LESSON XIX
| Los sabios en su vanidad suelen olvidarse de Dios.[19] |
| —BENAVENTE. |
55. The verb to miss has two translations. Meaning to feel the absence of it is rendered echar de menos; meaning to note the absence of it is notar la falta de. To be missing is translated faltar.
Come! Go at once. Don't let them miss you.
¡Ea! ¡Vaya pronto! Que no le echen a Vd. de menos.
—ECHEGARAY.
When did you miss the things that your servant stole?
¿Cuándo ha notado usted la falta de las cosas que le robó su criado?
If I were missing, it is possible that the King might suspect.
Si yo faltara, es posible que el Rey sospechara.
—NUÑEZ DE ARCE.
One single boat was missing and that was not to come.
Faltaba una sola lancha y ésta no había de llegar.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
56. In English, emphasis is usually expressed by additional stress on the word to be emphasized. In Spanish this is not so common, emphasis being more generally expressed by the use of some emphatic word with the word to be emphasized. Such words are ¡vaya!, ¡toma!, ¡mira!, sí, sí.
Let money talk, I said. And it did talk.
Hable el dinero, dije. ¡Y toma si habló!
—MARIANO JOSÉ DE LARRA.
Nobody knows it, nobody! But I know it.
Nadie lo sabe, nadie. Pero yo sí lo sé.—MARTÍNEZ SIERRA.
What an ovation she received!
¡Vaya si ha recibido una ovación!—LOS QUINTERO.
Do you remember? Do I remember!
¿Se acuerda usted? ¡(Vaya) si me acuerdo!
—LOS QUINTERO.
You are good! You are an angel!
¡Tú sí que eres buena! ¡Tú sí que eres un ángel!
—TOMAYO Y BAUS.
Emphasis in a negative sentence may be expressed by repeating the negative no at the end of the sentence or by using the phrase eso no at the end.
She hasn't stolen anything from me.
No me ha robado nada, eso no.—LOS QUINTERO.
The journey didn't tire me.
El viaje no me cansó, eso no.
I will not let him go, I tell you.
No le dejaré ir, te digo, que no.
(a) Personal pronouns in the nominative case are usually omitted. When emphasized, they must be expressed.
I'll help you if I have time.
Te ayudaré si tengo el tiempo.
I would help you if I had time.
Yo te ayudaría si tuviera el tiempo.
In the objective case these pronouns are emphasized by adding the disjunctive, or prepositional, form of the pronoun to the sentence.
You may say all you want to to me, but don't insult him.
A mí puede Vd. decirme cuanto quiera, pero no le ofenda a él.
—PÉREZ GALDÓS.
(b) To assert emphatic belief in a statement the expressions ¡ya lo creo!, ¡cómo no!, sí, por cierto, are used. Equivalent expressions in the negative form are ¡de ningún modó!, ¡no, por cierto!
He's coming at once, isn't he? Yes, indeed (certainly; why, of course).
Viene en seguida, ¿no? ¡Ya lo creo!—ECHEGARAY.
He's coming with us, isn't he? No, indeed.
Va a acompañarnos a nosotros, ¿no? No, por cierto.
(a) 1. I won't do that. 2. What a pretty flower! 3. You won't do that! 4. That is good. 5. Will he come? I should say so! 6. Shall I give it to you? 7. No, give it to them. 8. He hasn't missed the money yet. 9. I miss all the good friends who used to live near me. 10. I don't know him, but I do know his brother. 11. Is that door open? I don't know, but I do know that I am cold. 12. My, but this lesson is hard! 13. Do you want it now? Certainly. 14. There's a pretty house! 15. They say they miss us at home. 16. I miss three of my books (say, three of my books are missing to me). 17. Do you want to go with her? I certainly do. 18. I shall miss you, but not the others. 19. There is something missing here and you know what it is. 20. I do not know.
LESSON XX
| El topo no ve en lo que profundiza, pero el hombre, sí.[20] |
| —ECHEGARAY. |
(a) 1. Let's prepare for the worst. 2. Let's go. We mustn't let our presence here excite suspicion. 3. Come now! you ought to have more sense. 4. The man of whom we were speaking is here now. 5. All right. But I can't see him just now. 6. Come, come! Leave me in peace. 7. Look at the fire! Now it seems that it is dying out (morirse), now it flames up (alzar) again. 8. You ought to know now that they were deceiving you. 9. Water the flower beds first of all. 10. I paid my creditors and now I can leave the house without fear.
(b) 1. How long have you felt ill? 2. Shall I take this away? No, leave it. I'll eat it. 3. He shall eat nothing. I will see to that. 4. Has he hurt himself? Not at all. 5. He shall not leave the house if he will not tell me what he has done. 6. On the table were left only the knives, forks, and spoons. 7. Provided their strength does not give out, they will continue their journey to-day. 8. Think well before you speak. 9. She has made up her mind to keep you in this afternoon. 10. Do you think this lesson is hard?
