déclarer) il s'est dit prêt à participer à la conférence he said that he was prepared to take part in the conference; ils se sont dits favorables à cette mesure they said that they were in favour^GB of this measure; elle s'est dite persuadée que… she said that she was convinced that…;

5 Ling comment se dit ‘voiture’ en espagnol? how do you say ‘car’ in Spanish?; ‘surprise-party’ ne se dit plus people don't say ‘surprise-party’ any more; ça ne se dit pas you can't say that;

6 ( être dit) il ne s'est rien dit d'intéressant à la réunion nothing of interest was said during the meeting.

Idiomes

bien faire et laisser dire Prov do right and fear no man Prov; dis-moi qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es you're known by the company you keep; dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai qui tu es you are what you eat.

I

[dir] nom masculin

DROIT [mémoire] statement

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dires nom masculin pluriel

statement

confirmer les dires de quelqu'un to confirm what somebody says

d'après ou selon les dires de son père according to his father ou to what his father said

au dire de locution prépositionnelle

au dire de son professeur according to his teacher ou to what his teacher says

II

[dir] verbe transitif

A.[ARTICULER, PRONONCER]

1. [énoncer] to say

quel nom dis-tu? Castagnel? what name did you say ou what's the name again? Castagnel?

il n'arrive pas à dire ce mot he cannot pronounce that word

vous avez dit "démocratie"? "democracy", did you say?

je te dis merde!

a. (très familier) [pour porter bonheur] break a leg!

b. [pour insulter] get lost!

je ne dirais pas qu'il est distant, je dirais plutôt effarouché I wouldn't say he's haughty, rather that he's been frightened off

une honte, que dis-je, une infamie!, une honte, pour ne pas dire une infamie! a shame, not to say an infamy!

qui dit... dit...: en ce temps-là, qui disait vol disait galère in those days, theft meant the gallows

si (l')on peut dire in a way, so to speak

disons-le, disons le mot let's not mince words

dire non to say no, to refuse

dire non au nucléaire to say no to nuclear energy

tu veux un gin? — je ne dis pas non would you like a gin? — I wouldn't say no

dire oui

a. [généralement] to say yes

b. [à une proposition] to accept

c. [au mariage] to say I do

dire bonjour de la main to wave (hello)

dire oui de la tête to nod

dire non de la tête to shake one's head

obéissant? il faut le dire vite (familier) obedient? I'm not so sure about that

déménager, c'est vite dit! (familier) move? that's easier said than done

menteur! — c'est celui qui (le) dit qui y est ou qui l'est! (familier) liar! — you're the liar!

2. [réciter - prière, table de multiplication] to say ; [ - texte] to say, to recite, to read ; [ - rôle] to speak

dire la/une messe to say mass/a mass

dire des vers to recite verse, to give a recitation

(en usage absolu)

nul n'a oublié à quel point elle disait juste nobody can forget how accurate her rendering was

B.[EXPRIMER]

1. [oralement] to say

que dis-tu là? what did you say?, what was that you said?

tu ne sais pas ce que tu dis you don't know what you're talking about

elle dit tout ce qui lui passe par la tête she says anything that comes into her head

qu'est-ce que tu veux que je dise? what do you expect me to say?

j'ai l'habitude de dire ce que je pense I always speak my mind ou say what I think

bon, bon, je n'ai rien dit! OK, sorry I spoke!

pourquoi ne m'as-tu rien dit de tout cela? why didn't you speak to me ou tell me about any of this?

il me dit comme ça, "t'as pas le droit" (familier) so he says to me "you can't do that"

je suis un raté? tu sais ce qu'il te dit, le raté? (familier) so I'm a loser, am I? well, do you want to hear what this loser's got to say to you?

faire dire: ne me fais pas dire ce que je n'ai pas dit! don't put words into my mouth!

laisser quelqu'un dire quelque chose to let somebody say something

laissez-la dire! let her speak!

pouvoir dire: je peux dire que tu m'as fait peur! you certainly frightened me!

j'ai failli faire tout rater! — ça, tu peux le dire! I nearly messed everything up — you can say that again!

