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Zachary-Santamaria

I come across a phrase "mal rayo..." which doesn't quite make sense in its literal translation "bad ray" what is meant by this?

Also, if I might get two for the price of one, I come across this sentence:

con antifaz, sentado a una mesa escribiendo

I am not sure if the subject is seated at a table writing (himself preforming the action) or whether he is seated at a writing table

How is one to know?

Posted Nov 14, 2009
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aloshek

I would say he is seated at a desk writing as the word for writing table in Spanish is escritorio. I'm still looking checking on malo rayo...

Nov 14, 2009
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Thanks for the help. I am trying to read a bit of Jose Zorrilla's Don Juan Tenorio. I would estimate that it would take about hour for me to comprehend a page! - Zachary-Sant Nov 14, 2009 flag

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albert-fabrik-

Mal rayo is a bad scratch.

Nov 14, 2009
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mountaingirl123

"mal rayo" is an expression that is used pejoratively. I don't swear, but you will catch my drift..."mal rayo" - "To H--- with it!"

Would this make sense in the context?

Nov 14, 2009
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Perhaps. The sentence is--Mal rayo me parta si, en concluyendo la carta no pagan caros sus gritos! - Zachary-Sant Nov 14, 2009 flag

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Goyo

The expression "mal rayo te parte" is somewhat akin to "blast you!" It's wishing ill on the person to whom it is addressed.

As to your second question, wouldn't "writing table" use a preposition? Una mesa de escritora? And there is even a Spanish word for "writing table"- escritorio.

I would take your sentence to mean that the person was sitting at a table, writing.