In the following,
square brackets, [ ] contain words without which the phrase
remains acceptable.
Angle brackets < > contain alternatives.
Equality sign within angle brackets < = >
indicates alternatives which do not change the
significance of the phrase.
An oblique within angle brackets < / >
indicates alternatives which slightly change the
significance of the phrase.
A hash sign within angle brackets < # >
indicates alternatives which radically change
the significance of the phrase.
#..# gives an example of something unacceptable.
es = Encontrar enlaces de utilidad diaria para los navegantes de internet
ing ?=? Find links of everyday usefulness (= utility) to Internet
surfers -?OK?
ing = to ride <[on] a donkey / [on] a horse = on horseback>
es = montar <en el burro / a caballo> ?!?
ing = those of us who had to carry on working, had to
stay in the workshop 4229
es = ?? los de nosotros que tenía seguir
trabajando, tenían ?..?
ing = I shall be here [for] [another] 2 days =
es = ?? estoy aquí desde hacía 2 días ??
ing = I have [already] been here [for] 2 days =
es = ?? hacía 2 días que estoy aquí ??
ing = I am here [for] 4 days [in total]
es = ??..??
ing = they give me a free hand to get whatever I think is needed
es = me dan carta blanca por ??coger/sacar?? lo que mi parece falte ??
ing = <keep your trouser-cuffs clean = avoid getting them
dirty> by tucking them into your socks
es = ?? si ?..? ?..?s del pantelón en los
calcetínes, los evitarás ensuciar ??
ing: they don't hesitate to claim that he isn't just
anybody, but that he's important
es = ??..??
ing = I'm sorry [that] I'll not be able to keep our appointment
es: = ?? [me] siento mucho <no poder acudir = que no
<podré??pudiere> acudir> a la cita
ing = the man <to / with> whose pretty daughter
I was talking non-stop
es = el hombre cuya hija estaba hablando ??
por los codos - o «a cuya»??2152
ing = the floor-tiles, not overlapping but <edge to edge
= abutting> = <just ~ almost> touching
es = las baldosas, ? no superpuesto sino tocandose?? / en
contacto??
ing = they said they <must be guides for them
?? needed guides> so they'd not get lost in Madrid 4220
es = ?..? /
dicen que a éstos, los hacen falta guías para
que no se pierdan por Madrid
ing = <lift « heave> it onto the roof-rack and
<rope = tie> it <down ÷ on>
es = levantala ?..? sobre ?..? la baca y atala
ing = by [dint of] [constant] pleading, she <had her
[own] way = prevailed> 1987
es = ?..?
ing = it <wound = ended> up in the dustbin,
<eventually = finally = in the end> 3135
es = ? <terminó por parar = fue a parar>,
al cubo de la basura, al final
ing = it's on the tip of my tongue 2018
es = ?? lo tenga en la punta de la lengua.??
"Have you stopped beating your wife? Yes or No?" is a leading question;una cuestión implicando cosa come verificada, que no lo es. Se dice en españ ?..?
ing = don't change the question!
es = ?? ¡non cambiar de <cuestión ?? pregunta>!
ing = don't change the subject!
es = ?? ..! ??
ing = while you're <riding pillion = sitting [behind me]
on the pillion of the motorcycle> you are not only
<permitted = allowed> to <hold [on to] /
put your arms around / embrace> me, but
<encouraged ‹ recommended ‹ required> to do so.
es = mientras ................ hacerlo
ing = acceptance of my invitation to embrace me while riding
pillion will neither confer any privilege upon you, nor
entail any obligation on your part in other circumstances
or at <other times = any other time>.
(en francés = me serrer contre toi sur la moto
ne t'accorde aucun privilŠge autretemps ni
t'imposera d'obligation)
es = ?? mientras que ... sella ... abrazar ...