Note.—In the exercises above the italics indicate words which require especial care in translating. In Exercise C the italics indicate emphasis.
(c) 1. They don't miss him, but they do miss her. 2. The electric light has gone out, but the lamp hasn't. 3. Do I think of them? Indeed I do think of them! 4. He has never written such a letter to me. 5. I feel ill, but I shall not call the doctor. 6. That's not what I was talking about. 7. I won't do it for him! 8. Why, they are going to leave it here! 9. I don't want to go! 10. He won't make haste.
LESSON XXI
| La buena música es como una espuela de las ideas perezosas.[21] |
| —PÉREZ GALDÓS. |
59. English time has various translations. Meaning time of day it is hora.
When it came time to go to bed he went toward the room.
Cuando llegó la hora de acostarse fué hacia el cuarto.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
At this time of day and at this time of night are translated a estas horas.
I wonder where Elise is going at this time of night?
¿Adónde irá Elisa a estas horas?—PALACIO VALDÉS.
(a) Denoting one time of a series, time is always vez.
Every time it rains the sky sows diamonds.
Cada vez que llueve el cielo siembra diamantes.—CAMPOAMOR.
(b) Denoting a period of time or length of time the word is translated tiempo.
This church has been here since the most remote times.
Esta iglesia se halla aquí desde los tiempos más remotos.
In this house I lose the idea of time.
En esta casa pierdo la noción del tiempo.—ECHEGARAY.
60. Time occurs also in many idiomatic adverbial phrases. The commonest of these are from time to time, de vez en cuando, de cuando en cuando; from this time on, de hoy en adelante, de aquí en adelante; from that time on, de ahí en adelante; time after time, time and time again, una que otra vez.
He agreed to return from time to time.
Se quedó en volver de cuando en cuando.
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
From time to time he stopped for a few minutes.
De vez en cuando se detenía algunos instantes.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
Note.—De cuando en cuando and de vez en cuando translate also the English adverbial idioms every now and then or every once in a while.
61. The verb to like meaning to be fond of (persons) is generally translated querer, but sometimes gustar is used. To like (things) is gustar.
We don't like our new neighbors very well.
No queremos mucho a nuestros nuevos vecinos.
I don't like this house as well as I did the other.
No me gusta esta casa tanto como me gustó la otra.
He will like these. Let's see if there are any more here.
Estos le gustarán. A ver si hay más por aquí.
—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
Note.—Though the verb gustar may be used in the regular way with a personal subject, it is more commonly used as in these examples, the thing being considered as the subject and the person as the indirect object. Cf. 51, note.
(a) Like used as a preposition of manner is translated como or cual.
The girl is charming, like her mother.
La niña es, cual su madre, encantadora.—CAMPOAMOR.
This boy sings like a bird.
Este muchacho canta como un pájaro.
(b) To feel like in the sense of to want, desire, is translated tener ganas de with the infinitive.
I don't feel like going to-day.
No tengo ganas de ir hoy.
(c) In questions what's ... like is translated ¿qué tal ...?
What's the new professor like?
¿Qué tal el nuevo profesor?
Look at me.—I'm looking.—Well, what do I look like to you?
Mírame.—Te miro.—Bueno, ¿qué tal te parezco?
—TOMAYO Y BAUS.
(a) 1. ¿Cuáles le gustan más, éstos o aquéllos? 2. Hay tiempo para todo. 3. Unas veces le trata usted bien y otras veces mal. 4. Hace tiempo que noto eso. 5. De aquí en adelante necesitaremos más tiempo. 6. De vez en cuando me habló. 7. Una que otra vez bajaban al manantial. 8. Ya es hora de irnos, si no queremos llegar con retraso. 9. No me gusta escribir con plumatintero. 10. Quiere mucho a todos sus maestros. 11. ¿Qué tal el tiempo en aquella región? A mí no me gusta un clima frío.
(b) 1. I don't like this song, I'm not going to learn it. 2. This time I'm sure you will like what I have brought you. 3. At that time there was only one school in the town. 4. I get letters from them from time to time. 5. I asked him what the new play was like and he said it was very interesting. 6. She had on a big hat that was like a bee-hive. 7. Every time I see him he talks like that (in that way). 8. The river encircles the city like a silver chain. 9. What time does the train arrive? Isn't it time to go to the station? 10. Well, I don't like your new dress. It looks like (parecer) an old lady's dress.
LESSON XXII
| En cosas de fe, para ver claro hay que ser ciego.[22] |
| —CAMPOAMOR. |
63. Very as an adverb is muy. As an adjective it is mismo, -a. When it stands alone it is mucho. Very much is always mucho or muchísimo.
