The English Word of the Day: Sober

Question

sober

(adjective) sobrio, sereno

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The English word 'sober' finds a false friend in the Spanish word sobre, which can either be a preposition (on, above, over) or a noun (el sobre = envelope)

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My sincere thanks go out to Mariana for helping us out with the Spanish as often as she can.

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Estamos buscando un corrector oficial de las frases en español para este hilo, así que si estás interesado, por favor envia un MP a rac1 o a mí

Hay muchos hablantes nativos de inglés aquí, entonces la mayoría de ellos puede ofrecer sugerencias a las frases en inglés. Voy a ayudar tanto como pueda, por supuesto.

Aquí están las directrices del juego:

• Usa la palabra en una frase en inglés y añade la traducción al español. Intenta usar la palabra de una manera original.¡Usa tus propias palabras!

• Vota por las frases que más te gusten.

• Escribe solamente frases que tengan, al menos, 5 palabras, pero no escribas párrafos con 4 frases o más.

• Haz las correcciones sugeridas por el corrector official.

• El ganador será elegido basándose en el uso correcto de la palabra, así como en la cantidad de votos.

• Respeta las reglas de SpanishDict.

• ¡Disfruta el juego y mantén siempre en mente que todos nosotros estamos aquí para aprender!

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We are looking for an official corrector of the Spanish sentences for this thread, so if you are interested, please send a PM to either rac1 or me.

As there are lots of native English speakers here, most of them can offer suggestions to the English sentences. I shall try to help as much as I can too, of course.

Here are the rules of the game:

• Use the word in an English sentence and add the Spanish translation of that sentence. Try to use the word in an original way. Use your own words!

• Vote for the sentences that you like most.

• Write sentences of at least 5 words, but don't write paragraphs of 4 sentences or more.

• Correct your sentences according to the suggestions of the corrector.

• The winner will be chosen based upon the correct use of the word as well as the number of votes.

• Respect the rules of SpanishDict.

• Enjoy the game and always keep in mind that all of us are here to learn.

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Mi frase/my sentence:

Even though the officer didn't believe him, he really was as sober as a judge.

Aunque la policía no le creyó, realmente estaba totalmente sobrio.

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¿Has visto todas las contribuciones en 'The Word of the Day' de ayer? Todos los jugadores merecen tu atención (y votos).

Did you see all the entries of yesterday's Word of the Day? All players deserve your attention (and votes).

Can't see the picture, MC. - rac1, Mar 11, 2013

Can you see it now, rac1? I took it from another source. - mcl020, Mar 11, 2013

That's what they sll say! Looks guilty to me! :)) - Noetol, Mar 11, 2013

Ooo noetol, that poor kid ;-)) - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Hahahaha! "...estaba totalmente sobrio." - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

;-) Thanks Mariana ;-) - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Answer 1

Su esposa estaba esperando que estuviera sobrio durante la noche.

His wife was hoping he would be sober for the evening.

Hahahahaha. I love this picture!!! They often use hamsters in alcohol research, but found out that these fun animals really seem to love it ;-) - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

"....que estuviera sobrio..." - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

He's just trying not to waste that last drop. You might call him a conservationist! :)) - Noetol, Mar 12, 2013

I didn't know that, mcl. Yes, Noetol, he's a responsible little guy. Thank you for the corrections, Mariana. :) - GraceM, Mar 13, 2013

Grace you've made me laught, gets my vote any day, a laugh does. - annierats, Mar 13, 2013

Thanks, Annie! - GraceM, Mar 14, 2013

Answer 2

De verdad, la palabra ' sober' ya practialmente no existe en inglés, los jovenes están borrachos más o menos todo el tiempo, y los ancianos están tan serenos y drogados hasta los huesos en sus ''hogares geriatricos ''que no entienden nada.

I don't think the word sober is used much in English any more . The youngsters are drunk more or less all the time and the old people are drugged up to the eyebrows in their ''care homes' that they have lost the plot. .

