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The English Word of the Day: Mere

The English Word of the Day: Mere

7
votes

mere (adjective)

  • just, no more than: mero; simple; justo; solo; no más que
  • mere chance = pura casualidad; mera coincidencia
  • mere existence = sola existencia; simple existencia
  • mere shadow (something or somebody weaker than before) = la pálida imagen
  • a mere cipher (a symbol without real power) = sólo un número
  • 'mere' is one of those words that doesn't always lend itself for 1-on-1 translations. For instance: 'a mere child' (as in: a very young person) = un crío

Thanks Diagonx for helping us out with the Spanish, while we are waiting for our new 'official' corrector!


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


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.


Mi frase/my sentence:

If you are fed up with traffic jams, you can - for a mere 250,000 euros - now fly over them and thus save yourself a lot of time and aggravation. An additional advantage: you'll never have parking problems.

Si está harto de los atascos, ahora - por meros 250.000 euros - puede sobrevolar ellos y así ahorrarse mucho tiempo y agravamiento. Una ventaja adicional: nunca tendrá problemas de aparcamiento.

enter image description here


¿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).

2741 views
updated May 16, 2013
posted by mcl020
Xcellent word, I have a visitor, our son, I hope to illustrate later, when he's gone to bed, as he's only 30, surely, that will be soon.. - annierats, May 14, 2013
it looks like a glorified vacuum cleaner! - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
And Margherite: who knows is that what initially inspired the inventor ;-) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
;-))) Annie! - mcl020, May 15, 2013

11 Answers

6
votes

I'm merely another student.

Soy nada más que otro estudiante.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
edited by annierats
posted by annierats
Me too - pmikan-pam, May 14, 2013
Surely not amiga :) - ian-hill, May 14, 2013
I had to do a sexchange, due to the mane, it's a give away. - annierats, May 14, 2013
Me three and the class clown at that. - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
No, you're not, you're special ;-) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
Gracias! - annierats, May 15, 2013
6
votes

When I am on top of a mountain I realize that I am a mere mortal, by the dignity and grandeaur of them. Cuando estoy en la cima de una montaña me doy cuenta que yo soy un simple mortal, por la dignidad y la grandeaur de ellos.

updated May 15, 2013
posted by pmikan-pam
Hola pammy! I'm good, just very busy:) - Jraider, May 14, 2013
Hola JR are you working to hard again? - pmikan-pam, May 14, 2013
Good one, Pammy ;-) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
Gracias MC - pmikan-pam, May 15, 2013
5
votes

Pomp and pageantry is a mere waste of time for those who dislike tradition.

Pompa y boato son una mera pérdida de tiempo a quienes desagradan tradición.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
posted by 0095ca4c
"You silly girl" - ian-hill, May 15, 2013
The look on her majesty's face! ;-) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
:-) - pmikan-pam, May 15, 2013
5
votes

He’s a mere child and he is paid a mere pittance

No es más que un niño y se le paga una miseria.

child labour photo: Child Labour P2140004.jpg

The merest glimpse was enough.

Un simple vistazo fue suficiente.

updated May 15, 2013
edited by ian-hill
posted by ian-hill
Child labour? Someone could be arrested! - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
It doesn't look like he's doing it for fun. - mcl020, May 15, 2013
5
votes

The price is a mere pittance of what I could've paid.

El precio es no más que podría pagar.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
posted by katydew
I like that! - pmikan-pam, May 14, 2013
Do you like to eat? Thank a farmer! - bumpersticker that I saw last week. - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
Great, katy ;-) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
5
votes

The mere thought of losing my loved ones, makes me very sad.

El mero pensamiento de perder a mis seres queridos me da mucha tristeza.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
posted by francobollo
Me too! - pmikan-pam, May 14, 2013
Are they ill? - annierats, May 14, 2013
No, thank God! We're all fine. - francobollo, May 14, 2013
Glad to hear it. - annierats, May 15, 2013
That sure is a saddening thought! - mcl020, May 15, 2013
4
votes

El mero pensamiento de controlar las gastas del gobierno es demasiado de considerar para los miembros del congreso.

The mere thought of controlling spending is too much to consider for members of Congress.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
edited by Noetol
posted by Noetol
Ratz...you weren't supposed to catch that so soon! - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
The mere thought of all that spending has you tongue tied amigo :-) - 0095ca4c, May 14, 2013
But not for long!!! :)) - Noetol, May 14, 2013
A universal problem ;-( - mcl020, May 15, 2013
3
votes

Soy una mera sombra de lo que era.

O, soy solamente una sombra.

I am a mere shadow of what I was .

Or, I am merely a shadow.

updated May 16, 2013
edited by ray76
posted by ray76
Cannot post a photo. Imagine a "Skeleton." - ray76, May 15, 2013
Pues no, Ray, no eres una sombra. Un hombre animado, ¡eso es qué eres! - Aranjuez12, May 15, 2013
mlc's examples gives pálida imagen , I think that woorks better, probably. - annierats, May 15, 2013
Cheer up Ray! - annierats, May 15, 2013
I totally agree with Aran! - mcl020, May 15, 2013
:-) G'day mate - pmikan-pam, May 15, 2013
Sorry can only do small things on my iPod, no access to anything so cannot even change , Tengo un sombrió. - ray76, May 16, 2013
" Sombrío " Oooooops . - ray76, May 16, 2013
3
votes

The mere memory of that person makes me angry. El simple requerdo de esa persona me molesta.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
edited by RiCrow
posted by RiCrow
(S)he probably isn't worth it! - mcl020, May 15, 2013
3
votes

Las manzanas son una mera fracción de las frutas que son saludables.

Apples are a mere fraction of fruits that are healthy.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
posted by bandit51jd
They even look tasty in this picture! - mcl020, May 15, 2013
2
votes

una mera mentira, pero con muchas consecuencias

a mere lie, but with many consequences.

enter image description here

updated May 15, 2013
posted by Aranjuez12
;-)))) - mcl020, May 15, 2013
:--) - pmikan-pam, May 15, 2013