He was a very intelligent man, fortunate in his mining business.
Era hombre muy inteligente, afortunado en su comercio de minas.—PÉREZ GALDÓS.
This very afternoon I will go to his house.
Esta misma tarde iré a su casa.—LOS QUINTERO.
"I shall be very glad," she said with a smile.
Me alegraré mucho,—dijo con una sonrisa.—JUAN VALERA.
It would be very much better to leave it for the present.
Sería muchísimo mejor dejarlo por lo pronto.
(a) Emphatic very is often translated by the suffixes -ísimo and -ito.
There did not appear to be any internal injury, but he did have a very high fever.
Lesión interior no parecía que hubiese, pero sí tenía fievre altísima.
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
She fell ill, very, VERY ill. The doctor said she was going to die.
Se puso mala, muy malita. El médico dijo que iba a morir.
64. The verb to play is translated jugar a when it means to play games or take a part in a drama. To play instruments is rendered tocar.
The children were playing in the street. They were playing ball.
Los niños jugaban en la calle. Jugaban a la pelota.
And the woman, what part does SHE play in all this?
Y la mujer, ¿qué papel juega ella en todo ello?
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
Go and play the piano so that these gentlemen may hear you.
Vete a tocar el píano para que estos señores te oigan.
—PÉREZ GALDÓS.
65. The verb to need is rendered either necesitar, hacer falta, or faltar.
What this boy needs is the pure air of the country.
Lo que le hace falta a ese muchacho es el aire puro del campo.—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
I do not need to inform you that first I asked for the other one.
No necesito advertirle a Vd. que primero pedí la otra.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
The tea isn't needed now. You may take it away.
Ya no hace falta el té. Puede Ud. llevárselo.
—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
Less than this was necessary to satisfy the hearers.
Menos de eso se necesitaba para satisfacer los oyentes.
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
Note the order in the first example and compare with Sections 51, note, and 60.
(a) 1. A él no le hace falta (no le falta) mucho, pero a mí me hacen falta (me faltan) muchas cosas. 2. Necesito un hombre que cuide de los caballos. 3. Su casa es muchísimo más grande que la nuestra. 4. ¿Quién ha jugado (or hecho) el papel de Shylock en la representación de anoche? 5. Tan cansaditos estaban que se acostaron en cuanto llegaron. 6. Llévatelo, que a mí no me hace ninguna falta. 7. Los ví esta misma mañana. Parecían contentísimos. 8. En la casa siempre hay que hablar quedito porque siempre hay alguien que está durmiendo. 9. Tomó en la suya la manecita. La temperatura estaba altísima. 10. Lo primero que hace falta para querer es el corazón.
(b) 1. You do not need to tell me that. I know it already. 2. I heard somebody playing the violin. 3. That is the very book I need. Will you lend it to me? 4. She needs a nurse to take care of the children. 5. (Be) very, very quiet! Mother's asleep. 6. I do like that penknife, but I don't need one. 7. The street is very long and very, very narrow. 8. The little girls are very pretty. My little daughter likes to play with them. 9. The last time they were here they gave me many things that I needed. 10. Are they satisfied with (de) what you have sent them? Oh, yes, very.
LESSON XXIII
| Debe estar el valor de acuerdo con la prudencia.[23] |
| —Nuñez de Arce. |
67. The verb to please meaning to give pleasure to is rendered agradar a; meaning to satisfy it is translated contentar; meaning to want to, be willing to it is usually rendered querer, though it may be translated as in (a).
It pleased him very much to hear that we had arrived safe and sound.
Le agradó muchísimo saber que habíamos llegado salvo y sano.
Do what I may I never manage to please her.
Haga lo que hiciere nunca logro contentarla.
Ask him if he will please come and help me.
Pregúntele si quiere venir a ayudarme.
(a) Please used in the imperative is translated by one of the following expressions: haga el favor de, tenga la bondad de; sírvase. Of these the first two are considered the more formally courteous. All are followed by the infinitive.
Please be quiet.
Hágame el favor de callar.—PALACIO VALDÉS.
Waiter, please open the window.
Mozo, sírvase abrir la ventana.
Note.—In curter familiar speech, the word favor alone may be used.
Please answer at once.
Favor de contestar en seguida.
68. The verb to mean, signifying to intend, is rendered tener la intención de or proponerse.
He means to finish the work without any one's helping him.
Se propone (tiene la intención de) acabar el trabajo sin que nadie le ayude.
(a) In the sense of to wish to say, mean is translated querer decir.
What does this word mean?
¿Qué quiere decir esta palabra?
When I mean introduces a qualifying phrase, it is often rendered digo, I say.
They call her little Pilar. I wish they'd call me little Pilar—I mean, little Antonio.
La llaman Pilarcita. ¡Si me llamasen a mí Pilarcita—digo, Antoñito!
