Thursday, December 13, 2012

Found in Translation

When learning (or teaching) another language, you realize that some words and expressions simply don't translate.  However, I have been surprised several times to find things that translate quite perfectly into Spanish.  Here's what I mean...


Old school : Vieja escuela 

Flea market : Feria de pulgas

Honeymoon : Luna de miel

Curiosity killed the cat: La curiosidad mató al gato

Like a baby's butt : Como potito guagua


Then there are the things that, though not exact translations, make perfect sense.  The literal words used are like hints that help you figure out the translation on your own.  For example, walnuts are known as la nuez mariposa; the butterfly nutA crosswalk is a paso de cebra; zebra passing. 

Then you have the para-somethings which means for-well...whatever it's for.  You've got your parabrisas for breeze (windshields), your paracaídas for falls (parachutes) and your parachoques for crashes (bumpers).  I love these super convenient compound words.  My only request is to change the word paraguas (for water) to parallovizna (for drizzle).  Sadly it looks like Snoop Dog jokes are one thing that is still lost in translation.



2 comments:

  1. Bahaha love this! I'm so curious about what was like a baby's butt! And I'm going to start calling walnuts, butterfly nuts :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know right? The name is just too perfect. Apparently they already call crosswalks zebra crossings in the UK so we're behind the times on that one. Oh & the sign was for a spa treatment that can make your skin soft like a baby's butt...who doesn't want that?

    ReplyDelete