A couple short Spanish translations
January 21, 2014 9:09 PM Subscribe
I'm working on a Spanish course, and I'm having trouble with a couple of questions dictated to me. I simply do not know what word they are using. Maybe I'm just mishearing it, and it really is something I know. Or maybe its a devious plot to confuse me. Anyway, these are the questions, as well as I can hear them.
Cuando medas television?
Recives regalos de tostillos?
Bebes in medas la television al mismo tiempo?
In particular, I've never heard this medas word. I'm sure I'll put a palm to my forehead and feel like an idiot after someone answers, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Thanks!
Cuando medas television?
Recives regalos de tostillos?
Bebes in medas la television al mismo tiempo?
In particular, I've never heard this medas word. I'm sure I'll put a palm to my forehead and feel like an idiot after someone answers, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Thanks!
Best answer: Is it possible that "medas" is "miras" but they're pronouncing the R with a touch of the tongue against the front of the palate? This seems to be fairly common pronunciation in my experience.
So, "bebes y miras la television al mismo tiempo?"
It was asking about my uncles.
"tus tios" for those playing at home.
posted by LionIndex at 9:15 PM on January 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
So, "bebes y miras la television al mismo tiempo?"
It was asking about my uncles.
"tus tios" for those playing at home.
posted by LionIndex at 9:15 PM on January 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: You know, that must be it. It makes a lot of sense. And, as predicted, I feel like an idiot. Thanks a lot! You've helped a bunch.
posted by Gargantuantoe at 9:18 PM on January 21, 2014
posted by Gargantuantoe at 9:18 PM on January 21, 2014
'medas' is almost certainly 'miras'. Recives is 'recibes'.
A couple of things to note about spanish consonants:
'r' often sounds like english 'd'
'b' and 'v' are pronounced identically.
'y' often sounds like english 'j'
posted by empath at 9:20 PM on January 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
A couple of things to note about spanish consonants:
'r' often sounds like english 'd'
'b' and 'v' are pronounced identically.
'y' often sounds like english 'j'
posted by empath at 9:20 PM on January 21, 2014 [2 favorites]
Also, vowels are very consistent in spanish --
A is always pronounced as english 'ah'
E is always pronounced as english long a (as in 'way')
I is always pronounced as long 'e' (beet)
O is always pronounced as long o (boat)
U is always pronounced as long u ('tune')
posted by empath at 9:24 PM on January 21, 2014
A is always pronounced as english 'ah'
E is always pronounced as english long a (as in 'way')
I is always pronounced as long 'e' (beet)
O is always pronounced as long o (boat)
U is always pronounced as long u ('tune')
posted by empath at 9:24 PM on January 21, 2014
Cuando medas television?
Note that "me das" = "you give me", and "¿Cuándo me das la televisión?" = "When will you give me the TV set?"
Also, keep in mind that "¿Cuánto miras la televisión?" = "How much do you watch TV?"
It is important that you learn to *listen* to Spanish. The spelling is mostly straightforward, but vowel or consonant changes can alter the meaning of most words.
posted by sukeban at 12:04 AM on January 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
Note that "me das" = "you give me", and "¿Cuándo me das la televisión?" = "When will you give me the TV set?"
Also, keep in mind that "¿Cuánto miras la televisión?" = "How much do you watch TV?"
It is important that you learn to *listen* to Spanish. The spelling is mostly straightforward, but vowel or consonant changes can alter the meaning of most words.
posted by sukeban at 12:04 AM on January 22, 2014 [1 favorite]
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posted by Gargantuantoe at 9:12 PM on January 21, 2014