—ECHEGARAY.
(b) Not to mean to do something is generally rendered by hacer algo sin querer.
I'm sorry I broke the window. I didn't mean to.
Yo siento haber quebrado el vidriero. Lo he hecho sin querer.
(c) To mean in the sense of to dare is rendered atreverse.
What do you mean by talking to me in that way?
¿Cómo se atreve Vd. hablarme de esta manera?
69. Without is translated sin, except when it introduces a verbal noun in -ing, modified by a possessive. In this case, without is rendered by the conjunction sin que, the English verbal noun becomes in Spanish a verb in the subjunctive mode and its possessive modifier becomes the subject of the clause.
He went away without looking at her and without her looking at him.
Se marchó sin mirarla y sin que ella le mirara a él.
—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
I won't go without saying good-by to you.
No iré sin decirte adios.—PÉREZ GALDÓS.
(a) 1. Dígales que hagan el favor de pasar a la sala. 2. ¿Quiere Vd. hacerme el favor de plancharme este traje? 3. Sírvase Vd. decir al señor que yo le espero en mi despacho. 4. La representación nos ha agradado muchísimo. 5. ¡Vaya un tonto! ¿Tendrá la intención de quedar aquí? 6. Sabe tocar el violin, digo, el piano. 7. ¡Este sí que la contentará! 8. No debes llorar sin que yo sepa porqué lloras. 9. Mientras llueve no salimos sin paraguas. 10. No salgas sin que yo te dé permiso.
(b) 1. Please tell him that I'm waiting for him. 2. Do you think this will please him? 3. Don't go without me, please. 4. What do you mean by eating all the candy! 5. It will be impossible for us to go without their seeing us. 6. They have three daughters, I mean, two daughters and one son. 7. Please come as soon as you can if you can come without bringing the others. 8. I didn't mean to do that; please forgive me. 9. He means that if you mean to do that without your father's knowing it you will have to hurry. 10. He wrote without thinking that it was impossible for him to write without my knowing it.
LESSON XXIV
| Cuando empiezan las manos, las lenguas suelen callar.[24] |
| —JUAN VALERA. |
71. The word only is both adjective and adverb. As an adjective it is in Spanish único. (Cf. English unique.)
You are the only person in whom I can confide.
Tu eres la única persona a quien puedo confiar.
—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
(a) The only thing (fact) is rendered lo único.
The only thing she knew was that he had taken that train.
Lo único que sabía era que había tomado aquel tren.
—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
(b) As an adverb only is rendered sólo, solamente, or, modifying expressions of quantity, no más ... que (de before numbers). For the order of the phrase in the sentence, see the examples.
If I only had what my father gave me, I shouldn't have enough to pay the baker.
Si sólo tuviera lo que me da el padre, no tendría para pagar al panadero.
—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
They saw only soldiers on the platforms.
Veían sólo soldados en los andenes.—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
I have only three. (I have but three. I have just three.)
Tengo solo tres. (Tengo tres solamente. Tengo tres, nada más. No tengo más de tres.)
(c) If only, expressing a wish contrary to fact, is rendered ojalá with imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.
If only he were here.
72. Solo without the accent means alone, or single.
The other compartment was occupied by a single man.
El otro compartamento estaba ocupado por un hombre solo.
—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
Bernard loves me alone and I love only him.
Bernardo me quiere a mí sola y yo quiero sólo a él.
—ECHEGARAY.
(a) Alone (with) is often rendered a solas (con).
Alone, I weep much and am fearfully sorry for myself.
A solás lloro mucho y tengo compasión atroz de mí mismo.
—ECHEGARAY.
We left him alone with his conscience.
Le dejamos a solas con su conciencia.—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
73. The verb to hear is oír when actual hearing is meant. Sometimes sentir is used in the same sense.
I put my ear to the lock and heard voices and laughter.
Pegué el oído a la cerradura y oí voces y risas.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
Scarcely did she hear the noise and see us, when she got up.
No bien sintió el ruido y nos vió, se levantó.—JUAN VALERA.
(a) When to hear has the force of to find out, learn, it is rendered saber.
You have heard from my father how much these orchards please me.
Ha sabido por mi padre lo mucho que me gustan estas huertas.
—JUAN VALERA.
(a) 1. Yo no puedo trasnochar. Es lo único que me hace daño. 2. Un día le vieron solo y se acercaron para hablarle. 3. Hablaba a solas con el Argentino. 4. Sólo de oirle se puso más animado. 5. Supe por mi hermano que ustedes asistieron al teatro anoche. 6. Solo aquel hombre podría adquirir tanto dinero en tan poco tiempo. 7. El tío que había sido el único apoyo de la familia acababa de morir. 8. ¡Déjele a este niño! ¿Por qué se burla usted de él? 9. Hay solamente tres aquí. ¿Tres, nada más?