(ing=embrace no significa ing=kiss (es=brazar no significa
es=besar))
ing = I'd [just] as soon read as watch the <[idiot] box
/ goggle-box / / telly / TV> 1111
es = ??tanto me da leer como ver la <caja tonta /
télé> ??
ing = the contents and lids of some of the <cases » [small]
boxes> were damaged or spoilt 677
es = los contenidos y las ??tapas / ..?? de unos
<cajones » cajas » cajitas »
cajatillas> estaban dañados o estropeados
ing = intersection(Estadas Unidas) = crossroads(GB) = junction(GB de
autopista)2922
es = ?? cruce / ?..?
ing = road narrows
es = ?? el camino se estrecha
ing = bear right at the fork ( = 45°, not 90° )
es = ?? gire ?? a derecha al empalme
ing = once there, make a sharp turn back to the
right ( = 135°, not 90°) 2988
es = ?? una vez allí, ? .. ?
ing = [you had [far]] better not <do that # touch it> 1977
es = ?? más vale que no <<la haces = hacerlo>
# <la toques = tocarlo>>
ing = some pepper in the radiator will stop the
leak in the radiator hose 2925
es = ?? un po' de pimienta en el radiador
tapará la fuga en la ?manguera?
ing = there's no knowing! we <must = shall [just]
have to> wait and see! 1266
es = ?..?
ing = would you like a snack while you're
waiting to see him?
es = quiere un <bocado / tentempié / taco>
mientras ??espera ?? queda?? ?..?
ing = they just carried on as if nothing had happened 2519
es = ?? ....., como si tal cosa ?
ing = press the <button # bell [-push]> 2435
es = ?? pulse(ES) / presione(LA) / oprime(LA) el <botón #
timbre>
ing = <push = press> down the tab 2435
es = <pulse / presione / empuje> hacia abajo
la lengüeta ??
ing = keep that one pressed while you press
the other one and release it 3096
es = ?? mantengala presionada
mientras pulsa l'otra y soltarla ??
ing = it's just as I thought! 2587
es = ??¡....!??
ing = it's <just what = the very thing> we needed! 2685
es = ??¡....!??
ing = there must have been <at least sixteen of them = a
minimum of sixteen>
es = hay debido de estar dieciséis
<al menos ??? / por lo menos ??>
ing = let us <get back = return> to the subject
(italiano = torniamo a bomba ..,
francés = revenons a nos moutons ..)
es = ?..?
ing = it's a <[real] drag = great annoyance>
having to do that
es = ??
ing = that's not the way it is at all, you've got it
[completely] wrong!
es = ??¡....!??
ing = <under the shadow of = overshadowed by =
overlooked by = backed by>, the two
very high cliffs
es= <baja la sombra?? de = .... = ....>
dos muy altos acantilados ??
ing = an uninterrupted <series = succession = string>
of troubles 2634
es = ?? engorroso
ing = this plan never got off the ground 3131
es = ?? este plan no cuajaré
ing = this fashion never caught on
es = ?? esta moda no cuajaré
ing = two fools, each as stupid as the other, .. 3132
es = dos tontos ?..? a cuál más tonto ??
ing = if you're going to be like that about it, then I
withdraw my offer of help 3133
es = ?? si te pones en ese plan, ..
ing = it would have been <hard = difficult>
<without your help = if you hadn't helped>
es = ??hubiera estado dificíl?? sin <tu
ayuda = que hubieses ayudado>??
ing = while <being scared [stiff] of # holding>
the saw, I forced myself to do <it = so> 2404
es = ?.....?
ing = don't get {out # off} = alight>,
<while we're moving = until it's stopped> 2718
es = ?...?
ing = I'll dress and bandage his wounds while you apply
rescucitation 2774
es = ?...?
ing = please be patient. = [have] patience! it takes me
a while to find the words 2017
es = <ten/tenga> patiencia. me tarda
un rato en encontrar las palabras. OK?
ing = seeing is believing / I'll believe it
when I see it! 2283
es = ¡?...?!
ing = you hold it and I'll apply the glue, while Jo just
gets in the way 2369
es = ?? agarralo mientras que yo aplicaré <la cola
= el pegamento> y Jo estaró estorbando OK?
ing = a payment falling due on..
es = ??
ing = three metres forty eight is ten feet
es = ??
ing = twelve point two three per cent = 12.23%
es = ?..? = 12,23% (Mexico 12.23%)
ing = strike while the iron is hot (= seize a passing
opportunity) 2898
es = ?? al hierro caliente, batir de repente / ??
ing = make hay while the sun shines (= continue working while
conditions are favourable) 2898
es = ?...?
ing = it's an opportunity not to be <missed ÷
let slip> 4111
es = ?..?
