Spanish Phrases and Their English Translations

M

Me gustaría saber cómo

I would like to know what your house is like. You may think I am very inquisitive, but I give much importance to the place people live in.

Mr Blondin

Mr. Blondin, unlike other restaurant proprietors, doesn’t usually flatter the clients of the upper class.

Me gustaría ganarme

I would like to earn my living as a lawyer. They usually earn more money than teachers.

Me llevó bastante tiempo

It took me a long time to make up my mind, but I have just bought a brand-new car.

Mi primer bebé nacerá

My first baby will be born in less than a month, and I am looking forward to seeing him.

Mis padres quieren que

My parents want me to settle down. However, I tell them it wouldn’t do me good to do what is right.

Mi sueño se convirtió

My dream turned into a nightmare that had nothing to do with me.

N

Nunca me había dado cuenta

I would never have realized how stupid it is to drink and drive until the accident happened to me. Next time, I will think twice before driving carelessly.

Necesitamos un sistema de educación

We need an education system that enables children to use their imagination and creativity.

No fue fácil para mí

It wasn’t easy for me to get used to reading newspapers, but now I couldn’t do without them.

No me importa dónde estés

I don’t care where you are as long as you come early. You know you must come with me whether you like it or not.

Nos sirvió un camarero

We were served by an unfriendly French waiter.

No tiene sentido

It is pointless, after all, to hope that the people who are trying to sell their house will give you a factual opinion of their neighbors.

Nos quedamos en casa

We stayed at home not to spend more money.

No podría pasar sin ella

I couldn’t go without her. In fact, we are made for each other.

No puedo evitar pensar

I can’t help thinking he is lying. He is always making excuses not to do anything.

P

Por motivos de prestigio

On the grounds of prestige and in order to retain their most able youngsters, it is important for African countries to develop their own universities.

Para poder interpretar

To be able to interpret dreams, some knowledge of the dreamer is essential. However, there has always been much disagreement about what a dream means.

Por mucho que me amenaces

However much you threaten me, you will get nothing.

Pocos cocineros

Few cooks cook as well as my grandmother because they are less and less interested in home-made recipes.

Puesto que las noticias

Since the news spread fast all over Europe, the scholars realized how important it was to decipher the inscription as soon as possible.

Político, carnicero

Politician, butcher, economist, lawyer, electrician, and so on. Although there are so many different professions, I find it difficult to choose the right one for me.

Puesto que ya no podía

Since she couldn’t influence the jury, she isn’t to blame for what happened.

S

Simplemente no puedo evitar

I just can’t help being so perfectionist. If I weren’t so, I would have finished my homework a long time ago.

Siempre que tengo

Whenever I have to take a train, I am worried about missing it, so I don’t mind waiting at the station.

Si fueras allí

If you went there, the first thing that would catch your eye is a superb garden full of the strangest plants.

Sarah se está haciendo

Sarah is getting lazier and lazier. She has been lying in bed until midday.

Suponiendo que

Assuming that we miss the plane. What shall we do?

Si no hubieras tenido paraguas

If you hadn’t had an umbrella, you would have gotten wet.

Siempre que intento causar

Whenever I try to make a good impression on my boss, I make a fool of myself.

T

Tendremos que aceptar

We will have to accept their offer for the time being and hope to get a better deal next year.

Tengo intención de tomarme

I intend to take some time off in order to travel. It is the only way to make my dream come true. Otherwise, you never have time to spare to do what you like.

Tienen un trabajo muy importante

She has a very important job in an office, but what she would really like is to run a house.

Tomar medidas legales

Taking legal action is time-consuming and does nothing to improve the already difficult relations.

V

Volar puede representar

Flying can represent both a wish to overcome daily difficulties and achieve greater strength.

Viajar a cualquier lugar

Traveling anywhere in the world is increasingly easier. But I don’t know how to behave properly abroad.

Y

Ya que la mayoría de los problemas

Since most problems offend the ears rather than the eyes, it’s surprising that so few buyers take the trouble to find out what their neighbors are like.

?¿?

¿cuál es tu principal razón?

What’s your main reason for not going on holiday? Firstly, I hate package holidays, and these are the only ones I can afford. Secondly, I hate overcrowded beaches and bustling tourist resorts. Finally, I’m a workaholic, I just can’t do without working ten hours a day, so I rarely take more than a few days’ holiday a year.

¿sería tan amable como para?

Would you be so kind as to let me speak, for a change? I would like to bring up the subject of immigrants in Spain.

!!!!

¡Rápido, hay un agujero!

¡Quick! There’s a hole at the bottom of the boat, and water is coming through it.