(b) 1. He alone knew what had been done for them. 2. I have heard from home only once this week. 3. He has many books in his library, but only a few are good. 4. I think I hear a child crying. Well, it's only the children playing in the yard. 5. Leave the room. I want to speak with your brother alone. 6. We heard something like a groan, but I think it was only the wind. 7. Did you hear what happened this morning? You didn't? (¿no?) Well, I meant to tell you when we were alone. 8. We drink only water. 9. The lesson wasn't hard. It was only that I didn't have much time. 10. This is the only time that I have been able to see you alone.
LESSON XXV
| El miedo hace esclavos. La esclavitud hace rebeldes.[25] |
| —Tomayo y Baus. |
75. English right as a noun indicating that which is legal, or permissible, is translated derecho.
I haven't the right to take it away with me.
No tengo el derecho de llevármelo.
(a) To be right as the opposite of to be wrong or mistaken is rendered tener razón; meaning to be just it is ser justo.
Was it right to leave the boy in that deserted place?
¿Era justo dejar al muchacho en aquel lugar desierto?
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
Uncle is right. We must send him to Paris.
Tiene razón el tío. Debemos mandarle a París.—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
(b) As the opposite of left, right is derecho.
In her right hand she held a lamp.
En la mano derecha tenía una lámpara.
The phrases on the right and to the right are rendered a la derecha.
St. Mark's church is on the right.
La iglesia de San Marcos se halla a la derecha.
(c) All right is translated bueno or bien.
All right, then. I'll give you a dollar for it. That's all right, isn't it?
Bueno, entonces. Le daré un duro por él. Está bien, ¿no?
76. When duty is expressed, English must is translated deber. When must expresses what is probably true, deber de is the translation. To express necessity, tener que is used.
Children must obey their parents.
Los niños deben obedecer a sus padres.
He must have a high opinion of her.
Debe de tener un alto concepto de ella.—JUAN VALERA.
I must go to the city to-day.
Tengo que ir a la ciudad hoy.
(a) When must is followed by a passive infinitive, hay que or ha de is used with the infinitive. Hay que also translates the impersonal one (we, you, they, people) must.
It mustn't be said that this meeting was in vain.
No ha de decirse que este encuentro fué en vano.
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
One must talk of that. One must remember that.
Hay que hablar de eso. Hay que acordarse de eso.
—FERNÁN CABALLERO.
(b) Expressing conjecture or probability must is often translated by the future and conditional of the verb which in English is the complementary infinitive with must. The future translates the present, and the conditional the perfect infinitive.
He must know something about it. He must have worn something.
Algo sabrá de eso. Algo se pondría.—LOS QUINTERO.
It must be because she did it. It must have been that.
Será porque ella lo haya hecho. Eso sería.
(a) 1. Llaman a la puerta. Serán ellos. 2. Su hermano debe de ser cómplice. 3. La hazaña debió de suceder anoche. 4. No debes llorar sin decirme por qué. 5. Ha de perdonarme usted si soy un poco malicioso. 6. No hay que apurarse. Estará bueno en un momento. 7. Usted debe de haber visto la casa en donde vivo. 8. Debe de ser esa casa blanca a la derecha. 9. No hay que esperarlos hoy. Tienen razón en no venir. 10. Serían las tres cuando al fin llegaron.
(b) 1. I must write a letter to a friend who is ill. 2. That man must have a very poor memory. 3. I have brought you a dozen eggs. Is that all right? 4. It is not right to tell a child what he must do and not help him to do it. 5. On the right of the avenue was (hallarse) a beautiful park. 6. Look what I have written. It is all right, isn't it? 7. The bell rang, didn't it? It must be the postman. 8. It must have been John who telephoned me last night. 9. Is this bill right? It must be. It seems to be all right. 10. I must telephone him and tell him that it must be done before night.
LESSON XXVI
| Santos hay donde menos se piensa.[26] |
| —PÉREZ GALDÓS. |
78. The verb to appear is rendered parecer when the meaning is to seem; meaning to put in an appearance it is translated aparecer, dejarse ver, presentarse, or asomar, the last with the idea of just coming into view.
He appears to be absolutely tired out.
Parece estar cansado a más no poder.
The moon appears and paints blue shadows.
Aparece (asoma) la luna y pinta sombras azules.
—MARTÍNEZ SIERRA.
At the same moment the face of the Catalan appeared through the window.
Al mismo momento asomó el rostro del Catalán por la ventana.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
He tried to appear in public as little as possible.
Procuraba presentarse en pública lo menos posible.—ALARCÓN.
79. The verb to succeed is rendered suceder when the meaning is to follow; meaning to be able to, manage to, it is rendered lograr with the direct infinitive; in the sense of to be successful it is translated tener éxito.