ing = "miss the boat" (= be too late to take advantage of an
opportunity)4111
es = «perder el tren» ?? (estar demasiado tardo para
aprovechar un oportunidad)
ing = "miss the mark" 4111
es = «errar al tiro» ??
ing = while it's working, as it works, so it shows
the percentage completed 3134
es = ?? mientras que marcha, a medida que va
andando, también presenta el porcentaja hacido ??
ing = for reasons over which I had no control
~ by force of circumstance
es = ?..? ~ ?..?
ing = <this is the reason for which there is a =
from which the = whence the> subtle difference
es= ?..?
ing = you'd rather ride than walk = you'd prefer to ride than to walk
es = ?...?
ing = I like to ride <rather than walk / instead of walking>
es = ?..?
ing = it <closely resembles » is rather like » is
somewhat similar to> the other one
es = ?..? » ?..? » ?..?
ing = there may be something in what you say, but I'm not entirely convinced
es = podrí ser (¿estar?) algo en lo que dices,
pero no estoy ?completamente? convencido
ing = you must expect me to be not entirely convinced
es = ?...?
ing = to pour oil on troubled waters
es = hechar (¿echar?) aceite en el agua ??
ing = the picture which is taking shape, is quite favourable
es = ?..?
ing = it is up to someone to do something!
es = ¡?....?!
ing = not me, but someone else
es = ?? no me, sino otro/a ??
ing = someone or other, no matter who
es = cualquiera ?..?
ing = I've a clean record except for a conditional discharge for
attempting to break the speed limit with my lawnmower 2005
es = ?? no tengo antecedentes penales,
<salvo = excepto> ?...? ??condicional?? ?...? intento de ?..?
ing = I'm not bothered, I don't mind, either way. I'm easy.
es = ?..?
ing = whether or not he's found, we shall continue to value his past
services
es = ?..?
ing = we'll find him, <no matter where = wherever>
he may be
es = ?...? dondequiera ?...?
ing = <no matter what = whatever> he does = do what
he will = try as he may>, he cannot escape
es = <chechesia haga = haga> lo que haga, .. (+cond)?
ing = right! / agreed! / O.K.! / I entirely agree with
everything you say.
es = ¡vale! ?.../....?
ing = one never knows what's [just] around the corner =
one never knows what will happen in the near future »
one never knows what the future holds [in store]
es = ?...? / ?..? / ?..?
ing = <when / how soon> does it get <dark # light>?
es = ?..?
ing = how <long = late> does it stay light?
es = ?...?
ing = we've not much time
es = ?..?
ing = we've plenty of time [in hand]
es = tenemos tiempo de sobra OK?
ing = we've an hour to spare
es = ?...?
ing = we've only one hour left in which to finish it!
es= ?? ¡...! ??
ing = when there's a spare moment, I'll pop out for
a <moment = mo'> 2280
es = ?? cuando sobra tiempo, .....??
ing = after listening to him, I came round to his way of thinking
es = después de escucharlo, me dejá convencer a su
opinión OK?
es = hay un alternativo?
ing = ?? is there any alternative? ~ it's our only option! ??
ing = he put his back into it (= he worked at it as hard as he could)
es = ?? hacerá gran'esfuerzo??
ing = he threw himself into it <with an eye to ~ in the
hope of> getting a <rise = USraise> 2286
(en francés = il s'en est jeté
au corps totâl ...)
es = ?? hacerá un esfuerzo.. con miras a un aumento ??
ing = the reason [for which = why] I go, is <as
follows = the following> ... 2571
es = ?..? es come sigue ...
ing = .., but that doesn't <stop = prevent>
<your = you from> walking! 2663
es = ?? impedisce .. andar
ing = do something underhanded illegal 2974
(= italiano = lavorare sott'acqua)
es = obrar ?..? ilícitamiente
ing = I'm wasting my time explaining, if you don't listen
es = ?? pierdo tiempo ?? si no escuches ??
ing = available for £9 a month for 9 months or a lump
sum of up to and including £100
(lump sum = single payment, in place of
several payments by instalment)
es = ?...?
ing = all-inclusive, set price
(francés= prix forfaitaire = prix à forfait)
es = ?...?