(en usage absolu)

c'est idiot — dis toujours it's silly — say it anyway

j'ai une surprise — dis vite! I have a surprise — let's hear it ou do tell!

comment dire ou dirais-je? how shall I put it ou say?

bien dit! well said!

dites donc, pour demain, on y va en voiture? by the way, are we driving there tomorrow?

tu te fiches de moi, dis! (familier) you're pulling my leg, aren't you?

merde! (très familier) — dis donc, sois poli! shit! (très familier) — hey, (mind your) language!

je peux y aller, dis? can I go, please?

vous lui parlerez de moi, dites? you will talk to her about me, won't you?

tu es bien habillé, ce soir, dis donc! my word, aren't you smart tonight!

il y a eu 60 morts — ben dites donc! (familier) 60 people were killed — good God!

il nous faut, disons, deux secrétaires we need, (let's) say, two secretaries

ce disant with these words, so saying

ce qui est dit est dit there's no going back on what's been said (before)

c'est (te/vous) dire s'il est riche! that gives you an idea how wealthy he is!

il ne m'a même pas répondu, c'est tout dire he never even answered me, that says it all

pour tout dire in fact, to be honest

je ne te/vous le fais pas dire how right you are, I couldn't have put it better myself

il va sans dire que... needless to say (that)...

ça va sans dire it goes without saying

ce n'est pas pour dire, mais à sa place j'aurais réussi (familier) though I say it myself, if I'd been him I'd have succeeded

ce n'est pas pour dire mais c'est bruyant I don't mean to complain but it's noisy

il en est incapable, enfin (moi), ce que j'en dis... he's not capable of it, at least that's what I'd say...

je ne dis pas (familier) maybe

voici une confiture maison, je ne te dis que ça here's some homemade jam that's out of this world

il y avait un monde, je te dis pas! you wouldn't have believed the crowds!

2. [symboliquement] to express, to tell of

je voudrais dire mon espoir I'd like to express my hope

vouloir dire [signifier] to mean

un haussement d'épaules dans ce cas-là, ça dit bien ce que ça veut dire in a situation like that, a shrug (of the shoulders) speaks volumes

est-ce à dire que...? (soutenu) does this mean that...?

vous partez, madame, qu'est-ce à dire? Madam, what mean you by leaving?

3. [écrire] to say

dans sa lettre, elle dit que... in her letter she says that...

4. [annoncer - nom, prix] to give

cela t'a coûté combien? — dis un prix! how much did it cost you? — have a guess!

le général vous fait dire qu'il vous attend the general has sent me to tell you he's waiting for you

faire dire à quelqu'un de venir to send for somebody

je lui ai fait dire qu'on se passerait de lui I let him know that we'd manage without him

5. [prédire] to foretell, to tell

tu verras ce que je te dis! you just wait and see if I'm right!

qui aurait dit que je l'épouserais? who would have said that I'd marry him?

je te l'avais bien dit I told you so

tu vas le regretter, moi je (familier) ou c'est moi qui (familier) te le dis! you'll be sorry for this, let me tell you ou mark my words!

6. [ordonner] to tell

il m'a dit d'arrêter he told me to stop

il ne se l'est pas fait dire deux fois he didn't have to be told twice

[conseiller] to tell

tu me dis d'oublier, mais... you tell me I must forget, but...

7. [objecter] to say, to object

sa mère ne lui dit jamais rien her mother never tells her off

toi, on ne peut jamais rien te dire! you can't take the slightest criticism!

mais, me direz-vous, il n'est pas majeur but, you will object ou I hear you say, he's not of age

j'aurais des choses à dire sur l'organisation du service I have a few things to say ou some comments to make about the organization of the department

c'est tout ce que tu as trouvé à dire? is that the best you could come up with?

Pierre n'est pas d'accord — il n'a rien à dire Pierre doesn't agree — he's in no position to make any objections

il n'a rien trouvé à dire sur la qualité he had no criticisms to make about the quality

elle est maligne, il n'y a pas à ou on ne peut pas dire (le contraire) (familier) she's shrewd, there's no denying it ou and no mistake

8. [affirmer] to say, to state

si c'est vous qui le dites, si vous le dites, du moment que vous le dites if you say so

puisque je vous le dis! I'm telling you!, you can take it from me!

c'est le bon train? — je te dis que oui! is it the right train? — yes it is! ou I'm telling you it is!

il va neiger — la météo a dit que non it looks like it's going to snow — the weather forecast said it wouldn't

tu étais content, ne me dis pas le contraire! you were pleased, don't deny it ou don't tell me you weren't!

on dit qu'il a un autre fils rumour has it that ou it's rumoured that ou it's said that he has another son

loin des yeux, loin du cœur, dit-on out of sight, out of mind, so the saying goes ou so they say

on le disait lâche he was said ou alleged ou reputed to be a coward

je m'en moque — on dit ça (familier) I don't care — that's what you say ou that's what they all say

elle trouvera bien une place — qu'elle dit (familier) she'll find a job, no problem — that's what she thinks!

on dira ce qu'on voudra, mais l'amour ça passe avant tout whatever people say, love comes before everything else

on ne dira jamais assez l'importance d'un régime alimentaire équilibré I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a balanced diet

9. [prétendre] to claim, to allege

elle disait ne pas savoir qui le lui avait donné she claimed ou alleged that she didn't know who'd given it to her

[dans des jeux d'enfants]

on dirait qu'on serait des rois (familier) let's pretend we're kings

10. [admettre] to say, to admit

je dois dire qu'elle est jolie I must say ou admit she's pretty

il faut bien dire qu'il n'est plus tout jeune he's not young any more, let's face it

il faut dire qu'elle a des excuses (to) give her her due, there are mitigating circumstances

disons que... let's say (that)...