Edward VII. succeeded Queen Victoria.
Eduardo Séptimo sucedió a la reina Victoria.
And so I'm lost if I don't succeed in escaping?
¿Conque estoy perdido si no logro escaparme?—ALARCÓN.
He'll succeed. Indeed he will!
Tendrá éxito. ¡Vaya si lo tendrá!
80. The word even used adverbially is aun or hasta. Used to emphasize a noun it is generally hasta. Not even is translated hasta ... no, or ni (siquiera); and the phrase even if not is ya que no.
The landlady, the tailor, and even the night-watchman can wait.
La patrona, el sastre, y hasta el sereno pueden esperar.
—RAMOS CARRIÓN.
Not even so do I trust him.
Ni aun así me fío de él.—GIL Y ZÁRATE.
I don't want anybody, not even her, to share this sacrifice with me.
Yo no quiero que nadie, ni siquiera ella, comparta este sacrificio conmigo.—LOS QUINTERO.
Even if not rich, they are by no means poor. Ya que no ricos, no son de ningún modo pobres.
81. Toward indicating direction is hacia. Denoting inclination it is rendered para con.
We saw that they were all walking toward the river.
Vimos que todos caminaban hacia el río.
Toward his own children he was always unjust.
Para con sus propios hijos fué siempre injusto.
(a) 1. Pegaron fuego hasta a las iglesias. 2. Le felicito a Vd. y aun más a su familia. 3. Todavía no se ha dejado ver. 4. ¿Quién sucedió al Presidente Lincoln? 5. Saltó al agua y logró salvar al niño. 6. Logré alcanzarlos hacia la noche. 7. Era muy generoso para con sus amigos menos afortunados. 8. No tenían ni siquiera un duro. 9. Hasta su padre no sabía lo que habían hecho. 10. Parece que al momento de asomarse él a la puerta le dijeron que tenía que presentarse ante el juez.
(b) 1. They appear to be very happy even if they are not rich. 2. Toward morning a light appeared in the house. 3. Even so, I don't like his conduct towards his family. 4. I haven't even answered the letters that they wrote me. 5. He even shook hands with the beggars in the street. 6. I think he will succeed in getting the money. 7. He went toward the door without looking at us. 8. I don't feel any anger toward him. 9. They have succeeded in opening the door, but even now they can't get in. 10. Even if not of as good material as mine, it is very well made.
LESSON XXVII
| De la mentira sale mucha veces la verdad.[27] |
| —BENAVENTE. |
(a) 1. I have known him only a short time. 2. They returned last night at the usual time. 3. They will always need me and so I shall keep on sacrificing myself for them. 4. She is very pretty, isn't she? Yes, very. 5. I don't feel like playing with them now. 6. The least that it had cost him was money and time. 7. In one of the houses a lady was playing the organ. 8. He sat down like one who is not in a hurry. 9. They congregate there every day at the same time. 10. Without the money, I don't like to go to (acudir a) them. 11. It must be time for them to arrive.
(b) 1. Even so, they know very little about that man. 2. From time to time he walked toward the door. 3. They have ordered him to appear before them to-morrow. 4. It appears that I was not right when I told you that. 5. Don't go without me. I can't go without asking permission. 6. It has grown very dark. It must be going to rain. 7. Tell them it must be done. They must know that already. 8. We must get him what he needs even if it costs a lot of money. 9. We are very, very tired. We haven't had even a moment to rest all day. 10. You need not explain. I heard from your companions that you had been dismissed. 11. It must be dinner time. You must dine with us this evening.
(c) 1. Please tell them that I haven't enough even now. 2. I need even more than that, this very minute. 3. What's the weather like just now? Oh, it rains every now and then. 4. You will have to give me more time. I have only two made. 5. The only thing I need just now is a piece of soap. 6. The only thing I succeeded in getting from him was advice. 7. If only she were not so ill! But I hear that she is getting better. 8. I heard a lady singing. She sang like a nightingale. 9. If you mean that you like the way he acts (say, his manner of acting) toward others, you are crazy, I mean, you are not wise. 10. You are right. It must be he. He must have arrived this morning. 11. One mustn't think that all things are like these.
LESSON XXVIII
| Cuando me habla el deber, tan sólo escucho su voz.[28] |
| —Gil y Zárate. |
84. The verb to sit (down) is rendered sentarse. To be sitting is rendered estar sentado.
I'm going, I'm going, you say, and you sit down.
Ya voy, ya voy, dices, y te sientas.—TOMAYO Y BAUS.
Will you sit (down) here a moment, please?
¿Quiere usted sentarse aquí un momento?
Don Miguel is sitting in an armchair near the stove.
Don Miguel está sentado en un sillón inmediato al brasero.
—LOS QUINTERO.