A picture would be degrading. - annierats, Mar 11, 2013

The truth can often offend too amiga :) - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2013

and sometimes we don't want to see the truth. :) - Aranjuez12, Mar 11, 2013

This is a very sobering sentence ;-( - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Sad, but true, amiga! "..están tan serenos..." - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Thanks Mariana! Basic error, yet again. - annierats, Mar 13, 2013

Answer 3

A menudo me encanta una cena sobria mucha más que una cena muy rica.

I often love a sober diner much more than a rich diner.

Brilliant picture. Simple, might be a beter choice in English. Although a trick rider makes a bit of a gastro-supper, I suspect. - annierats, Mar 11, 2013

it's a drive in Annie - Aranjuez12, Mar 11, 2013

;-) - mcl020, Mar 11, 2013

Lol Aranjuez. I didn't understand first time round.. - annierats, Mar 13, 2013

jajajaja annie that's really funny......best joke of the day. - Aranjuez12, Mar 13, 2013

Answer 4

The bible tells us in 1 Thessalonias 5 we are not to be like others, who are asleep, but we should be awake and sober.
La Biblia nos dice en 1 Thessalonias 5 que no debemos ser como otros, que están dormidos, pero deberíamos estar despiertos y sobrios.

let us keep the flame burning - Aranjuez12, Mar 11, 2013

Yes, hola amigo! - pmikan-pam, Mar 11, 2013

Good sentence. - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Gracias mc! :-) - pmikan-pam, Mar 12, 2013

Nice! - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Thank you very much Mariana! - pmikan-pam, Mar 13, 2013

Answer 5

Drive sober or don't drive at all.

Conduzca sobrio o no conducir en absoluto.

I cannot imagine! - pmikan-pam, Mar 11, 2013

Good message - gohern, Mar 11, 2013

Indeed, a very good message! - mcl020, Mar 11, 2013

Gracias amigos! - rac1, Mar 12, 2013

I agree 100%. "...o no conduzcas..." - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

If we were in a war that took 20,000 lives a year, we would be in the streets in protest. But we just calmly accept that for drunk driving. Go figure! - Noetol, Mar 12, 2013

Answer 6

él es sobrio de palabras y él lleva una vida muy sobria.

He is (a man) of few words and he lives (has) a very frugal life.

Well thought out mate , good one. - ray76, Mar 11, 2013

:-) - pmikan-pam, Mar 11, 2013

Gracias - gohern, Mar 12, 2013

Nice: 2 uses of the word in 1 sentence! - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Excellent! - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Answer 7

Otra razón para estar sobrio.

Another reason to be sober.

The media ads are " If you drink and drive your a bloody idiot!" - ray76, Mar 12, 2013

What a confronting road sign! I wonder if it works, it might 'challenge' some people I'm afraid. - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Good one! - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Big mistake, ray: thisis another reason for drinking more so you don't have to se all this.. - annierats, Mar 13, 2013

Answer 8

Sober es el nombre de un pueblo de España donde se hace buen vino. Sober is the name of small village in Spain where do it make good wine.

where they make .../Good sentence!! - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

Espero visitar este pueblo muy pronto. - annierats, Mar 13, 2013

Answer 9

Los marineros tienen una reputación que no son muy sobrios cuando están en el puerto.

Sailors have a reputation that they are not very sober when they are in port.

¡Hola marinero! - ray76, Mar 11, 2013

Super picture!!! - mcl020, Mar 12, 2013

:-) - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Answer 10

Quería completar el muñeco de nieve así que tuvo que seguir siendo sobrio, en vez, ¡bebía chocolate caliente!

He wanted to complete the snowman so he had to remain sober; instead, he drank hot chocolate!

I don't see your picture Bandita - Aranjuez12, Mar 11, 2013

I don't either. - rac1, Mar 11, 2013

nor me :) - ian-hill, Mar 11, 2013

Well, it is visible ;-) - mcl020, Mar 11, 2013

Lo siento. Es este mejor! - bandit51jd, Mar 11, 2013

Well done! "...por eso ¡bebía..." (For that reason) - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013

Answer 11

She became very sober when she heard the news about Hugo Chavez's death.

Se puso muy seria cuando oyó la noticia de la muerte de Hugo Chávez.

"...cuando se enteró de..." - --Mariana--, Mar 12, 2013