11. [décider]

il est dit que... fate has decreed that...

il ne sera pas dit que... let it not be said that...

rien n'est dit

a. [décidé] nothing's been decided yet

b. [prévisible] nothing's for certain (yet)

tout est dit

a. [il n'y a plus à discuter] the matter is closed

b. [l'avenir est arrêté] the die is cast

tout n'est pas encore dit nothing's final yet

aussitôt dit, aussitôt fait no sooner said than done

(en usage absolu)

j'ai dit! (humoristique) I have spoken!

C.[PENSER, CROIRE]

1. [penser] to say, to think

dire de: que dis-tu de ma perruque? what do you think of ou how do you like my wig?

et comme dessert? — que dirais-tu d'une mousse au chocolat? and to follow? — what would you say to ou how about a chocolate mousse?

dire que... to think that...

2. [croire]

on dirait [introduit une comparaison, une impression]: on dirait du thé

a. [au goût] it tastes like tea

b. [à l'odeur] it smells like tea

c. [d'apparence] it looks like tea

on dirait de la laine [au toucher] it feels like wool

on dirait que je te fais peur you behave as if ou as though you were scared of me

[exprime une probabilité]

on dirait sa fille, au premier rang it looks like her daughter there in the front row

D.[INDIQUER, DONNER DES SIGNES DE]

1. [indiquer - suj: instrument] to say ; [ - suj: attitude, regard] to say, to show

que dit le baromètre? what does the barometer say?

un geste qui disait sa peur a gesture that betrayed his fear

mon intuition ou quelque chose me dit qu'il reviendra I have a feeling (that) he'll be back

2. [stipuler par écrit] to say

que dit la Bible/le dictionnaire à ce sujet? what does the Bible/dictionary say about this?

3. [faire penser à]

dire quelque chose: son visage me dit quelque chose I've seen her face before, her face seems familiar

Lambert, cela ne vous dit rien? Lambert, does that mean anything to you?

cela ne me dit rien de bon ou qui vaille I'm not sure I like (the look of) it

4. [tenter]

ta proposition me dit de plus en plus your suggestion's growing on me

tu viens? — ça ne me dit rien are you coming? — I'm not in the mood ou I don't feel like it

la viande ne me dit rien du tout en ce moment I'm off meat at the moment

ça te dirait d'aller à Bali? (how) would you like a trip to Bali?

————————

se dire verbe pronominal (emploi réciproque)

[échanger - secrets, paroles] to tell each other ou one another

nous n'avons plus rien à nous dire we've got nothing left to say to each other

nous nous disions tout we had no secrets from each other

qu'on se le dise (archaïque) let this be known

————————

se dire verbe pronominal (emploi passif)

1. [être formulé]

comment se dit "bonsoir" en japonais? how do you say "goodnight" in Japanese?, what's the Japanese for "goodnight"?

il est vraiment hideux — peut-être, mais ça ne se dit pas he's really hideous — maybe, but it's not the sort of thing you say

se dit de [pour définir un terme] (is) said of, (is) used for, describes

2. [être en usage] to be in use, to be accepted usage

————————

se dire verbe pronominal transitif

[penser] to think (to oneself), to say to oneself

maintenant, je me dis que j'aurais dû accepter now I think I should have accepted

dis-toi bien que je ne serai pas toujours là pour t'aider you must realize that ou get it into your head that I won't always be here to help you

————————

se dire verbe pronominal intransitif

[estimer être] to say

il se dit flatté de l'intérêt que je lui porte he says he's ou he claims to be flattered by my interest in him

[se présenter comme] to say, to claim

ils se disent attachés à la démocratie they claim to ou (that) they care about democracy

Dictionnaire Français-Anglais > dire

9 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

См. также в других словарях:

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Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

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to sort out the truth from the lies

См. также в других словарях:

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Словари и энциклопедии на Академике

Перевод: со всех языков на все языки

to sort out the truth from the lies

См. также в других словарях:

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