Note.—It is always well to paraphrase sit before translating. So, I sat (sat down, took a seat, seated myself) where they told me to; I sat (was sitting) in the armchair.
85. To stand meaning to be on one's feet is rendered estar en pie or parado; meaning to rise to one's feet it is ponerse de pie.
Pardon me, I am troubled with my heart. I can't stand.
Perdóneme usted. Padezco del corazón. No puedo estar en pie.—PÉREZ GALDÓS.
When they saw the lady enter, everybody stood.
Al ver entrar a la señora todo el mundo se puso de pie.
(a) Meaning to be situated, stand is translated hallarse or estar situado.
That church has stood there for years.
Aquella iglesia se halla allí desde hace muchos años.
(b) Meaning to endure, bear, suffer, stand is rendered aguantar, sufrir, soportar.
He couldn't stand the pain.
No podía soportar el dolor.
I can't stand this noise any longer.
No puedo sufrir más este ruido.
86. English corner has two translations. Meaning an exterior angle, it is rendered esquina; as an interior angle, it is rincón.
At the corner of that street stands a house, and in one corner of the garden of that house is a beautiful tree.
En la esquina de aquella calle se halla una casa, y en un rincón del jardín de esa casa se halla un hermoso árbol.
(a) 1. La casa estaba situada en medio de grandes jardines. 2. Junto a él nos sentábamos nosotros, es decir, el padre cura y yo. 3. Se sentaron en torno de una mesa junta a la ventana. 4. ¡Ponte de pie cuando yo te hablo! 5. Estamos muy bien en este rinconcito. 6. Ha de saber usted que no puedo aguantar a este hombre. 7. En la obscuridad di contra la esquina de la mesa y me lastimé el brazo. 8. No había asientos para todos y algunos tenían que quedarse parados (en pie). 9. ¿Cómo ha soportado el enfermo el largo viaje? 10. Aquí en el rincón hay un banco. Sentémonos aquí.
(b) 1. I am tired of sitting. Let's all stand up for a few minutes. 2. Who is that boy who is still sitting down? 3. How long are we going to have to stand this? 4. We sat down to rest a few minutes because we were tired. 5. The house stands a little to the right of the church. 6. She has been sitting here so very, very quiet that I had almost forgotten her. 7. You must always stand when a lady speaks to you. 8. Turning the corner, he found himself in a little square that he had never seen before. 9. Put the table in the corner. We want to sit there. 10. There was a lady whom I didn't know standing by the window.
LESSON XXIX
| A quien se apresta a luchar no le abaten pesares.[29] |
| —EDUARDO MARQUINA. |
88. English self used reflexively is rendered by the Spanish reflexive pronouns me, te, se, nos, os, se. Used as an emphatic modifier self is rendered mismo for all persons, changing only for number and gender. Mismo may be used with a reflexive to emphasize it.
I hurt myself, as you yourself can see.
Me he lastimado, como usted mismo puede ver.
Give the letter to him himself.
Entregue la carta a él mismo.—JOSÉ MÁRMOL.
I am inclined to believe that the widow loves herself above all.
Inclino a creer que la viuda ama a sí misma sobre todo.
—JUAN VALERA.
He hurts himself in order to annoy the rest.
Es que se hace daño a sí mismo para dar un disgusto a los demás.—ECHEGARAY.
Note.—Mismo may take the emphatic ending -ísimo. So él mismísmo ..., the very ... himself.
89. Last, meaning the most recent of a series, or the final one of a series, is translated último. Meaning the one just past, it is translated pasado.
The last French invasion proves how difficult it is to attack our independence.
La última irrupción francesa prueba cuán difícil es atacar nuestra independencia.—EMILIO CASTELAR.
We ourselves were there last week.
Nosotros mismos estábamos allí la semana pasada.
I said to myself, "This will be the last time."
Dije para mí—Esta será la última vez.
(a) The verb to last is translated durar.
Come! Be patient, for this will not last long.
¡Vamos! Tenga usted paciencia, que esto no durará mucho.
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
(b) Last night is rendered anoche or ayer por la noche.
They must have stolen them from me last night.
Debieron de robármelas anoche.—ALARCÓN.
(c) At last is translated al fin or, more emphatically, al fin y al cabo.
At last! I was beginning to think that you were lost.
¡Al fin y al cabo! Yo empezaba a creer que se había perdido usted.
90. The verb to tell has three common translations. Meaning simply to say to it is rendered decir. Meaning to relate it is contar. Meaning to be effective it is rendered producir efecto.
Tell me, grandfather, what is the name of the queen in your story?
Dime, abuelito, ¿cómo se llama la reina de tu cuento?
—MARTÍNEZ SIERRA.
I told them the terrible story of the miner.
Les conté la espantosa narración del minero.—ALARCÓN.
It was a telling narrative.
Fué una narración que produjo efecto.