ing = grumble, es = refunfuñar?
ing = winge (fam), es = lloriquear?
ing = complain [about], es = quejarse [de]?
ing = baulk (= refuse to comply with an excessively onerous
instruction)
es = rechazar? (rechazar=reject)
ing = kick over the traces = respond to oppression by rejecting
authority
es = ?...?
inq = before plastics <came on the scene = made their
appearance>, many items were [made of] tin-plate
es = antes de que los plásticos <irrumpieron?? =
entraron en escena??>, muchas cosas fue de hojalata ??
le devolverá a esta sección; "it will return
you to this section";
es latino-americano, ¿y en castellano?
ing = what's the balance of my account?
es = ¿cuál es mi estado de cuentas? OK?
ing = may I have a statement of account?
es = ¿puedo recibir?? / tener?? un balance mensual?
ing = <may I / can you> change 100 pounds sterling?
es = ¿.......cambiar....... ? ??
ing = what's the rate [of exchange]?
es = ¿........? ??
ing = can you provide bicycles for <so » as / this>
many people for the whole day?
es = ¿puede facilitar biciclettas ?por / para?
tante gente por todo el dia? ??
ing = that gives you cause for thought! / it makes you think!
es = ?....?
ing = I'm afraid I really couldn't say (quiero aiudarte ma no tengo
saber, o no me permito)
es = ??
ing = I'm <I'm afraid = regretably> not! (es màs suave que
"NO!")
es = ?..?
ing = how <kind / nice / sweet> of you to <have
considered / think of> me
es = ??
ing = it will pay for itself <in [much] less than
/ [well] within> a year.
es = ??
ing = I'm under threat of compulsory purchase and demolition
= ?? estoy amenezado de ..??
ing = my job task turned out to be <easier
# harder> than [I] expected
es = ??
ing = it was quite a job! <I'm telling you!
= I can tell you!>
es = ?? nos costó! ?yo / lo? te digo! ??
ing = that takes some doing! - you don't know how right
you are!
es = ??
ing = I'd like to check <what's planned / what the plans
are> for tomorrow 633
es = ??
ing = I was <planning # scheduled> to .. / my
programme was to ..
es = ??
ing = <shall I still be able = will it still be possible
for me> to do so? 632
es = ??
ing = <I'm fully booked / I've a full diary> for that
<date = day>
es = .. esa fecha ??
ing = <I'm sorry to have = I regret having> to
upset your schedule, but ..
es = ?siento tener que <cambiar?cambies tus
/ cambie su> planes, pero..# (o, tener cambiar?)
ing = <let's / shall we> say five pounds? <agreed? = OK?>
es = ¡digamos cinco esterlinas! ¿d'acuerdo?
ing = we don't want to <argue « quarrel> over anything
es = no queremos reñir con nada / ??discutir??
ing = I don't expect <to = I shall> be in Milano before 2 pm
es = no supongo estar ?en? Milano antes de los dos de la tarde
ing = I wrote recently to confirm our appointment
es = escribe <recientemente / hace poco>
?....? confirmar nuestra cita
ing = would you like to discuss it over lunch? 578
es = ??
ing = would you like to <come to the party with me = come
with me to the party = accompany me to the party>? 2684
es = ??
ing = we'd be glad <if you'd join / to have you
<join = among>> us.
es = nos alegraríamos si ?? reunirse ??
tenerci compañia
ing = it will be <usefull / worthwhile> [for us] to meet
in a few months [time].
es = .... valioso .......??
ing = could I ask you to come and see me
/ should we meet up somewhere [maybe]?
es = ?? haga el favor de ??
quedarmi. quedamos calquiera?
ing = your presence was most helpful, useful, and
valuable 939
es = ??
ing = I have to thank you for <sparing / giving>
me your time
es = ??
ing = pardon my asking but would you satisfy my curiosity?
es = ??
ing = could I ask a great favour of you? -
anything for you! ÷ any time!
es = puedo pedirte un favor? <desde luego = por
supuesto = claro que sí « cualquier
cosa por??para tí
ing = we saw him <get there = arrive ÷ turn up> <late #
early>
es = ?..? llegar ?..?
ing = I'll send you a letter by <hand # post> confirming
the points we discussed
es = ?? .. por correo, ...... ??