Translation Exercise for Beginners: Number 3

Question

This is a thread specifically designed with beginners in mind. If other exercises intimidate you this one shouldn't! Keep in mind that it doesn't matter if you don't get it all right. The actual process of attempting translation, and then correcting yourself is what helps us learn.

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There are three rules:

• Don't look at other people's translations until you have made your own.
• Do not use a translation engine. (Although you can use a dictionary)
• Do vote for the best answers and this thread. If there is a tie, votes make a difference.

So here is our sentence for Part 3!

Dime cómo te diviertes y te diré quién eres.

José Ortega y Gasset

I will choose the best answer with the most votes. If there are multiple exact answers the one with the most votes will be chosen. The winner will be chosen on Monday. Thanks for participating! If you need to take some time to think about your translation and this thread disappears, you can find it under the new category: Games and Challenges.

• Nice introduction. :-) - chaparrito Jan 29, 2010
• Thanks for all the support chaparrito! I appreciate it. - renaerules Jan 30, 2010
• You have one more day to throw in the last few attempts before we choose the best answer...please start voting for each other so I tie can be broken! - renaerules Jan 30, 2010
• goo job, rena:) - Heidita Feb 1, 2010

Answer 1

Tell me how you enjoy yourself and I'll tell you who you are.

Answer 2

Dime cómo te diviertes y te diré quién eres. José Ortega y Gasset

Tell me how you have fun, and I'll tell you who you are.

(As an aside, this kind of reminds me of the old Iron Chef opening line.)

Answer 3

Tell me what you do for fun and I´ll tell you who you are.

• This one is right on. - hyrumt Jan 29, 2010

Answer 4

Tell me how you amuse yourself and I will tell you who you are.

Answer 5

Dime cómo te diviertes y te diré quién eres. José Ortega y Gasset

Tell me what you enjoy and I'll tell you who you are. José Ortega y Gasset

Corrijanme, por favor (gracias).

Answer 6

Dime cómo te diviertes y te diré quién eres. José Ortega y Gasset

You tell me how you entertain yourself and I will tell you who you are. José Ortega y Gasset

Answer 7

I may be wrong but here it goes

You tell me how you divert (entertain) yourself and I'll tell to you who (you,they) are....i.e., tell me what you do for entertainment and I'll tell you what (who) entertains you.

Answer 8

Tell me what entertains you and I will tell you who you are.

Answer 9

Tell me what you enjoy and I will tell you who you are.

Answer 10

Tell me how you entertain and I will tell you who you are.

• I can see that I missed the te diviertes. Where does the entertain yourself come from? - abuelita Mar 25, 2010
• divertirse: a reflexive verb. One of a few others in the Spanish language. The purpose of a reflexive verb is to show that the action of the verb stays with the subject. diviertes: to enjoy onself. - renaerules Mar 25, 2010
• lavarse: to wash oneself...sentarse: to seat oneself...divertirse: to enjoy oneself...expresarse: to express oneself...let me know if this makes sense. Just PM me. - renaerules Mar 25, 2010

Answer 11

If you have read all the answers down to my notice please vote for what you think is the best translation because votes will break any ties! The best translation will be chosen Monday. Thanks!

Answer 12

Thanks everyone for participating in this beginner's exercise! I was hard-pressed to choose the best answer but it had to go to the person who nailed the translation on the head, word for word! All of you were so right on and I am looking forward to the next exercise...Until then!

English Translation:

Tell me how you enjoy yourself, and I will tell you who you are.