(a) 1. Me dice que está lloviendo en este mismo momento. 2. Contaba a los niños las aventuras de los conquistadores. 3. María se cortó hace poco con ese cuchillo. 4. Lo hemos comprado para nosotros mismos, no para ellos. 5. Bien podía ver que sus palabras habían producido efecto. 6. Esta es la última obra del insigne autor español Pérez Galdós. 7. Murió el mes pasado. 8. Al fin han venido a contarme lo ocurrido. 9. La mismísima madre de la niña no hubiera podido hacer más para salvarla. 10. Respeto a la inteligencia de las hormigas se cuentan muchas anécdotas.
(b) 1. Please tell them that this is not the book that I need. 2. I like to hear him tell how he learned to play the piano. 3. He knows how to tell it in such a way that every word tells. 4. I myself had forgotten all my troubles. 5. I was just saying to myself that it is time to go. 6. The very general himself could not have done more. 7. This is the last story that I am going to tell you. Last night you went to bed too late. 8. I was just wondering (say, asking myself) whether I was dreaming or not. 9. I'm going to take her the roses. I myself like the lilies best. 10. At last, last week, I was able to buy the last one that I needed.
LESSON XXX
| Digan lo que quieran, la alegría es muy barata.[30] |
| —ECHEGARAY. |
92. To save in the sense of to rescue is salvar; meaning to keep, conserve, it is ahorrar, or conservar.
To save a child, I am capable of throwing myself into the fire.
Por salvar a un niño soy capaz de echarme en el fuego.
—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
It's a pity that he didn't save more while he was earning more.
Es lástima que no haya ahorrado más mientras ganaba más.
We must save our strength.
Debemos conservar (ahorrar) nuestras fuerzas.
93. To see is usually ver, but used in conjunction with certain prepositions it calls for other translations. So to see to (take charge of) is rendered cuidar de, or tomar a su cargo; to see about (ask or inquire about) is translated informarse de or pedir informes sobre.
I'll see to the baggage.
Yo cuidaré del equipaje, or yo tomaré a mi cargo el equipaje.
What time do you want me to go and see about it?
¿A qué hora quiere usted que yo vaya a informarme de ello?
—PALACIO VALDÉS.
(a) To see through may be rendered (llegar a) comprender. To see a thing through is rendered llevar algo a cabo.
There's a problem that I shall never be able to see through.
¡Vaya un problema que yo nunca llegaré a comprender (or que yo nunca comprenderé)!
We've begun it and we must see it through.
Lo hemos empezado y debemos llevarlo a cabo.
(b) The exclamatory see here! is rendered ¡mire Vd.! and the imperative forms let's see and let me see are translated a ver or vamos a ver.
See here! You'll have to hurry if you want to overtake them.
¡Mire Vd.! Tendrá que darse prisa si quiere Vd. alcanzarlos.
Let's see if you with your talent can clear this up for me.
A ver si usted con su talento me aclara esto.—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
Let's see! Will you tell me what use flowers are?
¡Vamos a ver! ¿Quiere usted decirme que utilidad tienen las flores?—PALACIO VALDÉS.
Let's see! What have you to declare?
¡A ver! ¿Qué tiene Vd. que declarar?—EMILIA PARDO BAZÁN.
94. Half as a noun is la mitad. As an adjective it is medio, which is also its adverbial form. Half-way there is translated a mitad del camino or en medio camino.
"They offered me the half now," said the old woman.
Me ofrecieron la mitad ahora,—dijo la anciana.
—FERNÁN CABALLERO.
He always stopped when halfway there.
Siempre se detuvo a la mitad del camino.—BLASCO IBÁÑEZ.
Halfway there, there was an inn.
En medio del camino se hallaba una venta.
—FERNÁN CABALLERO.
(a) 1. Si Vd. me da la mitad, yo quedaré satisfecho. 2. Estábamos medio tristes y medio rabiosos. 3. Queda a media milla de distancia de aquí. 4. A ver si Vd. puede hacerlo mejor. 5. Ahorró mucho dinero en poco tiempo. 6. Es muy hábil el médico. Esperemos que salve al niño. 7. ¡Mira! si no quieres que lleguemos con retraso, date prisa. 8. Yo tomaré todo eso a mí cargo. 9. A mitad del camino tuvieron que volver. 10. Estaba medio enojada porque no le habían dado más que la mitad.
(b) 1. The firemen saved all the people in the house. 2. It is a strange affair. I can't see through it at all. 3. Half is for me and the other half for them. 4. Let's see, what's the good of this? 5. I'll see to the dinner. 6. To save time we sent a servant to see about the trains. 7. The bandits left their victims there half dead. 8. Halfway there they all sat down to rest. 9. Don't leave it half done. See it through! 10. The letter is half written. Let's see! Don't you want to finish it now?